Molecular beacon structure mediated rolling circle amplification for ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of microRNA based on quantum dots tagging

• An ultrasensitive electrochemical method is proposed for detection of microRNA-16.
• Molecular beacon structure is designed to initiate RCA for the high selectivity.
• To achieve signal amplification, RCA and quantum dots tagging are utilized.

MicroRNA-16 (miR-16) frequently deleted or downregulated in patients with B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia and thus can be used as promising biomarkers in B-CLL diagnosis and prognosis. Herein, an ultrasensitive miR-16 detection was carried out by combining rolling circle amplification (RCA), quantum dots tagging and anodic stripping voltammetric detection (ASV). The method could specifically quantify miR-16 over a 6-decade dynamic range and reach an ultra-low detection limit of 0.32 aM.

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