title: An ultrasensitive photoelectrochemical nucleic acid biosensor.
abstract: A simple and ultrasensitive procedure for non-labeling detection of nucleic acids is described in this study. It is based on the photoelectrochemical detection of target nucleic acids by forming a nucleic acid/photoreporter adduct layer on an ITO electrode. The target nucleic acids were hybridized with immobilized oligonucleotide capture probes on the ITO electrode. A subsequent binding of a photoreporter--a photoactive threading bis-intercalator consisting of two N,N'-bis(3-propyl-imidazole)-1,4,5,8-naphthalene diimides (PIND) linked by a Ru (bpy)2(2) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) complex (PIND-Ru-PIND)-allowed for photoelectrochemical detection of the target nucleic acids. The extremely low dissociation rate of the adduct and the highly reversible photoelectrochemical response under visible light illumination (490 nm) make it possible to conduct nucleic acid detection, with a sensitivity enhancement of four orders of magnitude over voltammetry. These results demonstrate for the first time the potential of photoelectrochemical biosensors for PCR-free ultrasensitive detection of nucleic acids.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology 31 Biopolis Way, Singapore 138669. zqgao@ibn.a-star.edu.sg
authors.forename: Zhiqiang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Natalia C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Tansil
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods; D004566:Electrodes; D007364:Intercalating Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D008027:Light; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization / Q000379:methods*; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D011728:Pyridones / Q000737:chemistry*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D007364:Intercalating Agents; C502794:N,N'-bis(3-propylimidazole)-1,4,5,8-napthalenediimide-bis(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II)-N,N'-bis(3-propylimidazole)-1,4,5,8-napthalenediimide; D009696:Nucleic Acids; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011728:Pyridones; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004247:DNA