1
|
Yenice C, Chahin N, Jauset-Rubio M, Hall M, Biggs P, Dimai HP, Obermayer-Pietsch B, Ortiz M, O’Sullivan CK. Semiautomated Electrochemical Melting Curve Analysis Device for the Detection of an Osteoporosis Associated Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in Blood. Anal Chem 2023; 95:14192-14202. [PMID: 37713191 PMCID: PMC10534999 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c01668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
The detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is of increasing importance in many areas including clinical diagnostics, patient stratification for pharmacogenomics, and advanced forensic analysis. In the work reported, we apply a semiautomated system for solid-phase electrochemical melting curve analysis (éMCA) for the identification of the allele present at a specific SNP site associated with an increased risk of bone fracture and predisposition to osteoporosis. Asymmetric isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification using ferrocene labeled forward primers was employed to generate single stranded redox labeled amplicons. In a first approach to demonstrate the proof of concept of combining asymmetric RPA with solid-phase éMCA, a simplified system housing a multielectrode array within a polymeric microsystem, sandwiched between two aluminum plates of a heater device, was used. Sample manipulation through the microfluidic channel was controlled by a syringe pump, and an external Ag/AgCl reference electrode was employed. Individual electrodes of the array were functionalized with four different oligonucleotide probes, each probe equivalent in design with the exception of the middle nucleotide. The isothermally generated amplicons were allowed to hybridize to the surface-tethered probes and subsequently subjected to a controlled temperature ramp, and the melting of the duplex was monitored electrochemically. A clear difference between the fully complementary and a single mismatch was observed. Having demonstrated the proof-of-concept, a device for automated éMCA with increased flexibility to house diverse electrode arrays with internal quasi-gold reference electrodes, higher resolution, and broader melting temperature range was developed and exploited for the detection of SNP hetero/homozygosity. Using the optimized conditions, the system was applied to the identification of the allele present at an osteoporosis associated SNP site, rs2741856, in 10 real fingerprick/venous blood samples, with results validated using Sanger sequencing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cansu
Pinar Yenice
- INTERFIBIO
Research Group, Departament d’Enginyeria Química, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Nassif Chahin
- INTERFIBIO
Research Group, Departament d’Enginyeria Química, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Miriam Jauset-Rubio
- INTERFIBIO
Research Group, Departament d’Enginyeria Química, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Matthew Hall
- Labman
Automation Ltd., Seamer Hill, Stokesley, North Yorkshire TS9 5NQ, U.K.
| | - Phil Biggs
- Labman
Automation Ltd., Seamer Hill, Stokesley, North Yorkshire TS9 5NQ, U.K.
| | - Hans-Peter Dimai
- Division
of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Barbara Obermayer-Pietsch
- Division
of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Mayreli Ortiz
- INTERFIBIO
Research Group, Departament d’Enginyeria Química, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Ciara K. O’Sullivan
- INTERFIBIO
Research Group, Departament d’Enginyeria Química, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
- Institució
Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avancats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chahin N, Escobar-Nassar S, Osma J, Bashammakh AS, AlYoubi AO, Ortiz M, O’Sullivan CK. Low-Cost Platform for Multiplexed Electrochemical Melting Curve Analysis. ACS MEASUREMENT SCIENCE AU 2022; 2:147-156. [PMID: 35479100 PMCID: PMC9031717 DOI: 10.1021/acsmeasuresciau.1c00044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Detection and identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have garnered increasing interest in the past decade, finding potential application in detection of antibiotic resistance, advanced forensic science, as well as clinical diagnostics and prognostics, moving toward the realization of personalized medicine. Many different techniques have been developed for genotyping SNPs, and ideally these techniques should be rapid, easy-to-use, cost-effective, flexible, scalable, easily automated, and requiring minimal end-user intervention. While high-resolution melting curve analysis has been widely used for the detection of SNPs, fluorescence detection does not meet many of the desired requirements, and electrochemical detection is an attractive alternative due to its high sensitivity, simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and compatibility with microfabrication. Herein, we describe the multiplexed electrochemical melting curve analysis of duplex surfaces tethered to electrodes of an array. In this approach, thiolated probes designed to hybridize to a DNA sequence containing the SNP to be interrogated are immobilized on gold electrodes. Asymmetric PCR using a ferrocene-labeled forward primer is used to generate this single-stranded redox-labeled PCR amplicon. Following hybridization with the probe immobilized on the electrode surface, the electrode array is exposed to a controlled ramping of temperature, with concomitant constant washing of the electrode array surface while simultaneously carrying out voltammetric measurements. The optimum position of the site complementary to the SNP site in the immobilized probe to achieve maximum differentiation in melting temperature between wild-type and single base mismatch, thus facilitating allelic discrimination, was determined and applied to the detection of a cardiomyopathy associated SNP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nassif Chahin
- Departament
d’Enginyeria Química, Universitat
Rovira i Virgili, Avinguda Països Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Santiago Escobar-Nassar
- Department
of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1E No. 19a-40, Bogotá, DC 111711, Colombia
| | - Johann Osma
- Department
of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1E No. 19a-40, Bogotá, DC 111711, Colombia
| | - Abdulaziz S. Bashammakh
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz
University, 21589 Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman O. AlYoubi
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz
University, 21589 Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia
| | - Mayreli Ortiz
- Departament
d’Enginyeria Química, Universitat
Rovira i Virgili, Avinguda Països Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Ciara K. O’Sullivan
- Departament
d’Enginyeria Química, Universitat
Rovira i Virgili, Avinguda Països Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
- ICREA, Passeig Lluis Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hsieh K, Melendez JH, Gaydos CA, Wang TH. Bridging the gap between development of point-of-care nucleic acid testing and patient care for sexually transmitted infections. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:476-511. [PMID: 35048928 PMCID: PMC9035340 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc00665g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The incidence rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including the four major curable STIs - chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and, syphilis - continue to increase globally, causing medical cost burden and morbidity especially in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). There have seen significant advances in diagnostic testing, but commercial antigen-based point-of-care tests (POCTs) are often insufficiently sensitive and specific, while near-point-of-care (POC) instruments that can perform sensitive and specific nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are technically complex and expensive, especially for LMIC. Thus, there remains a critical need for NAAT-based STI POCTs that can improve diagnosis and curb the ongoing epidemic. Unfortunately, the development of such POCTs has been challenging due to the gap between researchers developing new technologies and healthcare providers using these technologies. This review aims to bridge this gap. We first present a short introduction of the four major STIs, followed by a discussion on the current landscape of commercial near-POC instruments for the detection of these STIs. We present relevant research toward addressing the gaps in developing NAAT-based STI POCT technologies and supplement this discussion with technologies for HIV and other infectious diseases, which may be adapted for STIs. Additionally, as case studies, we highlight the developmental trajectory of two different POCT technologies, including one approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Finally, we offer our perspectives on future development of NAAT-based STI POCT technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kuangwen Hsieh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
| | - Johan H Melendez
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Charlotte A Gaydos
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Tza-Huei Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vishnubhotla R, Montgomery CB, Steffens KL, Semancik S. Conformational Changes of Immobilized Polythymine due to External Stressors Studied with Temperature-Controlled Electrochemical Microdevices. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:2607-2618. [PMID: 33595321 PMCID: PMC9278808 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c03219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Conformational changes of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) play an important role in a DNA strand's ability to bind to target ligands. A variety of factors can influence conformation, including temperature, ionic strength, pH, buffer cation valency, strand length, and sequence. To better understand the effects of these factors on immobilized DNA structures, we employ temperature-controlled electrochemical microsensors to study the effects of salt concentration and temperature variation on the conformation and motion of polythymine (polyT) strands of varying lengths (10, 20, 50 nucleotides). PolyT strands were tethered to a gold working electrode at the proximal end through a thiol linker via covalent bonding between the Au electrode and sulfur link, which can tend to decompose between a temperature range of 60 and 90 °C. The strands were also modified with an electrochemically active methylene blue (MB) moiety at the distal end. Electron transfer (eT) was measured by square wave voltammetry (SWV) and used to infer information pertaining to the average distance between the MB and the working electrode. We observe changes in DNA flexibility due to varying ionic strength, while the effects of increased DNA thermal motion are tracked for elevated temperatures. This work elucidates the behavior of ssDNA in the presence of a phosphate-buffered saline at NaCl concentrations ranging from 20 to 1000 mmol/L through a temperature range of 10-50 °C in 1° increments, well below the decomposition temperature range. The results lay the groundwork for studies on more complex DNA strands in conjunction with different chemical and physical conditions.
Collapse
|
5
|
Molecular inversion probe-rolling circle amplification with single-strand poly-T luminescent copper nanoclusters for fluorescent detection of single-nucleotide variant of SMN gene in diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy. Anal Chim Acta 2020; 1123:56-63. [PMID: 32507240 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2020.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a simple fluorescent detection of survival motor neuron gene (SMN) in diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) based on nucleic acid amplification test and the poly-T luminescent copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) was established. SMA is a severely genetic diseases to cause infant death in clinical, and detection of SMN gene is a powerful tool for pre- and postnatal diagnosis of this disease. This study utilized the molecular inversion probe for recognition of nucleotide variant between SMN1 (c.840 C) and SMN2 (c.840 C > T) genes, and rolling circle amplification with a universal primer for production of poly-T single-strand DNA. Finally, the fluorescent CuNCs were formed on the poly-T single-strand DNA template with addition of CuSO4 and sodium ascorbate. The fluorescence of CuNCs was only detected in the samples with the presence of SMN1 gene controlling the disease of SMA. After optimization of experimental conditions, this highly efficient method was performed under 50 °C for DNA ligation temperature by using 2U Ampligase, 3 h for rolling circle amplification, and the formation of the CuNCs by mixing 500 μM Cu2+ and 4 mM sodium ascorbate. Additionally, this highly efficient method was successfully applied for 65 clinical DNA samples, including 4 SMA patients, 4 carriers and 57 wild individuals. This label-free detection strategy has the own potential to not only be a general method for detection of SMN1 gene in diagnosis of SMA disease, but also served as a tool for detection of other single nucleotide polymorphisms or nucleotide variants in genetic analysis through designing the different sensing probes.
Collapse
|
6
|
Ligand-Based Stability Changes in Duplex DNA Measured with a Microscale Electrochemical Platform. BIOSENSORS-BASEL 2019; 9:bios9020054. [PMID: 31013753 PMCID: PMC6628196 DOI: 10.3390/bios9020054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Development of technologies for rapid screening of DNA secondary structure thermal stability and the effects on stability for binding of small molecule drugs is important to the drug discovery process. In this report, we describe the capabilities of an electrochemical, microdevice-based approach for determining the melting temperatures (Tm) of electrode-bound duplex DNA structures. We also highlight new features of the technology that are compatible with array development and adaptation for high-throughput screening. As a foundational study to exhibit device performance and capabilities, melting-curve analyses were performed on 12-mer DNA duplexes in the presence/absence of two binding ligands: diminazene aceturate (DMZ) and proflavine. By measuring electrochemical current as a function of temperature, our measurement platform has the ability to determine the effect of binding ligands on Tm values with high signal-to-noise ratios and good reproducibility. We also demonstrate that heating our three-electrode cell with either an embedded microheater or a thermoelectric module produces similar results. The ΔTm values we report show the stabilizing ability of DMZ and proflavine when bound to duplex DNA structures. These initial proof-of-concept studies highlight the operating characteristics of the microdevice platform and the potential for future application toward other immobilized samples.
Collapse
|
7
|
Amplified detection of single base mismatches with the competing-strand assay reveals complex kinetic and thermodynamic behavior of strand displacement at the electrode surface. Electrochim Acta 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2018.07.188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
|
8
|
Somasundaram S, Holtan MD, Easley CJ. Understanding Signal and Background in a Thermally Resolved, Single-Branched DNA Assay Using Square Wave Voltammetry. Anal Chem 2018; 90:3584-3591. [PMID: 29385341 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b00036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical bioanalytical sensors with oligonucleotide transducer molecules have been recently extended for quantifying a wide range of biomolecules, from small drugs to large proteins. Short DNA or RNA strands have gained attention recently due to the existence of circulating oligonucleotides in human blood, yet challenges remain for adequately sensing these targets at electrode surfaces. In this work, we have developed a quantitative electrochemical method which uses target-induced proximity of a single-branched DNA structure to drive hybridization at an electrode surface, with readout by square-wave voltammetry (SWV). Using custom instrumentation, we first show that precise control of temperature can provide both electrochemical signal amplification and background signal depreciation in SWV readout of small oligonucleotides. Next, we thoroughly compared 25 different combinations of binding energies by their signal-to-background ratios and differences. These data served as a guide to select the optimal parameters of binding energy, SWV frequency, and assay temperature. Finally, the influence of experimental workflow on the sensitivity and limit of detection (LOD) of the sensor is demonstrated. This study highlights the importance of precisely controlling temperature and SWV frequency in DNA-driven assays on electrode surfaces while also presenting a novel instrumental design for fine-tuning of such systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Subramaniam Somasundaram
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Auburn University , Auburn , Alabama 36849 , United States
| | - Mark D Holtan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Auburn University , Auburn , Alabama 36849 , United States
| | - Christopher J Easley
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Auburn University , Auburn , Alabama 36849 , United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Jin H, Gui R, Yu J, Lv W, Wang Z. Fabrication strategies, sensing modes and analytical applications of ratiometric electrochemical biosensors. Biosens Bioelectron 2017; 91:523-537. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2017.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
|
10
|
Chen T, Jia Y, Dong C, Gao J, Mak PI, Martins RP. Sub-7-second genotyping of single-nucleotide polymorphism by high-resolution melting curve analysis on a thermal digital microfluidic device. LAB ON A CHIP 2016; 16:743-752. [PMID: 26781669 DOI: 10.1039/c5lc01533b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We developed a thermal digital microfluidic (T-DMF) device enabling ultrafast DNA melting curve analysis (MCA). Within 7 seconds, the T-DMF device succeeded in differentiating a melting point difference down to 1.6 °C with a variation of 0.3 °C in a tiny droplet sample (1.2 μL), which was 300 times faster and with 20 times less sample spending than the standard MCA (35 minutes, 25 μL) run in a commercial qPCR machine. Such a performance makes it possible for a rapid discrimination of single-nucleotide mutation relevant to prompt clinical decision-making. Also, aided by electronic intelligent control, the T-DMF device facilitates sample handling and pipelining in an automatic serial manner. An optimized oval-shaped thermal electrode is introduced to achieve high thermal uniformity. A device-sealing technique averts sample contamination and permits uninterrupted chemical/biological reactions. Simple fabrication using a single chromium layer fulfills both the thermal and typical transport electrode requirements. Capable of thermally modulating DNA samples with ultrafast MCA, this T-DMF device has the potential for a wide variety of life science analyses, especially for disease diagnosis and prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianlan Chen
- State-Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI, University of Macau, Macao, China.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Biala K, Sedova A, Flechsig GU. Sequence and Temperature Influence on Kinetics of DNA Strand Displacement at Gold Electrode Surfaces. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2015; 7:19948-19959. [PMID: 26302819 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b04435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Understanding complex contributions of surface environment to tethered nucleic acid sensing experiments has proven challenging, yet it is important because it is essential for interpretation and calibration of indispensable methods, such as microarrays. We investigate the effects of DNA sequence and solution temperature gradients on the kinetics of strand displacement at heated gold wire electrodes, and at gold disc electrodes in a heated solution. Addition of a terminal double mismatch (toehold) provides a reduction in strand displacement energy barriers sufficient to probe the secondary mechanisms involved in the hybridization process. In four different DNA capture probe sequences (relevant for the identification of genetically modified maize MON810), all but one revealed a high activation energy up to 200 kJ/mol during hybridization, that we attribute to displacement of protective strands by capture probes. Protective strands contain 4 to 5 mismatches to ease their displacement by the surface-confined probes at the gold electrodes. A low activation energy (30 kJ/mol) was observed for the sequence whose protective strand contained a toehold and one central mismatch, its kinetic curves displayed significantly different shapes, and we observed a reduced maximum signal intensity as compared to other sequences. These findings point to potential sequence-related contributions to oligonucleotide diffusion influencing kinetics. Additionally, for all sequences studied with heated wire electrodes, we observed a 23 K lower optimal hybridization temperature in comparison with disc electrodes in heated solution, and greatly reduced voltammetric signals after taking into account electrode surface area. We propose that thermodiffusion due to temperature gradients may influence both hybridization and strand displacement kinetics at heated microelectrodes, an explanation supported by computational fluid dynamics. DNA assays with surface-confined capture probes and temperature gradients should not neglect potential influences of thermodiffusion as well as sequence-related effects. Furthermore, studies attempting to characterize surface-tethered environments should consider thermodiffusion if temperature gradients are involved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Biala
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY , 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rostock , A.-Einstein-Str. 3a, D-18059 Rostock, Germany
| | - Ada Sedova
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY , 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, United States
| | - Gerd-Uwe Flechsig
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY , 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rostock , A.-Einstein-Str. 3a, D-18059 Rostock, Germany
- Gensoric GmbH, Schillingallee 68, D-18057 Rostock, Germany
| |
Collapse
|