Applications of tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) in electrochemiluminescence

Potentiometric aptasensing of Escherichia coli based on electrogenerated chemiluminescence as a highly sensitive readout

We introduce here a versatile approach to read out potentiometric aptasensors by electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL), which can amplify the small potential changes induced by the bacterial concentrations via ECL signals. In the present system, the electrode modified with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and aptamer molecules acts as the reference electrode and is placed in the sample solution for sensing the bacterial concentration changes, while the Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ modified gold electrode serves as the working electrode for generating ECL signals and is placed in the detection solution containing tripropylamine (TPA) spatially separated from the sample solution by a salt bridge. Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ is immobilized on the gold electrode's surface for enhancement of luminous efficiency and reduction of reagent consumption. A moving-part-free fluid flowing system is introduced to promote the mass transport of TPA from the detection solution to the surface of the ECL generating electrode. When a constant potential is imposed between the working and reference electrodes, the potential changes at the SWCNTs-aptamer modified electrode induced by the bacterial concentrations can modulate the potentials at the Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ modified electrode, thus generating the ECL signals. The developed sensing strategy shows a highly sensitive response to E. coli O157: H7 in the linear range of 5-1000 CFU mL^-1 with a low detection limit of 2 CFU mL^-1. We believe that the proposed approach is promising to develop aptasensors for sensitive detection of bacterial cells.

Aggregation-Induced Emission in Electrochemiluminescence: Advances and Perspectives

The discovery of aggregation-induced electrochemiluminescence (AIECL) in 2017 opened new research paths in the quest for novel, more efficient emitters and platforms for biological and environmental sensing applications. The great abundance of fluorophores presenting aggregation-induced emission in aqueous media renders AIECL a potentially powerful tool for future diagnostics. In the short time following this discovery, many scientists have found the phenomenon interesting, with research findings contributing to advances in the comprehension of the processes involved and in attempts to design new sensing platforms. Herein, we explore these advances and reflect on the future directions to take for the development of sensing devices based on AIECL.

A novel label-free solid-state electrochemiluminescence sensor based on the resonance energy transfer from Ru(bpy)32+ to GO for DNA hybridization detection

Based on electrochemiluminescence resonance energy transfer (ERET) from Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ to graphene oxide (GO), a novel label-free solid-state ECL sensor for sensitive detection of DNA was proposed. First, Ru(bpy)₃²⁺/AuNPs was successfully prepared by using a simple and green method and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), and UV-vis spectroscopy. Then, the Ru(bpy)₃²⁺/AuNPs colloid was assembled on the gold electrode surface for solid-state ECL film which also later could be used to immobilize thiol-derivatized, single-stranded DNA (HS-ssDNA) via Au-S interactions. The stepwise modification procedure was characterized by cyclic voltammetry(CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), probe approach curves (PAC) and ECL, respectively. The resulting modified electrode was tested as ECL biosensor for DNA detection. Upon addition of GO, the strong noncovalent interaction between HS-ssDNA and GO led to ECL quenching because of ERET. When in the presence of target ssDNA (t-ssDNA), the distance between the HS-ssDNA and GO increased, which significantly hindered the ERET and, thus, resulted in the restoration of ECL. The ECL intensity of the biosensor increased linearly with t-ssDNA concentration in the range of 50-1000pM, and the detection limit is 20pM. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first application of solid-state ERET from Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ to GO and opens new opportunities for sensitive detection of biorecognition events.

Enhanced biosensing strategies using electrogenerated chemiluminescence: recent progress and future prospects

An overview of enhancement strategies for highly sensitive ECL-based sensing of bioanalytes enabling early detection of cancer.

Highly sensitive ligand-binding assays in pre-clinical and clinical applications: immuno-PCR and other emerging techniques

Recombinant DNA technology and corresponding innovations in molecular biology, chemistry and medicine have led to novel therapeutic biomacromolecules as lead candidates in the pharmaceutical drug development pipelines. While monoclonal antibodies and other proteins provide therapeutic potential beyond the possibilities of small molecule drugs, the concomitant demand for supportive bioanalytical sample testing creates multiple novel challenges. For example, intact macromolecules can usually not be quantified by mass-spectrometry without enzymatic digestion and isotopically labeled internal standards are costly and/or difficult to prepare. Classical ELISA-type immunoassays, on the other hand, often lack the sensitivity required to obtain pharmacokinetics of low dosed drugs or pharmacodynamics of suitable biomarkers. Here we summarize emerging state-of-the-art ligand-binding assay technologies for pharmaceutical sample testing, which reveal enhanced analytical sensitivity over classical ELISA formats. We focus on immuno-PCR, which combines antibody specificity with the extremely sensitive detection of a tethered DNA marker by quantitative PCR, and alternative nucleic acid-based technologies as well as methods based on electrochemiluminescence or single-molecule counting. Using case studies, we discuss advantages and drawbacks of these methods for preclinical and clinical sample testing.

A novel solid-state electrochemiluminescence sensor based on a Ru(bpy)32+/nano Sm2O3 modified carbon paste electrode for the determination of l-proline

A novel solid-state electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor was successfully developed for the determination of l-proline.

Ratiometric ECL of heterodinuclear Os–Ru dual-emission labels

The first ratiometric ECL of heterodinuclear Os–Ru dual-emission labels.

Ruthenium polypyridine complexes combined with oligonucleotides for bioanalysis: a review

Ruthenium complexes are among the most interesting coordination complexes and they have attracted great attention over the past decades due to their appealing biological, catalytic, electronic and optical properties. Ruthenium complexes have found a unique niche in bioanalysis, as demonstrated by the substantial progress made in the field. In this review, the applications of ruthenium complexes coordinated with polypyridine ligands (and analogues) in bioanalysis are discussed. Three main detection methods based on electrochemistry, electrochemiluminescence, and photoluminscence are covered. The important targets, including DNA and other biologically important targets, are detected by specific biorecognition with the corresponding oligonucleotides as the biorecognition elements (i.e., DNA is probed by its complementary strand and other targets are detected by functional nucleic acids, respectively). Selected examples are provided and thoroughly discussed to highlight the substantial progress made so far. Finally, a brief summary with perspectives is included.