Amplified Detection of a Unique Genomic Viral Marker Using Fluorescently Labeled Liposomes

Abstract

Sensitive and enzyme-free detection of specific oligonucleotide sequences is a pressing need in the field of precision and personalized medicine. In this work the detection of a unique genetic marker for hepatitis B virus with a low detection limit of 5 × 10−12m and a fast assay time is reported. In the assay presented here, fluorescently labeled liposomes are captured by gold-decorated polystyrene beads using the target sequence as the building block. This is achieved by modifying the microbeads and the liposomes each with half of the complementary sequence. After a short incubation time with the target of interest, the fluorescent signal of the bridged bead–liposome assembly is detected via flow cytometry. Each liposome is labeled with ≈48 lipid soluble dyes resulting in an amplified fluorescent signal for every sensing event. The detection of the viral marker is even possible in an artificial serum-spiked sample. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim