No abstract

Ram P. (2017). Efficacy of atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge for inactivating airborne pathogens. Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A: Vacuum, Surfaces, and Films, 35(4) 041101. For guidance on citations see FAQs.

A fast PCR-assisted impedimetric biosensor was developed for the selective detection of the clbN gene from the polyketide synthase (pks) genomic island in real Escherichia coli samples. This genomic island is responsible for the production of colibactin, a harmful genotoxin that has been associated with colorectal cancer. The experimental protocol consisted of immobilizing the designated forward primer onto an Au electrode surface to create the sensing probe, followed by PCR temperature cycling in blank, positive, and negative DNA controls. Target DNA identification was possible by monitoring changes in the system's charge transfer resistance values (R ct ) before and after PCR treatment through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis. Custom-made, flexible gold electrodes were fabricated using chemical etching optical lithography. A PCR cycle study determined the optimum conditions to be at 6 cycles providing fast results while maintaining a good sensitivity. EIS data for the DNA recognition process demonstrated the successful distinction between target interaction resulting in an increase in resistance to charge transfer (R ct ) percentage change of 176% for the positive DNA control vs. 21% and 20% for the negative and non-DNA-containing controls, respectively. Results showed effective fabrication of a fast, PCR-based electrochemical biosensor for the detection of pks genomic island with a calculated limit of detection of 17 ng/μL.

Detection of specific DNA sequences in biological samples has been playing a fundamental role in genetic diagnostic for rapid identification of diseases. Traditionally DNA hybridization detection is performed by using a redox or fluorescent probe that can detect the hybridization process. These techniques are expensive and time consuming. Considerable effort has been made for more than a decade to miniaturize and integrate the whole process in a single disposable chip. Here, we propose a non-faradaic, label-free, electrochemical method based on capacitance measurement to sense DNA surface modification and hybridization. For this, we created custom-made Interdigitated-Array gold Microelectrodes using photolithography technique. Silver electroplating was used to make a stable silver chloride quasi-reference. Self Assembled Monolayers of single stranded B. Anthracis hairpin were made and exposed to complementary, non-complementary and 3 bases mismatch to study the hybridization and/or non-hybridization processes using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy measurements.