Adsorptive transfer stripping voltammetry: determination of nanogram quantities of DNA immobilized at the electrode surface

Catalytically synthesized Prussian Blue nanozymes as labels for electrochemical DNA/RNA sensors

We propose catalytically synthesized nanozymes based on Prussian Blue (PB) and azidomethyl-substituted poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (azidomethyl-PEDOT) as novel electrocatalytic labels for DNA/RNA sensors. Catalytic approach allowed to synthesize highly redox and electrocatalytically active Prussian Blue nanoparticles functionalized with azide groups that enable 'click' conjugation with alkyne-modified oligonucleotides. Both competitive and sandwich-type schemes were realized. As the sensor response the direct (mediator-free) electrocatalytic current of H₂O₂ reduction can be measured, which is proportional to the concentration of the hybridized labeled sequences. The current of H₂O₂ electrocatalytic reduction is only 3-8 times increased in the presence of the freely diffusing mediator catechol, which indicates high efficiency of direct electrocatalysis with the elaborated labels. Electrocatalytic amplification of the signal allows robust detection of (63-70)-base target sequences with concentrations below 0.2 nM in blood serum within an hour. We believe, the use of advanced Prussian Blue based electrocatalytic labels sets new avenues for point-of-care DNA/RNA sensing.

Molecular and Supramolecular Multiredox Systems

The design and synthesis of molecular and supramolecular multiredox systems have been summarized. These systems are of great importance as they can be employed in the next generation of materials for energy storage, energy transport, and solar fuel production. Nature provides guiding pathways and insights to judiciously incorporate and tune the various molecular and supramolecular design aspects that result in the formation of complex and efficient systems. In this review, we have classified molecular multiredox systems into organic and organic-inorganic hybrid systems. The organic multiredox systems are further classified into multielectron acceptors, multielectron donors and ambipolar molecules. Synthetic chemists have integrated different electron donating and electron withdrawing groups to realize these complex molecular systems. Further, we have reviewed supramolecular multiredox systems, redox-active host-guest recognition, including mechanically interlocked systems. Finally, the review provides a discussion on the diverse applications, e. g. in artificial photosynthesis, water splitting, dynamic random access memory, etc. that can be realized from these artificial molecular or supramolecular multiredox systems.

Molecular architecture for DNA wiring

Detection of the hybridisation events is of great importance in many different biotechnology applications such as diagnosis, computing, molecular bioelectronics, and among others. However, one important drawback is the low current of some redox reporters that limits their application. This paper demonstrates the powerful features of molecular wires, in particular the case of S-[4-[2-[4-(2-Phenylethynyl)phenyl]ethynyl]phenyl] thiol molecule and the key role that play the nanometric design of the capture probe linkers to achieve an efficient couple of the DNA complementary ferrocene label with the molecular wire for an effective electron transfer in co-immobilised self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) for DNA hybridisation detection. In this article, the length of the linker capture probe was studied for electron transfer enhancement from the ferrocene-motifs of immobilised molecules towards the electrode surface to obtain higher kinetics in the presence of thiolated molecular wires. The use of the right couple of capture probe linker and molecular wire has found to be beneficial as it helps to amplify eightfold the signal obtained.

DNA capping agent control of electron transfer from silver nanoparticles

DNA capping of silver nanoparticles gates electron transfer from the nanoparticle and is controlled by the potentials at which the electroactive base pairs undergo oxidation.

Electrochemical oxidation of guanine: electrode reaction mechanism and tailoring carbon electrode surfaces to switch between adsorptive and diffusional responses

The electrochemical oxidation of guanine is studied in aqueous media at various carbon electrodes. Specifically edge plane pyrolytic graphite (EPPG), basal plane pyrolytic graphite (BPPG), and highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) were used, and the voltammetry was found to vary significantly. In all cases, signals characteristic of adsorbed guanine were seen and the total charge passed varied from surface to surface in the order roughened BPPG > EPPG > BPPG > HOPG. It is of note that the peak height for the EPPG electrode is less than that found for roughened BPPG; furthermore, across the series of electrodes, there is a significant decrease in peak potential with increasing density of edge plane sites present at the electrode surface. This leads us to conclude that there are two dominating and controlling factors present: (i) the density of basal plane sites on which guanine can adsorb and (ii) the density of edge plane sites necessary for the electro-oxidation of the analyte. This conclusion is corroborated through further experiments with multi- and single-walled carbon nanotubes. Adsorption was seen to be enhanced by modification of the EPPG surface with alumina particles, and as such, increased peak signals were observed in their presence. It is further reported that via the pre-adsorption of acetone onto the graphite surface that the adsorption of guanine may be blocked, resulting in a diffusional voltammetric signal. This diffusional response has been successfully modeled and gives insight into the complex -4e(-), -4H(+) oxidation mechanism; specifically, it enables explanation of the observed change in rate-determining step with scan rate. The oxidation of guanine first proceeds via a two-electron oxidation followed by a chemical step to form 8-oxoguanine, then 8-oxoguanine is then further oxidized to form nonelectroactive products. The change is mechanism is attributed to the variation in potential of the first and second electron transfer with scan rate.

Assembling Amperometric Biosensors for Clinical Diagnostics

Clinical diagnosis and disease prevention routinely require the assessment ofspecies determined by chemical analysis. Biosensor technology offers several benefits overconventional diagnostic analysis. They include simplicity of use, specificity for the targetanalyte, speed to arise to a result, capability for continuous monitoring and multiplexing,together with the potentiality of coupling to low-cost, portable instrumentation. This workfocuses on the basic lines of decisions when designing electron-transfer-based biosensorsfor clinical analysis, with emphasis on the strategies currently used to improve the deviceperformance, the present status of amperometric electrodes for biomedicine, and the trendsand challenges envisaged for the near future.

Investigations of the steric effect on electrochemical transduction in a quinone-based DNA sensor

Electrochemical biosensors for DNA hybridization are receiving increasing interest. A key point for their efficiency is to obtain a high signal level for low DNA concentration. This implies the design of an efficient transducing surface. Conducting polymers are interesting for this purpose but the great majority of conducting polymer-based electrodes present a signal decrease upon hybridization (a "signal-off" behavior), which impedes their response and makes them sensitive to false positive ones. The sensor described here presents a "signal-on" behavior, due to the use of a quinone group as the transducing agent. The specific aim of this work is to study the steric effect on transduction. To this end, the electrochemical response was monitored versus the DNA target length, for a constant DNA probe length. The results indicate that the current depends on the length of the double strand. A model which can explain the electrochemical behavior takes into account the steric hindrance of the ODN strands.

Chapter 29 Rapid detection of organophosphates, Ochratoxin A, and Fusarium sp. in durum wheat via screen printed based electrochemical sensors

Most of the inhibition bioassays or biosensors for organophosphate and carbamate pesticides are based on the amperometric detection of the enzymatic product of the reaction. Applications of amperometric biosensing strategies for pesticide detection in real or spiked food samples have been recently reported. Most of the applications have been developed for vegetable matrices. Different formats of biosensors have been used: disposable screenprinted choline oxidase biosensors using acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in solution were utilized to detect pesticides. Screen-printed sensor developed using photolithographic conducting copper track, graphite–epoxy composite, and either AChE or butirrylcholinesterase was also used in the analysis of spiked (paraoxon and carbofuran) samples of tap water and fruit juices at sub-nanomolar concentration. Additionally, the developed device, which consists of the hand-held potentiostat, the multiplexer for eight-channel control and a dedicated software, can be used to detect organophosphates pesticides, such as dichlorvos and pirimiphos methyl at contamination level below the maximum residue limit settled by the European Union and also amplified DNA of F. culmorum.

Selectivity and sensitivity of a reagentless electrochemical DNA sensor studied by square wave voltammetry and fluorescence

Poly(5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone-co-5-hydroxy-3-thioacetic acid-1,4-naphthoquinone)-modified electrode is used for the direct electrochemical detection of oligonucleotide hybridization. The polymer film presents well-defined electroactivity in the cathodic potential domain (between 0 and -0.8 V/SCE), due to the quinone group embedded into the polymer structure. The detection can be performed simply by square wave voltammetry. This sensor is a "signal-on" device and works with different oligonucleotide lengths, from 10 to 30 bases. Quantitative results from fluorescence are consistent with electrochemical data. It is confirmed that the signal increase in square wave voltammetry is unambiguously due to hybridization. The biosensor presents a detection limit of target of ca. 25 nM and is highly selective as it can discriminate single mismatch base.