Sensors for DNA Hybridization

Napier, M.E., Loomis, C.R., Sistare. M.E., Kim, J., Eckhardt, A.E., and Thorp, H.H., 1997. Probing biomolecule recognition with electron transfer electrochemical sensors for DNA hybridization. Bioconjugate Chem., 8, pp. 906-913. 

Archer M, Christophersen M, Fauchet PM (2004) Macroporous silicon electrical sensor for DNA hybridization detection. Biomed Microdevices 6 203-211... 

In this paper, we briefly summarize the basic electrochemical properties of NAs and their components, and survey the recent trends in the electrochemical analysis of NAs, including labeling of NAs with electroactive markers, covalent and noncovalent immobilization of NA at the electrode surfaces, and development of sensors for DNA hybridization and DNA damage. We wish to show that electrodes are important tools, useful in biochemical... 

We further addressed the use of the nucleic acids as biopolymers for the formation of supramolecular structures that enable the electronic or electrochemical detection of DNA. Specifically, we discussed the use of aptamer/low-molecular-weight molecules or aptamer/protein supramolecular complexes for the electrical analysis of the guest substrates in these complexes. Also, nucleic acid-NPs hybrid systems hold a great promise as sensing matrices for the electrical detection of DNA in composite three-dimensional assemblies. While sensitive and selective electrochemical sensors for DNA were fabricated, the integration of these sensor configurations in array formats (DNA chips) for the multiplexed analysis of many DNAs can also be envisaged. 

Scheme 4. Idealized sketches of gold surfaces for DNA hybridization sensors prepared by (a) chemisorption of thiolated ssDNA capture probes followed by chemisorption of a dilutor alkylthiol [168] and by (b) chemisorption of a mixed alkylthiol SAM followed by covalent attachment of an amino-terminated ssDNA capture probe (surface-bound carboxylic groups are activated by reaction with 0-(N-auccimrmdyl)-N,N,N, N -tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate in acetonitrile in the presence of N, A-diisopropylethylamine, [172]).

Among numerous reported applications of genosensors for DNA hybridization as few examples, one can refer to a disposable DNA sensor for detection of hepatitis B virus genome DNA,145 biosensor systems for homeland security using DNA microarrays,146 and DNA electrochemical biosensor with conducting polymer film and nanocomposite as matrices for detection of HIV DNA sequences.147... 

Using DNA biosensors, two types of DNA-protein interactions can be investigated first, detection of catalytic activity of DNA-processing enzymes such as nucleases, ligases, and pol3mierases and second, affinity interactions of DNA with proteins that can but need not be enzymes. The detection techniques used can be the same as those mentioned above for DNA hybridization sensors. Electroactivity of... 

Quenching effect of ferrocene (Fc) is proved very practical for the development of ECL sensors. A reagentless signal-on ECL biosensor for DNA hybridization detection was developed (see Fig. 6.2). In the development of this biosensor, the quenching effect of Fc on intrinsic cathodic ECL at thin oxide-covered glassy carbon (C/C Oi-x) electrodes was employed. The main advantage of the present sensor lies in the fact that ECL is generated from the electrode itself and no luminophore or luminophore-labeled DNA probe is needed. The detection limit was ca. 5.0 pM (S/N = 3) [18]. 

Quantum dots have also been used as labels for ECL-based protein and nucleic acid assays. - - Hu et al. reported CdTe quantum dots as electrochemiluminescent labels for DNA hybridization sensors. As described in Section 13.2.6, persulfate (S20g "), dissolved oxygen (O2), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can serve as coreactants to facilitate the formation of and stabilize electrogenerated species derived from quantum dots. Hu et al. demonstrated a linear range of 5 fM to 10 pM for target DNA when CdTe quantum dot labels were used for ECL-based detection. ... 

Lucarelli F, Marrazza G, Turner APE, Mascini M (2004) Carbon and gold electrodes as electrochemical transducers for DNA hybridization sensors. Biosens Bioelectron 19 515-530... 

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