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Article
Enhanced DNA Sensing via Catalytic Aggregation of Gold Nanoparticles
Biosensors and Bioelectronics
  • Herbert M. Huttanus, Boise State University
  • Elton Graugnard, Boise State University
  • Bernard Yurke, Boise State University
  • William B. Knowlton, Boise State University
  • Wan Kuang, Boise State University
  • William L. Hughes, Boise State University
  • Jeunghoon Lee, Boise State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-15-2013
Abstract

A catalytic colorimetric detection scheme that incorporates a DNA-based hybridization chain reaction into gold nanoparticles was designed and tested. While direct aggregation forms an inter-particle linkagefrom only one target DNA strand, catalytic aggregation forms multiple linkages from a single target DNA strand. Gold nanoparticles were functionalized with thiol-modified DNA strands capable of undergoing hybridization chain reactions. The changes in their absorption spectra were measured at different times and target concentrations and compared against direct aggregation. Catalytic aggregation showed a multifold increase in sensitivity at low target concentrations when compared to direct aggregation. Gelelectrophoresis was performed to compare DNA hybridization reactions in catalytic and direct aggregation schemes, and the product formation was confirmed in the catalytic aggregation scheme at low levels of target concentrations. The catalytic aggregation scheme also showed high target specificity. This application of a DNA reaction network to gold nanoparticle-based colorimetric detection enables highly-sensitive, field-deployable, colorimetric readout systems capable of detecting a variety of biomolecules.

Copyright Statement

NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Biosensors and Bioelectronics. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Vol 50, (2013). DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2013.06.063.

Citation Information
Huttanus, Herbert M.; Graugnard, Elton; Yurke, Bernard; Knowlton, William B.; Kuang, Wan; Hughes, William L.; and Lee, Jeunghoon. (2013). "Enhanced DNA Sensing via Catalytic Aggregation of Gold Nanoparticles". Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 50, 382–386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2013.06.063