Al2O3 microring resonators for the detection of a cancer biomarker in undiluted urine

Concentrations down to 3 nM of the rhS100A4 protein, associated with human tumor development, have been detected in undiluted urine using an integrated sensor based on microring resonators in the emerging Al2O3 photonic platform. The fabricated microrings were designed for operation in the C-band (lambda = 1565 nm) and exhibited a high-quality factor in air of 3.2 x 10(5). The bulk refractive index sensitivity of the devices was similar to 100 nm/RIU (for TM polarization) with a limit of detection of similar to 10(-6) RIU. A surface functionalization protocol was developed to allow for the selective binding of the monoclonal antibodies designed to capture the target biomarker to the surface of the Al2O3 microrings. The detection of rhS100A4 proteins at clinically relevant concentrations in urine is a big milestone towards the use of biosensors for the screening and early diagnosis of different cancers. Biosensors based on this microring technology can lead to portable, multiplexed and easy-to-use point of care devices. (C) 2019 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement