Herein, a novel, rapid, highly sensitive,
and selective fluorescent
biosensor is presented, which is designed based on “sandwich-type”
hybridization of oligonucleotides and the fluorescence resonance energy
transfer (FRET) strategy. It senses and determines the MicroRNA-155
(miRNA-155) expression levels as a cancer biomarker. In this study,
a modified La(III)-metal–organic framework(MOF) and silver
nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were used as the energy donor–acceptor
pairs in fluorescence quenching through the FRET process. La(III)-MOF
was synthesized and then modified by glutaraldehyde as a cross-linking
agent. The Ag NPs were also prepared, and then, the surface of both
was conjugated with different 5′-amino-labeled ssDNA strands
(aptamers). These prepared nanoprobes were characterized by various
physicochemical techniques such as X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive
X-ray spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared, field emission scanning
electron microscopy, UV–vis spectroscopy, elemental mapping,
and gel electrophoresis. To optimize the detection conditions, several
factors affecting biosensor performance were assessed by one variable-at-a-time
and central composite design methods. Under optimum conditions, this
“turn-off” fluorescent biosensor could detect and determine
as low as 0.04 ppb (ng. mL–1) or 5.5 fM of the miRNA-155
biomarker. Therefore, this biosensor provides highly promising potential
for lung and breast cancer diagnosis.