Aptamer-Based Nanoporous Anodic Alumina Interferometric Biosensor for Real-Time Thrombin Detection

Area of Science:

• Nanomaterials Science
• Biosensor Technology
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Aptamer biosensors require efficient surface immobilization strategies for optimal performance.
• Chemical modifications are crucial for defining aptamer attachment on biosensor platforms.
• Nanoporous anodic alumina (NAA) offers a high surface area for potential biosensing applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and characterize a novel NAA platform chemically modified with streptavidin for aptamer immobilization.
• To monitor the real-time immobilization of biotinylated thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) on the NAA surface.
• To establish a label-free method for high-affinity and specific thrombin detection.

Main Methods:

• Chemical modification of nanoporous anodic alumina (NAA) with streptavidin.
• Immobilization of biotinylated thrombin binding aptamer (TBA).
• Real-time monitoring using reflective interferometric spectroscopy (RIfS).

Main Results:

• Successful real-time characterization of TBA immobilization on NAA inner pore walls.
• Demonstration of an accurate, label-free method for thrombin detection.
• Achieved high affinity and specificity in thrombin detection using the developed aptamer biosensor.

Conclusions:

• Streptavidin-modified NAA serves as an effective platform for aptamer immobilization in biosensors.
• Reflective interferometric spectroscopy (RIfS) is a suitable technique for real-time monitoring of aptamer immobilization.
• The developed aptamer biosensor enables sensitive and specific label-free detection of thrombin.