Aptamer based colorimetric detection of Methamphetamine using unmodified gold nanoparticles

In recent years, besides the classic drug, addiction to a series of new drug classes known as club drugs hasbeen widely increased. Fast and low-cost bioassay for detection of this amphetamine based drugs can be an effectivestrategy for decreasing it’s abuse. In this study, we design a novel bioassay based on unmodified gold nanoparticles(AuNPs) and DNA aptamers as DNA/RNA oligonucleotides probes. The unique optical properties of AuNPs which aresize and distance-dependent, and the large surface areas of them, make these NPs as important colorimetric materials.Selective detection of methamphetamine in the low-micromolar range within minutes is possible with the use of thismethod.

Keywords:

Aptamer , Metallic Nanoparticle , Biosensor , Metamphetamine