Microfluidic Production of Immunological Microbeads with Monodispersity and Macroporosity

Here we report a droplet microfluidic method to prepare a novel type of polymeric microbeads with monodispersity and macroporosity, and investigate their application as immunological biosensors for the detection of biological species. The matrix of such microbeads is based on macroporous monolithic textures configured with tailored pores ranging from hundreds of nanometers to a few microns with outstanding mass transfer capability by presenting a large effective surface area and multiple analyte pathways. Subsequent grafting treatments further anchor bioactive antibody on the matrix surface and thus endow these microbeads with desired functionality for specific antigen detection through immunological interaction.