A new technique has been developed that may be the solution for the live monitoring of biomarkers.
This sensing technology enables the super-sensitive measurement of biomarker concentrations over time.
It is based on the fact that tiny particles in liquid are continuously in Brownian motion because water molecules collide with them.
The researchers, from Eindhoven University of Technology, bound the particles through a nanostrand to a glass plate, causing the particles to wiggle back and forth.
The biomarker to be measured binds temporarily to specific adhesive molecules that are fixed to both the particles and the plate.
When a biomarker molecule attaches itself to both a wiggling particle and to the plate, the particle suddenly becomes attached, which greatly reduces its mobility – until the biomarker is released again.
The mobility of the particles, which are coupled to the transparent glass, could be easily observed by the researchers with light.
Image credit | ICMS Animation Studio
