Ultrasensitive nanowire-based detection of HCVcoreAg in the serum using a microwave generator

Abstract

The possibility of the application of a nanowire field-effect transistor biosensor, coupled with a microwave generator, for the detection of a hepatitis C protein marker – core antigen of hepatitis C virus (HCVcoreAg) – has been studied. The surface of nanowire sensor elements was sensitized with oligonucleotide molecular probes. This enabled biospecific capturing of HCVcoreAg target molecules onto the sensor surface. Herein, we have demonstrated that the nanowire biosensor coupled with a microwave generator allows one to detect target protein molecules in buffer solution at a 10-times lower concentration than that without the use of a microwave generator. The lowest detectable HCVcoreAg concentration was determined to be ∼10⁻¹⁷ M. The nanowire biosensor has also allowed us to detect HCVcoreAg in serum both with and without the use of a microwave generator.