Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancements in DNA Nanosensors – Addressing Sensitivity and Selectivity Challenges in Molecular Detection
Published on: February 9, 2024
Induced ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensor for target MDA-MB-231 cell cytoplasmic protein detection based on
Rahman Hallaj1, Zhaleh Ghafary2, Osama Kamal Mohammed2
1Department of Chemistry, University of Kurdistan, P.O.Box 416, Sanandaj, Iran; Nanotechnology Research Center, University of Kurdistan, P.O.Box 416, Sanandaj, Iran.
Abstract:
Herein, we implemented RNA-cleaving DNAzymes specific for the endogenous protein of breast cancer cells (MDA-MB -231) and programmed for electrochemical detection. Thionine-modified gold nanoparticles and modified magnetic nanoparticles are attached to the two ends of the DNAzyme molecule. The prepared probe is pulled to the surface of the electrode with the help of a magnetic field, and the signal caused by the electrochemical activity of thionine is observed on the surface of the electrode. The presence of a covalent gold nanoparticle-thionine hybrid as a highly electroactive/enhanced electrochemical label ensures a strong detection signal. After addition of the enzyme activator cofactor (MDA-MB -231 cytoplasmic cell protein), it reacts with the catalytic core of the enzyme sequence in the DNAzyme molecule and triggers the cleavage reaction in the substrate sequence of the DNAzyme molecule. During this process, the gold nanoparticle-thionine labels are detached from the probe and released into the solution. Inductive removal of gold nanoparticles leads to a decrease in the current related to the reduction of thionine on the electrode surface. The results show that this biosensor can detect this protein marker in the linear range of (1.0E-06 to 1.0E+01) pg/ml, with a detection limit (1.0129E-07 pg/ml), using differential pulse voltammetry as a measuring technique. As well as, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).

