DNA Biosensors for Highly Sensitive Detection

A special issue of Biosensors (ISSN 2079-6374). This special issue belongs to the section "Biosensors and Healthcare".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2023) | Viewed by 8268

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Interests: DNA biosensor; nucleic acid; polymer gel electrolyte; wearable/implantable flexible devices

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Interests: biosensors; biomolecular responsive nanopores; bio-analytical chemistry

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Interests: biomass-based smart responsive materials; biomass-based nanomaterials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

DNA has emerged as a versatile molecule for the development of biosensors due to its ability to recognize not only complementary nucleic acids but also metal ions, small molecules, proteins, and cells. Recently, different kinds of detection strategies have been reported, such as luminescence assays, fluorescence detection, colorimetric test, and surface plasmon resonance. However, many methods are time-consuming, expensive, and lack sensibility. Therefore, novel approaches in rapid, sensitive, and reliable detection should be urgently required, especially for early diagnosis. To date, owing to the high specificity and affinity, aptamer-based detection techniques have been widely developed. In almost all of the aptamer-based technologies, if without a signal amplification strategy, a one-to-one relationship between the aptamer and its correspondence target leads to low sensitivity and high error rate. Thus, various signal-amplification strategies have been widely explored, such as hybrid chain reaction, enzyme-assisted strand displacement reaction, and rolling circle amplification.

For this Special Issue, we invite you to share new signal amplification strategies of DNA-based biosensors for highly sensitive detection, in the form of original research or review articles, with a focus on their specific applications. We hope that by showcasing a range of different strategies from researchers around the world, the reader will gain an insight into the cutting-edge advancements that are taking place in this field, as well as develop an appreciation for the strengths (and limitations) of current technologies. We look forward to your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Jie Du
Prof. Dr. Fan Xia
Dr. Hui Zhang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • biosensors
  • DNA
  • aptamers
  • nucleotides
  • bioassays
  • nanomaterials
  • real-time analysis
  • sensor performance
  • sensing mechanism
  • signal amplification
  • miniaturized systems
  • highly sensitive detection

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 1611 KiB  
Article
A Self-Assembled G-Quadruplex/Hemin DNAzyme-Driven DNA Walker Strategy for Sensitive and Rapid Detection of Lead Ions Based on Rolling Circle Amplification
by Yuhan Wang, Jiaxuan Xiao, Xiaona Lin, Amira Waheed, Ayyanu Ravikumar, Zhen Zhang, Yanmin Zou and Chengshui Chen
Biosensors 2023, 13(8), 761; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13080761 - 26 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1636
Abstract
Herein, a sensitive biosensor is constructed based on a novel rolling circle amplification (RCA) for colorimetric quantification of lead ion (Pb2+). At the detection system, GR5 DNAzymes are modified on the surface of an immunomagnetic bead, and Pb2+ is captured [...] Read more.
Herein, a sensitive biosensor is constructed based on a novel rolling circle amplification (RCA) for colorimetric quantification of lead ion (Pb2+). At the detection system, GR5 DNAzymes are modified on the surface of an immunomagnetic bead, and Pb2+ is captured by the aptamer, inducing the disintegration of the GR5 DNAzyme and the release of the DNA walker. After the introduction of the template DNA, T4 DNA ligase, and phi29 DNA polymerase, an RCA is initiated for the sensitivity improvement of this method. Moreover, a G4-hemin DNAzyme is formed as a colorimetric signal, owing to its peroxide-like activity to catalyze the TMB-H2O2 substrate. Under the optimized conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) of this fabricated biosensor could reach 3.3 pM for Pb2+ with a concentration in the range of 0.01–1000 nM. Furthermore, the results of real samples analysis demonstrate its satisfactory accuracy, implying its great potential in the rapid detection of heavy metals in the environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue DNA Biosensors for Highly Sensitive Detection)
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14 pages, 4693 KiB  
Article
Label-Free Electrochemical Aptasensor Based on the Vertically-Aligned Mesoporous Silica Films for Determination of Aflatoxin B1
by Tongtong Zhang, Shuai Xu, Xingyu Lin, Jiyang Liu and Kai Wang
Biosensors 2023, 13(6), 661; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13060661 - 16 Jun 2023
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 1408
Abstract
Herein we report a highly specific electrochemical aptasenseor for AFB1 determination based on AFB1-controlled diffusion of redox probe (Ru(NH3)63+) through nanochannels of AFB1-specific aptamer functionalized VMSF. A high density of silanol groups on the inner surface confers VMSF [...] Read more.
Herein we report a highly specific electrochemical aptasenseor for AFB1 determination based on AFB1-controlled diffusion of redox probe (Ru(NH3)63+) through nanochannels of AFB1-specific aptamer functionalized VMSF. A high density of silanol groups on the inner surface confers VMSF with cationic permselectivity, enabling electrostatic preconcentration of Ru(NH3)63+ and producing amplified electrochemical signals. Upon the addition of AFB1, the specific interaction between the aptamer and AFB1 occurs and generates steric hindrance effect on the access of Ru(NH3)63+, finally resulting in the reduced electrochemical responses and allowing the quantitative determination of AFB1. The proposed electrochemical aptasensor shows excellent detection performance in the range of 3 pg/mL to 3 μg/mL with a low detection limit of 2.3 pg/mL for AFB1 detection. Practical analysis of AFB1 in peanut and corn samples is also accomplished with satisfactory results by our fabricated electrochemical aptasensor. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue DNA Biosensors for Highly Sensitive Detection)
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13 pages, 2526 KiB  
Article
Highly Sensitive Fluorescence Detection of Three Organophosphorus Pesticides Based on Highly Bright DNA-Templated Silver Nanoclusters
by Guowen Li, Xiufang Huang, Chifang Peng and Fengxia Sun
Biosensors 2023, 13(5), 520; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13050520 - 05 May 2023
Viewed by 1485
Abstract
It is still challenging to achieve simultaneous and sensitive detection of multiple organophosphorus pesticides (OPs). Herein, we optimized the ssDNA templates for the synthesis of silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs). For the first time, we found that the fluorescence intensity of T base-extended DNA-templated [...] Read more.
It is still challenging to achieve simultaneous and sensitive detection of multiple organophosphorus pesticides (OPs). Herein, we optimized the ssDNA templates for the synthesis of silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs). For the first time, we found that the fluorescence intensity of T base-extended DNA-templated Ag NCs was over three times higher than the original C-riched DNA-templated Ag NCs. Moreover, a “turn-off” fluorescence sensor based on the brightest DNA-Ag NCs was constructed for the sensitive detection of dimethoate, ethion and phorate. Under strong alkaline conditions, the P-S bonds in three pesticides were broken, and the corresponding hydrolysates were obtained. The sulfhydryl groups in the hydrolyzed products formed Ag-S bonds with the silver atoms on the surface of Ag NCs, which resulted in the aggregation of Ag NCs, following the fluorescence quenching. The fluorescence sensor showed that the linear ranges were 0.1–4 ng/mL for dimethoate with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.05 ng/mL, 0.3–2 µg/mL for ethion with a LOD of 30 ng/mL, and 0.03–0.25 µg/mL for phorate with a LOD of 3 ng/mL. Moreover, the developed method was successfully applied to the detection of dimethoate, ethion and phorate in lake water samples, indicating a potential application in OP detection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue DNA Biosensors for Highly Sensitive Detection)
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12 pages, 4077 KiB  
Communication
Label-Free Fluorescent Turn-On Glyphosate Sensing Based on DNA-Templated Silver Nanoclusters
by Yuliang Cheng, Guowen Li, Xiufang Huang, Zhijuan Qian and Chifang Peng
Biosensors 2022, 12(10), 832; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12100832 - 06 Oct 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1477
Abstract
In this work, a label-free fluorescent detection method for glyphosate, based on DNA-templated silver nanoclusters (DNA-Ag NCs) and a Cu2+-ion-modulated strategy, was developed. In the presence of Cu2+, the fluorescence of the DNA-Ag NCs was quenched. Glyphosate can restore [...] Read more.
In this work, a label-free fluorescent detection method for glyphosate, based on DNA-templated silver nanoclusters (DNA-Ag NCs) and a Cu2+-ion-modulated strategy, was developed. In the presence of Cu2+, the fluorescence of the DNA-Ag NCs was quenched. Glyphosate can restore the fluorescence of DNA-Ag NCs. By analyzing the storage stability of the obtained DNA-Ag NCs using different DNA templates, specific DNA-Ag NCs were selected for the construction of the glyphosate sensor. The ultrasensitive detection of glyphosate was achieved by optimizing the buffer pH and Cu2+ concentration. The sensing of glyphosate demonstrated a linear response in the range of 1.0–50 ng/mL. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.2 ng/mL. The proposed method was successfully applied in the detection of glyphosate in a real sample, indicating its high application potential for glyphosate detection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue DNA Biosensors for Highly Sensitive Detection)
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13 pages, 2732 KiB  
Article
Gold Nanoparticle-Based Enzyme-Assisted Cyclic Amplification for the Highly-Sensitive Detection of miRNA-21
by Yang Qing, Yuxing Yang, Ping Ouyang, Chenxin Fang, Haobin Fang, Yazhen Liao, Haiyu Li, Zhencui Wang and Jie Du
Biosensors 2022, 12(9), 724; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12090724 - 04 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1808
Abstract
Because microRNAs (miRNAs) are biological indicators for the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of tumors, cancers, and other diseases, it is significant to develop a rapid, sensitive, and reliable miRNA detection platform. In this study, based on miRNA-21 detection, DNA-a with a 3′ end [...] Read more.
Because microRNAs (miRNAs) are biological indicators for the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of tumors, cancers, and other diseases, it is significant to develop a rapid, sensitive, and reliable miRNA detection platform. In this study, based on miRNA-21 detection, DNA-a with a 3′ end overhang and Texas Red fluorophore-labeled 5′ end was designed, which reacts with miRNA-21 and hybridizes with exonuclease III (Exo III), where the part connected to miRNA-21 is hydrolyzed, leaving a-DNA. At the same time, miRNA-21 is released to participate in the following reaction, to achieve cyclic amplification. a-DNA reacts with DNA-b conjugated to gold nanoparticles to achieve fluorescence quenching, with the quenching value denoted as F; additionally, after adding DNA-d and linked streptavidin immunomagnetic beads (SIBs), fluorescence recovery was achieved using DNA-c, with the recovered fluorescence recorded as F0. By comparing the difference in the fluorescence (F0F) between the two experiments, the amount of DNA-a hydrolyzed to produce a-DNA was established to determine the target miRNA-21 content. Under optimized conditions, by comparing the changes in the fluorescence signal, the developed strategy shows good sensitivity and repeatability, with a detection limit of 18 pM, good discriminative ability and selectivity, and promise for the early diagnosis of breast and intestinal cancers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue DNA Biosensors for Highly Sensitive Detection)
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