Nanomaterial-Based Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) and Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence (MEF) to Detect Nucleic Acid in Cancer Diagnosis

Abstract

Nucleic acids, including DNA and RNA, have received prodigious attention as potential biomarkers for precise and early diagnosis of cancers. However, due to their small quantity and instability in body fluids, precise and sensitive detection is highly important. Taking advantage of the ease-to-functionality and plasmonic effect of nanomaterials, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF)-based biosensors have been developed for accurate and sensitive quantitation of cancer-related nucleic acids. This review summarizes the recent strategies and advances in recently developed nanomaterial-based FRET and MEF for biosensors for the detection of nucleic acids in cancer diagnosis. Challenges and opportunities in this field are also discussed. We anticipate that the FRET and MEF-based biosensors discussed in this review will provide valuable information for the sensitive detection of nucleic acids and early diagnosis of cancers.

Recent Development in Plasmonic Nanobiosensors for Viral DNA/RNA Biomarkers

“…The unique properties of plasmonic nanomaterials have been frequently applied to the development of superior biosensors for the improvement of biosensor performance, such as the sensitive detection of biomarkers [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is the resonant coupling of electromagnetic waves to collective oscillations of free electrons on the surface of plasmonic materials, including gold (Au) and silver (Ag) [ 29 , 30 , 31 ].…”

Introduction of Nanomaterials to Biosensors for Exosome Detection: Case Study for Cancer Analysis

“…To increase signal sensitivity, a highly sensitive bioprobe can be developed by increasing the surface area of the electrode or increasing the number of probes by increasing the surface roughness [ 65 ], which is aimed at increasing the activity, electrochemical electron transport, etc. Moreover, the introduction of nanomaterials to the electrode interface causes new nan-physical phenomena, such as plasmons, metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF), and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), leading to the development of a new type of biosensor [ 66 , 67 ]. Nanomaterials, such as noble metal nanoparticles, carbon nanoparticles [ 37 ], chalcogen compounds [ 33 ], and metal-organic frameworks [ 51 ], have excellent physical properties, leading to numerous developments in the manufacture of nanobiosensors.…”

CRISPR‐Cas system manipulating nanoparticles signal transduction for cancer diagnosis

“…The detection of emerging cancer biomarkers (Hartwell et al, 2006; Hayes et al, 2014; Henry & Hayes, 2012); such as proteins (Sardesai et al, 2011; Tang et al, 2016; Wang et al, 2011), nucleic acids (Choi, Ha, et al, 2021; Choi, Lim, et al, 2021; D. Zhang et al, 2020; G. Zhang et al, 2020), and extracellular vesicles (Cleris et al, 2019; Li, Zheng, Li, et al, 2021; Li, Zheng, Lu, et al, 2021; Li, Xing, Xu, et al, 2021) provides new opportunities for early diagnosis and intervention and insights into the ongoing pathological processes. To this end, various biosensors with different signal transducers have been designed for non‐invasive and direct tracing biomolecules or molecular events in cancer cells and relevant tissues.…”