Handy, rapid and multiplex detection of tumor markers based on encoded silica–hydrogel hybrid beads array chip

Malignant tumor has become the leading cause of death worldwide; however, multiplex detection technology could provide great assistance in large-scale population screening of diseases which could effectively reduce the mortality of malignant tumors. Here a microbeads array chip, which could be a perfect alternative method for the early screening, was developed. Silica–hydrogel hybrid bead (SHHB) with photonic encoding, which consists of both silica and hydrogel materials, was manufactured as the carrier of microbeads array for the first time. The SHHB has the advantages of the beads made of silica or hydrogel, but does not have their limitations. Reaction conditions of SHHBs array were optimized and then the fluorescent concentration curves of two widely-used tumor markers, human alpha fetoprotein and carcinoembryonic antigen, were constructed. The accuracy of SHHBs array has been proven according to the comparison between the results obtained by detecting 50 clinical samples with SHHBs array and chemiluminescence immunoassay . A cassette like chip device has also been developed to standardize operational processes and benefit automization in the next work. Hence it is concluded that SHHBs array chip is a handy, rapid and multiplex immunoassay technology, which could imply its practical application in clinical immunoassay in the near future.