Microfluidic Digital Nanobiosensor for Point-of-Care Detection of NT-proBNP

Heart failure is a serious global burden affecting more than 64 million people worldwide. It has high morbidity and mortality and poor quality of life, making it a major public health priority. N-terminal proBNP (NT-pro-BNP) is a well-established clinical biomarker for monitoring and managing heart failure. Regular and frequent monitoring of patients with heart failure is needed to minimize hospitalization and improve mortality. However, current commercial and research NT-pro-BNP assays are large, or complicated, and rarely satisfy clinical requirements for sensitivity or precision. A POC test for NT-proBNP that is sensitive, whole blood compatible and easy to use would go a long way in monitoring and managing heat failure. 

Researchers at the Biodesign Institute of Arizona State University have developed a digital counting-based microfluidic nanobiosensor for quantifying NT-proBNP concentrations in whole blood samples with a POC compatible protocol. This nanobiosensor uses a microfluidic device that has been engineered to have an integrated control circuit so that the digital NT-proBNP immunoassay is run automatically. Detection can be achieved in 10 minutes, in the range of 50-10,000 pg/mL from a mere 7 µl of whole blood sample. Validated with 15 clinical serum samples, showing good linear correlation with the commercial Elecsys proBNP II assay.

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This microfluidic digital nanobiosensor is sensitive and POC compatible, making it a promising option for decentralized monitoring of heart failure. 

 

Potential Applications

Benefits and Advantages

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For more information about the inventor(s) and their research, please see

Dr. Wang’s laboratory webpage