The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine Professor Park Jun-hyuk’s Research Team Develops Diagnostic Technology 500,000 Times More Sensitive and 100 Times Faster Using Nanoparticle Technology

Professor Park Jun-hyuk (Co-corresponding Author, Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea; Advanced Cell Therapy Research Institute, CMC Basic Medical Science Development Project) and Professor Kim Sung-ji (Co-corresponding Author, Department of Chemistry, POSTECH) have developed an innovative ultrasensitive and ultrafast antigen detection technology capable of diagnosing infections or inflammatory responses in just 10 minutes. This achievement was published in the September issue of ACS Nano (Impact Factor: 15.8), a leading international journal in the field of nanomaterials.

At the core of this research is the creation of a novel nanomaterial called a Quantum Dot Composite Complex (QDCC). Quantum dots are semiconductor nanoparticles that emit specific wavelengths of light when excited, enabling precise detection of microscopic substances. The research team successfully encapsulated dozens of quantum dots into a single, highly stable nanocomposite structure, significantly enhancing brightness and durability compared to existing particles.

The new nanocomposite, built using an innovative layer-by-layer self-assembly technique, demonstrates superior structural rigidity and signal stability. This method minimizes fluorescence quenching caused by external materials and allows for precise control of surface chemistry, enabling the introduction of biomolecules such as biotin and streptavidin to maximize binding efficiency.

The team applied this QDCC technology to detect C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker that rapidly increases during inflammation and is commonly used to assess infections and disease severity. Compared to the conventional ELISA method, which typically requires 4–24 hours, the new technique delivers results within 10 minutes and is over 500,000 times more sensitive, capable of detecting trace antigen quantities. This breakthrough could revolutionize early infectious disease diagnosis, emergency medicine, and point-of-care testing.

Beyond blood diagnostics, the research demonstrated potential applications in immunohistochemistry and imaging, enabling faster and clearer detection of target biomolecules with smaller sample quantities. Additionally, the QDCC platform can be adapted for biosensors to detect proteins, viruses, and cells, paving the way for portable diagnostic devices capable of rapid on-site testing.

Professor Park stated, “This research introduces a stable semiconductor nanoparticle-based nanocomposite synthesis method and an ultrafast, ultrasensitive diagnostic approach, offering broad applicability across various antigens and detection environments.”

This study, which bridges medical science and nanomaterial technology, successfully integrates biomedical knowledge with nanoscale engineering to overcome challenges in both speed and sensitivity of diagnostics. The research was supported by the Advanced Cell Therapy Research Institute, CMC Basic Medical Science Development Project, as well as the Sejong Science Fellowship, Basic Research Program (Mid-career, Leading Research Center (SRC), University Key Research Institute Program), and the Nano and Material Technology Development Project (National Core Material Research Group).

[Figure Description: Schematic illustration showing ultrafast and ultrasensitive target antigen detection achieved through the synthesis of stable quantum dot nanocomposites.]