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Review
. 2017 Dec;35(12):1169-1180.
doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2017.09.001. Epub 2017 Sep 28.

Challenges of the Nano-Bio Interface in Lateral Flow and Dipstick Immunoassays

Helena de Puig  1 , Irene Bosch  2 , Lee Gehrke  3 , Kimberly Hamad-Schifferli  4
Affiliations
Review

Challenges of the Nano-Bio Interface in Lateral Flow and Dipstick Immunoassays

Helena de Puig et al. Trends Biotechnol. 2017 Dec.

Abstract

Lateral flow assays (LFAs) are highly attractive for point-of-care (POC) diagnostics for infectious disease, food safety, and many other medical uses. The unique optical, electronic, and chemical properties that arise from the nanostructured and material characteristics of nanoparticles provide an opportunity to increase LFA sensitivity and impart novel capabilities. However, interfacing to nanomaterials in complex biological environments is challenging and can result in undesirable side effects such as non-specific adsorption, protein denaturation, and steric hindrance. These issues are even more acute in LFAs where there are many different types of inorganic-biological interfaces, often of a complex nature. Therefore, the unique properties of nanomaterials for LFAs must be exploited in a way that addresses these interface challenges.

Keywords: nano–bio interfaces; paper-based assays; protein coronas; rapid diagnostics.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Basic structure of a) an LFA and b) a dipstick immunoassay.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Idealized vs. realistic sandwich immunoassays that use nanoparticle antibody conjugates for sensing.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The test line intensity of a LFA that uses a visual readout is a function (f) of multiple parameters, which are categorized by color.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Design considerations for point of care diagnostics for infectious disease.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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