Bioelectronic DNA detection of human papillomaviruses using eSensor: a model system for detection of multiple pathogens.

Suzanne D Vernon,Vivian Chan,Gary F Blackburn,William C Reeves,Elizabeth R Unger,Donna L Miller,Yin-Peng Chen,Daniel H Farkas

doi:10.1186/1471-2334-3-12

Abstract

BackgroundWe used human papillomaviruses (HPV) as a model system to evaluate the utility of a nucleic acid, hybridization-based bioelectronic DNA detection platform (eSensor™) in identifying multiple pathogens.MethodsTwo chips were spotted with capture probes consisting of DNA oligonucleotide sequences specific for HPV types. Electrically conductive signal probes were synthesized to be complementary to a distinct region of the amplified HPV target DNA. A portion of the HPV L1 region that was amplified by using consensus primers served as target DNA. The amplified target was mixed with a cocktail of signal probes and added to a cartridge containing a DNA chip to allow for hybridization with complementary capture probes.ResultsTwo bioelectric chips were designed and successfully detected 86% of the HPV types contained in clinical samples.ConclusionsThis model system demonstrates the potential of the eSensor platform for rapid and integrated detection of multiple pathogens.

Highlights

We used human papillomaviruses (HPV) as a model system to evaluate the utility of a nucleic acid, hybridization-based bioelectronic DNA detection platform in identifying multiple pathogens
Bioelectronic DNA detection involves forming an electronic circuit mediated by nucleic acid hybridization and it serves as the basis for a DNA detection system called eSensorTM [1,2,3,4]
An alternating current voltammogram is obtained when HPV is detected in a sample but no electronic signal is registered when HPV DNA is absent from the sample. (Fig. 2)

Summary

Introduction

We used human papillomaviruses (HPV) as a model system to evaluate the utility of a nucleic acid, hybridization-based bioelectronic DNA detection platform (eSensorTM) in identifying multiple pathogens. Bioelectronic DNA detection involves forming an electronic circuit mediated by nucleic acid hybridization and it serves as the basis for a DNA detection system called eSensorTM [1,2,3,4]. This system uses low-density DNA chips containing electrodes coated with DNA capture probes. Current eSensor DNA chips contain as many as 36 electrodes for simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens from a single sample

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion