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<p>In this project a new type of metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensor for biosensing was investigated. With the use of a porous gold film as aninternal reference electrode, measurements of pH were performed in liquid. This new approach for liquid measurements demands new methods andstudies to increase the conductivity and adhesion in liquid of the porous gold film. The films have been deposited, either by sputtering orevaporation. Extensive studies included the investigation of depositions parameters on film structure and investigating the film morphology. Thesurface structure was studied with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). pH measurements were preformed with promising results. The adhesionof the electrode was greatly improved by using grains of titanium underneath the gold film. This new approach could lead to new applications anddevices for MOS sensors and its sensor relatives.</p>

In this project a new type of metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensor for biosensing was investigated. With the use of a porous gold film as aninternal reference electrode, measurements of pH were performed in liquid. This new approach for liquid measurements demands new methods andstudies to increase the conductivity and adhesion in liquid of the porous gold film. The films have been deposited, either by sputtering orevaporation. Extensive studies included the investigation of depositions parameters on film structure and investigating the film morphology. Thesurface structure was studied with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). pH measurements were preformed with promising results. The adhesionof the electrode was greatly improved by using grains of titanium underneath the gold film. This new approach could lead to new applications anddevices for MOS sensors and its sensor relatives.

In this study, we have investigated the effect of substrate temperature, use of adhesive layer, deposition rate, annealing and substrate prebaking on the morphology of gold films deposited onto quartz surfaces. For the film growth, physical vapor deposition methods namely electron beam and thermal depositions have been used. Surface morphology of the films have been characterized with atomic force microscopy. Our aim was to confirm the general trends observed for these parameters in our evaporator system for a limited working range in order to produce gold films which are suitable to be used simultaneously for quartz crystal microbalance and helium atom diffraction measurements. At the end of this study, we confirmed the general trends regarding the effect of these parameters stated in literature except annealing process. We obtained a minimum 170 nm2 atomically flat surface with a roughness value smaller than 0.200 nm by thermal deposition method.

An ideal biosensor is a compact and in-expensive device that is able to readily and rapidly detects different types of analytes with high sensitivity and specificity. The affectability of a biosensing methodology is subject to the limit of nanomaterials to transduce the target binding process to an improved perceptible signal, while the selectivity is accomplished by considering the binding and specificity of certain moieties to their targets. Keeping these requirements in mind we have chosen nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) that has catalytic properties combined with their size, shape and configuration dependent chemical and physical properties as essential precursors and signaling components for creation of biosensors with tremendous sensitivity. The primary goal of the research work described in this dissertation is to develop and evaluate novel methods to detect various analytes using nanomaterials, at the same time making an affordable architecture for point-of-care (POC) applications. We report here in chapter 3 a simple and new strategy for preparing disposable, paper-based, porous AuNP/M-SWCNT hybrid thin gold films with high conductivity, rapid electron transfer rates, and excellent electrocatalytic properties to achieve multiple analyte electrochemical detection with a resolution that greatly exceeds that of purchased flat gold slides. We further explored the use of nanomaterial-based paper films in more complex matrices to detect analytes such as NADH, which can act as a biomarker for certain cellular redox imbalances and disease conditions. Carbon nanotubes with their large activated surfaces and edge-plane sites (defects) that are ideal for performing NADH oxidation at low potentials without any help of redox mediators minimizing surface fouling in complex matrices is described in chapter 4. With an instrument-free approach in mind we further focused on a colorimetric platform using split cocaine aptamers and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to detect cocaine for on-site applications as described in chapter 5. In chapter 5, the split aptamer sequences were evaluated mainly on three basic criteria, the hybridization efficiency, specificity towards the analyte (cocaine), and the reaction time to observe a distinguishable color change from red to blue. The assay is an enzyme-assisted target recycling (EATR) strategy following the principle that nuclease enzyme recognizes probe–target complexes, cleaving only the probe strand releasing the target for recycling. We have also studied the effect of the number of binding domains with variable chain lengths on either side of the apurinic (AP) site. On the basis of our results, we finally shortlisted the sequence combination with maximum signal enhancement fold which is instrumental in development of colorimetric platform with faster, and specific reaction to observe a distinctive color change in the presence of cocaine.

Le graphène est un matériau très intéressant grâce à ses excellentes propriétés optiques, électriques et mécaniques. Parmi les méthodes de synthèse du graphène monocouche, la croissance par le dépôt chimique en phase vapeur (CVD) sur un métal est des plus efficaces et économiques pour assurer une production industrielle. Cette méthode demande toutefois une étape de transfert du graphène à partir du substrat catalytique de la croissance (généralement du cuivre) vers le substrat désiré. Plusieurs méthodes permettent d’effectuer ce transfert et les plus répandues impliquent généralement l’usage d’un polymère, car il présente des avantages intéressants, comme la simplicité et le faible coût, mais également des désavantages liés à l’introduction de défauts ou de résidus organiques sur la surface du graphène transféré. Pour conserver la qualité et les propriétés du graphène après le processus de transfert, nous avons travaillé à développer une méthode qui vise à éliminer les désavantages du transfert avec un polymère tout en permettant un transfert simple et propre de graphène sans défaut. La méthode retenue utilise un film d’or comme support pour faciliter le transfert du graphène sur gaufre de silicium. Pour augmenter l’adhésion à la gaufre de silicium, il a été nécessaire d’introduire une étape de recuit des échantillons de graphène après le transfert avec le film d’or. Le film d’or est ensuite enlevé par la gravure chimique humide, en utilisant une solution aqueuse d’iode et d’iodure de potassium, ce qui permet de produire une monocouche de graphène sur de grandes dimensions. Après une optimisation du processus complet, nos résultats du graphène transféré sur substrat de silice présentent peu des défauts selon les mesures Raman et l’absence des résidus organiques sur la surface par la topographie AFM. / Graphene is an interesting material thanks to its excellent optical, electrical and mechanical properties. Among the methods for synthesizing high quality monolayer graphene, growth by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on a metal is one of the most effective and economical for industrial production. However, this method requires a step to transfer graphene from the growth catalytic substrate (generally copper) to the desired substrate. Several methods allow this transfer to be carried out and the most widespread methods generally involve the use of a polymer. The main advantages are simplicity and low cost. However, there are also disadvantages related to the introduction of defects or organic residue on the surface of the transferred graphene. To maintain the quality and properties of graphene after the transfer process, we have developed a method aimed at eliminating the disadvantages of a transfer with polymer. The developed method uses a gold film as a support to facilitate the transfer of graphene onto a silicon wafer. It is a simple way to produce defect-free graphene. To increase the adhesion to the silicon wafer, it was necessary to introduce a step of annealing the graphene samples after the transfer with the gold film. The gold film was then removed by wet chemical etching with an aqueous solution of iodine and potassium iodide, which makes it possible to produce a monolayer of graphene over large dimensions. After optimizing the entire process, our results of graphene transferred on silicon substrate show few defects based on Raman measurements and the absence of organic residues on the surface by AFM topography.

Cette thèse porte sur le développement de biocapteurs basés sur la technique de résonance des plasmons de surface (SPR) pour effectuer des analyses directement dans un fluide sanguin n’ayant subi aucune purification ou dilution. L’ensemble des biocapteurs discutés exploiteront un instrument SPR portable développé dans le groupe du professeur Masson. Le premier volet de la thèse portera sur le processus d’interférence lié à l’adsorption non spécifique du sérum à la surface du capteur. L’analyse des biomolécules adsorbées sera effectuée en combinant la SPR à la spectrométrie de masse. Les informations obtenues seront exploitées pour la construction de biocapteurs adaptés à l’analyse en milieu sanguin. Un premier biocapteur développé ciblera la protéine antigène prostatique spécifique (APS) contenue dans le sérum servant de biomarqueur pour dépister le cancer de la prostate. Pour détecter les faibles concentrations de cette protéine directement dans le sérum, un matériel plasmonique microstructuré sera utilisé pour amplifier les signaux obtenus et sera recouvert d’une monocouche peptidique minimisant l’adsorption non spécifique du sérum. L’instrument SPR aura été adapté pour permettre également la détection simultanée de fluorescence. Un test ELISA sera ainsi effectué en parallèle du test SPR. Chacune des techniques fournira un contrôle pour la deuxième, tout en permettant de détecter le biomarqueur au niveau requis pour dépister la maladie. La combinaison des deux méthodes permettra aussi d’élargir la gamme dynamique du test de dépistage. Pour terminer, l’instrument SPR portable sera utilisé dans le cadre de détection de petites biomolécules ayant un potentiel thérapeutique directement dans un échantillon de sang. Des peptides ayant une activité anti-athérosclérotique pourront ainsi être détectés à même un échantillon de sang ni purifié ni dilué, et ce à des concentrations de l’ordre du micromolaire. Une modification de la microfluidique via l’introduction d’une membrane poreuse au cœur de celle-ci sera la clé permettant d’effectuer de telles analyses. La présente thèse met de l’avant de nouvelles stratégies et des modifications instrumentales permettant d’analyser des protéines et des petites molécules directement dans un échantillon non purifié de sérum ou de sang. Les modifications apportées au système fluidique, à l’instrument SPR et au niveau du biocapteur employé permettront d’effectuer des biodétections dans des matrices aussi complexes que les fluides sanguins. Les présents travaux mettent en lumière la capacité d’un instrument SPR/fluorescence portable à faire en 12 minutes la biodétection d’un marqueur du cancer de la prostate directement dans un échantillon de sérum. Finalement, on rapporte ici un des premiers articles où un biocapteur SPR est utilisé à même un échantillon de sang non-purifié pour faire des biodétections. / This thesis discusses the development of surface plasmon resonnance (SPR) biosensors to perform detection directly on unpurified and undiluted blood based fluids such as serum or blood. Every biosensor discussed in the following chapters rely on a home-built portable SPR device developed in Professor Masson’s research laboratories. Non-specific adsorption, which greatly hinders biosensing in crude fluids, will be the first topic of the thesis. Serum adsorption was performed on the SPR sensor surface and then characterized by SPR and mass spectrometry. This study provided useful information for biosensing directly in blood-based fluids. It also provided a better fundamental understanding of the nonspecific adsorption process on surfaces. The first biosensor was developed to detect prostate specific antigen (PSA), a protein normally contained in serum, which is a known biomarker for prostate cancer. In order to detect low concentrations of this protein directly in serum, a microstructured gold film was used to amplify the signal generated by the binding event on the biosensor. A peptide monolayer covered the metallic surface of the sensor to reduce non-specific protein adsorption. The SPR portable instrument was modified to simultaneous detect fluorescence in order to perform a SPR and ELISA test in a single instrumental platform. Each technique provided a control for the other for detection of the prostate cancer biomarker at concentration levels required for the screening of the disease. The SPR and ELISA combination also extended the dynamic range of the biosensing assay. Finally, the portable SPR device was used to detect small biomolecules with potential therapeutic activity directly in a sample of blood. Peptides with an anti-atherosclerotic activity were thus detected in an unpurified and undiluted blood sample at micromolar concentration. The addition of a porous membrane to the microfluidic used for the biosensing assay facilitated the successful detection of these molecules in whole blood. The present thesis describes novel strategies and instrumental modifications to unlock the possibility of performing biosensing directly on unpurified and undiluted blood-based fluids. Modifications of the fluidic system, the SPR instrument and biosensor used will allow detection in fluids with high complexity such as serum or blood. The work described herein reports a prostate cancer screening assay performed in 12 minutes directly in serum using a portable SPR/fluorescence instrument. Finally, this thesis reports one of the first scientific papers where a SPR biosensor is used to perform analysis directly in blood.