Detection of short oligonucleotide sequences of hepatitis B virus using electrochemical DNA hybridisation biosensor

Nanomaterials Connected to Bioreceptors to Introduce Efficient Biosensing Strategy for Diagnosis of the TORCH Infections: A Critical Review

TORCH infection is a significant risk factor for severe fetal damage, especially congenital malformations. Screening pregnant women for TORCH pathogens could reduce the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes and prevent birth defects. Hence, timely identification and inhibition of TORCH infections are effective ways to successfully prevent them in pregnant women. Recently, the superiority of biosensors in TORCH pathogen sensing has been emphasized due to their intrinsic benefits, such as rapid response time, portability, cost-effectiveness, much friendlier preparation and determination steps. With the introduction of advanced nanomaterials into biosensing, the diagnostic properties of biosensors have significantly improved. This study core presents and debates the current progress in biosensing systems for TORCH pathogens using various artificial and natural receptors. The incorporation of nanomaterials into various transduction systems can enhance diagnostic performance. The key performance characteristics of optical and electrochemical biosensors, such as response time, limit of detection (LOD), and linear detection range, are systematically discussed, along with the current TORCH pathogens used for constructing biosensors. Finally, the major problems that exist for converting scientific investigation into product development are also outlined.

Label-free E-DNA biosensor based on PANi-RGO-G*NPs for detection of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal blood and fetal gender determination in early pregnancy

In this study, a DYS14 aptamer/polyaniline-reduced graphene oxide-gold nanoparticles/gold (Apt/PANi-RGO-G*NPs/Au) electrode was fabricated to detect the Y-chromosome DYS14 DNA sequence in cffDNA in the blood plasma of pregnant women and used on real and laboratory samples with high success rate. The electrochemical properties of the prepared E-DNA biosensor were characterized by CV, SWV, XRD, and EIS. The E-DNA biosensor morphological characteristics were investigated by TEM, SEM, and EDX. Phosphorothioate was used to link the aptamer to PANi-RGO-G*NPs modified gold electrode. This is due to control of the adsorption polarity and increase adsorption stability. Under optimized conditions, the linear range of the analytical technique with respect to the logarithm of the target sequence concentration was 1.0 × 10^-16-1.0 × 10^-8 M, the detection limit was 4.26 × 10^-17 M, and the limit of quantitation was 1.422 × 10^-16 M. The E-DNA biosensor displayed high selectivity and sensitivity, high efficiency, and acceptable repeatability. For fetal sex detection, 12 pregnant women from the 5th to the 15th week of gestation participated in the study. Results indicated the fabricated Apt/PANi-RGO-G*NPs/Au E-DNA biosensor to be appropriate for fetal sex determination in pregnant women between the 7th and 9th week of gestation. Notably, this method can be used as a model for the study of pathogens like bacteria and viruses.

Emerging materials for the electrochemical detection of COVID-19

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is still causing a dramatic loss of human lives worldwide, constituting an unprecedented challenge for the society, public health and economy, to overcome. The up-to-date diagnostic tests, PCR, antibody ELISA and Rapid Antigen, require special equipment, hours of analysis and special staff. For this reason, many research groups have focused recently on the design and development of electrochemical biosensors for the SARS-CoV-2 detection, indicating that they can play a significant role in controlling COVID disease. In this review we thoroughly discuss the transducer electrode nanomaterials investigated in order to improve the sensitivity, specificity and response time of the as-developed SARS-CoV-2 electrochemical biosensors. Particularly, we mainly focus on the results appeard on Au-based and carbon or graphene-based electrodes, which are the main material groups recently investigated worldwidely. Additionally, the adopted electrochemical detection techniques are also discussed, highlighting their pros and cos. The nanomaterial-based electrochemical biosensors could enable a fast, accurate and without special cost, virus detection. However, further research is required in terms of new nanomaterials and synthesis strategies in order the SARS-CoV-2 electrochemical biosensors to be commercialized.

Voltammetric detection of miRNA hybridization based on electroactive indicator-cobalt phenanthroline

The indicator-based nucleic acid detection protocol is one of the major approaches to monitor the sequence-selective nucleic acid hybridization-mediated recognition events in biochemical analysis. The metal complex, cobalt phenanthroline, [Co(phen)33+], which is one of the electroactive indicators, interacts more with double stranded nucleic acids via intercalation. Thus, this interaction permits an increase at the electrochemical signal of [Co(phen)33+]. In our study, the interaction of metal complex, [Co(phen)33+] with nucleic acids was examined using pencil graphite electrodes (PGEs) in combination with differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) technique. The voltammetric detection of miRNA-34a was investigated based on the changes at the electrochemical signal of [Co(phen)33+] under optimized experimental conditions; such as accumulation potentialof metal complex and DNA probe concentration, hybridization time, target miRNA concentration. Furthermore, the selectivity of electrochemical miRNA-34a biosensor was studied in contrast to different miRNAs. The applicability of indicator-based biosensor specific to miRNA-34a was also presented by using total RNA samples.

Voltammetric determination of attomolar levels of a sequence derived from the genom of hepatitis B virus by using molecular beacon mediated circular strand displacement and rolling circle amplification

The authors describe an electrochemical method for the determination of the single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) oligonucleotide with a sequence derived from the genom of hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is making use of circular strand displacement (CSD) and rolling circle amplification (RCA) strategies mediated by a molecular beacon (MB). This ssDNA hybridizes with the loop portion of the MB immobilized on the surface of a gold electrode, while primer DNA also hybridizes with the rest of partial DNA sequences of MB. This triggers the MB-mediated CSD. The RCA is then initiated to produce a long DNA strand with multiple tandem-repeat sequences, and this results in a significant increase of the differential pulse voltammetric response of the electrochemical probe Methylene Blue at a rather low working potential of -0.24 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Under optimal experimental conditions, the assay displays an ultrahigh sensitivity (with a 2.6 aM detection limit) and excellent selectivity. Response is linear in the 10 to 700 aM DNA concentration range. Graphical abstract Schematic of a voltammetric method for the determination of attomolar levels of target DNA. It is based on molecular beacon mediated circular strand displacement and rolling circle amplification strategies. Under optimal experimental conditions, the assay displays an ultrahigh sensitivity with a 2.6 aM detection limit and excellent selectivity.

Electrochemical Behavior and Voltammetric Determination of a Manganese(II) Complex at a Carbon Paste Electrode

Investigation of the electrochemical behavior using cyclic voltammetry and detection of [Mn(2+)(thiophenyl-2-carboxylic acid)2 (triethanolamine)] with adsorptive stripping differential pulse voltammetry. The electrochemical behavior of a manganese(II) complex [Mn(2+)(thiophenyl-2-carboxylic acid)2(triethanolamine)] (A) was investigated using cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry in an acetate buffer of pH 4.6 at a carbon paste electrode. Further, an oxidation-reduction mechanism was proposed. Meanwhile, an adsorptive stripping differential pulse voltammetric method was developed for the determination of manganese(II) complex.