Rapid and reliable microRNA detection by stacking hybridization on electrochemiluminescent chip system

MicroRNAs play pivotal roles in many fundamental aspects of life. Because microRNAs have the characteristics of small size, similar sequence, and low abundance, it is challenging to identify microRNAs rapidly and specifically with high sensitivity. Herein, we developed an electrochemiluminescent (ECL) chip system for microRNA detection based on base-stacking hybridization and magnetic microparticle enrichment technology. In the designed system, the integration of the microfluidic system with ECL detection made it easy to assemble the multiple assay steps and allowed the construction of a device that is convenient to carry. A limit of detection of 1fmol was achieved with this assay. The proposed direct optical microRNA detection technique demonstrated an acceptable sensitivity combined with the advantages of reliability and rapidity.