In situ detection of live cancer cells by using bioprobes based on Au nanoparticles

Abstract

We fabricate the high-performance probes based on Au nanoparticles (AuNP) for detection of live cancer cell. AuNP were synthesized with narrow sized distribution (ca. 10 nm) by Au salt reduction method and deposited onto the aminated substrate as a cross-linker and hot spot. Herein, AuNP has enabled the easy and efficient immobilization of the antibody (Cetuximab), which can selectively interact with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on the surface of epidermal cancer, as detecting moiety onto the AuNP-deposited substrate without nanolithography process. After conjugation of Cetuximab with AuNP-deposited substrate, Cetuximab-conjugated probe as a live cancer cell detector (LCCD) could detect EGFR-highexpressed A431 cells related to epithelial cancer with 54-times larger specificity and sensitivity in comparison with EGFR-deficient MCF7 cells. This implies that AuNP-based probes demonstrate abundant potentials for detection and separation of small biomolecules, cells and other chemicals.