Fundamental studies of graphene oxide quantum dots for plasmonic properties and microRNAs in sensing mechanism

This research focuses on exploring the development of graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs) for their surface plasmon resonance (SPR) properties and the detection mechanisms involving microRNAs (miRNAs). We have engineered a novel class of GOQDs composites designed to amplify the plasmons' resonance energy states, thereby boosting the interface electric field and enhancing sensing sensitivity. GOQDs exhibit superior fluorescent characteristics and are capable of effectively modulating the resonance and propagation energies of plasmons. They are poised to become a novel kind of material for plasmonic energy modulation. This exploration into miRNAs, particularly miRNA-210, underscores the potential for improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, promising advancements in personalized medicine and patient care by facilitating early disease detection and offering insights into novel treatment avenues. Thus, we aimed to assess the potential of circulating miRNAs as sensitive and specific biomarkers for the early diagnosis of preeclampsia. The experimental findings reveal that the linear regression equation for the SPR chip incorporating GOQDs is y = 1.94 + 1.83x, with an R² value of 0.95, indicating both high sensitivity and high linearity. The GOQDs based SPR a prominent assay designed to detect and quantify mature miRNAs in a fast, specific, accurate and reliable manner. Thus, a SPR biosensor based on GOQDs demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity for detecting miRNA-210, with potential for disease diagnosis applications. Future research will involve testing clinical samples to explore commercial applications for early disease and cancer detection.