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A Method for Selecting Structure-switching Aptamers Applied to a Colorimetric Gold Nanoparticle Assay
Published on: February 28, 2015
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Selective and robust dopamine detection is enabled by aptamer-SWCNT optical sensors in physiological media
Maria Celina Stefoni1,2, Hanan Yafai1, Amelia Ryan1
1The City College of New York, Biomedical Engineering, New York, NY 10031.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|February 23, 2026
Summary
New single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) sensors offer selective dopamine detection. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) passivation enhances sensor performance in complex biological fluids for neurological disorder research.
Area of Science:
- Nanomaterials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Accurate dopamine monitoring is crucial for diagnosing neurological disorders.
- Existing methods face challenges in complex biological environments.
- Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) offer potential for novel sensor development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and evaluate SWCNT-based near-infrared fluorescent sensors for dopamine detection.
- To enhance sensor selectivity and robustness in complex biological media.
- To compare aptamer-SWCNT hybrids with non-selective constructs.
Main Methods:
- Rational design of SWCNT-based sensors utilizing ssDNA aptamers for molecular recognition.
- Evaluation of sensor performance (response magnitude, sensitivity, selectivity) in buffer, complex media (with noradrenaline, serotonin), and artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF).
- Optimization using heat, divalent cations, and passivation agents, notably bovine serum albumin (BSA).
Main Results:
- BSA-passivated aptamer-SWCNT sensors demonstrated high selectivity for dopamine over interfering molecules (noradrenaline, serotonin, ascorbic acid).
- These optimized sensors showed a greater response magnitude compared to non-selective (GT)10-SWCNT constructs.
- Dynamic ranges of 30-200 nM were observed in various media, with response times under five minutes.
Conclusions:
- Dopamine aptamer-SWCNT sensors enable selective and robust optical detection in challenging biological environments.
- BSA passivation is key to achieving superior selectivity and performance.
- These sensors hold promise for improved diagnostic tools in neurological research.
