Establishment of a multipurpose biologically based fiber optic immunosensor

The lines between the different scientific fields of study are becoming increasingly blurred. Investigators from all different fields are looking to disparate areas of study for assistance in the progression of science. In light of such a trend, the focus of this project in conjunction with other projects currently underway, is to incorporate various fundamentals from the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering in order to develop a functional and potentially marketable detection device capable of recognizing virtually any molecular or microbiological target in solution. To that end the physics of light reflecting down a liquid core waveguide and the recognition and capture properties of antibodies were combined in order to develop a multi-purpose antibody-based immunosensor.

The capillaries utilized were coated with Teflon® AF. This substance possesses a refractive index lower than that of the wall or the liquid core of the capillary. Therefore a light shone down the axis of the capillary continuously reflected off the inside of the Teflon® coating and emerged out the other end with quantifiable intensity. The lumen wall of the capillary was lined with monoclonal antibodies. The intensity of the light transmitted through the capillary was measurably altered. Human cells contain to specific monoclonal antibodies were then flushed through the capillary and allowed to bind. Cell capture was demonstrated and the light intensity was further altered in a manner that was registered by a spectrometer.

Therefore, by incorporating the specific binding nature of monoclonal antibodies, the behavior of light through transparent mediums of differing refractive indices, and precisely machined silica capillaries, we have demonstrated the potential for development of a detection device, or immunosensor, capable of registering very small amounts of a given target in only a few minutes, all in the palm of ones hand.