Site-directed dual bioprobes inducing single-step nano-sandwich assay for the detection of cardiac troponin I

Bioreceptor functionalized metallic nano-colloids have been identified as effective nanobioprobes to realize the detection of an analyte based on a common phenomenon of salt-induced aggregation. In marked contrast to this, we describe a nano-sandwich assay integrating the novel match-pair of aptamer and peptide functionalized gold nanoparticles. The site-directed biomolecular interaction of high affinity aptamer and peptide bioreceptors directed towards distinct sites of cardiac biomarker troponin I; this was found to form a nano-sandwich assay in a peculiar manner. The gold nanoconjugates interact with specific and distant regions of troponin I to result in collision of probes upon target identification. In the presence of TnI, both nanobioprobes bind at their respective sites forming a nano-sandwich pair providing a visual color change from red to blue. Thus, the presence of target TnI itself causes instant agglomeration in just a single-step without addition of any external aggregator. The assay imparts 100% specificity and 90% sensitivity in a dynamic concentration range of 0.1–500 ng/mL troponin I with detection limit as low as 0.084 ng/mL. The applicability of the assay has been validated in clinical samples of acute myocardial infarction patients thus establishing a promising point-of-care detection of TnI. Graphical abstract