A graphene oxide fluorescent sensing platform for sensitive and specific detecting biomarker of radiation-resistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Since microRNA-205 (miR-205) is predictive biomarkers for radiation-resistant of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, monitoring of the dynamic variation of miR-205 is of great interest for developing a personalized strategy for the treatment of NPC. Herein, a method for detection of miR-205 was designed based on graphene oxide (GO) and fluorescent probe. The method was successfully used to sensitively and selectively assay miR-205 in aqueous solution, and a low limit of detection of 1.18 nM was obtained in the range 0–300 nM and R² = 0.990. In addition, the designed platform is specific in that it can distinguish the target miRNA from non-target miRNAs, and even the sequences with single base, double base and three base mismatches. Considering the simplicity and superior sensitivity, it has great potential for clinical application in determining biomarker of radiation-resistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma.