Comparison of the signaling and stability of electrochemical DNA sensors fabricated from 6- or 11-carbon self-assembled monolayers

Langmuir. 2006 Dec 5;22(25):10796-800. doi: 10.1021/la0611817.

Abstract

We have characterized the solution-phase and dry storage stability of electrochemical E-DNA sensors fabricated using mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) composed of 6- or 11-carbon (C6 and C11, respectively) alpha,omega-thiol alcohols and the analogous C6- or C11-thiol-terminated stem-loop DNA probe. We find that the solution-phase and dry storage stability of C6-based E-DNA sensors are limited and poorly reproducible. The use of stabilizing agents bovine serum albumin plus either glucose or trehalose significantly improves the dry storage shelf life of such sensors: when using these preservatives, we observe only 7-9% sensor degradation after 1 month of storage in air at room temperature. In comparison, the stability of C11-based E-DNA sensors is significantly greater than that of the C6-based sensors; we observe only minor (5-8%) loss of signal upon storing these sensors for a week under ambient solution conditions or for more than a month in air in the presence of preservatives. Moreover, whereas the electron-transfer rate through C11 SAMs is slower than that observed for C6 SAMs, it is rapid enough to support good sensor performance. It thus appears that C11 SAMs provide a reasonable compromise between electron-transfer efficiency and sensor stability and are well suited for use in electronic DNA-sensing applications.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alcohols / chemistry*
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Carbon / chemistry*
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • Electrochemistry / methods
  • Gold / chemistry
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Oligonucleotides / chemistry*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds / chemistry*
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Alcohols
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Oligonucleotides
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds
  • Carbon
  • Gold
  • DNA