Graphene-Oxide-Based FRET Platform for Sensing Xenogeneic Collagen Coassembly

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Biochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Xenogeneic collagen coassembly (XCCA) is crucial for designing advanced collagen-based biomaterials.
• Current methods for monitoring XCCA lack accuracy and sensitivity.
• Developing precise detection techniques is essential for regulating biomaterial performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sensitive and efficient method for monitoring XCCA.
• To establish a graphene-oxide (GO)-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) platform for XCCA detection.
• To investigate the relationship between XCCA and the thermal stability of collagen fibrils.

Main Methods:

• A GO-based FRET platform was designed using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled porcine skin collagen (PSC).
• PSC adsorbed onto GO quenched fluorescence; XCCA with grass carp skin collagen (GCSC) induced PSC desorption and fluorescence recovery.
• The platform's sensitivity, specificity, and anti-interference capabilities were evaluated.

Main Results:

• The fluorescence signal showed a linear increase with GCSC concentration (50–1000 μg/mL) with a sensitivity of 22 μg/mL.
• The developed method demonstrated excellent specificity and anti-interference properties.
• A linear correlation was observed between the thermal stability of XCCA-formed collagen fibrils and GCSC concentration.

Conclusions:

• A facile, effective, and sensitive GO-based FRET strategy for sensing XCCA was successfully developed.
• This approach enables precise monitoring of collagen interactions in biomaterial design.
• The findings offer a novel strategy for regulating the thermal stability of collagen fibrils through XCCA.