TEHRAN, Sep. 2 (MNA) � A group of researchers led by Dr. M. H. Mashhadizadeh, a faculty member at Kharazmi University of Iran, developed a new hepatitis B virus (HBV-DNA) electrochemical biosensor. Funded by Iran National Science Foundation (INSF), a new hepatitis B virus (HBV-DNA) electrochemical biosensor was designed in two phases.

In the first phase, carbon paste electrode was modified by magnetic nanoparticles, para-nitroaniline and Hepatitis B virus DNA probe. Immobilization of DNA probe onto electrode surface was done through covalent interaction between NH2 group on the electrode surface and activated phosphate group of DNA. In this work, Methylene Blue was used as electrochemical indicator and quantitative determination was done by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) method.

In the second phase, gold electrode was modified with gold nanoparticles and mercaptobenzaldehyde. Hepatitis B virus DNA probe that had been functionalized with NH2 was immobilized onto electrode surface through covalent interaction with aldehyde group. The DNA probe immobilization and hybridization on the modified electrode were studied with differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) using ferricyanide as an indicating probe.

Evaluation of the biosensor�s performance showed appropriate sensitivity and selectivity for determining trace amounts of Hepatitis B virus DNA in the real samples. Furthermore, the biosensor was developed with robust stability and desirable reproducibility.

By Mehr News Agency