Development of a miniaturized electrochemical biochip
The technological evolution towards portable systems for nucleic acids (NAs) analysis is central in diagnostics and healthcare. Conventional approaches for genetic analysis require multistep procedures, from the genetic material purification to its detection, that are mostly based on the NA amplific...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Lab on a Chip Technologies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frlct.2025.1611743/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849694179608756224 |
|---|---|
| author | Giovanni Bella Paolo Calorenni Neeraj Yadav Emanuele Luigi Sciuto Angelo Alberto Messina Katia Buonasera Leandro Lorenzelli Sabrina Conoci Sabrina Conoci |
| author_facet | Giovanni Bella Paolo Calorenni Neeraj Yadav Emanuele Luigi Sciuto Angelo Alberto Messina Katia Buonasera Leandro Lorenzelli Sabrina Conoci Sabrina Conoci |
| author_sort | Giovanni Bella |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The technological evolution towards portable systems for nucleic acids (NAs) analysis is central in diagnostics and healthcare. Conventional approaches for genetic analysis require multistep procedures, from the genetic material purification to its detection, that are mostly based on the NA amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and constrained to bulky specialized instruments and dedicated laboratories. These limitations imply an increase in time and cost of analysis avoiding the possibility of massive molecular screening, as in the case of an infectious pandemic, and accessible diagnosis. Therefore, research efforts are moving towards new Lab-on-a-chip (LoC) technologies that guarantee a more integrated, decentralized, user-friendly, and low-cost NA analysis. These are based on miniaturized optical or electrical chips on which it is possible to integrate a sensing surface for specific analytical applications. In this scenario, we presented the fabrication and characterization of a miniaturized electrochemical (EC) biochip as a potential LoC for genetic applications. The chip was developed with microfabricated electrodes on top and polycarbonate/PDMS microchambers for the surface treatment and functionalization. The characterization of chip EC performances has been performed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Moreover, the chip surface has been functionalized with thiol-modified oligonucleotides, whose immobilization has been characterized by contact angle (CA) and surface free energy (SFE) analysis. Results reported a good robustness and responsivity of the chip proving its suitability for sensing array preparation and integration in a LoC format. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fff57bdf282e41d8b60ed0ec08ab9d99 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2813-3862 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Lab on a Chip Technologies |
| spelling | doaj-art-fff57bdf282e41d8b60ed0ec08ab9d992025-08-20T03:20:10ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Lab on a Chip Technologies2813-38622025-06-01410.3389/frlct.2025.16117431611743Development of a miniaturized electrochemical biochipGiovanni Bella0Paolo Calorenni1Neeraj Yadav2Emanuele Luigi Sciuto3Angelo Alberto Messina4Katia Buonasera5Leandro Lorenzelli6Sabrina Conoci7Sabrina Conoci8Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, ItalyDepartment of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, ItalyCenter for Sensors and Devices (SD), FBK—Foundation Bruno Kessler, Trento, ItalyDepartment of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, ItalySTMicroelectronics, Catania, ItalyConsiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems (IMM), Messina, ItalyCenter for Sensors and Devices (SD), FBK—Foundation Bruno Kessler, Trento, ItalyDepartment of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, ItalyDepartment of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Bologna, ItalyThe technological evolution towards portable systems for nucleic acids (NAs) analysis is central in diagnostics and healthcare. Conventional approaches for genetic analysis require multistep procedures, from the genetic material purification to its detection, that are mostly based on the NA amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and constrained to bulky specialized instruments and dedicated laboratories. These limitations imply an increase in time and cost of analysis avoiding the possibility of massive molecular screening, as in the case of an infectious pandemic, and accessible diagnosis. Therefore, research efforts are moving towards new Lab-on-a-chip (LoC) technologies that guarantee a more integrated, decentralized, user-friendly, and low-cost NA analysis. These are based on miniaturized optical or electrical chips on which it is possible to integrate a sensing surface for specific analytical applications. In this scenario, we presented the fabrication and characterization of a miniaturized electrochemical (EC) biochip as a potential LoC for genetic applications. The chip was developed with microfabricated electrodes on top and polycarbonate/PDMS microchambers for the surface treatment and functionalization. The characterization of chip EC performances has been performed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Moreover, the chip surface has been functionalized with thiol-modified oligonucleotides, whose immobilization has been characterized by contact angle (CA) and surface free energy (SFE) analysis. Results reported a good robustness and responsivity of the chip proving its suitability for sensing array preparation and integration in a LoC format.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frlct.2025.1611743/fulllab-on-a-chipgenetic analysiselectrochemical impedance spectroscopycyclic voltammetryPCR-free analysis |
| spellingShingle | Giovanni Bella Paolo Calorenni Neeraj Yadav Emanuele Luigi Sciuto Angelo Alberto Messina Katia Buonasera Leandro Lorenzelli Sabrina Conoci Sabrina Conoci Development of a miniaturized electrochemical biochip Frontiers in Lab on a Chip Technologies lab-on-a-chip genetic analysis electrochemical impedance spectroscopy cyclic voltammetry PCR-free analysis |
| title | Development of a miniaturized electrochemical biochip |
| title_full | Development of a miniaturized electrochemical biochip |
| title_fullStr | Development of a miniaturized electrochemical biochip |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development of a miniaturized electrochemical biochip |
| title_short | Development of a miniaturized electrochemical biochip |
| title_sort | development of a miniaturized electrochemical biochip |
| topic | lab-on-a-chip genetic analysis electrochemical impedance spectroscopy cyclic voltammetry PCR-free analysis |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frlct.2025.1611743/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT giovannibella developmentofaminiaturizedelectrochemicalbiochip AT paolocalorenni developmentofaminiaturizedelectrochemicalbiochip AT neerajyadav developmentofaminiaturizedelectrochemicalbiochip AT emanueleluigisciuto developmentofaminiaturizedelectrochemicalbiochip AT angeloalbertomessina developmentofaminiaturizedelectrochemicalbiochip AT katiabuonasera developmentofaminiaturizedelectrochemicalbiochip AT leandrolorenzelli developmentofaminiaturizedelectrochemicalbiochip AT sabrinaconoci developmentofaminiaturizedelectrochemicalbiochip AT sabrinaconoci developmentofaminiaturizedelectrochemicalbiochip |