Detection of T4 DNA ligase using a solid-state electrochemiluminescence biosensing switch based on ferrocene-labeled molecular beacon

A solid-state electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensing switch based on special ferrocene-labeled molecular beacon (Fc-MB) has been successfully developed for T4 DNA ligase detection. Such special switch system consisted of two main parts, an ECL substrate and an ECL intensity switch. The ECL substrate was made by modifying the complex of Au nanoparticle and Ruthenium (II) tris-(bipyridine) (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺-AuNPs) onto Au electrode. A molecular beacon labeled by ferrocene as the ECL intensity switch. The molecular beacon is designed with special base sequence, which could combine with its target biomolecule via the reaction of the repair and recombination of nucleic acids by DNA ligase. During the reaction, the molecular beacon opened its stem-loop, and the labeled Fc was consequently kept away from the ECL substrate. Such structural change resulted in an obvious increment in ECL intensity due to the decreased Fc quenching effect to the ECL substrate. The analysis results are sensitive and specific.     

Surface-Bonding-Enhanced Self-Co-Reactant Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence for Sensitive and Selective Detection of Thioglycolic Acid in Cosmetics

Thioglycolic acid (TGA) is an organic compound widely used in cosmetics that cause a variety of health problems when overexposed to it. So far many attempts have been made to develop methods for TGA detection, but most of them need sophisticated instrumentations and are a little bit complicated. Therefore, a simple, cheap and sensitive detection method of TGA is highly desired. Herein, we demonstrated for the first time an Au−S bonding amplified, highly sensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensing method for TGA detection using tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺) as a luminophore and TGA as a self-co-reactant, via an anodic reaction at the Au electrode surface. Due to different molecular coordination environments of the TGA at the electrode surface, the ECL signal intensity of the developed ECL system gives much higher ECL signal in borate buffer than phosphate buffer of the same pH. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the ECL intensity has a direct relationship with the concentration of TGA in the range of 0.03 μM to 300 μM and a limit of detection of 0.013 μM (3σ/m). The reported ECL system has further been applied for the detection of TGA in cosmetics with acceptable recoveries.     

Advanced Pt hollow nanospheres/rubrene nanoleaves coupled with M-shaped DNA walker for ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence bioassay

Herein, an intense electrochemiluminescence (ECL) was achieved based on Pt hollow nanospheres/rubrene nanoleaves (Pt HNSs/Rub NLs) without the addition of any coreactant, which was employed for ultrasensitive detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) coupled with an M-shaped DNA walker (M-DNA walker) as signal switch. Specifically, in comparison with platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs), Pt HNSs revealed excellent catalytic performance and pore confinement-enhanced ECL, which could significantly amplify ECL intensity of Rub NLs/dissolved O₂ (DO) binary system. Then, the tracks and M-DNA walker were confined on the Pt HNSs simultaneously to promote the reaction efficiency, whose M-structure boosted the interaction sites between walking strands and tracks and reduced the rigidity of their recognition. Once the CEA approached the sensing interface, the M-DNA walker was activated based on highly specific aptamer recognition to recover ECL intensity with the assistance of exonuclease Ⅲ (Exo Ⅲ). As proof of concept, the “on-off-on” switch aptasensor was constructed for CEA detection with a low detection limit of 0.20 fg/mL. The principle of the constructed ECL aptasensor also enables a universal platform for sensitive detection of other tumor markers.     

Electrochemiluminescence Biosensor Based on PEDOT‐PSS‐ Graphene Functionalized ITO Electrode

A novel and sensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) method for ethanol biosensor was developed by co‐immobilizing the enzyme and ECL reagent Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ on the poly‐(3,4‐ethylene dioxythiophene) and polystyrene sulfonate functionalized graphene (PEDOT‐PSS‐G) nanocomposite film. Positively charged Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ could be immobilized effectively on the electrode surface with the negatively charged PSS and graphene, which provided a stable ECL platform for further modification with the enzyme. Moreover, the introduction of PEDOT and graphene can be acted as a conducting pathway to accelerate the electron transfer due to the high conductivity. Such biosensor combined enzymatic selectivity with the amplification of PEDOT‐PSS‐G performed well with a wide linear range, high sensitivity and good stability. The sensing platform was successfully applied to determine the amounts of alcohol in real samples.     

Plasmon-Enhanced Electrochemiluminescence at the Single-Nanoparticle Level

Plasmon-enhanced electrochemiluminescence (ECL) at the single-nanoparticle (NP) level was investigated by ECL microscopy. The Au NPs were assembled into an ordered array, providing a high-throughput platform that can easily locate each NP in sequential characterizations. A strong dependence of ECL intensity on Au NP configurations was observed. We demonstrate for the first time that at the single-particle level, the ECL of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺-TPrA was majorly quenched by small Au NPs (<40 nm), while enhanced by large Au ones (>80 nm) due to the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). Notably, the ECL intensity was further increased by the coupling effect of neighboring Au NPs. Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) simulations conformed well with the experimental results. This plasmon enhanced ECL microscopy for arrayed single NPs provides a reliable tool for screening electrocatalytic activity at a single particle.     

Electrochemiluminescence Aptasensor for the MUC1 Protein Based on Multi‐functionalized Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite

The electrochemiluminescence (ECL) aptasensor was prepared for the detection of Mucin 1 based on its specific recognition by aptamer immobilized on multi‐functionalized graphene oxide nanocomposite, which was prepared with N‐(4‐aminobutyl)‐N‐ethylisoluminol (ABEI) and aptamer chemically bound to the surface of magnetic GO (nanoFe₃O₄@GO). ABEI and aptamer acted as the electrochemiluminophore and the capture device for Mucin 1 respectively. NanoFe₃O₄@GO brought multi‐functionalized graphene oxide nanocomposite attracted on the surface of magnetic glass carbon electrode through magnetism, enabled all the ABEI immobilized electrochemically active due to its good conductivity and thus then facilitated the sensitive detection of Mucin 1. In addition, the ECL aptasensor can be prepared through a one‐step process. Under optimal conditions, the ECL intensity of the aptasensor decreased proportionally to the logarithmic concentrations of Mucin 1 in the range of 0.005–1000 ng mL^?1. This aptasensor displays good specificity, stability, reproducibility and application. This method has a large potential because such a multi‐functionalized graphene oxide nanocomposite also may be applied to other ECL‐based aptasensors.     

[Ru(bpy)2(dcbpy)NHS] Labeling/Aptamer‐Based Biosensor for the Detection of Lysozyme by Increasing Sensitivity with Gold Nanoparticle Amplification

A novel [Ru(bpy)₂(dcbpy)NHS] labeling/aptamer‐based biosensor combined with gold nanoparticle amplification for the determination of lysozyme with an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) method is presented. In this work, an aptamer, an ECL probe, gold nanoparticle amplification, and competition assay are the main protocols employed in ECL detection. With all the protocols used, an original biosensor coupled with an aptamer and [Ru(bpy)₂(dcbpy)NHS] has been prepared. Its high selectivity and sensitivity are the main advantages over other traditional [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ biosensors. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) characterization illustrate that this biosensor is fabricated successfully. Finally, the biosensor was applied to a displacement assay in different concentrations of lysozyme solution, and an ultrasensitive ECL signal was obtained. The ECL intensity decreased proportionally to the lysozyme concentration over the range 1.0×10^?13–1.0×10^?8 mol L^?1 with a detection limit of 1.0×10^?13 mol L^?1. This strategy for the aptasensor opens a rapid, selective, and sensitive route for the detection of lysozyme and potentially other proteins.     

A Sandwich‐type Electrochemiluminescence Aptasensor for Thrombin Based on Functional Co‐polymer Electrode Using Ru(bpy)32+ Doped Nanocomposites as Signal‐amplifying Tags

Herein, a signal‐on sandwich‐type electrochemiluminescence (ECL) aptasensor for the detection of thrombin (TB) was proposed. The graphene (GR) doped thionine (TH) was electropolymerized synchronously on the bare glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to form co‐polymer (PTG) electrode. The gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were decorated on the surface of the PTG by in‐situ electrodeposition, and the functional co‐polymer (PTG‐AuNPs) electrode was utilized as sensing interface. Then, TB binding aptamer I (TBA I) as capture probes were modified on the PTG‐AuNPs electrode to capture TB, and Ru(bpy)₃²⁺/silver nanoparticles doped silica core‐shell nanocomposites‐labeled TB binding aptamer II (RuAg/SiO₂NPs@TBA II) were used as signal probes to further bind TB, resulting in a sandwich structure. With the assistant of silica shell and AgNPs, the enrichment and luminous efficiency of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ were significantly improved. Under the synergy of PTG‐AuNPs and RuAg/SiO₂NPs, the ECL signal was dramatically increased. The proposed ECL aptasensor displayed a wide linear range from 2 fM to 2 pM with the detection limit of 1 fM, which is comparable or better than that in reported ECL aptasensors for TB using Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ and its derivatives as the luminescent substance. The excellent sensitivity makes the proposed aptasensor a promising potential in pharmaceutical and clinical analysis.     

Enhanced electrochemiluminescence of luminol-O2 system at gold–hydrophobic ionic liquid|water interface

A hydrophobic thiol-functionalized ionic liquid (IL) was synthesized and immobilized tightly on a gold electrode surface via Au–S bond to construct a stable Au–IL|water interface. At the Au–IL|water interface, the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of luminol-O₂ system was investigated. The ECL intensity of luminol-O₂ system at the Au–IL|water interface was much larger and more stable than that at Au|water interface. The enhanced ECL mechanism at the Au–IL|water interface was studied and discussed in details.     

Electrochemiluminescence biosensor for the assay of small molecule and protein based on bifunctional aptamer and chemiluminescent functionalized gold nanoparticles

An electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor for simultaneous detection of adenosine and thrombin in one sample based on bifunctional aptamer and N-(aminobutyl)-N-(ethylisoluminol) functionalized gold nanoparticles (ABEI-AuNPs) was developed. A streptavidin coated gold nanoparticles modified electrode was utilized to immobilize biotinylated bifunctional aptamer (ATA), which consisted of adenosine and thrombin aptamer. The ATA performed as recognition element of capture probe. For adenosine detection, ABEI-AuNPs labeled hybridization probe with a partial complementary sequence of ATA reacted with ATA, leading to a strong ECL response of N-(aminobutyl)-N-(ethylisoluminol) enriched on ABEI-AuNPs. After recognition of adenosine, the hybridization probe was displaced by adenosine and ECL signal declined. The decrease of ECL signal was in proportion to the concentration of adenosine over the range of 5.0 × 10⁻¹²–5.0 × 10⁻⁹ M with a detection limit of 2.2 × 10⁻¹² M. For thrombin detection, thrombin was assembled on ATA modified electrode via aptamer–target recognition, another aptamer of thrombin tagged with ABEI-AuNPs was bounded to another reactive site of thrombin, producing ECL signals. The ECL intensity was linearly with the concentration of thrombin from 5 × 10⁻¹⁴ M to 5 × 10⁻¹⁰ M with a detection limit of 1.2 × 10⁻¹⁴ M. In the ECL biosensor, adenosine and thrombin can be detected when they coexisted in one sample and a multi-analytes assay was established. The sensitivity of the present biosensor is superior to most available aptasensors for adenosine and thrombin. The biosensor also showed good selectivity towards the targets. Being challenged in real plasma sample, the biosensor was confirmed to be a good prospect for multi-analytes assay of small molecules and proteins in biological samples.     

Electrochemiluminescent aptamer biosensor for the determination of ochratoxin A at a gold-nanoparticles-modified gold electrode using N-(aminobutyl)-N-ethylisoluminol as a luminescent label

A highly selective electrochemiluminescent biosensor for the detection of target nephrotoxic toxin, ochratoxin A (OTA), was developed using a DNA aptamer as the recognition element and N-(4-aminobutyl)-N-ethylisoluminol (ABEI) as the signal-producing compound. The electrochemiluminescent aptamer biosensor was fabricated by immobilizing aptamer complementary DNA 1 sequence onto the surface of a gold-nanoparticle (AuNP)-modified gold electrode. ABEI-labeled aptamer DNA 2 sequence hybridized to DNA 1 and was utilized as an electrochemiluminescent probe. A decreased electrochemiluminescence (ECL) signal was generated upon aptamer recognition of the target OTA, which induced the dissociation of DNA 2 (ABEI-labeled aptamer electrochemiluminescent probe) from DNA 1 and moved it far away from the electrode surface. Under the optimal conditions, the decreased ECL intensity was proportional to an OTA concentration ranging from 0.02 to 3.0 ng mL^-1, with a detection limit of 0.007 ng mL^-1. The relative standard deviation was 3.8% at 0.2 ng mL^-1 (n = 7). The proposed method has been applied to measure OTA in naturally contaminated wheat samples and validated by an official method. This work demonstrates the combination of a highly binding aptamer with a highly sensitive ECL technique to design an electrochemiluminescent biosensor, which is a very promising approach for the determination of small-molecule toxins.     

Solid-state electrochemiluminescence protein biosensor with aptamer substitution strategy

One solid-state electrochemiluminescence(ECL) protein biosensor based on the competing reaction and substitute reaction between protein-to-DNA aptamer and DNA-to-DNA aptamer was proposed.Additionally,the biosensor was based on ECL photo-quenching effect of ferrocene(Fc) to tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II)(Ru(bpy)32+).It was built up by modification of Au nanoparticles(AuNPs) and Ru(bpy)3 2+ on one Au electrode firstly,and then self-assembly of one special double-stranded DNA(dsDNA) onto the electrode.This ...     

Ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescent aptasensor for ochratoxin A detection with the loop-mediated isothermal amplification

In this study, we for the first time presented an efficient, accurate, rapid, simple and ultrasensitive detection system for small molecule ochratoxin A (OTA) by using the integration of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique and subsequently direct readout of LAMP amplicons with a signal-on electrochemiluminescent (ECL) system. Firstly, the dsDNA composed by OTA aptamer and its capture DNA were immobilized on the electrode. After the target recognition, the OTA aptamer bond with target OTA and subsequently left off the electrode, which effectively decreased the immobilization amount of OTA aptamer on electrode. Then, the remaining OTA aptamers on the electrode served as inner primer to initiate the LAMP reaction. Interestingly, the LAMP amplification was detected by monitoring the intercalation of DNA-binding Ru(phen)₃²⁺ ECL indictors into newly formed amplicons with a set of integrated electrodes. The ECL indictor Ru(phen)₃²⁺ binding to amplicons caused the reduction of the ECL intensity due to the slow diffusion of Ru(phen)₃²⁺–amplicons complex to the electrode surface. Therefore, the presence of more OTA was expected to lead to the release of more OTA aptamer, which meant less OTA aptamer remained on electrode for producing LAMP amplicons, resulting in less Ru(phen)₃²⁺ interlaced into the formed amplicons within a fixed Ru(phen)₃²⁺ amount with an obviously increased ECL signal input. As a result, a detection limit as low as 10 fM for OTA was achieved. The aptasensor also has good reproducibility and stability.     

Determination of radon using solid state nuclear tracks wireless sensing method

A highly sensitive and selective electrochemiluminescent (ECL) biosensor for the determination of adenosine was developed. Single DNA (capture DNA) was immobilized on the gold electrode through Au-thiol interaction at first. Another DNA modified with tris(2,2'-bipyridyl) ruthenium(II)-doped silica nanoparticles (Ru-SNPs) that contained adenosine aptamer was then modified on the electrode surface through hybridizing with the capture DNA. In the presence of adenosine, adenosine-aptamer complex is produced rather than aptamer-DNA duplex, resulting with the dissociation of Ru-SNPs-labeled aptamer from the electrode surface and the decrease in the ECL intensity. The decrease of ECL intensity has a direct relationship with the logarithm of adenosine concentration in the range of 1.0×10(-10) to 5.0×10(-6)molL(-1). The detection limit of the proposed method is 3.0×10(-11)molL(-1). The existence of guanosine, cytidine and uridine has little interference with adenosine detection, demonstrating that the developed biosensor owns a high selectivity to adenosine. In addition, the developed biosensor also demonstrates very good reusability, as after being reused for 30 times, its ECL signal still keeps 91% of its original state.     

“Signal-on” Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence Biosensing Method for the Determination of Matrix Metalloproteinase 2

A simple, selective and sensitive “signal-on” electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) biosensing method was developed for matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2). Ru(bpy)₃²⁺, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and Nafion were modified onto glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to form Ru(bpy)₃²⁺/AuNPs/Nafion/GCE as sensitive ECL platform and then ferrocene (Fc) labeled peptide was assembled onto the modified electrode to form ECL biosensing platform. The ECL intensity increased when the ECL biosensing electrode reacted with MMP-2 because of MMP-2-induced cleavage of Fc labeled peptide. The ECL method was applied to determine MMP-2 with detection limit of 0.3 ng/mL and one-step recognition, which is promising for point-of-care test of protease.     

High electrochemiluminescence intensity of the Ru(bpy)3 2+/oxalate system on a platinum net electrode

A new method for enhancing the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) intensity of the Ru(bpy)₃ ²⁺/ oxalate system is presented. When a platinum net was used as a working electrode and a platinum foil as an auxiliary electrode, the ECL intensity of the system was enhanced greatly. In addition, a cathodic peak appeared at 0.18 V (vs. SCE) on a platinum net electrode, and ECL of the system was observed at 0.18 V.     

Electrochemiluminescence of Supramolecular Nanorods and Their Application in the “On–Off–On” Detection of Copper Ions

In this work, an “on–off–on” switch system has been successfully applied through the construction of an electrochemiluminscent biosensor for copper ion (Cu²⁺) detection based on a new electrochemiluminescence (ECL) emitter of supramolecular nanorods, which was achieved through supramolecular interactions between 3,4,9,10‐perylenetetracarboxylic acid (PTCA) and aniline. The initial “signal‐on” state with strong and stable ECL emission was obtained by use of the supramolecular nanorods with a new signal amplification strategy involving a co‐reaction accelerator. In addition, ECL quencher probes (Fc‐NH₂/Cu‐Sub/nano‐Au) were fabricated by immobilizing aminoferrocene (Fc‐NH₂) on Cu‐substrate strand modified Au nanoparticles. The quencher probes were hybridized with the immobilized Cu‐enzyme strand to form Cu²⁺‐specific DNAzyme. Similarly, the “signal‐off” state was obtained by the high quenching effect of Fc‐NH₂ on the ECL of the excited‐state PTCA (¹PTCA*). As expected, the second “switch‐on” state could achieved by incubating with the target Cu²⁺, owing to the Cu²⁺‐specific DNAzyme, which was irreversibly cleaved, resulting in the release of the quencher probes from the sensor interface. Herein, on the basis of the ECL intensity changes (ΔI_ECL) before and after incubating with the target Cu²⁺, the prepared Cu²⁺‐specific DNAzyme‐based biosensor was used for the determination of Cu²⁺ concentrations with high sensitivity, excellent selectivity, and good regeneration.     

Electrochemiluminescence of SDBS‐Ru(bpy)32+‐CPM System and Its Application

When the concentration of dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid sodium salt (SDBS) is 0.7 mmol·L^?1, the electrochemical and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) intensity of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺‐chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) system at the Au electrode were studied. The results showed that compared with the absence of SDBS, enhancement of the ECL intensity was 14‐fold at Au electrode. Base on this, an ECL method was established for efficient and simple determination of CPM at Au electrode. Under the optimum experimental condition, the enhanced ECL intensities had good linear relationship with the concentration of CPM in the range of 1.0×10^?4–1.0×10^?7 mol·L^?1, and a linear regression equation was obtained as follows: I (counts)=48.805×10⁶c+394.03 (r=0.9975), the detection limit for CPM was 1.4×10^?8 mol·L^?1. The RSD for 5 times determinations of 1.0×10^?5 mol·L^?1 CPM was 3.2%. The results of recovery test were between 96.3%–102.5%, and the RSD of recovery test (n=5) was 2.7%. In addition, eleven kinds of tertiary amines‐Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ systems were investigated in the absence and presence of SDBS. The results showed that the enhancement of SDBS on ECL intensity of tertiary amines‐Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ systems was universal.     

Detection of thrombin using electrogenerated chemiluminescence based on Ru(bpy)3(2+)-doped silica nanoparticle aptasensor via target protein-induced strand displacement

A sensitive and selective aptasensor using tri(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II)-doped silica nanoparticles (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺-doped SNPs) as DNA tags for detection of thrombin is developed based on the target protein-induced strand displacement of the DNA probe. For the proposed aptasensor, the aptamer was assembled on the surface of the Au electrode through Au-S binding. The hybridization event between the DNA probe labeled by the Ru(bpy)₃²⁺-doped SNPs and the aptamer was evaluated by electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) measurements. Then, the DNA probe was displaced by thrombin and the binding event between the thrombin and the aptamer was monitored by ECL measurements again. The difference of ECL intensity (ΔI_ECL) of the two events could be used to quantify the thrombin. Other proteins, such as bovine serum albumin and bovine hemoglobin, had almost negligible ΔI_ECL. Under the optimal conditions, the ΔI_ECL was linearly related to the concentration of the thrombin in the range of 10 fM to 10 pM and the detection limit was down to 1.0 fM since SNPs containing a large number of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ molecules were labeled on the DNA probe.     

基于Ru(bpy)2+3/AuNPs/SWCNTs/腺苷适配体电化学发光生物传感器用于腺苷的检测

利用AuNPs/Nafion复合膜技术固定Ru(bpy)2+3,采用羧基化碳纳米管固定氨基化腺苷适配体,制备腺甘电化学发光生物传感器.采用循环伏安法和电化学发光法对传感器进行表征.结果表明,此传感器具有良好的稳定性和重现性.腺苷与传感器作用后,腺苷与其适配体形成G四面体结构,Ru(bpy)2+3的电化学发光强度降低.在最佳实验条件下,电化学发光强度降低量与腺苷浓度的负对数在1.0×10-11~1.0×10-7 mol/L范围内呈良好的线性关系,线性方程为ΔIECL=-890lgC-5050,检出限(S/N=3)为5.0 × 10-12 mol/L.对1.0 × 10-10 mol/L腺苷平行测定11次,相对标准偏差为2.7%.用于尿液中腺苷的测定,加标回收率在 97.1%~110.0%之间.