Direct label free ultrasensitive impedimetric DNA biosensor using dendrimer functionalized GaN nanowires

We demonstrate a very simple and generic protocol for ultrasensitive in-situ label-free detection of DNA hybridization using third generation poly(amidoamine)dendrimer (G3-PAMAM) functionalized GaN nanowires (NWs). PAMAM modified GaN NWs provides large density of docking site to immobilize significant number of probe (p-) DNA covalently. These p-DNA/PAMAM/GaN NWs sensor probes are employed to achieve an ultra-high detection limit down to attomolar level concentration of complementary target (t-) DNA. Comparative in-situ studies on single/triple base-pair mismatched, gamma-irradiated and complementary t-DNA in the hybridization process reveal selectivity and specificity of the p-DNA/PAMAM/GAN NWs sensor probe over a wide range, 10(-8) to 10(-19) M, of analyte concentration. During the hybridization process, there is a substantial change in t-DNA concentration dependent interfacial polarization resistance during electrochemical impedance measurement, which forms the basis of the present DNA biosensor. This novel methodology for specific DNA sequence detection, as compared with the existing methods, is found to be very robust, highly sensitive, and reproducible. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.