Visualizing alpha-fetoprotein level in undiluted serum based on microfluidic particle accumulation

Minghui Wu; Hogi Hartanto; Siying Wu; Tianyi Jiang; Gaobo Wang; Ting-Hsuan Chen

doi:10.1016/j.snb.2023.133963

Visualizing alpha-fetoprotein level in undiluted serum based on microfluidic particle accumulation

Minghui Wu
, Hogi Hartanto
, Siying Wu
, Tianyi Jiang
, Gaobo Wang
, Ting-Hsuan Chen^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

25 Downloads (CityUHK Scholars)

Abstract

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is an abundant plasma protein produced by the liver of the human fetus. When abnormally elevated in adult serum, its level can be an essential biomarker for various cancers. In addition, maternal AFP serum levels can be used to screen congenital disorders such as down syndrome and neural tube defects. Here, we report a portable method for visualizing AFP levels in serum. Magnetic microparticles (MMPs) and polystyrene microparticles (PMPs) are designed to bind with AFP simultaneously. By loading the particle solution into a microfluidic chip with a magnetic separator, unconnected PMPs can be separated and continue flowing forward until being trapped at a particle dam. Ultimately, the accumulation length of PMPs enables visualization of AFP levels. This device can be adapted to sensitive mode (70 min incubation) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 15.8 ng/ml and rapid mode (15 min incubation) with a LOD of 34.3 ng/ml in undiluted serum samples, providing a strategy for fast and visual quantitative detection of serum AFP. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.

Original language	English
Article number	133963
Journal	Sensors and Actuators, B: Chemical
Volume	390
Online published	11 May 2023
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2023.133963
Publication status	Published - 1 Sept 2023

Funding

We are pleased to acknowledge the funding support from Hong Kong Research Grant Council, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (11217820 and N_CityU119/19), Innovation and Technology Commission, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (ITS/098/20) with input from Dr. Iris Wai-Sum Li and Dr. Yinzhong Shen, The Science, Technology and Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality, China (JCYJ20210324134006017) and City University of Hong Kong (9678242, 6430620, and 7020072).

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Research Keywords

Alpha-fetoprotein
Microparticles
Microfluidics
Visual inspection
ELECTROCHEMICAL IMMUNOSENSOR
DETECTION LIMITS
SIGNAL AMPLIFICATION
BLOOD

Publisher's Copyright Statement

COPYRIGHT TERMS OF DEPOSITED POSTPRINT FILE: © 2023. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.

RGC Funding Information

RGC-funded

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10.1016/j.snb.2023.133963

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title = "Visualizing alpha-fetoprotein level in undiluted serum based on microfluidic particle accumulation",

abstract = "Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is an abundant plasma protein produced by the liver of the human fetus. When abnormally elevated in adult serum, its level can be an essential biomarker for various cancers. In addition, maternal AFP serum levels can be used to screen congenital disorders such as down syndrome and neural tube defects. Here, we report a portable method for visualizing AFP levels in serum. Magnetic microparticles (MMPs) and polystyrene microparticles (PMPs) are designed to bind with AFP simultaneously. By loading the particle solution into a microfluidic chip with a magnetic separator, unconnected PMPs can be separated and continue flowing forward until being trapped at a particle dam. Ultimately, the accumulation length of PMPs enables visualization of AFP levels. This device can be adapted to sensitive mode (70 min incubation) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 15.8 ng/ml and rapid mode (15 min incubation) with a LOD of 34.3 ng/ml in undiluted serum samples, providing a strategy for fast and visual quantitative detection of serum AFP. {\textcopyright} 2023 Elsevier B.V.",

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author = "Minghui Wu and Hogi Hartanto and Siying Wu and Tianyi Jiang and Gaobo Wang and Ting-Hsuan Chen",

year = "2023",

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doi = "10.1016/j.snb.2023.133963",

language = "English",

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journal = "Sensors and Actuators, B: Chemical",

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publisher = "Elsevier B.V.",

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AU - Wu, Minghui

AU - Hartanto, Hogi

AU - Wu, Siying

AU - Jiang, Tianyi

AU - Wang, Gaobo

AU - Chen, Ting-Hsuan

PY - 2023/9/1

Y1 - 2023/9/1

N2 - Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is an abundant plasma protein produced by the liver of the human fetus. When abnormally elevated in adult serum, its level can be an essential biomarker for various cancers. In addition, maternal AFP serum levels can be used to screen congenital disorders such as down syndrome and neural tube defects. Here, we report a portable method for visualizing AFP levels in serum. Magnetic microparticles (MMPs) and polystyrene microparticles (PMPs) are designed to bind with AFP simultaneously. By loading the particle solution into a microfluidic chip with a magnetic separator, unconnected PMPs can be separated and continue flowing forward until being trapped at a particle dam. Ultimately, the accumulation length of PMPs enables visualization of AFP levels. This device can be adapted to sensitive mode (70 min incubation) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 15.8 ng/ml and rapid mode (15 min incubation) with a LOD of 34.3 ng/ml in undiluted serum samples, providing a strategy for fast and visual quantitative detection of serum AFP. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.

AB - Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is an abundant plasma protein produced by the liver of the human fetus. When abnormally elevated in adult serum, its level can be an essential biomarker for various cancers. In addition, maternal AFP serum levels can be used to screen congenital disorders such as down syndrome and neural tube defects. Here, we report a portable method for visualizing AFP levels in serum. Magnetic microparticles (MMPs) and polystyrene microparticles (PMPs) are designed to bind with AFP simultaneously. By loading the particle solution into a microfluidic chip with a magnetic separator, unconnected PMPs can be separated and continue flowing forward until being trapped at a particle dam. Ultimately, the accumulation length of PMPs enables visualization of AFP levels. This device can be adapted to sensitive mode (70 min incubation) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 15.8 ng/ml and rapid mode (15 min incubation) with a LOD of 34.3 ng/ml in undiluted serum samples, providing a strategy for fast and visual quantitative detection of serum AFP. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.

KW - Alpha-fetoprotein

KW - Microparticles

KW - Microfluidics

KW - Visual inspection

KW - ELECTROCHEMICAL IMMUNOSENSOR

KW - DETECTION LIMITS

KW - SIGNAL AMPLIFICATION

KW - BLOOD

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U2 - 10.1016/j.snb.2023.133963

DO - 10.1016/j.snb.2023.133963

M3 - RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal

SN - 0925-4005

VL - 390

JO - Sensors and Actuators, B: Chemical

JF - Sensors and Actuators, B: Chemical

M1 - 133963

ER -

Visualizing alpha-fetoprotein level in undiluted serum based on microfluidic particle accumulation

Abstract

Funding

UN SDGs

Research Keywords

Publisher's Copyright Statement

RGC Funding Information

Access Output

Other Access Options

Permanent Link

Other Files and Links

Fingerprint

ITF: Fingerstick Blood Test for Quantitative Detection of Immunity Against COVID-19

GRF: Engineering Functional Skeletal Muscle Sheets for Bionic Applications

NSFC: Exploration of Cell Chirality Using Material Surface Patterning

Cite this

Visualizing alpha-fetoprotein level in undiluted serum based on microfluidic particle accumulation

Abstract

Funding

UN SDGs

Research Keywords

Publisher's Copyright Statement

RGC Funding Information

Access Output

Other Access Options

Permanent Link

Other Files and Links

Fingerprint

Projects

ITF: Fingerstick Blood Test for Quantitative Detection of Immunity Against COVID-19

GRF: Engineering Functional Skeletal Muscle Sheets for Bionic Applications

NSFC: Exploration of Cell Chirality Using Material Surface Patterning

Cite this