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An integrated electrochemical nanodevice for single-cell MiRNA-155 detection and drug evaluation
Zhuo Li1, Zhaohan Wang2, Jun Chen1
1Department of Emergency/Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210008, China.
Biosensors & Bioelectronics
|July 22, 2025
Summary
This study introduces an integrated nanodevice for single-cell analysis, enabling simultaneous miRNA-155 detection and drug evaluation. This innovation improves drug retention and allows real-time monitoring of cellular responses to anticancer drugs.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Single-cell miRNA profiling and drug evaluation are crucial for understanding cellular processes and developing targeted therapies.
- Current methods often involve separate steps for detection and delivery, leading to short drug retention and limited real-time monitoring.
- Nanopipette platforms offer minimal invasiveness and high spatiotemporal resolution for cellular analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an integrated electrochemical nanodevice for simultaneous, one-step real-time monitoring of single-cell miRNA-155 and drug evaluation.
- To overcome limitations of separate detection and delivery steps, improving intracellular drug retention.
- To dynamically assess drug effects at the single-cell level and study microRNA roles in anticancer drug screening.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of an integrated electrochemical nanodevice for single-cell insertion via a 3D micromanipulator.
- Utilizing an aptamer-functionalized nanopipette (Aptamer/HCOF/DOX) for miRNA-155 detection based on ionic current changes.
- Employing a pH-sensitive HCOF structure for controlled DOX release in a tumor microenvironment for drug evaluation.
Main Results:
- Accurate quantification of intracellular miRNA-155 levels in single cells (MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, MCF-10A) via ionic current changes.
- Demonstrated controlled release of DOX in response to the acidic tumor microenvironment, enabling targeted drug delivery.
- Facilitated dynamic assessment of drug effects at the single-cell level with prolonged drug retention.
Conclusions:
- The integrated nanodevice enables efficient, one-step single-cell miRNA profiling and drug evaluation.
- This approach enhances intracellular drug retention and allows for microenvironment-specific drug activation, minimizing off-target toxicity.
- The study highlights the potential of this nanodevice for tracking microRNA roles and screening novel anticancer drugs.
