An ellipsometric biosensor using aptamer for the detection of mercuric ions

An ellipsometric biosensor, to be used in the detection of mercuric ions that affect the vital organs of living organisms, was developed. In this context, as a diagnostic element of the developed ellipsometric biosensor, a nucleic acid-based aptamer that is highly selective for mercuric ions (Hg2+) was used. Two different aptamers, a long and straight sequence, and a hairpin-structured oligonucleotide sequence were chosen. The detection sensitivity obtained by both aptamers was 0.237 degrees/mu M and 0.211 degrees/mu M, respectively. The detection limit was 0.89 pM Hg2+ and 187 nM Hg2+ for linear- and hairpin-type oligonucleotide, respectively.

Automated summary

An ellipsometric biosensor was developed for detecting mercuric ions that affect vital organs, using nucleic acid-based aptamers with high selectivity. Two different types of aptamers were used, with detection sensitivities of 0.237 degrees/μM and 0.211 degrees/μM respectively. The detection limits for the linear and hairpin-type aptamers were 0.89 pM Hg2+ and 187 nM Hg2+ respectively.