Resonant Young’s Slit Interferometer for Sensitive Detection of Low-Molecular-Weight Biomarkers
The detection of low-molecular-weight biomarkers is essential for diagnosing and managing various diseases, including neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. A biomarker’s low molecular weight is a challenge for label-free optical modalities, as the phase change they detect is dire...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Biosensors |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/15/1/50 |
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| author | Stefanus Renaldi Wijaya Augusto Martins Katie Morris Steven D. Quinn Thomas F. Krauss |
| author_facet | Stefanus Renaldi Wijaya Augusto Martins Katie Morris Steven D. Quinn Thomas F. Krauss |
| author_sort | Stefanus Renaldi Wijaya |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The detection of low-molecular-weight biomarkers is essential for diagnosing and managing various diseases, including neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. A biomarker’s low molecular weight is a challenge for label-free optical modalities, as the phase change they detect is directly proportional to the mass bound on the sensor’s surface. To address this challenge, we used a resonant Young’s slit interferometer geometry and implemented several innovations, such as phase noise matching and optimisation of the fringe spacing, to maximise the signal-to-noise ratio. As a result, we achieved a limit of detection of 2.9 × 10<sup>−6</sup> refractive index units (RIU). We validated our sensor’s low molecular weight capability by demonstrating the detection of Aβ-42, a 4.5 kDa peptide indicative of Alzheimer’s disease, and reached the clinically relevant pg/mL regime. This system builds on the guided mode resonance modality we previously showed to be compatible with handheld operation using low-cost components. We expect this development will have far-reaching applications beyond Aβ-42 and become a workhorse tool for the label-free detection of low-molecular-weight biomarkers across a range of disease types. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0038b095b3f640b49def41790d088d66 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2079-6374 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Biosensors |
| spelling | doaj-art-0038b095b3f640b49def41790d088d662025-01-24T13:25:33ZengMDPI AGBiosensors2079-63742025-01-011515010.3390/bios15010050Resonant Young’s Slit Interferometer for Sensitive Detection of Low-Molecular-Weight BiomarkersStefanus Renaldi Wijaya0Augusto Martins1Katie Morris2Steven D. Quinn3Thomas F. Krauss4School of Physics, Engineering and Technology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UKSchool of Physics, Engineering and Technology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UKSchool of Physics, Engineering and Technology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UKSchool of Physics, Engineering and Technology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UKSchool of Physics, Engineering and Technology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UKThe detection of low-molecular-weight biomarkers is essential for diagnosing and managing various diseases, including neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. A biomarker’s low molecular weight is a challenge for label-free optical modalities, as the phase change they detect is directly proportional to the mass bound on the sensor’s surface. To address this challenge, we used a resonant Young’s slit interferometer geometry and implemented several innovations, such as phase noise matching and optimisation of the fringe spacing, to maximise the signal-to-noise ratio. As a result, we achieved a limit of detection of 2.9 × 10<sup>−6</sup> refractive index units (RIU). We validated our sensor’s low molecular weight capability by demonstrating the detection of Aβ-42, a 4.5 kDa peptide indicative of Alzheimer’s disease, and reached the clinically relevant pg/mL regime. This system builds on the guided mode resonance modality we previously showed to be compatible with handheld operation using low-cost components. We expect this development will have far-reaching applications beyond Aβ-42 and become a workhorse tool for the label-free detection of low-molecular-weight biomarkers across a range of disease types.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/15/1/50optical sensorsguided-mode resonanceYoung’s interferometerbiosensorslimit of detection |
| spellingShingle | Stefanus Renaldi Wijaya Augusto Martins Katie Morris Steven D. Quinn Thomas F. Krauss Resonant Young’s Slit Interferometer for Sensitive Detection of Low-Molecular-Weight Biomarkers Biosensors optical sensors guided-mode resonance Young’s interferometer biosensors limit of detection |
| title | Resonant Young’s Slit Interferometer for Sensitive Detection of Low-Molecular-Weight Biomarkers |
| title_full | Resonant Young’s Slit Interferometer for Sensitive Detection of Low-Molecular-Weight Biomarkers |
| title_fullStr | Resonant Young’s Slit Interferometer for Sensitive Detection of Low-Molecular-Weight Biomarkers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Resonant Young’s Slit Interferometer for Sensitive Detection of Low-Molecular-Weight Biomarkers |
| title_short | Resonant Young’s Slit Interferometer for Sensitive Detection of Low-Molecular-Weight Biomarkers |
| title_sort | resonant young s slit interferometer for sensitive detection of low molecular weight biomarkers |
| topic | optical sensors guided-mode resonance Young’s interferometer biosensors limit of detection |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/15/1/50 |
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