Nanogap-Based Electrochemical Detection of Protein, Virus, and Bacteria

We studied electrochemical detection of Botulinum neurotoxin, Vaccinia virus, and Streptococcus Pneumoniae based on nanogap device. Target bio substances were employed as representative targets of protein, virus, and bacteria, respectively. Redox current generated by ferri/ferrocyanide as an electroactive probe was enhanced according to gap distance which was controlled by surface-catalyzed chemical deposition. We found that enhanced electrochemical signal leads more sensitive signal changes according to selective interaction of target and its complementary elements on the electrode or gap area. In case of Botulinum neurotoxin, the redox signal showed a time-dependent increase due to cleavage of the immobilized peptide which blocked redox cycling. Redox cycling was also hindered by Vaccinia virus and Streptococcus Pneumoniae which were selectively immobilized in the gap area.