Enhancement of dopamine sensing by layer-by-layer assembly of PVI-dmeOs and Nafion on carbon nanotubes.

In this study, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were modified to further improve their performance in electrochemical sensing of dopamine (DA) levels. After a redox polymer, poly(vinylimidazole) complexed with Os(4, 4'-dimethyl- 2, 2-bipyridine)(2)Cl (termed PVI-dmeOs) was electrodeposited on multi-wall CNTs (MWCNTs), Nafion and PVI-dmeOs films were successfully layer-by-layer (LBL) assembled on the hydrophilic surface of the as-prepared PVI-dmeOs/CNTs nanocomposites through electrostatic interactions. The LBL assembly was proved by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electrochemistry and UV-vis spectroscopy measurements. LBL assembly of Nafion/PVI-dmeOs films on CNTs significantly enhanced their linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) response sensitivity to DA, with a maximum enhancement for three Nafion/PVI-dmeOs film-modified MWCNTs. The LSV peak current density of (Nafion/PV I-dmeOs)(3)/CNT electrodes in response to 10 and 50 microM DA solutions was about 7.3 and 3.9 times those for bare CNTs. At the (Nafion/PV I-dmeOs)(3)/CNT electrodes, the limit of detection (LOD) (signal-to-noise ratio: 3) was 0.05 microM DA, the linear range was 0.1-10 microM DA (with a linear regression coefficient of 0.97) and the DA-sensing sensitivity was 8.15 microA cm( - 2) microM( - 1). The newly fabricated (Nafion/PV I-dmeOs)(3)/CNT electrodes may be developed as an ideal biosensor for direct and in situ measurement of DA levels.

Detection of Helicobacter pylori in dental plaque using a DNA biosensor for noninvasive diagnosis.

Noninvasive diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is very attractive. This study investigated the single strand DNA (ssDNA) acquisition method from H. pylori in dental plaque, and the integration of our previously developed 43-mer H. pylori DNA biosensor with the obtained target ssDNA (tDNA). Dental plaque samples were collected from 34 patients/volunteers, whose gastric H. pylori infection statuses were tested with the 13C urea breath test (UBT). The samples were treated with colony polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to obtain double strand DNA (dsDNA) of 104 basepairs (bp) long. A blocker ssDNA was designed and used in thermal treatment of the dsDNA to release the 104-mer tDNA, which contains the 43-mer DNA sequence in the middle. PCR primers were designed, and the tDNA releasing and detection conditions with the biosensor were optimized. The limit of detection with the biosensor was 12 fM dsDNA. The dental plaque detection results correlated quite well with the UBT results, with a sensitivity of 100%, and specificity of 97%. These results indicate that the residence of H. pylori in dental plaque is highly associated with gastric H. pylori infection, and detection of dental plaque samples with our DNA biosensor is promisingly applicable in noninvasive diagnosis of H. pylori infection.

Selective and sensitive electrochemical detection of glucose in neutral solution using platinum-lead alloy nanoparticle/carbon nanotube nanocomposites.

Electrodeposition of Pt-Pb nanoparticles (PtPbNPs) to multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) resulted in a stable PtPbNP/MWCNT nanocomposite with high electrocatalytic activity to glucose oxidation in either neutral or alkaline medium. More importantly, the nanocomposite electrode with a slight modification exhibited high sensitivity, high selectivity, and low detection limit in amperometric glucose sensing at physiological neutral pH (poised at a negative potential). At +0.30 V in neutral solution, the nanocomposite electrode exhibited linearity up to 11 mM of glucose with a sensitivity of 17.8 microA cm(-2) mM(-1) and a detection limit of 1.8 microM (S/N=3). Electroactive ascorbic acid (0.1 mM), uric acid (0.1 mM) and fructose (0.3 mM) invoked only 23%, 14% and 9%, respectively, of the current response obtained for 3 mM glucose. At -0.15 V in neutral solution, the electrode responded linearly to glucose up to 5 mM with a detection limit of 0.16 mM (S/N=3) and detection sensitivity of approximately 18 microA cm(-2) mM(-1). At this negative potential, ascorbic acid, uric acid, and fructose were not electroactive, therefore, not interfering with glucose sensing. Modification of the nanocomposite electrode with Nafion coating followed by electrodeposition of a second layer of PtPbNPs on the Nafion coated PtPbNP/MWCNT nanocomposite produced a glucose sensor (poised at -0.15 V) with a lower detection limit (7.0 microM at S/N=3) and comparable sensitivity, selectivity and linearity compared to the PtPbNP/MWCNT nanocomposite. The Nafion coating lowered the detection limit by reducing the background noise, while the second layer of PtPbNPs restored the sensitivity to the level before Nafion coating.