Conductive composites for oligonucleotide detection

Ferrier, David C.; Shaver, Michael P.; Hands, Philip J.W.

Abstract

© 2017 The Authors A new method for oligonucleotide detection is presented based on oligonucleotide cross-linked polymer composites. Conductive carbon nanoparticles are incorporated into a DNA-functionalised polymer, containing partially complementary oligonucleotide cross-linkers, which is polymerised in situ upon interdigitated electrodes. In the presence of an aqueous solution of a specific analyte oligonucleotide sequence, the cross-linkers are cleaved, leading to increased swelling. As the polymer swells the relative density of the conductive particles decreases, leading to an easily measurable decrease in electrical conductivity. We demonstrate that such are capable of discriminating between analyte and control solutions, with single-base specificity, in under 3 min. The lower detection limit of these composites is of the order of 10 nM. The swelling characteristics of these composites is confirmed by optical imaging and the effects of varying temperature upon such composites are also reported.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 22, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Nov 24, 2017
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2018
• Deposit Date: Jan 25, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 25, 2019
• Journal: Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research
• Print ISSN: 2214-1804
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Pages: 1-6
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbsr.2017.11.007
• Keywords: oligonucleotide sensor, DNA sensor, bio-responsive, nanocomposite, hydrogel, smart material
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/871716
• Publisher URL: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbsr.2017.11.007
• Contract Date: Jan 25, 2019