Thrombin Determination Using Graphene Oxide Sensors with Co-Assisted Amplification

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Graphene oxide (GO) is a versatile material for biosensor development.
• Existing GO-based protein sensors require enhanced sensitivity for accurate detection.
• Thrombin detection is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring various medical conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a highly sensitive graphene oxide (GO)-DNA sensor for thrombin detection.
• To improve the limit of detection (LOD) for thrombin using a novel signal amplification strategy.
• To enhance the specificity and reduce non-specific adsorption in the sensor.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a GO-DNA sensor utilizing aptamers immobilized on GO surface.
• Incorporation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to minimize non-specific adsorption.
• Implementation of a signal amplification strategy involving GO and RecJf exonuclease.
• Optimization of sensor parameters for enhanced thrombin detection.

Main Results:

• Achieved an ultra-low limit of detection (LOD) of 24.35 fM for thrombin.
• Demonstrated improved sensitivity and specificity compared to bare GO sensors.
• Validated the effectiveness of the GO-DNA sensor in analytical applications.
• Confirmed the role of PEG in reducing non-specific binding.

Conclusions:

• The developed GO-DNA sensor represents a promising advancement for sensitive thrombin detection.
• The combined use of aptamers, PEG, and enzyme-assisted amplification significantly enhances sensor performance.
• This method offers a robust platform for various analytical and diagnostic applications.