DNA Ultrasensitive Detection via SI-eRAFT and In Situ Metallization Dual-Signal Amplification

In this work, we report a new amplification strategy based on electrochemically mediated reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (eRAFT) and in situ metalization for electrochemical detection of DNA. First, peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes were immobilized on the surface of the gold electrode, and when they hybridized with the target DNA, the chain transfer agent (CTA), 4-cyano-4-(phenylcarbonothioylthio)pentanoic acid (CPAD), of RAFT was connected to the PNA/DNA heteroduplex formed by the coordination bonding of Zr4+. Then glycosyloxyethyl methacrylates (GEMA) were assembled on the surface of the electrode by electrochemically mediated surface-initiated reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (SI-eRAFT) to form a polymer-containing sugar glucose. Next, the o-hydroxyl groups on the polysaccharide molecular skeleton were oxidized to aldehyde groups by sodium periodate (NaIO4). The aldehyde groups generated then reduce silver ions to silver particles deposited on the electrode surface in ...