Wettability read-out strategy for aptamer target binding based on a recognition/hydrophobic bilayer surface

Area of Science:

• Biosensors and Nanotechnology
• Surface Chemistry and Materials Science

Background:

• Aptasensors offer label-free detection but often require complex signal amplification.
• Wettability changes are sensitive indicators of surface interactions.
• Bilayer surfaces present unique opportunities for controlled signal transduction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a wettability-based readout strategy for aptasensors utilizing a bilayer surface.
• To investigate the mechanism of signal generation via hydrophobicity reduction.
• To analyze the kinetics and influencing factors of the aptasensor response.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a bilayer aptasensor with a nanoneedle layer and a supporting aptamer layer.
• Induction of signal through molecular recognition events leading to nanoneedle layer fracture.
• Monitoring of wettability changes using time-curve analysis to study kinetics.

Main Results:

• Successfully established a wettability readout strategy based on hydrophobicity reduction.
• Demonstrated that nanoneedle layer fracture, triggered by aptamer recognition, is the source of the signal.
• Characterized the kinetics of the signal generation process and identified key influencing factors.

Conclusions:

• The developed aptasensor effectively utilizes wettability changes for signal transduction.
• The bilayer design enables a fracture-induced hydrophobicity reduction mechanism for sensitive detection.
• This approach provides a promising label-free detection strategy for aptasensor applications.