Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a severe neurodegenerative disorder, marked by cognitive decline, memory loss, and behavioral skill impairment. Actually, amyloid β-peptide 1-42 (Aβ (1-42)) is one of the main recognized AD biomarkers. The possibility of detect Aβ (1-42) at very low concentration in different biological fluids allow the early-stage diagnosis, which currently represents the most efficacious AD therapy. To date, optical detection techniques have gained rising attention for the development of Aβ (1-42) sensors based on the analyses of liquid samples. In this context, optical metallic nanoconstructs are promising alternative for the development of novel rapid and low-cost methods for the targeting of Aβ (1-42) in fluids. Herein, diagnostic platforms are based on gold citratecapped nanoparticles (AuNPs), whose aggregation can be modulated by the presence of the target biomarker as a function of its concentration and has been smartly used to develop colorimetric assays. The performances of this novel system are validated for specific detection of synthetic ß- amyloid peptide (Aß) in liquid fluids with high selectivity and sensitivity down to the nanomolar.
Liquid biopsies represent a minimally invasive tool for the precocious diagnosis of widespread diseases as well as for routinely patients monitoring by tracking selective biomarkers. Optical detection techniques based on surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) are capable of providing information on the molecular content of analyzed samples thus representing one of the most promising analytical method in clinical research, as alternative to traditional bioassays. With the attempt to realize point-of-impact diagnostic devices, in the present study 3D printing and soft-lithography processes were combined with plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) synthesis for the development of multifunctional lab-onchips (LOCs) integrating SERS sensors for liquid probing. As a matter of fact, LOCs enable to easily handle small volumes of samples as well as to perform multifunctional analyses. This is crucial for pathologies whose diagnosis relies on the ratio of more than one biomarker. To this end, being based on a 3D printing process, the overall design of the devices was rapidly prototyped to integrate channels and detection chambers aligned with optical fibers and portable Raman probes for signal delivering and collection. SERS functionality was achieved by immobilization of gold NPs whose chemistry was modified to enhance NPs deposition and stability. Finally, we are exploring direct laser writing for the integration of mechanical and optical microcomponents needed for liquids control and signal delivering and collection, respectively. The final devices collecting multiple functions and detection configurations will provide high sensitivity, speed of analysis, low sample and reagent consumption, measurement automation and standardization on a highly integrated dynamic platform that will revolutionize liquid biopsy making it costless, on-chip, handy and easy to use.
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