Development of fluorescence change-based, reagent-less optic immunosensor

A reagent-less, regenerable and portable optic immunosensor was developed. A model sample, immunoglobulin G (IgG), was detected with this system based on changes in fluorescent intensity of fluorescent labeled protein A with specific reactivity to IgG depending on a reaction between the proteins. A glass plate immobilized with Qdot(TM)-labeled protein A was placed on the top of optic fibers designed for both excitation and fluorescence emission. The optic fibers with the Qdot(TM)-labeled protein A-immobilized glass plate were inserted into a solution of pH 7.4 phosphate buffered saline. After stabilization of the fluorescence intensity, IgG was added and the time-course of the fluorescence intensity was measured on a fluorometer connected with the optic fibers. Furthermore, the fluorescence response of a transient state was evaluated with the same system. When the Qdot-labeled protein A bound to IgG, fluorescence intensity decreased because of the inhibition by IgG. The degree of fluorescence decrease depends on the IgG concentration at a steady state and also in a transient state. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.