Gold nanoparticles to facilitate in-situ detection of amplified DNA at room temperature

by Francisco Paños

The proposed nanobiosensor developed by ICN2 Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors Group led by ICREA Prof. Arben Merkoçi and Vetgenomics takes advantage of the high sensitivity achieved when using gold nanoparticles in the sensing surface. The sensor integrates DNA amplification and detection, which is of high interest for human, veterinarian and plant diagnostics. The results have been published in Analytical Chemistry.

Detecting a single DNA sequence demands high sensitivity. DNA amplification is used to generate thousands of DNA copies so that it can be easily detected and identified. To do so scientists often employ a technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This method requires specific equipment, including a heat source because of the alternate cycles of high and low temperatures needed to perform it.

Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) is a different procedure that has received much attention in recent years due to its versatility and isothermal performance. However, the technique offers better sensitivity between 37 ºC and 40 ºC, thus still needing a heat source.

In this context, researchers from the ICN2 have published a paper in Analytical Chemistry describing a new RPA amplification/detection approach at room temperature. Mohga Khater, last year PhD student, is the first author of this research carried out by the Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors Group, led by ICREA Prof. Arben Merkoçi, with the participation of Dr Alfredo de la Escosura-Muñiz (previous member of the Group). The research was fruit of a collaboration with Dr Laura Altet, from the company Vetgenomics.

Their approach takes advantage of the high sensitivity achieved when modifying the sensing surface with gold nanoparticles. Impedance is employed to measure the electrical resistance of amplified DNA on top of the nanoparticles. In consequence, the loss of sensitivity caused by lower temperature is overcome.

Moreover, the new in situ RPA sensor shows great advantages in terms of simplicity, sensitivity and portability together with allowing quantitative analysis of nucleic acid. The device integrates for the first time amplification and detection, which is strongly needed for in-field diagnostic applications such as early detection of plant pathogens. It is also of high potential interest for bioassays relevant to human or veterinarian diagnostics.

Article reference:
Mohga Khater, Alfredo de la Escosura-Muñiz, Laura Altet and Arben Merkoçi. In situ plant virus nucleic acid isothermal amplification detection on gold nanoparticle-modified electrodes. Analytical Chemistry. DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b00340
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.analchem.9b00340