Breakthrough Biosensors for Precision Health

Introduction

Imagine a biosensor so sensitive it detects minute changes that others miss, elevating diagnostics to a new level of precision. These ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensors offer remarkable sensitivity and selectivity, making them invaluable for applications in health diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and food safety. They represent a powerful step forward for industries that depend on detecting trace biochemical interactions quickly and accurately.

The Issue: Limits of Conventional Detection

Standard biosensors, while beneficial, often lack the sensitivity required for applications where trace levels of substances must be detected with high accuracy. In fields like medical diagnostics, such limitations could mean delayed detection of diseases or the inability to monitor critical biochemical markers at low levels. The challenges extend to environmental monitoring, where traditional sensors struggle to detect low-concentration pollutants or toxins, making real-time, precise assessment difficult.

Elevating Sensitivity and Specificity

This patented biosensor excels in ultra-precise detection due to its unique electrochemical design. With an innovative architecture, it increases the electron transfer rate, significantly amplifying detection signals even at extremely low concentrations. This advancement allows for unparalleled sensitivity, enabling detection of biomarkers and contaminants at levels previously unattainable with conventional sensors. The technology integrates seamlessly into laboratory setups or field devices, providing scalable solutions that serve both high-throughput lab environments and portable diagnostic needs.

Transformative Benefits Across Vital Industries

In medical diagnostics, this biosensor enables earlier detection of disease markers, supporting better patient outcomes through timely interventions. The technology is equally transformative for environmental monitoring, offering the capability to identify contaminants like heavy metals and toxins at micro levels, essential for ensuring environmental safety. Food safety and pharmaceutical sectors benefit too, with applications in detecting pathogens or impurities in samples, protecting consumers, and ensuring compliance with health standards. Biotechnology researchers will also find this biosensor valuable for high-sensitivity studies where precise biochemical measurements are critical.

Unlock Unmatched Detection Potential

Licensing this biosensor places your organization at the forefront of precision diagnostics and monitoring. Whether your focus is on patient care, environmental safety, food quality, or advanced biochemical research, this biosensor opens doors to new levels of sensitivity and accuracy. It’s an investment in cutting-edge technology that supports breakthroughs in diverse industries, offering a competitive edge by meeting the rising demand for precision in monitoring and diagnostics.

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Abstract
Claims

An electrochemical biosensor includes a working electrode modified with a redox polymer and amine-terminated capture aptamer specific for a particular detection target. The binding sequence of the capture aptamer is also complementary to part of a second ssDNA which is labeled with HRP (horseradish peroxidase). The capture aptamer will form dsDNA with the HRP-labeled ssDNA and bring HRP into electrical contact with the redox polymer and the electrode. Prior to capturing the detection target, addition of H2O2 will lead to the highest reduction current due to the redox polymer-mediated, enzyme-amplified electroreduction of H2O2.

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for the detection of biological targets, comprising providing a biosensor comprising an electrochemical cell comprising a reference electrode, a working electrode, and a counter electrode in a shared volume, the working electrode having fixed to its surface a redox polymer,

immobilizing a target-specific capture aptamer on the working electrode;

adding an electrolyte solution into the shared volume;

applying a voltage across the working electrode and the counter electrode;

adding to the electrolyte solution in the shared volume a sample solution suspected of containing the biological target and a solution containing an horseradish peroxidase (“HRP”)-labeled oligonucleotide having a nucleotide sequence that is complimentary to a sequence of the capture aptamer;

measuring a reduction current in the electrochemical cell;

wherein the HRP-labeled oligonucleotide comprises a nucleotide sequence of SEQ.ID.No. 1.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the redox polymer is Osmium derivitized poly(1-vinylimidazole).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the redox polymer is electrodeposited on the working electrode.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the redox polymer is crosslinked to the working electrode with poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (“PEGDGE”).

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the working electrode is a carbon-based electrode, the counter electrode is a platinum wire, and the reference electrode is Ag/AgCl electrode.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is H₂O₂.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the HRP catalyzes the electroreduction of the H₂O₂to water.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the biological target is aflatoxin B₁(“AFB₁”).

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the target-specific capture aptamer comprises a nucleotide sequence of SEQ.ID.No.2.

10. A biosensor comprising:

a reference electrode, a working electrode, and a counter electrode in a shared volume, the working electrode having fixed to its surface a redox polymer,

a target-specific capture aptamer immobilized on the working electrode;

an electrolyte solution in the shared volume and in communication with the reference electrode, the working electrode and the counter electrode;

a voltage source for applying a voltage across the working electrode and the counter electrode;

a solution containing an HRP-labeled oligonucleotide having a nucleotide sequence that is complimentary to a sequence of the capture aptamer;

wherein the HRP-labeled oligonucleotide comprises a nucleotide sequence of SEQ.ID.No. 1.

11. The biosensor of claim 10, wherein the redox polymer is Osmium derivitized poly(1-vinylimidazole).

12. The biosensor of claim 10, wherein the redox polymer is electrodeposited on the working electrode.

13. The biosensor of claim 10, wherein the redox polymer is crosslinked to the working electrode with PEGDGE.

14. The biosensor of claim 10, wherein the working electrode is a carbon-based electrode, the counter electrode is a platinum wire, and the reference electrode is Ag/AgCl electrode.

15. The biosensor of claim 10, wherein the electrolyte is H₂O₂.

16. The biosensor of claim 10, wherein the HRP catalyzes the electroreduction of the H₂O₂to water.

17. The biosensor of claim 10, wherein the biological target is AFB 1.

18. The biosensor of claim 10, wherein the target-specific capture aptamer comprises a nucleotide sequence of SEQ.ID.No. 2.

Title

Ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensors

Inventor(s)

Yongchao Zhang, Aeshah Alshehri

Assignee(s)

Morgan State University

Patent #

11782011

Patent Date

October 10, 2023