A chemiluminescence immunosensor exploiting thin-film photosensors to detect C-reactive protein as a biomarker for astronaut health monitoring in long-term missions

Andrea Pace; Elisa Lazzarini; Donato Calabria; Marta Varone; Martina Zangheri; Massimo Guardigli; Nicola Lovecchio; Domenico Caputo; Lorenzo Nardi; Parsa Abbasrezaee; Augusto Nascetti; Mara Mirasoli

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A chemiluminescence immunosensor exploiting thin-film photosensors to detect C-reactive protein as a biomarker for astronaut health monitoring in long-term missions

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¹ Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Piero Gobetti 85, 40129 Bologna, Italy
² Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Aerospace Research (CIRI AEROSPACE), Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Baldassarre Carnaccini 12, 47121 Forlì, Italy
³ Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
⁴ School of Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Salaria 851, 00138 Rome, Italy

Academic Editor: Chun-yang Zhang

Published: 02 May 2025 by MDPI in The 5th International Electronic Conference on Biosensors session Optical and Photonic Biosensors

Abstract:

Growing attention in deep space exploration lies in protecting crew health and maintaining peak performance by devising preventive measures and on-site diagnostic techniques. The harsh conditions of space present serious health threats, such as muscle degradation, bone density loss, and cardiac dysfunction (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lssr.2023.09.003). Consequently, cutting-edge solutions for real-time biomarker analyses are critical to tracking astronauts' health throughout their missions (https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14020072).

C-reactive protein (CRP), a protein associated with inflammatory conditions, has demonstrated a significant correlation with infarct severity, complications, and poor outcomes in ischemic patients. Elevated CRP levels in particular have been linked to sudden coronary death due to plaque rupture and a heightened risk of sudden death in otherwise healthy individuals (https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehr487).

We developed a disposable microfluidic cartridge coupled with an array of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) photosensors for the detection of CRP in biological fluids.

The device is made up of a cartridge containing microchannels within which specific anti-CRP antibodies have been chemically immobilized to the photosensors required for signal detection in the presence of the target.

Upon the application of a sample, the target was recognized by the immobilized specific antibodies and detected by the biotin-labeled secondary antibody and streptavidin conjugated with horseradish peroxidase. Upon the addition of the luminol/peroxide chemiluminescence cocktail, the emitted photons were acquired by the photosensor array.

The preliminary results show a strong linear correlation between the CRP concentration and the CL signal, with a detection limit of 2.8 ng/mL, suitable for clinical applications.

Future advancements will focus on improving the method's robustness and providing a multiplexing ability, ultimately making it suitable for use in space applications.

This research was supported by the Space It Up project funded by the Italian Space Agency, ASI, and the Ministry of University and Research, MUR, under contract n. 2024-5-E.0 - CUP n. I53D24000060005.

Keywords: CRP; Bionsensors; Chemiluminescence; Space Environment; Microfluidics