A recent study submitted to the journal Chemosphere focuses on developing an electrochemical sensor for the sensitive detection of indinavir (IDV), an anti-retroviral HIV medication, by combining zinc oxide nanorods and molybdenum disulfide nanosheets on a screen-printed electrode.
What is Indinavir (IDV)?
Indinavir (IDV) is a drug used to treat the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that works by inhibiting the infection, acting as a semisynthetic blocker of HIV-1 and HIV-2 proteases.
Due to indinavir’s negative effect on human health, it is critical to developing an effective electrode for detecting IDV in biological settings. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), spectrometry, ion chromatography, and liquid chromatography-tandem spectroscopy are often used to determine indinavir. These approaches analyze IDV in actual specimens based on different sampling and offshore laboratory assessments.
Despite their sensitivity and selectivity, routine laboratory methods are generally inaccessible to communities with the highest need due to the high cost, infrastructural limits, operating capabilities, and a shortage of onsite operability.
Electrochemical Sensors for Detection of IDV
Electrochemical sensors are mobile, flexible, low cost, responsive, and have high specificity. These are essential for enhancing chemo- and bioimaging techniques and provide a perfect foundation for developing enhanced capabilities. As a result, electrochemical-based sensors seem to be a feasible alternative for tracking IDV in a rapid, measurable, low-cost, and large-scale way.
Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2): An Important Nanomaterial
Over the past couple of decades, nanoscale research has gained widespread recognition as a remarkable technological field that has influenced a wide range of industries. Furthermore, it brings up a plethora of opportunities for developing and implementing innovative designs, products, and systems in a variety of disciplines, including farming, food, transportation, and medical research and development.
Scientists have lately refocused their attention on other graphene-like 2D compounds to overcome the shortage of graphene and broaden the range of its applications. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a multifunctional compound that has sparked a great deal of interest in nanotechnology and optoelectronic devices, is employed as a filler material and a catalyst for the hydrodesulfurization process.
As a conventional 2D layered material, it has excellent thermal resilience and strong electrocatalytic performance, making it appropriate for a wide range of applications such as detectors, electro-catalysts, superconductors, and energy storage systems. Furthermore, MoS2 with an uneven number of layers can produce alternating piezoelectric current and voltage impulses, suggesting that it could be used to operate nanodevices and wearable electronics.
Use of Metal Oxide Materials in Electrochemical Sensors
Due to their exceptional photocatalytic capabilities, metal-oxide compounds have gotten a lot of interest in recent years for use in improved electrochemical sensors. Zinc oxide (ZnO) has sparked substantial attention among metal oxide materials because of its desirable features, which include cheap cost, large availability, and a broad energy bandgap. These nanoparticles are susceptible to many contaminants, including practically all major metal ions and organic compounds.
In this work, ZnO and MoS2 were combined as electrochemical electrodes to create a multifunctional film-modified electrode for the fast monitoring of anti-retroviral (HIV) drugs. The anti-retroviral drug IDV was selected as the model drug for electrochemical sensing. The hydrothermal synthesis technique was used to produce the MoS2-based mixture with metal oxides, which was then used to change the SPE interfaces and build the appropriate electrolytic electrode.
Important Research Findings
The designed electrode was revealed to have a considerable electrocatalytic behavior with a large dynamic linear range. When used for IDV measurement in urine and blood plasma samples, the ultrasensitive electrochemical electrode composed of zinc oxide nanorods and molybdenum disulfide nanosheets achieved good results.
IDV was measured electrochemically using the proposed electrode, which has superior sensitivity, reproducibility, consistency, specificity, and recyclability. The developed biosensor was also used to test IDV levels in biological specimens, and the findings were satisfactory, with a recovery efficiency of more than 98.5 percent. These nanomaterials in electrode settings, according to the results, will be crucial in the future to increase the productivity, sensitivity, and durability of electrochemical electrodes.
Reference
Mehmandoust, M., Karimi, F. and Erk, N., (2022) A zinc oxide nanorods/molybdenum disulfide nanosheets hybrid as a sensitive and reusable electrochemical sensor for determination of anti-retroviral agent indinavir. Chemosphere, p.134430. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653522009237?via%3Dihub
News
Why ‘Peniaphobia’ Is Exploding Among Young People (And Why We Should Be Concerned)
An insidious illness is taking hold among a growing proportion of young people. Little known to the general public, peniaphobia—the fear of becoming poor—is gaining ground among teens and young adults. Discover the causes [...]
Team finds flawed data in recent study relevant to coronavirus antiviral development
The COVID pandemic illustrated how urgently we need antiviral medications capable of treating coronavirus infections. To aid this effort, researchers quickly homed in on part of SARS-CoV-2's molecular structure known as the NiRAN domain—an [...]
Drug-Coated Neural Implants Reduce Immune Rejection
Summary: A new study shows that coating neural prosthetic implants with the anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone helps reduce the body’s immune response and scar tissue formation. This strategy enhances the long-term performance and stability of electrodes [...]
Scientists discover cancer-fighting bacteria that ‘soak up’ forever chemicals in the body
A family of healthy bacteria may help 'soak up' toxic forever chemicals in the body, warding off their cancerous effects. Forever chemicals, also known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), are toxic chemicals that [...]
Johns Hopkins Researchers Uncover a New Way To Kill Cancer Cells
A new study reveals that blocking ribosomal RNA production rewires cancer cell behavior and could help treat genetically unstable tumors. Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and the Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular [...]
AI matches doctors in mapping lung tumors for radiation therapy
In radiation therapy, precision can save lives. Oncologists must carefully map the size and location of a tumor before delivering high-dose radiation to destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. But this process, called [...]
Scientists Finally “See” Key Protein That Controls Inflammation
Researchers used advanced microscopy to uncover important protein structures. For the first time, two important protein structures in the human body are being visualized, thanks in part to cutting-edge technology at the University of [...]
AI tool detects 9 types of dementia from a single brain scan
Mayo Clinic researchers have developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool that helps clinicians identify brain activity patterns linked to nine types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, using a single, widely available scan—a transformative [...]
Is plastic packaging putting more than just food on your plate?
New research reveals that common food packaging and utensils can shed microscopic plastics into our food, prompting urgent calls for stricter testing and updated regulations to protect public health. Beyond microplastics: The analysis intentionally [...]
Aging Spreads Through the Bloodstream
Summary: New research reveals that aging isn’t just a local cellular process—it can spread throughout the body via the bloodstream. A redox-sensitive protein called ReHMGB1, secreted by senescent cells, was found to trigger aging features [...]
AI and nanomedicine find rare biomarkers for prostrate cancer and atherosclerosis
Imagine a stadium packed with 75,000 fans, all wearing green and white jerseys—except one person in a solid green shirt. Finding that person would be tough. That's how hard it is for scientists to [...]
Are Pesticides Breeding the Next Pandemic? Experts Warn of Fungal Superbugs
Fungicides used in agriculture have been linked to an increase in resistance to antifungal drugs in both humans and animals. Fungal infections are on the rise, and two UC Davis infectious disease experts, Dr. George Thompson [...]
Scientists Crack the 500-Million-Year-Old Code That Controls Your Immune System
A collaborative team from Penn Medicine and Penn Engineering has uncovered the mathematical principles behind a 500-million-year-old protein network that determines whether foreign materials are recognized as friend or foe. How does your body [...]
Team discovers how tiny parts of cells stay organized, new insights for blocking cancer growth
A team of international researchers led by scientists at City of Hope provides the most thorough account yet of an elusive target for cancer treatment. Published in Science Advances, the study suggests a complex signaling [...]
Nanomaterials in Ophthalmology: A Review
Eye diseases are becoming more common. In 2020, over 250 million people had mild vision problems, and 295 million experienced moderate to severe ocular conditions. In response, researchers are turning to nanotechnology and nanomaterials—tools that are transforming [...]
Natural Plant Extract Removes up to 90% of Microplastics From Water
Researchers found that natural polymers derived from okra and fenugreek are highly effective at removing microplastics from water. The same sticky substances that make okra slimy and give fenugreek its gel-like texture could help [...]
