Ultrasensitive detection of thrombin based on MoS2-aptamer biosensors by resonance light scattering technique

Abstract

Abstract Rapid and sensitive detection of thrombin has very important significance in biomedical and bioanalytical applications. In this study, a label-free and simple resonance light scattering (RLS) sensor based on MoS2 nanomaterial is developed for ultrasensitive and highly selective detection of thrombin. In the presence of thrombin, the thrombin aptamer can transform into a G-quartet structure and combine with thrombin, resulting in dissociation of the random DNA (rDNA) in the solution. Once MoS2 is introduced, the free rDNA can be adsorbed on the surface of MoS2 to form a stable DNA1–thrombin–MoS2 complex, which increases RLS signals. The sensor shows two linear ranges of 10 pM to 500 pM and 1 nM to 60 nM, and a detection limit of 0:71 pMfor detection of thrombin. Our sensor is a promising tool for clinical diagnosis of thrombin in human serum. Moreover, this work can offer new opportunities for the development of convenient sensor for detecting other proteins.