Spin-enhanced nanodiamond biosensing for ultrasensitive diagnostics

Benjamin S. Miller (), Léonard Bezinge, Harriet D. Gliddon, Da Huang, Gavin Dold, Eleanor R. Gray, Judith Heaney, Peter J. Dobson, Eleni Nastouli, John J. L. Morton and Rachel A. McKendry ()
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Benjamin S. Miller: University College London
Léonard Bezinge: University College London
Harriet D. Gliddon: University College London
Da Huang: University College London
Gavin Dold: University College London
Eleanor R. Gray: University College London
Judith Heaney: University College London Hospitals
Peter J. Dobson: University of Oxford
Eleni Nastouli: University College London Hospitals
John J. L. Morton: University College London
Rachel A. McKendry: University College London

Nature, 2020, vol. 587, issue 7835, 588-593

Abstract: Abstract The quantum spin properties of nitrogen-vacancy defects in diamond enable diverse applications in quantum computing and communications1. However, fluorescent nanodiamonds also have attractive properties for in vitro biosensing, including brightness2, low cost3 and selective manipulation of their emission4. Nanoparticle-based biosensors are essential for the early detection of disease, but they often lack the required sensitivity. Here we investigate fluorescent nanodiamonds as an ultrasensitive label for in vitro diagnostics, using a microwave field to modulate emission intensity5 and frequency-domain analysis6 to separate the signal from background autofluorescence7, which typically limits sensitivity. Focusing on the widely used, low-cost lateral flow format as an exemplar, we achieve a detection limit of 8.2 × 10−19 molar for a biotin–avidin model, 105 times more sensitive than that obtained using gold nanoparticles. Single-copy detection of HIV-1 RNA can be achieved with the addition of a 10-minute isothermal amplification step, and is further demonstrated using a clinical plasma sample with an extraction step. This ultrasensitive quantum diagnostics platform is applicable to numerous diagnostic test formats and diseases, and has the potential to transform early diagnosis of disease for the benefit of patients and populations.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2917-1

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