DNA electrochemical biosensor for the detection of short DNA sequences related to the human immunodeficiency virus

Current Perspectives in Graphene Oxide-Based Electrochemical Biosensors for Cancer Diagnostics

Since the first commercial biosensor device for blood glucose measurement was introduced in the 1970s, many “biosensor types” have been developed, and this research area remains popular worldwide. In parallel with some global biosensor research reports published in the last decade, including a great deal of literature and industry statistics, it is predicted that biosensor design technologies, including handheld or wearable devices, will be preferred and highly valuable in many areas in the near future. Biosensors using nanoparticles still maintain their very important place in science and technology and are the subject of innovative research projects. Among the nanomaterials, carbon-based ones are considered to be one of the most valuable nanoparticles, especially in the field of electrochemical biosensors. In this context, graphene oxide, which has been used in recent years to increase the electrochemical analysis performance in biosensor designs, has been the subject of this review. In fact, graphene is already foreseen not only for biosensors but also as the nanomaterial of the future in many fields and is therefore drawing research attention. In this review, recent and prominent developments in biosensor technologies using graphene oxide (GO)-based nanomaterials in the field of cancer diagnosis are briefly summarized.

Genosensors as an alternative diagnostic sensing approaches for specific detection of various certain viruses: a review of common techniques and outcomes

Viral infections are responsible for the deaths of millions of people throughout the world. Since outbreak of highly contagious and mutant viruses such as contemporary sars-cov-2 pandemic, has challenged the conventional diagnostic methods, the entity of a thoroughly sensitive, specific, rapid and inexpensive detecting technique with minimum level of false-positivity or -negativity, is desperately needed more than any time in the past decades. Biosensors as minimized devices could detect viruses in simple formats. So far, various nucleic acid, immune- and protein-based biosensors were designed and tested for recognizing the genome, antigen, or protein level of viruses, respectively; however, nucleic acid-based sensing techniques, which is the foundation of constructing genosensors, are preferred not only because of their ultra-sensitivity and applicability in the early stages of infections but also for their ability to differentiate various strains of the same virus. To date, the review articles related to genosensors are just confined to particular pathogenic diseases; In this regard, the present review covers comprehensive information of the research progress of the electrochemical, optical, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) genosensors that applied for human viruses' diseases detection and also provides a well description of viruses' clinical importance, the conventional diagnosis approaches of viruses and their disadvantages. This review would address the limitations in the current developments as well as the future challenges involved in the successful construction of sensing approaches with the functionalized nanomaterials and also allow exploring into core-research works regarding this area.

New Age Detection of Viruses: The Nano-Biosensors

Viruses and their related diseases have always posed a significant hazard to humans. The current pandemic caused by the Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) virus is the latest illustration of what this tiny organism can do to humanity at large, putting everything on the brink of collapse. So it is reasonable that early diagnosis of infection from viruses remains a crucial step to prevent such human suffering. Many traditional methods are already in use for detecting viruses, including molecular approaches, serological methods, direct virus culture methods, and so on. Such traditional methods though are brilliant at some stages but are not devoid of drawbacks. To overcome the limits of conventional procedures, new techniques have been developed which tried to eradicate the demerits of the former procedures. Biosensors have come up with a lot of promises in terms of detecting viruses and diseases connected with them. The development of various types of such biosensors such as Affinity-based nano-biosensors, Nanoisland affinity-based biosensors, Graphene affinity-based biosensors, Nanowires based biosensors, Optical nano biosensors, Fiber optic nano-biosensors, Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) based optical nano-biosensors, Total internal reflection fluorescence, Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS), Electrochemical nano-biosensors had helped us in the rapid and sensitive detection of viruses. Aid to these nanosensors, viral detection now becomes very sensitive, rapid and cost has come down to a significant low. In this review, an attempt has been made to compile all of the different nano-biosensors and their applications. Due attention is given to the fact that the reader gets the grasp of the concept with much ease.

Recent progresses and remaining challenges for the detection of Zika virus

Zika virus (ZIKV) has emerged as a particularly notorious mosquito-borne flavivirus, which can lead to a devastating congenital syndrome in the fetuses of pregnant mothers (e.g., microcephaly, spasticity, craniofacial disproportion, miscarriage, and ocular abnormalities) and cause the autoimmune disorder Guillain-Barre' syndrome of adults. Due to its severity and rapid dispersal over several continents, ZIKV has been acknowledged to be a global health concern by the World Health Organization. Unfortunately, the ZIKV has recently resurged in India with the potential for devastating effects. Researchers from all around the world have worked tirelessly to develop effective detection strategies and vaccines for the prevention and control of ZIKV infection. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the most recent research into ZIKV, including the structural biology and evolution, historical overview, pathogenesis, symptoms, and transmission. We then focus on the detection strategies for ZIKV, including viral isolation, serological assays, molecular assays, sensing methods, reverse transcription loop mediated isothermal amplification, transcription-mediated amplification technology, reverse transcription strand invasion based amplification, bioplasmonic paper-based device, and reverse transcription isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification. To conclude, we examine the limitations of currently available strategies for the detection of ZIKV, and outline future opportunities and research challenges.

Ultrasensitive detection of pathogenic viruses with electrochemical biosensor: State of the art

Last few decades, viruses are a real menace to human safety. Therefore, the rapid identification of viruses should be one of the best ways to prevent an outbreak and important implications for medical healthcare. The recent outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus which belongs to the single-stranded, positive-strand RNA viruses. The pandemic dimension spread of COVID-19 poses a severe threat to the health and lives of seven billion people worldwide. There is a growing urgency worldwide to establish a point-of-care device for the rapid detection of COVID-19 to prevent subsequent secondary spread. Therefore, the need for sensitive, selective, and rapid diagnostic devices plays a vital role in selecting appropriate treatments and to prevent the epidemics. During the last decade, electrochemical biosensors have emerged as reliable analytical devices and represent a new promising tool for the detection of different pathogenic viruses. This review summarizes the state of the art of different virus detection with currently available electrochemical detection methods. Moreover, this review discusses different fabrication techniques, detection principles, and applications of various virus biosensors. Future research also looks at the use of electrochemical biosensors regarding a potential detection kit for the rapid identification of the COVID-19.

Screen-Printed Electrodes (SPE) for In Vitro Diagnostic Purpose

Due to rapidly spreading infectious diseases and the high incidence of other diseases such as cancer or metabolic syndrome, there is a continuous need for the development of rapid and accurate diagnosis methods. Screen-printed electrodes-based biosensors have been reported to offer reliable results, with high sensitivity and selectivity and, in some cases, low detection limits. There are a series of materials (carbon, gold, platinum, etc.) used for the manufacturing of working electrodes. Each version comes with advantages, as well as challenges for their functionalization. Thus, the aim is to review the most promising biosensors developed using screen-printed electrodes for the detection/quantification of proteins, biomarkers, or pathogenic microorganisms.

Label-Free Electrochemical Detection of DNA Hybridization Related to Anthrax Lethal Factor by using Carbon Nanotube Modified Sensors

Background:

Anthrax Lethal Factor (ANT) is the dominant virulence factor produced by B. anthracis and is the major cause of death of infected animals. In this paper, pencil graphite electrodes GE were modified with single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for the detection of hybridization related to the ANT DNA for the first time in the literature.

Methods:

The electrochemical monitoring of label-free DNA hybridization related to ANT DNA was explored using both SCNT and MCNT modified PGEs with differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The performance characteristics of ANT-DNA hybridization on disposable GEs were explored by measuring the guanine signal in terms of optimum analytical conditions; the concentration of SCNT and MCNT, the concentrations of probe and target, and also the hybridization time. Under the optimum conditions, the selectivity of probe modified electrodes was tested and the detection limit was calculated.

Results:

The selectivity of ANT probes immobilized onto MCNT-GEs was tested in the presence of hybridization of probe with NC no response was observed and with MM, smaller responses were observed in comparison to full-match DNA hybridization case. Even though there are unwanted substituents in the mixture samples containing both the target and NC in the ratio 1:1 and both the target and MM in the ratio 1:1, it has been found that ANT probe immobilized CNT modified graphite sensor can also select its target by resulting with 20.9% decreased response in comparison to the one measured in the case of full-match DNA hybridization case Therefore, it was concluded that the detection of direct DNA hybridization was performed by using MCNT-GEs with an acceptable selectivity.

Conclusion:

Disposable SCNT/MCNT modified GEs bring some important advantages to our assay including easy use, cost-effectiveness and giving a response in a shorter time compared to unmodified PGE, carbon paste electrode and glassy carbon electrode developed for electrochemical monitoring of DNA hybridization. Consequently, the detection of DNA hybridization related to the ANT DNA by MCNT modified sensors was performed by using lower CNT, probe and target concentrations, in a shorter hybridization time and resulting in a lower detection limit according to the SCNT modified sensors. In conclusion, MCNT modified sensors can yield the possibilities leading to the development of nucleic acid sensors platforms for the improvement of fast and cost-effective detection systems with respect to DNA chip technology.

Progress in the Development of Intrinsically Conducting Polymer Composites as Biosensors

Biosensors are analytical devices which find extensive applications in fields such as the food industry, defense sector, environmental monitoring, and in clinical diagnosis. Similarly, intrinsically conducting polymers (ICPs) and their composites have lured immense interest in bio-sensing due to their various attributes like compatibility with biological molecules, efficient electron transfer upon biochemical reactions, loading of bio-reagent, and immobilization of biomolecules. Further, they are proficient in sensing diverse biological species and compounds like glucose (detection limit ≈0.18 nm), DNA (≈10 pm), cholesterol (≈1 µm), aptamer (≈0.8 pm), and also cancer cells (≈5 pm mL-1) making them a potential candidate for biological sensing functions. ICPs and their composites have been extensively exploited by researchers in the field of biosensors owing to these peculiarities; however, no consolidated literature on the usage of conducting polymer composites for biosensing functions is available. This review extensively elucidates on ICP composites and doped conjugated polymers for biosensing functions of copious biological species. In addition, a brief overview is provided on various forms of biosensors, their sensing mechanisms, and various methods of immobilizing biological species along with the life cycle assessment of biosensors for various biosensing applications, and their cost analysis.

Ultrasensitive Detection of HIV DNA with Polymerase Chain Reaction-Dynamic Light Scattering

Early diagnosis of HIV biomarkers or genes is the key to reducing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) mortality. In our work, we developed a novel polymerase chain reaction-dynamic light scattering (PCR-DLS) assay for one-step sensitive detection of HIV DNA based on the average-diameter change of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). This is the first PCR assay that makes use of the DLS technique as a signal read-out, with the particle size measured by DLS increasing with the concentration of target DNA. With the help of the AuNP probes, this PCR-DLS assay can effectively improve the specificity of PCR reactions, which can greatly increase the detection sensitivity, with a detection limit of 1.8 aM (S/N = 3). In addition, the proposed strategy was successfully used to analyze target DNA in human serum samples, indicating that the PCR-DLS assay has a promising potential application for rapid and early clinical diagnosis of HIV infection.

Electrochemical impedance-based DNA sensor using pyrrolidinyl peptide nucleic acids for tuberculosis detection

A label-free electrochemical DNA sensor based on pyrrolidinyl peptide nucleic acid (acpcPNA)-immobilized on a paper-based analytical device (PAD) was developed. Unlike previous PNA-based electrochemical PAD (ePAD) sensors where the capture element was placed directly on the electrode, acpcPNA was covalently immobilized onto partially oxidized cellulose paper allowing regeneration by simple PAD replacement. As an example application, a sensor probe was designed for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) detection. The ePAD DNA sensor was used to determine a synthetic 15-base oligonucleotide of MTB by measuring the fractional change in the charge transfer resistance (R_ct) obtained from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The R_ct of [Fe(CN)₆]^3-/4- before and after hybridization with the target DNA could be clearly distinguished. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to verify the EIS results, and showed an increase in peak potential splitting in a similar stepwise manner for each immobilization step. Under optimal conditions, a linear calibration curve in the range of 2-200 nM and the limit of detection 1.24 nM were measured. The acpcPNA probe exhibited very high selectivity for complementary oligonucleotides over single-base-mismatch, two-base-mismatch and non-complementary DNA targets due to the conformationally constrained structure of the acpcPNA. Moreover, the ePAD DNA sensor platform was successfully applied to detect PCR-amplified MTB DNA extracted from clinical samples. The proposed paper-based electrochemical DNA sensor has potential to be an alternative device for low-cost, simple, label-free, sensitive and selective DNA sensor.

Macroscopic supramolecular assembly to fabricate multiplexed DNA patterns for potential application in DNA chips

Macroscopic supramolecular assembly (MSA) is a newly established methodology to construct supramolecular materials directly from large building blocks. Demonstrations of MSA for various functions are urgently needed to advance MSA from fundamental studies to practical uses. Here we propose the fabrication of DNA microarrays by combining MSA and magnetic-assisted localization.

Electroactive crown ester-Cu2+ complex with in-situ modification at molecular beacon probe serving as a facile electrochemical DNA biosensor for the detection of CaMV 35s

A novel electrochemical DNA biosensor has been facilely constructed by in-situ assembly of electroactive 4'-aminobenzo-18-crown-6-copper(II) complex (AbC-Cu2+) on the free terminal of the hairpin-structured molecule beacon. The 3'-SH modified molecule beacon probe was first immobilized on the gold electrode (AuE) surface through self-assembly chemistry of Au-S bond. Then the crow ester of AbC was covalently coupled with 5'-COOH on the molecule beacon, and served as a platform to attach the Cu2+ by coordination with ether bond (-O-) of the crown cycle. Thus, an electroactive molecule beacon-based biosensing interface was constructed. In comparison with conventional methods for preparation of electroactive molecule beacon, the approach presented in this work is much simpler, reagent- and labor-saving. Selectivity study shows that the in-situ fabricated electroactive molecule beacon remains excellent recognition ability of pristine molecule beacon probe to well differentiate various DNA fragments. The target DNA can be quantatively determined over the range from 0.10pM to 0.50nM. The detection limit of 0.060pM was estimated based on signal-to-noise ratio of 3. When the biosensor was applied for the detection cauliflower mosaic virus 35s (CaMV 35s) in soybean extraction samples, satisfactory results are achieved. This work opens a new strategy for facilely fabricating electrochemical sensing interface, which also shows great potential in aptasensor and immurosensor fabrication.

A paper-based platform for detection of viral RNA

Viral detection presents a host of challenges for even the most sensitive analytical techniques, and the complexity of common detection platforms typically preclude portability. With these considerations in mind, we designed a paper microzone plate-based virus detection system for the detection of viral genetic material that can be performed with simple instruments. The sensing system can detect viral cDNA reverse-transcribed from total RNA extraction by utilizing a biotinylated capture probe and an Alexa Fluor® 647-labeled reporter probe. The biotinylated capture probe was linked to the paper surface via NeutrAvidin® that was physically adsorbed on the paper. After addition of reverse-transcribed sample and reporter probe in sequence, the reverse-transcribed target captured the reporter probe and tethered it to the capture probe in a bridged format. Fluorescence intensity was imaged using a Western blot imaging system, and higher target concentration was visible by the increased emission intensity from Alexa Fluor® 647. By utilizing paper, this detection setup could also serve as a sample concentration method via evaporation, which could remarkably lower the detection limit if needed. This detection platform used Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) RNA as a proof-of-concept by sensing cDNA resulting from reverse transcription and can be further expanded as a general method for other pathogens. EBV is a well-known human tumor virus, which has also recently been linked to the development of cervical cancer. The assay was accomplished within two hours including the room-temperature RNA extraction and reverse transcription steps. Also, this paper microzone plate-based platform can potentially be applicable for the development of point-of-care (POC) detection kits or devices due to its robust design, convenient interface, and easy portability. The experiment could be stopped after each step, and continued at a later time. The shelf-life of the modified paper plate setup was at least 3 months without a discernible change in signal, and the result from day 1 could be read at 3 months - both of which are important criteria for POC analytical testing tools, especially in resource-poor settings. All of the required assay steps could potentially be performed without any significant equipment using inexpensive paper microzone plates, which will be ideal for further development of POC testing devices. Although, this platform is not at the stage where it can be directly used in a point-of-care setting, it does have fundamental characteristics such as a stable platform, a simple detection method, and relatively common reagents that align closely with a POC system.

An electrochemical genosensor for Leishmania major detection based on dual effect of immobilization and electrocatalysis of cobalt-zinc ferrite quantum dots

Identification of Leishmania parasites is important in diagnosis and clinical studies of leishmaniasis. Although epidemiological and clinical methods are available, they are not sufficient for identification of causative agents of leishmaniasis. In the present study, quantum dots of magnetic cobalt-zinc ferrite (Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4) were synthesized and characterized by physicochemical methods. The quantum dots were then employed as an electrode modifier to immobilize a 24-mer specific single stranded DNA probe, and fabrication of a label-free, PCR-free and signal-on electrochemical genosensor for the detection of Leishmania major. Hybridization of the complementary single stranded DNA sequence with the probe under the selected conditions was explored using methylene blue as a redox marker, utilizing the electrocatalytic effect of the quantum dots on the methylene blue electroreduction process. The genosensor could detect a synthetic single stranded DNA target in a range of 1.0×10(-11) to 1.0×10(-18)molL(-1) with a limit of detection of 2.0×10(-19)molL(-1), and genomic DNA in a range of 7.31×10(-14) to 7.31×10(-6)ngμL(-1) with a limit of detection of 1.80×10(-14)ngμL(-1) with a high selectivity and sensitivity.

Self-assembled biosensor with universal reporter and dual-quenchers for detection of unlabelled nucleic acids

A novel biosensor with universal reporter and dual quenchers was developed for rapid, sensitive, selective, and inexpensive detection of unlabelled nucleic acids. The biosensor is based on a single-strand DNA stem-loop motif with an extended universal reporter-binding region, a G-base rich stem region, and a universal address-binding region. The self-assembly of these stem-loop probes with fluorescence labeled universal reporter and a universal address region conjugated to gold nanoparticles forms the basis of a biosensor for DNA or microRNA targets in solution. The introduction of dual quenchers (G-base quenching and gold surface plasmon resonance-induced quenching) significantly reduces the fluorescence background to as low as 12% of its original fluorescence intensity and hence enhances the detection limit to 0.01 picomoles without signal ampilication.

Simultaneous determination of guanine and adenine in the presence of uric acid by a poly(para toluene sulfonic acid) mediated electrochemical sensor in alkaline medium

Simultaneous sensing of guanine and adenine in presence of uric acid in alkaline medium by polymer modified electrode.

Ultrasensitive Electrochemical Biosensor for HIV Gene Detection Based on Graphene Stabilized Gold Nanoclusters with Exonuclease Amplification

Because human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been one of the most terrible viruses in recent decades, early diagnosis of the HIV gene is of great importance for all scientists around the world. In our work, we developed a novel electrochemical biosensor based on one-step ultrasonic synthesized graphene stabilized gold nanocluster (GR/AuNC) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with an exonuclease III (Exo III)-assisted target recycling amplification strategy for the detection of HIV DNA. It is the first time that GR/AuNCs have been used as biosensor platform and aptamer with cytosine-rich base set as capture probe to construct the biosensor. With the combination of cytosine-rich capture probe, good conductivity and high surfaces of GR/AuNCs, and Exo III-assisted target recycling amplification, we realized high sensitivity and good selectivity detection of target HIV DNA with a detection limit of 30 aM (S/N = 3). Furthermore, the proposed biosensor has a promising potential application for target detection in human serum analysis.

Highly Sensitive DNA Sensor Based on Upconversion Nanoparticles and Graphene Oxide

In this work we demonstrate a DNA biosensor based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between NaYF4:Yb,Er nanoparticles and graphene oxide (GO). Monodisperse NaYF4:Yb,Er nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 29.1 ± 2.2 nm were synthesized and coated with a SiO2 shell of 11 nm, which allowed the attachment of single strands of DNA. When these DNA-functionalized NaYF4:Yb,Er@SiO2 nanoparticles were in the proximity of the GO surface, the π-π stacking interaction between the nucleobases of the DNA and the sp(2) carbons of the GO induced a FRET fluorescence quenching due to the overlap of the fluorescence emission of the NaYF4:Yb,Er@SiO2 and the absorption spectrum of GO. By contrast, in the presence of the complementary DNA strands, the hybridization leads to double-stranded DNA that does not interact with the GO surface, and thus the NaYF4:Yb,Er@SiO2 nanoparticles remain unquenched and fluorescent. The high sensitivity and specificity of this sensor introduces a new method for the detection of DNA with a detection limit of 5 pM.

Chitosan-ionic liquid modified single-use sensor for electrochemical monitoring of sequence-selective DNA hybridization

Chitosan-(CHIT) and ionic liquid- (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (IL)) modified single-use graphite electrodes (PGEs) were developed for the first time in the present study for the enhanced monitoring of DNA, and also for sequence-selective DNA hybridization by measuring the guanine oxidation signal. The electrochemical behaviour of the CHIT-IL modified electrodes was first investigated (with unmodified electrodes as controls) using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Sequence-selective DNA hybridization related to Hepatitis B virus (HBV) was also evaluated in the case of hybridization between amino-linked HBV probe and its complementary (target), a noncomplementary (NC) sequence, single base mismatch (MM), and also in the medium of target/mismatch (MM) mixtures (1:1). CHIT-IL modified PGEs presented a very effective discrimination of DNA hybridization owing to their superior selectivity and sensitivity.

Reagents in microfluidics: an 'in' and 'out' challenge

Microfluidic devices are excellent at downscaling chemical and biochemical reactions and thereby can make reactions faster, better and more efficient. It is therefore understandable that we are seeing these devices being developed and used for many applications and research areas. However, microfluidic devices are more complex than test tubes or microtitre plates and the integration of reagents into them is a real challenge. This review looks at state-of-the-art methods and strategies for integrating various classes of reagents inside microfluidics and similarly surveys how reagents can be released inside microfluidics. The number of methods used for integrating and releasing reagents is surprisingly large and involves reagents in dry and liquid forms, directly-integrated reagents or reagents linked to carriers, as well as active, passive and hybrid release methods. We also made a brief excursion into the field of drug release and delivery. With this review, we hope to provide a large number of examples of integrating and releasing reagents that can be used by developers and users of microfluidics for their specific needs.

Facile electrochemical biosensor based on a new bifunctional probe for label-free detection of CGG trinucleotide repeat

We have developed a simple and label-free electrochemical assay to detect CGG trinucleotide repeat. For this purpose, a new bifunctional probe (FecNCD2) was developed, in which a recognition part (naphthyridine carbamate dimmer, NCD) was connected with an electro-active part (ferrocenyl group) using a chain of -CO-NH-CH2-CH2-. The results of circular dichroismic measurements indicated that FecNCD2 exhibited a superior performance for selective binding to CGG trinucleotide repeats compared to a previous bifunctional electrochemical probe connected with shorter linker -CH2- (FecNCD1). Then, the electrochemical properties of FecNCD2 were evaluated and were found to show a good redox response due to the ferrocene moiety. Owing to the high performances of FecNCD2, the label-free electrochemical biosensor for CGG repeats was constructed by immobilizing them onto gold disk electrode and by using FecNCD2 as an electrochemical probe in solution. Further CGG repeats in solution were confirmed to be detectable using the CGG modified biosensor in competitive experiments, i.e., by treating it in test solutions containing FecNCD2 and d(CGG)10 or others. No interference of ct-DNA on the CGG detection was also confirmed with this approach. The strategy should have significant potential for the development of versatile and low-cost biosensor for early diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases associated with trinucleotide repeats.

Viral diagnostics: will new technology save the day?

Technology for infectious agent detection continues to evolve, particularly molecular methods that first emerged in the mid-1970s. The goals of new technology in diagnostics, whether in humans or in animals, including poultry, are to achieve the highest sensitivity and specificity possible to accurately identify the infection status of an individual or flock in the shortest time possible. Ease of use, low cost and increased information from a single test (e.g. multiplexing) are also critical areas frequently targeted for improvement. New tests and modifications of current tests are reported often, and diagnostic tests are now commonly developed by commercial companies. As one would expect, most advances in diagnostic technology are applied first to human health, and then may be adapted to animal health if practical. In the present review the trends and novel innovative technologies in primarily viral diagnostics are reviewed and the practicality of these methods and application for poultry health are discussed briefly. Also, influenza will seem to be over-represented in viral diagnostics since it is frequently used as a proof-of-concept target for novel technology due to its importance for animal and public health. Finally, the review is intended to be a brief survey of some of the innovative diagnostic technologies reported in recent years. It is not entirely comprehensive of all technology and the author makes no claims or endorsements of any of the technology or products mentioned.

An ultrasensitive electrochemical impedance sensor for a special BRCA1 breast cancer gene sequence based on lambda exonuclease assisted target recycling amplification

A label-free, target recycling electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) DNA sensor has been developed for detection of a model related to the BRCA1 breast cancer gene with a detection limit of 0.05 nM.

Aqua-(dicyanamido-κN)(2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline-κN,N')(nitrato-κO,O')cobalt(II)-2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline-water (2/1/2)

In the title compound, 2[Co(C₂N₃)(NO₃)(C₁₄H₁₂N₂)(H₂O)]·C₁₄H₁₂N₂·2H₂O, the Co^II ion is coordinated by a bidentate 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmphen) ligand, a bidentate nitrate anion, a water mol­ecule and a monodentate dicyan­amide group in a distorted octa­hedral geometry. One uncoordinated dmphen mol­ecule is situated on a crystallographic twofold axis and the asymmetric unit is completed by one water mol­ecule. In the crystal, mol­ecules form a one-dimensional framework in the [001] direction through O—H⋯N and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The crystal packing is further stabilized by π–π stacking inter­actions between the dmphen rings of neighboring mol­ecules, with a centroid–centroid separation of 3.5641 (8) Å and a partially overlapped arrangement of parallel dmphen rings with a distance of 3.407 (2) Å.

Nano-structured nickel oxide based DNA biosensor for detection of visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-azar)

Sol-gel synthesized nickel oxide (NiO) film deposited onto indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass plate has been utilized for the development of sensitive and stable DNA biosensor and demonstrated for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis also known as Kala-azar. Leishmania specific sensor is developed by immobilizing 23mer DNA sequence (oligonucleotide) identified from 18S rRNA gene sequences from Leishmania donovani. Characterization studies like X-Ray Diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed the formation of nano-structured NiO, while immobilization of single strand (ss)-DNA of Leishmania was supported by UV-visible, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy techniques. Response studies of ss-DNA/NiO/ITO bioelectrode are carried out using differential pulsed voltammetry in presence of methylene blue redox dye as a redox mediator. A linear response is obtained in the wide concentration range of 2 pg ml(-1) to 2 μg ml(-1) of complementary target genomic DNA (disease DNA) within the variation of 10% for 5 sets of studies. The observed results hold promise not only for diagnosis of Kala-azar patients but also hold enormous potential of the nano-NiO based probe for development of stable and sensitive biosensors.

Bis(2-methylbenzoato-κ2O,O′)(1,10′-phenanthroline-κ2N,N′)copper(II)

In the title compound, [Cu(C₈H₇O₂)₂(C₁₂H₈N₂)], the Cu^II atom assumes a distorted octa­hedral coordination geometry, chelated by two N atoms from the 1,10′-phenanthroline ligand and four O atoms from two 2-methyl­benzoate anions. A significant Jahn–Teller distortion is observed with two axial Cu—O distances significantly longer than those in the equatorial CuO₂N₂ plane. In the crystal, π–π stacking inter­actions, with centroid–centroid distances of 3.547 (3) or 3.728 (3) Å between the phenanthroline rings, form layers parallel to (011).