Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 28, 2026
09:06
MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method
Published on: October 7, 2025
504
Structurally responsive oligonucleotide-based single-probe lateral-flow test for detection of miRNA-21 mimics
Kamalodin Kor1,2, Anthony P F Turner1, Kobra Zarei2
1Biosensors and Bioelectronics Centre, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University, 58183, Linköping, Sweden.
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry
|December 25, 2015
Summary
A novel single-probe strip test enables rapid and sensitive detection of miRNA-21 mimics using gold nanoparticle-conjugated molecular beacons. This versatile assay shows high selectivity and potential for point-of-care diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- MicroRNA-21 (miRNA-21) is implicated in various diseases.
- Sensitive and specific detection methods for miRNA-21 are crucial for clinical applications.
- Existing methods may require complex assay conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a rapid, sensitive, and selective single-probe strip test for miRNA-21 detection.
- To utilize structurally responsive DNA/LNA oligonucleotide probes conjugated with gold nanoparticles.
- To demonstrate the potential for point-of-care clinical applications.
Main Methods:
- Design of bi-functional DNA/LNA oligonucleotide probes (molecular beacons) with thiol and biotin modifications.
- Conjugation of molecular beacons with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to form biotin-MB-AuNPs.
- Development of a single-probe strip test utilizing the target-dependent accessibility of the biotin group for streptavidin binding.
- Quantitative analysis using a flatbed scanner and ImageJ software for color intensity measurement.
Main Results:
- The strip test demonstrated linear response from 0.5 to 20 nM miRNA-21 with a limit of detection of 115 pM.
- High reproducibility was observed with intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation below 8%.
- Excellent selectivity was shown, discriminating against other miRNA mimics like miRNA-221 and miRNA-205.
- Successful detection of miRNA-21 mimics in spiked serum samples was achieved.
Conclusions:
- The developed single-probe strip test offers a versatile, simple, and robust platform for miRNA detection.
- The assay's sensitivity, selectivity, and ease of use make it suitable for point-of-care diagnostics.
- The structurally responsive single-probe design is particularly advantageous for detecting short targets like miRNAs.
