"Linear, redox modified DNA probes as electrochemical DNA sensors" (2007). Rebecca Lai Publications. 2. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/chemistrylai/2 E-DNA sensors, which consist of a redox-tagged stemloop DNA covalently attached to an interrogating electrode, are the electrochemical equivalents of optical molecular beacons. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] We show here, however, that unlike molecular beacons, which rely on a rigid, binding-induced conformational change (to segregate a fluorophore-quencher pair), 10-12 E-DNA signaling arises due to binding-induced changes in the dynamics of the probe DNA. We do so by demonstrating that hybridization-linked changes in the dynamics of an electrodebound linear (as opposed to stem-loop) probe DNA efficiently support E-DNA signaling. That is, whereas a large Faradaic current is observed from a redox-modified, single-stranded DNA probe, this current is reduced upon hybridization to the appropriate target DNA sequence due to changes in the rate with which the terminal redox label collides with the electrode surface ( Figure 1).We have fabricated E-DNA sensors using a 27-base linear probe sequence that, in order to facilitate direct comparison with earlier studies, is directly analogous to a previously characterized stem-loop E-DNA sensor 9,13 save that the five base sequences at the two termini are identical and thus do not form a double stranded stem. In the absence of target, the sensor gives rise to a sharp, well-defined AC voltammetry peak consistent with the ~ -0.26 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) formal potential of the methylene blue redox moiety employed (Figure 2). Upon hybridization to a fully complementary, 17-base target this current is significantly reduced. Furthermore, because the observed signal change arises due to a hybridization-specific change in DNA dynamics (as opposed to the simple adsorption of mass or charge to the sensor surface), we can readily observe this change even when the sensor is challenged with complex, multi-component sample matrices, such as targetdoped blood serum (Figure 2, right). Finally, like the original stem-loop E-DNA architecture, the linear-probe E-DNA sensor is label-free and reusable: a 30 sec wash in room temperature distilled water or (after deployment in blood serum) room temperature detergent solution is enough to regenerate >97% original sensor current (Figure 2).The signaling characteristics of linear probe E-DNA sensors are improved relative to those of the equivalent stem-loop sensor. Whereas a linear probe E-DNA sensor exhibits an 85% signal reduction at a given target concentration (Figure 2), the equivalent stem loop sensor exhibits only 71% signal suppression at this target concentration. 9 We presume this difference Published in Chemical Communications (2007), no. 36, pp. 3768-3770; doi Supplementary information follows the "References," including experimental procedures, controlling probe surface density, sensor equilibration time and specificity, the effect of target length and bulk on signaling, electron transfer rate meas...