Electrochemical DNA Biosensors Based on Palladium Nanoparticles Combined with Carbon Nanotubes

Palladium nanoparticles, in combination with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), were used to fabricate a sensitivity‐enhanced electrochemical DNA biosensor. MWCNTs and palladium nanoparticles were dispersed in Nafion, which were used to modify a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Oligonucleotides with amino groups at the 5′ end were covalently linked onto carboxylic groups of MWCNTs on the electrode. The hybridization events were monitored by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) measurement using methylene blue (MB) as an indicator. Due to the ability of carbon nanotubes to promote electron‐transfer and the high catalytic activities of palladium nanoparticles for electrochemical reaction of MB, the sensitivity of presented electrochemical DNA biosensors was remarkably improved. The detection limit of the method for target DNA was 1.2×10^?13 M.     

DNA Hybridization at Magnetic Nanoparticles with Electrochemical Stripping Detection

A simple and practical method for electrochemical DNA hybridization assay has been developed to take advantage of magnetic nanoparticles for ssDNA immobilization and zinc sulfide nanoparticle as oligonucleotide label. Magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by coprecipitation of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ with NH₄OH, and then amino silane was coated onto the surface of magnetite nanoparticles. The magnetic nanoparticles have the advantages of easy preparation, easy surface modification and low cost. The target ssDNA with the phosphate group at the 5′ end was then covalently immobilized to the amino group of magnetite nanoparticles by forming a phosphoramidate bond in the presence of 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimeth‐ylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDAC). The zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanoparticle‐labeled oligonucleotides probe was used to identify the target ssDNA immobilized on the magnetic nanoparticles based on a specific hybridization reaction. The hybridization events were assessed by the dissolution of the zinc sulfide nanoparticles anchored on the hybrids and the indirect determination of the dissolved zinc ions by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) at a mercury film glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The proposed method couples the high sensitivity of anodic stripping analysis for zinc ions with effective magnetic separation for eliminating nonspecific adsorption effects and offers great promise for DNA hybridization analysis.     

PAMAM Dendrimers‐Based DNA Biosensors for Electrochemical Detection of DNA Hybridization

Gold electrodes were modified with submonolayers of mercaptoacetic acid (RSH) and further reacted with poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers (generation 4.0) to obtain thin films, on which DNA probe was later immobilized to afford a stable recognition layers. The characterization of the PAMAM/RSH‐modified electrode was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance measurement. Differential pulse voltammogram (DPV) measurement was used to monitor DNA hybridization with daunomycin (DNR) as indicator. Experiments carried out with these novel materials not only showed an improved DNA attachment quantity on the dendrimers‐modified electrodes compared to DNA sensors with oligonucleotides directly immobilized on Au electrodes, but also exhibited a high selectivity, sensitivity and stability for the measurement of DNA hybridization.     

Sequence Specific Electrochemical DNA Detection Based on Solution‐Phase Competitive Hybridization

We report a novel electrochemical method for detecting sequence‐specific DNA based on competitive hybridization that occurs in a homogeneous solution phase instead of on a solution‐electrode interface as in previously reported competition‐based electrochemical DNA detection schemes. The method utilizes the competition between the target DNA (t‐DNA) and a ferrocene‐labeled peptide nucleic acid probe (Fc‐PNA) to hybridize with a probe DNA (p‐DNA) in solution. The neutral PNA backbone and the electrostatic repulsion between the negatively‐charged DNA backbone and the negatively‐charged electrode surface are then exploited to determine the result of the competition through measurement of the electrochemical signal of Fc. Upon the introduction of the t‐DNA, the stronger hybridization affinity between the t‐DNA and p‐DNA releases the Fc‐PNA from the Fc‐PNA/p‐DNA hybrid, allowing it to freely diffuse to the negatively charged electrode to produce a significantly enhanced electrochemical signal of Fc. Therefore, the presence of the t‐DNA is indicated by the appearance or enhancement of the electrochemical signal, rendering a signal‐on DNA detection, which is less susceptible to false positive and can produce more reliable results than signal‐off detection methods. All the competitive hybridizations occur in a homogeneous solution phase, resulting in very high hybridization efficiency and therefore extremely short assay time. This simple and fast signal‐on solution‐competition‐based electrochemical DNA detection strategy has promising potential to find application in fields such as nucleic acid‐based point‐of‐care testing.     

Enhanced Electrochemical Detection of DNA Hybridization Based on Au/MWCNTs Nanocomposites

Abstract

The nanocomposites of gold nanoparticles and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been applied in the enhanced electrochemical detection of DNA hybridization. Gold nanoparticles coated on MWCNTs uniformly were synthesized by simply one step reaction. Target DNA was detected by the peak current difference of differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) signals of the electroactive indicator methylene blue (MB) before and after hybridization on the Au/MWCNTs modified glass carbon electrode (GCE). Due to the excellent electrical conductivity of the novel matrix, the biosensor revealed high sensitivity with the detection level down to 1.0 pM. Excellently selectivity and reproducibility were also discussed.     

DNA‐Directed Attachment of Carbon Nanotubes for Enhanced Label‐Free Electrochemical Detection of DNA Hybridization

Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were used as nanowires, which combined DNA molecules to a carbon paste electrode (CPE). The attachment of MWNT on the electrode surface was controlled by a hybridization assay between adenine and thymine containing oligonucleotides. The appearance of guanine oxidation signal after hybridization with target DNA greatly simplified the specific sequence DNA detection mechanism. Combination of sidewall‐ and end‐functionalization of MWNT provided a significant enhancement in the voltammetric signal of guanine oxidation in comparison with the signals obtained from only end‐oxidized MWNT modified CPE and a bare CPE. A control experiment involving adenine containing polynucleotide (poly(A)) instead of adenine probe modified MWNT was performed. The effect of target and noncomplementary DNA concentration on the guanine signal was also monitored. Discrimination against single‐base mismatch and noncomplementary DNA was achieved by surfactant containing washing solution. The promising conductivity of carbon nanotubes, and the creation of a larger surface area for DNA immobilization by sidewall‐ and end‐oxidation of MWNT provided a detection limit down to 10 pg/mL, which is compatible with the demand of the genetic tests.     

基于多壁碳纳米管负载金纳米粒子修饰的甲基对硫磷分子印迹电化学传感器的研制

本文以四氨基苯硫酚作为功能单体、甲基对硫磷(MP)作为模板分子,通过电聚合的方法在多壁碳纳米管负载金纳米粒子修饰的玻碳电极表面成功构建了MP分子印迹电化学传感器。借助循环伏安、电化学阻抗和差示脉冲等方法对传感器的电化学性能、选择性、稳定性以及重现性进行了研究。并将所建立的方法应用于黄河水中MP的加标回收检测,结果令人满意。该方法无需进行预处理,选择性好、灵敏度高、重现性好,为分析检测MP分子提供了一种非常有效的方法。     

Cysteamine Capped Silver Nanoparticles and Single‐walled Carbon Nanotubes Composite Coated on Glassy Carbon Electrode for Simultaneous Analysis of Hydroquinone and Catechol

A stable complex of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) capped by cysteamine (Cst) together with single‐walled carbon nanotube (CNTs) was used to modify a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for simultaneous detection of hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CT). The resulting electrode (AgCst‐CNTs/GCE) showed excellent electrocatalysis and reversibility towards this electroactive pair. The peak separations of their oxidation‐reduction peaks decreased significantly, compared with those of the unmodified GCE. The signal responses of the AgCst‐CNTs/GCE were 5‐fold higher while its peak potential separation remained unchanged (ca. 130 mV), compared to the CNTs‐modified GCE. The oxidation peak currents obtained for HQ and CT exhibited linearly from submicromolar to hundred micromolar concentrations without any cross‐interference. The modified electrode possessed a very large active surface area with a detection limit (S/N=3) of 10 and 40 nM for HQ and CT, respectively. The sensor was demonstrated for the analysis of river water and topical cream as evinced by high accuracy and reproducibility.     

Lead Sulfide Nanoparticle as Oligonucleotides Labels for Electrochemical Stripping Detection of DNA Hybridization

We report a method for the detection of DNA hybridization in connection to lead sulfide (PbS) nanoparticle tags and electrochemical stripping measurement of the lead. A kind of lead sulfide nanoparticle with free carboxyl groups on its surface was synthesized in aqueous solution. The nanoparticle was used as a marker to label a sequence‐known oligonucleotide, which was then employed as a DNA probe for identifying a target ssDNA immobilized on a PPy modified electrode based on a specific hybridization reaction. The hybridization events were monitored by the oxidation dissolution of the lead sulfide anchored on the hybrids and the indirect determination of the lead ions by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). The detection limit is 0.3 pmol L^?1 of target oligonucleotides. The PbS nanoparticle combining its easy conjugation to the DNA molecule with the highly sensitive stripping voltammetry detection of lead shows its promising application in the electrochemical DNA hybridization analysis assay.     

三元复合材料PANI／Ag／MWNT的电化学行为和比电容

通过原位聚合的方式在银纳米粒子/多壁碳纳米管（Ag/MWCNT）复合材料的表面成功聚合苯胺单体制备了聚苯胺/银纳米粒子/多壁碳纳米管（PANI/Ag/MWCNT）三元复合材料苯．通过对三元复合材料的结构以及表面形貌进行分析,表明聚苯胺层完全包覆了Ag/MWCNT复合材料,形成了核壳式结构．同时银纳米粒子则以单质晶体的形态存在于多壁碳纳米管与聚苯胺层之间．三元复合材料电极在1 mol/L的KOH溶液中具有极低的阻抗,而与聚苯胺电极相比,这些复合材料电极则表现出更低的电阻、更高的电化学活性和更好的循环稳定性．尤其是当苯胺和Ag：MWCNTs质量比为5：5时,该复合材料电极在0.25 A/g的电流密度下表现出最大的比电容值为160 F/g．     

Impedimetric Detection of DNA Damage with the Sensor Based on Silver Nanoparticles and Neutral Red

Novel electrochemical DNA‐sensor based on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with Ag nanoparticles, Neutral red covalently attached to its surface and native DNA adsorbed on modifier coating was developed for the estimation of DNA damage on example of model system based on Fenton reagent. As was shown, the oxidation process resulted in synchronous increase of electron transfer resistance and capacitance measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The contribution of each sensor component on the signal was specified and sensitivity estimated against similar surface coatings. The shift of EIS parameters was found to be higher than that of similar biosensors reported. The DNA sensor was tested on the estimation of antioxidant capacity of green tea infusions again the results of coulometric titration with electrogenerated bromine.     

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.     

An Antibacterial Nonenzymatic Glucose Sensor Composed of Carbon Nanotubes Decorated with Silver Nanoparticles

A glucose sensor composed of silver nanoparticles decorated carbon nanotubes (Ag‐NPs/CNTs) prepared by ion implantation is described. Ag‐NPs with size of 2–4 nm are uniformly distributed in the CNTs after ion implantation. This process provides a strong combination between Ag‐NPs and CNTs and can effectively prevent the Ag‐NPs from aggregation. A linear range of 125 µM to 10 mM towards glucose determination was obtained. The Ag‐NPs/CNTs electrode shows minimal interferences from co‐existence species such as uric acid and ascorbic acid and an antibacterial rate of 94 % towards E. coli.     

Fabrication of a Sensitive Impedance Biosensor of DNA Hybridization Based on Gold Nanoparticles Modified Gold Electrode

In this work, we report on the preparation of a simple, sensitive DNA impedance sensor. Firstly gold nanoparticles were electrodeposited on the surface of a gold electrode, and then probe DNA was immobilized on the surface of gold nanoparticles through a 5′‐thiol‐linker. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to investigate probe DNA immobilization and hybridization. Compared to the bare gold electrode, the gold nanoparticles modified electrode could improve the density of probe DNA attachment and the sensitivity of DNA sensor greatly. The difference of electron transfer resistance (ΔR_et) was linear with the logarithm of complementary oligonucleotides sequence concentrations in the range of 2.0×10^?12 to 9.0×10^?8 M, and the detection limit was 6.7×10^?13 M. In addition, the DNA sensor showed a fairly good reproducibility and stability during repeated regeneration and hybridization cycles.     

Electrochemical DNA biosensors based on platinum nanoparticles combined carbon nanotubes

Platinum nanoparticles were used in combination with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for fabricating sensitivity-enhanced electrochemical DNA biosensor. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes and platinum nanoparticles were dispersed in Nafion, which were used to fabricate the modification of the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface. Oligonucleotides with amino groups at the 5′ end were covalently linked onto carboxylic groups of MWCNTs on the electrode. The hybridization events were monitored by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) measurement of the intercalated daunomycin. Due to the ability of carbon nanotubes to promote electron-transfer reactions, the high catalytic activities of platinum nanoparticles for chemical reactions, the sensitivity of presented electrochemical DNA biosensors was remarkably improved. The detection limit of the method for target DNA was 1.0 × 10⁻¹¹ mol l⁻¹.     

Synthesis of Nucleobase‐Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes and Their Hybridization with Single‐Stranded DNA

For the first time ssDNA (25‐aptamer of mixed dA, dT, dG, and dC) was wrapped around functionalized single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), whose external surfaces were attached to multiple triazole‐(ethylene glycol)‐dA ligands. This method of hybridization involved the formation of hydrogen bonds between dT of ssDNA and dA of functionalized SWCNTs. It deviates from the reported π–π stacking between the nucleobases of DNA and the external sidewalls of nanotubes. The structural properties of the functionalized SWCNTs and its ssDNA complex were characterized by spectroscopic (including CD and Raman), thermogravimetric, and microscopic (TEM) methods. The results thus obtained establish a new platform of DNA delivery by use of nanotubes as a new vehicle with great potential in biomedical applications and drug development.     

Electrochemical detection of DNA hybridization based on carbon-nanotubes loaded with CdS tags

An effective method for amplifying electrical detection of DNA hybridization based on carbon-nanotubes (CNT) carrying a large number of CdS particle tracers is described. Such use of CNT amplification platforms is combined with an ultrasensitive stripping-voltammetric detection of the dissolved CdS tags following dual hybridization events of a sandwich assay on a streptavidin modified 96-well microplate. Anchoring of the monolayer-protected quantum dots to the acetone-activated CNT was accomplished via hydrophobic interactions. SEM images indicate that the nanocrystals are attached along the CNT sidewall, with a loading of around 500 particles per CNT. A substantial (500-fold) lowering of the detection limit is obtained compared to conventional single-particle stripping hybridization assays, reflecting the CdS loading on the CNT carrier. A large excess (250-fold) of non-complimentary oligonucleotides have minimal effect on the response. Such use of CNT as carriers for multiple electrochemical tags offers great promise for ultrasensitive detection of other biorecognition events.     

Electrochemical Sensors Based on Carbon Nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes are attractive new materials. It has been about a decade since carbon nanotubes were discovered. Carbon nanotubes have many outstanding properties and have many practical or potential applications. In this short review we introduce recent advances in carbon nanotubes as potential material for electrochemical sensors. The advantages of carbon nanotubes as sensors are discussed along with future prospects.     

Interference‐Free Electrochemical Detection of Nanomolar Dopamine Using Doped Polypyrrole and Silver Nanoparticles

This paper presents a new approach to detect dopamine in nanomolar range using an electrochemical sensor utilizing a composite made of chitosan‐stabilized silver nanoparticles and p‐toluene sulfonic acid‐doped ultrathin polypyrrole film. Studies included cyclic voltammogram, amperometry, differential pulse voltammetry and also investigation by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. A detection limit of 0.58 nM was achieved in the linear range 1×10^?9 M to 1.2×10^?7 M. High sensitivity towards DA, good reproducibility and long‐term stability have been demonstrated without interference from ascorbic acid, uric acid, epinephrine, L ‐dopa, glucose. The sensing system was successfully applied for quantitative determination of dopamine in commercially available human blood serum.     

Label‐Free Electrochemical Thrombin Aptasensor Based on Ag Nanoparticles Modified Electrode

A novel label‐free electrochemical method for protein detection based on redox properties of silver was developed. As recognition elements, thrombin‐binding aptamers were used. Screen printed electrodes modified with silver nanoparticles (AgNP) were employed as a sensing platform for aptasensor devices. The oxidation of silver upon polarization served as a basis for analytical response. Three different thrombin binding aptamers with various surface concentrations were studied. Linear range of aptasensor response corresponded to the 10⁻⁹ M to 10⁻⁷ M thrombin concentration range and the detection limit was 10⁻⁹ M.