STD sensor based on nucleic acid functionalized nanostructured polyaniline

Strategies for the preparation of non-amplified and amplified genomic dengue gene samples for electrochemical DNA biosensing applications

The application of electrochemical DNA biosensors in real genomic sample detection is challenging due to the existence of complex structures and low genomic concentrations, resulting in inconsistent and low current signals. This work highlights strategies for the treatment of non-amplified and amplified genomic dengue virus gene samples based on real samples before they can be used directly in our DNA electrochemical sensing system, using methylene blue (MB) as a redox indicator. The main steps in this study for preparing non-amplified cDNA were cDNA conversion, heat denaturation, and sonication. To prepare amplified cDNA dengue virus genomic samples using an RT-PCR approach, we optimized a few parameters, such as the annealing temperature, sonication time, and reverse to forward (R/F) primer concentration ratio. We discovered that the generated methylene blue (MB) signals during the electrochemical sensing of non-amplified and amplified samples differ due to the different MB binding affinities based on the sequence length and base composition. The findings show that our developed electrochemical DNA biosensor successfully discriminates MB current signals in the presence and absence of the target genomic dengue virus, indicating that both samples were successfully treated. This work also provides interesting information about the critical factors in the preparation of genomic gene samples for developing miniaturized PCR-based electrochemical sensing applications in the future. We also discuss the limitations and provide suggestions related to using redox-indicator-based electrochemical biosensors to detect real genomic nucleic acid genes.

Polyacrylamide-Phytic Acid-Polydopamine Conducting Porous Hydrogel for Efficient Removal of Water-Soluble Dyes

Removal of toxic dyes from wastewater has become a hot topic in both academic and industrial fields since there is growing concern about the threat of sewage to human health. Herein, we demonstrate that the three-dimensional porous polyacrylamide-phytic acid-polydopamine (termed as PAAM/PA/PDA) hydrogel can be served as reusable adsorbent with high efficiency for either anionic or cationic dyes. Using methyl blue (MB), methylene blue (YMB), methyl violet (MV) and neutral red (NR) as model dyes, we investigate the effect of pH, temperature, dye concentration, and PAAM/PA/PDA hydrogel mass on the adsorption. The experimental maximum adsorption capacities are more than 350.67 mg g-1 for four selected dyes. Adsorption kinetic and thermodynamic analysis suggests that the dyes are adsorbed on the PAAM/PA/PDA hydrogel through the strong π-π stacking and anion-cation interaction, and the adsorption process satisfies a pseudo-second-order model. Furthermore, the free-standing PAAM/PA/PDA hydrogel can be easily removed from water after adsorption process, and regenerated by adjusting solution pH values.

Chitosan-iron oxide nanocomposite based electrochemical aptasensor for determination of malathion

An electrochemical aptasensor based on chitosan-iron oxide nanocomposite (CHIT-IO) film deposited on fluorine tin Oxide (FTO) was developed for the detection of malathion. Iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared by co-precipitation method and characterized by Transmission electron microscopy and UV-Visible spectroscopy. The biotinylated DNA aptamer sequence specific to the malathion was immobilized onto the iron oxide doped-chitosan/FTO electrode by using streptavidin as linking molecule. Various characterization studies like Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Electrochemical studies were performed to attest the successful fabrication of bioelectrodes. Experimental parameters like aptamer concentration, response time, stability of electrode and reusability studies were optimized. Aptamer immobilized chitosan-iron oxide nanocomposite (APT/SA/CHIT-IO/FTO) bioelectrodes exhibited LOD of about 0.001 ng/mL within 15 min and spike-in studies revealed about 80-92% recovery of malathion from the lettuce leaves and soil sample.

DNA-Based Nanobiosensors as an Emerging Platform for Detection of Disease

Detection of disease at an early stage is one of the biggest challenges in medicine. Different disciplines of science are working together in this regard. The goal of nanodiagnostics is to provide more accurate tools for earlier diagnosis, to reduce cost and to simplify healthcare delivery of effective and personalized medicine, especially with regard to chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes and cardiovascular diseases) that have high healthcare costs. Up-to-date results suggest that DNA-based nanobiosensors could be used effectively to provide simple, fast, cost-effective, sensitive and specific detection of some genetic, cancer, and infectious diseases. In addition, they could potentially be used as a platform to detect immunodeficiency, and neurological and other diseases. This review examines different types of DNA-based nanobiosensors, the basic principles upon which they are based and their advantages and potential in diagnosis of acute and chronic diseases. We discuss recent trends and applications of new strategies for DNA-based nanobiosensors, and emphasize the challenges in translating basic research to the clinical laboratory.

One-pot synthesis of a polyaniline–gold nanocomposite and its enhanced electrochemical properties for biosensing applications

One pot synthesis of polyaniline–gold nanocomposite using chemical route in the presence of dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid.

Fabrication of a polyaniline ultramicroelectrode via a self assembled monolayer modified gold electrode

Herein, we report a simple and inexpensive way for the fabrication of an ultramicroelectrode and present its characterization by electrochemical techniques. The fabrication of polyaniline UME involves only two steps: modification of a gold (Au) electrode by self assembled monolayers (SAM) and then electrodeposition of polyaniline film on this thiol-coated Au electrode by using cyclic voltammetry and constant potential electrolysis methods. Two types of self-assembled monolayers (4-mercapto-1-butanol, MB, and 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid, MUA) were used, respectively, to see the effect of chain length on microelectrode formation. Microelectrode fabrication and utility of the surface was investigated by cyclic voltammetric measurements in a redox probe. The thus prepared polyaniline microelectrode was then used for DNA immobilization. Discrimination between double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) was obtained with enhanced electrochemical signals compared to a polyaniline-coated Au electrode. Different modifications on the electrode surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Template and catalytic effects of DNA in the construction of polypyrrole/DNA composite macro and microelectrodes

Electrochemical DNA hybridization-based sensors show great promise as portable and automated analytical devices for routine screening of pathogenic or foreign nucleic acid sequences in biological samples. However, current sensor technologies still exhibit some unresolved issues which hampers their direct application into everyday life. Conducting polymers, such as polypyrrole (PPy), are increasingly being adopted as suitable platforms for DNA probe immobilization and signal transduction. Immobilization of DNA probes during pyrrole electropolymerization is a simple and efficient strategy to build composite electrodes suitable for DNA sensing. However, the effects of the probe state and sequence on PPy growth kinetics have not been studied yet. Here, we show that growth of PPy is drastically affected by the presence of guanine in the DNA probes and whether DNA is present in its single-stranded or double-stranded form. We show that some immobilization protocols may provoke irreversible oxidation of guanine moieties in the probe and that this issue deserves careful investigation as it may interfere with hybridization processes. We have also explored new procedures to build microelectrode arrays bearing immobilized DNA molecules, which are known to show beneficial properties in stirred samples. Overall, we present new techniques and concerns regarding the development of DNA-containing PPy-based composite electrodes, which may be taken into consideration for increasing genosensor reproducibility, response and performance.

Polyaniline Langmuir-Blodgett film based aptasensor for ochratoxin A detection

Ochratoxin A (OTA) produced by Aspergillus Ochraceus and Penicillium verrucosum is a very dangerous toxin due to its toxic effects in human beings and its presence in a wide range of food products and cereals. A Langmuir-Blodgett (polyaniline (PANI)-stearic acid (SA)) film based highly sensitive and robust impedimetric aptasensor has been developed for ochratoxin A (OTA) detection. DNA Aptamer (Apt-DNA) specific to OTA has been covalently immobilized onto mixed Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) monolayer comprising of PANI-SA deposited onto indium tin-oxide (ITO) coated glass plates. This Apt-DNA/PANI-SA/ITO aptaelectrode has been characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, respectively. The Apt-DNA/PANI-SA/ITO aptasensor shows detection of OTA by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in the linear range of 0.0001 μg/ml (0.1 ng/ml) to 0.01 μg/ml (10 ng/ml) and 1 μg/ml-25 μg/ml with detection limit of 0.1 ng/ml in 15 min. The Apt-DNA/PANI-SA/ITO aptasensor can be reused ∼13 times. The binding or affinity constant (K(a)) of aptamer with OTA, calculated using Langmuir adsorption isotherm, is found be 1.21×10(7) M(-1).

Nanomaterials as analytical tools for genosensors

Nanomaterials are being increasingly used for the development of electrochemical DNA biosensors, due to the unique electrocatalytic properties found in nanoscale materials. They offer excellent prospects for interfacing biological recognition events with electronic signal transduction and for designing a new generation of bioelectronic devices exhibiting novel functions. In particular, nanomaterials such as noble metal nanoparticles (Au, Pt), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), magnetic nanoparticles, quantum dots and metal oxide nanoparticles have been actively investigated for their applications in DNA biosensors, which have become a new interdisciplinary frontier between biological detection and material science. In this article, we address some of the main advances in this field over the past few years, discussing the issues and challenges with the aim of stimulating a broader interest in developing nanomaterial-based biosensors and improving their applications in disease diagnosis and food safety examination.

DNA hybridization sensors based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy as a detection tool

Recent advances in label free DNA hybridization sensors employing electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as a detection tool are reviewed. These sensors are based on the modulation of the blocking ability of an electrode modified with a probe DNA by an analyte, i.e., target DNA. The probe DNA is immobilized on a self-assembled monolayer, a conducting polymer film, or a layer of nanostructures on the electrode such that desired probe DNA would selectively hybridize with target DNA. The rate of charge transfer from the electrode thus modified to a redox indicator, e.g., [Fe(CN)₆]^3−/4−, which is measured by EIS in the form of charge transfer resistance (R_ct), is modulated by whether or not, as well as how much, the intended target DNA is selectively hybridized. Efforts made to enhance the selectivity as well as the sensitivity of DNA sensors and to reduce the EIS measurement time are briefly described along with brief future perspectives in developing DNA sensors.