Nanogold Particle Reagent for the Enhancement of Sensitivity of Fluorophore Mediated Biosensing Applications (04027 & 04028)

Biomarkers used for disease diagnosis are usually present in bio-samples with a wide variety of other biomolecules, some of which are structurally homologous to the biomarkers themselves. In addition, the levels of biomarkers in a sample are usually extremely low. Therefore, sensors to detect these biomarkers must be both very sensitive and specific. This type of detection frequently uses fluorophores and, therefore, enhancement of the fluorescence sensitivity is very important to the improvement of the sensitivity of the biosensors. Researchers in the Chemical Engineering Department of the University of Louisville have found that when nanogold particles are set at a specific distance from the fluorophore in biosensors, the fluorescence-emitting capabilities of the surface bound fluoroprobes are enhanced. The researchers have determined the optimal ratio between the nanogold particles and fluorophore molecules and have developed a method that ensures maintenance of the optimal distance between the nanogold particles and the fluorophores allowing for increased fluorescence emission. The researchers have also found that using certain solvents and solvent groups can enhance the fluorescence emission of any fluorescent-light emitting detection fluorophore media or sensing detection method by as much as 10 times. Greg Tucker telpriore.tucker@louisville.edu 5028527076