Nanostructured Magnesium Oxide: A Suitable Material for DNA Based Biosensors

摘要

Nanostructured MgO (NanoMgO) have recently become important electrochemical biosensors material due to the biocompatibility, effective surface area for biomolecule functionalization with desired orientation and enhanced sensing characteristics. Present review focuses on the application of MgO and its composite as a sensor material for nucleic acid molecules with emphasis on Vibrio cholerae detection. NanoMgO has been synthesized using sol-gel co-precipitation methods. The films were deposited onto ITO coated glass substrate using electrophoretic deposition method (EPD). Single stranded DNA (ssDNA) probe sequence of Vibrio cholerae (O1 gene) was functionalized on the films of NanoMgO and its composite with chitosan (CH) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) based matrices. Various analysis and characterization techniques like X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and contact angle measurement are employed for elemental, structural and morphological characterizations. Electrochemical techniques were used to estimate the biosensing properties of the investigated materials. The changes in host matrix with CH and MWCNTs resulted in improved sensor characteristics such as sensitivity, response time, detection limit etc. It has been realized that NanoMgO and its composite can be used as a suitable matrix for DNA biosensor fabrication.