Speaker
Descrizione
The analysis of volatile biomarkers released by biological samples is emerging as an approach for the detection of metabolic alterations associated with physiological and pathological conditions. Human breath, cell cultures, biological fluids, tissues, and microbiological samples emit complex mixtures of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) reflecting biochemical processes and providing diagnostic and prognostic information [1]. The growing interest in volatile biomarkers has stimulated the development of portable sensing platforms capable of replacing or complementing conventional analytical techniques with faster, less expensive, and point-of-care solutions. Recent advances in gas sensors and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) have demonstrated that miniaturized devices can achieve good sensitivity, while enabling integration into compact platforms. Nevertheless, translating these technologies into reliable clinical tools requires improvements in selectivity, detection limits, sample pretreatment, and discrimination of complex VOC fingerprints under realistic conditions. In particular, the integration of microfabricated pretreatment components, such as preconcentrators, humidity management systems, and microfluidic interfaces, represents a key enabling strategy for biological sample analysis.
Within this framework, preliminary investigations on volatile emissions from biological samples have been carried out by the “Gas Sensors and Gas Sensing Microsystems”group at CNR-ISMN Bologna in collaboration with the University of Ferrara [2]. The Department of Physics and Earth Sciences contributed to the fabrication and characterization of chemoresistive gas sensors, while the Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology provided expertise in cell culture preparation and biological sample management. Building upon the expertise developed at ISMN in MEMS fabrication, the activity demonstrated the potential of silicon-based micro-preconcentrators to enhance the detection of VOCs from cell cultures by increasing analyte concentration before sensor exposure, while avoiding the retention of strong interferents such as water vapor. The developed micro-preconcentrator consists of a silicon micromachined structure filled with an adsorbing material for VOC trapping during the sampling, integrating a platinum heater and platinum temperature sensor. This configuration enables precise thermal control of the desorption process and easy operation through a dedicated electronic board. The controlled release of preconcentrated gases at different times through temperature ramps or discrete temperature steps provides additional physicochemical information on collected compounds, particularly on their volatility, which is mainly related to molecular weight, polarity, intermolecular interactions, and boiling point. This approach introduces an additional separation mechanism prior to sensing, improving the discrimination of complex gas mixtures.
The obtained proof of concept represents a starting point for extending the application of micro-preconcentration technologies to a broader range of biological samples, including cell cultures, biological fluids, and other clinically relevant specimens. Looking ahead, combining advanced microfabrication technologies and sensing units could enable new integrated platforms for medical diagnostics. This research direction promotes interdisciplinary collaborations in materials science, analytical chemistry, biology, and clinical research, paving the way for new initiatives within ISMN and with external partners.
References
[1] Volatile Biomarkers for Human Health: From Nature to Artificial Senses; Haick, H., Ed.; The Royal Society of Chemistry, 2022.
[2] M.Tamisari et al., Early Detection of Volatile Tumor Biomarkers Using Chemoresistive Sensors and MEMS-Based Preconcentration: A Study on K562 Cell Line. Eng. Proc. 2025, 118 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/ECSA-12-26565.
| Consenso all'uso dei dati | Acconsento che l'abstract possa essere incluso nel programma del convegno e nel libro degli abstract. Acconsento al trattamento dei dati personali per finalità organizzative del convegno, in conformità al GDPR. |
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| Giovane Ricercatore (under 40) | Yes |
