Researchers create unique DNA biosensor for early stage disease detection

Disease detection at an early stage is one of the biggest challenges biochemists and materials scientists are trying to meet by combining their expertise at Missouri S&T.

The researchers used nanotechnology in biomedical diagnostics – a process called nanodiagnostics – to create a new, ultrasensitive DNA biosensor. The new sensor could potentially detect DNA-based biomarkers for early diagnosis of cancer and genetic disorders, as well as monitor patient responses to therapies.

A basic electrochemical biosensor consists of a biological recognition element, a signal converter and a processor. These biosensors detect, transmit and record information about biological substances, such as nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), proteins, antibodies, antigens, and other biological components, like glucose.

"Biosensing with nanomaterials has the advantages of greater sensitivity and faster response than traditional analytical methods that require today's medical devices and time-consuming molecular amplification techniques," says Dr. Risheng Wang, assistant professor of chemistry at Missouri S&T and principal investigator of the study.

The researchers made the new biosensor from carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles, which give it a 3-D radial shape similar to that of a sea urchin. Wang says the biosensor generated a remarkable electrochemical response.