STD sensor based on nucleic acid functionalized nanostructured polyaniline

STD (sexually transmitted disease, Gonorrhoea) sensor based on nucleic acid probe (from Opa, a multi-copy gene of Neisseria gonorrhoeae) functionalized nanostructured-polyaniline coated onto indium-tin-oxide-coated glass plate has been fabricated using avidin-biotin as cross-linking agent. This DNA functionalized electrode can specifically detect upto 0.5 x 10(-15) M of complementary target within 60 s of hybridization time at 25 degrees C by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) using, methylene blue as electro-active DNA hybridization indicator. This highly sensitive and specific nucleic acid functionalized nanostructured-polyaniline electrode can distinguish presence of N. gonorrhoeae from Neisseria meningitidis and Escherichia coli culture and spiked samples from the urethral swabs of the patients. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.