Multiplexed Immunological Assay on Micro-ring Resonators for Detection of Brain Injury-Specific Biomarkers

The goal of the proposed research is to develop a highly sensitive, high-throughput, and miniaturized assay system for rapid detection of brain injury-specific biomarkers in serum. The assay will be integrated into a portable detector so results can be immediately communicated to the health-care provider for assessment and appropriate treatment of patient injury. This technology will be particularly important on the battlefield where sophisticated and expensive laboratory analytical equipment and expertise is not readily available. The key technological innovation for this project is called a micro-ring resonator, which undergoes a measurable change in resonant wavelength when light interacts with absorbed mass, such as bio-targets binding to a recognition moiety, on the micro-ring surface. In Phase I, three serum biomarkers for brain injury, S100B, NSE, and GFAP, will be detected using an immunologic assay on the micro-ring surface. To develop this platform, Nomadics proposes to use these high finesse micro-rings that incorporate a novel high index material, HydexT, to develop stable and versatile biophotonic interfaces based on label-free and reagentless immunologic platforms, to provide multiplexing capabilities for high-throughput testing and referencing, and to integrate these into a portable and cost-effective sensor platform.