Approaches to Sensitive and Multiplexed Assays for Robust, Reliable and User-friendly Point-of-Need Analysis
- Analytical assays that can be used outside of a dedicated laboratory environment have received unprecedented attention all around the globe during the last one and a half years, in which the world was struggling with and trying to contain the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. However, besides their current prominence in the field of medical diagnostics, rapid tests and assays have also become increasingly important in other areas ranging from food and feed via security and forensics to environmental management. The advantage is obvious: taking the assay to the sample instead of bringing the sample to the laboratory minimizes the time between first suspicion and first decision taking. Especially today, where mobile communication devices with powerful computing capabilities and onboard cameras are omnipresent, the majority of the global population possesses the basic skills of operating a powerful detector, ready at their fingertips. The stage is thus set for a much broader use of analyticalAnalytical assays that can be used outside of a dedicated laboratory environment have received unprecedented attention all around the globe during the last one and a half years, in which the world was struggling with and trying to contain the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. However, besides their current prominence in the field of medical diagnostics, rapid tests and assays have also become increasingly important in other areas ranging from food and feed via security and forensics to environmental management. The advantage is obvious: taking the assay to the sample instead of bringing the sample to the laboratory minimizes the time between first suspicion and first decision taking. Especially today, where mobile communication devices with powerful computing capabilities and onboard cameras are omnipresent, the majority of the global population possesses the basic skills of operating a powerful detector, ready at their fingertips. The stage is thus set for a much broader use of analytical measurements in terms of prognostics and prevention.
Today, however, tests for single parameters are still prevailing, whether it is a SARS-CoV-2 biomarker, the glucose level in blood or the concentration of lead in a water sample. Also, for industrial use, many mobile analytical systems still target a single parameter, and several separate runs or tests have to be used even if one wants to screen for only a small number of key parameters. Current challenges in the field thus lie with the development of low-number multiplexing strategies while allowing for robust, reliable, fast, and user-friendly operation and while still reaching the required sensitivities.
This lecture will give an overview of various generic approaches developed in BAM’s Chemical and Optical Sensing Division over the years to address these challenges. In particular, it will highlight how the combination of supramolecular (bio)chemistry, luminescence detection, hybrid (nano)materials and device miniaturization can result in powerful (bio)analytical assays that can be used at a point-of-need. Selected examples will introduce key aspects of such systems like tailored signaling mechanisms and recognition elements, materials functionalization and device integration, including hybrid mesoporous nanomaterials, gated indicator release systems, molecularly imprinted polymers, microfluidic devices, test strips and smartphone-based analysis.…