Innovative electrochemical approach for an early detection of microRNAs

Anal Chem. 2009 Apr 1;81(7):2819-22. doi: 10.1021/ac8026788.

Abstract

The recent findings of circulating cell-free tissue specific microRNAs in the systemic circulation and the potential of their use as specific markers of disease highlight the need to make microRNAs testing a routine part of medical care. At the present time, microRNAs are detected by long and laborious techniques such as Northern blot, RT-PCR, and microarrays. The originality of our work consists in performing microRNAs detection through an electrochemical genosensor using a label-free method. We were able to directly detect microRNAs without the need of PCR and a labeling reaction. The test is simple, very fast and ultrasensitive, with a detection limit of 0.1 pmol. Particularly feasible for a routine microRNAs detection in serum and other biological samples, our technical approach would be of great scientific value and become a common method for simple miRNAs routine detection in both clinical and research settings.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Electrochemistry / methods*
  • Hepacivirus / physiology
  • Homeostasis
  • Inosine / metabolism
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Liver / cytology
  • Liver / metabolism
  • MicroRNAs / analysis*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
  • Temperature
  • Time Factors
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • MicroRNAs
  • Inosine