Fast Affinity Induced Reaction Sensor Based on a Fluorogenic Click Reaction for Quick Detection of Protein Biomarkers.

Despite numerous biosensors currently available, the routine biomarker detection still largely relies on traditional ELISA and Western blot. Those standard techniques are labor intensive and time-consuming. Herein we introduce a fast affinity induced reaction sensor (FAIRS) that overcomes a few limitations of traditional and emerging biosensors. FAIRS is a general, one-step method and is naturally specific in detection. FAIRS probes are composed of a sandwich ELISA antibody pair that is conjugated with two fluorogenic click chemicals. This technology leverages significant differences of antibody affinity and chemical reaction rate, which are characterized to guide probe design. The stability, sensitivity, detection range, and response time are fully characterized. Application to IL-6 detection using blood serum and cell culture medium demonstrates that FAIRS can quantify IL-6 with high sensitivity in one step. With the unique features, FAIRS probes may find broad applications in medical sciences and clinical diagnostics, where quick detection of biomarkers is demanded.