Ultra-sensitive DNA detection with single-base mismatch resolution using a tapered thin-diameter photonic crystal fiber interferometer

Opt Express. 2024 Aug 26;32(18):31514-31524. doi: 10.1364/OE.533018.

Abstract

A tapered thin-diameter photonic crystal fiber interferometer (TTD-PCFI) biosensor is proposed and demonstrated for DNA hybridization detection with an ultra-low limit of detection (LoD) and high specificity. The TTD-PCFI is fabricated by arc-discharged melting and adiabatic tapering, with a lower loss and stronger evanescent optical field. The fabricated TTD-PCFI with a diameter of 8.63 µm achieves a high refractive index sensitivity of 3842.5 nm/RIU. DNA hybridization detection of concentration ranging from 1 fM to 1 pM is achieved, with a sensitivity of 632 pm/lg(fM). The measured LoD is as low as 410 aM. Single-base mismatch detection of 25-base target single-stranded DNA is also achieved. The proposed label-free DNA biosensor has the advantages of the ultra-low LoD, high specificity, and real-time detection, which has great application prospects in the fields of disease diagnosis, microbial detection, and environmental science.

MeSH terms

  • Base Pair Mismatch*
  • Biosensing Techniques* / instrumentation
  • DNA* / analysis
  • Equipment Design
  • Fiber Optic Technology / instrumentation
  • Interferometry* / instrumentation
  • Limit of Detection
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
  • Optical Fibers
  • Photons
  • Refractometry / instrumentation

Substances

  • DNA