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An electrochemical immunosensor for the tumor marker α-fetoprotein using a glassy carbon electrode modified with a poly(5-formylindole), single-wall carbon nanotubes, and coated with gold nanoparticles and antibody

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Abstract

We report on a label-free electrochemical immunosensor for α-fetoprotein (α-FP). It is based on the use of a glassy carbon electrode that was first modified with conducting poly(5-formylindole) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (P5FIn/SWNTs), and then coated with gold nanoparticles and the respective antibody. The presence of aldehyde groups warrants direct immobilization of the antibody and results in a convenient method for fabricating of the immunosensor. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were deposited on the P5FIn/SWNTs composite material, and the modified electrode was applied to the detection of α-FP. The analytical signal is obtained by measuring the change of amperometric response at a typical working voltage of 100 mV before and after the immunoreaction. The detection limit is 200 fg mL−1. The immunosensor is simple, sensitive, specific and reproducible. It has the potential for reliable point-of-care diagnosis of tumor or other diseases.

A simple electrochemical immunosensor based on conducting poly(5-formylindole) and single-walled carbon nanotubes composite was fabricated to detect alpha-fetoprotein. The detection limit is 200 fg mL−1. This immunosensor is simple, sensitive, specific and reproducible.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (51373089), National Natural Science Foundation of Shandong (No. ZR2011BM003), China Doctor Station Foundation of Higher Education (20123719120006), and Scientific and Technical Development Project of Qingdao (11–2–4–3–(10)–jch).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory Base of Eco-chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266042, People’s Republic of China

    Lin Zhang, Chenxi Li, Dan Zhao, Tingting Wu & Guangming Nie

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  1. Lin Zhang
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  2. Chenxi Li
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  3. Dan Zhao
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  4. Tingting Wu
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  5. Guangming Nie
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Correspondence to Guangming Nie.

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Zhang, L., Li, C., Zhao, D. et al. An electrochemical immunosensor for the tumor marker α-fetoprotein using a glassy carbon electrode modified with a poly(5-formylindole), single-wall carbon nanotubes, and coated with gold nanoparticles and antibody. Microchim Acta 181, 1601–1608 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-014-1313-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-014-1313-7

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