A smartphone-based enzyme-linked immunochromatographic sensor for rapid quantitative detection of carcinoembryonic antigen

The development and application of portable, cost-effective, and user-friendly biosensing technology to enable real-time disease diagnosis on the spot are alway a top priority in the in vitro diagnostic (IVD). Here, a smartphone based enzyme-linked immunochromatographic sensor (ELICS) system was developed as required. This hand-held sensing system utilizes built-in ambient light sensor in smartphone and integrated with a specially designed disposable chromatography device. Immunoassay and enzyme coloration are performed on the chromatography device to form a biosensor channel, and the results are read directly by the smartphone ambient light sensor. To demonstrate this platform, the commonly used cancer biomarker carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was chosen as a proof-of-concept test. This method was 100-folds more sensitive than conventional used immunochromatographic assay, and whole detection and analysis process was completed within 25 min. For detection of CEA in clinical serum samples, the ELICS results were well correlated with those from chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA). With the advantages of high sensitivity, rapid, user-friendly, low cost and portability, ELICS would have wide applicability in family and community medical institution, especially in the areas of poor medical resources.