A photoelectrochemical aptasensor constructed with core-shell CuS-TiO2 heterostructure for detection of microcystin-LR

Au/TiO2-based molecularly imprinted photoelectrochemical sensor for dibutyl phthalate detection

A photoelectrochemical molecular imprinting sensor based on Au/TiO₂ nanocomposite was constructed for the detection of dibutyl phthalate. Firstly, TiO₂ nanorods were grown on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate by hydrothermal method. Then, gold nanoparticles were electrodeposited on TiO₂ to fabricate Au/TiO₂. Finally, molecular imprinted polymer was electropolymerized on the Au/TiO₂ surface to construct MIP/Au/TiO₂ PEC sensor for DBP. The conjugation effect of MIP accelerates the electron transfer between TiO₂ and MIP, which can greatly improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency and sensitivity of the sensor. In addition, MIP can also provide sites for highly selective recognition of dibutyl phthalate molecules. Under optimal experimental conditions, the prepared photoelectrochemical sensor was used for the quantitative determination of DBP and the results showed a wide linear range (50 to 500 nM), a low limit of detection (0.698 nM), and good selectivity. The sensor was used in a study of real water samples to show that it has promising applications in environmental analysis.

Aptamer-based CRISPR-Cas powered diagnostics of diverse biomarkers and small molecule targets

CRISPR-Cas systems have been widely used in genome editing and transcriptional regulation. Recently, CRISPR-Cas effectors are adopted for biosensor construction due to its adjustable properties, such as simplicity of design, easy operation, collateral cleavage activity, and high biocompatibility. Aptamers' excellent sensitivity, specificity, in vitro synthesis, base-pairing, labeling, modification, and programmability has made them an attractive molecular recognition element for inclusion in CRISPR-Cas systems. Here, we review current advances in aptamer-based CRISPR-Cas sensors. We briefly discuss aptamers and the knowledge of Cas effector proteins, crRNA, reporter probes, analytes, and applications of target-specific aptamers. Next, we provide fabrication strategies, molecular binding, and detection using fluorescence, electrochemical, colorimetric, nanomaterials, Rayleigh, and Raman scattering. The application of CRISPR-Cas systems in aptamer-based sensing of a wide range of biomarkers (disease and pathogens) and toxic contaminants is growing. This review provides an update and offers novel insights into developing CRISPR-Cas-based sensors using ssDNA aptamers with high efficiency and specificity for point-of-care setting diagnostics.

A Visible-Light-Active CuS/MoS2/Bi2WO6 Aptamer Sensitively Detects the Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Diclofenac

Diclofenac is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug and is clinically used for the treatment of osteoarthritis, non-articular rheumatism, etc. This research aimed to demonstrate the creation of an upgraded photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptamer sensor for detecting diclofenac (DCF) with high sensitivity. In this work, photoactive materials and bio-identification components served as visible-light-active CuS/MoS₂/Bi₂WO₆ heterostructures and aptamers, respectively. CuS and MoS₂/Bi₂WO₆ were combined to improve photocurrent responsiveness, which helped the structure of PEC aptasensors. Additionally, the one-pot synthesis of CuS/MoS₂/Bi₂WO₆ was ecologically beneficial. With these optimizations, the photocurrent response of aptamer/CS/CuS/MoS₂/Bi₂WO₆ exhibited linearity between 0.1 and 500 nM DCF. The detection limit was 0.03 nM (S/N = 3). These results suggest that the PEC sensing technique might produce an ultra-sensitive sensor with high selectivity and stability for DCF detection.

Recent advances in nanomaterials-based optical and electrochemical aptasensors for detection of cyanotoxins

The existence of cyanotoxins poses serious threats to human health, it is highly desirable to develop specific and sensitive methods for rapid detection of cyanotoxins in food and water. Due to the distinct advantages of aptamer including high specificity, good stability and easy preparation, various aptamer-based sensors (aptasensors) have been proposed to promote the detection of cyanotoxins. In this review, we summarize recent advance in optical and electrochemical aptasensors for cyanotoxins sensing by integrating with versatile nanomaterials or innovative sensing strategies, such as colorimetric aptasensors, fluorescent aptasensors, surface enhancement Raman spectroscopy-based aptasensors, voltammetric aptasensors, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy-based aptasensors and photoelectrochemical aptasensors. We highlight the accomplishments and advancements of aptasensors with improved performance. Furthermore, the current challenges and future prospects in cyanotoxins detection are discussed from our perspectives, which we hope to provide more ideas for future researchers.

Highly sensitive and selective photoelectrochemical aptasensing of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate based on graphene quantum dots decorated TiO2 nanotube arrays

A photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing platform for di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) was constructed using graphene quantum dots decorated TiO₂ nanotube arrays (GQDs-decorated TiO₂ NTs) as the transducer species and the anti-DEHP aptamer as the biological recognition element. GQDs were synthesized using the alkali-mediated hydrothermal method, and then anchored onto the TiO₂ NTs uniformly and intimately via pronounced electrostatic interaction. Coupling GQDs with TiO₂ NTs not only enhanced visible-light absorption, but promoted charge separation and transportation, exhibiting excellent photocurrent response, and PEC activity. Various means were conducted to explore morphologies, optical, structural and PEC properties of the materials. As an identification unit, the anti-DEHP aptamer molecules were immobilized on GQDs-decorated TiO₂ NTs using a cross-linking coupling method. The developed PEC sensing platform exhibits excellent sensing behavior for DEHP, and provides a low detection limit of 0.1 ng/L, high selectivity and stability. Meanwhile, its application in real environmental samples was evaluated and satisfying results were achieved. Thus, the established sensing platform provides a promising tool to detect DEHP in the environment.

Aptamers functionalized hybrid nanomaterials for algal toxins detection and decontamination in aquatic system: Current progress, opportunities, and challenges

Purification and detection of algal toxins is the most effective technique to ensure that people have clean and safe drinking water. To achieve these objectives, various state-of-the-art technologies were designed and fabricated to decontaminate and detect algal toxins in aquatic environments. Amongst these technologies, aptamer-functionalized hybrid nanomaterials conjugates have received significant consideration as a result of their several benefits over other methods, such as good controllable selectivity, low immunogenicity, and biocompatibility. Because of their excellent properties, aptamer-functionalized hybrid nanomaterials conjugates are one of several remarkable agents. Several isolated aptamer sequences for algal toxins are addressed in this review, as well as aptasensor and decontamination aptamer functionalized metal nanoparticle-derived hybrid nanocomposites applications. In addition, we present diverse aptamer-functionalized hybrid nanomaterial conjugates designs and their applications for sensing and decontamination.

A Visible Light Driven Photoelectrochemical Chloramphenicol Aptasensor Based on a Gold Nanoparticle-Functionalized 3D Flower-like MoS2/TiO2 Heterostructure

Developing a photoactive material by combining the characteristics of a wide light response range and effective separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs remains a huge challenge for the construction of a photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing platform. Herein, a gold nanoparticle (AuNP)/MoS₂/TiO₂ composite was prepared through the facile hydrothermal method coupled with an in situ photoreduction technology. Benefiting from both the compositional and structure merits, the composite not only extends the absorption range to visible light but also enhances the photoelectric conversion efficiency by transferring photogenerated electrons into the conduction band of semiconductors from the plasmonic AuNP. Meanwhile, the thiolated aptamers were attached to the surface of AuNP/MoS₂/TiO₂ composites through the Au-S bonding to construct a visible light driven PEC aptasensor for ultrasensitive detection chloramphenicol (CAP). In the presence of CAP, the aptamers anchored on the surface of the photoactive materials could specifically recognize CAP and interact with it to form a bioaffinity complex with a steric hindrance effect, resulting in the rapid decrease of photocurrent responses. Based on this photocurrent suppression strategy, the constructed PEC aptasensing platform exhibited a high sensitivity with a wide linear range from 5 pM to 100 nM and a low detection limit of 0.5 pM.

Facile synthesis of compact CdS−CuS heterostructures for optimal CO2−to−syngas photoconversion

Herein, a facile two−step synthetic pathway was developed to construct compact CdS−CuS heterostructures for syngas production via CO2 photoreduction. The photocatalytic activity of CdS−CuS−2 was testified with a syngas yield...

Recent advances in electron manipulation of nanomaterials for photoelectrochemical biosensors

This feature article discusses the recent advances and strategies of building photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensors from the perspective of regulating the electron transfer of nanomaterials.

A flexible photoelectrochemical aptasensor using heterojunction architecture of α-Fe2O3/d-C3N4 for ultrasensitive detection of penbritin

The performance of photoelectrochemical (PEC) analysis system relies closely on the properties of the photoelectric electrodes. It is of great significance to integrate photoactive materials with flexible substrates to construct ultra-sensitive PEC sensors for practical application. This work reports a novel photoelectrode developed by immobilizing α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (NPs)/defect-rich carbon nitride (d-C₃N₄), an excellent Z-scheme heterojunction photoelectric material, onto three-dimensional (3D) flexible carbon fiber textile. Specifically, 3D hierarchical structure of flexible carbon fiber textile provides larger specific surface area and higher mechanical strength than traditional electrodes, resulting in more reaction sites and faster reaction kinetics to achieve signal amplification. Simultaneously, α-Fe₂O₃/d-C₃N₄ Z-scheme heterojunction exhibits enhanced light absorption capability and high redox ability, thus dramatically improving the PEC performance. This photoelectrode was used to construct a flexible PEC aptasensor for ultrasensitive detection of penbritin, demonstrating excellent performance in terms of wide linear range (0.5 pM-50 nM), low detection limit (0.0125 pM) and high stability. The design principle is applicable to the manufacture of other photoelectric sensing systems, which provides an avenue for the development of portable environmental analysis and field diagnostics equipment.

A photo-electrochemical aptasensor for the determination of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 receptor-binding domain by using graphitic carbon nitride-cadmium sulfide quantum dots nanocomposite

Herein, a photoelectrochemical aptasensor for the quantitive measurement of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 receptor-binding domain (Sars-Cov-2 RBD) has been reported for the first time. For this purpose, first, graphitic carbon nitride and (gC₃N₄) and cadmium sulfide (CdS) quantum dots were fabricated and characterized. After that, gC₃N₄ and CdS were mixed well. The fabricated nanomaterials were characterized by scanning transmission electron microscopy. Then, the CdS QDs-gC₃N₄ nanocomposite was added to the solution containing chitosan as an amine-rich polymer to generate a Chitosan/CdS-gC₃N₄ nanocomposite. Subsequently, the surface of the ITO electrode was modified with Chitosan/CdS-gC₃N₄. After that, the amine-terminal aptamer probes were immobilized on the surface of the Chitosan/CdS QDs-gC₃N₄/ITO electrode by using glutaraldehyde as an amine-amine crosslinker. The electrochemical performances of the electrodes were studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), and photo-electrochemistry (PEC). The surface coverage of the immobilized aptamer probe was founded to be 26.2 pmol.cm^-2. The obtained results demonstrated that the proposed photo-electrochemical aptasensor can be used for the measurement of Sars-Cov-2 RBD within 0.5-32.0 nM. The limit of detection (LOD) was obtained to be 0.12 nM (at 3σ/slope). The affinity of the Aptamer/Chitosan/CdS QDs-gC₃N₄/ITO was also founded to be 3.4 nM by using Langmuir-typical adsorption systems. The proposed photo-electrochemical aptasensor was applied for the measurement of the spiked Sars-Cov-2 RBD in human saliva samples at two concentrations. The effect of the interfering biomaterials such as human immunoglobulin G human immunoglobulin A, human immunoglobulin M, and human serum albumin was also studied.

Enzyme-Free Molecularly Imprinted and Graphene-Functionalized Photoelectrochemical Sensor Platform for Pollutants

In this work, a label-free nonenzymatic photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor is successfully developed for the detection of a typical pollutant, microcystin-LR (MC-LR), based on a visible-light-responsive alloy oxide, with highly ordered and vertically aligned Ti-Fe-O nanotubes (NTs) as substrates. Ti-Fe-O NTs consisting mainly of TiO₂ and atomically doped Fe₂O₃ are in situ prepared on a Ti-Fe alloy by electrochemical anodic oxidation. Using a simple electrochemical deposition technique, reduced graphene oxide (RGO) could be grown onto Ti-Fe-O NTs, exhibiting significant bifunctions. It not only provides an ideal microenvironment for functionalization of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) on the surface but also serves as the PEC signal amplification element because of its outstanding conductivity for photons and electrons. The designed MIP/RGO/Ti-Fe-O NT PEC sensor exhibits high sensitivity toward MC-LR with a limit of detection as low as 10 pM. High selectivity toward MC-LR is also proven for the sensor. A promising detection platform not only for MC-LR but also for other pollutants has therefore been provided.

Proton-Regulated Catalytic Activity of Nanozymes for Dual-Modal Bioassay of Urease Activity

Benefiting from the merits of high stability and superior activity, nanozymes are recognized as promising alternatives to natural enzymes. Despite the great leaps in the field of therapy and colorimetric sensing, the development of highly sensitive nanozyme-involved photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensors is still in its infancy. Specifically, the investigation of multifunctional nanozymes facilitating different catalytic reactions remains largely unexplored due to the difficulty in synergistically amplifying the PEC signals. In this work, mesoporous trimetallic AuPtPd nanospheres were synthesized with both efficient oxidase and peroxidase-like activities, which can synergistically catalyze the oxidation of 4-chloro-1-naphthol to produce benzo-4-chlorohexadienone precipitation on the surface of photoactive materials, and thus lead to the decreased photocurrent as well as increased charge-transfer resistance. Inspired by the proton-dependent catalytic activity of nanozymes, a self-regulated dual-modal PEC and electrochemical bioassay of urease activity was innovatively established by in situ regulating the activity of AuPtPd nanozymes through urease-mediated proton-consuming enzymatic reactions, which can remarkably improve the accuracy of the assay. Meanwhile, the determination of urease activity in spiked human saliva samples was successfully realized, indicating the reliability of the biosensor and its application prospects in clinical diagnosis.

An electrochemical platform based on a hemin-rGO-cMWCNTs modified aptasensor for sensitive detection of kanamycin

Kanamycin (KANA) residue in meat is particularly harmful to public health and there is an urgent need to establish a fast, accurate and low-cost method to determinate KANA in food quality control. In this paper, hemin-reduced graphene oxide-carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (hemin-rGO-cMWCNTs) were designed and prepared, and the characteristics of hemin-rGO-cMWCNTs are presented. After that, an aptamer/hemin-rGO-cMWCNTs sensor for determination of KANA was developed. The electrochemical characteristics were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Under optimal conditions, the sensitive response of the aptasensor towards KANA presented a wide concentration range of 10-9 to 10-6 M and a low detection limit of 0.36 nM (S/N = 3). Meanwhile, the aptasensor showed prominent selectivity, high stability and acceptable reproducibility in the application of KANA detection. In addition, the aptasensor detection in real samples correlated well with that obtained by liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (LCMS).

Photoelectrochemical Aptasensors Constructed with Photosensitive PbS Quantum Dots/TiO2 Nanoparticles for Detection of Kanamycin

Kanamycin (Kana) is widely used as a veterinary medicine and its abuse causes a serious threat to human health, raising the urgent demand for detection of residual Kana in animal-derived food with high specificity and sensitivity. Here, we developed a photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensor for rapid quantification of Kana, with lead sulfide quantum dots/titanium dioxide nanoparticles (PbS QDs/TiO₂ NPs) as a photosensitive composite, a Kana-specific DNA aptamer as a functional sensor, and ruthenium(III) hexaammine (Ru(NH₃)₆³⁺) as a signal booster. To prepare the PEC aptasensor, TiO₂ NPs, PbS QDs, and polyethyleneimine (PEI) were respectively used to modify the indium tin oxide electrode, and then the amine-terminated aptamer probe was connected to the PEI via glutaraldehyde. Finally, Ru(NH₃)₆³⁺ was attached on the surface of the aptamer to increase the photocurrent intensity. When Kana binds competitively with Ru(NH₃)₆³⁺ to the aptamer immobilized on the surface of the aptasensor, Ru(NH₃)₆³⁺ will be released from the aptamer, resulting in a decrease of the photocurrent signal. This PEC aptasensor exhibits a good linear relationship between the photocurrent shift and the logarithm of Kana concentration within the range of 1.0-300.0 nmol L^-1, and the detection limit is 0.161 nmol L^-1. Importantly, the PEC aptasensor presented good detection selectivity owing to specific interaction with Kana and was successfully implemented to quantify Kana in honey and milk, suggesting that the PEC aptasensor has the potential of rapid detection of residual Kana in animal-derived foods.

DNA nanotechnology: A recent advancement in the monitoring of microcystin-LR

The Microcystin-Leucine-Arginine (MC-LR) is the most toxic and widely distributed microcystin, which originates from cyanobacteria produced by water eutrophication. The MC-LR has deleterious effects on the aquatic lives and agriculture, and this highly toxic chemical could severely endanger human health when the polluted food was intaken. Therefore, the monitoring of MC-LR is of vital importance in the fields including environment, food, and public health. Utilizing the complementary base pairing between DNA molecules, DNA nanotechnology can realize the programmable and predictable regulation of DNA molecules. In analytical applications, DNA nanotechnology can be used to detect targets via target-induced conformation change and the nano-assemblies of nucleic acids. Compared with the conventional analytical technologies, DNA nanotechnology has the advantages of sensitive, versatile, and high potential in real-time and on-site applications. According to the molecular basis for recognizing MC-LR, the strategies of applying DNA nanotechnology in the MC-LR monitoring are divided into two categories in this review: DNA as a recognition element and DNA-assisted signal processing. This paper introduces state-of-the-art analytical methods for the detection of MC-LR based on DNA nanotechnology and provides critical perspectives on the challenges and development in this field.

Ultrasensitive photoelectrochemical aptasensor for diclofenac sodium based on surface-modified TiO2-FeVO4 composite

Herein, a photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptasensing platform was designed by integrating surface oxygen vacancy (OV) defects, Ti³⁺ self-doping, the heterojunction, and resonance energy transfer (RET) effect into one platform for the detection of diclofenac sodium (DCF). Briefly, OV defects were introduced on TiO₂ nanospheres with simultaneous Ti³⁺ self-doping, followed by a well-separated deposition of FeVO₄ nanoparticles on TiO₂ to obtain a Ti³⁺-O-TiO₂/FeVO₄ heterojunction. The surface modification of OVs, Ti³⁺ doping, and deposition of FeVO₄ were confirmed by SEM, XPS, EPR, DRS, and PEC measurements. The surface OVs and doping of Ti³⁺ species created a new donor (defect) energy level under the conduction band of TiO₂, which minimized the bandgap and thereby improved the visible light absorption of TiO₂. Moreover, the capture of photo-excited electrons by surface OVs could hinder the electron-hole recombination. Due to the intimate surface contact and perfect energy matching between TiO₂ and FeVO₄, the formation of heterojunction decreased the bandgap and facilitated the electron-hole separation of TiO₂. All these above events contributed to the enhancement of the PEC signals, which were then quenched by the RET effect between Ti³⁺-O-TiO₂/FeVO₄ and Au nanoparticle (AuNP)-labeled cDNA that had been attached to its complementary DCF aptamer on Ti³⁺-O-TiO₂/FeVO₄|ITO. The addition of target-DCF detached AuNP-labeled cDNA from the electrode to recover the photocurrent, resulting in a "signal-on" PEC aptasensor that exhibited a 0.1-500-nM linear range and a detection limit of 0.069 nM for DCF, attributed to the excellent amplification of the proposed aptasensing platform.

CuS QDs/Co3O4 Polyhedra-Driven Multiple Signal Amplifications Activated h-BN Photoeletrochemical Biosensing Platform

Herein, we developed an unmodified hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensing platform with a low background signal and high sensitivity based on CuS quantum dots (QDs)/Co₃O₄ polyhedra-driven multiple signal amplifications. The prepared porous h-BN nanosheets with large specific surface areas, as the photoelectric substrate material, can provide extensive active reaction sites. Meanwhile, the CuS QDs/Co₃O₄ polyhedra were synthesized by the zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-67) and utilized as a multiple signal amplifier, which can not only drive the p-n semiconductor quenching effect to compete with the h-BN photoelectrode for the consumption of electron donors and exciting light but also trigger a mimetic enzymatic catalytic precipitation effect to inhibit electron transfer. The quenching ability and peroxidase-like activity of CuS QDs/Co₃O₄ polyhedra were evaluated to prove its superiority, and the possible mechanisms of electron transfer and enzymatic catalytic were further analyzed in detail. The developed PEC biosensing platform for the chlorpyrifos assay presented outstanding performance with a wide linear range from 1 × 10^-1 to 1 × 10⁷ ng mL^-1 and a low detection limit of 0.34 pg mL^-1 and exhibited excellent selectivity, reproducibility, and stability. In addition, the CuS QDs/Co₃O₄ polyhedra-activated h-BN PEC biosensing platform may exhibit universality for various analytes via replacing the corresponding target aptamer sequence. This work provides a remarkable inspiration and valuable reference for the development of the PEC biosensor, and the signal amplifier-enabled unmodified PEC biosensing platform strategy has a bright application in early safety warning, bioanalysis and clinical diagnosis.

Recent advances in nanocomposite-based electrochemical aptasensors for the detection of toxins

Toxins are one of the major threatening factors to human and animal health, as well as economic growth. There is therefore an urgent demand from various communities to develop novel analytical methods for the sensitive detection of toxins in complex matrixes. Among the as-developed toxin detection strategies, nanocomposite-based aptamer sensors (termed as aptasensors) show tremendous potential for combating toxin pollution; in particular electrochemical (EC) aptasensors have received significant attention because of their unique advantages, including simplicity, rapidness, high sensitivity, low cost and suitability for field-testing. This paper reviewed the recently published approaches for the development of nanocomposite-/nanomaterial-based EC aptasensors for the detection of toxins with high assaying performance, and their potential applications in environmental monitoring, clinical diagnostics, and food safety control by summarizing the detection of different types of toxins, including fungal mycotoxins, algal toxins and bacterial enterotoxins. The effects of nanocomposite properties on the detection performance of EC aptasensors have been fully addressed for supplying readers with a comprehensive understanding of their improvement. The current technical challenges and future prospects of this subject have also been discussed.

Aptamer-Based Biosensors for Environmental Monitoring

Due to their relative synthetic and chemical simplicity compared to antibodies, aptamers afford enhanced stability and functionality for the detection of environmental contaminants and for use in environmental monitoring. Furthermore, nucleic acid aptamers can be selected for toxic targets which may prove difficult for antibody development. Of particular relevance, aptamers have been selected and used to develop biosensors for environmental contaminants such as heavy metals, small-molecule agricultural toxins, and water-borne bacterial pathogens. This review will focus on recent aptamer-based developments for the detection of diverse environmental contaminants. Within this domain, aptamers have been combined with other technologies to develop biosensors with various signal outputs. The goal of much of this work is to develop cost-effective, user-friendly detection methods that can complement or replace traditional environmental monitoring strategies. This review will highlight recent examples in this area. Additionally, with innovative developments such as wearable devices, sentinel materials, and lab-on-a-chip designs, there exists significant potential for the development of multifunctional aptamer-based biosensors for environmental monitoring. Examples of these technologies will also be highlighted. Finally, a critical perspective on the field, and thoughts on future research directions will be offered.

Aptamer-based photoelectrochemical assay for the determination of MCF-7

In this work, an aptamer-based photoelectrochemical (PEC) assay is reported for the determination of MCF-7 breast cancer cells using hexagonal carbon nitride tubes (HCNTs) as photoactive material. The aptamer immobilized on the HCNT surface can specifically bind with mucin 1 protein (MUC1) that is overexpressed on the surface of MCF-7 cell. Thus, the PEC assay has high specificity for the determination of MCF-7. The determination of MCF-7 is due to the binding of MCF-7 onto HCNT that suppressed the photocurrent intensity. The PEC assay displays good performances for MCF-7 determination with a linear range from 1 × 10² to 1 × 10⁵ cell mL^-1 and limit of detection down to 17 cells mL^-1. Meanwhile, the PEC assay can distinguish MCF-7 from normal cells in blood samples, which may have potential applications in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.

A review: Recent advances in ultrasensitive and highly specific recognition aptasensors with various detection strategies

One of the most studied topics in analytical chemistry and physics is to develop bio-sensors. Aptamers are small single-stranded RNA or DNA oligonucleotides (5-25 kDa), which have advantages in comparison to their antibodies such as physicochemical stability and high binding specificity. They are able to integrate with proteins or small molecules, including intact viral particles, plant lectins, gene-regulation factor, growth factors, antibodies and enzymes. The aptamers have reportedly shown some unique characteristics, including long shelf-life, simple modification to provide covalent bonds to material surfaces, minor batch variation, cost-effectiveness and slight denaturation susceptibility. These features led important efforts toward the development of aptamer-based sensors, known as apta-sensors classified into optical, electrical and mass-sensitive based on the signal transduction mode. This review provided a number of current advancements in selecting, development criteria, and aptamers application with the focus on the effect of apta-sensors, specifically for disease-associated analyses. The review concentrated on the current reports of apta-sensors that are used for evaluating different food and environmental pollutants.

Detection signal amplification strategies at nanomaterial-based photoelectrochemical biosensors

This review focusses on unique material modification and signal amplification strategies reported in developing photoelectrochemical biosensors with utmost sensitivity and selectivity.

The design and growth of peanut-like CuS/BiVO4 composites for photoelectrochemical sensing

In this study, the CuS/BiVO₄-X (where X represents the mass percentage of CuS associated with CuS/BiVO₄; X = 2%, 5% and 7%) p–n heterostructures were fabricated using a two-step hydrothermal method.

Recent progress of heterostructure-based photoelectrodes in photoelectrochemical biosensing: a mini review

The heterostructure photoelectrodes have witted the rapid development to improve the performance of PEC biosensors recently.

An ultrasensitive electrochemical sensing method for detection of microcystin-LR based on infinity-shaped DNA structure using double aptamer and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase

This study develops a novel electrochemical sensing platform for microcystin-LR (MC-LR) detection. This aptasensor comprises the hybridization of double aptamer to its complementary strand (CS) on the surface of electrode and generation of an Infinity-shaped DNA structure in the absence of target by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT). The formation of Infinity-shaped construction leads to the development of an ultrasensitive aptasensor for MC-LR detection. In the presence of MC-LR, double aptamer is dissociated from its CS because of its high affinity for MC-LR and leaves the surface of electrode. Subsequently, no Infinity-shaped structure is formed following the introduction of TdT and a strong current signal is observed. The proposed method was employed for specific detection of MC-LR in the range from 60 pM to 1000 nM with a detection limit of 15 pM. The credibility of the approach was confirmed by detection of MC-LR in real samples like serum and tap water samples. This study provides a new aptasensor for detection of MC-LR as well as other toxin analysis.

Amplified oxygen reduction signal at a Pt-Sn-modified TiO2 nanocomposite on an electrochemical aptasensor

In this work, a metallic composite with strong electrocatalytic property was designed by uniformly decorating Pt and Sn nanoparticles on the surface of TiO₂ nanorods (Pt-Sn@TiO₂). A detection scheme was then developed based on a dual signal amplification strategy involving the Pt-Sn@TiO₂ composite and exonuclease assisted target recycling. The Pt-Sn@TiO₂ composite exhibited an enhanced oxygen reduction current owing to the synergistic effect between Pt and Sn, as well as high exposure of Pt (111) crystal face. Initially, a Pt-Sn@TiO₂ modified glassy carbon electrode produced an amplified electrochemical signal for the reduction of dissolved oxygen in the analyte solution. Next, a DNA with a complementary sequence to a streptomycin aptamer (cDNA) was immobilised on the Pt-Sn@TiO₂ modified electrode, followed by the streptomycin aptamer that hybridised with cDNA. The corresponding oxygen reduction current was diminished by 51% attributable to the hindrance from the biomolecules. After a mixture of streptomycin and RecJ_f exonuclease was introduced, both the streptomycin-aptamer complex and the cDNA were cleaved from the electrode, making the Pt-Sn and Pt (111) surface available for oxygen reduction. RecJ_f would also release streptomycin from the streptomycin-aptamer complex, allowing it to complex again with aptamers on the electrode. This has then promoted a cyclic amplification of the oxygen reduction current by 85%, which is quantitatively related to streptomycin. Under optimal conditions, the aptasensor exhibited a linear range of 0.05-1500 nM and a limit of detection of 0.02±0.0045 nM streptomycin. The sensor was then used in the real-life sample detection of streptomycin to demonstrate its potential applications to bioanalysis.

A visible light photoelectrochemical sandwich aptasensor for adenosine triphosphate based on MgIn2S4-TiO2 nanoarray heterojunction

This work designed a MgIn₂S₄-TiONA heterojunction by growing MgIn₂S₄ nanoplates on TiO₂ nanowire array (TiONA) for preparation of visible light photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing platform. The heterojunction exhibited strong absorption of visible light, large surface area and high loading of biomolecules, leading to high sensing sensitivity. Using adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a marker of cell vitality, as the target model, a PEC sandwich aptasensor was constructed by immobilizing capture DNA₁ on MgIn₂S₄ surface. In the presence of ATP and signal DNA₂ with terminal ferrocene as the electron donor, a sandwiched DNA₁-ATP-DNA₂ complex could be formed on the PEC aptasensor. The aptasensor showed excellent performance with a wide linear range from 50 fM to 100 nM and a detection limit of 20 fM. The sensing performance including specificity, reproducibility, stability and practical use were also evaluated, showing promising application of the MgIn₂S₄-TiONA heterojunction in PEC biosensing.

Recent developments of photoelectrochemical biosensors for food analysis

Recent developments of photoelectrochemical biosensors for food analysis are summarized and the future prospects in this field are discussed.

Aptamers and Aptasensors for Highly Specific Recognition and Sensitive Detection of Marine Biotoxins: Recent Advances and Perspectives

Marine biotoxins distribute widely, have high toxicity, and can be easily accumulated in water or seafood, exposing a serious threat to consumer health. Achieving specific and sensitive detection is the most effective way to prevent emergent issues caused by marine biotoxins; however, the previous detection methods cannot meet the requirements because of ethical or technical drawbacks. Aptamers, a kind of novel recognition element with high affinity and specificity, can be used to fabricate various aptasensors (aptamer-based biosensors) for sensitive and rapid detection. In recent years, an increasing number of aptamers and aptasensors have greatly promoted the development of marine biotoxins detection. In this review, we summarized the recent aptamer-related advances for marine biotoxins detection and discussed their perspectives. Firstly, we summarized the sequences, selection methods, affinity, secondary structures, and the ion conditions of all aptamers to provide a database-like information; secondly, we summarized the reported aptasensors for marine biotoxins, including principles, detection sensitivity, linear detection range, etc.; thirdly, on the basis of the existing reports and our own research experience, we forecast the development prospects of aptamers and aptasensors for marine biotoxins detection. We hope this review not only provides a comprehensive summary of aptamer selection and aptasensor development for marine biotoxins, but also arouses a broad readership amongst academic researchers and industrial chemists.