A novel electrochemical microfluidic chip biosensor for multicomponent analysis in renal function examination

Yingchun Li, School Of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (shenzhen) , Shenzhen, China (liyingchun@hit.edu.cn)

Real-time detection of various chemical and biological substances is crucial for implementing precision medical diagnosis and treatment. In spite of tremendous efforts, several challenges still accompany current techniques and instruments. In this contribution, a novel MXene-based electrochemical microfluidic chip combining initial dialysis of whole blood with subsequent detection was firstly fabricated and applied in on-line renal function test. Thanks to the intriguing behavior of MXene nanosheets and the elaborately designed testing chip platform and strategies, simultaneous quantification of three biomarkers was realized in one device and the multi-component detection proves to be accurate, reliable and interference-free, which can perfectly meet the clinical and civil demands. In the novel bio-sensing system, MXene is demonstrated as a suitable material for constructing electrochemical sensor due to its excellent electrocatalytic property, admirable enzyme-loading capacity, good biocompatibility, and abundant surface terminating groups. Additionally, a simple and versatile ratiometric sensing approach is established via the strong adsorption of MXene nanosheets for probe molecules. Continuous on-line monitoring of uric acid, urea and creatinine in whole blood was carried out by using the newly developed sensor platform, which fills the vacancy in body condition evaluation during hemodialysis treatment. The microfluidic chip also displays great potential as a promising assay device for point-of-care test (POCT) in terms of cost, stability, adaptability in different/adverse detection environments, miniaturization, automation of tests, etc. Our work expands the biomedical applications of 2D materials and millions of patients will benefit from the findings.

Figure 1. Schematic illustration of fabrication of MXene-enabled microfluidic chip.

Keywords: MXene; microfluidic chip; electrochemical sensing; renal function examination; whole blood test; therapeutic drug monitoring

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Abstract Reference & Short Personal Biography of Presenting Author

[1] Jiang Liu, Yu Zhang, Yingchun Li*, et al. Electrochemical microfluidic chip based on molecular imprinting technique applied for therapeutic drug monitoring, Biosens. Bioelectron., 2017 (91): 714–720

[2] Jiang Liu, Yingchun Li*, Han Zhang*, et al. MXene-enabled electrochemical microfluidic bio-sensor: applications towards multi-component continuous monitoring in whole blood. Adv. Funct. Mater., 2018(1807326): 1-9

Yingchun Li received her B.Sc. from Shihezi University in 2003, and M.Sc. from Xi’an Jiaotong University in 2006. She continued her Ph.D. study in Halle University in Germany and received her doctor degree in 2011. Then she joined Shihezi University as one scientist of the “Recruitment Program of Global Experts” (1000 Talent Plan). Now, Prof. Li continued her research in Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), and her research field is in development of advanced functional materials and sensors for serving pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis. As an independent PI, Prof. Li has published 50 research articles in well-known journals and got 4 national patents of invention. She is also the winner of Young Scientist Competition in the 27th International Symposium on PBA in the year of 2016