Miyuki Tabata

Thiolated 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine for an antifouling biosensor platform

We developed a new building block for a protein- and cell-repellant self-assembled monolayer (SAM) from 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) via a simple Michael-type addition to one mercapto group in alkanedithiol. The thiolated MPC can enable functionalization of a noble metal electrode to minimize noise signal in biosensing.

Sensitive detection of microRNA by chronocoulometry and rolling circle amplification on a gold electrode.

We developed a quantitative detection scheme for nucleic acids, combining solid-phase rolling circle amplification and chronocoulometry (RCA-CC). A gold electrode was directly formed on a polystyrene substrate as a cost-effective and flexible biosensor for sensitive detection of microRNA (mir-143) in blood samples.

Electrical and Electrochemical Monitoring of Nucleic Acid Amplification

Nucleic acid amplification is a gold standard technique for analyzing a tiny amount of nucleotides in molecular biology, clinical diagnostics, food safety, and environmental testing. Electrical and electrochemical monitoring of the amplification process draws attention over conventional optical methods because of the amenability toward point-of-care applications as there is a growing demand for nucleic acid sensing in situations outside the laboratory. A number of electrical and electrochemical techniques coupled with various amplification methods including isothermal amplification have been reported in the last 10 years. In this review, we highlight recent developments in the electrical and electrochemical monitoring of nucleic acid amplification.

Potentiometric responses of ion-selective microelectrode with bovine serum albumin adsorption

There is a growing demand for an in situ measurement of local pH and ion concentrations in biological milieu to monitor ongoing process of bioreaction and bioresponse in real time. An ion-selective microelectrode can meet the requirements. However, the contact of the electrode with biological fluids induces biofouling by protein adsorption to result in a noise signal. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between the amount of nonspecific protein adsorption and the electrical signals in potentiometry by using ion-selective microelectrodes, namely silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl), iridium/iridium oxides (Ir/IrOx), and platinum/iridium oxides (Pt/IrOx). The microelectrodes reduced a potential change following the adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) by comparison with the original metal microelectrodes without oxide layers. Suppression in the noise signal was attributed to the increased capacitance at the electrode/solution interface due to the formation of granulated metal oxide layer rather than a decrease in the amount of protein adsorbed. Ion sensitivity was maintained for Ir/IrOx against proton, but it was not for Ag/AgCl against chloride ion (Cl(-)), because of the interference of the equilibrium reaction by adsorbed BSA molecules on the electrode surface at<10(-2)M [Cl(-)] in the solution. The results open up the application of the Ir/IrOx microelectrode for measuring local pH in realistic dirty samples with a limited influence of electrode pollution by protein adsorption.

Measurement of Rapid Amiloride-Dependent pH Changes at the Cell Surface Using a Proton-Sensitive Field-Effect Transistor

We present a novel method for the rapid measurement of pH fluxes at close proximity to the surface of the plasma membrane in mammalian cells using an ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET). In conjuction with an efficient continuous superfusion system, the ISFET sensor was capable of recording rapid changes in pH at the cells’ surface induced by intervals of ammonia loading and unloading, even when using highly buffered solutions. Furthermore, the system was able to isolate physiologically relevant signals by not only detecting the transients caused by ammonia loading and unloading, but display steady-state signals as would be expected by a proton transport-mediated influence on the extracellular proton-gradient. Proof of concept was demonstrated through the use of 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride (EIPA), a small molecule inhibitor of sodium/hydrogen exchangers (NHE). As the primary transporter responsible for proton balance during cellular regulation of pH, non-electrogenic NHE transport is notoriously difficult to detect with traditional methods. Using the NHE positive cell lines, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and NHE3-reconstituted mouse skin fibroblasts (MSF), the sensor exhibited a significant response to EIPA inhibition, whereas NHE-deficient MSF cells were unaffected by application of the inhibitor.

Real-time monitoring and detection of primer generation-rolling circle amplification of DNA using an ethidium ion-selective electrode

An electrochemical detection system for an isothermal DNA amplification method using an ion-selective electrode (ISE) was developed as a low-cost, simple and real-time monitoring system. The system is based on potentiometry using an ethidium ion (Et(+)) selective electrode that relies on monitoring DNA amplification by measuring potential changes in the reaction solution containing ethidium bromide (EtBr) as an intercalator to DNA. With progressing primer generation-rolling circle amplification (PG-RCA) under isothermal condition at 37°C, EtBr is bound to the newly formed DNA, resulting in a lowered free EtBr concentration in the sample solution. In this case, the Et(+) ISE potential allows real-time monitoring of the PG-RCA reaction in the range of 10 nM - 1 μM initial target DNA.

pH mapping on tooth surfaces for quantitative caries diagnosis using micro Ir/IrOx pH sensor

A quantitative diagnostic method for dental caries would improve oral health, which directly affects the quality of life. Here we describe the preparation and application of Ir/IrOx pH sensors, which are used to measure the surface pH of dental caries. The pH level is used as an indicator to distinguish between active and arrested caries. After a dentist visually inspected and defined 18 extracted dentinal caries at various positions as active or arrested caries, the surface pH values of sound and caries areas were directly measured with an Ir/IrOx pH sensor with a diameter of 300 μm as a dental explorer. The average pH values of the sound root, the arrested caries, and active caries were 6.85, 6.07, and 5.30, respectively. The pH obtained with an Ir/IrOx sensor was highly correlated with the inspection results by the dentist, indicating that the types of caries were successfully categorized. This caries testing technique using a micro Ir/IrOx pH sensor provides an accurate quantitative caries evaluation and has potential in clinical diagnosis.

Demonstration of thermo-sensitive tetra-gel with implication for facile and versatile platform for a new class of smart gels

Abstract A tertiary branched poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) with controlled molecular weight, distribution and the end amino-functionalization (tetra-PNIPAAm-NH2) was studied for the ability to form a gel via in situ chain-end reaction with a counterpart tertiary branched poly(ethyleneglycol) bearing N-hydroxysuccinimide end groups (tetra-PEG-NHS), a well-documented class of building block to yield the tetra-gel. Some of these polymers, both comparable and distinct (relative to the counterpart) extended chain length pairs, provided a self-standing and macroscopically homogeneous gel, which was capable of undergoing thermo-sensitive and reversible change in hydration in line with the nature of PNIPAAm. Phantom network model based calculation indicated that a half molar fraction of the polymer chains in the network remained unreacted, revealing further room for optimizing the reaction condition. Since such tetra-PNIPAAm based motif can be readily tailored to a variety of other physicochemical stimuli-responsive analogues, our finding may give important insight into a platform for ‘smart’ tetra-gels with exceptional mechanical properties and potentially highly controllable molecular cut-off capability.

Electrochemical Biosensors Combined with Isothermal Amplification for Quantitative Detection of Nucleic Acids

In recent years, various isothermal amplification techniques have been developed as alternatives to polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The integration of isothermal amplification with electrical or electrochemical devices has enabled high-throughput nucleic acid-based assays with high sensitivity. We performed solid-phase rolling circle amplification (RCA) on the surface of a Au electrode, and detected RCA products in situ using chronocoulometry (CC) with [Ru (NH3)6]3+ as the signaling molecule. Detection sensitivity for DNA and a microRNA (miR-143) was 100 fM and 1 pM, respectively. Furthermore, we conducted potentiometric DNA detection using an ethidium ion (Et+)-selective electrode (Et+ISE) for real-time monitoring of isothermal DNA amplification by primer-generation RCA (PG-RCA). The Et+ISE potential enabled real-time monitoring of the PG-RCA reaction in the range of 10 nM–1 μM of initial target DNA. Devices based on these electrochemical techniques represent a new strategy for replacing conventional PCR for on-site detection of nucleic acids of viruses or microorganisms.

Field-Effect Transistors for Detection of Biomolecular Recognition

Electrical biosensors have attracted increasing attention in such fields as point-of-care testing, drug discovery, and healthcare products. In order for next-generation biosensor platforms to become more useful in our daily lives, it will be necessary to significantly improve their sensitivity, specificity, and parallelism. A precisely designed thin layer in molecular dimension on a solid substrate is essential for biosensing. The surfaces of biosensors are designed to capture target bioanalytes. In addition, the solid/liquid interface plays an important role in realizing additional functionalities such as target manipulation, signal stabilization, and switching. A functional interface combined with a field-effect device would enable on-demand label-free biosensing in a portable format. In this chapter, we provide an overview of biomolecular recognition in the context of electrochemical sensing and biosensing. Also, we review recent progress and trends in biosensing, including our own research.