A Novel Microelectrode Based on Joule Heating and Impedance Spectroscopy for Inducing and Monitoring the Aggregation of HCV-Specific Probes

The world urgently needs new methods to quickly and efficiently detect mutated viruses. An RNA-AuNP-based colorimetric biosensor is a highly sensitive, specific, and cost-effective tool that enables rapid, visual detection of target molecules for applications in disease diagnostics, environmental mo...

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Main Authors: Reda Abdelbaset, Omar E. Morsy, Mariam Hossam Eldin, Sherif M. Shawky, Yehya H. Ghallab, Yehea Ismail
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Sensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/11/3312
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author Reda Abdelbaset
Omar E. Morsy
Mariam Hossam Eldin
Sherif M. Shawky
Yehya H. Ghallab
Yehea Ismail
author_facet Reda Abdelbaset
Omar E. Morsy
Mariam Hossam Eldin
Sherif M. Shawky
Yehya H. Ghallab
Yehea Ismail
author_sort Reda Abdelbaset
collection DOAJ
description The world urgently needs new methods to quickly and efficiently detect mutated viruses. An RNA-AuNP-based colorimetric biosensor is a highly sensitive, specific, and cost-effective tool that enables rapid, visual detection of target molecules for applications in disease diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and forensic analysis. An RNA-AuNP-based colorimetric biosensor requires precise control over nanoparticle dispersion and aggregation, which can be achieved using temperature regulation. A novel on-chip microelectrode is proposed to induce and monitor the aggregation of RNA-attached gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) through Joule heating and impedance spectroscopy. The proposed platform is implemented based on printed circuit board (PCB) technology, which has many advantages, such as fast and easy design and fabrication, low power consumption, and low costs. Joule heating is the process in which the energy of an electric current is converted into heat as it flows through a resistance. Impedance spectroscopy is an analytical technique that measures a system’s electrical response to an applied AC signal across a range of frequencies, providing insights into a sample’s dielectric properties. The results validate that the fabricated microelectrode is capable of heating a 20 µL droplet to 75 °C within 30 s, utilizing a low power input of only 3.75 watts and successfully inducing a color change based on the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA, while impedance readings are used to monitor the aggregation.
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spelling doaj-art-367bcc4c81af43c3a99d03ed35afbf9d2025-08-20T03:46:46ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-05-012511331210.3390/s25113312A Novel Microelectrode Based on Joule Heating and Impedance Spectroscopy for Inducing and Monitoring the Aggregation of HCV-Specific ProbesReda Abdelbaset0Omar E. Morsy1Mariam Hossam Eldin2Sherif M. Shawky3Yehya H. Ghallab4Yehea Ismail5Biomedical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Helwan University, Cairo 11795, EgyptCenter of Nanoelectronics and Devices, The American University in Cairo (AUC), Zewail City of Science and Technology, Cairo 11835, EgyptCenter for Materials Science, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza 12578, EgyptCenter for Materials Science, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza 12578, EgyptBiomedical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Helwan University, Cairo 11795, EgyptCenter of Nanoelectronics and Devices, The American University in Cairo (AUC), Zewail City of Science and Technology, Cairo 11835, EgyptThe world urgently needs new methods to quickly and efficiently detect mutated viruses. An RNA-AuNP-based colorimetric biosensor is a highly sensitive, specific, and cost-effective tool that enables rapid, visual detection of target molecules for applications in disease diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and forensic analysis. An RNA-AuNP-based colorimetric biosensor requires precise control over nanoparticle dispersion and aggregation, which can be achieved using temperature regulation. A novel on-chip microelectrode is proposed to induce and monitor the aggregation of RNA-attached gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) through Joule heating and impedance spectroscopy. The proposed platform is implemented based on printed circuit board (PCB) technology, which has many advantages, such as fast and easy design and fabrication, low power consumption, and low costs. Joule heating is the process in which the energy of an electric current is converted into heat as it flows through a resistance. Impedance spectroscopy is an analytical technique that measures a system’s electrical response to an applied AC signal across a range of frequencies, providing insights into a sample’s dielectric properties. The results validate that the fabricated microelectrode is capable of heating a 20 µL droplet to 75 °C within 30 s, utilizing a low power input of only 3.75 watts and successfully inducing a color change based on the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA, while impedance readings are used to monitor the aggregation.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/11/3312hepatitis C virus (HCV)gold nanoparticlesaggregationJoule heatingimpedance spectroscopy
spellingShingle Reda Abdelbaset
Omar E. Morsy
Mariam Hossam Eldin
Sherif M. Shawky
Yehya H. Ghallab
Yehea Ismail
A Novel Microelectrode Based on Joule Heating and Impedance Spectroscopy for Inducing and Monitoring the Aggregation of HCV-Specific Probes
Sensors
hepatitis C virus (HCV)
gold nanoparticles
aggregation
Joule heating
impedance spectroscopy
title A Novel Microelectrode Based on Joule Heating and Impedance Spectroscopy for Inducing and Monitoring the Aggregation of HCV-Specific Probes
title_full A Novel Microelectrode Based on Joule Heating and Impedance Spectroscopy for Inducing and Monitoring the Aggregation of HCV-Specific Probes
title_fullStr A Novel Microelectrode Based on Joule Heating and Impedance Spectroscopy for Inducing and Monitoring the Aggregation of HCV-Specific Probes
title_full_unstemmed A Novel Microelectrode Based on Joule Heating and Impedance Spectroscopy for Inducing and Monitoring the Aggregation of HCV-Specific Probes
title_short A Novel Microelectrode Based on Joule Heating and Impedance Spectroscopy for Inducing and Monitoring the Aggregation of HCV-Specific Probes
title_sort novel microelectrode based on joule heating and impedance spectroscopy for inducing and monitoring the aggregation of hcv specific probes
topic hepatitis C virus (HCV)
gold nanoparticles
aggregation
Joule heating
impedance spectroscopy
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/11/3312
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