Graphene fluorescence resonance energy transfer aptasensor for the thrombin detection

Area of Science:

• Biomolecular Engineering
• Nanomaterials Science
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Combining nanomaterials with biomolecule recognition units is crucial for advancing clinical diagnostics and protein analysis.
• Graphene's unique properties make it a promising platform for developing sensitive biosensors.
• Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) is a powerful technique for detecting molecular interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a highly sensitive and specific fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) aptasensor for thrombin detection.
• To utilize dye-labeled aptamers assembled on graphene for enhanced biosensing capabilities.
• To investigate the performance of the graphene-based FRET aptasensor in buffer and blood serum.

Main Methods:

• Noncovalent assembly of dye-labeled aptamers onto graphene.
• Utilizing FRET for fluorescence quenching upon aptamer-graphene assembly.
• Monitoring fluorescence recovery upon thrombin binding and subsequent aptamer displacement from graphene.
• Characterizing sensor performance in buffer and blood serum.

Main Results:

• The graphene aptasensor demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for thrombin detection.
• Thrombin binding induced fluorescence recovery due to the formation of thrombin-aptamer complexes with reduced graphene affinity.
• Achieved an exceptionally low detection limit of 31.3 pM for thrombin.
• Exhibited performance two orders of magnitude better than carbon nanotube-based fluorescent sensors.

Conclusions:

• The developed graphene-based FRET aptasensor offers a highly sensitive and specific platform for thrombin detection.
• Graphene's intrinsic properties significantly contribute to the enhanced performance of the aptasensor.
• This technology holds great potential for clinical diagnostics and protein analysis applications.