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Pumpless three-dimensional photo paper–based microfluidic analytical device for automatic detection of thioredoxin-1 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

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Abstract

Microfluidic-based biosensors have been developed for their precise automatic reaction control. However, these biosensors require external devices that are difficult to transport and use. To overcome this disadvantage, our group made an easy-to-use, cheap, and light pumpless three-dimensional photo paper–based microfluidic analytical device (3D-μPAD; weight: 1.5 g). Unlike conventional paper-based microfluidic analytical devices, the 3D-μPAD can be used to control fluid flow in a 3D manner, thus allowing sophisticated multi-step reaction control. This device can control fluid flow speed and direction accurately using only the capillary-driven flow without an external device like a pump. The flow speed is controlled by the width of the microfluidic channel and its surface property. In addition, fluid speed control and 3D-bridge structure enable the control of fluid flow direction. Using these methods, multi-step enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) can be done automatically in sequence by injecting solutions (sample, washing, and enzyme’s substrate) at the same time in the 3D-μPAD. All the steps can be performed in 14 min, and data can be analyzed immediately. To test this device, thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1), a biomarker of breast cancer, is used as the target. In the 3D-μPAD, it can detect 0–200 ng/mL of Trx-1, and the prepared 3D-μPAD Trx-1 sensor displays excellent selectivity. Moreover, by analyzing the concentration of Trx-1 in real patients and healthy individuals’ blood serum samples using the 3D-μPAD, and comparing results to ELISA, it can be confirmed that the 3D-μPAD is a good tool for cancer diagnosis.

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Funding

This work was supported by Korea Environment Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI) through the program for the management of aquatic ecosystem health, funded by Korea Ministry of Environment (MOE) (2020003030001), and Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) grant funded by the Korea government (MOTIE) (20214000000500, training program of CCUS for the green growth).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Sogang University, Seoul, 04107, Republic of Korea

    Myeong-Jun Lee, Jeong-Hyeop Shin & Byung-Keun Oh

  2. Graduate School of Science, Royal University of Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

    Veasna Soum

  3. Department of Chemistry and Institute of Biological Interfaces, Sogang University, Seoul, 04107, Republic of Korea

    Veasna Soum & Kwanwoo Shin

  4. Uniance Gene, Sogang University, Seoul, 04107, Republic of Korea

    Sang-Nam Lee

  5. School of Chemical Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, Jeollabuk-do, 54896, Jeonju, Republic of Korea

    Jin-Ha Choi

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Correspondence to Kwanwoo Shin or Byung-Keun Oh.

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The blood samples were obtained from “For YOU Moon’s” Maternity hospital. Written informed consent was obtained from each participant.

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Sang-nam Lee was employed by the company Uniance Gene Inc. The remaining authors declare no competing interests.

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Published in the topical collection Point-of-Care Testing with guest editors Oliver Hayden, Peter B. Luppa, and Junhong Min.

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Lee, MJ., Soum, V., Lee, SN. et al. Pumpless three-dimensional photo paper–based microfluidic analytical device for automatic detection of thioredoxin-1 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anal Bioanal Chem 414, 3219–3230 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-021-03747-0

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