DNA Biosensor Based on Double-Layer Discharge for the Detection of HPV Type 16

Highly sensitive and specific detection of human papillomavirus type 16 using CRISPR/Cas12a assay coupled with an enhanced single nanoparticle dark-field microscopy imaging technique

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a prevalent sexually transmitted pathogen associated with cervical cancer. Detecting high-risk HPV (hr-HPV) infections is crucial for cervical cancer prevention, particularly in resource-limited settings. Here, we present a highly sensitive and specific sensor for HPV-16 detection based on CRISPR/Cas12a coupled with enhanced single nanoparticle dark-field microscopy (DFM) imaging techniques. Ag-Au satellites were assembled through the hybridization of AgNPs-based spherical nucleic acid (Ag-SNA) and AuNPs-based spherical nucleic acid (Au-SNA), and their disassembly upon target-mediated cleavage by the Cas12a protein was monitored using DFM for HPV-16 quantification. To enhance the cleavage efficiency and detection sensitivity, the composition of the ssDNA sequences on Ag-SNA and Au-SNA was optimized. Additionally, we explored using the SynSed technique (synergistic sedimentation of Brownian motion suppression and dehydration transfer) as an alternative particle transfer method in DFM imaging to traditional electrostatic deposition. This addresses the issue of inconsistent deposition efficiency of Ag-Au satellites and their disassembly due to their size and charge differences. The sensor achieved a remarkable limit of detection (LOD) of 10 fM, lowered by 9-fold compared to traditional electrostatic deposition methods. Clinical testing in DNA extractions from 10 human cervical swabs demonstrated significant response differences between the positive and negative samples. Our sensor offers a promising solution for sensitive and specific HPV-16 detection, with implications for cancer screening and management.

Micro-interdigitated electrodes genosensor based on Au-deposited nanoparticles for early detection of cervical cancer

Genosensor-based electrodes mediated with nanoparticles (NPs) have tremendously developed in medical diagnosis. Herein, we report a facile, rapid, low cost and highly sensitive biosensing strategy for early detection of HPV 18 using gold-nanoparticles (AuNPs) deposited on micro-IDEs. This study represents surface charge transduction of micro-interdigitated electrodes (micro-IDE) alumina insulated with silica, independent and mini genosensor modified with colloidal gold NPs (AuNPs), and determination of gene hybridization for early detection of cervical cancer. The surface of AuNPs deposited micro-IDE functionalized with optimized 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES) followed by hybridization with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) virus to develop DNA genosensor. The results of ssDNA hybridization with the ssDNA target of human papillomavirus (HPV) 18 have affirmed that micro-IDE functionalized with colloidal AuNPs resulted in the lowest detection at 0.529 aM. Based on coefficient regression, micro-IDE functionalized with AuNPs produces better results in the sensitivity test (R2 = 0.99793) than unfunctionalized micro-IDE.

Electrochemical bioplatform for the determination of the most common and carcinogenic human papillomavirus DNA

Nucleic acid-based analytical bioplatforms have gained importance as diagnostic tests for genomics and as early detection tools for diseases such as cancer. In this context, we report the development of an amperometric bioplatform for the determination of a specific human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) sequence. The bioplatform utilizes an immune-nucleic acid hybrid-sandwich assay. A biotinylated RNA capture probe (RNAbCp), complementary to the selected HPV16 target DNA sequence, was immobilised on the surface of streptavidin coated magnetic microbeads (Strep-MBs). The RNA/DNA heteroduplex resulting from the hybridization of the RNAbCP and the HPV16 target sequence was recognised by a commercial antibody that specifically bound to the heteroduplex (Ab_DNA-RNA). A horseradish-peroxide labeled secondary antibody (antiIgG-HRP) was used for the detection of Ab_DNA-RNA. Relying on amperometric detection of the resulting HRP-labeled magnetic bioconjugates captured on screen-printed electrodes (SPCEs) in the presence of H₂O₂ and hydroquinone (HQ), the biotool achieved a low limit of detection (0.5 pM) for the synthetic HPV16 target DNA. In addition, the developed bioplatform was able to discriminate between HPV16 positive and negative human cancer cells using only 25 ng of amplified DNA in a test time of 45 min.

Anomalous Underscreening in the Restricted Primitive Model

Underscreening is a collective term for charge correlations in electrolytes decaying slower than the Debye length. Anomalous underscreening refers to phenomenology that cannot be attributed alone to steric interactions. Experiments with concentrated electrolytes and ionic fluids report anomalous underscreening, which so far has not been observed in simulation. We present Molecular Dynamics simulation results exhibiting anomalous underscreening that can be connected to cluster formation. A theory that accounts for ion pairing confirms the trend. Our results challenge the classic understanding of dense electrolytes impacting the design of technologies for energy storage and conversion.

An Electroanalytical Flexible Biosensor Based on Reduced Graphene Oxide-DNA Hybrids for the Early Detection of Human Papillomavirus-16

Human Papilloma Virus 16 (HPV 16) is the well-known causative species responsible for triggering cervical cancer. When left undiagnosed and untreated, this disease leads to life-threatening events among the female populace, especially in developing nations where healthcare resources are already being stretched to their limits. Considering various drawbacks of conventional techniques for diagnosing this highly malignant cancer, it becomes imperative to develop miniaturized biosensing platforms which can aid in early detection of cervical cancer for enhanced patient outcomes. The current study reports on the development of an electrochemical biosensor based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/DNA hybrid modified flexible carbon screen-printed electrode (CSPE) for the detection of HPV 16. The carbon-coated SPEs were initially coated with rGO followed by probe DNA (PDNA) immobilization. The nanostructure characterization was performed using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were employed to study the electrochemical characterization of the nano-biohybrid sensor surface. The optimization studies and analytical performance were assessed using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), eventually exhibiting a limit of detection (LoD) ~2 pM. The developed sensor was found to be selective solely to HPV 16 target DNA and exhibited a shelf life of 1 month. The performance of the developed flexible sensor further exhibited a promising response in spiked serum samples, which validates its application in future point-of-care scenarios.

A Multianalyte Electrochemical Genosensor for the Detection of High-Risk HPV Genotypes in Oral and Cervical Cancers

Infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major risk factor for oral and cervical cancers. Hence, we developed a multianalyte electrochemical DNA biosensor that could be used for both oral and cervical samples to detect the high-risk HPV genotypes 16 and 18. The assay involves the sandwich hybridization of the HPV target to the silica-redox dye reporter probe and capture probe, followed by electrochemical detection. The sensor was found to be highly specific and sensitive, with a detection limit of 22 fM for HPV-16 and 20 fM for HPV-18, between the range of 1 fM and 1 µM. Evaluation with oral and cervical samples showed that the biosensor result was consistent with the nested PCR/gel electrophoresis detection. The biosensor assay could be completed within 90 min. Due to its simplicity, rapidity, and high sensitivity, this biosensor could be used as an alternative method for HPV detection in clinical laboratories as well as for epidemiological studies.

The first diagnostic test for specific detection of Mycobacterium simiae using an electrochemical label-free DNA nanobiosensor

Mycobacterium simiae has been reported to be the most prevalent species of Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in many countries. As both phenotypic and molecular detection of M. simiae and other NTMs have limitations, finding an accurate, fast, and low-cost diagnostic method is critical for the management of infections. Here, we report the development of a new type of label-free electrochemical biosensor using a gold electrode decorated with l-cysteine/PAMAM dendrimer for specific targeting of M. simiae ITS sequence. DNA hybridization was monitored by measuring changes in the free guanine electrical signal with changing ssDNA target concentrations by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) method. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied for the optimization of variables affecting biosensor response. Under optimal conditions, the biosensor revealed a wide linear range from 10^-14 M to 10^-6 M and a detection limit of 1.40 fM. The fabricated biosensor showed an excellent selectivity to M. simiae in the presence of other similar pathogenic bacteria. Moreover, experimental results confirmed that this biosensor exhibited great precision and high reproducibility, hence provides a low-cost, label-free, and faster detection analysis, representing a novel strategy in detecting other NTMs.

Designing DNA probe from HPV 18 and 58 in the E6 region for sensing element in the development of genosensor-based gold nanoparticles

The E6 region has higher protuberant probability annealing than consensus probe focusing on another region in the human papillomavirus (HPV) genome in terms of detection and screening method. Here, we designed the first multiple virus single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA) for multiple detections in an early phase of screening for cervical cancer in the E6 region and became a fundamental evolution of detection electrochemical HPV biosensor. Gene profiling of the virus ssDNA sequences has been carried by high-end bioinformatics tools such as GenBank, Basic Local Alignment Searching Tools (BLAST), and Clustal OMEGA in a row. The output from bioinformatics tools resulted in 100% of similarities between our virus ssDNA probe and HPV complete genome in the databases. The cross-validation between HPV genome and our designed virus ssDNA provided high specificity and selectivity during screening methods compared with Pap smear. The DNA probe for HPV 18, 5' COOH-GAT CCA GAA GGT ACA GAC GGG GAG GGC ACG 3', while 5'COOH-GGG CGC TGT GCA GTG TGT TGG AGA CCC CGA3' as DNA probe for HPV 58 designed with 66.77% guanine (G) and cytosine (C) content for both. Our virus ssDNA probe for the HPV biosensor promises high sensitivity, specificity, selectivity, repeatability, low fluid consumption, and will be useful in mini-size diagnostic devices for cervical cancer detection.

Electrochemical Resistive DNA Biosensor for the Detection of HPV Type 16

In this work, a low-cost and rapid electrochemical resistive DNA biosensor based on the current relaxation method is described. A DNA probe, complementary to the specific human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) sequence, was immobilized onto a screen-printed gold electrode. DNA hybridization was detected by applying a potential step of 30 mV to the system, composed of an external capacitor and the modified electrode DNA/gold, for 750 µs and then relaxed back to the OCP, at which point the voltage and current discharging curves are registered for 25 ms. From the discharging curves, the potential and current relaxation were evaluated, and by using Ohm's law, the charge transfer resistance through the DNA-modified electrode was calculated. The presence of a complementary sequence was detected by the change in resistance when the ssDNA is transformed in dsDNA due to the hybridization event. The target DNA concentration was detected in the range of 5 to 20 nM. The results showed a good fit to the regression equation ΔRtotal(Ω)=2.99 × [DNA]+81.55, and a detection limit of 2.39 nM was obtained. As the sensing approach uses a direct current, the electronic architecture of the biosensor is simple and allows for the separation of faradic and nonfaradaic contributions. The simple electrochemical resistive biosensor reported here is a good candidate for the point-of-care diagnosis of HPV at a low cost and in a short detection time.

Ultrasensitive Electrochemical Impedance Detection of Mycoplasma agalactiae DNA by Low-Cost and Disposable Au-Decorated NiO Nanowall Electrodes

Nanostructured electrodes detecting bacteria or viruses through DNA hybridization represent a promising method, which may be useful in on-field applications where PCR-based methods are very expensive, time-consuming, and require trained personnel. Indeed, electrochemical sensors combine disposability, fast response, high sensitivity, and portability. Here, a low-cost and high-surface-area electrode, based on Au-decorated NiO nanowalls, demonstrates a highly sensitive PCR-free detection of a real sample of Mycoplasma agalactiae (Ma) DNA. NiO nanowalls, synthesized by aqueous methods, thermal annealing, and Au decoration, by electroless deposition, ensure a high-surface-area platform for successful immobilization of Ma thiolated probe DNA. The morphological, chemical, and electrochemical properties of the electrode were characterized, and a reproducible detection of synthetic Ma DNA was observed and investigated by impedance measurements. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) ascribed the origin of impedance signal to the Ma DNA hybridization with its probe immobilized onto the electrode. The electrode successfully discriminates between DNA extracted from healthy and infected sheep milk, showing the ability to detect Ma DNA in concentrations as low as 53 ± 2 copy number μL^-1. The Au-decorated NiO nanowall electrode represents a promising route toward PCR-free, disposable, rapid, and molecular detection.

Label-Free Biosensors for Laboratory-Based Diagnostics of Infections: Current Achievements and New Trends

Infections pose a serious global public health problem and are a major cause of premature mortality worldwide. One of the most challenging objectives faced by modern medicine is timely and accurate laboratory-based diagnostics of infectious diseases. Being a key factor of timely initiation and success of treatment, it may potentially provide reduction in incidence of a disease, as well as prevent outbreak and spread of dangerous epidemics. The traditional methods of laboratory-based diagnostics of infectious diseases are quite time- and labor-consuming, require expensive equipment and qualified personnel, which restricts their use in case of limited resources. Over the past six decades, diagnostic technologies based on lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) have been and remain true alternatives to modern laboratory analyzers and have been successfully used to quickly detect molecular ligands in biosubstrates to diagnose many infectious diseases and septic conditions. These devices are considered as simplified formats of modern biosensors. Recent advances in the development of label-free biosensor technologies have made them promising diagnostic tools that combine rapid pathogen indication, simplicity, user-friendliness, operational efficiency, accuracy, and cost effectiveness, with a trend towards creation of portable platforms. These qualities exceed the generally accepted standards of microbiological and immunological diagnostics and open up a broad range of applications of these analytical systems in clinical practice immediately at the site of medical care (point-of-care concept, POC). A great variety of modern nanoarchitectonics of biosensors are based on the use of a broad range of analytical and constructive strategies and identification of various regulatory and functional molecular markers associated with infectious bacterial pathogens. Resolution of the existing biosensing issues will provide rapid development of diagnostic biotechnologies.