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Takagi T, Kishimoto T, Doi K. Micro- and Nanofluidic pH Sensors Based on Electrodiffusioosmosis. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:698. [PMID: 38930669 PMCID: PMC11205811 DOI: 10.3390/mi15060698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Recently, various kinds of micro- and nanofluidic functional devices have been proposed, where a large surface-to-volume ratio often plays an important role in nanoscale ion transport phenomena. Ionic current analysis methods for ions, molecules, nanoparticles, and biological cells have attracted significant attention. In this study, focusing on ionic current rectification (ICR) caused by the separation of cation and anion transport in nanochannels, we successfully induce electrodiffusioosmosis with concentration differences between protons separated by nanochannels. The proton concentration in sample solutions is quantitatively evaluated in the range from pH 1.68 to 10.01 with a slope of 243 mV/pH at a galvanostatic current of 3 nA. Herein, three types of micro- and nanochannels are proposed to improve the stability and measurement accuracy of the current-voltage characteristics, and the ICR effects on pH analysis are evaluated. It is found that a nanochannel filled with polyethylene glycol exhibits increased impedance and an improved ICR ratio. The present principle is expected to be applicable to various types of ions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kentaro Doi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology, Toyohashi 441-8580, Aichi, Japan (T.K.)
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Qiu X, Dong J, Dai Q, Huang M, Li Y. Functionalized nanopores based on hybridization chain reaction: Fabrication and microRNA sensing. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 240:115594. [PMID: 37660458 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Enzyme-free hybridization chain reaction (HCR) technology is often used as a signal amplification tool for the detection of different targets. In this study, an ultrasensitive and label-free method for detecting miRNA-21 was developed using the nanopore ionic current rectification (ICR) technology coupled with HCR technology. The probe oligonucleotide (DNA1) was combined with the gold-coated nanopore through the Au-S bond to form a DNA1-functionalized gold-coated nanopore (DNA1-Au-coated nanopore). Since miRNA-21 is partially complementary to DNA1, it can be selectively recognized by DNA1-functionalized gold-coated nanopores. The target (miRNA-21) can induce the opening of hairpin DNA and HCR reaction after the introduction of hairpin DNA H1 and H2. The concentration of miRNA-21 will affect the combination of H1 and H2 on the inner wall of the nanopore, and its surface charge will change with the internal modification, thereby changing the ion current rectification ratio. Under the condition that the concentration of H1, H2 and HCR reaction time are constant, the change of ICR ratio is linearly correlated with the logarithm of miRNA-21 concentration within a certain range, which shows that the sensing strategy we designed can achieve target miRNA-21 detection. This ultrasensitive miRNA holds great promise in the field of cancer diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solid, Ministry of Education, Anhui Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, PR China
| | - Jingyi Dong
- Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solid, Ministry of Education, Anhui Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, PR China
| | - Qingshan Dai
- Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solid, Ministry of Education, Anhui Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, PR China
| | - Mimi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solid, Ministry of Education, Anhui Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, PR China
| | - Yongxin Li
- Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solid, Ministry of Education, Anhui Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, PR China.
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Ma W, Xie W, Tian R, Zeng X, Liang L, Hou C, Huo D, Wang D. An ultrasensitive aptasensor of SARS-CoV-2 N protein based on ion current rectification with nanopipettes. SENSORS AND ACTUATORS. B, CHEMICAL 2023; 377:133075. [PMID: 36467330 PMCID: PMC9700395 DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2022.133075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the world, it has spread rapidly all over the world. Rapid and effective detection methods have been a focus of research. The SARS-CoV-2 N protein (NP) detection methods currently in use focus on specific recognition of antibodies, but the reagents are expensive and difficult to be produced. Here, aptamer-functionalized nanopipettes utilize the unique ion current rectification (ICR) of nanopipette to achieve rapid and highly sensitive detection of trace NP, and can significantly reduce the cost of NP detection. In the presence of NP, the surface charge at the tip of the nanopipette changes, which affects ion transport and changes the degree of rectification. Quantitative detection of NP is achieved through quantitative analysis. Relying on the high sensitivity of nanopipettes to charge fluctuations, this sensor platform achieves excellent sensing performance. The sensor platform exhibited a dynamic working range from 102-106 pg/mL with a detection limit of 73.204 pg/mL, which showed great potential as a tool for rapidly detecting SARS-CoV-2. As parallel and serial testing are widely used in the clinic to avoid missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis, we hope this platform can play a role in controlling the spread and prevention of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhao Ma
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, PR China
| | - Wanyi Xie
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, PR China
- Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, PR China
| | - Rong Tian
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, PR China
- Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, PR China
| | - Xiaoqing Zeng
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, PR China
- Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, PR China
| | - Liyuan Liang
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, PR China
- Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, PR China
| | - Changjun Hou
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, PR China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Bio-perception & Intelligent Information Processing, School of Microelectronics and Communication Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, PR China
| | - Danqun Huo
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, PR China
| | - Deqiang Wang
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, PR China
- Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, PR China
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Qin S, Huang K, Szleifer I. Design of Multifunctional Nanopore Using Polyampholyte Brush with Composition Gradient. ACS NANO 2021; 15:17678-17688. [PMID: 34708653 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c05543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Molecular organizations and charge patterns inside biological nanopores are optimized by evolution to enhance ionic and molecular transport. Inspired by the nuclear pore complex that employs asymmetrically arranged disordered proteins for its gating, we here design an artificial nanopore coated by an asymmetric polyampholyte brush as a model system to study the asymmetric mass transport under nanoconfinement. A nonequilibrium steady-state molecular theory is developed to account for the intricate charge regulation effect of the weak polyampholyte and to address the coupling between the polymer conformation and the external electric field. On the basis of this state-of-the-art theoretical method, we present a comprehensive theoretical description of the stimuli-responsive structural behaviors and transport properties inside the nanopore with all molecular details considered. Our model demonstrates that by incorporating a gradient of pH sensitivity into the polymer coatings of the nanopore, a variety of asymmetric charge patterns and functional structures can be achieved, in a pH-responsive manner that allows for multiple functions to be implemented into the designed system. The asymmetric charge pattern inside the nanopore leads to an electrostatic trap for major current carriers, which turns the nanopore into an ionic rectifier with a rectification factor above 1000 at optimized pH and salt concentration. Our theory further predicts that the nanopore design behaves like a double-gated nanofluidic device with pH-triggered opening of the gates, which can serve as an ion pump and pH-responsive molecular filter. These results deepen our understanding of asymmetric transport in nanoconfined systems and provide guidelines for designing polymer-coated smart nanopores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyi Qin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Chemistry, and Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Kai Huang
- Institute of Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Igal Szleifer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Chemistry, and Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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