Strategies for Enhancing the Sensitivity of Electrochemiluminescence Biosensors

Abstract

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) has received considerable attention as a powerful analytical technique for the sensitive and accurate detection of biological analytes owing to its high sensitivity and selectivity and wide dynamic range. To satisfy the growing demand for ultrasensitive analysis techniques with high efficiency and accuracy in complex real sample matrices, considerable efforts have been dedicated to developing ECL strategies to improve the sensitivity of bioanalysis. As one of the most effective approaches, diverse signal amplification strategies have been integrated with ECL biosensors to achieve desirable analytical performance. This review summarizes the recent advances in ECL biosensing based on various signal amplification strategies, including DNA-assisted amplification strategies, efficient ECL luminophores, surface-enhanced electrochemiluminescence, and ratiometric strategies. Sensitivity-enhancing strategies and bio-related applications are discussed in detail. Moreover, the future trends and challenges of ECL biosensors are discussed.

Electrochemiluminescent CdS Quantum Dots Biosensor for Cancer Mutation Detection at Different Positions on Linear DNA Analytes

“…With T18-T790M dissolved in a potassium phosphate buffer as the target DNA, the ECL-RET sensor showed excellent linearity from 5 aM to 100 fM with an LOD of 3.5 aM (3σ, n = 10) (Figure AB). This is significantly more sensitive than most electrochemical sensors for DNA molecules reported in the literature to date. − The ECL-RET sensor was also highly specific with no ECL signal detected, beyond the expected background, for the target DNA T18-wt, corresponding to the EGFR wild-type allele and harboring only one SNP compared to T18-T790M (Figures B, ABC). Under the operating conditions of the sensor including DNA concentration, buffer composition, and temperature, this degree of specificity dependent on the melting temperatures of the common sequence of the haiDNA probe and the analyte is not surprising and has been observed in multiple studies describing DNA detection systems based on similar FRET principles. ,,, Three random 18-nt target DNA molecules with multiple dissimilarities versus T18-T790M also did not generate an ECL signal.…”

Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence Biosensor for Quantization of Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 in Serum via Target-Induced Cleavage of Oligopeptide

“…Electrogenerated chemiluminescence (electrochemiluminescence, ECL) occurs at or near the electrode surface, resulting from a series of electrochemical and chemiluminescence reactions [14]. Due to their advantages of low background and high sensitivity, ECL biosensing methods have received increasing attention in the field of clinical diagnosis [15]. For peptide-based ECL biosensing, there are usually three biosensing types used in analyte assays, including an oligopeptide binding mode, a target-induced cleavage of oligopeptide mode and an oligopeptide phosphorylation mode.…”

MicroRNA Biosensors for Early Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

“…Biosensor technology has become a cross-disciplinary field combining biology, chemistry, physics, medicine, electronics, and other disciplines [19]. In recent years, several biosensor-based techniques have emerged for the detection of miRNAs, such as electrochemistry [20], colorimetry [21], fluorescence [22], surface plasmon resonance (SPR) [23], surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) [24], and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) [25]. These methods can also be used for in situ screening and mobile health monitoring.…”