POLYANILINE MODIFIED FLEXIBLE CONDUCTING PAPER FOR CANCER DETECTION

Abstract

This dissertation contains results of studies relating to the fabrication of a flexible, disposable, and label free biosensing platform for detection of the cancer biomarker (carcinoembryonic antigen, CEA). Polyaniline (PANI) has been electrochemically deposited over gold sputtered paper (Au@paper) for covalent immobilization of monoclonal carcinoembryonic antibodies (anti-CEA). The bovine serum albumin (BSA) has been used for blocking nonspecific binding sites at the anti-CEA conjugated PANI/Au@Paper. The PANI/Au@Paper, anti CEA/PANI/Au@Paper and BSA/anti-CEA/PANI/Au@Paper platforms have been characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy, chronoamperometry and electrochemical impedance techniques. The results of the electrochemical response studies indicate that this BSA/anti-CEA/PANI/Au@paper electrode has sensitivity of 13.9 μA ng_1 ml cm2, shelf life of 22 days, and can be used to estimate CEA in the range of 2–20 ng ml-1. This conducting paper sensor has been validated by detection of CEA in serum samples of cancer patients via immunoassay technique.