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A Microfluidic-based Electrochemical Biochip for Label-free DNA Hybridization Analysis
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Thermo-alkaline-activated ZrFe-MOF interface for ultrasensitive electrochemical MiRNA biosensing
Ruimiao Chang1,2,3,4,5, Shumian Liu6,7,8, Jingjing Wang6,7,8
1Department of Pharmacy, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, PR China. changruimiao@sxbqeh.com.cn.
Mikrochimica Acta
|January 7, 2026
Summary
We created a sensitive electrochemical sensor using zirconium-iron metal-organic frameworks (ZrFe-MOF) for detecting ultra-low miRNA-21 levels. This novel biosensor shows promise for early cancer diagnosis with high accuracy and sensitivity.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- MicroRNA-21 (miRNA-21) is a biomarker for various cancers.
- Accurate detection of low miRNA abundance is crucial for early cancer diagnosis.
- Existing biosensors often lack the required sensitivity and specificity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for ultra-low abundance miRNA-21 detection.
- To engineer zirconium-iron metal-organic frameworks (ZrFe-MOF) for enhanced aptamer loading.
- To validate the sensor's performance in discriminating cancer cell lines.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a ZrFe-MOF based electrochemical sensor.
- Utilizing a thermal alkaline activation strategy to increase surface binding sites.
- Loading aptamers (Apt) onto the ZrFe-MOF for specific miRNA-21 capture.
- Testing sensor sensitivity, linear range, and detection limit.
- Evaluating sensor performance using breast cancer cell lines and comparing with qPCR.
Main Results:
- Achieved unprecedented sensitivity with a wide linear range (100 aM-10 nM, R² = 0.997).
- Established a record-low detection limit of 19.33 aM, outperforming existing methods by 1-2 orders of magnitude.
- Successfully discriminated miRNA-21 expression in different breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 vs. MCF-7 vs. MCF-10 A) with high consistency with qPCR.
Conclusions:
- The developed ZrFe-MOF sensor offers superior sensitivity and specificity for miRNA-21 detection.
- The thermal-alkaline activation strategy is effective for enhancing biosensor performance.
- Presents a clinically viable platform for early cancer diagnosis and potential for multiplex miRNA detection.
