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Updated: May 29, 2026
Foodborne Pathogen Screening Using Magneto-fluorescent Nanosensor: Rapid Detection of E. Coli O157:H7
Published on: September 17, 2017
Combining a nanowire SERRS sensor and a target recycling reaction for ultrasensitive and multiplex identification of
Seung Min Yoo1, Taejoon Kang, Hyungchang Kang
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, (BK21 Program), KAIST, Daejeon, 305-701, Korea.
Abstract:
Development of a rapid, sensitive, and multiplex pathogen DNA sensor enables early diagnosis and, subsequently, the proper treatment of infectious diseases, increasing the possibility to save the lives of infected patients. Here, the development of an ultrasensitive and multiplex pathogen DNA detection method that combines a patterned Au nanowire (NW)-on-film surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) sensor with an exonuclease III-assisted target DNA recycling reaction is reported. Multiple probe DNAs are added to the target DNA solution, and among them, only the complementary probe DNA is selectively digested by exonuclease III, resulting in the decrease in its concentration. The digestion process is repeated by recycling of target DNAs. The decrease of the complementary probe DNA concentration is detected by SERRS. Combining the high sensitivity of the NW-on-film sensor and the target recycling reaction significantly improves DNA detection performance, resulting in the detection limit of 100 fM corresponding to 3 amole. By positioning Au NWs at specific addresses, multiple pathogen DNAs can be identified in a single step. Clinical sample tests with multiple genomic DNAs of pathogens show the potential of this sensor for practical diagnosis of infectious diseases.
Insights
A new sensor combines gold nanowires and DNA recycling for ultrasensitive pathogen detection. This rapid, multiplex method aids early infectious disease diagnosis and treatment, potentially saving lives.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biotechnology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Early diagnosis of infectious diseases is critical for effective treatment and patient survival.
- Current diagnostic methods may lack the required sensitivity, speed, or multiplexing capability for all pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a rapid, sensitive, and multiplex pathogen DNA detection method.
- To enhance pathogen DNA detection performance by combining a patterned gold nanowire (NW)-on-film surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) sensor with an exonuclease III-assisted target DNA recycling reaction.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a patterned gold nanowire (NW)-on-film SERRS sensor.
- Incorporated an exonuclease III-assisted target DNA recycling reaction for signal amplification.
- Detected the decrease in complementary probe DNA concentration via SERRS.
- Achieved multiplex detection by positioning Au NWs at specific addresses.
Main Results:
- Achieved an ultrasensitive detection limit of 100 femtomolar (fM), equivalent to 3 amole.
- Demonstrated significant improvement in DNA detection performance through the combined sensor and recycling strategy.
- Successfully identified multiple pathogen genomic DNAs in a single step using clinical samples.
Conclusions:
- The developed SERRS sensor with target recycling offers a highly sensitive and multiplex platform for pathogen DNA detection.
- This method shows significant potential for the practical and early diagnosis of infectious diseases.
- The technology could improve patient outcomes by enabling timely and appropriate treatment.
