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Lateral flow immunoassay using plasmonic scattering

Author

Listed:
  • Bobin Lee

    (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST))

  • Byungho Park

    (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST))

  • Daeun Kim

    (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)
    Chonnam National University)

  • Chaewon Jung

    (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST))

  • Jun Hyeok Park

    (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST))

  • Ji-Ho Park

    (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST))

  • Young Eun Lee

    (Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital)

  • Myung Geun Shin

    (Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital)

  • Min-Gon Kim

    (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST))

  • Nan Ei Yu

    (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST))

  • Joon Heon Kim

    (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST))

  • Kihyeun Kim

    (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)
    ON NANOBIOLAB Inc.)

Abstract

The lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) is one of the most successful sensing platforms for real-world point-of-care (POC) testing. However, achieving PCR-level sensitivity without compromising the inherent advantages of LFIA, such as rapid and robust operation, affordability, and naked-eye detection, has remained a primary challenge. In this study, a plasmonic scattering-utilising LFIA was proposed, created by transparentising a nitrocellulose membrane and placing a light-absorbing backing card under the membrane. This LFIA minimised the background signal from its matrix, leading to substantially enhanced sensitivity and enabling naked-eye detection of the plasmonic scattering signal from gold nanoparticles without optics. Our plasmonic scattering-utilising LFIA showed an approximately 2600–4400 times higher detection limit compared with that of commercial LFIAs in influenza A assays. In addition, it exhibited 90% sensitivity in clinical validation, approaching PCR-level sensitivity, while commercial LFIAs showed 23–30% sensitivity. The plasmonic scattering-utilising LFIA plays a ground-breaking role in POC diagnostics and significantly boosts follow-up research.

Suggested Citation

  • Bobin Lee & Byungho Park & Daeun Kim & Chaewon Jung & Jun Hyeok Park & Ji-Ho Park & Young Eun Lee & Myung Geun Shin & Min-Gon Kim & Nan Ei Yu & Joon Heon Kim & Kihyeun Kim, 2025. "Lateral flow immunoassay using plasmonic scattering," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-58663-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58663-z
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