Direct DNA Immobilization onto a Carbon Nanotube Modified Electrode: Study on the Influence of pH and Ionic Strength

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Biotechnology Division, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran

2 Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran

10.7508/JNS.2016.03.008

Abstract

Over the past years, DNA biosensors have been developed to analyze DNA interaction and damage that have important applications in biotechnological researches. The immobilization of DNA onto a substrate is one key step for construction of DNA electrochemical biosensors. In this report, a direct approach has been described for immobilization of single strand DNA onto carboxylic acid-functionalized carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode. To do this, we first modified the glassy carbon electrode surface with MWCNT-COOH. The immersion of MWCNT-COOH/GCE in ss-DNA probe solution, with different pH and ionic strength, was followed by suitable interaction between amine group of ss-DNA bases and carboxylic groups of MWCNT-COOH. This interaction leads to successful ss-DNA immobilization on MWCNT-COOH that was confirmed by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Immobilization of ss-DNA on the modified electrode increased the charge transfer resistant but decreased the peak current of redox probe ([Fe(CN)6]3-/4-). The result of cyclic voltammograms implicates that enhancements in the DNA immobilization are possible by adroit choice of low pH and high ionic strength. The standard free-energy of adsorption (ΔG°ads) was calculated from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data (-47.75 kJ mol-1) and was confirmed covalent bond formation. atomic force microscopy topographic images demonstrate increased surface roughness after ss-DNA immobilization. Results offer a simple, rapid and low-cost of DNA immobilization strategy can be opportunities to design of novel nucleic acid biosensors.

Keywords


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