Direct detection of disease biomarkers in clinical specimens using cationic nanoparticle-based assays & versatile and green methods for synthesis of anisotropic silver nanostructures

Abstract

A gold nanoparticle-based assay for the detection of a target molecule, such as Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA in serum samples, that uses positively charged gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in solution based format. The assay has been tested on 74 serum clinical samples suspected of containing HCV RNA, with 48 and 38 positive and negative samples respectively. The developed assay has a specificity and sensitivity of 96.5% and 92.6% respectively. The results obtained were confirmed by Real-Time PCR, and a concordance of 100% for the negative samples and 89% for the positive samples has been obtained between the Real-Time PCR and the developed AuNPs based assay. Also, a purification method for the HCV RNA has been developed using HCV RNA specific probe conjugated to homemade silica nanoparticles. These silica nanoparticles have been synthesized by modified Stober method. This purification method enhanced the specificity of the developed AuNPs assay. The method can detect a target molecule, such as HCV RNA in serum, by employing modified silica nanoparticles to capture the target from a biological sample followed by detection of the captured target molecule using positively charged AuNPs. The assay is simple, cheap, sensitive and specific. Another aspect of the invention is anisotropic silver nanoparticles and methods of their use.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application 61 / 593,019, filed Jan. 31, 2012, and to U.S. Provisional Application 61 / 594,817, filed Feb. 3, 2012, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]Methods for detecting pathogens using cationic gold- or silver-nanoparticles. The assays can detect amplified and / or unamplified RNA and / or DNA from viruses, bacteria and other organisms, such as Hepatitis C virus and mycobacterium tuberculosis. The invention is also directed to anisotropic silver nanoparticles and methods for synthesizing and using them.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Cationic gold nanoparticle based assays. Many molecular diagnostic assays are commercially available for the detection of several viral / bacterial nucleic acids (DNA / RNA) in patients' blood. Although these assays have high sensitiv...

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Benefits of technology

[0055]Other inventive embodiments include methods of using the nano- or microstructures described herein. These include a method for antimicrobial therapy comprising contacting a microbe or a host cell a nano- or microparticle as described herein. A method of diagnosis comprising processing or contacting a biological sample with a nano- or microparticle as described herein. A method for detecting a molecule or substance comprising contacting a sample with a nano- or microparticle as described herein under conditions suitable for SERS. A method for optically detecting a molecule or substance comprising contacting a sample with a nano- or microparticle as described herein under conditions suitable for optical detection. A method for optically detecting a molecule or substance comprising contacting a sample with a nano- or microparticle as described herein under conditions suitable for optoelectronic detection or operation. A method for biosensing comprising incorporating a nano- or microparticle as described herein into a device or a biosensor. A method for tissue engineering, treatment or modification comprising contacting a tissue with a nano- or microparticle as described herein. An imaging method comprising contact a sample to be imaged with the a nano- or microparticle as described herein. A method for modeling a system, such as a biological system, comprising contacting a system with a nano- or microparticle as described herein. A waveguide or electronic device comprising the a nano- or microparticle as described herein. An ink, stain, dye, pigment, primer, paint or anticorrosive agent comprising a nanoparticle made by the methods describe herein. A resin, plastic, rubber, putty, or glass comprising nanoparticles made by the methods described herein. An agent added to a product or composition to identify, tag it, track it or to otherwise identify it or its properties comprising nanoparticles m

Problems solved by technology

Although these assays have high sensitivity and specificity, most of them are time consuming, labor intensive, expensive, and require specialized equipment.

A significant drawback to the prior art methods which use gold nanoparticles is that the presence of a capture probe in the absence of a target molecule leads to aggregation of the gold nanoparticles because the capture probes bind to the cationic gold nanoparticles via their phosphate backbones.

Prior art methods require extra steps and labor are required to avoid this problem.

Another problem with p

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