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A simple strategy for signal enhancement in lateral flow assays using superabsorbent polymers

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Abstract

To enhance the sensitivity of lateral flow assays (LFAs), a simple strategy is proposed using a nitrocellulose membrane modified with a superabsorbent polymer (SAP). SAP was incorporated into a nitrocellulose membrane for the flow control of detection probes. When absorbing aqueous solutions, SAP promoted the formation of biomolecule complexes to achieve up to a tenfold sensitivity improvement for the detection of human IgG. The assay time was optimized experimentally and numerically to within 20 min using this strategy. Moreover, fluid saturation in LFAs modified with SAP was mathematically simulated to better understand the underlying process, and molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to determine the effect of SAP. The proposed design was also applied to samples spiked with human immunoglobulin-depleted serum to test its applicability. The strategy presented is unique in that it preserves the characteristics of conventional LFAs, as it minimizes user intervention and is simple to manufacture at scale.

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Acknowledgements

This work was carried out with the support of the ‘‘Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science and Technology Development (Project No. PJ014238042021)” Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea, as well as the Inha University Research Grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, South Korea

    Taeyeong You, Woojin Jeong, Yun Suk Huh, Sun Min Kim & Tae-Joon Jeon

  2. Biohybrid Systems Research Center (BSRC), Inha University, Incheon, 22212, South Korea

    Taeyeong You, Woojin Jeong, Yun Suk Huh, Sun Min Kim & Tae-Joon Jeon

  3. Department of Chemical Engineering, Dankook University, Yongin, 16890, South Korea

    Hwankyu Lee

  4. Department of Biological Engineering, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, South Korea

    Yun Suk Huh & Tae-Joon Jeon

  5. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, South Korea

    Sun Min Kim

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  1. Taeyeong You
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You, T., Jeong, W., Lee, H. et al. A simple strategy for signal enhancement in lateral flow assays using superabsorbent polymers. Microchim Acta 188, 364 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-021-05026-2

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