Spectral-domain optical coherence phase microscopy for label-free multiplexed protein microarray assay

Abstract Quantitative measurement of affinities and kinetics of various biomolecular interactions such as protein–protein, protein–DNA and receptor–ligand is central to our understanding of basic molecular and cellular functions and is useful for therapeutic evaluation. Here, we describe a laser-scanning quantitative imaging method, referred to as spectral-domain optical coherence phase microscopy, as an optical platform for label-free detection of biomolecular interactions. The instrument is based on a confocal interferometric microscope that enables depth-resolved quantitative phase measurements on sensor surface with high spatial resolution and phase stability. We demonstrate picogram per square millimeter surface mass sensitivity, and show its sensing capability by presenting static and dynamic detection of multiplexed protein microarray as immobilized antigens capture their corresponding antibodies. Keywords: Optical interferometer; Optical coherence tomography; Label-free; Microarray; Proteomic