An enzyme-free electrochemical biosensor based on target-catalytic hairpin assembly and Pd@UiO-66 for the ultrasensitive detection of microRNA-21

MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) has been widely investigated as important biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Herein, a highly sensitive nonenzymatic electrochemical biosensor based on Pd@metal-organic frameworks (Pd@UiO-66) and target-catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) with target recycling approach has been proposed for the detection of miR-21. The proposed biosensor integrates the efficient CHA strategy and excellent electrocatalytic performance of Pd@UiO-66 nanocomposites. The concentration of miRNA-21 is related to the amount of the adsorbed electrocatalyst, leading to the different electrochemical signals for readout towards paracetamol (AP). This biosensor shows a low limit of detection of 0.713 fM with the dynamic range of 20 fM −600 pM under the optimal experimental conditions, providing a powerful platform for detecting miR-21. Furthermore, the designed biochemical self-assembly strategy of this electrochemical biosensor is promising candidate for potential applications in the analysis of other important genetic biomarkers for early diagnosis of cancers. A highly sensitive nonenzymatic electrochemical biosensor based on Pd@UiO-66 and target-catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) with target recycling approach has been proposed for the detection of miRNA-21. [Display omitted] •The sensitive electrochemical biosensor is constructed for the detection of miR-21 based on CHA and Pd@UiO-66.•This biosensor shows low LOD and wide dynamic correlation of miR-21, providing a powerful platform for detecting miR-21.•This method is enzyme-free, PCR-free, and convenient without the requirement of any additional separation steps.