Detection of miRNA cancer biomarkers using light activated Molecular Beacons.

Early detection of cancer biomarkers can reduce cancer mortality rate. miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs whose expression changes upon the onset of various types of cancer. Biosensors that specifically detect such biomarkers can be engineered and integrated into point-of-care devices (POC) using label-free detection, high sensibility and compactness.

High sensitivity and label-free oligonucleotides detection using photonic bandgap sensing structures biofunctionalized with molecular beacon probes.

A label-free sensor, based on the combination of silicon photonic bandgap (PBG) structures with immobilized molecular beacon (MB) probes, is experimentally developed. Complementary target oligonucleotides are specifically recognized through hybridization with the MB probes on the surface of the sensing structure. This combination of PBG sensing structures and MB probes demonstrates an extremely high sensitivity without the need for complex PCR-based amplification or labelling methods.

Experimental study of the evanescent-wave photonic sensors response in presence of molecular beacon conformational changes.

An experimental study of the influence of the conformational change suffered by molecular beacon (MB) probes-upon the biorecognition of nucleic acid target oligonucleotides over evanescent wave photonic sensors-is reported. To this end, high sensitivity photonic sensors based on silicon photonic bandgap (PBG) structures were used, where the MB probes were immobilized via their 5' termination. Those MBs incorporate a biotin moiety close to their 3' termination in order to selectively bind a streptavidin molecule to them.