Multiplex DNA assay based on nanoparticle probes by single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A multiplex DNA assay based on nanoparticle (NP) tags detection utilizing single particle mode inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) as ultrasensitive readout has been demonstrated in the article. Three DNA targets associated with clinical diseases (HIV, HAV, and HBV) down to 1 pM were detected by DNA probes labeled with AuNPs, AgNPs, and PtNPs via DNA sandwich assay. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes can also be effectively discriminated. Since our method is unaffected by the sample matrix, it is well-suited for diagnostic applications. Moreover, with the high sensitivity of SP-ICP-MS and the variety of NPs detectable by SP-ICP-MS, high-throughput DNA assay could be achieved without signal amplification or chain reaction amplification.