Reuse of nanofibers in a Biological Warfare Agent detection nanophotonic sensing device

Abstract

"The use of biological injurious agent ravages not only at human population but also at livestock and crops [1], causing effects both on human health and on the economy [2]. Therefore, the fast and specific detection of these biological injurious agents is necessary in many fields such as environmental control, clinic diagnostic, food industry, Security and Defence. Therefore, much effort has been devoted to the development of new technologies for their detection and identification. The priority objective is to carry out a low cost, easy-of-use and specific device to be used on site and able to be miniaturized [3]. In order to meet this need, the specificity of the antigen-antibody binding is applied in a multitude of biosensors. Among these immuno-biosensors, biological warfare agent detection equipment stands out. Provided both the high costs for this equipment and the need for the first responders to move into the CBRN accident area, it could be desirable to have reusable detection devices.

In the OPTONANOSENS project, an immuno-biosensor with nanophotonic sensing has been developing. In this device, nylon nanofibers with 5% pyridine, manufactured by Tecnalia laid on a metallic support is used to immobilized antibodies [4,5]. The aims of this work are both to make a comparison between several procedures which let these nanofibers to be reused in different detection events and the optimisation of the more suitable procedure which allows a repetitive use and reliable of the biofunctionalized nanofibers in the final sensing device."