X-ray Nanocrystal Scintillator-Based Aptasensor for Autofluorescence-Free Detection

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Optical biosensors offer sensitive biomolecule detection for early disease diagnosis.
• UV-vis-induced background fluorescence in biological samples presents a significant challenge for optical biosensors.
• X-ray excitation offers a solution due to weak scattering and minimal absorption by biological chromophores.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an X-ray nanocrystal scintillator-based aptasensor for sensitive and homogeneous detection of target biomolecules.
• To overcome the limitations of UV-vis-induced background fluorescence in biological samples.
• To create a novel, autofluorescence-free strategy for biomarker sensing.

Main Methods:

• Design of aptamer-labeled lanthanide-doped nanocrystal scintillators.
• Utilizing fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) for lysozyme detection.
• Employing low-dose X-ray as an excitation source for high-efficiency luminescence.

Main Results:

• The X-ray nanocrystal scintillator-based aptasensor achieved sensitive detection of lysozyme in human serum samples.
• High sensitivity up to 0.94 nM was demonstrated.
• Excellent specificity and sample recoveries were observed, indicating robust performance.

Conclusions:

• The developed X-ray scintillating aptasensor provides a new generation of high-sensitivity biomarker sensing.
• This technique offers an autofluorescence-free strategy for biomedical applications.
• The aptasensor shows great potential for early disease diagnosis and other biomedical applications.