Surface plasmon resonance imaging in arrays coupled with mass spectrometry (SUPRA-MS): proof of concept of on-chip characterization of a potential breast cancer marker in human plasma.

Protein biomarker discovery and validation are crucial for diagnosis, prognosis, and theranostics of human pathologies; "omics" approaches bring new insights in this field. In particular, the combination of immuno-sensors in array format with mass spectrometry efficiently extends the classical immunoassay format and includes molecular characterization. Here, we coupled surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry in a hyphenated technique which enables multiplexed quantification of binding by SPRi and molecular characterization of interacting partners by subsequent MS analysis. This adds specificity, because MS enables differentiation of molecules that are difficult to distinguish by use of antibodies, for example truncation variants or protein isoforms. Proof of concept was established for detection, identification, and characterization of a potential breast cancer marker, the LAG3 protein, at ~1 µg mL(-1), added to human plasma. The analytical performance of this new method, dubbed "SUPRA-MS", was established, particularly its specificity (S/N > 10) and reliability (100 % LAG3 identification with high significant mascot score >87.9). The adjusted format for rapid, collective, and automated on-chip MALDI-MS analysis is robust at the femtomole level and has numerous potential applications in proteomics.

Micromachined resonant temperature sensors: theoretical and experimental results.

Describes the study of quartz temperature sensors based on new bulk acoustic wave microresonators operating in thickness modes. First, we compare the thermal sensitivity and the electromechanical coupling coefficients of singly or doubly rotated cuts. These investigations allow us to select some cuts with both a good thermal sensitivity and piezoelectric characteristics. In the second part, emphasis is placed on the micromachining of resonators suspended by four bridges. These two theoretical considerations lead to the choice of three cuts. Experimental measurements are then presented. The temperature-frequency characteristics of the resonators are measured over the range 20 to 100 degrees C. Motional resistances and Q factors are determined at room temperature.

Micromachining of quartz plates: determination of a database by combined stereographic analysis and 3-D simulation of etching shapes.

Simple microstructures such as mesa and membrane are micromachined on singly and doubly rotated quartz plates. A stereographic analysis of 3-D etching shapes is used to recognize rhombohedral faces limiting micromachined structures. An iterative procedure is used to adjust the database in which first we generate extrema in the dissolution slowness for these faces, and second, we compare step-by-step theoretical 3-D etching shapes with experimental structures. Theoretical shapes for microstructures are found to be in satisfactory agreement with experiments.