Shape complementarity processes for ultrashort-burst sensitive M13-PEG-WS2-powered MCF-7 cancer cell sensors.

Abstract

Biomarkers have the potential to be utilized in disease diagnosis, prediction and monitoring. The cancer cell type is a leading candidate for next-generation biomarkers. Although traditional digital biomolecular sensor (DBS) technology has shown to be effective in assessing cell-based interactions, low cell-population detection of cancer cell types is extremely challenging. Here, we controlled the electrical signature of a two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterial, tungsten disulfide (WS2), by utilizing a combination of the Phage-integrated Polymer and the Nanosheet (PPN), viz., the integration of the M13-conjugated polyethylene glycol (PEG) and the WS2, through shape-complementarity phenomena, and developed a sensor system, i.e., the Phage-based DBS (P-DBS), for the specific, rapid, sensitive detection of clinically-relevant MCF-7 cells. The P-DBS attains a detection limit of 12 cells per μL, as well as a contrast of 1.25 between the MCF-10A sample signal and the MCF-7 sample signal. A reading length of 200 μs was further achieved, along with a relative cell viability of ∼100% for both MCF-7 and MCF-10A cells and with the PNN. Atomistic simulations reveal the structural origin of the shape complementarity-facilitated decrease in the output impedance of the P-DBS. The combination of previously unreported exotic sensing materials and digital sensor design represents an approach to unlocking the ultra-sensitive detection of cancer cell types and provides a promising avenue for early cancer diagnosis, staging and monitoring.

• Authors: Maria P Meivita, Shao-Xiang Go, Fitya S Mozar, Lunna Li, Yaw Sing Tan, Natasa Bajalovic, Desmond K Loke
• Journal: Nanoscale (Nanoscale) Vol. 15 Issue 41 Pg. 16658-16668 (Oct 26 2023) ISSN: 2040-3372 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 37800342 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Polyethylene Glycols
• Biomarkers

Topics

• Humans
• MCF-7 Cells
• Polyethylene Glycols
• Limit of Detection
• Nanostructures (chemistry)
• Biomarkers
• Neoplasms