Ricerc@Sapienza

A biosensor platform based on Bloch Surface Waves and operating in angular interrogation mode is applied to the detection of a clinical biomarker (HER2-neu/ERBB2) related to breast cancer initiation/progression. Preparing regions for specific recognition of different proteins as well as a reference on the biochip enables to correct the signal for nonspecific effects. Additionally, label-free analysis and surface wave enhanced fluorescence detection can be applied and compared directly on the platform. Cell lysates with high and low expression levels of ERBB2 are analyzed.

We report on the detection of an angiogenic molecule Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in different biological matrices by means of a new integrated biosensing platform exploiting the properties of Bloch surface waves. The new platform takes advantage of a tandem configuration, in which both label-free and enhanced fluorescence detection are implemented. Specifically designed one dimensional photonic crystals were deposited directly on disposable and low cost plastic biochips.