Magneto-electrochemical biosensing for pathogen detection using nuclease-responsive nanohybrids

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Developing sustainable and sensitive diagnostic platforms is crucial for pathogen identification.
• Rapid detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae is essential for effective disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a green, magneto-electrochemical biosensing strategy for selective Streptococcus pneumoniae detection.
• To create a sustainable and amplification-free biosensing platform for clinical diagnostics.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized uniform organic-inorganic hybrid polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanoparticles using eco-friendly UV-initiated emulsion polymerization.
• Functionalized POSS nanoparticles with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and polydopamine coating for probe immobilization.
• Utilized nuclease activity for label-free electrochemical signal transduction upon S. pneumoniae detection.

Main Results:

• Achieved selective detection of S. pneumoniae with a wide dynamic range (10^2-10^8 CFU mL⁻¹) and a low detection limit (10^2 CFU mL⁻¹).
• Demonstrated high selectivity against non-target bacteria, confirming the enzymatic recognition mechanism.
• Developed PDA@SPION/POSS nanohybrids with controlled size, structural integrity, and strong superparamagnetic behavior.

Conclusions:

• Established a sustainable and amplification-free biosensing platform for rapid pathogen identification.
• The magneto-electrochemical biosensor shows significant potential for clinical diagnostics.
• The green synthesis approach aligns with environmental sustainability in diagnostics.