title: A practicable detection system for genetically modified rice by SERS-barcoded nanosensors.
abstract: Since the global cultivation of genetically modified crops constantly expands, it remains a high demand to establish different ways to sort food and feed that consist or contain genetically modified organisms. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy is a flexible tool for biological analysis due to its excellent properties for detecting wide varieties of target biomolecules including nucleic acids. In the present study, a SERS-barcoded nanosensor was developed to detect Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) gene-transformed rice expressing insecticidal proteins. The barcoded sensor was designed by encapsulation of gold nanoparticles with silica and conjugation of oligonucleotide strands for targeting DNA strands. The transition between the cry1A(b) and cry1A(c) fusion gene sequence was used to construct a specific SERS-based detection method with a detection limit of 0.1 pg/mL. In order to build the determination models to screen transgene, a series mixture of Bt rice and normal rice were prepared for SERS assay, and the limit of detection was 0.1% (w/w) transgenic Bt rice relative to normal rice. The sensitivity and accuracy of the SERS-based assay was comparable with real-time PCR. The SERS-barcoded analytical method would provide precise detection of transgenic rice varieties but also informative supplement to avoid false positive outcomes.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China.
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Heyou
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Zhihui
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Yanjun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiuping
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D001413:Bacillus thuringiensis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D012275:Oryza / Q000235:genetics*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods*; D019076:Transgenes
chemical_list: D006046:Gold