Recent Advances on DNAzyme-Based Biosensors for Detection of Uranyl

Abstract

Nuclear facilities are widely used in fields such as national defense, industry, scientific research, and medicine, which play a huge role in military and civilian use. However, in the process of widespread application of nuclear technology, uranium and its compounds with high carcinogenic and biologically toxic cause a lot of environmental problems, such as pollutions of water, atmosphere, soil, or ecosystem. Bioensors with sensitivity and specificity for the detection of uranium are highly demand. Nucleic acid enzymes (DNAzyme) with merits of high sensitivity and selectivity for targets as excellent molecular recognition elements are commonly used for uranium sensor development. In this perspective review, we summarize DNAzyme-based biosensors for the quantitative detection of uranyl ions by integrating with diverse signal outputting strategies, such as fluorescent, colorimetry, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, and electrochemistry. Different design methods, limit of detection, and practical applications are fully discussed. Finally, the challenges, potential solutions, and future prospects of such DNAzyme-based sensors are also presented.

Heavy Metal-Induced Assembly of DNA Network Biosensor from Double-Loop Hairpin Probes for Ultrasensitive Detection of UO22+ in Water and Soil Samples

“…Since Lu’s group reported a specific deoxyribozyme (DNAzyme) for UO 2 2+ recognition, the selectivity for UO 2 2+ detection has been greatly improved . UO 2 2+ –DNAzymes are a class of functional nucleic acids with catalytic properties, which display high affinity and specificity toward UO 2 2+ binding. , Some DNAzyme-based electrochemical, fluorescent, and colorimetric biosensors have been developed for the specific detection of UO 2 2+ . − For example, Yang et al designed DNAzyme-grafted hydrogel for UO 2 2+ detection and the visual detection limit was 100 nM . Li and coworkers described a litmus test for UO 2 2+ detection using DNAzyme as the recognition element and the detection limit was 65 nM .…”

Smartphone-assisted colorimetric determination of uranyl ions in aqueous solutions

“…[2][3][4] Any link from uranium mining to the disposal of the radioactive wastewater may result in the unavoidable release of uranium into the environment, 5,6 which is susceptible to flow across regions with the change in the water environment surrounding uranium mines, 7 leading to the distribution of uranium in soil and water. 8,9 Uranyl ions (UO 2 2+ ) are the most stable and prevalent form of uranium that can be found in the environment. 10 Being both, radioactive and chemically toxic, uranium may do harm to the ecosystem 11,12 and human body through drinking water and food chain, producing renal, urinary, and genetic diseases and endangering human health.…”