Miniaturized Fluorescence Biosensing Technology for Multiplexed Allergy Screening
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Author
Demuru, Silvia
Chai-Gao, Hui
Shynkarenko, Yevhen
Hermann, Nicola
Boia, Patricia-Daiana
Cristofolini, Peter
Generelli, Silvia
Cattaneo, Stefano
Burr, Loïc
Abstract
The incidence of immune-mediated diseases such as asthma and allergies is steadily increasing.[1] However, little is known yet about how genetics, environmental factors, and epigenetics can influence the onset and progression of these diseases.
Within the Human Exposomic Determinants of Immune-Mediated Diseases (HEDIMED) project, we are developing a portable multi-array system for immune-signature testing. Such a platform could help to quickly screen various biomarkers, such as antibodies, related to immune-mediated diseases.[2] In the present project, a multiarray for antibody detection has been developed for allergy profiling. Based on microfluidic chips of the size of a standardized microscopy slide, the multiarray is embedded in a microfluidic channel with microstructures functionalized with allergen extract or recombinant proteins. The use of a microfluidic chip enables the multiplexed screening of up to 88 different allergens from the patient (blood serum) with low sample volumes (80-150 uL). An automated sample-on-chip processing system has been developed to ensure the reproducible detection of allergy-specific IgEs using fluorescence-labelled antibodies. In addition, a compact, low-cost, and fast fluorescence reader has also been developed for simple measurements of the fluorescence signals and automated quantification of the allergic response.
We present our progress regarding the multiarray assay, the optical reader, and preliminary results on fluorescence signal detection in human serum. By testing the microfluidic system with a focus on pregnant women and newborn samples, this technology could help to find new correlations between multiple environmental factors and the onset and progress of immuno-mediated diseases at early ages, improving the prevention of such diseases in the future.
References
[1] F. Huang, H. Jia, Y. Zou, Y. Yao, and Z. Deng, “Exosomes: an important messenger in the asthma inflammatory microenvironment,” J. Int. Med. Res., vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 1–11, 2020, doi: 10.1177/0300060520903220.
[2] E. Sechi and E. P. Flanagan, “Antibody-Mediated Autoimmune Diseases of the CNS: Challenges and Approaches to Diagnosis and Management,” Front. Neurol., vol. 12, no. 673339, pp. 1–18, 2021, doi: 10.3389/fneur.2021.673339.
Publication Reference
Poster presentation at the Swiss Symposium in Point-of-Care Diagnostics, Basel, 20 October 2022
Year
2022-10-20
Sponsors
Funding: European Commission - Grant agreement No 874864.