Background

Immunofluorescence assays are crucial in the diagnosis of complex diseases via disease-associated biomarker detection. Unfortunately, most assays rely on two-dimensional microarrays that suffer from low repeatability and sensitivity, challenging their ability to monitor clinical disease progression. While there are three-dimensional microarrays with enhanced biorecognition capabilities, their component materials are not compatible with current microarray fabrication protocols.

Technology Overview

Researchers at McMaster University have developed a platform for bioprinting three-dimensional microarrays that have ultra-high detection specificity and sensitivity and can be adopted for a wide range of diseases of interest, biosensor types, and biorecognition elements. These immunosorbent hydrogels have been comprehensively optimized and assessed for enhanced diagnosis of bacterial-induced infection and sepsis. Given their ease of implementation, high-throughput fabrication, and