Porous Silicon modified by Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Interleukin-6 (IL-6) detection

¹ Department of Engineering (DI), University of Naples Parthenope, Centro Direzionale Isola (C4), 80134, Naples (Italy)
² Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Naples, Italy
³ Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR-Nanotec, Via Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy

^* Corresponding author: luca.destefano@na.isasi.cnr.it

Published online: 31 October 2024

Abstract

In this study, we present an innovative optical biosensor designed for the precise detection of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a crucial cytokine associated with various pathological conditions. Our biosensor is based on silicon porous material meticulously modified with a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP), ensuring specific and sensitive recognition of IL-6 molecules. Fabrication process involves the electrochemical etching of silicon porous chips followed by the electrodeposition of MIP, tailored to selectively bind IL-6 targets. Through rigorous testing across a range of IL-6 concentrations, our sensor exhibits remarkable sensitivity, showcasing discernible optical responses proportional to the varying analyte concentrations. Furthermore, we assessed the sensor's performance using bovine serum, a complex biological matrix, to simulate real-world sample conditions. Encouragingly, the sensor maintains its selectivity and optical response in the presence of serum components, affirming its robustness and applicability in practical diagnostic settings.