Backscattering Interferometry as a Diagnostic Tool

Abstract

Initial studies on the development of diagnostic applications for backscattering interferometry (BSI) are presented. Backscattering interferometry (BSI) is a label-free technique developed by the Bornhop laboratory which utilizes a simple optical train to measure refractive index (RI) changes within a microfluidic channel. Such RI changes are thought to arise from molecular dipole alterations associated with conformational changes of binding partners. The ability of BSI to interrogate these changes to perform fast, inexpensive, highly sensitive, label-free, free-solution binding measurements using minimal sample volume makes the technique a highly attractive diagnostic tool. Investigations presented here, performed in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), focus on the development of BSI-based assays for the detection of syphilis and HIV infection in human sera. Also presented here are studies exploring the ability of BSI to harness induced conformational changes in molecules of interest, using reovirus as a model, for potential diagnostic and/or signaling applications.