Surface plasmon resonance imaging for affinity-based sensing: An analytical approach

Surface Plasmon Resonance imaging (SPRi) is at the forefront of optical sensing, allowing multi-analyte detection in real-time and without labeling. SPRi is applied to a variety of bio-interactions, from proteins to sensitive DNA detection. Despite the high number of recently appeared papers, very few deal with analyte detection in complex matrices. We here report SPRi affinity-based sensing with application to analytes detection in real matrices, i.e. proteins and DNA marker sequences for possible applications in different fields. In particular, we quantified Bovine IgG in cow milk avoiding matrix pre-treatments, and showing the simultaneous evaluation of different immobilization chemistries on a single biochip. We summarize results obtained in terms of perspectives for a real application of the biosensor in the field of food controls. About the detection of DNA sequences in complex matrices, we focused on DNA sequences in human transgenic cells for gene doping controls. Experimental results are briefly showed here in terms of advantages related to the application of SPRi technique to this emerging issue.