Label-free biosensing by means of BICELLs for dry eye

Abstract The use of Biophotonic Sensing Cells (BICELLs) based on micro-patterned photonic architectures has been recently proven as an efficient methodology for label-free biosensing by using optical interrogation. According to this, different optical responses for a specific typology of BICELL, consisting of structures of SU-8 (pillars) were studied. This material is biocompatible with different types of biomolecules, which can be immobilized on its sensing surface as biomarkers. Different proteins were validated as biomarkers involved with dry eye dysfunction: PRDX5, ANXA1, ANXA11, CST4, PLAA y S100A6. For the first time, one of these biomarkers (PLAA) was immobilized and recognized by means of BICELLs as proof of concept. With the help of a simplified 1-D theoretical model recently published, it was estimated the thickness of the PLAA biofilm immobilized onto the sensing surface of BICELLs.