Graphene Oxide Modified Chemically Activated Graphite Electrodes for Detection of microRNA

In our study, graphene oxide (GO) modified graphite electrodes were used for sensitive and selective impedimetric detection of miRNA. After chemical activation of pencil graphite electrode (PGE) surface using covalent agents (CA), GO modification was performed at the surface of chemically activated PGE. Then, CA‐GO‐PGEs were applied for impedimetric miRNA detection. The microscopic and electrochemical characterization of CA‐GO‐PGEs was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The optimization of experimental conditions; such as GO concentration, DNA probe concentration and miRNA target concentration was performed by using EIS technique. After the hybridization occurred between miRNA‐34a RNA target and its complementary DNA probe, the hybrid was immobilized onto the surface of CA‐GO‐PGEs. Then, the impedimetric detection of miRNA‐DNA hybridization was performed by EIS. The selectivity of our assay was also tested under the optimum experimental conditions.     

Tin oxide nanoparticles-polymer modified single-use sensors for electrochemical monitoring of label-free DNA hybridization

In this study, SnO₂ nanoparticles (SNPs)-poly(vinylferrocenium) (PVF⁺) modified single-use graphite electrodes were developed for electrochemical monitoring of DNA hybridization. The surfaces of polymer modified and polymer-SNP modified pencil graphite electrodes (PGEs) were firstly characterized by using SEM analysis. The electrochemical behaviours of these electrodes were also investigated using the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The polymer-SNP modified PGEs were then tested for the electrochemical sensing of DNA based on the changes at the guanine oxidation signals. Experimental parameters, such as; different modifications in DNA oligonucleotides, DNA probe concentrations were examined to obtain more sensitive and selective electrochemical signals for nucleic acid hybridization. After optimization studies, DNA hybridization was investigated in the case of complementary of hepatitis B virus (HBV) probe, mismatch (MM), and noncomplementary (NC) sequences.     

Direct DNA Hybridization on the Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified Sensors Detected by Voltammetry and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Carboxylic acid functionalized single‐walled carbon nanotubes modified graphite sensors (SWCNT‐PGEs) were developed for electrochemical monitoring of direct DNA hybridization related to specific sequence of Hepatitis B virus, which substantially enhance the electrochemical transduction resulting from guanine oxidation signal comparison to bare PGEs. The performance characteristics of DNA hybridization on disposable CNT‐PGE were explored measuring the guanine signal in terms of optimum analytical conditions; probe and target concentration, hybridization time, and selectivity. The voltammetric results were also complemented with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), that was used to characterize the successful construction of carbon nanotubes modification onto the surface of PGEs.     

Ionic Liquid Modified Single‐use Electrode Developed for Voltammetric Detection of miRNA‐34a and its Application to Real Samples

The ionic liquid (IL) modified chemically activated (CA) pencil graphite electrodes (PGEs) were developed for label‐free voltammetric detection of miRNA‐34a, and implemented to the real samples. Firstly, the electrochemical characterization of unmodified PGE, CA‐PGE, IL‐PGE and IL‐CA‐PGE was performed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) as well as their DNA binding capacity was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique. The microscopic characterization of the surface of each electrodes was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) technique was used for measuring the oxidation signal of guanine in order to perform a label‐free voltammetric monitoring of a full‐match hybridization specific to miRNA‐34a. The selectivity of biosensor was tested against to miRNA‐155, miRNA‐660 as well as to the mismatch sequence of miRNA‐34a. The further selectivity of this proposed biosensor was studied in the mixture of samples containing miRNA‐34a with other miRNAs (1 : 1). The voltammetric detection of miRNA‐34a was also explored in the artificial serum medium as fetal bovine serum (FBS) and also in total RNA samples isolated from HUH‐7 human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line.     

Streptavidin Modified Carbon Nanotube Based Graphite Electrode for Label‐Free Sequence Specific DNA Detection

Disposable graphite pencil electrodes (PGE) modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)‐streptavidin (STR) conjugates were used for electrochemical monitoring of label‐free DNA hybridization. The surface morphology of PGE electrode before and after hybridization was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to monitor each step of the construction of the DNA biosensor. The biosensor was demonstrated to have excellent selectivity, being able to differentiate complementary sequences from a noncomplementary ones and in addition select the target sequence of DNA from a mixture of other DNA without loss in current sensitivity.     

Developing an electrochemical deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) biosensor on the basis of human interleukine-2 gene using an electroactive label

Development of an electrochemical DNA biosensor based on a human interleukine-2 (IL-2) gene probe, using a pencil graphite electrode (PGE) as transducer and methylene blue (MB) as electroactive label is described. The sensor relies on the immobilization of a 20-mer single stranded oligonucleotide probe (hIL-2) related to the IL-2 gene on the electrode. The hybridization between the probe and its complementary sequence (chIL-2) as the target was studied by square wave voltammetry (SWV) of MB accumulated on the PGE. In this approach the extent of hybridization is evaluated on the basis of the difference between SWV signals of MB accumulated on the probe-PGE and MB accumulated on the probe-target-PGE. Some hybridization experiments with non-complementary oligonucleotides were carried out to assess whether the suggested DNA sensor responds selectively to the target. Some experimental variables affecting the performance of the biosensor including: polishing of PGE, its electrochemical activation conditions (i.e., activation potential and activation time) and probe immobilization conditions on the electrodes (i.e., immobilization potential and time) were investigated and the optimum values of 1.80 V and 300 s for PGE activation, and −0.5 V and 400 s for the probe immobilization on the electrode were suggested.     

Electrochemical Genoassay Design for Allele‐Specific Detection of Toll‐Like Receptor‐2 Gene Polymorphism

An allele‐specific voltammetric genoassay for the detection of allele‐specific toll‐like receptor‐2 gene arg753gln polymorphism (TLR‐2) from polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified real samples was described in this study. Meldola blue (MDB), an intercalator molecule, was used as hybridization label. The wild‐type and mutant type oligonucleotide probes were immobilized onto disposable graphite electrode surfaces by covalent attachment method. The extent of hybridization between probe and target sequences was determined by using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). As a result of the interaction between MDB and DNA at electrode surface, the MDB signal observed from probe sequence before hybridization and after hybridization with MM sequence is lower than that observed after hybridization with complementary sequence. The differences between the MDB reduction peaks obtained from probe modified, hybrid modified and MM modified electrode were used to detect TLR‐2 from PCR amplified real samples. The discrimination of homozygous and heterozygous alleles was also established by comparing the peak currents of MDB reduction signals. Numerous factors affecting the target hybridization and indicator binding reactions are optimized to maximize the sensitivity.     

Fabrication of a Sensitive Electrochemical Biosensor for Detection of DNA Hybridization Based on Gold Nanoparticles/CuO Nanospindles Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

In this work, a sensitive electrochemical DNA biosensor for the detection of sequence‐specific target DNA was reported. Firstly, CuO nanospindles (CuO NS) were immobilized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Subsequently, gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were introduced to the surface of CuO NS by the electrochemical deposition mode. Probe DNA with SH (HS‐DNA) at the 5′‐phosphate end was covalently immobilized on the surface of the Au NPs through Au? S bond. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to elucidate the morphology of the assembled film, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique (EIS) was used to investigate the DNA sensor assembly process. Hybridization detection of DNA was performed with differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and the methylene blue (MB) was hybridization indicator. Under the optimal conditions, the decline of reduction peak current of MB (ΔI) was linear with the logarithm of the concentration of complementary DNA from 1.0×10^?13 to 1.0×10^?6 mol·L^?1 with a detection limit of 3.5×10^?14 mol·L^?1 (S/N=3). In addition, this DNA biosensor has good selectivity, and even can distinguish single‐mismatched target DNA.     

Carbon Nanotubes Modified Graphite Electrodes for Monitoring of Biointeraction Between 6‐Thioguanine and DNA

In this present study, single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) modified disposable pencil graphite electrodes (SWCNT‐PGEs) were developed for the electrochemical monitoring of anticancer drug, and its interaction with double stranded DNA (dsDNA). Under this aim, SWCNT‐PGEs were applied for the first time in the literature to analyse of 6‐Thioguanine (6‐TG), and also to investigate its interaction with DNA by voltammetric and impedimetric methods. The surface morphologies of PGE and SWCNT‐PGE were explored using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical characterization of unmodified/modified electrodes was performed by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Experimental parameters; such as, the concentration of 6‐TG and its interaction time with dsDNA were optimized by using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Additionally, the interaction of 6‐TG with dsDNA was studied in case of different interaction times by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in contrast to voltammetric results. The detection limit of 6‐TG was found to be 0.25 μM by SWCNT‐PGE.     

Lable‐Free Electrochemical DNA Sensor Based on Gold Nanoparticles/Poly(neutral red) Modified Electrode

We present a new strategy for the label‐free electrochemical detection of DNA hybridization based on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)/poly(neutral red) (PNR) modified electrode. Probe oligonucledotides with thiol groups at the 5‐end were covalently linked onto the surface of AuNPs/PNR modified electrode via S‐Au binding. The hybridization event was monitored by using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) upon hybridization generates electrochemical changes at the PNR‐solution interface. A significant decrease in the peak current was observed upon hybridization of probe with complementary target ssDNA, whereas no obvious change was observed with noncomplementary target ssDNA. And the DNA sensor also showed a high selectivity for detecting one‐mismatched and three‐mismatched target ssDNA and a high sensitivity for detecting complementary target ssDNA, the detection limit is 4.2×10^?12 M for complementary target ssDNA. In addition, the DNA biosensor showed an excellent reproducibility and stability under the DNA‐hybridization conditions.     

Electrochemical Quantitative Analysis of Nucleic Acids Using β‐Cyclodextrin Modified Gold Electrode

We present an electrochemical biosensor for the analysis of nucleic acids upon hybridization on the β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD)‐modified gold electrode. The strategy is based on the following: The 5’‐ferrocene‐labeled single stranded capture probe DNA (5’‐fc‐ss‐DNA) was incorporated into the cavity of thiolated β‐CD which was immobilized on the surface of gold electrode. After hybridization of complementary target DNA, hybridized double stranded DNA (ds‐DNA) was released from the cavity of β‐CD. The difference of electrochemical properties on the modified gold electrode was characterized by cyclic voltametry and surface plasmon resonance. We successfully applied this method to the investigation of the sensor responses due to hybridization on various concentrations of applied target DNA. As a result, the label‐free electrochemical DNA sensor can detect the target DNA with a detection limit of 1.08 nM. Finally, our method does not require either hybridization indicators or other signalling molecules such as DNA intercalaters which most of electrochemical hybridization detection systems require.     

Coupling of a Reagentless Electrochemical DNA Biosensor with Conducting Polymer Film and Nanocomposite as Matrices for the Detection of the HIV DNA Sequences

Abstract

This paper describes a reagentless electrochemical DNA biosensor applied to the detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) sequences based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The novel DNA biosensor has been elaborated by means of an opposite‐charged adsorption Au‐Ag nanocomposite to a conductive polymer polypyrrole (PPy) modified platinum electrode (Pt) and self‐assembly the mercapto oligonucleotide probes onto the surface of modified electrode via the nanocomposite. The duplex formation was detected by measuring the electrochemical impedance signal of nucleic acids in phosphate buffer solution (PBS). Such response is based on the concomitant conductivity changes of the PPy film and nanocomposite. The reagentless scheme has been characterised using 21‐mer synthetic oligonucleotides as models: parameters affecting the hybridization assay were explored and optimized. The detection limit is 5.0×10^?10 M of target oligonucleotides at 3σ. The potential for development of reagentless DNA hybridization analysis in the clinical diagnosis is being pursued.     

Electrochemical Monitoring of DNA Hybridization by Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Based Screen Printed Electrodes

The application of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) based screen printed graphite electrodes (SPEs) was explored in this study for the electrochemical monitoring of DNA hybridization related to specific sequences on Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA. After the microscopic characterization of bare MWCNT‐SPEs and DNA immobilized ones was performed, the optimization of assay has been studied. The development of screen printing process combined with nanomaterial based disposable sensor technology leads herein a great opportunity for DNA detection using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) by measuring the guanine oxidation signal observed at +1.00 V in the presence of DNA hybridization between HBV probe and its complementary, target. The detection limit estimated for signal to noise ratios =3 corresponds to 96.33 nM target concentration in the 40 μL samples. The advantages of carbon nanotube based screen printed electrode used for electrochemical monitoring of DNA hybridization are discussed with sensitivity, selectivity and reproducibility in comparison with previous nanomaterial based electrochemical transducers developed for DNA or other biomolecular recognitions.     

Chitosan/Nitrogen Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide Modified Biosensor for Impedimetric Detection of microRNA

The development of a low‐cost and disposable biosensor platform for the sensitive and rapid detection of microRNAs (miRNAs) is of great interest for healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and medical science. We designed an impedimetric biosensing platform using Chitosan (CHIT)/nitrogen doped reduced graphene oxide (NRGO) conductive composite to modify the surface of pencil graphite electrodes (PGE) for the sensitive detection of miRNAs. An initial optimisation protocol involved investigation of the effect of NRGO concentration and miR 660 DNA probe concentration on the response of the modified electrode. After the optimization protocol, the sequence‐selective hybridization between miR 660 DNA probe and its RNA target was evaluated by measuring changes on charge transfer resistance, R_ct values. Moreover, the selectivity of impedimetric biosensor was tested in the presence of non‐complementary miRNA (NC) sequences, such as miR 34a and miR 16. The hybridization process was examined both in phosphate buffer (PBS) and in PBS diluted fetal bovine serum (FBS:PBS) solutions. The biosensor demonstrated a detection limit of 1.72 μg/mL in PBS and 1.65 μg/mL in FBS:PBS diluted solution. Given the easy, quick and disposable attributes, the proposed conductive nanocomposite biosensor platform shows great promise as a low‐cost sensor kit for healthcare monitoring, clinical diagnostics, and biomedical devices.     

Sensitive and Green Method for Determination of Chemical Oxygen Demand Using a Nano‐copper Based Electrochemical Sensor

Copper nanoparticles (nano‐Cu) were electrodeposited on the surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) potentiostatically at −0.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl for 60 s. The developed nano‐copper modified glassy carbon electrode (nano‐Cu/GCE) was optimized and utilized for electrochemical assay of chemical oxygen demand (COD) using glycine as a standard. The surface morphology and chemical composition of nano‐Cu/GCE were investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometer (EDX), respectively. The electrochemical behavior was investigated using linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) which is characterized by a remarkable anodic peak at ∼0.6 V, compared to bare GCE. This indicates that nano‐Cu enhances significantly the electrochemical oxidation of glycine. The effect of different deposition parameters, such as Cu²⁺ concentration, deposition potential, deposition time, pH, and scan rate on the response of the developed sensor were investigated. The optimized nano‐Cu/GCE based COD sensor exhibited a linear range of 15 to 629.3 ppm, and a lower limit of detection (LOD) of 1.7 ppm (S/N=3). This developed method exhibited high tolerance level to chloride ion (0.35 M chloride ion has minimal influence). The analytical utility of the prepared COD sensor was demonstrated by investigating the COD recovery (99.8±4.3) and the assay of COD in different water samples. The results obtained were verified using the standard dichromate method.     

脱氧核糖核酸在硬脂酸铝离子膜上固定杂交及BAR基因片段检测

将石墨粉、固体石蜡和硬脂酸按一定比例混合制得表面富含羧基的碳糊电极,然后在电极表面组装荷正电的铝离子膜。在硬脂酸铝离子膜上进行DNA探针的固定和与目标基因的杂交。以亚甲蓝为杂交指示剂,用循环伏安法优化了DNA的固定和杂交条件。应用该电化学生物传感器以微分脉冲伏安法对转基因玉米外源BAR基因片段进行了检测,结果令人满意。     

Electrochemical Determination of Label Free BRCA Hybridization by Single Use Antioxidant Modified Electrode

A novel DNA probe based on caffeic acid modified disposable pencil graphite electrodes were developed for the first time for the electrochemical determination of breast cancer gene sequence (BRCA) hybridization. Amino‐linked BRCA probe highly immobilized onto the caffeic acid modified electrode by means of the interaction between the amino group of BRCA probe and the carboxyl group of caffeic acid compared to the bare electrode. 44 % signal enhancement in guanine oxidation signal was measured by caffeic acid modified electrode. Besides, these probes exhibited high selectivity towards its complementary DNA sequences (target). Hybridization between probe and target (BRCA1) was studied to evaluate the selectivity of the probes for complementary, non‐complementary and mismatch sequences. The selectivity was also tested in the presence of mixture containing the target and one base mismatch BRCA sequences in the same ratio (1 : 1). It can be said this probe can select its complementary from the mixture.     

基于聚硫堇膜对DNA杂交的直接电化学检测

In this work, the application of a conducting polymer, poly（thionine）, modified electrode as matrix to DNA immobilization as well as transducer to label-free DNA hybridization detection was introduced. The electropolymerization of thionine onto electrode surface was carried out by a simple two-step method, which involved a preanodization of glassy carbon electrode at a constant positive potential in thionine solution following cyclic voltammetry scans in the solution. Electrochemical detection was performed by differential pulse voltammetry in the electroactivity potential domain of poly（thionine）. The resulting poly（thionine） modified electrode showed a good stability and electroactivity in aqueous media during a near neutral pH range. Additionally, the pendant amino groups on the poly（thionine） chains enabled poly（thionine） modified electrode to immobilize phosphate group terminated DNA probe via covalent linkage. Hybridization process induced a clear decrease in poly（thionine） redox current, which was corresponding to the decrease in poly（thionine） electroactivity after double stranded DNA was formed on the polymer film. The detection limit of this electrochemical DNA hybridization sensor was 1.0 × 10^-10mol/L. Compared with complementary sequence, the hybridization signal values of 1-base mismatched and 3-base mismatched samples were 63.9% and 9.2%, respectively.     

Nucleic Acid Biosensor for Detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Using Aquabis(1,10‐phenanthroline)copper(II) Perchlorate as Electrochemical Indicator

The electrochemical behavior of aquabis(1,10‐phenanthroline)copper(II) perchlorate [Cu(H₂O)(phen)₂]·2ClO₄, where phen=1,10‐phenanthroline, on binding to DNA at a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and in solution, was described. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) results showed that [Cu(H₂O)(phen)₂]²⁺ had excellent electrochemical activity on the GCE with a couple of quasi‐reversible redox peaks. The interaction mode between [Cu(H₂O)(phen)₂]²⁺ and double‐strand DNA (dsDNA) was identified to be intercalative binding. An electrochemical DNA biosensor was developed with covalent immobilization of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) probe for single‐strand DNA (ssDNA) on the modified GCE. Numerous factors affecting the probe immobilization, target hybridization, and indicator binding reactions were optimized to maximize the sensitivity and speed of the assay. With this approach, a sequence of the HIV could be quantified over the range from 7.8×10^?9 to 3.1×10^?7 mol·L^?1 with a linear correlation of γ=0.9987 and a detection limit of 1.3×10^?9 mol·L^?1.     

Electrochemical Determination of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) Using a Copper-Based Metal-Organic Framework (Cu-MOF) and Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs) with Exonuclease III (Exo III) Assisted Recycling by Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV)

Abstract

A sensitive electrochemical biosensor was designed for determination of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) using a copper-based metal-organic framework (Cu-MOF), which has strong electrochemical activity and exonuclease III (Exo III)-assisted recycling for dual signal amplification. Hairpin DNA (S1) was immobilized on the electrode. The AFB1 was recognized by aptamer DNA (S2) and complementary DNA (S3) was released. The S3 hybridized with the hairpin S1 to form the Exo III hydrolyzed double-stranded DNA, leaving a partial sequence of hairpin DNA (S1′) on the electrode and releasing S3 for the next cycle of the opening and digestion of hairpin S1. The amplified S1′ then was able to combine with more signal probes. Cu-MOF bond gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by -NH₂ were immobilized to capture DNA (S4) to obtain Cu-MOF/AuNPs/S4. This signal probe Cu-MOF/AuNPs/S4 was able to hybridize with the electrode and generate an amplified electrochemical signal. Under the optimized conditions, this electrochemical biosensor for AFB1 exhibited a low detection limit of 6.7?×?10^?7?ng/mL at a signal-to-noise equal to 3 and a wide linear range from 10^?6 to 1?ng/mL. The biosensor was also used to analyze AFB1-spiked beer sample with recovery values between 96% and 103%. This method has the potential to become a valuable technology for detecting various toxins by the selection of the appropriate aptamer DNA.