Ultrasensitive and rapid nanodevices for analytical immunoassays

Immunological methods are entering a new and incredible era. The major reason for this is our new-found ability to measure, manipulate and organize matter and materials at the nanoscale level (Fig. 1). A detailed understanding of the principles that rule the nanoscale world will have a huge impact on the development of immunoassays, leading to new analytical formats and performances that were previously unimaginable. The miniaturization of immunoassays is particularly relevant to diagnostic applications, because the reduction of sample volume is of great importance when only minimal amounts of samples are available, which is the case with biopsy material or neonate samples and all life sciences in general. In addition, immunoassay miniaturization allows the development of rapid and multiplexed assays that are more sensitive than macroscopic ones, as suggested by the “ambient analyte theory” elucidated by Ekins et al [1–3]. This paper describes some recent applications of bioanalytical nanotechnology to immunoassays. It is important to mention that nanotechnology is still at an early stage of research and development, so many more new devices intended for early and sensitive diagnosis are expected to become commercially available in the next few years. Immunoassay nanodevices