Universal Fluorescence Biosensor Platform Based on Graphene Quantum Dots and Pyrene-Functionalized Molecular Beacons for Detection of MicroRNAs

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2015 Aug 5;7(30):16152-6. doi: 10.1021/acsami.5b04773. Epub 2015 Jul 27.

Abstract

A novel biosensor platform was developed for detection of microRNAs (miRNAs) based on graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and pyrene-functionalized molecular beacon probes (py-MBs). Pyrene was introduced to trigger specifically fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between GQDs and fluorescent dyes labeled on py-MBs, and the unique fluorescent intensity change produced a novel signal for detection of the target. The platform realized detection of miRNAs in a wide range from 0.1 nM to 200 nM with great discrimination abilities, as well as multidetection of different kinds of miRNAs, which paved a brand new way for miRNA detection based on GQDs.

Keywords: biosensor; fluorescence resonance energy transfer; graphene quantum dots; microRNA; pyrene.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer / instrumentation*
  • Graphite / chemistry
  • MicroRNAs / analysis*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Molecular Probe Techniques / instrumentation
  • Molecular Probes / chemistry
  • Pyrenes / chemistry*
  • Quantum Dots*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • Molecular Probes
  • Pyrenes
  • Graphite
  • pyrene