Label free optical sensor for Avidin based on single gold nanoparticles functionalized with aptamers

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biochemistry
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Aptasensors offer specific molecular recognition capabilities.
• Noble metal nanoparticles are utilized in various biosensing applications.
• Single nanoparticle sensing provides high sensitivity and spatial resolution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a single gold nanoparticle aptasensor for avidin detection.
• To explore the integration of aptamer-based assays with nanoparticle biosensors.
• To evaluate the sensitivity and potential applications of the apta-nano-sensor.

Main Methods:

• Functionalization of a single gold nanoparticle with an aptamer.
• Utilizing optical spectroscopy to monitor avidin binding.
• Characterizing the sensor's performance and sensitivity.

Main Results:

• The aptamer-functionalized gold nanoparticle successfully sensed specific avidin binding.
• The initial sensitivity of the apta-nano-sensor was determined to be in the 20 nM range.
• Demonstrated the feasibility of single nanoparticle aptasensor for avidin detection.

Conclusions:

• The study extends the field of single noble metal nanoparticle biosensors to aptamer-based assays.
• The nanoscopic size of the sensor allows for potential use in nanoscopic volumes and intracellular applications.
• This single nanoparticle aptasensor represents a promising platform for sensitive biomolecular detection.