Gold Nanoshells for Maximizing Visual Detection Sensitivity

Gold Nanoshells can deliver 6–20× greater sensitivity in lateral flow assays compared to 40 nm diameter gold colloid. Nanoshells are plasmonic reporter nanoparticles consisting of a silica core coated with a thin (~15 nm) shell of gold. They are available in a 150 nm size for covalent conjugation. Fortis Life Sciences also offers traditional 40 nm and 80 nm gold nanospheres, with options for passive and covalent conjugation.

Figure 1 - Control and test line sensitivity for gold vs gold nanoshells

Use-Case: Hormone Detection

Nanoshells were utilized in a hormone detection assay where 150 nm gold nanoshells achieved an 8× lower limit of detection compared to 40 nm gold which was necessary to measure the clinically relevant range. A 510k application is under review by the FDA.
 
 

Use-Case: Salivary Cortisol

A salivary cortisol assay was developed both with 40 nm gold nanospheres and 150 nm diameter Nanoshells. This is a semi-quantitative competition assay where a large dynamic range is required to track diurnal baselines and cortisol spikes. Both the 40 nm nanospheres and the Nanoshells could detect the lowest clinically relevant range of 0.5 ng/mL; use of gold nanoshells increased the dynamic range by a factor of 10.

Use-Case: Troponin 1

A 10× increase in sensitivity was obtained when measuring Troponin I analyte in serum using gold Nanoshells compared to 40 nm gold.

Use-Case: Malaria

An 8× increase in sensitivity was achieved using gold Nanoshells in a malaria test developed by a partner.
 
 

High Sensitivity Kit

Complete with reagents and highly detailed protocols

Carboxyl Gold Nanoshells

Robust and reliable covalent conjugations

NHS Gold Nanoshells (Dried)

Amine-reactive gold nanoshells for quick conjugations

Streptavidin Gold Nanoshells

For binding to biotinylated targets