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Design and Development of Aptamer–Gold Nanoparticle Based Colorimetric Assays for In-the-field Applications
Published on: June 23, 2016
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Development of a gold nanoparticle-based colorimetric sensor utilizing cysteine-loaded liposomes in acidic buffer
Youkyoung Yang1, Joon-Seo Park2, Sang-Wha Lee1
1Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Gachon University, San 65, Bokjeong-dong, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 461-701, South Korea. lswha@gachon.ac.kr.
Dalton Transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003)
|March 27, 2025
Summary
This study developed a colorimetric sensor using gold nanoparticles and liposomes to detect membrane disruption. The system shows a color change indicating biological activity, even in acidic conditions.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biochemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Liposomes are crucial for drug delivery and biomimetic studies.
- Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) offer unique optical properties for sensing applications.
- Detecting membrane disruption is vital for understanding biological processes like viral infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel colorimetric sensing system for detecting liposome membrane disruption.
- To utilize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and cysteine (Cys)-encapsulated liposomes (CELPs) as sensing probes.
- To evaluate the system's performance across various buffer solutions and pH levels.
Main Methods:
- A colorimetric sensing system was designed using AuNPs and CELPs.
- Triton X-100 (TX-100) was used to induce liposome membrane disruption.
- Cysteine release triggered AuNP aggregation, causing a color change, enhanced by Cu2+ chelation.
Main Results:
- The AuNP-CELP/TX-100 system demonstrated a red-to-blue color change upon membrane disruption.
- Citrate-capped AuNPs (cit-AuNPs) showed effective sensing at neutral pH (7.0-7.4) with a UV-vis shift to ~660 nm.
- Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-capped AuNPs (cit-AuNPs-CTAB) enabled sensing in acidic media, overcoming cit-AuNP instability.
Conclusions:
- The AuNP-CELP/TX-100 system is a viable colorimetric sensor for detecting membrane disruption.
- The system's ability to function in acidic media makes it suitable for diverse biological applications.
- This sensing approach holds potential for visualizing biological interactions, including viral attacks, in various environments.
