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Integrating Transcription Factors with Electrochemical Pendulum Bioanalysis for Hormone Detection
Audrey N Nashner1, Kaila Nayvelt2, Alia Clark-ElSayed2
1Department of Chemistry, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|June 11, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a new electrochemical biosensor for detecting small molecule biomarkers like steroid hormones. The novel molecular pendulum design uses transcription factors for highly sensitive and direct detection of progesterone.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Analytical Chemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Direct biosensing of small molecules is challenging due to signal transduction difficulties.
- Molecular pendulum bioanalysis offers high sensitivity but requires significant hydrodynamic radius changes upon target binding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a sensitive electrochemical biosensor for steroid hormone detection.
- To integrate allosteric receptors with molecular pendulum sensors for improved signal transduction.
Main Methods:
- Immobilization of transcription factors on gold electrodes via DNA linkers.
- Utilizing molecular pendulum bioanalysis for electrochemical detection.
- Employing steroid-responsive transcription factors for progesterone detection.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated successful integration of allosteric receptors with molecular pendulum sensors.
- Achieved sensitive electrochemical detection of progesterone in simulated and biological samples.
- Observed a faster faradaic current response upon target binding due to allosteric dissociation.
Conclusions:
- Established a framework for using transcription factors as recognition elements in direct electrochemical biosensors.
- Expanded the applicability of electrochemical biosensors to a wider range of small molecule analytes.
- Showcased the potential for sensitive steroid hormone detection using this novel biosensing approach.
