# Engineered Nanoparticles for μPAD Nucleic Acid Detection

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new POC diagnostic system using engineered nanoparticles on a paper-based platform for detecting nucleic acids like survivin DNA.

## Contribution

A novel iron oxide@gold nanoparticle-based μPAD system for selective and portable nucleic acid detection is developed.

## Key findings

- The system selectively detects the survivin DNA target sequence.
- Detection was successful in multiple matrices including human serum.
- The method enables low-cost and portable nucleic acid analysis.

## Abstract

Point-of-care (POC) diagnostics can provide early disease
detection
and continued monitoring for millions of people, domestically and
internationally, who do not have access to essential support services.
POC diagnostics can improve care and treatment decisions by shortening
the time from analysis to diagnosis. Current POC diagnostic systems
are limited by the availability of analyte options, nonspecific responses,
the need for trained personnel, specialized instrumentation, and expensive
biological components. Herein is presented a novel approach to develop
POC diagnostics based on iron oxide@gold, core@shell, nanoparticles
(Fe3O4@Au’s). The particles were engineered
to release signaling compounds in the presence of the target analytes
and built on a paper-based microfluidic (μPAD) platform to allow
for inexpensive production and high portability. As a proof-of-concept,
an assay for the oligonucleotide target sequence of survivin was developed.
The nanoparticles were designed to release a signal in the presence
of survivin DNA, which was quantified via a fluorescence signal on
the μPAD platforms. The system showed selective response for
the targeted survivin sequence, and detection was achieved with buffer,
artificial saliva, artificial urine, and human serum matrices.