Snap and detect: smartphone-enabled paper-based colorimetric tool for nucleic acid sequence-specific analysis
A/T-rich sequences are vital for genomic stability and gene regulation. One key motif, the TATA box, is a conserved core promoter element in eukaryotic genes, consisting of alternating adenine (A) and thymine (T) bases (TATA[A/T]). Located ∼30 base pairs upstream, it plays a crucial role in transcri...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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IOP Publishing
2025-01-01
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| Series: | JPhys Photonics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7647/adf7f0 |
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| author | Panagiota M Kalligosfyri Valentina Arciuolo Antonella Miglione Jussara Amato Bruno Pagano Stefano Cinti |
| author_facet | Panagiota M Kalligosfyri Valentina Arciuolo Antonella Miglione Jussara Amato Bruno Pagano Stefano Cinti |
| author_sort | Panagiota M Kalligosfyri |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A/T-rich sequences are vital for genomic stability and gene regulation. One key motif, the TATA box, is a conserved core promoter element in eukaryotic genes, consisting of alternating adenine (A) and thymine (T) bases (TATA[A/T]). Located ∼30 base pairs upstream, it plays a crucial role in transcription and is linked to cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. However, conventional detection methods are often costly and complex, limiting accessibility. This study introduces a simple, cost-effective, and portable colorimetric paper-based assay for nucleic acid detection. Using the sequence-specific cyanine dye DiSC _2 (5), our method eliminates the need for surface modifications or complex labeling. The platform integrates a paper-based substrate with a 3D-printed dark chamber and smartphone-based image capture analyzed via ImageJ. The paper disk porosity enables easy sample storage and direct colorimetric analysis. TATA-containing sequences induced a blue color shift upon dye binding, with intensity correlating to target concentration. Specificity studies confirmed the assay’s ability to distinguish between alternating and random A/T sequences. Applied to synthetic polymerase chain reaction products, the smartphone-enabled tool achieved a 5.15 nM detection limit within 15 min using just 8 µ l of sample. With frugal materials and simple design, this user-friendly platform enhances accessibility, sustainability, and affordability. Its rapid and portable nature makes it ideal for point-of-care diagnostics in decentralized and resource-limited settings. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e67a931193ee4faebf36d23f0017fdc5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2515-7647 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | IOP Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JPhys Photonics |
| spelling | doaj-art-e67a931193ee4faebf36d23f0017fdc52025-08-26T05:45:20ZengIOP PublishingJPhys Photonics2515-76472025-01-017404500610.1088/2515-7647/adf7f0Snap and detect: smartphone-enabled paper-based colorimetric tool for nucleic acid sequence-specific analysisPanagiota M Kalligosfyri0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8287-059XValentina Arciuolo1https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8001-8898Antonella Miglione2Jussara Amato3Bruno Pagano4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7716-9010Stefano Cinti5https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8274-7452Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples ‘Federico II’ , 80131 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacy, University of Naples ‘Federico II’ , 80131 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacy, University of Naples ‘Federico II’ , 80131 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacy, University of Naples ‘Federico II’ , 80131 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacy, University of Naples ‘Federico II’ , 80131 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacy, University of Naples ‘Federico II’ , 80131 Naples, Italy; Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University , Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States of America; Bioelectronics Task Force at University of Naples Federico II , Via Cinthia 21, Naples 80126, ItalyA/T-rich sequences are vital for genomic stability and gene regulation. One key motif, the TATA box, is a conserved core promoter element in eukaryotic genes, consisting of alternating adenine (A) and thymine (T) bases (TATA[A/T]). Located ∼30 base pairs upstream, it plays a crucial role in transcription and is linked to cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. However, conventional detection methods are often costly and complex, limiting accessibility. This study introduces a simple, cost-effective, and portable colorimetric paper-based assay for nucleic acid detection. Using the sequence-specific cyanine dye DiSC _2 (5), our method eliminates the need for surface modifications or complex labeling. The platform integrates a paper-based substrate with a 3D-printed dark chamber and smartphone-based image capture analyzed via ImageJ. The paper disk porosity enables easy sample storage and direct colorimetric analysis. TATA-containing sequences induced a blue color shift upon dye binding, with intensity correlating to target concentration. Specificity studies confirmed the assay’s ability to distinguish between alternating and random A/T sequences. Applied to synthetic polymerase chain reaction products, the smartphone-enabled tool achieved a 5.15 nM detection limit within 15 min using just 8 µ l of sample. With frugal materials and simple design, this user-friendly platform enhances accessibility, sustainability, and affordability. Its rapid and portable nature makes it ideal for point-of-care diagnostics in decentralized and resource-limited settings.https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7647/adf7f0paper-basednucleic acidTATA boxcolorimetricsmartphone3D-printing |
| spellingShingle | Panagiota M Kalligosfyri Valentina Arciuolo Antonella Miglione Jussara Amato Bruno Pagano Stefano Cinti Snap and detect: smartphone-enabled paper-based colorimetric tool for nucleic acid sequence-specific analysis JPhys Photonics paper-based nucleic acid TATA box colorimetric smartphone 3D-printing |
| title | Snap and detect: smartphone-enabled paper-based colorimetric tool for nucleic acid sequence-specific analysis |
| title_full | Snap and detect: smartphone-enabled paper-based colorimetric tool for nucleic acid sequence-specific analysis |
| title_fullStr | Snap and detect: smartphone-enabled paper-based colorimetric tool for nucleic acid sequence-specific analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Snap and detect: smartphone-enabled paper-based colorimetric tool for nucleic acid sequence-specific analysis |
| title_short | Snap and detect: smartphone-enabled paper-based colorimetric tool for nucleic acid sequence-specific analysis |
| title_sort | snap and detect smartphone enabled paper based colorimetric tool for nucleic acid sequence specific analysis |
| topic | paper-based nucleic acid TATA box colorimetric smartphone 3D-printing |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7647/adf7f0 |
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