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New approach in biosensor technology

Chip mit Elektrode

A novel coating of miniaturized electrodes for point-of-care diagnostics prevents contamination – a problem when complex samples like blood serum are analyzed. (Image: CSEM Allschwil)

Researchers from the SNI network have developed a novel coating of a polymer and carbon nanotubes that is suitable for coating miniaturized electrodes. Such electrodes, in which conductive nanomaterials are embedded in an anti-fouling matrix, can be used in point-of-care diagnostics. The novel coating protects the electrodes from contamination – which is always a problem with complex samples such as blood serum. In a paper published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, the researchers used a protein associated with inflammatory responses to show that they could produce the assay within a few hours and quantitatively detect the protein in undiluted blood serum in the nanogram range.

The Swiss Nanoscience Institute has funded this collaboration between researchers from CSEM, the FHNW School of Life Sciences and the company MOMM Diagnostics as part of its applied research program Nano-Argovia. (project description)

Link to original publication