Biosensing

Research and Practice of Colloids in Biosensing

The development of colloidal nanotechnology and colloidal nanomaterials has greatly improved the biosensing performance. A series of novel biosensing systems with excellent performance (high sensitivity, high selectivity, high throughput, etc.) have been created using various colloidal nanomaterials.

Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) and colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are biosensors based on optical signal conversion. They have the advantages of high sensitivity, good stability, and good biocompatibility. Previous studies have coupled maltose-binding proteins to CQDs to construct CQD-protein nanosensors that can quantitatively detect maltose. Based on gold nanoparticles, colorimetric sensors for DNA or oligonucleotide detection, bioelectrocatalytic sensing systems, and biosensors for oxidoreductase detection have been successfully constructed.

Fig.1 Architecture of typical nanoparticle biosensors.^[2]

Advances in colloidal nanobiosensors cannot be limited to material development work, but also require a combination of advanced technologies in various fields. For example, use computer simulations to provide experimental validation to better predict performance, analyze principles; combine with molecular diagnostics to build large "panels" of centralized identification of biomarkers to improve the sensitivity and specificity of detection; integrate biosensors into assays and devices to produce higher detection performance.

Fig.2 Applications of nanoparticle biosensors.^[2]

Alfa Chemistry's R&D and technical teams focus on the development of colloidal material applications. We have a variety of colloidal nanoproducts suitable for biosensing research. At the same time, we can also study new biosensing principles based on the properties of colloidal materials. Alfa Chemistry is keen to develop biosensors with high sensitivity, high throughput and low energy consumption. We can provide certain technical means for the commercialization of biosensing.

What Can We Do?

• Alfa Chemistry can provide a variety of colloidal nanomaterials for biosensing applications, such as quantum dots, colloidal gold, nano-metal oxides and magnetic nano-materials.
• Alfa Chemistry can optimize the performance of nanobiosensors by designing surface covering methods of colloidal nanomaterials.
• Alfa Chemistry has the ability to design nanobiosensors for specific applications. We also provide clients with technology transfer services from applied research to commercialization.

References

1. Cui Z Q, et al. Advances in nano-biosensing: a review. Scientia Sinica Vitae. 2020, 50:755-765.
2. Howes P D, et al. Colloidal nanoparticles as advanced biological sensors. Science. 2014.

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