A high-sensitivity biochip was developed for widespread diagnosis and environmental monitoring thanks to mass-production techniques and achievement of precision molecule detection.
The technology was developed by Dr. Yong-Beom Shin and his KRIBB team. It received support from the Nano Mechatronics R&D Center and Technology Convergence Growth Power Project for 21st century Frontier R&D MEST projects. The results were published in the February issue of the international nanotechnlogy journal ‘ACS Nano’ .
Dr. Shin’s team made a metal nanopillar pattern and carried out studies for two years to detect and analyze biomolecules adhering specifically to the surface of the pillars.
The nanostructures of precious metals such as gold, absorb specific wavelengths of external incidental light. Biomolecules, such as cancer markers, are affixed to the surface of such a structure, the absorbed wavelength changes. After adsorbed biomolecules are analyzed, the results can be used for disease diagnosis including diagnoses of cancer or for virus detection including FMD.
Dr. Shin’s team used the nano stamping technology “nanoimprint lithography” to make a metal nanopillar pattern.
Nano stamps with a nanopillar array pattern are made and the pattern transcribed via nano stamping. This technology is inexpensive and quick for mass production compared one at a time electron beam nanopillar construction.
In addition, the team selectively induced enzyme precipitation on the surface of metal nanopillars to maximize molecule detectability which subsequently improved 1 million times.In previous efforts, antibody molecules were fixed to the surface of nanopillars and the absorbed wavelength change was analyzed after binding antigens, such as cancer markers. Dr. Shin’s team however, attached enzyme conjugated antibodies to Ag-Ab conjugates and induced enzyme precipitation to increase the absorbed wavelength change maximizing the signal change.
The international biosensor market is rapidly growing. The commercialization of technology to diagnose diseases, such as cancer, leukemia, new flu strains, and the like, has recently begun in earnest.
Regarding this study, Dr. Shin said, “The possibility of technology industrialization was increased by this study and development related to biosensors based on nanoimprint technology is expected.”