Multifunctional nanoparticle-coupled photonic resonator for rapid and digital biosensing

The focus of this dissertation is to explore high-sensitivity, rapid, simple, cost-effective, and point-of-care (POC) compatible biomarker quantification approaches by multifunctional nanoparticle (NP)-coupled photonic crystal (PC) biosensors. Utilizing the enhanced absorption of the plasmonic NPs induced by the synergistic plasmonic-photonic coupling, each captured NP on the PC surface can be digitally counted with high signal-to-noise ratio, thus enabling near single-molecule detection of biomarkers. However, the applicability of PC-based approach to POC settings is limited by the mass transport of the analyte or NPs to the PC biosensor surface, which determines the sensitivity and response time of the assay. In this work, I explore two methods of overcoming this limitation: a self-powered microfluidic cartridge and the incorporation of magnetic actuation. First, the design and optimization of microfluidics are investigated to improve surface capture efficiency, followed by a demonstration of HIV antigen quantification assay with a single droplet test sample and femtomolar sensitivity. Next, magneto-plasmonic NPs are leveraged to offer digital microRNA detection and extraordinary testing speed by the dynamic control of nanoparticles. Finally, this work explores minimally invasive multiplexed antibody quantification using a portable imaging platform for POC diagnostics with short sample-to-answer time.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Bioengineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2022

Author dc:creator

• Che, Congnyu

Contributors dc:contributor

• Cunningham, Brian T
• Irudayaraj, Joseph Maria Kumar
• Nie, Shuming
• Smith, Andrew M.

• photonic crystal
• magneto-plasmonic nanoparticle
• fast digital biosensing
• microRNA
• antibody detection
• multiplex detection

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2022 Congnyu Che

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/116026

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F116026