Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) mediated electrochemical DNA biosensor for DNA hybridization

In this study, an electrochemical biosensor system for the detection of DNA hybridization by using gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) modified electrodes was developed. Electrochemical behavior of GelMA modified Pencil Graphite Electrode (PGE) that serve as a functional platform was investigated by using Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and compared with those of the bare PGE. Hybridization was achieved in solution phase and guanine oxidation signal changes were evaluated. The decrease in the guanine oxidation peak currents at around +1.0 V was used as an indicator for the DNA hybridization. Also, more interestingly GelMA intrinsic oxidation peaks at around +0.7 V changed substantially by immobilization of different oligonucleotides such as probe, hybrid and control sequences to the electrode surface. It is the first study of using GelMA as a part of an electrochemical biosensor system. The results are very promising in terms of using GelMA as a new DNA hybridization indicator. Additionally, GelMA modified electrodes could be useful for detecting ultra low quantity of oligonucleotides by providing mechanical support to the bio-recognition layer. The detection limit of this method is at present 10-12 mol. Signal suppressions were increased from 50% to 93% for hybrid with using GelMA when it was compared to bare electrode which facilitates the hybridization detection.