Towards Electrochemical Detection of Bioanalytes Utilizing a Lateral Flow Approach
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Authors
Sauer, Kiley
Issue Date
2018
Type
Thesis
Language
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
The use of gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs), both bare and antibody conjugated, allows bioanalytes to be detected at lower limits than current methods while still maintaining specificity and selectivity. Lateral flow immunoassays (LFI) have proven to be an inexpensive tool for accurately detecting the presence of many different analytes. Using electrochemistry as the detection method in lateral flow immunoassays was shown in this study to also be a feasible platform. Not only does this system have the potential to be cost effective, it allows for detection of Au NPs modified with biomarkers with the goal of earlier detection of biomarkers and agents present in different infections, resulting in earlier treatment and diagnosis. This method is successful in the detection of biomarkers in a shorter time frame than pre-existing LFIs and with a possible lower limit of detection.This thesis research is directed towards the development of an electrochemical immunosensing platform that has the ability to detect antibody and antigen pairs using lateral flow techniques and evaluates some of the challenges that accompany the utilization of this technique and its elements such as, obtaining stochastic single Au NP collisions and nanoparticle agglomeration. A protocol for fabricating a carbon fiber ultramicroelectrode (C UME) was adapted and the properties of these electrodes were investigated. The application of these C UMEs while using a lateral flow detection mechanism to record single nanoparticle collisions or in solution was shown to be successful.