QCM-based biosensor device design for determination of blood coagulation time

Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) biosensors have been promising tools for real-time and rapid detection of biomolecules over the past two decades. A fast, easy to use and inexpensive biomarker detection technology based on biosensors has been developed. This review presents current applications in molecular print-based quartz crystal microbalance biosensors for quantification of biomarkers for disease monitoring and diagnostic outcomes. QCM is a reliable, low-cost and sensitive biodetection tool with short detection time, which can improve early and accurate clinical diagnosis and facilitate the disease treatment process. Therefore, detection and quantification of disease-related biomarkers in blood, urine, saliva, etc. play a very important role. Previous studies have detected fibrin formation in situ and on the electrode surface in real time, and the QCM biosensor has proven to be a very useful alternative for the detection of surface-induced blood coagulation. QCM provides information on general coagulation kinetics, such as frequency shifts, onset time, and fibrin deposition rate. The classical QCM technique has previously been used to determine fibrinogen concentration, activity of blood coagulation factors, and coagulation time. In this thesis, it is aimed to design a QCM biosensor for high sensitivity detection of fibrinogen, which is involved in blood coagulation. The primary goal is to use the lab-designed and manufactured QCM biosensor to detect fibrinogen and coagulation FVIII concentrations in clinical plasma samples. It is aimed to determine the change in the frequency range of the QCM biosensor with the increase in mass of fibrinogen, which is involved in blood coagulation, and to make it a microfluidic system by developing a specific method. For this purpose, within the scope of the thesis, a QCM biosensor design for high sensitivity detection of fibrinogen involved in blood coagulation was designed in the laboratory to detect fibrinogen and coagulation FVIII concentrations in clinical plasma samples. In addition, suitable blood volumes for the designed system were determined as 1 µL and standards were set. Although the QCM biosensor has not yet been deployed in clinical use, it can be seen as a step forward. It needs to be worked on. Considering the results of the thesis experiments, it should be mandatory to perform the necessary laboratory tests, even if its use as a first step seems positive. The frequency change of the QCM biosensor was revealed as an average of 450Hz, with the emergence of fibrinogen, which is involved in blood coagulation, in 1uL blood volume.