Rapid detection of free and bound toxins using molecularly imprinted silica/graphene oxide hybrids†

Rapid, selective detection of biological analytes is necessary for early diagnosis, but is often complicated by the analytes being bound to proteins and the lack of fast and reliable systems available for their direct assessment. Here, a cheap, easily-assembled molecularly imprinted silica/graphene oxide hybrid is developed, which can selectively detect toxins linked to early-stage chronic kidney disease, down to femtomolar concentrations within 5 minutes. The hybrid material is capable of simultaneously and separately measuring free and bound analytes using with an ultra-low limit of detection in the femtomolar range, and uses processes intrinsically adaptable to any charged molecular analyte.

Automated summary

The developed hybrid material enables rapid and selective detection of toxins associated with early-stage chronic kidney disease within 5 minutes, with the ability to measure free and bound analytes separately and simultaneously at an ultra-low limit of detection. The processes used in this system are adaptable to any charged molecular analyte.