Influence of the SMN antibody on quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) surface as an SMN protein biosensor

The lack of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein levels can lead to spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) disease. In this study, an SMN protein biosensor based on quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) was developed. The sensor was coated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofiber and doped with SMN antibodies to increase the sensitivity. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed that the nanofiber was undamaged after doping the SMN antibody. The sensitivity of the QCM-D sensor was 21.2 Hz/% after doping SMN antibodies and had good stability for 3 days. Moreover, the sensor has been validated using western blot. Thus, the fabricated QCM-D-based biosensor has excellent potential in detecting SMN levels in human blood plasma. Graphical abstract: (Figure presented.)