Molecular architecture for DNA wiring

• Published in: Biosensors & bioelectronics 2018-12, Vol.121, p.54-61
• Main Authors: Pérez, Judit, Dulay, Samuel, Mir, Mònica, Samitier, Josep
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bioelectronics; Biosensing Techniques - methods; Biosensor; DNA - chemistry; DNA hybridisation; Electrochemistry; Electrodes; Electron transfer rate constant; Ferrocene; Molecular wires; Nucleic Acid Hybridization; Sulfhydryl Compounds - chemistry
• ISSN: 0956-5663; 1873-4235
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2018.08.050

Detection of the hybridisation events is of great importance in many different biotechnology applications such as diagnosis, computing, molecular bioelectronics, and among others. However, one important drawback is the low current of some redox reporters that limits their application. This paper demonstrates the powerful features of molecular wires, in particular the case of S-[4-[2-[4-(2-Phenylethynyl)phenyl]ethynyl]phenyl] thiol molecule and the key role that play the nanometric design of the capture probe linkers to achieve an efficient couple of the DNA complementary ferrocene label with the molecular wire for an effective electron transfer in co-immobilised self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) for DNA hybridisation detection. In this article, the length of the linker capture probe was studied for electron transfer enhancement from the ferrocene-motifs of immobilised molecules towards the electrode surface to obtain higher kinetics in the presence of thiolated molecular wires. The use of the right couple of capture probe linker and molecular wire has found to be beneficial as it helps to amplify eightfold the signal obtained. •Study of S-[4-[2-[4-(2-Phenylethynyl)phenyl]ethynyl]phenyl] thiol as wiring molecule (MW).•Co-immobilized SAM of MW and ss-DNA for hybridising with complementary ferrocene labelled.•Key role played by the nanometric design of the capture probe linkers to achieve an efficient e- transport.•Electron transfer rate constant was calculated for the different platforms.•The best MW/capture probe linker couple benefited on 8 times current signal.