The
antibodies in the natural biological world utilize bivalency/multivalency
to achieve a higher affinity for antigen capture. However, mimicking
this mechanism on the electrochemical sensing interface and enhancing
biological affinity through precise spatial arrangement of bivalent
aptamer probes still pose a challenge. In this study, we have developed
a novel self-assembly layer (SAM) incorporating triblock polyA DNA
to enable accurate organization of the aptamer probes on the interface,
constructing a “lock-and-key-like” proximity hybridization
assay (PHA) biosensor. The polyA fragment acts as an anchoring block
with a strong affinity for the gold surface. Importantly, it connects
the two DNA probes, facilitating one-to-one spatial proximity and
enabling a controllable surface arrangement. By precisely adjusting
the length of the polyA fragment, we can tailor the distance between
the probes to match the molecular dimensions of the target protein.
This design effectively enhances the affinity of the aptamers. Notably,
our biosensor demonstrates exceptional specificity and sensitivity
in detecting PDGF-BB, as confirmed through successful validation using
human serum samples. Overall, our biosensor presents a novel and versatile
interface for proximity assays, offering a significantly improved
surface arrangement and detection performance.