On-site 30-minute electrochemical detection system for plant DNA and RNA biomarkers

Overview

This solution is a field-deployable electrochemical detection system designed to identify plant DNA and RNA biomarkers directly on-site without the need for nucleic acid amplification. Built around customizable screen-printed electrodes modified with gold nanoparticles and a portable potentiostat, the system delivers analytical sensitivity in the attomolar range while completing analysis in 30 minutes or less. It is intended for agricultural genomics applications including crop breeding, trait verification, plant pathogen detection, and seed quality assessment. The platform combines minimal sample processing with quantitative, multiplexable, and cost-effective operation, making it suitable for use in field conditions by non-laboratory personnel.

Technical specifications

Key features:

• Amplification-free electrochemical detection using hybridization-based assays with triple-helix DNA (Hoogsteen base pairs) to eliminate the need for single-stranded DNA generation
• Gold nanoparticle-modified screen-printed electrodes for enhanced signal and superior limit of detection
• Square wave voltammetry for sensitive quantification of gene signatures and SNPs
• Multiplexed electrode arrays ranging from 24 to 80 targets using dual-channel or custom-built potentiostats
• Minimal sample processing via an all-in-one pipette for crushing, lysing, and filtering plant material
• Portable potentiostat options including commercial whiteboard platforms or custom designs with sensor ICs and multiplexers
• Companion mobile application for device control, data capture, and result interpretation
• Specific probe design for target genes, SNPs, and RNA sequences

Technology readiness level

The technology is at an early-to-mid development stage. The underlying electrochemical hybridization methodology, point-of-care device engineering, and assay design capabilities have been validated through prior work on isothermal amplification systems, microfluidic chips, and hybridization-based assays. Current efforts focus on designing and fabricating the multiplexed electrode array, developing control and operation software, and validating the end-to-end system against plant DNA and RNA targets. Future validation will include designing triplex-forming oligonucleotides and RNA-specific probes, determining the optimal multiplexing scope, and benchmarking field performance against established molecular detection methods.