Development of Light Waveguide Resonance Light-Scattering Scanner for Microarray Detection

An optical waveguide resonance light-scattering scanner (RLS Scanner) was developed for microarray detection. The major components of the device included optical system, waveguide excitation system, photovoltaic conversion system, mechanical drive system and PC software. The minimum scanning resolution of the RLS scanner was 5 µm, and the maximum scanning range was 100 mm. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of RLS was improved by the waveguide excitation mode. This device is capable of using a white light source as excitation source, thereby providing significant cost-savings. Several kinds of microarrays including carbohydrate microarray, DNA microarray and peptide microarray with gold nanoparticle (GNP) probes were used to demonstrate the detection performance of the device. Detection limits of 1 ng mL−1 and 100 pM in solution were obtained for concanavalin A (Con A) and DNA respectively. For the peptide on microarray spots, a detection limit of 100 fg was reported. The RLS scanner showed at least one to two orders of magnitude more sensitive than that of commercial scanner. Furthermore, taking advantage of the RLS technique, the device was characterized by simple construction and low cost.

An optical waveguide resonance light-scattering scanner has been developed for microarray detection. In comparison with commercial scanner with surface excitation mode, this device has better detection performance (high signal intensity and low background noise) and reasonably lower detection limits for Con A and DNA in solutions and immobilized peptide on microarray spots.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide