Aptamer-functionalized graphene-gold nanocomposites for label-free detection of dielectrophoretic-enriched neuropeptide Y

• Aptamer-based neuropeptide Y detection at 10 pM levels without labeling and wash steps
• High sensitivity detection using aptamer functionalized graphene-gold nanocomposites
• Rapid detection from dilute samples by coupling aptamers to enriched neuropeptide Y
• Patterned aptamers on a disposable nanoslit chip fabricated by imprint lithography
• Verified for absence of interferences from other tyrosine containing peptides

We present an electrokinetically enhanced aptamer sensing platform on a disposable plastic chip for label-free detection of neuropeptide Y (NPY), which is a key neurological biomarker. The sensor consists of aptamer-functionalized graphene-gold nanocomposites (Gr-AuNs) patterned inside a nanoslit that is embossed on cyclic olefin copolymer via nanoimprint lithography. Analyte molecules are dielectrophoretically focused through the nanoslit onto aptamer-immobilized Gr-AuNs for rapid and selective electrochemical detection of NPY at picomolar levels.

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