DNA-CNT nanowire networks for DNA detection

J Am Chem Soc. 2011 Mar 16;133(10):3238-41. doi: 10.1021/ja109180d. Epub 2011 Feb 22.

Abstract

The ability to detect biological analytes in a rapid, sensitive, operationally simple, and cost-effective manner will impact human health and safety. Hybrid biocatalyzed-carbon nanotube (CNT) nanowire-based detection methods offer a highly sensitive and specific platform for the fabrication of simple and effective conductometric devices. Here, we report a conductivity-based DNA detection method utilizing carbon nanotube-DNA nanowire devices and oligonucleotide-functionalized enzyme probes. Key to our sensor design is a DNA-linked-CNT wire motif, which forms a network of interrupted carbon nanotube wires connecting two electrodes. Sensing occurs at the DNA junctions linking CNTs, followed by amplification using enzymatic metalization leading to a conductimetric response. The DNA analyte detection limit is 10 fM with the ability to discriminate single, double, and triple base pair mismatches. DNA-CNT nanowires and device sensing gaps were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal Raman microscopy, supporting the enhanced conductometric response resulting from nanowire metallization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • DNA / analysis*
  • DNA Probes / chemistry
  • Electric Conductivity*
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Nanowires / chemistry*
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization / methods*

Substances

  • DNA Probes
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • DNA