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Electrochemical Biosensor Development for Detection of Botulinum Toxin A (BoNT/A)
Author(s) -
Richards Jonathan,
Bonham Andrew
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.563.3
Subject(s) - biosensor , aptamer , botulism , chemistry , nanotechnology , biology , materials science , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry
Effective methods for the detection of biological toxins are vital for food safety, human medicine, environmental maintenance, and safeguarding against biological warfare. In this project, we are developing DNA‐based electrochemical biosensors to sensitively detect botulinum toxin A (BoNT/A), the target involved in the life‐threatening paralytic disease botulism. We are utilizing rationally designed and synthesized oligonucleotide biosensors to bind to this target, generating measurable electrochemical changes upon binding the toxin in a potentiometric analysis. These biosensors are based on BoNT/A binding aptamers discovered through modified SELEX procedures. They are uniquely able to capture these data in real‐time in complex fluids, making them advantageous over current detection techniques. This approach should enable the detection of minute levels of BoNT/A in media such as foodstuffs, blood, or water, improving both prevention and diagnosis of botulism disease. Together, development of a BoNT/A biosensor will allow for detection in safety, research, commercial, and/or at‐home applications.