Detection of Traumatic Brain Injury Protein Biomarkers with Resonant Microsystems

Microelectromechanical resonators enable the sensitive and inexpensive detection of biological molecules associated with specific diseases, infections, or other medical conditions that are commonly referred to as biomarkers. The focus of this effort is the detection of s100β, which is a protein biomarker that is secreted in relatively high concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of victims of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Sensor functionalization via polymer/antibody coatings is explored as a method to allow for the adsorption of s100β onto the surface of the resonator. A high-precision, piezoelectrically actuated pipette system is utilized to improve sensor functionalization and biomarker exposure techniques. High-frequency resonators are utilized for their high mass sensitivity. Frequency-domain characterization of multiple sensors reveals shifts in their resonant peaks caused by the adsorption of s100 β. Successful detection of s100 β was achieved (p=0.000012) at sensitivities that are theoretically sufficient to enable the diagnosis of TBI. © 2017 IEEE.