Novel Field-Based Protein Detection Method Using Light Transmission Spectroscopy and Antibody Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles

• Published in: Nano letters Vol. 22; no. 7; pp. 2611 - 2617
• Main Authors: Brandão-Dias, Pedro F. P, Deatsch, Alison E, Tank, Jennifer L, Shogren, Arial J, Rosi, Emma J, Ruggiero, Steven T, Tanner, Carol E, Egan, Scott P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Chemical Society 13.04.2022
• Subjects: Bacterial Proteins - genetics; Ecosystem; Gold - chemistry; Hemolysin Proteins - analysis; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; Plants, Genetically Modified - chemistry; Plants, Genetically Modified - metabolism; Spectrum Analysis; agriculture; nanotechnology; GMO; GE crops; monitoring; Bt Cry
• ISSN: 1530-6984; 1530-6992
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c04142

Protein detection is a universal tool critical to many applications in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. We developed a novel protein detection method combining light transmission spectroscopy and particle-size analysis of gold nanospheres monovalently functionalized with polyclonal antibodies and applied it to an emerging challenge for such technologiesthe monitoring of environmental proteins (eProteins) present in natural aquatic systems. These are an underreported source of pollution and include the pseudopersistent Cry toxins that enter aquatic ecosystems from surrounding genetically engineered crops. The assay is capable of detecting proteins in complex matrices, such as water samples collected in the field, making it a competitive assay for eProtein detection. It is sensitive, reaching 1.25 ng mL–1, and we demonstrate its application to the detection of Cry1Ab from subsurface tile-drain and streamwater samples from agricultural waterways. The assay can also be quickly adapted for other protein detection applications in the future.