A Sensitive Electrochemical Aptasensor for Thrombin Detection Based on Electroactive Co-Based Metal-Organic...

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Biosensors
• Nanomaterials

Background:

• Traditional nicking enzyme signaling amplification (NESA) strategies have limited DNA utilization in each cycle.
• Developing sensitive electrochemical biosensors for thrombin (TB) detection is crucial for clinical diagnostics.
• Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and noble metal nanoparticles offer unique properties for biosensing applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an improved NESA strategy for enhanced signal amplification in electrochemical biosensors.
• To fabricate a sensitive electrochemical biosensor for thrombin (TB) detection using Co-based MOFs decorated with PtPd nanoparticles (PtPdNPs).
• To investigate the role of Co-MOFs/PtPdNPs as a redox mediator and signal label.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of PtPd NPs decorated electroactive Co-based MOFs (Co-MOFs/PtPdNPs).
• Implementation of an improved target-triggering nicking enzyme signaling amplification (NESA) strategy with high DNA utilization.
• Electrochemical detection of thrombin (TB) using the developed biosensor.

Main Results:

• The improved NESA strategy achieved high utilization of output DNA, significantly enhancing signal amplification.
• The Co-MOFs/PtPdNPs acted as both nanocarriers and signal labels, functioning as a redox mediator.
• The developed TB biosensor demonstrated high sensitivity, detecting TB from 1 pM to 30 nM with a low detection limit of 0.32 pM.

Conclusions:

• The novel NESA strategy with enhanced DNA utilization provides an efficient approach for signal amplification in biosensing.
• The Co-MOFs/PtPdNPs composite material effectively enhances electrochemical signals for TB detection.
• This work presents a promising avenue for developing highly sensitive electrochemical biosensors for various analytes.