High-throughput analyses
of multitarget markers can facilitate
rapid and accurate clinical diagnosis. Suspension array assays, a
flow cytometry-based analysis technology, are among some of the most
promising multicomponent analysis methods for clinical diagnostics
and research purposes. These assays are appropriate for examining
low-volume, complex samples having trace amounts of analytes due to
superior elimination of background. Physical shape is an important
and promising code system, which uses a set of visually distinct patterns
to identify different assay particles. Here, we presented a morphology
recognizable suspension arrays based on the microorganisms with different
morphologies. In this study, UiO-66-NH2 (UiO stands for
University of Oslo) metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), was wrapped
on the microorganism surface to form an innovative class of microorganism@UiO-66-NH2 composites for suspension array assays. The use of microorganisms
endowed composites barcoding ability with their different morphology
and size. Meanwhile, the UiO-66-NH2 provided a stable rigid
shell, large specific surface area, and metal(IV) ions with multiple
binding sites, which could simplify the protein immobilization procedure
and enhance detection sensitivity. With this method, simultaneous
detection of three colorectal cancer-related microRNA (miRNA), including
miRNA-21, miRNA-17, and miRNA-182, could be easily achieved with femtomolar
sensitivity by using a commercial flow cytometer. The synergy between
microorganisms and MOFs make the composites a prospective barcoding
candidate with excellent characteristics for multicomponent analysis,
offering great potential for the development of high throughput and
accurate diagnostics.