Electrochemical aptamer-based sandwich assays for the detection of explosives

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is used to detect 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in a novel sandwiched structure which relies on the specific interactions between (i) primary amine with TNT and (ii) TNT and anti-TNT aptamer. With pure targets, the assay has a sensitivity of 10(-14) M, a dynamic range of 10(-14)-10(-3) M, and employs a small sample volume (25 μL). The method's sensitivity is comparable to state of the art optical methods with the added advantages of electrochemical detection, which can be easily miniaturized and implemented into a hand-held device.