A flexible smart membrane consisting of GO composite fibres and upconversion MSNs for microRNA detection.

ABSTRACT

We have developed a photoluminescent membrane for microRNA detection, consisting of chemically modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles (CaF2Yb/Ho@MSNs) attached, via single stranded DNA probes, to flexible polyurethane fibres coated with graphene oxide (GO). By detecting the release of the luminescent nanoparticles resulting from complementary co-hybridization between target miRNA sequences and the DNA probe, accurate measurements of the miRNA concentration at high sensitivity levels can be obtained. The constructs therefore offer a route to rapid detection and the potential for early cancer diagnosis.