An electrochemical microbiosensor for serotonin based on surface imprinted layer coordinated bimetal functionalized...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Electrochemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a crucial neurotransmitter implicated in numerous physiological and psychopathological processes.
• Accurate detection of 5-HT levels is vital for diagnosing various diseases and understanding neurological functions.
• Existing detection methods often lack the selectivity, sensitivity, or real-time monitoring capabilities required for clinical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, highly selective, and sensitive microbiosensor for the detection of serotonin (5-HT).
• To investigate the synergistic effects of bimetallic nanoparticles and molecular imprinting on sensor performance.
• To evaluate the microbiosensor's applicability in complex biological samples and for real-time cellular monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Electropolymerization of a molecularly imprinted film onto bimetallic gold/platinum (Au/Pt) nanoparticles on an acupuncture needle microelectrode (ANME).
• Utilizing the catalytic oxidation of 5-HT on the Au/Pt nanostructure and specific binding within imprinted cavities.
• Characterization of the microbiosensor's electrochemical performance, selectivity, stability, and reproducibility.

Main Results:

• The developed microbiosensor demonstrated a linear response to 5-HT concentration from 0.03 to 500 μM with a low detection limit of 0.0106 μM.
• The synergistic Au/Pt nanostructure and molecularly imprinted film significantly enhanced sensor performance compared to single-component interfaces.
• The microbiosensor successfully analyzed 5-HT in human serum and urine samples and enabled real-time monitoring of 5-HT release from stimulated PC12 cells.

Conclusions:

• The novel acupuncture needle-based microbiosensor offers a promising platform for selective and sensitive 5-HT detection.
• The combination of bimetallic nanoparticles and molecular imprinting provides a synergistic effect, improving sensor efficiency.
• The microbiosensor's practical applicability in clinical diagnostics and biological research is highlighted by its performance in real samples and real-time monitoring capabilities.