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Electrochemiluminescence biosensor based on molybdenum disulfide-graphene quantum dots nanocomposites and DNA walker signal amplification for DNA detection

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Abstract

Based on the prominent electrochemiluminescence (ECL) performances of molybdenum disulfide-graphene quantum dots (MoS2-GQDs) nanocomposite and combined with enzyme-assisted recycling DNA walker signal amplification, an “on-off” switch ECL biosensor was proposed for sensitive assay of specific DNA sequences. Noticeably, MoS2 with two-dimensional nanosheet structure increased the loading capacity of GQDs to support abundant hairpin DNA (H). The composites of MoS2 and GQDs facilitated the charge transfer in ECL process, which significantly improved the ECL signal to achieve an “on” state. Then, the DNA walker cyclic amplification was performed by adding the target DNA and exonuclease III (Exo III). Finally, the DNA2-Fc-DNA1 was introduced into the system as ECL signal quencher, turning the ECL signal into an “off” state. The sensitive assay of ultra-low concentration specific DNA sequences was realized according to the variation of ECL signal strength before and after the existence of target DNA. The proposed ECL biosensor showed a good linear relationship ranging from 1 nM to 100 aM with a detection limit of 25.1 aM, providing a powerful strategy for biomedical research and clinical analysis.

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Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21775055, 22074053, 21874055); Excellent Youth Innovation Team in Universities of Shandong (2019KJC016); The Project of “20 items of University” of Jinan (2020GXRC047, 2018GXRC001); the Taishan Scholars program and Case-by-Case Project for Top Outstanding Talents of Jinan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology, Equipment for Biological Diagnosis, Therapy in Universities of Shandong, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, People’s Republic of China

    Yina Sun, Chuan Huang, Qian Wang & Shenguang Ge

  2. Shandong Branch of China National Geological Exploration Center of Building Materials Industry, Jinan, 250014, People’s Republic of China

    Xiujin Sun

  3. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, People’s Republic of China

    Qian Wang, Peini Zhao & Jinghua Yu

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  1. Yina Sun
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  2. Chuan Huang
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  4. Qian Wang
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  5. Peini Zhao
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  6. Shenguang Ge
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  7. Jinghua Yu
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Correspondence to Peini Zhao or Shenguang Ge.

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Sun, Y., Huang, C., Sun, X. et al. Electrochemiluminescence biosensor based on molybdenum disulfide-graphene quantum dots nanocomposites and DNA walker signal amplification for DNA detection. Microchim Acta 188, 353 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-021-04962-3

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