Design of a Zn-based porphyrin MOF biosensor for fluorometric detection of HER2 as a breast cancer biomarker

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a critical biomarker for early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer. In this study, we report the synthesis and characterization of a novel zinc-based metal-organic framework (Zn-MOF) biosensor designed for sensitive and selective fluorometric detection of HER2. The Zn-MOF was synthesized <i>via</i> a solvothermal method using a suitable organic ligand to promote fluorescence properties. The synthesized Zn-MOF was characterized using various techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy, confirming its structure, morphology, and photoluminescent properties. The Zn-MOF exhibited high binding affinity towards HER2, which resulted in a measurable fluorescence quenching directly correlated with HER2 concentration. This Zn-MOF-based biosensor demonstrated excellent sensitivity, with a detection limit of 1.38 pM and good specificity, showing minimal interference from other proteins commonly found in human serum. These results indicate the potential of Zn-MOFs as effective platforms for the development of biosensors for cancer biomarker detection, paving the way for their application in early cancer diagnostics and personalized medicine.