Aptamer/Graphene Oxide Nanocomplex for in Situ Molecular Probing in Living Cells

Abstract

Graphene has shown fascinating applications in bionanotechnology, including DNA sensing, protein assays, and drug delivery. However, exploration of graphene with intracellular monitoring and in situ molecular probing is still at an early stage. In this regard, we have designed an aptamer-carboxyfluorescein (FAM)/graphene oxide nanosheet (GO-nS) nanocomplex to investigate its ability for molecular probing in living cells. Results demonstrate that uptake of aptamer-FAM/GO-nS nanocomplex and cellular target monitoring were realized successfully. The dramatic delivery, protection, and sensing capabilities of GO-nS in living cells indicate that graphene oxide could be a robust candidate for many biological fields, such as DNA and protein analysis, gene and drug delivering, and intracellular tracking.

Sensing at the Surface of Graphene Field‐Effect Transistors

“…Functionalizations of these defects with electrochemical catalysts lead to further improved sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of a wide range of molecules, namely glucose, [220] cholesterol, [221] DNA, [222,223] proteins, [224] and even living cells. [103,225] To functionalize graphene, most typical catalysts are composed of enzymes, [226] metal nanoparticles, [227] and polymers, [228] to name a few. In fact, to a large extent the functionalization of a GEC is similar to that of a GFET.…”

Molecular Beacon Lighting up on Graphene Oxide

“…First, such MBs might be easily separated, allowing for operations unique to heterogeneous assays such as washing and signal amplification. In addition, nanomaterials may protect DNA and facilitate DNA delivery into cells, [12][13][14] avoiding the use of transfection agents or microinjection. [15][16][17] Finally, several different probes can be attached to the same particle for multiplexed detection.…”

Graphene-Based Nanomaterials in Bioimaging

“…For bioimaging applications, the multiplex roles of graphene and its derivatives have been gradually uncovered: i) as imaging contrast agents due to their intrinsic FL emission, Raman scattering, and NIR absorbance (12); ii) as carriers because they have two accessible sides with large specific surface area (theoretical value of 2,630 m 2 g −1 ) that offer high loading capacity of drugs, dyes, PSs and other inorganic nanomaterials by physical absorption, Van der Waals forces, electrostatic binding, or charge transfer interactions (105)(106)(107)(108); iii) as fluorescence quenchers because their sp 2 carbon structure is able to quench small molecule dyes, QDs and conjugated polymers via FL resonance energy transfer or charge transfer (109)(110)(111); iv) as wrapping materials because their flexible and amphiphilic structures make them suitable for wrapping or encapsulating insoluble nanoparticles, thus improving their water solubility and stability, biocompatibility, and preventing aggregation, degradation or toxicity in biological systems (112)(113)(114); v) as building blocks. Their ultra-high surface area and versatile surface functionalization promise the synthesis of graphene-based composites, opening a new avenue for new materials construction (115)(116)(117)(118).…”