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- Title
Quantum sensing of microRNAs with nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond.
- Authors
Zalieckas, Justas; Greve, Martin M.; Bellucci, Luca; Sacco, Giuseppe; Håkonsen, Verner; Tozzini, Valentina; Nifosì, Riccardo
- Abstract
Label-free detection of nucleic acids such as microRNAs holds great potential for early diagnostics of various types of cancers. Measuring intrinsic biomolecular charge using methods based on field effect has been a promising way to accomplish label-free detection. However, the charges of biomolecules are screened by counter ions in solutions over a short distance (Debye length), thereby limiting the sensitivity of these methods. Here, we measure the intrinsic magnetic noise of paramagnetic counter ions, such as Mn2+, interacting with microRNAs using nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. All-atom molecular dynamics simulations show that microRNA interacts with the diamond surface resulting in excess accumulation of Mn ions and stronger magnetic noise. We confirm this prediction by observing an increase in spin relaxation contrast of the NV centers, indicating higher Mn2+ local concentration. This opens new possibilities for next-generation quantum sensing of charged biomolecules, overcoming limitations due to the Debye screening. Label-free detection of nucleic acids such as microRNAs holds great potential for early diagnostics of various types of cancers, but insufficient detection limits hamper applicability. Here, the authors use nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond to measure the intrinsic magnetic noise of paramagnetic counter ions interacting with microRNAs, lowering the detection limit to ~23 miR-21s.
- Subjects
MICRORNA; NANODIAMONDS; DEBYE length; MAGNETIC noise; COUNTER-ions; DIAMOND surfaces
- Publication
Communications Chemistry, 2024, Vol 7, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
2399-3669
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1038/s42004-024-01182-7