A 2D transition-metal dichalcogenide MoS2 based novel nanocomposite and nanocarrier for multiplex miRNA detection

Abstract

Nanoscale MoS₂ has attracted extensive attention for sensing due to its superior properties. This study outlines a microfluidic and electrochemical biosensing methodology for the multiplex detection of paratuberculosis-specific miRNAs. Herein, we report the synthesis of MoS₂ nanosheets decorated with a copper ferrite (CuFe₂O₄) nanoparticle composite and molecular probe immobilized MoS₂ nanosheets as nanocarriers for the electrochemical detection of miRNAs. Paratuberculosis is a bacterial infection of the intestinal tract of dairy cattle, and is a cause of substantial economic and animal losses all over the world. The designed biosensing electrode was modified with the synthesized MoS₂–CuFe₂O₄ nanocomposites for a highly amplified signal generation. Additionally, selective detection of miRNAs was accomplished by functionalizing the MoS₂ nanosheets with a miRNA-specific biotin-tagged thiolated molecular probe and ferrocene thiol. The presence of target miRNA triggered the opening of the molecular probe present on the nanocarriers. The interaction of the molecular probe and miRNA resulted in an increase in the electrochemical signal from ferrocene. The optimized microfluidic biosensor was employed to detect a range of miRNA concentrations from the target analyte. Using square wave voltammetric analysis, a detection limit of 0.48 pM was calculated, with a detection range of 1 pM to 1.5 nM. The application of the biosensor was also assessed by detecting miRNAs in spiked serum and positive clinical samples. The developed nanomaterial enabled biosensor easily discriminated between the target miRNAs and other interfering molecules. The developed microfluidic biosensor has the potential to be used as a point-of-care, miRNA based diagnostic tool for paratuberculosis in dairy cows.