Colorimetric detection of furin based on enhanced catalytic activity of G-quadruplex/hemin DNAzyme.

Background: Rapid and sensitive colorimetric detection methods are crucial for diseases diagnosis, particularly those involving proteases like furin, which are implicated in various conditions, including cancer. Traditional detection methods for furin suffer from limitations in sensitivity and practicality for on-site detection, motivating the development of novel detection strategies. Therefore, developing a simple, enzyme-free, and rapid colorimetric analysis method with high sensitivity for furin detection is imperative.

A dual-mode ratiometric aptasensor for accurate detection of pathogenic bacteria based on recycling of DNAzyme activation.

Pathogenic bacteria have a significant impact on food safety. Herein, an innovative dual-mode ratiometric aptasensor was constructed for ultrasensitive and accurate detection of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) based on recycling of DNAzyme activation on gold nanoparticles-functionalized MXene nanomaterials (MXene@Au NPs).

An electrochemical biosensor for SARS-CoV-2 detection via its papain-like cysteine protease and the protease inhibitor screening.

The persistent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is still infecting hundreds of thousands of people every day. Enriching the kits for SARS-CoV-2 detection and developing the drugs for patient treatments are still urgently needed for combating the spreading virus, especially after the emergence of various mutants. Herein, an electrochemical biosensor has been fabricated in this work for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 via its papain-like cysteine protease (PLpro) and the screening of protease inhibitor against SARS-CoV-2 by using our designed chimeric peptide-DNA (pDNA) nanoprobes.

Peptide Assembled in a Nano-confined Space as a Molecular Rectifier for the Availability of Ionic Current Modulation.

Bioinspired nanochannels have emerged as a powerful tool for bioengineering and biomedical research due to their robust mechanical and controllable chemical properties. Inspired by inward-rectifier potassium (K) channels, herein, the charged peptide assembly has been introduced into a nano-confined space for the modulation of ion current rectification (ICR). Peptide-responsive reaction-triggered sequence changes can contribute to polarity conversion of the surface charge; therefore, ICR reversal (ICRR) is generated.