Different strategies to develop an electrochemical thrombin aptasensor

Recent Advances in Recognition Receptors for Electrochemical Biosensing of Mycotoxins-A Review

Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi in cereals and foodstuffs during the stages of cultivation and storage. Electrochemical biosensing has emerged as a rapid, efficient, and economical approach for the detection and quantification of mycotoxins in different sample media. An electrochemical biosensor consists of two main units, a recognition receptor and a signal transducer. Natural or artificial antibodies, aptamers, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP), peptides, and DNAzymes have been extensively employed as selective recognition receptors for the electrochemical biosensing of mycotoxins. This article affords a detailed discussion of the recent advances and future prospects of various types of recognition receptors exploited in the electrochemical biosensing of mycotoxins.

Biosensors Integration in Blood-Brain Barrier-on-a-Chip: Emerging Platform for Monitoring Neurodegenerative Diseases

Over the most recent decades, the development of new biological platforms to study disease progression and drug efficacy has been of great interest due to the high increase in the rate of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). Therefore, blood–brain barrier (BBB) as an organ-on-a-chip (OoC) platform to mimic brain-barrier performance could offer a deeper understanding of NDDs as well as a very valuable tool for drug permeability testing for new treatments. A very attractive improvement of BBB-oC technology is the integration of detection systems to provide continuous monitoring of biomarkers in real time and a fully automated analysis of drug permeably, rendering more efficient platforms for commercialization. In this Perspective, an overview of the main BBB-oC configurations is introduced and a critical vision of the BBB-oC platforms integrating electronic read out systems is detailed, indicating the strengths and weaknesses of current devices, proposing the great potential for biosensors integration in BBB-oC. In this direction, we name potential biomarkers to monitor the evolution of NDDs related to the BBB and/or drug cytotoxicity using biosensor technology in BBB-oC.

Application of Peroxidase-Mimic Mn2BPMP Boosted by ADP to Enzyme Cascade Assay for Glucose and Cholesterol

The Mn2BPMP complex has an intrinsic peroxidase-like activity in the pH range of 5 to 8, especially a maximum activity at pH 7, while most peroxidase mimics operate at an acidic pH (mainly pH 4). Its peroxidase-like activity is high among small-molecule-based peroxidase mimics with a high reproducibility. In addition, we recently revealed that adenosine mono/diphosphate (AMP and ADP) significantly boosted the peroxidase-like activity of Mn2BPMP. These advantages imply that Mn2BPMP is suitable for biosensing as a substitute for horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Herein, we established a colorimetric one-pot assay system using the enzyme cascade reaction between analyte oxidase and ADP-boosted Mn2BPMP. The simple addition of ADP to the Mn2BPMP-based assay system caused a greater increase in absorbance for the same concentration of H2O2, which resulted in a higher sensitivity. It was applied to one-pot detection of glucose and cholesterol at 25 °C and pH 7.0 for a few minutes.

Wash-Free, Sandwich-Type Protein Detection Using Direct Electron Transfer and Catalytic Signal Amplification of Multiple Redox Labels

Direct electron transfer (DET) between a redox label and an electrode has been used for sensitive and selective sandwich-type detection without a wash step. However, applying DET is still highly challenging in protein detection, and a single redox label per probe is insufficient to obtain a high electrochemical signal. Here, we report a wash-free, sandwich-type detection of thrombin using DET and catalytic signal amplification of multiple redox labels. The detection scheme is based on (i) the redox label-catalyzed oxidation of a reductant, (ii) the conjugation of multiple redox labels per probe using a poly-linker, (iii) the low nonspecific adsorption of the conjugated poly-linker due to uncharged, reduced redox labels, and (iv) a facile DET using long, flexible poly-linker and spacer DNA. Amine-reactive phenazine ethosulfate and NADH were used as the redox label and reductant, respectively. N₃-terminated polylysine was used as the poly-linker for the conjugation between an aptamer probe and multiple redox labels. Approximately 11 redox labels per probe and rapid catalytic NADH oxidation enable high signal amplification. Thrombin in urine could be detected without a wash step with a detection limit of ∼50 pM, which is practically promising for point-of-care testing of proteins.

Recent Advances in Aptamer Sensors

Recently, aptamers have attracted attention in the biosensing field as signal recognition elements because of their high binding affinity toward specific targets such as proteins, cells, small molecules, and even metal ions, antibodies for which are difficult to obtain. Aptamers are single oligonucleotides generated by in vitro selection mechanisms via the systematic evolution of ligand exponential enrichment (SELEX) process. In addition to their high binding affinity, aptamers can be easily functionalized and engineered, providing several signaling modes such as colorimetric, fluorometric, and electrochemical, in what are known as aptasensors. In this review, recent advances in aptasensors as powerful biosensor probes that could be used in different fields, including environmental monitoring, clinical diagnosis, and drug monitoring, are described. Advances in aptamer-based colorimetric, fluorometric, and electrochemical aptasensing with their advantages and disadvantages are summarized and critically discussed. Additionally, future prospects are pointed out to facilitate the development of aptasensor technology for different targets.

Electrochemical Aptasensors: Current Status and Future Perspectives

This article reviews the progress of diversity of electrochemical aptasensor for target analytes detection. The immobilization strategies of aptamers on an electrode surface are addressed. The aptasensors are also introduced in compliance with the assay platforms. Many electrochemical aptasensors are nearly identical to conventional immunochemical approaches, sandwich and competition assays using electroactive signaling moieties. Others are "signal-on" and "sign-off" aptasensors credited to the target binding-induced conformational change of aptamers. Label-free aptasensors are also highlighted. Furthermore, the aptasensors applied for clinically important biomarkers are emphasized.

A review on nanostructure-based mercury (II) detection and monitoring focusing on aptamer and oligonucleotide biosensors

Heavy metal ion pollution is a severe problem in environmental protection and especially in human health due to their bioaccumulation in organisms. Mercury (II) (Hg²⁺), even at low concentrations, can lead to DNA damage and give permanent harm to the central nervous system by easily passing through biological membranes. Therefore, sensitive detection and monitoring of Hg²⁺ is of particular interest with significant specificity. In this review, aptamer-based strategies in combination with nanostructures as well as several other strategies to solve addressed problems in sensor development for Hg²⁺ are discussed in detail. In particular, the analytical performance of different aptamer and oligonucleotide-based strategies using different signal improvement approaches based on nanoparticles were compared within each strategy and in between. Although quite a number of the suggested methodologies analyzed in this review fulfills the standard requirements, further development is still needed on real sample analysis and analytical performance parameters.

A sensitive homogenous aptasensor based on tetraferrocene labeling for thrombin detection

In this work, a novel homogeneous electrochemical aptasensor based on electrically assisted bond and tetraferrocene signal amplification was constructed for thrombin detection. Importantly, modification of the electrode is not necessary for this sensor, requiring only the construction of a simple and efficient probe. In addition, a brand new signal marker-tetraferrocene, containing four ferrocene molecules, was employed as a label to the terminal position of the probe. Compared with a single ferrocene moiety, tetraferrocene possesses a larger amplification signal for rapid detection of thrombin. In the detection of thrombin, the selected aptamer probe with a stem-loop structure was labeled with tetraferrocene at the 3' terminal and thiol at the 5' terminal, respectively. Confinement of the thiol to the stem-loop structure of the probe, the ability of thiol to reach the surface of electrode lossed even with the aid of the applied potential. However, upon treatment with the target protein of thrombin the stem-loop structure opened, promoting rapid attachment of the thiol group to the electrode interface generating Au-S self-assembly with the action of potential-assistance. The electrochemical signal of tetraferrocene could be measured by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), which was subsequently used for target quantitative detection. This strategy displayed a detection limit as low as 0.126 pM, and an inherently high specificity for the detection of a single mismatch. Moreover, it exhibited advanced specificity against common interfering proteins.

Technology Advancements in Blood Coagulation Measurements for Point-of-Care Diagnostic Testing

In recent years, blood coagulation monitoring has become crucial to diagnosing causes of hemorrhages, developing anticoagulant drugs, assessing bleeding risk in extensive surgery procedures and dialysis, and investigating the efficacy of hemostatic therapies. In this regard, advanced technologies such as microfluidics, fluorescent microscopy, electrochemical sensing, photoacoustic detection, and micro/nano electromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) have been employed to develop highly accurate, robust, and cost-effective point of care (POC) devices. These devices measure electrochemical, optical, and mechanical parameters of clotting blood. Which can be correlated to light transmission/scattering, electrical impedance, and viscoelastic properties. In this regard, this paper discusses the working principles of blood coagulation monitoring, physical and sensing parameters in different technologies. In addition, we discussed the recent progress in developing nanomaterials for blood coagulation detection and treatments which opens up new area of controlling and monitoring of coagulation at the same time in the future. Moreover, commercial products, future trends/challenges in blood coagulation monitoring including novel anticoagulant therapies, multiplexed sensing platforms, and the application of artificial intelligence in diagnosis and monitoring have been included.

Thrombin Aptamer-Modified Metal-Organic Framework Nanoparticles: Functional Nanostructures for Sensing Thrombin and the Triggered Controlled Release of Anti-Blood Clotting Drugs

This paper features the synthesis of thrombin-responsive, nucleic acid-gated, UiO-68 metal-organic framework nanoparticles (NMOFs) loaded with the drug Apixaban or rhodamine 6G as a drug model. Apixaban acts as an inhibitor of blood clots formation. The loads in the NMOFs are locked by duplex nucleic acids that are composed of anchor nucleic acids linked to the NMOFs that are hybridized with the anti-thrombin aptamer. In the presence of thrombin, the duplex gating units are separated through the formation of thrombin-aptamer complexes. The unlocking of the NMOFs releases the drug (or the drug model). The release of the drug is controlled by the concentration of thrombin. The Apixaban-loaded NMOFs revealed improved inhibition, as compared to free Apixaban, toward blood clot formation. This is reflected by their longer time intervals for inducing clot formation and the decreased doses of the drug required to affect clots formation. The beneficial effects of the Apixaban-loaded NMOFs are attributed to the slow-release mechanism induced by the NMOFs carriers, where the inhibition of factor Xa in the blood clotting cycle retards the formation of thrombin, which slows down the release of the drug.

Perspective on the Future Role of Aptamers in Analytical Chemistry

It has been almost 30 years since the invention of Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) methodology and the description of the first aptamers. In retrospect over the past 30 years, advances in aptamer development and application have demonstrated that aptamers are potentially useful reagents that can be employed in diverse areas within analytical chemistry, biotechnology, biomedicine, and molecular biology. While often touted as artificial antibodies with an ability to be selected for any target, aptamer development, unfortunately, lags behind development of analytical methodologies that employ aptamers, hindering deeper integration into the application of analytical tool development. This perspective covers recent advances in SELEX methodology for improving efficiency of the SELEX procedure and enhancing affinity and specificity of the selected aptamers, what we view as a critical barrier in the future role of aptamers in analytical chemistry. We discuss postselection modifications that can be used for enhancing performance of the selected aptamers in an analytical device by including understanding intermolecular interaction forces in the binding domain. While highlighting promising properties of aptamers that enable several analytical advances, we provide discussion on the challenges of penetration of aptamers in the analytical field.

Hierarchical Porous Fluorinated Graphene Oxide@Metal-Organic Gel Composite: Label-Free Electrochemical Aptasensor for Selective Detection of Thrombin

Current research effort aims at developing and designing new sensing platform architectures for effectively assaying biological targets that are significantly important for human healthcare and medical diagnosis. Here, we proposed a novel nanostructured sensor based on the combination of fluorinated graphene oxide and iron-based metal-organic gel (FGO@Fe-MOG). The unique properties including hierarchical porosity along with excellent electron transfer behavior make it an ideal candidate for electrochemical sensing of thrombin with superior detection limits compared to other (electrochemical, fluorescence, and colorimetric) strategies. Specifically, thrombin-binding aptamer was immobilized onto FGO@Fe-MOG through strong electrostatic interaction without any special modification or labeling, and the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used as the analyzing tool. The introduced aptasensor revealed high selectivity and reproducibility toward thrombin with the detection limit of 58 pM. The effectiveness, reliability, and real applicability of the proposed FGO@Fe-MOG nanohybrid were also confirmed by the determination of thrombin in a complex biological matrix represented by human serum. Taking into account the superior detection limit, high selectivity, reproducibility, and precision, the developed scalable and label-free aptasensor meets the essential requirements for clinical diagnosis of thrombin.

Magnetic force assisted electrochemical sensor for the detection of thrombin with aptamer-antibody sandwich formation

A magnetic force assisted electrochemical aptamer-antibody sandwich assay (MESA) was developed for the detection of thrombin as a model protein in serum samples. The MESA using the formation of sandwich complexes on the electrochemical sensor probe for reaction and the removal of unbound bioconjugates from the sensor surface without washing are controlled by a magnetic field. Thrombin was determined by the cathodic currents of a toluidine blue O (TBO) attached with thrombin antibody modified magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) at the sensor surface. To detect thrombin in a serum sample, we applied a thrombin-specific aptamer as the capture molecule bound to the functionalized conducting polymer layer (poly-(2,2´:5´,5″-terthiophene-3´-p-benzoic acid) (pTBA)), and streptavidin and starch coated-MNP was conjugated with biotinylated thrombin antibodies (Ab) and TBO as the bioconjugate (MNP@Ab-TBO). The characterization of MNP@Ab-TBO and sensor probe was performed using voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, XPS, and UV-VIS spectroscopy. The experimental conditions were optimized in terms of pH, binding time, removal time of unbound bioconjugates, and applied potential. The dynamic ranges of thrombin were from 1.0 to 500 nM with detection limit of 0.49 ( ± 0.06) nM. The recovery test demonstrates the reliability of the proposed sensing system for a handheld device.

Lysozyme aptasensor based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with a nanocomposite consisting of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, poly(diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride) and carbon quantum dots

An aptamer-based method is described for electrochemical determination of lysozyme. A glassy carbon electrode was modified with a nanocomposite composed of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, poly(diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride), and carbon quantum dots. The composition of the nanocomposite (MWCNT/PDDA/CQD) warrants good electrical conductivity and a high surface-to-volume ratio. The lysozyme-binding aptamers were immobilized on the nanocomposite via covalent coupling between the amino groups of the aptamer and the carboxy groups of the nanocomposite. The modified electrode was characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The use of this nanocomposite results in a considerable enhancement of the electrochemical signal and contributes to improving sensitivity. Hexacyanoferrate was used as an electrochemical probe to study the dependence of the peak current on lysozyme concentration. In the presence of lysozyme, the interaction of lysozyme with immobilized aptamer results in a decrease of the peak current, best measured at +0.15 V vs. Ag/AgCl. A plot of peak current changes versus the logarithm of the lysozyme concentration is linear in the 50 fmol L^-1 to 10 nmol L^-1 concentration range, with a 12.9 fmol L^-1 detection limit (at an S/N ratio of 3). The method is highly reproducible, specific and sensitive, and the electrode has a rapid response. It was applied to the determination of lysozyme in egg white, serum, and urine. Graphical abstract Schematic of a nanocomposite composed of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride) (PDDA), and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) for use in a lysozyme aptasensor. The aptamer was immobilized on the surface, and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was applied to block the surface. The changes of peak current for the electrochemical probe hexacyanoferrate (Fe(CN)₆^3-/4-) in the presence and absence of lysozyme was traced.

Electrochemical and AFM Characterization of G-Quadruplex Electrochemical Biosensors and Applications

Guanine-rich DNA sequences are able to form G-quadruplexes, being involved in important biological processes and representing smart self-assembling nanomaterials that are increasingly used in DNA nanotechnology and biosensor technology. G-quadruplex electrochemical biosensors have received particular attention, since the electrochemical response is particularly sensitive to the DNA structural changes from single-stranded, double-stranded, or hairpin into a G-quadruplex configuration. Furthermore, the development of an increased number of G-quadruplex aptamers that combine the G-quadruplex stiffness and self-assembling versatility with the aptamer high specificity of binding to a variety of molecular targets allowed the construction of biosensors with increased selectivity and sensitivity. This review discusses the recent advances on the electrochemical characterization, design, and applications of G-quadruplex electrochemical biosensors in the evaluation of metal ions, G-quadruplex ligands, and other small organic molecules, proteins, and cells. The electrochemical and atomic force microscopy characterization of G-quadruplexes is presented. The incubation time and cations concentration dependence in controlling the G-quadruplex folding, stability, and nanostructures formation at carbon electrodes are discussed. Different G-quadruplex electrochemical biosensors design strategies, based on the DNA folding into a G-quadruplex, the use of G-quadruplex aptamers, or the use of hemin/G-quadruplex DNAzymes, are revisited.

Thrombin-linked aptamer assay for detection of platelet derived growth factor BB on magnetic beads in a sandwich format

Here we describe a thrombin-linked aptamer assay (TLAA) for protein by using thrombin as an enzyme label, harnessing enzyme activity of thrombin and aptamer affinity binding. TLAA converts detection of specific target proteins to the detection of thrombin by using a DNA sequence that consists of two aptamers with the first aptamer binding to the specific target protein and the second aptamer binding to thrombin. Through the affinity binding, the thrombin enzyme is labeled on the protein target, and thrombin catalyzes the hydrolysis of small peptide substrate into product, generating signals for quantification. As a proof of principle, we show a sandwich TLAA for platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) by using anti-PDGF-BB antibody coated on magnetic beads and an oligonucleotide containing the aptamer for PDGF-BB and the aptamer for thrombin. The binding of PDGF-BB to both the antibody and the aptamer results in labeling the complex with thrombin. We achieved detection of PDGF-BB at 16 pM. This TLAA contributes a new application of thrombin and its aptamer in bioanalysis, and shows potentials in assay developments.

An aptamer assay using rolling circle amplification coupled with thrombin catalysis for protein detection

We describe a sensitive aptamer-based sandwich assay for protein detection on microplate by using rolling circle amplification (RCA) coupled with thrombin catalysis. This assay takes advantage of RCA generating long DNA oligonucleotides with repeat thrombin-binding aptamer sequence, specific aptamer affinity binding to achieve multiple thrombin labeling, and enzyme activity of thrombin for signal generation. Protein target is specifically captured by antibody-coated microplate. Then, an oligonucleotide containing an aptamer for protein and a primer sequence is added to form a typical sandwich structure. Following a template encoded with complementary sequence of aptamer for thrombin, RCA reaction extends the primer sequence into a long oligonucleotide. Many thrombin molecules bind with the RCA product. Thrombin catalyzes the conversion of its chromogenic or fluorogenic peptide substrates into detectable products for final quantification of protein targets. We applied this strategy to the detection of a model protein target, platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). Due to double signal amplifications from RCA and thrombin catalysis, this assay enabled the detection of PDGF-BB as low as 3.1 pM when a fluorogenic peptide substrate was used. This assay provides a new way for signal generation in RCA-involved assay through direct thrombin labeling, circumventing time-consuming preparation of enzyme-conjugate and affinity probes. This method has promise for a variety of analytical applications.

Generation of a pair of independently binding DNA aptamers in a single round of selection using proximity ligation

The ability to rapidly generate a pair of aptamers that bind independently to a protein target would greatly extend their use as reagents for two site ('sandwich') assays. We describe here a method to achieve this through proximity ligation. Using lysozyme as a target we demonstrate that under optimal conditions such a pair of aptamers, with nanomolar affinities, can be generated in a single round.

A Novel Photoelectrochemical Biosensor for Tyrosinase and Thrombin Detection

A novel photoelectrochemical biosensor for step-by-step assay of tyrosinase and thrombin was fabricated based on the specific interactions between the designed peptide and the target enzymes. A peptide chain with a special sequence which contains a positively charged lysine-labeled terminal, tyrosine at the other end and a cleavage site recognized by thrombin between them was designed. The designed peptide can be fixed on surface of the CdTe quantum dots (QDs)-modified indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrode through electrostatic attraction to construct the photoelectrochemical biosensor. The tyrosinase target can catalyze the oxidization of tyrosine by oxygen into ortho-benzoquinone residues, which results in a decrease in the sensor photocurrent. Subsequently, the cleavage site could be recognized and cut off by another thrombin target, restoring the sensor photocurrent. The decrease or increase of photocurrent in the sensor enables us to assay tyrosinase and thrombin. Thus, the detection of tyrosinase and thrombin can be achieved in the linear range from 2.6 to 32 μg/mL and from 4.5 to 100 μg/mL with detection limits of 1.5 μg/mL and 1.9 μg/mL, respectively. Most importantly, this strategy shall allow us to detect different classes of enzymes simultaneously by designing various enzyme-specific peptide substrates.

Carbon nanomaterials-based electrochemical aptasensors

Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) have attracted increasing attention due to their unique electrical, optical, thermal, mechanical and chemical properties. CNMs are extensively applied in electronic, optoelectronic, photovoltaic and sensing devices fields, especially in bioassay technology. These excellent properties significantly depend on not only the functional atomic structures of CNMs, but also the interactions with other materials, such as gold nanoparticles, SiO2, chitosan, etc. This review systematically summarizes applications of CNMs in electrochemical aptasensors (ECASs). Firstly, definition and development of ECASs are introduced. Secondly, different ways of ECASs about working principles, classification and construction of CNMs are illustrated. Thirdly, the applications of different CNMs used in ECASs are discussed. In this review, different types of CNMs are involved such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, graphene oxide, etc. Besides, the newly emerging CNMs and CNMs-based composites are also discoursed. Finally, we demonstrate the future prospects of CNMs-based ECASs, and some suggestions about the near future development of CNMs-based ECASs are highlighted.

A simple strategy for signal amplification based on DNA hybridization chain reaction for thrombin detection

Multiple enzymes were introduced onto the surface of electrode, which resulted in significant signal amplification.

Aptamer based electrochemical sensors for emerging environmental pollutants

Environmental contaminants monitoring is one of the key issues in understanding and managing hazards to human health and ecosystems. In this context, aptamer based electrochemical sensors have achieved intense significance because of their capability to resolve a potentially large number of problems and challenges in environmental contamination. An aptasensor is a compact analytical device incorporating an aptamer (oligonulceotide) as the sensing element either integrated within or intimately associated with a physiochemical transducer surface. Nucleic acid is well known for the function of carrying and passing genetic information, however, it has found a key role in analytical monitoring during recent years. Aptamer based sensors represent a novelty in environmental analytical science and there are great expectations for their promising performance as alternative to conventional analytical tools. This review paper focuses on the recent advances in the development of aptamer based electrochemical sensors for environmental applications with special emphasis on emerging pollutants.

Electrochemical approach for the development of a simple method for detecting cell apoptosis based on caspase-3 activity

This paper reports a novel approach for the simple detection of cell apoptosis using an electrochemical technique. This method uses caspase-3 activity as an indicator of apoptosis. Caspase-3 activity was detected with differential plus voltammetry (DPV) as an alternative to conventional spectrometry. In this method, p-nitroaniline (pNA) released from Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-pNA by caspase-3 enzyme reaction was measured with DPV by using a glassy carbon electrode. Using this method, we successfully detected cell apoptosis occurring inside living HepG2 cells without the need for a cell lysis step. This method provides an easy assay procedure and, more importantly, allows a live cell apoptosis detection format. This novel electrochemical apoptosis assay using living cells instead of typically used cell lysates will expand the applicable range of the apoptosis assay to include cell activity assays for drug discovery and cell transplantation medicine.

Aptamer binding assays for proteins: the thrombin example--a review

Experimentally selected single-stranded DNA and RNA aptamers are able to bind to specific target molecules with high affinity and specificity. Many analytical methods make use of affinity binding between the specific targets and their aptamers. In the development of these methods, thrombin is the most frequently used target molecule to demonstrate the proof-of-principle. This paper critically reviews more than one hundred assays that are based on aptamer binding to thrombin. This review focuses on homogeneous binding assays, electrochemical aptasensors, and affinity separation techniques. The emphasis of this review is placed on understanding the principles and unique features of the assays. The principles of most assays for thrombin are applicable to the determination of other molecular targets.

Aptasensor based on the synergistic contributions of chitosan-gold nanoparticles, graphene-gold nanoparticles and multi-walled carbon nanotubes-cobalt phthalocyanine nanocomposites for kanamycin detection

An electrochemical aptasensor was developed for the detection of kanamycin based on the synergistic contributions of chitosan-gold nanoparticles (CS-AuNPs), graphene-gold nanoparticles (GR-AuNPs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes-cobalt phthalocyanine (MWCNTs-CoPc) nanocomposites. The aptasensor was prepared by sequentially dripping CS-AuNPs, GR-AuNPs and MWCNTs-CoPc nanocomposites onto a gold electrode (GE) surface. During the above process, these nanomaterials showed a remarkable synergistic effect towards the aptasensor. CS-AuNPs, GR-AuNPs and MWCNTs-CoPc as the nanocomposites mediator improved electron relay during the entire electron transfer process and the aptasensor response speed. The electrochemical properties of the modified processes were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The morphologies of the nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experimental conditions such as the concentration of the aptamer, the time, temperature and the pH were optimized. Based on the synergistic contributions of CS-AuNPs, GR-AuNPs and MWCNTs-CoPc nanocomposites, the proposed aptasensor displayed high sensitivity, high specificity, a low detection limit (5.8 × 10(-9) M) (S/N = 3) and excellent stability. It was successfully applied to the detection of kanamycin in real milk spiked samples.

Signal enhancement in a lateral flow immunoassay based on dual gold nanoparticle conjugates

OBJECTIVE

In order to amplify signal of lateral flow immunoassay for specific detection of thrombin.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A new, simple method of amplifying signals using two gold nanoparticle conjugates (GNP) in gold-nanoparticle-based lateral flow immunoassay without an additional step was developed. The first conjugates were prepared by labeling DNA1 with 30 nm GNPs, and the second conjugates were prepared by immobilizing both DNA2 and thrombin aptamer on the surfaces of 16 nm GNPs.

RESULTS

The detection limit was improved 30 times. The lateral flow immunoassay developed in this study was applied to detect thrombin concentration in the range of 0.5-120 nM with a detection limit of 0.25 nM.

CONCLUSIONS

The lateral flow immunoassay developed in this study was used to detect thrombin concentrations within a range of 0.5-120 nM with a detection limit of 0.25 nM. This assay is very versatile and can be easily extended to other proteins.

Coffee ring aptasensor for rapid protein detection

We introduce a new biosensing platform for rapid protein detection that combines one of the simplest methods for biomolecular concentration, coffee ring formation, with a sensitive aptamer-based optical detection scheme. In this approach, aptamer beacons are utilized for signal transduction where a fluorescence signal is emitted in the presence of the target molecule. Signal amplification is achieved by concentrating aptamer-target complexes within liquid droplets, resulting in the formation of coffee ring "spots". Surfaces with various chemical coatings were utilized to investigate the correlation among surface hydrophobicity, concentration efficiency, and signal amplification. On the basis of our results, we found that the increase in the coffee ring diameter with larger droplet volumes is independent of surface hydrophobicity. Furthermore, we show that highly hydrophobic surfaces produce enhanced particle concentration via coffee ring formation, resulting in signal intensities 6-fold greater than those on hydrophilic surfaces. To validate this biosensing platform for the detection of clinical samples, we detected α-thrombin in human serum and 4-fold-diluted whole blood. Coffee ring spots from serum and blood produced detection signals up to 40 times larger than those from samples in liquid droplets. Additionally, this biosensor exhibits a lower limit of detection of 2 ng/mL (54 pM) in serum, and 4 ng/mL (105 pM) in blood. On the basis of its simplicity and high performance, this platform demonstrates immense potential as an inexpensive diagnostic tool for the detection of disease biomarkers, particularly for use in developing countries that lack the resources and facilities required for conventional biodetection practices.

Graphene-Orange II composite nanosheets with electroactive functions as label-free aptasensing platform for "signal-on" detection of protein

The combination of novel nanomaterials and biomolecule recognition units is promising in developing sensitive biosensors. This paper presents a facile approach for the preparation of water-soluble electroactive dye-Orange II functionalized graphene nanosheets (O-GNs). The successful attachment of Orange II on the surface of graphene nanosheets not only prevents the agglomeration of the as-formed graphene nanocomposite in aqueous media, but also endows graphene nanosheets with excellent electroactive property. Integrating the unique properties of the as-prepared O-GNs (high conductivity, high specific surface area and electroactive function) with high affinity and specificity of aptamer, a new label-free electrochemical biosensing concept is demonstrated for the "signal-on" detection of targets such as thrombin and lysozyme. The present O-GNs-based aptasensor exhibits good current response to the above proteins. The linear ranges for thrombin and lysozyme are 1.0 × 10(-12)-4.0 × 10(-10)M and 5.0 × 10(-12)-7.0 × 10(-10)M, with the detection limit of 3.5 × 10(-13)M and 1.0 × 10(-12)M, respectively. In contrast to the common laborious and expensive labeling approaches, the present O-GNs based aptasensing process is highly simple, cost-efficient and does not need labeling and modification of aptamers or introduce additional electrochemical probes.

Covalent attachment of biomacromolecules to plasma-patterned and functionalized carbon nanotube-based devices for electrochemical biosensing

The interface between biomacromolecules and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is of critical importance in developing effective techniques that provide CNTs with both biomolecular recognition and signal transduction through immobilization. However, the chemical inertness of CNT surfaces poses an obstacle to wider implementation of CNTs in bioanalytical applications. In this paper, we present a review of our recent research activities related to the covalent attachment of biomacromolecules to plasma-patterned and functionalized carbon nanotube films and their application to the fabrication of electrochemical biosensing devices. The SWCNT films were spray-deposited onto a miniaturized three-electrode system on a glass substrate and activated using highly purified atomic oxygen generated in radiofrequency plasma; this introduced oxygen-containing functional groups into the SWCNT surface without fatal loss of the original physicochemical properties of the CNTs. The carboxylated SWCNT electrodes were then selectively modified via amidation or esterification for covalent immobilization of the biomacromolecules. The plasma-treated SWCNT-based sensing electrode had an approximately six times larger effective area than the untreated SWCNT-based electrode, which significantly amplified the amperometric electrochemical signal. Finally, the efficacy of plasma-functionalized SWCNT (pf-SWCNT) as a biointerface was examined by immobilizing glucose oxidase, Legionella pneumophila ( L. pneumophila)-specific antibodies, L. pneumophila-originated DNAs, and thrombin-specific aptamers on the pf-SWCNT-based three-electrode devices. The pf-SWCNT films were found to support direct covalent immobilization of the above-listed biomacromolecules on the films and to thereby overcome the many drawbacks typically associated with simple physisorption. Thus, pf-SWCNT sensing electrodes on which biomacromolecules were covalently immobilized were found to be chemically stable and have a long lifetime.

Label-free electrochemical aptasensor for sensitive thrombin detection using layer-by-layer self-assembled multilayers with toluidine blue-graphene composites and gold nanoparticles

In the present study, toluidine blue-graphene (Tb-Gra) nanocomposites were prepared to design a Lable-free electrochemical aptasensor for highly sensitive detection of thrombin based on layer-by-layer (LBL) technology. The nanocomposites with excellent redox electrochemical activities were first immobilized on the gold nanoparticles (nano-Au) modified glassy carbon electrodes (GCE). Then, the LBL structure was performed by electrostatic adsorption between the positively charged Tb-Gra and negatively charged nano-Au, which formed {Tb-Gra/nano-Au}(n) multilayer films for electroactive species enrichment and biomolecule immobilization. Subsequently, the thiolated thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) was assembled on the nano-Au surface through Au-S bond. In the presence of target thrombin (TB), the TBA on the multilayer could catch the thrombin onto the electrode surface, which resulted in a barrier for electro-transfer, leading to the decrease of the electrochemical signal of Tb-Gra nanocomposites. Under the optimal conditions, a wide detection range from 0.001 nM to 80 nM and a low detection limit of 0.33 pM (defined as S/N=3) for thrombin were obtained. In addition, the sensor exhibited excellent selectivity against other proteins.

Dual amplification strategy of highly sensitive thrombin amperometric aptasensor based on chitosan-Au nanocomposites

A highly sensitive and selective electrochemical aptasensor for thrombin was developed. By introducing chitosan-gold nanoparticles and horseradish peroxidase (CS-AuNPs-HRP) conjugates to the sensitive union, the thrombin detection signal was dual amplified. The capture probe was prepared by immobilizing an anti-thrombin aptamer on core-shell Fe(3)O(4)-Au magnetic nanoparticles (AuMNPs) and which was served as magnetic separation material as well. The detection probe was prepared from another anti-thrombin aptamer, horseradish peroxidase (HRP), thiolated CS nanoparticle and gold nanoparticle (CS-AuNPs-HRP-Apt2). In the presence of thrombin, the sandwich structure of AuMNPs-Apt1/thrombin/Apt2-CS-AuNPs-HRP was formed and abundant HRP was captured in it. The resultant conjugates are of magnetic characters and were captured onto the surface of a screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE) to prepare the modified electrode by a magnet located on the outer flank of the SPCE. It was demonstrated that the oxidation of hydroquinone (HQ) with H(2)O(2) was dramatically accelerated by the captured HRP. The electrochemical signal, which correlated to the reduction of BQ (the oxidation product of HQ), was amplified by the catalysis of HRP toward the reaction and the enrichment of HRP on the electrode surface. Under optimized conditions, ultrasensitive and high specific detection for thrombin was realized with the proposed assay strategy. The signal current was linearly correlated to the thrombin concentration in the range of 0.01-10 pM with a detection limit of 5.5 fM (S/N = 3). These results promise extensive applications of this newly proposed signal amplification strategy in protein detection and disease diagnosis.

Aptamer-based highly sensitive electrochemical detection of thrombin via the amplification of graphene

Herein, we successfully fabricated a highly sensitive label-free electrochemical aptasensor for thrombin based on the amplification of graphene (Gra). The excellent electrochemical probe of nickel hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles (NiHCFNPs) was introduced to form Nafion-Graphene-NiHCFNPs (Nf-Gra-NiHCFNPs) nanocomposites membrane on the gold electrode. The employment of graphene not only enhanced the surface area of the electrode with increased NiHCFNPs immobilization, but also improved the conductivity of the electrode, which further effectively improved the sensitivity of this proposed aptasensor. Subsequently, AuNPs layer was formed to immobilize the thrombin aptamer (TBA) and enhance the stability of the composite monolayer mentioned above. Then, thiol-modified TBA was assembled onto the AuNPs layer. Thereafter, hexanethiol (HT) was employed to block the possible remaining active sites. With the dual amplification of Gra and AuNPs, the resulting aptasensor exhibited good current response to target thrombin with a wide linear range extended from 1 pM to 80 nM (the detection limit was 0.3 pM). Additionally, the morphologies of bare Au substrate, nickel hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles (NiHCFNPs) and nanocomposites were successfully characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM).