Nanomaterial-Assisted Signal Enhancement of Hybridization for DNA Biosensors: A Review

Abstract

Detection of DNA sequences has received broad attention due to its potential applications in a variety of fields. As sensitivity of DNA biosensors is determined by signal variation of hybridization events, the signal enhancement is of great significance for improving the sensitivity in DNA detection, which still remains a great challenge. Nanomaterials, which possess some unique chemical and physical properties caused by nanoscale effects, provide a new opportunity for developing novel nanomaterial-based signal-enhancers for DNA biosensors. In this review, recent progress concerning this field, including some newly-developed signal enhancement approaches using quantum-dots, carbon nanotubes and their composites reported by our group and other researchers are comprehensively summarized. Reports on signal enhancement of DNA biosensors by non-nanomaterials, such as enzymes and polymer reagents, are also reviewed for comparison. Furthermore, the prospects for developing DNA biosensors using nanomaterials as signal-enhancers in future are also indicated.

An Electrochemical Biosensor for the Determination ofGanoderma boninensePathogen Based on a Novel Modified Gold Nanocomposite Film Electrode

“…Another interesting area that has received too little attention is the effect of nanoparticle size based signal amplification in electrochemical DNA sensors. However, the sensitivity and selectivity of a sensor was found to increase linearly with the increase in the size of gold nanoparticles (Wang 2005;J. Liu et al 2009).…”

“…DNA is becoming widely used in chemical analysis and is the main component of gene chromosomes in cells (Bostrick et al 2007; J. Liu et al, 2009). Traditionally, genetic information is determined by the sequences in DNA, and any disorder in the sequence translates to the disorder of inheritance or the occurrence of diseases (Ferrando, et al 2008;Kuwayama, Yanagida, and Ueda 2008).…”

Electrochemical molecular beacon DNA biosensor for the detection and discrimination of the DF508 cystic fibrosis mutation

“…Trizma base, Potassium hexacyanoferrate (III) (K 3 Fe(CN) 6 ), sulphuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ), phosphate buffer saline pH 7.4 (PBS), saline sodium citrate buffer (SSC) and phosphate buffer saline pH 7.4 with Tween-20, (PBS-T) were purchased from Sigma (Germany); hydrochloric acid (HCl 6 M), potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH 2 PO 4 ) and sodium chloride (NaCl) were purchased from Scharlau (Spain); sodium hydroxide pellets (NaOH) were supplied by Panreac; 6-mercaptohexanol (MCH) and potassium hexacyanoferrate (II) (K 4 Fe(CN) 6 ) were purchased from Fluka (Germany) and HEPES buffer was supplied by Acros Organics (USA). Alumina powder (1, 0.3, 0.05 micron) used for the mechanical cleaning of the Au electrodes was supplied by CHI Instruments (USA).…”

“…The outcomes of the Human Genome Project have resulted in an increasing demand for cost-effective tools for genetic analysis, [6][7][8], and the detection of cystic fibrosis associated mutation has been extensively used as model in the development of rapid genotyping approaches. Surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRI) has been reported [9,10] for the simultaneous detection and discrimination of different cystic fibrosis mutations including DF508 and other single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in the same region of the CFTR gene (Exon 10).…”

Chemically treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes for sensor applications

“…Mostly, group of SWNTs led to formation of bundles of tubes, so-called nanoropes containing between 20 to hundred individual tubes [3,4]. There are various applications of CNTs which includes sensors as well [5,6].…”