Development of an Electrochemical Sensor Using Pencil Graphite Electrode for Monitoring UV-Induced DNA Damage

Abstract

This laboratory experiment introduces the fundamentals of electrochemical techniques to the undergraduate students by developing a simple and cost-effective miniaturized electrochemical setup for detecting UV-induced DNA damage. This is an imperative experiment, as it provides students first-hand experience with electrochemical techniques while reinforcing lecture material on the biosensing applications. In this experiment, a simple and daily use material such as an ordinary pencil lead acts as a platform for an electrochemical DNA sensor. A threeelectrode cell setup is utilized to monitor UV-induced DNA damage. Students will test the hypothesis about UV-induced DNA damage by measuring the redox signal of guanine under various experimental conditions. The simple, fast, and inexpensive setup allows students to examine the factors that would influence the electrochemical signals. This experimental work provides an opportunity for students to learn how to design a simple electrochemical experiment for research purposes as well as handling the biological samples. Proposing a hypothesis and testing it by designing an experiment are the experiences that will be gained by the students while learning about the optimization and validation of an analytical technique.

A Low-Cost, 3D-Printed Biosensor for Rapid Detection of Escherichia coli

“…Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to indicate electrochemical properties of the electrodes in each modification step according to de Lima et al, 2021 [5]. A potential window from 0.7 to −0.5 V with a scan rate of 50 mV•s-1 was set up for CV experiments.…”

“…Here, we propose a 3D-printed, host-cell detection biosensor for E. coli using a modified graphite pencil as a sensing electrode. This sensing platform has been used in many kinds of biosensor engineering [5]. De Lima et al ., reported using a low-cost pencil graphite electrode coated by gold nanoparticles to detect SARS-CoV-2 on a minute scale [6].…”

Trendbericht Chemiedidaktik 2021

“…So beschäftigt sich eine Forschungsgruppe mit einem Low-cost-Experiment, das UV-induzierte DNA-Schäden nachweist. 21) Die Forschung zu Green Chemistry oder nachhaltiger Chemie läuft mit Blick auf die Chemiedidaktik für den Schulunterricht auch im deutschsprachigen Raum immer stärker interdisziplinär. Für Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung (BNE) haben Wissenschaftler:innnen ein fächerübergreifendes Konzept zum Thema Palmöl vorgestellt.…”

Development of Wearable Chemical Sensors: An Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Laboratory Experiment Facilitating Knowledge and Expertise Integration

“…Bioelectronics and sensors have revolutionized chemical education by enabling real-time, noninvasive monitoring of chemical processes and facilitating hands-on learning experiences for students. − The field of biointegrated electronics leverages expertise from multiple conventional fields of technical knowledge and involves the design of electronic devices that seamlessly integrate with biological tissues and systems . Specifically, the design process requires collaboration and knowledge from various disciplines, including materials science, analytical chemistry, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and biomedical engineering.…”