Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Surface Bragg gratings of proteins patterned on integrated waveguides for (bio)chemical analysis

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Microchimica Acta Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The incorporation of biomacromolecules onto silicon waveguiding microstructures constitutes a growing trend that pushes towards compact and miniaturized biosensing systems. This paper presents the integration of one-dimensional periodic nanostructures of proteins on the surface of micrometric silicon waveguides for transducing binding events between biomacromolecules. The study demonstrates this new bioanalytical principle by experimental results and theoretical calculations, and proves that rib waveguides (1-–1.6-µm width) together with protein gratings (495-–515-nm period) display suitable spectral responses for this optical biosensing system. Protein assemblies of bovine serum albumin are fabricated on the surface of silicon nitride waveguides, characterized by electron microscopy, and their response is measured by optical frequency domain reflectometry along the fabrication process and the subsequent stages of the biorecognition assays. Detection and quantification limits of 0.3 and 3.7 µg·mL−1, respectively, of specific antibodies are inferred from experimental dose–response curves. Among other interesting features, the results of this study point towards new miniaturized and integrated sensors for label-free bioanalysis.

Graphical abstract

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article [and/or] its supplementary materials.

References

  1. Khan SA, Khan NZ, Xie Y et al (2022) Optical sensing by metamaterials and metasurfaces: from physics to biomolecule detection. Adv Opt Mater 10:2200500. https://doi.org/10.1002/adom.202200500

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Alba-Patiño A, Vaquer A, Barón E et al (2022) Micro- and nanosensors for detecting blood pathogens and biomarkers at different points of sepsis care. Microchim Acta 189:74. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-022-05171-2

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Wang J, Maier SA, Tittl A (2022) Trends in nanophotonics-enabled optofluidic biosensors. Adv Opt Mater 10:2102366. https://doi.org/10.1002/adom.202102366

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Amirjani A, Rahbarimehr E (2021) Recent advances in functionalization of plasmonic nanostructures for optical sensing. Microchim Acta 188:57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-021-04714-3

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Krämer J, Kang R, Grimm LM et al (2022) Molecular probes, chemosensors, and nanosensors for optical detection of biorelevant molecules and ions in aqueous media and biofluids. Chem Rev 122:3459–3636. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00746

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  6. Yang T, Duncan TV (2021) Challenges and potential solutions for nanosensors intended for use with foods. Nat Nanotechnol 16:251–265. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-021-00867-7

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Liu C, Huang J, Xu T, Zhang X (2022) Powering bioanalytical applications in biomedicine with light-responsive Janus micro-/nanomotors. Microchim Acta 189:116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-022-05229-1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Luan E, Shoman H, Ratner D et al (2018) Silicon photonic biosensors using label-free detection. Sensors 18:3519. https://doi.org/10.3390/s18103519

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Xu W, Liu J, Song D et al (2021) Rapid, label-free, and sensitive point-of-care testing of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG using all-fiber Fresnel reflection microfluidic biosensor. Microchim Acta 188:261. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-021-04911-0

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Gupta R, Goddard NJ (2020) Leaky waveguides (LWs) for chemical and biological sensing−a review and future perspective. Sensors Actuators B Chem 322:128628. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2020.128628

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Ettabib MA, Marti A, Liu Z et al (2021) Waveguide enhanced raman spectroscopy for biosensing: a review. ACS Sensors 6:2025–2045. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssensors.1c00366

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Steglich P, Hülsemann M, Dietzel B, Mai A (2019) Optical biosensors based on silicon-on-insulator ring resonators: a review. Molecules 24:519. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24030519

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Soler M, Estevez MC, Cardenosa-Rubio M et al (2020) How nanophotonic label-free biosensors can contribute to rapid and massive diagnostics of respiratory virus infections: COVID-19 case. ACS Sensors 5:2663–2678. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssensors.0c01180

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Pawar D, Kale SN (2019) A review on nanomaterial-modified optical fiber sensors for gases, vapors and ions. Microchim Acta 186:253. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-019-3351-7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Artundo I (2017) Photonic Integration: new applications are visible. Opt Photonik 12:22–25. https://doi.org/10.1002/opph.201700015

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Chen Z, Shi Y, Wei M, et al (2023) A universal approach to high‐index‐contrast flexible integrated photonics. Adv Opt Mater 11. https://doi.org/10.1002/adom.202202824

  17. Chandrasekar R, Lapin ZJ, Nichols AS et al (2019) Photonic integrated circuits for Department of Defense-relevant chemical and biological sensing applications: state-of-the-art and future outlooks. Opt Eng 58:1. https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.58.2.020901

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Ma Y, Zong Y, Yin H et al (2021) 2D Optical Waveguides based on hierarchical organic semiconductor single crystals. Adv Opt Mater 9:2101481. https://doi.org/10.1002/adom.202101481

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Nikolaidou K, Condelipes PGM, Caneira CRF et al (2022) Monolithically integrated optical interference and absorption filters on thin film amorphous silicon photosensors for biological detection. Sensors Actuators B Chem 356:131330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2021.131330

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Juste-Dolz A, Fernández E, Puchades R et al (2023) Patterned biolayers of protein antigens for label-free biosensing in cow milk allergy. Biosensors 13:214. https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13020214

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  21. Loget G, Corn RM (2014) Silica nanowire arrays for diffraction‐based bioaffinity sensing. Chem Eur J 20:10802–10810. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201304800

  22. Avella-Oliver M, Ferrando V, Monsoriu JA et al (2018) A label-free diffraction-based sensing displacement immunosensor to quantify low molecular weight organic compounds. Anal Chim Acta 1033:173–179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2018.05.060

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Gatterdam V, Frutiger A, Stengele K-P et al (2017) Focal molography is a new method for the in situ analysis of molecular interactions in biological samples. Nat Nanotechnol 12:1089–1095. https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2017.168

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Blickenstorfer Y, Borghi L, Reichmuth AM et al (2021) Total internal reflection focal molography (TIR-M). Sensors Actuators B Chem 349:130746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2021.130746

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Juste-Dolz A, Delgado-Pinar M, Avella-Oliver M et al (2021) BIO bragg gratings on microfibers for label-free biosensing. Biosens Bioelectron 176:112916. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2020.112916

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Sypabekova M, Korganbayev S, González-Vila Á et al (2019) Functionalized etched tilted fiber Bragg grating aptasensor for label-free protein detection. Biosens Bioelectron 146:111765. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2019.111765

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Chiavaioli F, Baldini F, Tombelli S et al (2017) Biosensing with optical fiber gratings. Nanophotonics 6:663–679. https://doi.org/10.1515/nanoph-2016-0178

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Soares MS, Vidal M, Santos NF et al (2021) Immunosensing based on optical fiber technology: recent advances. Biosensors 11:305. https://doi.org/10.3390/bios11090305

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  29. Frutiger A, Tanno A, Hwu S et al (2021) Nonspecific Binding—fundamental concepts and consequences for biosensing applications. Chem Rev 121:8095–8160. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00044

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Juste-Dolz A, Delgado-Pinar M, Avella-Oliver M et al (2022) Denaturing for nanoarchitectonics: local and periodic UV-laser photodeactivation of protein biolayers to create functional patterns for biosensing. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 14:41640–41648. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.2c12808

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  31. Rumpf RC, Garcia CR, Berry EA, Barton JH (2014) Finite-difference frequency-domain algorithm for modeling electromagnetic scattering from general anisotropic objects. Prog Electromagn Res B 61:55–67. https://doi.org/10.2528/PIERB14071606

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Zhu Z, Brown T (2002) Full-vectorial finite-difference analysis of microstructured optical fibers. Opt Express 10:853. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.10.000853

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Freeman NJ, Peel LL, Swann MJ et al (2004) Real time, high resolution studies of protein adsorption and structure at the solid-liquid interface using dual polarization interferometry. J Phys Condens Matter 16:0–4. https://doi.org/10.1088/0953-8984/16/26/023

  34. Micó G, Gargallo B, Pastor D, Muñoz P (2019) Integrated optic sensing spectrometer: concept and design. Sensors 19:1018. https://doi.org/10.3390/s19051018

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Bru LA, Pastor D, Muñoz P (2021) Advanced and versatile interferometric technique for the characterization of photonic integrated devices. Opt Express 29:36503. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.435683

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Ding Z, Wang C, Liu K et al (2018) Distributed optical fiber sensors based on optical frequency domain reflectometry: a review. Sensors 18:1072. https://doi.org/10.3390/s18041072

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  37. Hua P, Ding Z, Liu K et al (2023) Distributed optical fiber biosensor based on optical frequency domain reflectometry. Biosens Bioelectron 228:115184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2023.115184

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Vörös J (2004) The density and refractive index of adsorbing protein layers. Biophys J 87:553–561. https://doi.org/10.1529/biophysj.103.030072

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  39. Bernard A, Renault JP, Michel B et al (2000) Microcontact printing of proteins. Adv Mater 12:1067–1070. https://doi.org/10.1002/1521-4095(200007)12:14%3c1067::AID-ADMA1067%3e3.0.CO;2-M

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Juste-Dolz A, Avella-Oliver M, Puchades R, Maquieira A (2018) Indirect microcontact printing to create functional patterns of physisorbed antibodies. Sensors (Switzerland) 18. https://doi.org/10.3390/s18093163

  41. Wang J, Sanchez MM, Yin Y et al (2020) Silicon-based integrated label-free optofluidic biosensors: latest advances and roadmap. Adv Mater Technol 5:1901138. https://doi.org/10.1002/admt.201901138

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Delamarche E, Pereiro I, Kashyap A, Kaigala GV (2021) Biopatterning: the art of patterning biomolecules on surfaces. Langmuir 37:9637–9651. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c00867

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona CNM-CSIC for the support in the fabrication of the measured chip samples on the multiproject CNM-VLC silicon nitride technology platform.

Funding

Funding was provided by grants PID2019-110713RB-I00, TED2021-132584B-C21, and PID2019-110877GB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/https://doi.org/10.13039/501100011033 and co-funded by “ERDF A way of making Europe”, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (TEC2016-80385-P), Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO/2020/094, PROMETEO/2021/015, IDIFEDER/2021/046), and Universitat Politècnica de València (PAID-06–22).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto Interuniversitario de Investigación de Reconocimiento Molecular y Desarrollo Tecnológico (IDM), Universitat Politècnica de València, Universitat de València, 46022, Valencia, Spain

    Augusto Juste-Dolz, Estrella Fernández, Miquel Avella-Oliver & Ángel Maquieira

  2. Photonics Research Labs, ITEAM, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022, Valencia, Spain

    Gloria Micó, Luis A. Bru, Pascual Muñoz & Daniel Pastor

  3. Departamento de Química, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022, Valencia, Spain

    Miquel Avella-Oliver & Ángel Maquieira

Authors
  1. Augusto Juste-Dolz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Estrella Fernández
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gloria Micó
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Luis A. Bru
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Pascual Muñoz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Miquel Avella-Oliver
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Daniel Pastor
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Ángel Maquieira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Miquel Avella-Oliver, Daniel Pastor or Ángel Maquieira.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (PDF 1179 KB)

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Juste-Dolz, A., Fernández, E., Micó, G. et al. Surface Bragg gratings of proteins patterned on integrated waveguides for (bio)chemical analysis. Microchim Acta 191, 63 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-023-06124-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-023-06124-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation