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Development of a FRET aptasensor based on MoS2-doped Zn-MOF as luminophore for selective detection of cadmium in aqueous solutions

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Abstract

A robust “on–off” fluorescent aptasensor was developed using nanohybrids of molybdenum sulfide (MoS2) quantum dot (QD)–doped zinc metal–organic frameworks (Zn-MOF) for selective and sensitive detection of cadmium ions (Cd2+) in water. This nanohybrid (MoS2@Zn-MOF), synthesized via “bottle around the ship” methodology, exhibited a high-intensity fluorescence emission centered at 430 nm (λEm) (blue) on excitation at 320 nm (λEx). Further, the conjugation of this fluorophore to phosphate-modified cadmium aptamer (Cd-2–2) was achieved through carbodiimide reaction. The hybridization of prepared sensing probe (MoS2@Zn-MOF/Cd-2–2 aptamer) was done with dabcyl-conjugated complementary DNA (cDNA), acting as energy donor–acceptor pair in the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) system. This hybridization causes the fluorescence quenching of the nanohybrid. In the presence of Cd2+, the aptamer from the fabricated nano-biosensing probe binds to these ions, resulting in release of dabcyl-cDNA oligomer. This release of dabcyl-cDNA oligomer from the sensing probes restores the fluorescence of the nanohybrid. Under optimized conditions (sensing probe/dabcyl-cDNA ratio 1/7, pH 7.4, and temp 28 °C), the sensing probe showed a fast response time of 1 min. The fluorescence intensity of the nanohybrid can be utilized to determine the concentration of Cd2+. The proposed aptasensor achieved highly sensitive detection of Cd2+ with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.24 ppb over the range of 1 × 10−9 to 1 × 10−4 M along with minimal effects of interferences (e.g., Hg2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+) and good reproducibility. The designed aptasensor based on MoS2@Zn-MOF nanofluorophore offers a highly sensitive and selective approach for rapid screening of metal ions in aqueous environments.

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Funding

SK thanks the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, for the research grant (award BT/PR18868/BCE/8/1370/2016 Dated 31–01-2018). Monika Nehra is grateful to CSIR for the SRA fellowship (No. B-12857, Dated October 21, 2021). KHK acknowledges support made by grant from the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT (MSIT) of the Korean Government (Grant No. 2021R1A3BA1068304).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bio and Nano Technology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, Haryana, 125001, India

    Shikha Jain, Neeraj Dilbaghi & Sandeep Kumar

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India

    Monika Nehra & Rajesh Kumar

  3. Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-Ro, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea

    Ki-Hyun Kim

  4. Department of Physics, Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to Be University), Chandigarh, 160012, India

    Sandeep Kumar

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Jain, S., Nehra, M., Kumar, R. et al. Development of a FRET aptasensor based on MoS2-doped Zn-MOF as luminophore for selective detection of cadmium in aqueous solutions. Microchim Acta 191, 324 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-024-06382-5

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