A Single Set of Well-Designed Aptamer Probes for Reliable On-site Qualitative and Ultra-Sensitive Quantitative Detection

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2024 Mar 22;63(13):e202316434. doi: 10.1002/anie.202316434. Epub 2024 Jan 22.

Abstract

Aptamer-based probes are pivotal components in various sensing strategies, owing to their exceptional specificity and versatile programmable structure. Nevertheless, numerous aptamer-based probes usually offer only a single function, limiting their capacity to meet the diverse requirements of multi-faceted sensing systems. Here, we introduced supersandwich DNA probes (SSW-DNA), designed and modified on the outer surface of nanochannels with hydrophobic inner walls, enabling dual functionality: qualitative detection for on-site analysis and quantitative detection for precise analysis. The fragmented DNAs resulting from the target recognition, are subsequently identified through lateral flow assays, enabling robust on-site qualitative detection of microcystin-LR with an impressively low limit of detection (LOD) at 0.01 μg/L. Meanwhile, the nanochannels enable highly sensitive quantification of microcystin-LR through the current analysis, achieving an exceptionally low LOD at 2.5×10-7 μg/L, with a broad dynamic range spanning from 1×10-6 to 1×102 μg/L. Furthermore, the process of target recognition introduces just a single potential error propagation, which reduces the overall risk of errors during the entire qualitative and quantitative detection process. This sensing strategy broadens the scope of applications for aptamer-based composite probes, holding promising implications across diverse fields, such as medical diagnosis, food safety, and environmental protection.

Keywords: Aptamer; Ionic Current; Solid-State Nanochannel; Supersandwich DNA; Wettability.

MeSH terms

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide* / chemistry
  • Biosensing Techniques* / methods
  • DNA
  • DNA Probes
  • Limit of Detection

Substances

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide
  • DNA Probes
  • DNA