Nanotechnology-Enabled PCR with Tunable Energy Dynamics

This Perspective elucidates the transformative impacts of advanced nanotechnology and dynamic energy systems on the polymer chain reaction (PCR), a cornerstone technique in biomedical research and diagnostic applications. Since its invention, the optimization of PCR-specifically its efficiency, specificity, cycling rate, and detection sensitivity-has been a focal point of scientific exploration. Our analysis spans the modulation of PCR from both material and energetic perspectives, emphasizing the intricate interplay between PCR components and externally added entities such as molecules, nanoparticles (NPs), and optical microcavities. We begin with a foundational overview of PCR, detailing the basic principles of PCR modulation through molecular additives to highlight material-level interactions. Then, we delve into how NPs, with their diverse material and surface properties, influence PCR through interface interactions and hydrothermal conduction, drawing parallels to molecular behaviors. Additionally, this Perspective ventures into the energetic regulation of PCR, examining the roles of electromagnetic radiation and optical resonators. We underscore the advanced capabilities of optical technologies in PCR regulation, characterized by their ultrafast, residue-free, and noninvasive nature, alongside label-free detection methods. Notably, optical resonators present a pioneering approach to control PCR processes even in the absence of light, targeting the often-overlooked water component in PCR. By integrating discussions on photocaging and vibrational strong coupling, this review presents innovative methods for the precise regulation of PCR processes, envisioning a new era of PCR technology that enhances both research and clinical diagnostics. The synergy between nanotechnological enhancements and energy dynamics not only enriches our understanding of PCR but also opens new avenues for developing rapid, accurate, and efficient PCR systems. We hope that this Perspective will inspire further innovations in PCR technology and guide the development of next-generation clinical detection instruments.

Application of Nanomaterials to Enhance Polymerase Chain Reaction

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is one of the most common technologies used to produce millions of copies of targeted nucleic acid in vitro and has become an indispensable technique in molecular biology. However, it suffers from low efficiency and specificity problems, false positive results, and so on. Although many conditions can be optimized to increase PCR yield, such as the magnesium ion concentration, the DNA polymerases, the number of cycles, and so on, they are not all-purpose and the optimization can be case dependent. Nano-sized materials offer a possible solution to improve both the quality and productivity of PCR. In the last two decades, nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted significant attention and gradually penetrated the field of life sciences because of their unique chemical and physical properties, such as their large surface area and small size effect, which have greatly promoted developments in life science and technology. Additionally, PCR technology assisted by NPs (NanoPCR) such as gold NPs (Au NPs), quantum dots (QDs), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), etc., have been developed to significantly improve the specificity, efficiency, and sensitivity of PCR and to accelerate the PCR reaction process. This review discusses the roles of different types of NPs used to enhance PCR and summarizes their possible mechanisms.

Highly Specific Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Using Graphene Oxide-Gold Nanoparticles Nanocomposite for Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Detection

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a molecular diagnosis technology with the advantages of rapid results, isothermal reaction conditions, and high sensitivity. However, this diagnostic system often produces false positive results due to a high rate of non-specific reactions caused by formation of hairpin structures, self-dimers, and mismatched hybridization. The non-specific signals can be due to primers used in the methods because the utilization of multiple LAMP primers increases the possibility of self-annealing of primers or mismatches between primers and templates. In this study, we report a nanomaterial-assisted LAMP method that uses a graphene oxide-gold nanoparticles (AuNPs@GO) nanocomposite to enable the detection of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) with high sensitivity and specificity. Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious and deadly disease in cloven-hoofed animals; hence, a rapid, sensitive, and specific detection method is necessary. The proposed approach exhibited high sensitivity and successful reduction of non-specific signals compared to the traditionally established LAMP assays. Additionally, a mechanism study revealed that these results arose from the adsorption of single-stranded DNA on AuNPs@GO nanocomposite. Thus, AuNPs@GO nanocomposite is demonstrated to be a promising additive in the LAMP system to achieve highly sensitive and specific detection of diverse diseases, including FMD.

Effects of Graphene Oxide-Gold Nanoparticles Nanocomposite on Highly Sensitive Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Detection

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has become a powerful molecular diagnostic technique over the past few decades, but remains somewhat impaired due to low specificity, poor sensitivity, and false positive results. Metal and carbon nanomaterials, quantum dots, and metal oxides, can improve the quality and productivity of PCR assays. Here, we describe the ability of PCR assisted with nanomaterials (nano-PCR) comprising a nanocomposite of graphene oxide (GO) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for sensitive detection of the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). Graphene oxide and AuNPs have been widely applied as biomedical materials for diagnosis, therapy, and drug delivery due to their unique chemical and physical properties. Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is highly contagious and fatal for cloven-hoofed animals including pigs, and it can thus seriously damage the swine industry. Therefore, a highly sensitive, specific, and practical method is needed to detect FMDV. The detection limit of real-time PCR improved by ~1000 fold when assisted by GO-AuNPs. We also designed a system of detecting serotypes in a single assay based on melting temperatures. Our sensitive and specific nano-PCR system can be applied to diagnose early FMDV infection, and thus may prove to be useful for clinical and biomedical applications.