Paramagnetic nanoparticle-based detection of hepatitis B virus using cathodic stripping voltammetry

A nanoparticle-based electrochemical method for detection of hepatitis B virus DNA sequences has been developed. This method relies on the adsorption of amplified hepatitis B virus DNA strands on to probe-coated paramagnetic particles and electrochemical detection of hybridized strands using a hanging mercury drop electrode. For hepatitis B virus detection, a combination of dynamic DNA hybridization on transportable reactive surfaces and label-free detection of DNA based on the electrochemical determination of adenines was used. Separation of the hybridization area from the detection electrode eliminates non-specific adsorption of long DNAs, and combining this method with dynamic synthesis of probe may result in new flexible approaches for detection of other infectious agents by lab-on-a-chip technology.