Electrochemical and Electrochemiluminescence Determination of Cancer Cells Based on Aptamers and Magnetic Beads

The electrochemical and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detection of cell lines of Burkitt’s lymphoma (Ramos) by using magnetic beads as the separation tool and high‐affinity DNA aptamers for signal recognition is reported. Au nanoparticles (NPs) bifunctionalized with aptamers and CdS NPs were used for electrochemical signal amplification. The anodic stripping voltammetry technology employed for the analysis of cadmium ions dissolved from CdS NPs on the aggregates provided a means to quantify the amount of the target cells. This electrochemical method could respond down to 67 cancer cells per mL with a linear calibration range from 1.0×10² to 1.0×10⁵ cells mL^?1, which shows very high sensitivity. In addition, the assay was able to differentiate between target and control cells based on the aptamer used in the assay, indicating the wide applicability of the assay for diseased cell detection. ECL detection was also performed by functionalizing the signal DNA, which was complementary to the aptamer of the Ramos cells, with tris(2,2‐bipyridyl) ruthenium. The ECL intensity of the signal DNA, replaced by the target cells from the ECL probes, directly reflected the quantity of the amount of the cells. With the use of the developed ECL probe, a limit of detection as low as 89 Ramos cells per mL could be achieved. The proposed methods based on electrochemical and ECL should have wide applications in the diagnosis of cancers due to their high sensitivity, simplicity, and low cost.     

Simple DPPH.‐Based Electrochemical Assay for the Evaluation of the Antioxidant Capacity: a Thorough Comparison with Spectrophotometric Assays and Evaluation with Real‐World Samples

An assay based on the electrochemical detection of 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH^.) for the evaluation of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was optimized. The assay is interchangeable with the classic spectrophotometric tests for TAC based on the same radical. In addition, it can be used for the analysis of dilute samples with low antioxidant capacities. A good linear correlation (R²=0.97) was obtained between the results obtained with the proposed electrochemical assay and the Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity test based on ABTS radical. The assay was successfully used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of two red wines obtained by six different maceration‐fermentation techniques.     

Electrochemical strategy for sensing DNA methylation and DNA methyltransferase activity

The present work demonstrates a novel signal-off electrochemical method for the determination of DNA methylation and the assay of methyltransferase activity using the electroactive complex [Ru(NH₃)₆]³⁺ (RuHex) as a signal transducer. The assay exploits the electrostatic interactions between RuHex and DNA strands. Thiolated single strand DNA1 was firstly self-assembled on a gold electrode via Au–S bonding, followed by hybridization with single strand DNA2 to form double strand DNA containing specific recognition sequence of DNA adenine methylation MTase and methylation-responsive restriction endonuclease Dpn I. The double strand DNA may adsorb lots of electrochemical species ([Ru(NH₃)₆]³⁺) via the electrostatic interaction, thus resulting in a high electrochemical signal. In the presence of DNA adenine methylation methyltransferase and S-adenosyl-l-methionine, the formed double strand DNA was methylated by DNA adenine methylation methyltransferase, then the double strand DNA can be cleaved by methylation-responsive restriction endonuclease Dpn I, leading to the dissociation of a large amount of signaling probes from the electrode. As a result, the adsorption amount of RuHex reduced, resulting in a decrease in electrochemical signal. Thus, a sensitive electrochemical method for detection of DNA methylation is proposed. The proposed method yielded a linear response to concentration of Dam MTase ranging from 0.25 to 10 U mL⁻¹ with a detection limit of 0.18 U mL⁻¹ (S/N = 3), which might promise this method as a good candidate for monitoring DNA methylation in the future.     

Aptamer based strategy for cytosensing and evaluation of HER-3 on the surface of MCF-7 cells by using the signal amplification of nucleic acid-functionalized nanocrystals

The electrochemical detection of cell lines of MCF-7 (human breast cancer) has been reported, using magnetic beads for the separation tool and high-affinity DNA aptamers for signal recognition. The high specificity was obtained by using the magnetic beads and aptamers, and the good sensitivity was realized with the signal amplification of DNA capped CdS or PbS nanocrystals. The ASV (anodic stripping voltammetry) technology was employed for the detection of cadmic cation and lead ions, for electrochemical assay of the amount of the target cells and biomarkers on the membrane of target cells, respectively. This electrochemical method could respond to as low as 100 cells mL⁻¹ of cancer cells with a linear calibration range from 1.0 × 10² to 1.0 × 10⁶ cells mL⁻¹, showing very high sensitivity. Moreover, the amounts of HER-3 which were overexpressed on MCF-7 cells were calculated correspond to be 3.56 × 10⁴ anti-HER-3 antibody molecules. In addition, the assay was able to differentiate between different types of target and control cells based on the aptamers and magnetic beads used in the assay, indicating the wide applicability of the assay for early and accurate diagnose of cancers.     

Cholera toxin subunit B detection in microfluidic devices

Fluorescence and electrochemical microfluidic biosensors were developed for the detection of cholera toxin subunit B (CTB) as a model analyte. The microfluidic devices were made from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using soft lithography from silicon templates. The polymer channels were sealed with a glass plate and packaged in a polymethylmethacrylate housing that provided leakproof sealing and a connection to a syringe pump. In the electrochemical format, an interdigitated ultramicroelectrode array (IDUA) was patterned onto the glass slide using photolithography, gold evaporation and lift-off processes. For CTB recognition, CTB-specific antibodies were immobilized onto superparamagnetic beads and ganglioside GM₁ was incorporated into liposomes. The fluorescence dye sulforhodamine B (SRB) and the electroactive compounds potassium hexacyanoferrate (II)/hexacyanoferrate (III) were used as detection markers that were encapsulated inside the liposomes for the fluorescence and electrochemical detection formats, respectively. Initial optimization experiments were carried out by applying the superparamagnetic beads in microtiter plate assays and SRB liposomes before they were transferred to the microfluidic systems. The limits of detection (LoD) of both assay formats for CTB were found to be 6.6 and 1.0 ng mL⁻¹ for the fluorescence and electrochemical formats, respectively. Changing the detection system was very easy, requiring only the synthesis of different marker-encapsulating liposomes, as well as the exchange of the detection unit. It was found that, in addition to a lower LoD, the electrochemical format assay showed advantages over the fluorescence format in terms of flexibility and reliability of signal recording.     

Gold nanoparticle-labeled detection antibodies for use in an enhanced electrochemical immunoassay of hepatitis B surface antigen in human serum

The application of gold nanoparticle-based electrochemical immunoassays have been extensively studied for the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), but most often they exhibit low sensitivity. We describe the fabrication of a new electrochemical immunoassay for signal amplification of the antigen-antibody reaction combined with the nanogold-based bio-barcode technique. Hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) was initially immobilized on a nanogold/thionine/DNA-modified gold electrode, and then a sandwich-type immunoassay format was employed for the detection of HBsAg using nanogold-codified horseradish peroxidase-HBsAb conjugates as secondary antibodies. Under optimal conditions, the current response of the sandwich-type immunocomplex relative to the H₂O₂ system was proportional to HBsAg concentration in the range from 0.5 to 650 ng·mL^?1 with a detection limit of 0.1 ng·mL^?1 (S/N?=?3). The precision, reproducibility and stability of the immunosensor were acceptable. Subsequently, the immunosensors were used to assay HBsAg in human serum specimens. Analytical results were in agreement with those obtained by the standard chemiluminescence enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.     

Nanogold-penetrated poly(amidoamine) dendrimer for enzyme-free electrochemical immunoassay of cardiac biomarker using cathodic stripping voltammetric method

Methods based on immunoassays have been developed for cardiac biomarkers, but most involve the low sensitivity and are unsuitable for early disease diagnosis. Herein we design an electrochemical immunoassay for sensitive detection of myoglobin (a cardiac biomarker for acute myocardial infarction) by using nanogold-penetrated poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (AuNP-PAMAM) for signal amplification without the need of natural enzymes. The assay was carried out on the monoclonal mouse anti-myoglobin (capture) antibody-anchored glassy carbon electrode using polyclonal rabbit anti-myoglobin (detection) antibody-labeled AuNP-PAMAM as the signal tag. In the presence of target myoglobin, the sandwiched immunocomplex could be formed between capture antibody and detection antibody. Accompanying AuNP-PAMAM, the carried gold nanoparticles could be directly determined via stripping voltammetric method under acidic conditions. Under optimal conditions, the detectable electrochemical signal increased with the increasing target myoglobin in the sample within a dynamic working range from 0.01 to 500 ng mL⁻¹ with a detection limit of 3.8 pg mL⁻¹. The electrochemical immunoassay also exhibited high specificity and good precision toward target myoglobin. Importantly, our strategy could be applied for quantitative monitoring of myoglobin in human serum specimens, giving well matched results with those obtained from commercialized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.     

Sandwich Immunoassay for Hepatitis C Virus Non-Structural 5A Protein Using a Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with an Au-MoO3/Chitosan Nanocomposite

A novel electrochemical immunosensor was prepared for the detection of the hepatitis C virus non-structural 5A protein. A glassy carbon electrode was modified with an Au-MoO₃/Chitosan nanocomposite that warranted good conductivity and biocompatibility. Mesoporous silica with a large specific surface served as a nanocarrier for horseradish peroxidase and the polyclonal antibody as the reporter probe. The immunosensor was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. Following the sandwich-type immunoreaction, horseradish peroxidase was efficiently captured on the surface of the electrode to catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. The analytical signal was obtained as an amperometric i-t curve (chronoamperometry). The assay reported here had a wide detection range (1 ng mL^?1 ?50 µg mL^?1) and detection limit as low as 1 ng mL^?1 of hepatitis C virus non-structural 5A protein. The electrochemical biosensor experiments showed excellent reproducibility, high selectivity, and outstanding stability for the determination of hepatitis C virus non-structural 5A protein, and it was successfully applied to the detection of the analyte in real serum samples.     

Electrochemical RNase A Detection Using an Electrode with Immobilized Ferrocenyl Deoxyribooligonucleotide Containing Cytidine Residue

A ferrocenyl deoxyribooligonucleotide (FcODN(rC)) with contiguous cytosine bases and a single ribonucleotide, cytidine, was immobilized on a gold electrode, and this electrode was used to detect RNase A. RNase A activity in a solution was assessed using cyclic voltammetry, and it was found that the current response of the sensor electrode decreased with increasing enzyme concentration. An extremely low detection limit of 1.0×10^?11 g mL^?1 RNase A was observed, with 15–90 % changes in the current signal. RNase activity can be an indicator of a number of diseases; therefore, this probe has great potential for applications in medical diagnostics.     

An electronic channel switching-based aptasensor for ultrasensitive protein detection

Due to the ubiquity and essential of the proteins in all living organisms, the identification and quantification of disease-specific proteins are particularly important. Because the conformational change of aptamer upon its target or probe/target/probe sandwich often is the primary prerequisite for the design of an electrochemical aptameric assay system, it is extremely difficult to construct the electrochemical aptasensor for protein assay because the corresponding aptamers cannot often meet the requirement. To circumvent the obstacles mentioned, an electronic channel switching-based (ECS) aptasensor for ultrasensitive protein detection is developed. The essential achievement made is that an innovative sensing concept is proposed: the hairpin structure of aptamer is designed to pull electroactive species toward electrode surface and makes the surface-immobilized IgE serve as a barrier that separates enzyme from its substrate. It seemingly ensures that the ECS aptasensor exhibits most excellent assay features, such as, a detection limit of 4.44 × 10⁻⁶ μg mL⁻¹ (22.7 fM, 220 zmol in 10-μL sample) (demonstrating a 5 orders of magnitude improvement in detection sensitivity compared with classical electronic aptasensors) and dynamic response range from 4.44 × 10⁻⁶ to 4.44 × 10⁻¹ μg mL⁻¹. We believe that the described sensing concept here might open a new avenue for the detection of proteins and other biomacromolecules.     

A disposable immunosensor based on gold colloid modified chitosan nanoparticles-entrapped carbon paste electrode

A new strategy is described to construct disposable electrochemical immunosensors for the assay of human immunoglobulin. It is based on a carbon paste electrode constructed from chitosan nanoparticles modified with colloidal gold. The stepwise assembly process of the immunosensor was characterized by means of cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Assay conditions that were optimized included the amount of chitosan nanoparticles in the preparation of carbon paste electrode, antibody concentration, and the incubation time of the antibody immobilization. Using hexacyanoferrate as a mediator, the current change increased with the concentration of human immunoglobulin G. A linear relationship in the concentration range 0.3 to 120 ng mL^?1 was achieved, with a detection limit of 0.1 ng mL^?1 (S/N?=?3). The method combines the specificity of the immunological reaction with the sensitivity of the gold colloid amplified electrochemical detection, and it has potential application in clinical immunoassay.     

Electrochemical stripping voltammetry of gold ions for development of ultra-sensitive immunoassay for chlorsulfuron

The paper reports a highly sensitive enzyme free electrochemical immunoassay (EFEIA) for the detection of herbicide chlorsulfuron. The assay is based upon oxidative gold nanoparticle (GNP) dissolution in an acidic solution. The consequent release of large amounts of gold (Au) metal ions after dissolution of gold nanoparticles tagged to antibody leads to the development of sensitive stripping voltammetry based immunoassay. The detection is made possible by the reduction of Au^3 + ions at the screen printed electrode surface followed by metal analysis by using the square wave voltammetry technique. The sensitivity of chlorsulfuron detection by competitive assay procedure was 6.7 pg mL^− 1 for EFEIA in marked contrast to optical detection using Standard ELISA procedure that gives a sensitivity of 4.97 ng mL^− 1.     

Electrochemical immunoassay for the prostate specific antigen using ceria mesoporous nanospheres

We report on a sensitive electrochemical immunoassay for the prostate specific antigen (PSA). An immunoelectrode was fabricated by coating a glassy carbon electrode with multiwalled carbon nanotubes, poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride), CeO₂ and PSA antibody (in this order) using the layer-by-layer method. The immunosensor is then placed in a sample solution containing PSA and o-phenylenediamine (OPD). It is found that the CeO₂ nanoparticles facilitate the electrochemical oxidation of OPD, and this produces a signal for electrochemical detection of PSA that depends on the concentration of PSA. There is a linear relationship between the decrease in current and the concentration of PSA in the 0.01 to 1,000 pg mL^?1 concentration range, and the detection limit is 4 fg mL^?1. The assay was successfully applied to the detection of PSA in serum samples. This new differential pulse voltammetric immunoassay is sensitive and acceptably precise, and the fabrication of the electrode is well reproducible. Figure

A novel electrochemical immunoassay for prostate specific antigen (PSA) was developed. Ceria (CeO₂) mesoporous nanospheres facilitated the electrochemical oxidation of o-phenylenediamine (OPD). The developed immunoassay has high sensitivity and can be successfully applied for the detection of PSA in serum samples     

Novel redox species polyaniline derivative-Au/Pt as sensing platform for label-free electrochemical immunoassay of carbohydrate antigen 199

A novel electrochemical redox-active nanocomposite was synthesized by a one-pot method using N,N′-diphenyl-p-phenylediamine as monomer, and HAuCl₄ and K₂PtCl₄ as co-oxidizing agents. The as-prepared poly(N,N′-diphenyl-p-phenylediamine)-Au/Pt exhibited admirable electrochemical redox activity at 0.15 V, excellent H₂O₂ electrocatalytic ability and favorable electron transfer ability. Based on these, the evaluation of the composite as sensing substrate for label-free electrochemical immunosensing to the sensitive detection of carbohydrate antigen 199 was described. This technique proved to be a prospective detection tool with a wide liner range from 0.001 U mL⁻¹ to 40 U mL⁻¹, and a low detection limit of 2.3 × 10⁻⁴ U mL⁻¹ (S/N = 3). In addition, this method was used for the analysis of human serum sample, and good agreement was obtained between the values and those of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, implying the potential application in clinical research. Importantly, the strategy of the present substrate could be extended to other polymer-based nanocomposites such as polypyrrole derivatives or polythiophene derivatives, and this could be of great significance for the electrochemical immunoassay.     

A Simple Colorimetric Au-on-Au Tip Sensor with a New Functional Nucleic Acid Probe for Food-borne Pathogen Salmonella typhimurium

An Au-on-Au tip sensor is developed for the detection of Salmonella typhimurium (Salmonella), using a new synthetic nucleic acid probe (NAP) as a linker for the immobilization of a DNA-conjugated Au nanoparticle (AuNP) onto a DNA-attached thin Au layer inside a pipette tip. In the presence of Salmonella, RNase H2 from Salmonella (STH2) cleaves the NAP and the freed DNA-conjugated AuNP can be visually detected by a paper strip. This portable biosensor does not require any electronic, electrochemical or optical equipment. It delivers a detection limit of 3.2×10³ CFU mL⁻¹ for Salmonella in 1 h without cell-culturing or signal amplification and does not show cross-reactivity with several control bacteria. Further, the sensor reliably detects Salmonella spiked in food samples, such as ground beef and chicken, milk, and eggs. The sensor can be reused and is stable at ambient temperature, showing its potential as a point-of-need device for the prevention of food poisoning by Salmonella.     

Electrochemical Assay to Detect Influenza Viruses and Measure Drug Susceptibility

An electrochemical assay has been designed to rapidly diagnose influenza viruses. Exposure of a glucose‐bearing substrate to influenza viruses or its enzyme, neuraminidase (NA), releases glucose, which was detected amperometrically. Two methods were used to detect released glucose. First, we used a standard glucose blood meter to detect two viral NAs and three influenza strains. We also demonstrated drug susceptibility of two antivirals, Zanamivir and Oseltamivir, using the assay. Finally, we used disposable test strips to detect nineteen H1N1 and H3N2 influenza strains using this assay in one hour. The limit and range of detection of this first generation assay is 10² and 10²–10⁸ plaque forming units (pfu), respectively. Current user‐friendly glucose meters can be repurposed to detect influenza viruses.     

Metallophthalocyanine Based Carbon Paste Electrodes for the Determination of 2′,3′‐Dideoxyinosine

Novel electrochemical sensors based on carbon paste impregnated with metallopthalocyanine (MPc, M=Co, Fe) complexes, have been constructed for the assay of anti‐HIV drug 2′,3′‐dideoxyinosine (didanosine, DDI). Both modified electrodes showed electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of dideoxyinosine in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 with a working concentration range of 10^?6–10^?4 mol/L and a detection limit of 10^?7 mol/L magnitude order. The sensor proved to be highly reliable for the assay of the purity of DDI ‐ raw material as well as for the uniformity content test of Videx tablets.     

Copper sulfide nanoparticle-decorated graphene as a catalytic amplification platform for electrochemical detection of alkaline phosphatase activity

Copper sulfide nanoparticle-decorated graphene sheet (CuS/GR) was successfully synthesized and used as a signal amplification platform for electrochemical detection of alkaline phosphatase activity. First, CuS/GR was prepared through a microwave-assisted hydrothermal approach. The CuS/GR nanocomposites exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of ALP hydrolyzed products such as 1-naphthol, which produced a current response. Thus, a catalytic amplification platform based on CuS/GR nanocomposite for electrochemical detection of ALP activity was designed using 1-naphthyl phosphate as a model substrate. The current response increased linearly with ALP concentration from 0.1 to 100 U L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 0.02 U L⁻¹. The assay was applied to estimate ALP activity in human serum samples with satisfactory results. This strategy may find widespread and promising applications in other sensing systems that involves ALP.     

Fabrication of a nanostructured TiO2/carbon nanotube composite electrode for voltammetric and impedimetric determination of NTO explosive in the water and soil samples

An electrochemical oxidation route was developed for sensitive and selective assay of nitrotriazolone (NTO) explosive in some environmental samples on a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs)/TiO₂ nanocomposite paste electrode, for prevention of the analytical interference of conventional reducible energetic compounds. Detailed evaluations were made for the electrochemical behaviour of NTO on the modified electrode by adsorptive stripping voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and chronoamperometry techniques in the pH range of 2.0–10.0. Parameters such as diffusion coefficient constant of NTO were calculated, and various experimental conditions were also optimised. Under optimal conditions the calibration curve had two linear dynamic ranges of 130.0–3251.5 μg L^?1 and 6.5–26.0 mg L^?1 with a detection limit of 26.0 μg L^?1 (0.2 μmol L^?1) and precision of <3%. This electrochemical sensor was further applied to determine NTO in real soil and water samples with satisfactory results.     

Ultrasensitive electrochemical detection for thrombin using hybridization chain reaction with enzyme-amplification

In this work, a new electrochemical aptasensor using hybridization chain reaction (HCR) for signal amplification was developed for highly sensitive detection of thrombin. The sandwich system of aptamer/thrombin/aptamer–primer complex was fabricated as the sensing platform. As the initiator strands, aptamer–primer complex could propagate a chain reaction of hybridization events between the two hairpin probes, and whether long nicked DNA polymers could be formed on the modified electrode. Then the biotin-labeled dsDNA polymers could introduce numerous avidin-labeled horseradish peroxidase (HRP), resulting in significantly amplified electrochemical signal through the electrocatalysis of HRP. On the basis of the enzymatic oxidization of Fe²⁺ by H₂O₂ to yield Fe³⁺, the imaging of thrombin was detected by the reduction current of Fe³⁺ with the scanning electrochemical microscopic tip. The electrochemical signals had a good linear with logarithm of thrombin concentration in the range from 1.0 fM to 100 fM, reaching a detection limit of thrombin as low as 0.04 fM. In addition, the proposed strategy exhibited excellent specificity and was successfully applied in real sample assay which demonstrated the potential application in clinical diagnostics.