| Protein detection is of great importance in both research and clinical settings. The use of proteins as diagnostic markers of disease is a driving force behind the development of advanced protein detection techniques. Of particular interest is the development of a detection platform which is both highly sensitive and capable of simultaneously quantitating a number of targets, as a single biomarker is seldom capable of providing the information necessary to make sophisticated diagnostic determinations. The Bailey Group has developed a detection platform based on silicon photonic microring resonators which is capable of making sensitive measurements of proteins, as well as other biomolecules, in complex matrices.;The following chapters present the work I have completed towards the development of particle-based detection schemes for use on the microring resonator platform. Chapter 2 details the initial attempts at detection of a particle-like species, namely Bean pod mottle virus, from the complex matrix of minimally-processed leaf extracts. Chapter 3 details the initial developments of magnetic-bead based assays for lower limits of detection and extended dynamic range. Chapter 4 details the extension of previous magnetic particle detection by incorporating a permanent magnet into the chip holder in order to direct magnetic beads towards the surface of the sensor, effectively shortening analysis times and further decreasing limits of detection. Chapter 5 begins to move away from bead-based assays and discusses studies directly comparing bead-based signal enhancement strategies with enzyme-based strategies. Chapter 6 discusses the initial developments into a multiplexed biomarker panel for the detection and discrimination of liver diseases. Chapter 7 speculates on the future of the methods I have developed and discusses where I believe there is room for improvement and further development arising from my work. Finally, there are two appendices which present small studies and initial work which may be a valuable reference for future students. |
