Iranian scientists design, develop new HBV-DNA biosensor

A group of Iranian researchers has designed and developed a new electrochemical biosensor to measure traces of the Hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV-DNA).

The group, led by Dr. M. H. Mashhadizadeh, a faculty member at Kharazmi University, devised the biosensor in two phases as part of a project funded by the Iran National Science Foundation (INSF).

Mashhadizadeh said that the objective of the project was to design a cheap and simple electrochemical biosensor and work on the quantitative measuring of HBV-DNA.

The first phase of the development process included the modification of a carbon paste electrode by magnetic nanoparticles, para-nitroaniline and HBV-DNA probe as well as the immobilization of DNA probe onto the electrode surface. The latter was done through covalent interaction between an NH2 group on the electrode surface.

Methylene Blue was also utilized as an electrochemical indicator while the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) method was applied for quantitative determination.

In addition, in the second phase, gold electrode was modified with gold nanoparticles and mercaptobenzaldehyde. The HBV-DNA probe was further immobilized onto the electrode surface through covalent interaction with the aldehyde group.

Both processes were studied by the DPV method using ferricyanide as an indicating probe.

Mashhadizadeh said that the biosensor was successfully used for measuring HBV-DNA in urine and blood plasma samples.

The scientist further noted that the evaluation of the new electrochemical biosensor’s performance showed appropriate sensitivity and selectivity for determining trace amounts of HBV-DNA in the real samples.

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