A sol-gel integrated dual-readout microarray platform for quantification and identification of prostate-specific antigen

Here, we report a sol-gel integrated affinity microarray for on-chip matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), which enables capture and identification of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in samples. Protein microarray technologies, which involve miniaturizing spots of capture agents (such as antibody and aptamers) on a solid surface, enable multianalyte sensing and high-throughput analysis of protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions. This technique provides high-sensitivity analysis of biomarkers, as well as molecular profiling, and is thus used in the fields of life science, medicine and proteomics [1]. In clinical application, the high sensitive biomarker analysis enables early diagnosis, and prediction of prognosis and the response to treatment [2,3].