A bifunctional DNA probe for sensing pH and microRNA using a nanopore

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Environmental Science
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Accurate environmental pH monitoring is crucial for ecological health.
• MicroRNA-10b is an important biomarker in various biological processes.
• Existing detection methods for microRNA and pH can be complex or lack sensitivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel bifunctional probe for simultaneous pH measurement and microRNA-10b quantification.
• To utilize triplex molecular beacons for enhanced detection capabilities.
• To employ nanopore technology for sensitive and efficient analysis.

Main Methods:

• Design and synthesis of a bifunctional probe based on triplex molecular beacons.
• Testing the probe's response to varying pH levels within the 6.0-7.5 range.
• Quantifying microRNA-10b using the developed probe and nanopore system.

Main Results:

• The bifunctional probe demonstrated a sharp response to pH changes between 6.0 and 7.5.
• The limit of detection for microRNA-10b was determined to be as low as 5.0 pM.
• Successful simultaneous measurement of pH and microRNA-10b was achieved.

Conclusions:

• The developed triplex molecular beacon probe is effective for environmental pH sensing.
• The probe enables sensitive quantification of microRNA-10b.
• This bifunctional approach offers a promising tool for integrated environmental and biological analysis.