Development of Quartz Crystal Microbalance-Based Biosensors for Detection of Infectious Diseases

A simple and versatile surface functionalisation method employing molecularly imprinted polydopamine (MIPDA) sensing films was developed for the detection of infectious diseases via quartz crystal microbalance (QCM)-based biosensors. Recognition cavities in the MIPDA films provided QCM-based biosensors with a selective affinity towards specific viral antigens. The biosensor responses were enhanced by increasing the density of recognition cavities via film thickness optimisation and site-specific imprinting of the viral antigen. The MIPDA-QCM biosensing technique could detect and quantitate clinically relevant concentrations of hepatitis B and dengue virus antigens within 10 min, providing a rapid and single-step detection procedure for point-of-care disease diagnosis.