초록 |
The rapid and sensitive detection of molecular targets is crucial for patient care, requiring accurate diagnosis and subsequent personalized therapy. Conventional methods include nucleic acid testing such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which involve labor-intensive sample preparation steps, or large, expensive equipments for automated processing. Miniaturized immunoassays for point-of-care testing are also widely available, which allow diagnosis in the bedside or home settings, but lack the sensitivity and accuracy. We have investigated various molecular sensing approaches using multi-functionalized nanomaterials, to improve the current diagnostic methods. Various molecular ligands such as small molecule drugs or oligonucleotides were used to specifically bind the targets, while introducing a bioorthogonal labeling approach for rapid sensing. The current study can be potentially applied as a robust platform for diagnosing various human diseases such as infections and cancer. |