Rapid Detection of microRNA-122 in Serum and Finger Blood Using a Lateral Flow Nucleic Acid Biosensor

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Molecular Diagnostics
• Hepatology

Background:

• MicroRNA-122 (miR-122) is a critical regulator and biomarker in liver diseases.
• Conventional detection methods (Northern blotting, qRT-PCR) are complex and time-consuming.
• There is a need for rapid, sensitive, and user-friendly miR-122 detection techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel lateral flow nucleic acid biosensor (LFNAB) for sensitive and rapid detection of miR-122.
• To establish LFNAB as a viable alternative to traditional miR-122 detection methods.
• To demonstrate the applicability of LFNAB in clinical settings using serum and fingertip blood samples.

Main Methods:

• Construction of LFNAB using thiol-modified detection DNA probes (Det-DNA), biotinylated capture DNA probes (Cap-DNA), and control DNA probes (Con-DNA).
• Labeling of Det-DNA with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as colored tags.
• Detection principle based on dual DNA-miRNA hybridization forming sandwich-type complexes captured on the LFNAB test area.

Main Results:

• The LFNAB demonstrated high specificity and sensitivity for miR-122 detection.
• A linear response was observed within the 0-100 pM miR-122 concentration range.
• The limit of detection was as low as 3.90 pM within 15 minutes.
• Successful detection of miR-122 in serum and fingertip blood samples was achieved.

Conclusions:

• The developed LFNAB provides a rapid, sensitive, and efficient method for miR-122 detection.
• LFNAB overcomes the limitations of traditional methods, offering a simplified testing procedure.
• This biosensor shows significant potential for clinical diagnostics and research applications in liver disease assessment.