(523g) Hexagonal Saw Interleukin-6 Biosensor

We present the development and application of a hexagonal surface acoustic wave (SAW) biosensor for Interleukin-6 at levels required for physiological relevance. Interleukin-6 is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in the body's pathophysiologic response to injury due to various causes, e.g. trauma, burns, sepsis, and disease. We have optimized the sensor configuration to provide a substantially improved response in comparison with traditional SAW sensors. The hexagonal SAW biosensor was fabricated in 36° YX LiTaO₃ to generate shear horizontal (SH) waves using the high electro-mechanical conversion efficiency of this substrate material. The biosensors were coated with an optimally thick polystyrene waveguide enabling Love-wave generation. The generated Love-waves were shown to improve sensitivity 40-fold. Results from the human Interleukin-6 analyte biosensor will be presented. The biosensor was fabricated using an anti-human Interleukin-6 biosensor film physically adsorbed to the polystyrene waveguide. The resulting data were collected using a homebuilt sensor circuit connected to a multimeter and personal computer for data acquisition, and were verified using fluorescent microscopy.