Quartz crystal microbalance biosensors: prospects for point-of-care diagnostics.

BACKGROUND

A QCM is a label-free and extremely mass-sensitive device, which allows the detection of the binding event between trace medical analytes and bio-receptors on its surface. QCM, the most promising type of biosensors, has attracted much interest due to the inherent benefits over other transducers, including better sensitivity, ease-of-use, integration with compact analytical devices, and economy, and also involving relatively simple technology in its production. Thus, they have great potential with regard to point-of-care (POC) testing for early detection of diseases.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Retrievable articles that related to acoustic type sensing of Pubmed and Science direct database were included. Additionally, abstracts presented at Biosensor World Congress held between 2008 and 2012 were searching to identify relevant clinical trials.

RESULTS

All studies demonstrated the opportunity in the use of QCM as a novel diagnostic method. Several attempts have been made to construct integrated systems that show promising application for POC tests.

CONCLUSION

This review represents another step to meet challenges, especially in the improved minimization and sensitivity of biosensors. As this work continues, new bioreceptor and biomarkers emerging from the could make it an ideal candidate for cheap POC diagnostic.