In the present work, the objective is to develop a biosensor on the tip of optical fiber-based endoscopic device capable to detect the presence of tumors at an early stage. The innovative approach is to use the flexibility and the resolution of the inkjet printing process combined to Evaporation-Induced Self-Assembly (EISA) to achieve appropriate mesoporous silica microdots arrays functionalized by click chemistry for detection of cancers. As for this specific application, bio-receptors labeled with fluorophores are anchored to the surface of the mesoporous silica. Thus, Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) is induced when bio-receptors interact with the tumor cells’ biomarker of interest. The preliminary results are obtained on glass substrates. Currently, the work is ongoing to transpose the concept on optical fibers and to be ready for non-invasive clinical tests.
