Nanotechnology Now – Press Release: Development of semiconductor microchip that can detect prostate cancer markers with ultra-high sensitivity: Working toward the realization of IoT biosensors


Home > Press > Development of semiconductor microchip that can detect prostate cancer markers with ultra-high sensitivity: Working toward the realization of IoT biosensors

The semiconductor sensor that detects antigen molecules by capturing them on the surface of a nanosheet film. The peak shift amount represents the output value of the sensor proportional to the amount of deformation of the film during marker adsorption.

CREDIT
COPYRIGHT (C) TOYOHASHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The semiconductor sensor that detects antigen molecules by capturing them on the surface of a nanosheet film. The peak shift amount represents the output value of the sensor proportional to the amount of deformation of the film during marker adsorption.

CREDIT
COPYRIGHT (C) TOYOHASHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Abstract:
Associate Professor Kazuhiro Takahashi and Tomoya Maeda (a second-year Master’s student) and other members of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Information Engineering at Toyohashi University of Technology have developed a semiconductor sensor capable of detecting ultra-low concentrations of tumor markers, on chips made using semiconductor micromachine technology. The research team succeeded in detecting only prostate cancer antigens by adsorbing disease-derived marker molecules contained in blood and other bodily fluids into the surface of a flexibly deforming nanosheet, using the principle of converting the force caused by the interaction between the adsorbed molecules into the amount of deformation of the nanosheet. Testing chips, formed in sizes of several millimeters across using semiconductor technologies, are expected to be used as IoT biosensors for home-based testing.

Development of semiconductor microchip that can detect prostate cancer markers with ultra-high sensitivity: Working toward the realization of IoT biosensors


Toyohashi, Japan | Posted on March 4th, 2022

Details

Measuring devices that perform disease tests simply and quickly from small amounts of blood, urine, saliva, and other bodily fluids are extremely important for accurate diagnosis and verifying the effectiveness of therapeutic treatments. Substances that change in concentration according to specific diseases contained in such bodily fluids are called biomarkers. As one example, it has been reported that patients with severe cases of COVID-19 have different concentrations of multiple biomarkers in their blood than those with mild cases of the disease, and it is expected that this can be used to predict severity by examining those markers. One of the most widely used marker tests is the PSA test. PSA is a marker that increases in the blood as a result of prostate cancer. Marker screening of saliva is also carried out as a less invasive form of cancer risk testing. The marker testing equipment that has been put to practical use so far is a detection method that reads color changes using a labeling agent. Because it takes time and effort to perform labeling, many of the devices used are relatively large, and the use of this method was limited to testing at large hospitals. Accordingly, if portable IoT biosensors are actualized, it is expected to expand testing opportunities and contribute to the advancement of telemedicine.

The research team is researching a micro-scale testing chip that uses flexibly deforming nanosheets formed using semiconductor micromachine technology to determine the presence or absence of disease. The principle of the method is that antibodies which catch the marker (antigen) molecules to be detected are fixed onto the nanosheet in advance, and the deformation of the thin film—caused by the force of the adsorbed antigens electrically repelling each other—is read. In this sensor—which was designed to deform sensitively in response to the adsorption of biomolecules—however, there was a problem in that the film deteriorated as a result of fixing antibodies to it. In the past, the biological functional layer on the surface was produced by spin coating and ultraviolet irradiation, but ultraviolet irradiation was considered to be one of the factors that degraded nanosheet films. The research team changed the materials used from the conventional method, and instead adopted a method of depositing the functional layer by chemical vapor deposition. As a result, a thinner, more uniform and less degraded sensor chip was created.

Using the biosensors developed on this occasion, the team conducted an experiment detecting prostate cancer biomarkers, and succeeded in detecting 100 attograms* (equivalent to three attomolars in terms of molar concentration) contained in one milliliter of fluid. This lower limit detection concentration is comparable to that of large testing devices using labeling agents, and can be hoped to be applied in ultra-sensitive testing with portable-scale testing devices. Furthermore, since it is possible to detect how nanosheets deform by adsorption of molecules in real time, it is possible to detect disease-derived molecules faster than in comparison with testing equipment using labeling agents.

*Atto: an SI unit prefix denoting 10-18 (quintillionth)

Future Outlook

The research team now plans to demonstrate that biomarkers can be detected on semiconductor sensors that integrate analytical integrated circuitry, with a view to practical applications in portable testing equipment. In addition, replacing probe molecules applied to the surface of nanosheets will enable the creation of numerous types of comprehensive disease diagnosis tests, which are expected to lead to the early-stage detection of more diseases in the future. By implementing IoT biosensors in society, the team aims to help create a society where everyone will be able to take tests easily, and undergo medical examinations by physicians remotely.

Reference

Tomoya Maeda, Ryoto Kanamori, Yong-Joon Choi, Miki Taki, Toshihiko Noda, Kazuaki Sawada, and Kazuhiro Takahashi, “Bio-Interface on Freestanding Nanosheet of Microelectromechanical System Optical Interferometric Immunosensor for Label-Free Attomolar Prostate Cancer Marker Detection”, Sensors, 2022, 22(4), 1356, DOI: 10.3390/s22041356

This research is supported by the Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) (17H03251, 20H02204), operated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and the Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO), Innovative nano-electronics through interdisciplinary collaboration among material, device and system layers (JPMJPR1526) operated by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).

####

For more information, please click here

Contacts:
Yuko Ito
Toyohashi University of Technology (TUT)

Copyright © Toyohashi University of Technology (TUT)

If you have a comment, please Contact us.

Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.

Bookmark:
Delicious
Digg
Newsvine
Google
Yahoo
Reddit
Magnoliacom
Furl
Facebook

ARTICLE TITLE

News and information


The future of data storage is double-helical, research indicates: The Information Age needs a new data storage powerhouse. With an expanded molecular alphabet and a 21st century twist, DNA may just fit the bill. March 4th, 2022


Atom by atom: building precise smaller nanoparticles with templates March 4th, 2022


Visualizing the invisible: New fluorescent DNA label reveals nanoscopic cancer features March 4th, 2022


CEA and Spectronite Develop Software Radio For Spectrally Efficient Backhaul Solutions: Adapted for Spectronite’s X-Series Modem for 5G Systems, the Technology Enables Carrier Aggregation that Provides Radio Links with 10Gb/s Capacity March 4th, 2022


OCSiAl receives the green light for Luxembourg graphene nanotube facility project to power the next generation of electric vehicles in Europe March 4th, 2022

Cancer


Visualizing the invisible: New fluorescent DNA label reveals nanoscopic cancer features March 4th, 2022


Acceleration of cancer biomarker detection for point of care diagnostics January 28th, 2022

Possible Futures


Controlling how fast graphene cools down An international study, published in ACS Nano, has demonstrated an unprecedented level of control of the optical properties of graphene. The work has promising applications in different technological fields ranging from photonics to teleco March 4th, 2022


Superb switching uniformity of RRAM with localized nanofilaments of wafer-scale Si subulate array March 4th, 2022


CEA and Spectronite Develop Software Radio For Spectrally Efficient Backhaul Solutions: Adapted for Spectronite’s X-Series Modem for 5G Systems, the Technology Enables Carrier Aggregation that Provides Radio Links with 10Gb/s Capacity March 4th, 2022


OCSiAl receives the green light for Luxembourg graphene nanotube facility project to power the next generation of electric vehicles in Europe March 4th, 2022

Chip Technology


Superb switching uniformity of RRAM with localized nanofilaments of wafer-scale Si subulate array March 4th, 2022


A new platform for customizable quantum devices February 25th, 2022


Development of a diamond transistor with high hole mobility: Unconventional removal of acceptors enhanced performance February 25th, 2022


Revealing new states in 2D materials February 25th, 2022

Nanomedicine


Measuring pulse waves with a hair-thin patch March 4th, 2022


Visualizing the invisible: New fluorescent DNA label reveals nanoscopic cancer features March 4th, 2022


Breaking the black box of catalytic reactions: Research offers new understanding of complex catalysis, advances catalyst design February 25th, 2022


Shape memory in hierarchical networks – the astonishing property that allows manipulation of morphing materials with micro scale resolutions February 25th, 2022

Discoveries


Measuring pulse waves with a hair-thin patch March 4th, 2022


The future of data storage is double-helical, research indicates: The Information Age needs a new data storage powerhouse. With an expanded molecular alphabet and a 21st century twist, DNA may just fit the bill. March 4th, 2022


Atom by atom: building precise smaller nanoparticles with templates March 4th, 2022


Visualizing the invisible: New fluorescent DNA label reveals nanoscopic cancer features March 4th, 2022

Announcements


The future of data storage is double-helical, research indicates: The Information Age needs a new data storage powerhouse. With an expanded molecular alphabet and a 21st century twist, DNA may just fit the bill. March 4th, 2022


Atom by atom: building precise smaller nanoparticles with templates March 4th, 2022


Visualizing the invisible: New fluorescent DNA label reveals nanoscopic cancer features March 4th, 2022


CEA and Spectronite Develop Software Radio For Spectrally Efficient Backhaul Solutions: Adapted for Spectronite’s X-Series Modem for 5G Systems, the Technology Enables Carrier Aggregation that Provides Radio Links with 10Gb/s Capacity March 4th, 2022

Interviews/Book Reviews/Essays/Reports/Podcasts/Journals/White papers/Posters


Controlling how fast graphene cools down An international study, published in ACS Nano, has demonstrated an unprecedented level of control of the optical properties of graphene. The work has promising applications in different technological fields ranging from photonics to teleco March 4th, 2022


Superb switching uniformity of RRAM with localized nanofilaments of wafer-scale Si subulate array March 4th, 2022


Measuring pulse waves with a hair-thin patch March 4th, 2022


The future of data storage is double-helical, research indicates: The Information Age needs a new data storage powerhouse. With an expanded molecular alphabet and a 21st century twist, DNA may just fit the bill. March 4th, 2022

Nanobiotechnology


Measuring pulse waves with a hair-thin patch March 4th, 2022


The future of data storage is double-helical, research indicates: The Information Age needs a new data storage powerhouse. With an expanded molecular alphabet and a 21st century twist, DNA may just fit the bill. March 4th, 2022


Atom by atom: building precise smaller nanoparticles with templates March 4th, 2022


Visualizing the invisible: New fluorescent DNA label reveals nanoscopic cancer features March 4th, 2022

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *