Technology ID
TAB-2896

Ultra-sensitive Diagnostic Detects fg/mL-pg/mL Pathogen/Disease Protein by Visual Color Change

E-Numbers
E-167-2014-0
E-167-2014-1
Lead Inventor
Chen, Xiaoyuan (Shawn) (NIBIB)
Co-Inventors
Liu, Dingbin (NIBIB)
Applications
Research Materials
Non-Medical Devices
Medical Devices
Diagnostics
Therapeutic Areas
Oncology
Infectious Disease
Development Stages
Discovery
Development Status
  • Early-stage
  • In vitro data available
  • Prototype
Research Products
Research Equipment
Lead IC
NIBIB
ICs
NIBIB
This technology is an ultra-sensitive colorimetric assay, based on an enzyme-catalyzed gold nanoparticle growth process, for detection of disease-associated proteins (biomarkers) and disease diagnosis. Current detection methods, such as ELISA immunoassays, measure concentrations above 0.1 ng/mL in a sample. PCR, although more sensitive than ELISA, requires expensive and specialized equipment and reagents, skilled labor, and complex analysis techniques. This assay detects fg/mL to pg/mL concentrations, allowing detection and diagnosis in the earliest stage of disease or infection. A simple to read colorless-to-red change of gold nanoparticle is read with the naked eye, without the need for advanced instruments. This assay can be performed in a standard ELISA plate. Prototype, proof of concept tests using this platform have been designed for enterovirus 71 (EV71) and prostate specific antigen (PSA). The limit of detection (LOD) for a PSA prototype exceeded the commercial ELISA by more than four orders of magnitude. This assay may be particularly well suited for field use/point-of-care detection of infections and early stage disease.
Commercial Applications
  • Infectious pathogen and disease diagnostics.
Competitive Advantages
  • Orders of magnitude more sensitive than most ELISA (detects fg/mL to pg/mL)
  • Plain sight color-based confirmation does not require complex equipment
  • Field use/point-of-care detection
Licensing Contact:
Shmilovich, Michael
shmilovm@nih.gov