A Label-Free Fluorescent DNA Calculator Based on Gold Nanoparticles for Sensitive Detection of ATP

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Nanotechnology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a crucial biomarker for various biological processes.
• Sensitive and selective detection of ATP is essential for diagnostics and research.
• Existing ATP detection methods often involve complex procedures or lack sensitivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) calculator for sensitive and selective adenosine triphosphate (ATP) detection.
• To evaluate the performance of the DNA calculator in terms of linearity, reaction time, logic gate function, and selectivity.
• To demonstrate the applicability of the DNA calculator for ATP detection in human urine samples.

Main Methods:

• Utilized gold nanoparticles (GNP) and PicoGreen fluorescence dye as signal transducers.
• Employed ATP and single-stranded DNA (DNA-M') as activators in a DNA-based logic gate system.
• Investigated calculator performances including linearity, reaction time, logic gate operations, and selectivity.

Main Results:

• Achieved a highly sensitive and selective oligonucleotide sensor for ATP detection.
• Established a linear detection range of 50–500 nmol/L with a high coefficient of determination (R² = 0.99391).
• Determined a low detection limit of 46.5 nmol/L for ATP.
• Successfully applied the AND DNA calculator for ATP detection in human urine samples.

Conclusions:

• The developed DNA calculator provides a sensitive and selective method for ATP determination.
• This label-free, non-enzymic, and simple approach offers advantages over existing ATP detection techniques.
• The DNA calculator demonstrates significant potential for practical applications in biological sample analysis.