A multi-amplification aptasensor for highly sensitive detection of thrombin based on high-quality hollow CoPt nanoparticles decorated graphene

In this work, we have successfully demonstrated a facile strategy to incorporate high-quality hollow CoPt bimetal alloy nanoparticles (HCoPt) onto reduced graphene oxide sheet (HCoPt-RGs). An advanced sandwich-type electrochemical aptasensor for thrombin was proposed by using the HCoPt-RGs conjugates as secondary label. The formed conjugates provided large surface area for loading plentiful redox probe thionine (Thi), horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and secondary aptamer (Apt II) with good stability and friendly biocompatibility, indicating their superior properties in electroactive mediator enrichment and biomolecule immobilization. Furthermore, activated by glutaraldehyde (GA), the chitosan-hollow CoPt alloy nanoparticle (CS-HCoPt) film can greatly facilitate the capture of primary aptamer (Apt I) and dramatically reduce the nonspecific binding. Excellent sensitivity was obtained by detecting the conspicuously enhanced electrochemical signal of Thi, which was amplified by HCoPt alloy nanoparticles and HRP toward the catalytic reduction of H₂O₂. The aptasensor displayed excellent performance for thrombin with a wide linearity in the range from 1.0 × 10⁻¹² to 5.0 × 10⁻⁸ M and a relatively low detection limit of 3.4 × 10⁻¹³ M. Moreover, the resulted aptasensor also exhibited good specificity, acceptable reproducibility and stability, indicating that the present strategy could pave a promising way for the wide application of graphene in clinical research.     

A novel impedimetric aptasensor,based on functionalized carbon nanotubes and prussian blue as labels

A simple and feasible electrochemical sensing protocol was developed for the detection of bisphenol A (BPA) by employing the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), prussian blue (PB) and functionalized carbon nanotubes (AuNPs/PB/CNTs-COOH). An aminated complementary DNA as a capture probe and specific aptamer against BPA as a detection probe was immobilized on the surface of a modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode via the formation of covalent amide bond and hybridization, respectively. The proposed nanoaptasensor combined the advantages of the in situ formation of PB as a label, the deposition of neatly arranged AuNPs, and the covalent attachment of the capture probe to the surface of the modified electrode. Upon addition of target BPA, the analyte reacted with the aptamer and caused the steric/conformational restrictions on the sensing interface. The formation of BPA–aptamer complex at the electrode surface retarded the interfacial electron transfer reaction of the PB as a probe. Sensitive quantitative detection of BPA was carried out based on the variation of electron transfer resistance which relevant to the formation of BPA– aptamer complex at the modified electrode surface. Under the optimized conditions, the proposed aptasensor exhibited a high sensitivity, wide linearity to BPA and low detection limit. This aptasensor also displayed a satisfying electrochemical performance with good stability, selectivity and reproducibility.     

Aptamer biosensor for protein detection using gold nanoparticles

Combining gold nanoparticles (GNPs) as fluorescence quencher and aptamer as probe, we have developed protein biosensors by using DNA-modified GNPs. We examined how the experimental design, such as the type of interaction between DNA strands and GNPs, temperature, and microenvironment of aptamer, influences the recognition ability of the biosensor. Under our experimental conditions, the recognition of protein by the complex of dye-labeled DNA hybridized with aptamer that is immobilized on GNPs (Ap-Im-GNPs) shows the best character in protein detection.     

A novel fluorescent aptasensor for the detection of theophylline based on cryonase-driven signal amplification strategy

In the study, we have developed an expedient and efficient method for the detection of theophylline based on the amplification of the signal intensity of fluorescence based on oxidized single-walled carbon nanohorns (oxSWCNHs)/cryonase. When theophylline was not present in the system, oxSWCNHs can adequately adsorb nucleic acid probes labeled by carboxyfluorescein (FAM). In the presence of theophylline, the nucleic acid probe forms the tertiary probe–theophylline complex, which detaches from the surface of the oxSWCNHs. Then, upon reaction with cryonase, the complex can release the FAM and theophylline into the next cycle. The fluorescence signal of the system exhibits a 1:N magnification, enabling quantitative detection of theophylline. The linear range was 30–150 ng/mL, and the limit of detection (LOD) was 6.04 ng/mL. At the same time, it can also be used to detect theophylline in mouse serum.     

A label-free electrochemiluminescence aptasensor for thrombin based on novel assembly strategy of oligonucleotide and luminol functionalized gold nanoparticles

In the work, a label-free electrochemiluminescence (ECL) aptasensor for the sensitive and selective detection of thrombin was constructed based on target-induced direct ECL signal change by virtue of a novel assembly strategy of oligonucleotide and luminol functionalized gold nanoparticles (luminol-AuNPs). It is the first label-free ECL biosensor based on luminol and its analogs functionalized AuNPs. Streptavidin AuNPs coated with biotinylated DNA capture probe 1 (AuNPs-probe 1) were firstly assembled onto an gold electrode through 1,3-propanedithiol. Then luminol-AuNPs co-loaded with thiolated DNA capture probe 2 and thiolated thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) (luminol-AuNPs-probe 2/TBA) were assembled onto AuNPs-probe 1 modified electrode through the hybridization between capture probes 1 and 2. The luminol-AuNPs-probe 2/TBA acted as both molecule recognition probe and sensing interface. An Au/AuNPs/ds-DNA/luminol-AuNPs/TBA multilayer architecture was obtained. In the presence of target thrombin, TBA on the luminol-AuNPs could capture the thrombin onto the electrode surface, which produced a barrier for electro-transfer and influenced the electro-oxidation reaction of luminol, leading to a decrease in ECL intensity. The change of ECL intensity indirectly reflected the concentration of thrombin. Thus, the approach showed a high sensitivity and a wider linearity for the detection of thrombin in the range of 0.005-50nM with a detection limit of 1.7pM. This work reveals that luminol-AuNPs are ideal platform for label-free ECL bioassays.     

Fabrication of chronocoulometric DNA sensor based on gold nanoparticles/poly(l-lysine) modified glassy carbon electrode

In this work, we fabricated a sensitivity chronocoulometric DNA sensor (CDS) based on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)/poly(l-lysine) complex film modified glassy carbon electrode. Hexaammineruthenium(III) chloride ([Ru(NH₃)₆]³⁺) was used as the electroactive indicator. The assembled process was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronocoulometry (CC). CC is used to monitor the DNA hybridization event by measurement of electrostatic binding [Ru(NH₃)₆]³⁺. Under the optimal conditions, the signal of [Ru(NH₃)₆]³⁺ was linear with the logarithm of the concentration of the complementary oligonucleotides from 1.0 × 10⁻¹³ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹¹ M, and the detection limit is 3.5 × 10⁻¹⁴ M.     

Amplified electrochemical aptasensor for thrombin based on bio-barcode method

In the present study, an electrochemical aptasensor for highly sensitive detection of thrombin was developed based on bio-barcode amplification assay. For this proposed aptasensor, capture DNA aptamerI was immobilized on the Au electrode. The functional Au nanoparticles (DNA–AuNPs) are loaded with barcode binding DNA and aptamerII. Through the specific recognition for thrombin, a sandwich format of Au/aptamerI/thrombin/DNA–AuNPs was fabricated. After hybridization with the PbSNPs-labeled barcode DNA, the assembled sensor was obtained. The concentration of thrombin was monitored based on the concentration of lead ions dissolved through differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetric (DPASV). Under optimum conditions, a detection limit of 6.2 × 10⁻¹⁵ mol L⁻¹ (M) thrombin was achieved. In addition, the sensor exhibited excellent selectivity against other proteins.     

A new amplification strategy for ultrasensitive electrochemical aptasensor with network-like thiocyanuric acid/gold nanoparticles

An ultrasensitive and highly specific electrochemical aptasensor for detection of thrombin based on gold nanoparticles and thiocyanuric acid is presented. For this proposed aptasensor, aptamerI was immobilized on the magnetic nanoparticles, aptamerII was labeled with gold nanoparticles. The magnetic nanoparticle was used for separation and collection, and gold nanoparticle offered excellent electrochemical signal transduction. Through the specific recognition for thrombin, a sandwich format of magnetic nanoparticle/thrombin/gold nanoparticle was fabricated, and the signal amplification was further implemented by forming network-like thiocyanuric acid/gold nanoparticles. A significant sensitivity enhancement had been obtained, and the detection limit was down to 7.82 aM. The presence of other proteins such as BSA and lysozyme did not affect the detection of thrombin, which indicates a high specificity of thrombin detection could be achieved. This electrochemical aptasensor is expected to have wide applications in protein monitoring and disease diagnosis.     

An electrochemical aptasensor electrocatalyst for detection of thrombin

This work reports a novel signal amplification strategy based on three-dimensional ordered macroporous C₆₀-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (3DOM C₆₀-PEDOT-[BMIm][BF₆]) for ultrasensitive detection of thrombin by cascade catalysis of Au-PEDOT@SiO₂ microspheres and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). Au-PEDOT@SiO₂ microspheres were constructed not only as nanocarriers to anchor the large amounts of secondary thrombin aptamers but also as nanocatalysts to catalyze the oxidation of ethanol efficiently. Significantly, the electrochemical signal was greatly enhanced based on cascade catalysis: First, ADH catalyzed the oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde with the concomitant generation of NADH in the presence of β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrate (NAD⁺). Then, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as nanocatalysts could effectively catalyze NADH to produce NAD⁺ with the help of PEDOT as redox probe. Under the optimal conditions, the proposed aptasensor exhibits a linear range of 2 × 10⁻¹³ to 2 × 10⁻⁸ M with a low detection limit of 2 × 10⁻¹⁴ M for thrombin detection and shows high sensitivity and good specificity.     

Colorimetric aptasensor for progesterone detection based on surfactant-induced aggregation of gold nanoparticles

This paper proposes an aptasensor for progesterone (P4) detection in human serum and urine based on the aggregating behavior of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) controlled by the interactions among P4-binding aptamer, target P4 and cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The aptamer can form an aptamer-P4 complex with P4, leaving CTAB free to aggregate AuNPs in this aptasensor. Thus, the sensing solution will turn from red (520 nm) to blue (650 nm) in the presence of P4 because P4 aptamers are used up firstly owing to the formation of an aptamer-P4 complex, leaving CTAB free to aggregate AuNPs. However, in the absence of P4, CTAB combines with aptamers so that AuNPs still remain dispersed. Therefore, this assay makes it possible to detect P4 not only by absorbance measurement but also through naked eyes. By monitoring the variation of absorbance and color, a CTAB-induced colorimetric assay for P4 detection was established with a detection limit of 0.89 nM. Besides, the absorbance ratio A650/A520 has a linear correlation with the P4 concentration of 0.89–500 nM. Due to the excellent recoveries in serum and urine, this biosensor has great potential with respect to the visual and instrumental detection of P4 in biological fluids.     

Label-free electrochemical aptasensor for thrombin detection based on the nafion@graphene as platform

A sensitive label-free electrochemical aptasensor was successfully fabricated for thrombin detection with nafion@graphene as platform. With electrostatic interaction between nafion and methylene blue (MB), positive charged MB was successfully assembled on nafion@graphene modified electrode surface, which provided amounts of redox probes for electrochemical aptasensor. In the presence of thrombin, the thrombin aptamer (TBA) on the electrode surface would catch the target on the electrode interface, which made a barrier for electrons and inhibits the electro-transfer, resulting in the decreased differential pulse voltammetry signals of MB. As a result, the proposed approach showed a high sensitivity and a wider linearity to thrombin in the range 0.01–50 nM with a detection limit of 6 pM.     

Sensitive detection of estradiol based on ligand binding domain of estrogen receptor and gold nanoparticles

With increasing concerns of estrogenic effects of endocrine disrupting compounds, the development of simple detection assay for these compounds is an ongoing need. Herein, a simple, rapid, and highly sensitive assay for estradiol (E2) detection was developed using the ligand binding domain of estrogen receptor α (LBD-ERα), the receptor interacting domain of steroid receptor co-activator 1 (RID-SRC1), and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The colloidal AuNPs could be stabilized against a salt-induced aggregation by adding LBD-ERα protein. However, with the presence of E2, the specific binding of LBD-ERα protein and E2 led to a salt-induced aggregation of AuNPs as seeing from a color change from red to blue. This developed assay exhibited a high sensitivity for E2 detection with the limit of detection (LOD) of 2.62 × 10⁻¹⁴ M. When the RID-SRC1 protein was included, the detection sensitivity was increased, which the LOD for E2 was at 1.20 × 10⁻¹⁵ M. This assay was specific for a detection of E2 but not progesterone, the negative control ligand. Results of this work clearly showed the efficiency of developed assay for E2 detection, which possibly further developed for an onsite monitoring of E2.     

An ultrasensitive fluorescent aptasensor for adenosine detection based on exonuclease III assisted signal amplification

We report here a graphene oxide (GO)-based fluorescent aptasensor for adenosine detection by employing exonuclease III (Exo III) as a signal amplifying element. In the absence of adenosine, the adenosine aptamers hybridized with the complementary DNA (cDNA), and the Exo III could not cleave the single-strand signal probes labeled with carboxylfluorescein (FAM) at its 5' ends. When the graphene oxide was finally added, it could strongly adsorb the single-strand signal probes and quenched the fluorophore effectively. In the presence of adenosine, the aptamers associated with the targets, which led to the formation of duplex DNAs between the cDNAs and the signal probes. The Exo III thereafter could digest the duplex DNAs from 3' blunt terminus of signal probes, liberating the fluorophore. Upon adding the GO, the fluorophore could not be adsorbed and quenched. By coupling cyclic enzymatic cleavage, a remarkable fluorescent increase was obtained. Due to the specific recognition ability of the aptamer for the target and the powerful quenching property of GO for signal probe, this proposed approach has a good selectivity and high sensitivity for adenosine. In the optimum conditions described, >100% signal enhancement was achieved and a limit of detection as low as 1 nM was obtained, which is lower than those of commonly used fluorescent aptamer sensors. Moreover, the biosensor exhibited an ultrahigh sensitivity and held a versatile platform for clinical diagnostics, molecular biology and drug developments.     

An amperometric immunosensor for osteoproteogerin based on gold nanoparticles deposited conducting polymer

An amperometric immunosensor was fabricated for the detection of osteoproteogerin (OPG) by covalently immobilizing a monoclonal OPG antibody (anti-OPG) onto the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) deposited functionalized conducting polymer (5,2′:5′,2″-terthiophene-3′-carboxylic acid). AuNPs were electrochemically deposited onto the conducting polymer using cyclic voltammetry. The particle size of deposited AuNPs was controlled by varying the scan rate and was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The immobilization of anti-OPG was also confirmed using XPS. The principle of immunosensor was based on a competitive immunoassay between free-OPG and labeled-OPG for the active sites of anti-OPG. HRP was used as a label that electrochemically catalyzes the H₂O₂ reduction. The catalytic reduction was monitored amperometrically at −0.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The immunosensor showed a linear range between 2.5 and 25 pg/ml and the detection limit was determined to be 2 pg/ml. The proposed immunosensor was successfully applied for real human samples to detect OPG.     

Ultrasensitive electrochemical aptasensor for thrombin based on the amplification of aptamer-AuNPs-HRP conjugates

Successful development of an ultrasensitive and highly specific electrochemical aptasensor for thrombin based on amplification of aptamer-gold nanoparticles-horseradish peroxidase (aptamer-AuNPs-HRP) conjugates was reported. In this electrochemical protocol, aptamer1 (Apt1) was immobilized on core/shell Fe(3)O(4)/Au magnetic nanoparticles (AuMNPs) and served as capture probe. Aptamer2 (Apt2) was dual labeled with AuNPs and HRP and used as detection probe. In the presence of thrombin, the sandwich format of AuMNPs-Apt1/thrombin/Apt2-AuNPs-HRP was fabricated. Remarkable signal amplification was realized by taking the advantage of AuNPs and catalytic reactions of HRP. Other proteins, such as human serum albumin, lysozyme, fibrinogen, and IgG did not show significant interference with the assay for thrombin. Linear response to thrombin concentration in the range of 0.1-60 pM and lower detection limit down to 30 fM (S/N=3) was obtained with the proposed method. This electrochemical aptasensor is simple, rapid (the whole detection period for a thrombin sample is less than 35 min), sensitive and highly specific, it shows promising potential in protein detection and disease diagnosis.     

A biosensor based on gold nanoparticles,dihexadecylphosphate, and tyrosinase for the determination of catechol in natural water

In this work, a biosensor using a glassy carbon electrode modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and tyrosinase (Tyr) within a dihexadecylphosphate film is proposed. Cystamine and glutaraldehyde crosslinking agents were used as a support for Tyr immobilization. The proposed biosensor was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and cyclic voltammetry in the presence of catechol. The determination of catechol was carried out by amperometry and presented a linear concentration range from 2.5 × 10⁻⁶ to 9.5 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 1.7 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹. The developed biosensor showed good repeatability and stability. Moreover, this novel amperometric method was successfully applied in the determination of catechol in natural water samples. The results were in agreement with a 95% confidence level for those obtained using the official spectrophotometric method.     

Colorimetric detection of melamine in milk by citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles

Here, we report a simple and sensitive colorimetric method for detection of melamine in milk using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). AuNPs of 21-nm size were synthesized by the citrate reduction method. The method is based on the principle that the melamine causes the aggregation of AuNPs and, hence, the wine red color of AuNPs changes to blue or purple. This change in color can be visualized with the naked eye or an ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrometer. Under optimized conditions, AuNPs are highly specific for melamine and can detect melamine down to a concentration of 0.05 mg L⁻¹.     

Glucose biosensor based on nanohybrid material of gold nanoparticles and glucose oxidase on a bioplatform

A simple and relatively cheap glucose biosensor based on a combination of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) and glucose oxidase (GO(x) ) immobilized on a bioplatform eggshell membrane was established. Scanning electron microscopy showed successful immobilization of Au NPs/GO(x) on the eggshell membrane. The effects of pH, phosphate buffer concentration, and temperature on the glucose biosensor were studied in detail. The biosensor shows a linear response at a glucose concentration range of 5-525 μM. The detection limit of the biosensor is 2.5 μM (S/N = 3). The biosensor exhibits good repeatability with RSD = 3.6% (n = 6), good operational stability with over 300 measurements and long-term storage stability with a shelf life of at least 6 months. The response time is less than 60 s. The glucose level in commercial food samples has been successfully determined. The proposed work shows potential to develop cost-effective biosensors for biotechnological, biomedical and industrial use.