Gold nanostructured laser-scribed graphene: A new electrochemical biosensing platform for potential point-of-care testing of disease biomarkers

Improvements in the laser-scribed graphene (LSG)-based electrodes are critical to overcoming limitations of bare LSG electrodes in terms of sensitivity, direct immobilization of detection probes for biosensor fabrication, and ease of integration with point-of-care (POC) devices. Herein, we introduce a new class of nanostructured gold modified LSG (LSG-AuNS) electrochemical sensing system comprising LSG-AuNS working electrode, LSG reference, and LSG counter electrode. LSG-AuNS electrodes are realized by electrodeposition of gold chloride (HAuCl4) solution, which gave similar to 2-fold enhancement in sensitivity and electrocatalytic activity compared to bare LSG electrode and commercially available screen-printed gold electrode (SPAuE). We demonstrate LSG-AuNS electrochemical aptasensor for detecting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her-2) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.008 ng/mL and a linear range of 0.1-200 ng/mL. LSG-AuNS-aptasensor can easily detect different concentrations of Her-2 spiked in undiluted human serum. Finally, to show the LSG-AuNS sensor system?s potential to develop POC biosensor devices, we integrated LSG-AuNS electrodes with a handheld electrochemical system operated using a custom-developed mobile application.

Automated summary

The study introduces a new class of nanostructured gold modified LSG electrochemical sensing system, which is achieved through electrodeposition of gold chloride solution, showing significantly higher sensitivity and electrocatalytic activity compared to bare LSG and screen-printed gold electrodes. This system can be used for detecting biomarkers like Her-2 and easily detects different concentrations of biomarkers in undiluted human serum.