Nano aptasensor for protective antigen toxin of anthrax
Lakshmi N Cella1, Pablo Sanchez, Wenwan Zhong
1Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, USA.
Analytical Chemistry
|February 9, 2010
Summary
A novel nano aptasensor detects anthrax toxin
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biosensors
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Anthrax toxin poses a significant biosecurity threat.
- Accurate and rapid detection methods are crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a highly sensitive aptasensor for detecting anthrax toxin's protective antigen (PA toxin).
- To create a potential tool for rapid, point-of-care anthrax diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with a specific ssDNA aptamer for PA toxin.
- Development of the aptamer using capillary electrophoresis systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (CE-SELEX).
- Characterization of the aptasensor's sensitivity, dynamic range, and selectivity.
Main Results:
- The aptasensor demonstrated high sensitivity with a detection limit of 1 nM and a wide dynamic range up to 800 nM.
- The aptasensor exhibited high selectivity for PA toxin, showing no interference from common serum proteins.
- The device was reusable up to six times, indicating durability.
Conclusions:
- The developed nano aptasensor is a sensitive and selective tool for PA toxin detection.
- This technology shows promise for rapid and point-of-care diagnosis of anthrax.
