Development of quartz crystal microbalance-based immunosensor for the determination of low-density lipoprotein

Abstract

Immunosensor for the determination of LDL(Low-Density Lipoprotein), a good indicator for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia, was developed by using quartz crystal microbalance(QCM). The immunosensor consists of flow-through cell, oscillating circuit, oscilloscope, and frequency counter. FIA(Flow Injection Analysis) was applied to the QCM system for the measurement of LDL in liquid phase. Antibody showing binding affinity against LDL was immobilized on the gold electrode of a quartz crystal by covalent coupling via polyethylenimine / glutaredehyde. LDL was injected and bound to the antibody immobilized on the QCM immunosensor. The response of the immunosensor (F0 - F1) was found to be proportional to the LDL concentration from 200 ㎍/ml to 800 ㎍/ml. Operational conditions for the operation of immunosensor were also investigated in terms of sensitivity and non-specific binding.