Magnetic Biosensors

A special issue of Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X). This special issue belongs to the section "B:Biology and Biomedicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 November 2019) | Viewed by 24707

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
INESC-Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias (INESC-MN), 1000-029 Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: magnetic sensors; thin films for industrial applications; microfabrication technologies; nanoelectronics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
INESC-Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias (INESC-MN), 1000-029 Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: molecular diagnostics; biosensors; point-of-care devices; real-time monitoring of body responses; integrated sensing solutions; innovation

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Guest Editor
INESC-Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias (INESC-MN), 1000-029 Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: biosensing; biomolecular recognition; DNA-chips; immuno-assays; novel bioligands; lab-on-a-chip devices

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The current demand for new clinical diagnostics has fostered the development of integrated healthcare solutions for the rapid diagnosis, monitoring and management of health conditions. Such integrated systems rely on the availability of sensors and sensing techniques compatible with low-cost fabrication methods and adaptable to different materials and functionalities such as sensing, actuation, signal processing and communication. Magnetic sensing is an established technology providing high sensitivity with tunable spatial resolution regarding the detection of magnetic signals. Magnetic sensors compatibility with standard silicon integrated circuit technology, with electronic and fluidic circuitry, as well as with a wide range of materials, including flexible substrates, have prompted the development of a new generation of biomedical devices. Indeed, over the past 10 years, a multitude of applications combining such sensing units with diagnostics have emerged in the literature, including the detection of nucleic acids, proteins and cells in point-of-care (PoC) diagnostic devices; the detection of low-frequency bio-signals, such as neuron activity, using both rigid and flexible probes; the in-situ manipulation of magnetic nanoparticles; or the fabrication of dense, packed arrays for bioimaging scanners. Accordingly, this Special Issue aims to merge these recent developments focusing on the integration of magnetic sensors with different technologies targeting smart diagnostics for health solutions. Authors are invited to contribute research papers or review articles focusing on the detection of biological molecules/cells in portable systems, integrated systems with multiple functionalities targeting the real-time monitoring of health status, precision diagnostics, high-content screens or innovative fabrication/architecture methods for the low-cost and/or large-scale production of magnetic-based bioanalytical devices.

Prof. Dr. Susana Cardoso de Freitas
Dr. Sofia Aires Martins
Dr. Verónica C. Martins Romão
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Magnetic biosensors
  • Lab-on-chip devices
  • Magnetic markers
  • Magnetic flow cytometry
  • Microfluidics
  • Magnetic bioimaging
  • Magnetic nanoparticles functionalization
  • Magnetic nanoparticle manipulation and trapping

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 5266 KiB  
Article
Configuration and Design of Electromagnets for Rapid and Precise Manipulation of Magnetic Beads in Biosensing Applications
by Moshe Stern, Meir Cohen and Amos Danielli
Micromachines 2019, 10(11), 784; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi10110784 - 15 Nov 2019
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4210
Abstract
Rapid and precise manipulation of magnetic beads on the nano and micro scales is essential in many biosensing applications, such as separating target molecules from background molecules and detecting specific proteins and DNA sequences in plasma. Accurately moving magnetic beads back and forth [...] Read more.
Rapid and precise manipulation of magnetic beads on the nano and micro scales is essential in many biosensing applications, such as separating target molecules from background molecules and detecting specific proteins and DNA sequences in plasma. Accurately moving magnetic beads back and forth requires at least two adjustable magnetic field gradients. Unlike permanent magnets, electromagnets are easy to design and can produce strong and adjustable magnetic field gradients without mechanical motion, making them desirable for use in robust and safe medical devices. However, using multiple magnetic field sources to manipulate magnetic beads presents several challenges, including overlapping magnetic fields, added bulk, increased cost, and reduced durability. Here, we provide a thorough analysis, including analytical calculations, numerical simulations, and experimental measurements, of using two electromagnets to manipulate magnetic beads inside a miniature glass cell. We analyze and experimentally demonstrate different aspects of the electromagnets’ design, such as their mutual influence, the advantages and disadvantages of different pole tip geometries, and the correlation between the electromagnets’ positions and the beads’ aggregation during movement. Finally, we have devised a protocol to maximize the magnetic forces acting on magnetic beads in a two-electromagnet setup while minimizing the electromagnets’ size. We used two such electromagnets in a small footprint magnetic modulation biosensing system and detected as little as 13 ng/L of recombinant Zika virus antibodies, which enables detection of Zika IgM antibodies as early as 5 days and as late as 180 days post symptoms onset, significantly extending the number of days that the antibodies are detectable. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magnetic Biosensors)
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13 pages, 5337 KiB  
Article
Continuous-Flow Separation and Efficient Concentration of Foodborne Bacteria from Large Volume Using Nickel Nanowire Bridge in Microfluidic Chip
by Xiaoting Huo, Qi Chen, Lei Wang, Gaozhe Cai, Wuzhen Qi, Zengzilu Xia, Weijia Wen and Jianhan Lin
Micromachines 2019, 10(10), 644; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi10100644 - 25 Sep 2019
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3115
Abstract
Separation and concentration of target bacteria has become essential to sensitive and accurate detection of foodborne bacteria to ensure food safety. In this study, we developed a bacterial separation system for continuous-flow separation and efficient concentration of foodborne bacteria from large volume using [...] Read more.
Separation and concentration of target bacteria has become essential to sensitive and accurate detection of foodborne bacteria to ensure food safety. In this study, we developed a bacterial separation system for continuous-flow separation and efficient concentration of foodborne bacteria from large volume using a nickel nanowire (NiNW) bridge in the microfluidic chip. The synthesized NiNWs were first modified with the antibodies against the target bacteria and injected into the microfluidic channel to form the NiNW bridge in the presence of the external arc magnetic field. Then, the large volume of bacterial sample was continuous-flow injected to the channel, resulting in specific capture of the target bacteria by the antibodies on the NiNW bridge to form the NiNW–bacteria complexes. Finally, these complexes were flushed out of the channel and concentrated in a lower volume of buffer solution, after the magnetic field was removed. This bacterial separation system was able to separate up to 74% of target bacteria from 10 mL of bacterial sample at low concentrations of ≤102 CFU/mL in 3 h, and has the potential to separate other pathogenic bacteria from large volumes of food samples by changing the antibodies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magnetic Biosensors)
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16 pages, 8534 KiB  
Article
Manipulation of Magnetic Beads with Thin Film Microelectromagnet Traps
by Vania Silverio, Miguel Amaral, João Gaspar, Susana Cardoso and Paulo P. Freitas
Micromachines 2019, 10(9), 607; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi10090607 - 13 Sep 2019
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3272
Abstract
Integration of point-of-care assays can be facilitated with the use of actuated magnetic beads (MB) to perform testing in less expensive settings to enable the delivery of cost-effective care. In this paper we present six different designs of planar microelectromagnets traps (MEMT) with [...] Read more.
Integration of point-of-care assays can be facilitated with the use of actuated magnetic beads (MB) to perform testing in less expensive settings to enable the delivery of cost-effective care. In this paper we present six different designs of planar microelectromagnets traps (MEMT) with four external coils in series and one central coil connected for an opposite direction of manipulation of MB in microfluidic flows. The development of a simulation tool facilitated the rapid and efficient optimization of designs by presenting the influence of system variables on real time concentrations of MB. Real time experiments are in good agreement with the simulations and showed that the design enabled synchronous concentration and dispersion of MB on the same MEMT. The yield of local concentration is seen to be highly dependent on coil design. Additional coil turns between the central and external coils (inter-windings) doubled magnetic concentration and repulsion with no significant electrical resistance increase. The assemblage of a copper microchannel closed loop cooling system to the coils successfully eliminated the thermal drift promoted by joule heating generated by applied current. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magnetic Biosensors)
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Review

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20 pages, 3596 KiB  
Review
Magnetic Particles: Their Applications from Sample Preparations to Biosensing Platforms
by Seong-Eun Kim, My Van Tieu, Sei Young Hwang and Min-Ho Lee
Micromachines 2020, 11(3), 302; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi11030302 - 13 Mar 2020
Cited by 45 | Viewed by 5783
Abstract
The growing interest in magnetic materials as a universal tool has been shown by an increasing number of scientific publications regarding magnetic materials and its various applications. Substantial progress has been recently made on the synthesis of magnetic iron oxide particles in terms [...] Read more.
The growing interest in magnetic materials as a universal tool has been shown by an increasing number of scientific publications regarding magnetic materials and its various applications. Substantial progress has been recently made on the synthesis of magnetic iron oxide particles in terms of size, chemical composition, and surface chemistry. In addition, surface layers of polymers, silica, biomolecules, etc., on magnetic particles, can be modified to obtain affinity to target molecules. The developed magnetic iron oxide particles have been significantly utilized for diagnostic applications, such as sample preparations and biosensing platforms, leading to the selectivity and sensitivity against target molecules and the ease of use in the sensing systems. For the process of sample preparations, the magnetic particles do assist in target isolation from biological environments, having non-specific molecules and undesired molecules. Moreover, the magnetic particles can be easily applied for various methods of biosensing devices, such as optical, electrochemical, and magnetic phenomena-based methods, and also any methods combined with microfluidic systems. Here we review the utilization of magnetic materials in the isolation/preconcentration of various molecules and cells, and their use in various techniques for diagnostic biosensors that may greatly contribute to future innovation in point-of-care and high-throughput automation systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magnetic Biosensors)
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32 pages, 8047 KiB  
Review
Advances in Magnetoresistive Biosensors
by Diqing Su, Kai Wu, Renata Saha, Chaoyi Peng and Jian-Ping Wang
Micromachines 2020, 11(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi11010034 - 26 Dec 2019
Cited by 58 | Viewed by 7814
Abstract
Magnetoresistance (MR) based biosensors are considered promising candidates for the detection of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as biomarkers and the biomagnetic fields. MR biosensors have been widely used in the detection of proteins, DNAs, as well as the mapping of cardiovascular and brain signals. [...] Read more.
Magnetoresistance (MR) based biosensors are considered promising candidates for the detection of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as biomarkers and the biomagnetic fields. MR biosensors have been widely used in the detection of proteins, DNAs, as well as the mapping of cardiovascular and brain signals. In this review, we firstly introduce three different MR devices from the fundamental perspectives, followed by the fabrication and surface modification of the MR sensors. The sensitivity of the MR sensors can be improved by optimizing the sensing geometry, engineering the magnetic bioassays on the sensor surface, and integrating the sensors with magnetic flux concentrators and microfluidic channels. Different kinds of MR-based bioassays are also introduced. Subsequently, the research on MR biosensors for the detection of protein biomarkers and genotyping is reviewed. As a more recent application, brain mapping based on MR sensors is summarized in a separate section with the discussion of both the potential benefits and challenges in this new field. Finally, the integration of MR biosensors with flexible substrates is reviewed, with the emphasis on the fabrication techniques to obtain highly shapeable devices while maintaining comparable performance to their rigid counterparts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magnetic Biosensors)
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