The scientific research groups led by Professor Hou Changjun and Professor Luo Yang of the School of Bioengineering, Chongqing University published a research paper titled “Disposable 3D GNAs/AuNPs DNA-Circuit Strip for miRNAs Dynamic Quantification” in Small, an international authoritative journal, on August 31, 2020, with Chongqing University as the first organization and the corresponding organization. The factor of influence of the journal is 11.459. Bao Jing and Yang Huisi, doctoral candidates of CQU, and Qiu Xiaopei, a student of Army Medical University, are the first co-authors. Professor Hou Changjun, Professor Huo Danqun and Professor Luo Yang of Chongqing University are corresponding co-authors.
MicroRNA (miRNA) is a group of endogenous, non-coding short sequence RNAs with a length of about 22 bases. It plays an important role in the physiological and pathological processes, and has great potential as a non-invasive diagnostic biomarker. Because the concentration of miRNA is considerably low, it is very challenging to detect trace miRNA in blood rapidly, sensitively and dynamically.
In this paper, a novel portable three-dimensional graphene array DNA chip is reported, which can be used to realize rapid, highly sensitive and highly specific dynamic real-time detection of trace miRNAs in clinical blood samples. In this study, a graphene array chip was constructed by radio frequency plasma chemical vapor deposition (RF-PECVD) using flexible conductive graphite fiber membrane (CP) as the conductive substrate. Combined with enzyme signal amplification technology, DSN enzyme coupled graphene array/gold nanoparticles (GNAs/AuNPs) DNA chip was constructed for dynamic and sensitive detection of trace miRNA in blood. Through the optimized design, the graphene array DNA circuit chip has constructed a sensing interface with ultra-high conductivity, large specific surface area, unique flexibility and tailoring, enriching ion diffusion channels and reactive active sites, which significantly improves the sensitivity of the sensor. The chip can dynamically analyze and detect miR-21, and simultaneously detect the double target miRNA in just 16 minutes. The minimum detection limit of miR-155 and miR-21 is as low as 30.3 aM and 21.4 aM respectively, which indicates an important breakthrough in this area.
The research paper was pushed by the official WeChat accountant of “Assayer” immediately after its publication. The dynamic analysis and detection of trace miRNAs in blood by using disposable graphene array DNA chip as proposed in this paper has the advantages such as high sensitivity, desirable accuracy, fast response, simple operation and low detection cost. It has important application value and significance in the high-sensitivity detection and point-of-care testing (POCT) of micro trace nucleic acid molecules in clinical blood samples.
The research project has been supported by the National Natural Science Foundation (81772290, 81601854 and 81871733) and Innovative Scientific Research Program for Postgraduates of Chongqing (CYB 17037).
