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Updated: Jun 23, 2025

Author Spotlight: Engineering Molecular Tools for Disease Detection and Imaging
Published on: December 8, 2023
CRISPR/Cas12a trans-cleavage mediated photoelectrochemical biosensor based on zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 for
Linghui Kong1, Chengxue Zong1, Xiaodong Chen1
1Key Laboratory of Optic-electric Sensing and Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science in Universities of Shandong, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, MOE, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266042, P.R. China.
Abstract:
An efficient PEC biosensor is proposed for ATP detection based on exciton energy transfer from CdTe quantum dots (CdTe QDs) to Au nanoparticles (AuNPs), integrating CRISPR/Cas12a trans-cleavage activity and specific recognition of ZIF-67 to ATP. Exciton energy transfer between CdTe QDs and AuNPs system is firstly constructed as photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing substrate. Then, the activator DNAs, used to activate CRISPR/Cas12a, are absorbed on the surface of ZIF-67. In the presence of ATP, the activator DNAs are released due to more efficient adsorption of ZIF-67 to ATP. The released activator DNA activates trans-cleavage activity of CRISPR/Cas12a to degrade ssDNA on the electrode, leading to the recovery of photocurrent due to the interrupted energy transfer. Benefiting from the specific recognition of ZIF-67 to ATP and CRISPR/Cas12a-modulated amplification strategy, the sensor is endowed with excellent specificity and high sensitivity.

