Optimal Storage Conditions to Improve the Performance of Chip-Based TLR Biosensor

A chip-based electrochemical biosensor allows a rapid and cost-effective measurement which can take less than 30 mins. In comparison, the current method of detecting bacteria is expensive and time-consuming because it must go through cell culturing and laboratory work, which can take 5 days. For this reason, we have been developing a chip-based electrochemical biosensor by modifying commercially available chips. Biosensors using antibodies and DNA are great for identifying specific strains of bacteria. However, their narrow scope is not suited for environmental monitoring. We have been using Toll-like Receptors as the biorecognition element, which has a wider scope detecting a wide range of pathogens. The constructed biosensors are tested against diacylated lipopeptide (Pam2CSK4), a Pathogen Associated Molecular Pattern. Some of the chips are tested right away against Pam2CSK4 while the rest of them are stored in different storage conditions varying in temperatures, buffers and additives. The performance of the chips before and after each storage condition is compared. Finding an optimal condition to maintain and enhance the performance of the chip is critical when it comes to real-life application. However, it is challenging to maintain stability of the protein bound to the chip surface because multiple factors need to be considered such as the adhesive force strength of each layer. We are putting in more effort in developing the understanding towards this direction.