A test strip electrochemical disposable by 3D MXA/AuNPs DNA-circuit for the detection of miRNAs

The simple and reliable detection of microRNAs is of great significance for studying the biological functions, molecular diagnosis, disease treatment and targeted drug therapy of microRNA. In this study, we introduced a novel Ti3C2Tx (MXene) aerogels (denoted as MXA) composite gold nano-particles (AuNPs)-modified disposable carbon fiber paper (CFP) electrode for the label-free and sensitive detection of miRNA-155. Firstly, in the presence of MXene, graphene oxide (GO) and ethylenediamine (EDA), the 3D MXene hydrogel was formed by self-assembly method, and then adding the freeze-dried 3D MXA dropwise to CFP. Subsequently, electrodepositing AuNPs on the CFP/MXA was done to construct a 3D disposable DNA-circuit test strip with excellent interface. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the detection limit of 3D disposable DNA circuit strip for miRNA-155 was 136 aM (S/N= 3). The CFP/MXA/AuNPs (CMA) electrode also has a wide dynamic range (20 fM to 0.4 mu M), with a span of 4 orders of magnitude. Notably, we also tested the practicality of the sensor in 8 clinical samples. The technological innovations in the detection and quantification of microRNA in this work may be helpful to the study new aspects of microRNA biology and the development of diagnosis.

Automated summary

This study introduces a novel MXene aerogels composite gold nanoparticles-modified disposable carbon fiber paper electrode for the label-free and sensitive detection of miRNA-155. The electrode exhibits high sensitivity and a wide dynamic range, and shows good practicality in clinical samples.