title: Functional nucleic acid entrapment in sol-gel derived materials.
abstract: Functional nucleic acids (FNAs) are single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules, typically generated through in vitro selection, that have the ability to act as receptors for target molecules (aptamers) or perform catalysis of a chemical reaction (deoxyribozymes and ribozymes). Fluorescence-signaling aptamers and deoxyribozymes have recently emerged as promising biological recognition and signaling elements, although little has been done to evaluate their potential for solid-phase assays, particularly with species made of RNA due to their lack of chemical stability and susceptibility to nuclease attack. Herein, we present a detailed overview of the methods utilized for solid-phase immobilization of FNAs using a sol-gel entrapment method that can provide protection from nuclease degradation and impart long-term chemical stability to the FNA reporter systems, while maintaining their signaling capabilities. This article will also provide a brief review of the results of such entrapment studies involving fluorescence-signaling versions of a DNA aptamer, selected RNA-cleaving deoxyribozymes, and two different RNA aptamers in a series of sol-gel derived composites, ranging from highly polar silica to hydrophobic methylsilsesquioxane-based materials. Given the ability to produce sol-gel derived materials in a variety of configurations, particularly as thin film coatings on electrodes, optical fibers, and other devices, this entrapment method should provide a useful platform for numerous solid-phase FNA-based biosensing applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4M1, Canada.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carrasquilla
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Brennan
mesh_terms: D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000737:chemistry*; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002384:Catalysis; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000737:chemistry*; D005453:Fluorescence; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D005782:Gels; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate
keywords: Aptamer; Biosensor; Deoxyribozyme; Entrapment; Fluorescence; Immobilization; Nucleic acid; Sol–gel process