This research was supported by the Research and Development Funding from Aptagen LLC.

See Supplementary Table 1 (the reaction set-up table) for tube preparation, including the specific volumes and concentrations of the reaction components. The protocol demonstrated here uses a preassembled detection platform kit as described in the Table of Materials. All the components must be kept on ice unless indicated otherwise.
1. Preparation of ribozyme
NOTE: The primary detection component is an allosteric (aptamer-regulated) ribozyme recognizing theophylline (see Supplementary Table 2).
<ol>
	<li>Collect 5 U of T4 polynucleotide kinase (0.5 &#181;L, see Table of Materials) in a PCR tube, which will be used to activate the ribozyme cleavage products. 
	NOTE: This component is added first so the user can see the correct dispensing of the enzyme.</li>
	<li>Add 1 &#181;L of preprepared 5x ribozyme buffer (see Table of Materials) to each sample tube (PCR tube).</li>
	<li>For the purposes of visually demonstrating specificity, add 1.5 &#181;L of 2 mM theophylline (target) or 2 mM caffeine (control) (see Table of Materials) to each sample tube as the test samples. 
	NOTE: For establishing a standard curve, it is recommended to start at 3.125 mM analyte and test five-fold dilutions until 0.001 mM.</li>
	<li>Mix each sample tube thoroughly by pipetting 5-10 times.</li>
	<li>Add 2 &#181;L of 600 nM RNA containing an aptameric domain specific to the target (see Table of Materials) to each sample tube to make a final concentration of 240 nM in 5 &#181;L of test solution, then mix quickly by pipetting and place on a cold block to minimize the background signal. 
	&#8203;NOTE: it is important to initially prepare all the reactions without ribozyme, as the self-cleavage reaction will begin immediately when ribozyme is combined with ribozyme buffer and may produce significant background.</li>
	<li>Once all the reaction tubes are prepared, incubate each sample (5 &#181;L) at room temperature (23 &#176;C) for exactly 3 min using a timer. Immediately return the sample tubes to ice (4 &#176;C) after incubation.</li>
</ol>
2. GQ-EXPAR
<ol>
	<li>Add 3.5 &#181;L of nickase-polymerase enzyme mixture (see Table of Materials) to each sample tube and mix well. 
	NOTE: The required enzyme concentrations depend on the recognition sequences, types of enzymes, and reaction temperatures, the combination of which was empirically determined.</li>
	<li>Add 31.5 &#181;L of EXPAR reaction mixture containing template, nucleotides, and reaction buffer (see Table of Materials) to each sample tube and pipet to mix. 
	NOTE: The component concentrations are optimized based on the enzymes and sequences of the polymerase products.</li>
	<li>Once all the samples are prepared, incubate each prepared sample (40 &#181;L) at 55 &#176;C for exactly 5 min using a timer. If possible, incubate on a thermocycler, although a heated lid is unnecessary.</li>
	<li>Immediately return the sample tubes to ice (4 &#176;C) after the incubation step.</li>
</ol>
3. Color development
<ol>
	<li>Add 2 &#181;L of Hemin solution (25 uM, see Table of Materials) to each sample tube and mix well.</li>
	<li>Add 58 &#181;L of the commercially available TMB solution (see Table of Materials) to each sample tube and mix well.</li>
	<li>Incubate the color development reaction (100 &#181;L) at room temperature for at least 3 min and up to 30 min. 
	NOTE: (Optional) Color development can be stopped by adding 20 &#181;L of 2 M sulfuric acid.</li>
	<li>Read the samples qualitatively by eye, or quantify the results using an absorbance plate reader at 450 nm if the color development reactions are stopped using sulfuric acid.</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Ellington, A. D., Szostak, J. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+selection+of+RNA+molecules+that+bind+specific+ligands.">In vitro selection of RNA molecules that bind specific ligands.</a> Nature. 346 (6287), 818-822 (1990).</li><li>Tang, J., Breaker, R. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rational+design+of+allosteric+ribozymes.">Rational design of allosteric ribozymes.</a> Chemical Biology. 4 (6), 453-459 (1997).</li><li>Stoltenburg, R., Reinemann, C., Strehlitz, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=SELEX--A+(r)evolutionary+method+to+generate+high-affinity+nucleic+acid+ligands.">SELEX--A (r)evolutionary method to generate high-affinity nucleic acid ligands.</a> Biomolecular Engineering. 24 (4), 381-403 (2007).</li><li>Liao, A. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+simple+colorimetric+system+for+detecting+target+antigens+by+a+three-stage+signal+transformation-amplification+strategy.">A simple colorimetric system for detecting target antigens by a three-stage signal transformation-amplification strategy.</a> Biochemistry. 57 (34), 5117-5126 (2018).</li><li>Soukup, G. A., Emilsson, G. A., Breaker, R. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Altering+molecular+recognition+of+RNA+aptamers+by+allosteric+selection.">Altering molecular recognition of RNA aptamers by allosteric selection.</a> Journal of Molecular Biology. 298 (4), 623-632 (2000).</li><li>Van Ness, J., Van Ness, L. K., Galas, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isothermal+reactions+for+the+amplification+of+oligonucleotides.">Isothermal reactions for the amplification of oligonucleotides.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 100 (8), 4504-4509 (2003).</li><li>Cheng, X., Liu, X., Bing, T., Cao, Z., Shangguan, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=General+peroxidase+activity+of+G-quadruplex-hemin+complexes+and+its+application+in+ligand+screening.">General peroxidase activity of G-quadruplex-hemin complexes and its application in ligand screening.</a> Biochemistry. 48 (33), 7817-7823 (2009).</li><li>Nie, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reporter-triggered+isothermal+exponential+amplification+strategy+in+ultrasensitive+homogeneous+label-free+electrochemical+nucleic+acid+biosensing.">Reporter-triggered isothermal exponential amplification strategy in ultrasensitive homogeneous label-free electrochemical nucleic acid biosensing.</a> Chemical Communications. 50 (47), 6211-6213 (2014).</li><li>Tabuchi, T., Yokobayashi, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cell-free+riboswitches.">Cell-free riboswitches.</a> RSC Chemical Biology. 2 (5), 1430-1440 (2021).</li><li>Ao, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Integration+of+an+expression+platform+in+the+SELEX+cycle+to+select+DNA+aptamer+binding+to+a+disease+biomarker.">Integration of an expression platform in the SELEX cycle to select DNA aptamer binding to a disease biomarker.</a> ACS Omega. 7 (12), 10804-10811 (2022).</li></ol>

Aptagen, LLC manufactures and markets a GQ-EXPAR Demonstration Kit for those who want direct experience with an aptamer-based detection system.

The method presented here takes advantage of the transition between an initially disordered secondary structure in an allosteric ribozyme and the additional stability conferred through the binding of the target to the aptameric domain to activate the cis-cleaving hammerhead ribozyme. The stability of the ribozyme was adjusted to minimize catalytic activity in the absence of the target while allowing target binding to restore the active structure. Additionally, care must be taken to balance the buffers of the multiple enzymes required for facilitating the EXPAR and color development. Finally, considering that this is a 3-stage system, the combination of incubation times and temperatures alongside the concentrations of the reaction components meant that maximizing the signal while minimizing noise was no small challenge.
During the preparation of the ribozyme (step 1), target binding to the aptameric domain stabilizes the structure of the self-cleaving ribozyme. Despite this, the ribozyme will be capable of cleaving once introduced to the ribozyme buffer, even in the absence of a target. Thus, to minimize background signal, it is vital to keep the reactions on ice until they are ready for the defined incubation. The successful binding of the target to the aptameric domain and the resulting cleavage event produce two cleavage products, as depicted in Figure 1, stage 1: a short segment of Stem I and a newly exposed segment of Stem III with a terminal cyclic phosphate8. The T4 polynucleotide kinase present in the sample mix removes the cyclic phosphate from the Stem III cleavage product, which acts as a primer for the amplification reaction in stage 2. The concentrations and volumes of the reagents used in this system were optimized based on experiments to evaluate the background signal versus specific response4 and will need to be optimized starting from whatever point changes are made. Additionally, 3.125 mM theophylline is recommended as the highest concentration for establishing a standard curve as the color development resulting from this sample is close to the maximum absorption possible at 450 nm (Figure 4). A nonlinear regression by ordinary least squares is used to determine the standard curve for this preparation of the GQ-EXPAR system.
GQ-EXPAR, carried out in step 2, uses two DNA templates: one that is primed by the Stem III cleavage product and produces G-quadruplex, and one that is primed by G-quadruplex and produces G-quadruplex. The former reaction is more important than the latter, as translating the Stem III cleavage product into G-quadruplexes is necessary to produce a colorimetric output, while G-quadruplex self-amplification increases the signal that is already present. Bst 2.0 DNA polymerase carries out the isothermal amplification and has strand-displacement activity, while Nt. BstNBI nickase cleaves prior to the G-quadruplex sequence to allow Bst 2.0 to displace the previously generated product and produce more G-quadruplex amplicon. The buffer also supplies K+, which allows the amplification product to fold into the active G-quadruplex form. Different nickases have different recognition sequences for binding and cutting, and specific enzymes will have different cutting efficiencies; changing the sequence in the recognition/nicking site will require a change in the nickase and reoptimizing step 2.
In step 3, G-quadruplexes can function as DNAzymes with peroxidase activity, especially when associated with hemin7. The reduction of peroxide is coupled with oxidation of the substrate such as TMB to produce a detectable signal for visualization or quantification.
The key limitation in this system is the noise that the allosteric ribozyme can generate. Although the active, self-cleaving structure is not stable in the absence of the target (in this case, theophylline), the RNA has the opportunity to sample different configurations and can inadvertently access the active configuration4. This, combined with the amplification of the signal found in stage 2 and stage 3, can generate a false positive signal. It is, thus, vital to reduce the system&#39;s activity as much as possible through optimization of the RNA, buffer, and enzyme amounts, as well as minimizing the incubation times and temperatures to limit the production of RNA cleavage events that are not target-mediated.
Despite the difficulty in optimizing a GQ-EXPAR workflow, the system can be quite versatile once established. Various aptamer-controlled allosteric ribozymes have already been identified9 and can be optimized for the desired functionality5. Progress has also been made in developing allosteric DNAzymes modulated by aptamers10, expanding the chemistries that can be integrated into this platform. These options for altering the target recognition of the system have not been evaluated and would be the focus of future studies. Additionally, key components of the system can be exchanged for equivalent materials with different activity requirements, such as lower incubation temperatures for the polymerase or different recognition sequences for the nickase. The flexibility and modularity of this system allow it to adapt to a wide range of inputs.

Aptamers are typically single-stranded DNA or RNA selected through an evolutionary process with high binding affinity and specificity to the desired targets1. In addition to binding ability, aptamers can be linked to and control motifs with signal-output functions2,3, amplifying said signal and improving the system&#39;s sensitivity. The G-quadruplex isothermal exponential amplification reaction (GQ-EXPAR) system is a three-part system (Figure 1) that develops a visual signal as successive components are added to a single reaction vessel to produce a visual output4. This system allows for the detection of a specific target, herein theophylline, in a given sample within 15 min using a streamlined workflow to allow for fast, specific detection of a target of interest. This method must be considered for samples where specific quantification of the target concentration is a lower concern than high specificity of the response in a short amount of time.
An allosteric riboswitch, a structure-switching RNA molecule (ribozyme) that undergoes self-cleavage, produces the initial signal. This construct is based on the hammerhead ribozyme, with an aptameric domain introduced in Stem II as a regulator of cleavage activity. Its self-cleavage function is activated when its aptameric domain is stabilized on binding to its target5. Otherwise, the switch is inactive in its native state.
The subsequent exponential amplification reaction (EXPAR) uses the release of the self-cleaved RNA strand from the first stage to prime an isothermal amplification reaction6. The amplification product of EXPAR has peroxidase activity7, acting as the basis for the last stage of the system. When some substrates are oxidized in conjunction with peroxide breakdown, they produce a fluorescent output that can be measured on various instrumentation. Other common substrates can be substituted to produce a colored product for visual detection. EXPAR and the peroxidase activity of its amplification products act as a 2-stage signal-enhancer, increasing sensitivity to greater levels compared to conventional strategies7,8.
The detection of theophylline versus caffeine is used as an example of the specificity of this detection platform, as they differ by only a single methyl group (Figure 2). This demonstration of the system produces a colorimetric output for visual detection of at least 500 nM theophylline.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>3,3&#39;,5,5&#39;-Tetramethylbenzidine dihydrochloride (TMB) solution with H2O2, &#34;MaxSignal TMB Microwell Substrate Solution&#34;</td>
			<td>PerkinElmer</td>
			<td>FOOD-1806-1000</td>
			<td>Color development reagent. Minimize exposure to light and atmosphere. Previously BIOO Scientific catalog number 1806. 
			Supplied in Apta-beacon Demonstration Kit as Tube 3-2.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>5&#8217;- TCC CTC CCT CCC TCC CAG TCC AGA CTC TTC CCT CCC TCC CTC CCA GA-Biotin-3&#8217;</td>
			<td>Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT)</td>
			<td>Custom</td>
			<td>Optimized QtQ47 DNA template for EXPAR to produce G-quadruplex, primed by G-quadruplex. This is used for the &#34;exponential&#34; part of EXPAR, to rapidly increase the amount of DNAzyme used for Step 3 color development. Template includes a 3&#39;-biotin to prevent unintended extension by Bst 2.0 DNA polymerase during EXPAR. 
			Part of Apta-beacon Demonstration Kit Tube 2-2.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>5&#8217;-GGG AAC UAU ACA ACC UAG GGC GAC CCU GAU GAG CCU UAU ACC AGC CGA AAG GCC CUU GGC AGA CGU UGA AAC GGU GAA AGC CGU AGG UUG CCC UAG GUU GUA UAG UU-3&#8217;</td>
			<td>Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT)</td>
			<td>Custom</td>
			<td>Theophylline-recognizing allosteric ribozyme sequence (self-cleaving ribozyme regulated by RNA aptamer domain for theophylline) modified from Soukup et al. 
			Soukup, G. A., Emilsson, G. A., and Breaker, R. R. (2000) Altering molecular recognition of RNA aptamers by allosteric selection, Journal of molecular biology 298, 623-632. 
			Supplied in Apta-beacon Demonstration Kit as Tube 1-3.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>5&#8217;-TCC CTC CCT CCC TCC CAG TCC AGA CTC TAC GGC TTT CAC CGT TTC AAC G-Biotin-3&#8217;</td>
			<td>Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT)</td>
			<td>Custom</td>
			<td>Optimized P3tQ49 DNA template for EXPAR to produce G-quadruplex, primed by P3 cleavage product. This is used in Step 2 to translate the cleavage product into DNAzyme used for Step 3 color development. Template includes a 3&#39;-biotin to prevent unintended extension by Bst 2.0 DNA polymerase during EXPAR. 
			Part of Apta-beacon Demonstration Kit Tube 2-2.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>5x Ribozyme Buffer</td>
			<td>Aptagen, LLC</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>5x composition: 600 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 150 mM MgCl2, 25 mM DTT. Used in Step 1. 
			Supplied in Apta-beacon Demonstration Kit as Tube 1-4.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Apta-beaconTM (GQ-EXPAR, TMB) Demonstration Kit</td>
			<td>Aptagen, LLC</td>
			<td>GQ-EXPAR-TMB</td>
			<td>The demo kit showcases the specificity of the colorimetric assay by detecting difficult small molecule targets, theophylline versus caffeine, which only differ by a single methyl group.&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bst 2.0 DNA polymerase</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>M0537S</td>
			<td>Isothermal amplification polymerase with strand-displacement activity. Part of the Nickase-Polymerase Mix, prepared at 9.375 U/uL. 
			Part of Apta-beacon Demonstration Kit Tube 2-1.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Buffer 3.1</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>B6003SVIAL</td>
			<td>Combined with 2 uL of 10X Isothermal Amplification Buffer and 27.5 uL of nuclease-free water to produce 1.11X EXPAR Buffer in EXPAR Mix. This product replaces the previously-used B7203SVIAL that was part of the initial system development (same composition except non-recombinant BSA). 
			Part of Apta-beacon Demonstration Kit Tube 2-2.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Caffeine</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>C0750-100G</td>
			<td>Aptamer counter-target (control), prepared with nuclease-free water. 
			Supplied in Apta-beacon Demonstration Kit as Tube 1-1.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>dNTPs</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>N0447S</td>
			<td>Part of the EXPAR reaction mixture. 
			Part of Apta-beacon Demonstration Kit Tube 2-2.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EXPAR reaction mixture</td>
			<td>Aptagen, LLC</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>0.44 mM dNTPs, 0.38 &#956;M P3tQ49, 0.38 &#956;M QtQ47, 44.44 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.4), 63.5 mM NaCl, 31.5 mM KCl, 6.35 mM MgCl2, 1.27 mM MgSO4, 6.35 mM (NH4)2SO4, 63.5 &#956;g/ml BSA, 0.0635 % Tween 20. 
			Part of Apta-beacon Demonstration Kit Tube 2-2.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hemin</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>H9039</td>
			<td>Resuspended in DMF to a final concentration of 25 uM. 
			Supplied in Apta-beacon Demonstration Kit as Tube 3-1.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isothermal Amplification Buffer</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>B0537SVIAL</td>
			<td>Combined with 2 uL of 10x Buffer 3.1 and 27.5 &#181;L of nuclease-free water to produce 1.11x EXPAR Buffer in EXPAR Mix. 
			Part of Apta-beacon Demonstration Kit Tube 2-2.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MgCl2</td>
			<td>Amresco (VWR)</td>
			<td>E525-500ML</td>
			<td>Hammerhead ribozyme cofactor, necessary for self-cleavage. 
			Part of Apta-beacon Demonstration Kit Tube 1-3.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MJ PTC-100 Thermocycler</td>
			<td>MJ Research, Inc.</td>
			<td>PTC-100</td>
			<td>Thermocycler to control incubation temperatures. Any thermocycler or hot block can be used.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>N, N-Dimethylformamide (DMF)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>227056-100ML</td>
			<td>Used to resuspend hemin and maximize shelf life in freezer. 
			Part of Apta-beacon Demonstration Kit Tube 3-1.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nickase-polymerase Mix</td>
			<td>Aptagen, LLC</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Nt.BstNBI (9.375 units/&#956;L) and Bst 2.0 DNA polymerase (0.5 units/&#956;L). 
			Supplied in Apta-beacon Demonstration Kit as Tube 2-1.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nt.BstNBI</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>R0607S</td>
			<td>Nicking enzyme to allow continued isothermal amplification. Part of the Nickase-Polymerase Mix, prepared at 0.5 U/uL. 
			Part of Apta-beacon Demonstration Kit Tube 2-1.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>T4 Kinase Buffer</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>B0201SVIAL</td>
			<td>Buffer for enzyme necessary to remove cyclic phosphate. 
			Part of Apta-beacon Demonstration Kit Tube 1-4.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>T4 polynucleotide kinase</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>M0201S</td>
			<td>Removes cyclic phosphate post-cleavage to allow cleavage product to prime isothermal amplification reaction. 
			Supplied in Apta-beacon Demonstration Kit as PCR Tubes.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tecan GENios FL</td>
			<td>Tecan</td>
			<td>Genios-FL TWT</td>
			<td>Plate reader to measure absorbance signal from Step 3 results.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Theophylline</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>T1633-50G</td>
			<td>Aptamer target, prepared with nuclease-free water. 
			Supplied in Apta-beacon Demonstration Kit as Tube 1-2.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tris-HCl</td>
			<td>American Bioanalytical</td>
			<td>AB14043-01000</td>
			<td>Aptamer binding buffer. 
			Part of Apta-beacon Demonstration Kit Tube 1-4.</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

aptamer-based target detection facilitated by a 3-stage g-quadruplex isothermal exponential amplification reaction

Aptamers are target-recognition molecules that bind with high affinity and specificity. These characteristics can be leveraged to control other molecules with signal-generation capability. For the system described herein, target recognition through an aptameric domain, Stem II of a modified hammerhead ribozyme, activates the self-cleaving ribozyme by stabilizing the initially unstructured construct. The cis-cleaving RNA acts at the junction of Stem III and Stem I, creating two cleavage products. The longer cleavage product primes an isothermal exponential amplification reaction (EXPAR) of the two similar catalytically active G-quadruplexes. Those resulting amplification products catalyze peroxidase reduction, which is coupled to the reduction of a colorimetric substrate with an output that the naked eye can detect. The 3-part system described in the present study improves detection modalities such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) by producing a visually detectable signal for indicating the presence of as low as 0.5 &#181;M theophylline in as little as 15 min.

The detection platform depicted in Figure 1 converts aptameric target recognition into visually distinct differences between the sample preparations (target vs. non-target, Figure 2) in a short period of time. An allosteric ribozyme identified by Soukup et al.5 served as the starting point for creating a less noisy sequence with response to the target over the control and negative samples. The optimized construct was able to recognize as little as 500 nM theophylline in 30 min (Figure 3)-sample preparations exposed to the target produce a blue color in step 3, while samples containing no target remain colorless. If necessary, these results can be quantified by first stopping the color development reaction as described in step 3.4, and then reading the absorbance of the resulting product at 450 nm to gauge the initial concentration of the target present. Typical results of this process are presented in Table 1, which can be fitted to a nonlinear regression to estimate quantitatively the concentration of the target present in the initial sample (Figure 4).
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/64342/64342fig01.jpg" /> 
Figure 1: The GQ-EXPAR system. Mechanisms of the detection and signal amplification system. <a href="https://www-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/64342/64342fig01large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 2" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/64342/64342fig02.jpg" /> 
Figure 2: Aptamer target and counter-target. Molecular structure of theophylline (target) and caffeine (counter-target control) as a demonstration of specificity. <a href="https://www-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/64342/64342fig02large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 3" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/64342/64342fig03.jpg" /> 
Figure 3: GQ-EXPAR visual results. Representative results of the system for detecting various concentrations of theophylline after 3 min and 30 min of color development. <a href="https://www-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/64342/64342fig03large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 4" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/64342/64342fig04.jpg" /> 
Figure 4: Representative theophylline standard curve. Standard curve of the system signal measured at A450 after 30 min of color development. Raw data are presented in Table 1, N = 3. <a href="https://www-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/64342/64342fig04large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>[Theophylline] (mM)</td>
			<td>Trial 1 (A450)</td>
			<td>Trial 2 (A450)</td>
			<td>Trial 3 (A450)</td>
			<td>Average (A450)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>3.125</td>
			<td>0.342</td>
			<td>0.318</td>
			<td>0.39</td>
			<td>0.350 &#177; 0.0299</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>0.625</td>
			<td>0.321</td>
			<td>0.303</td>
			<td>0.317</td>
			<td>0.314 &#177; 0.00772</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>0.125</td>
			<td>0.263</td>
			<td>0.264</td>
			<td>0.287</td>
			<td>0.271 &#177; 0.0111</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>0.025</td>
			<td>0.221</td>
			<td>0.215</td>
			<td>0.234</td>
			<td>0.223 &#177; 0.00793</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>0.005</td>
			<td>0.168</td>
			<td>0.167</td>
			<td>0.184</td>
			<td>0.173 &#177; 0.00779</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>0.001</td>
			<td>0.134</td>
			<td>0.115</td>
			<td>0.138</td>
			<td>0.129 &#177; 0.0100</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>0</td>
			<td>0.107</td>
			<td>0.104</td>
			<td>0.117</td>
			<td>0.109 &#177; 0.00556</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>No Ribozyme</td>
			<td>0.095</td>
			<td>0.088</td>
			<td>0.129</td>
			<td>0.104 &#177; 0.0179</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
Table 1: Representative theophylline standard curve raw data. Results of the system for detecting various concentrations of theophylline after 30 min of color development. No-ribozyme samples were also assessed, N = 3.
Supplementary Table 1: GQ-EXPAR setup. Summary of the GQ-EXPAR reagent volumes and order of addition as described in the protocol. <a href="https://www-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/64342/64342_Supplementary Table 1.xlsx" target="_blank">Please click here to download this File.</a>
Supplementary Table 2: GQ-EXPAR oligonucleotide sequences. Sequences of the DNA and RNA molecules used in the detection reactions. <a href="https://www-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/64342/64342_Supplementary Table 2.xlsx" target="_blank">Please click here to download this File.</a>

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Aptamer-Based Target Detection Facilitated by a 3-Stage G-Quadruplex Isothermal Exponential Amplification Reaction at JoVE.com

Aptamer-Based Target Detection Facilitated by a 3-Stage G-Quadruplex Isothermal Exponential Amplification Reaction

The present protocol demonstrates the use of a fast, 3-stage, aptamer-based exponential amplification assay to detect targets. Sample preparation, signal amplification, and color development are covered to implement this system to recognize the presence of theophylline over that of caffeine.

Aptamers are target-recognition molecules that bind with high affinity and specificity. These characteristics can be leveraged to control other molecules ...

aptamer-based-target-detection-facilitated-3-stage-g-quadruplex

Nanyang Technological University

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

1.3K Views.  Aptagen LLC. The present protocol demonstrates the use of a fast, 3-stage, aptamer-based exponential amplification assay to detect targets. Sample preparation, signal amplification, and color development are covered to implement this system to recognize the presence of theophylline over that of caffeine. 

Video: Aptamer-Based Target Detection Facilitated by a 3-Stage G-Quadruplex Isothermal Exponential Amplification Reaction

Biomolecular Detection employing the Interferometric Reflectance Imaging Sensor (IRIS)

The sensitive measurement of biomolecular interactions has use in many fields and industries such as basic biology and microbiology, environmental/agricultural/biodefense monitoring, nanobiotechnology, and more. For diagnostic applications, monitoring (detecting) the presence, absence, or abnormal expression of targeted proteomic or genomic biomarkers found in patient samples can be used to determine treatment approaches or therapy efficacy. In the research arena, information on molecular affinities and specificities are useful for fully characterizing the systems under investigation.
Many of the current systems employed to determine molecular concentrations or affinities rely on the use of labels. Examples of these systems include immunoassays such as the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques, gel electrophoresis assays, and mass spectrometry (MS). Generally, these labels are fluorescent, radiological, or colorimetric in nature and are directly or indirectly attached to the molecular target of interest. Though the use of labels is widely accepted and has some benefits, there are drawbacks which are stimulating the development of new label-free methods for measuring these interactions. These drawbacks include practical facets such as increased assay cost, reagent lifespan and usability, storage and safety concerns, wasted time and effort in labelling, and variability among the different reagents due to the labelling processes or labels themselves. On a scientific research basis, the use of these labels can also introduce difficulties such as concerns with effects on protein functionality/structure due to the presence of the attached labels and the inability to directly measure the interactions in real time.
Presented here is the use of a new label-free optical biosensor that is amenable to microarray studies, termed the Interferometric Reflectance Imaging Sensor (IRIS), for detecting proteins, DNA, antigenic material, whole pathogens (virions) and other biological material. The IRIS system has been demonstrated to have high sensitivity, precision, and reproducibility for different biomolecular interactions [1-3]. Benefits include multiplex imaging capacity, real time and endpoint measurement capabilities, and other high-throughput attributes such as reduced reagent consumption and a reduction in assay times. Additionally, the IRIS platform is simple to use, requires inexpensive equipment, and utilizes silicon-based solid phase assay components making it compatible with many contemporary surface chemistry approaches.
Here, we present the use of the IRIS system from preparation of probe arrays to incubation and measurement of target binding to analysis of the results in an endpoint format. The model system will be the capture of target antibodies which are specific for human serum albumin (HSA) on HSA-spotted substrates.

Biomolecular Detection employing the Interferometric Reflectance Imaging Sensor IRIS

Quantitative, high-throughput, real-time, and label-free biomolecular detection (DNA, protein, etc.) on SiO2 surfaces can be achieved using a simple interferometric technique which relies on LED illumination, minimal optical components, and a camera. The Interferometric Reflectance Imaging Sensor (IRIS) is inexpensive, simple to use, and amenable to microarray formats.

The sensitive measurement of biomolecular interactions has use in many fields and industries such as basic biology and microbiology, ...

Measurement of Aggregate Cohesion by Tissue Surface Tensiometry

Rigorous measurement of intercellular binding energy can only be made using methods grounded in thermodynamic principles in systems at equilibrium. We have developed tissue surface tensiometry (TST) specifically to measure the surface free energy of interaction between cells. The biophysical concepts underlying TST have been previously described in detail1,2. The method is based on the observation that mutually cohesive cells, if maintained in shaking culture, will spontaneously assemble into clusters. Over time, these clusters will round up to form spheres. This rounding-up behavior mimics the behavior characteristic of liquid systems. Intercellular binding energy is measured by compressing spherical aggregates between parallel plates in a custom-designed tissue surface tensiometer. The same mathematical equation used to measure the surface tension of a liquid droplet is used to measure surface tension of 3D tissue-like spherical aggregates. The cellular equivalent of liquid surface tension is intercellular binding energy, or more generally, tissue cohesivity. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that tissue surface tension (1) predicts how two groups of embryonic cells will interact with one another1-5, (2) can strongly influence the ability of tissues to interact with biomaterials6, (3) can be altered not only through direct manipulation of cadherin-based intercellular cohesion7, but also by manipulation of key ECM molecules such as FN8-11 and 4) correlates with invasive potential of lung cancer12, fibrosarcoma13, brain tumor14 and prostate tumor cell lines15. In this article we will describe the apparatus, detail the steps required to generate spheroids, to load the spheroids into the tensiometer chamber, to initiate aggregate compression, and to analyze and validate the tissue surface tension measurements generated.

We describe a method of measuring binding energy, expressible as tissue surface tension, between cells within 3D tissue-like aggregates. Differences in tissue surface tension have been demonstrated to correlate with invasiveness of lung, muscle, and brain tumors, and are fundamental determinants of establishing spatial relationships between different cell types.

Rigorous measurement of intercellular binding energy can only be made using methods grounded in thermodynamic principles in systems at equilibrium.  We ...

Detection and Isolation of Circulating Melanoma Cells using Photoacoustic Flowmetry

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are those cells that have separated from a macroscopic tumor and spread through the blood and lymph systems to seed secondary tumors1,2,3. CTCs are indicators of metastatic disease and their detection in blood samples may be used to diagnose cancer and monitor a patient&prime;s response to therapy. Since CTCs are rare, comprising about one tumor cell among billions of normal blood cells in advanced cancer patients, their detection and enumeration is a difficult task. We exploit the presence of pigment in most melanoma cells to generate photoacoustic, or laser induced ultrasonic waves in a custom flow cytometer for detection of circulating melanoma cells (CMCs)4,5. This process entails separating a whole blood sample using centrifugation and obtaining the white blood cell layer. If present in whole blood, CMCs will separate with the white blood cells due to similar density. These cells are resuspended in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and introduced into the flowmeter. Rather than a continuous flow of the blood cell suspension, we induced two phase flow in order to capture these cells for further study. In two phase flow, two immiscible liquids in a microfluidic system meet at a junction and form alternating slugs of liquid6,7. PBS suspended white blood cells and air form microliter slugs that are sequentially irradiated with laser light. The addition of a surfactant to the liquid phase allows uniform slug formation and the user can create different sized slugs by altering the flow rates of the two phases. Slugs of air and slugs of PBS with white blood cells contain no light absorbers and hence, do not produce photoacoustic waves. However, slugs of white blood cells that contain even single CMCs absorb laser light and produce high frequency acoustic waves. These slugs that generate photoacoustic waves are sequestered and collected for cytochemical staining for verification of CMCs.

We have developed a flow cytometer using laser induced ultrasound to detect circulating melanoma cells as an early indicator of metastatic disease.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are those cells that have separated from a macroscopic tumor and spread through the blood and lymph systems to seed ...

Bacterial Detection &amp; Identification Using Electrochemical Sensors

Electrochemical sensors are widely used for rapid and accurate measurement of blood glucose and can be adapted for detection of a wide variety of analytes. Electrochemical sensors operate by transducing a biological recognition event into a useful electrical signal. Signal transduction occurs by coupling the activity of a redox enzyme to an amperometric electrode. Sensor specificity is either an inherent characteristic of the enzyme, glucose oxidase in the case of a glucose sensor, or a product of linkage between the enzyme and an antibody or probe.
Here, we describe an electrochemical sensor assay method to directly detect and identify bacteria. In every case, the probes described here are DNA oligonucleotides. This method is based on sandwich hybridization of capture and detector probes with target ribosomal RNA (rRNA). The capture probe is anchored to the sensor surface, while the detector probe is linked to horseradish peroxidase (HRP). When a substrate such as 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) is added to an electrode with capture-target-detector complexes bound to its surface, the substrate is oxidized by HRP and reduced by the working electrode. This redox cycle results in shuttling of electrons by the substrate from the electrode to HRP, producing current flow in the electrode.

Bacterial Detection & Identification Using Electrochemical Sensors

We describe an electrochemical sensor assay method for rapid bacterial detection and identification. The assay involves a sensor array functionalized with DNA oligonucleotide capture probes for ribosomal RNA (rRNA) species-specific sequences. Sandwich hybridization of target rRNA with the capture probe and a horseradish peroxidase-linked DNA oligonucleotide detector probe produces a measurable amperometric current.

Electrochemical  sensors are widely used for rapid and accurate measurement of blood glucose and  can be adapted for detection of a wide variety of ...

Optical Detection of E. coli Bacteria by Mesoporous Silicon Biosensors

A label-free optical biosensor based on a nanostructured porous Si is designed for rapid capture and detection of Escherichia coli K12 bacteria, as a model microorganism. The biosensor relies on direct binding of the target bacteria cells onto its surface, while no pretreatment (e.g.&#160;by cell lysis) of the studied sample is required. A mesoporous Si thin film is used as the optical transducer element of the biosensor. Under white light illumination, the porous layer displays well-resolved Fabry-P&#233;rot fringe patterns in its reflectivity spectrum. Applying a fast Fourier transform (FFT) to reflectivity data results in a single peak. Changes in the intensity of the FFT peak are monitored. Thus, target bacteria capture onto the biosensor surface, through antibody-antigen interactions, induces measurable changes in the intensity of the FFT peaks, allowing for a &#39;real time&#39; observation of bacteria attachment.
The mesoporous Si film, fabricated by an electrochemical anodization process, is conjugated with monoclonal antibodies, specific to the target bacteria. The immobilization, immunoactivity and specificity of the antibodies are confirmed by fluorescent labeling experiments. Once the biosensor is exposed to the target bacteria, the cells are directly captured onto the antibody-modified porous Si surface. These specific capturing events result in intensity changes in the thin-film optical interference spectrum of the biosensor. We demonstrate that these biosensors can detect relatively low bacteria concentrations (detection limit of 104 cells/ml) in less than an hour.

Optical Detection of E. coli Bacteria by Mesoporous Silicon Biosensors

A label-free optical biosensor for rapid bacteria detection is introduced. The biosensor is based on a nanostructured porous Si, which is designed to directly capture the target bacteria cells onto its surface. We use monoclonal antibodies, immobilized onto the porous transducer, as the capture probes. Our studies demonstrate the applicability of these biosensors for the detection of low bacterial concentrations within minutes with no prior sample processing (such as cell lysis).

A label-free optical biosensor based on a nanostructured porous Si is designed for rapid capture and detection of Escherichia coli K12 bacteria, as a ...

Detection of Exosomal Biomarker by Electric Field-induced Release and Measurement (EFIRM)

Exosomes are microvesicular structures that play a mediating role in intercellular communication. It is of interest to study the internal cargo of exosomes to determine if they carry disease discriminatory biomarkers. For performing exosomal analysis, it is necessary to develop a method for extracting and analyzing exosomes from target biofluids without damaging the internal content.
Electric field-induced release and measurement (EFIRM) is a method for specifically extracting exosomes from biofluids, unloading their cargo, and testing their internal RNA/protein content. Using an anti-human CD63 specific antibody magnetic microparticle, exosomes are first precipitated from biofluids. Following extraction, low-voltage electric cyclic square waves (CSW) are applied to disrupt the vesicular membrane and cause cargo unloading. The content of the exosome is hybridized to DNA primers or antibodies immobilized on an electrode surface for quantification of molecular content.
The EFIRM method is advantageous for extraction of exosomes and unloading cargo for analysis without lysis buffer. This method is capable of performing specific detection of both RNA and protein biomarker targets in the exosome. EFIRM extracts exosomes specifically based on their surface markers as opposed to size-based techniques.
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and assay demonstrate the functionality of the method for exosome capture and analysis. The EFIRM method was applied to exosomal analysis of 9 mice injected with human lung cancer H640 cells (a cell line transfected to express the exosome marker human CD63-GFP) in order to test their exosome profile against 11 mice receiving saline controls. Elevated levels of exosomal biomarkers (reference gene GAPDH and protein surface marker human CD63-GFP) were found for the H640 injected mice in both serum and saliva samples. Furthermore, saliva and serum samples were demonstrated to have linearity (R = 0.79). These results are suggestive for the viability of salivary exosome biomarkers for detection of distal diseases.

Detection of Exosomal Biomarker by Electric Field-induced Release and Measurement EFIRM

Exosomes are microvesicular structures found within biofluids that potentially carry important disease discriminatory biomarkers. Here, a novel method is used to specifically extract exosomes and rapidly test the exosomal cargo for both RNA/protein targets following the disruption of exosomes using non-uniform electric cyclic square waves.

Exosomes are microvesicular structures that play a mediating role in intercellular communication. It is of interest to study the internal cargo of ...

Microfluidic Platform with Multiplexed Electronic Detection for Spatial Tracking of Particles

Microfluidic processing of biological samples typically involves differential manipulations of suspended particles under various force fields in order to spatially fractionate the sample based on a biological property of interest. For the resultant spatial distribution to be used as the assay readout, microfluidic devices are often subjected to microscopic analysis requiring complex instrumentation with higher cost and reduced portability. To address this limitation, we have developed an integrated electronic sensing technology for multiplexed detection of particles at different locations on a microfluidic chip. Our technology, called Microfluidic CODES, combines Resistive Pulse Sensing with Code Division Multiple Access to compress 2D spatial information into a 1D electrical signal. In this paper, we present a practical demonstration of the Microfluidic CODES technology to detect and size cultured cancer cells distributed over multiple microfluidic channels. As validated by the high-speed microscopy, our technology can accurately analyze dense cell populations all electronically without the need for an external instrument. As such, the Microfluidic CODES can potentially enable low-cost integrated lab-on-a-chip devices that are well suited for the point-of-care testing of biological samples.

We demonstrate a microfluidic platform with an integrated surface electrode network that combines resistive pulse sensing (RPS) with code division multiple access (CDMA), to multiplex detection and sizing of particles in multiple microfluidic channels.

Microfluidic processing of biological samples typically involves differential manipulations of suspended particles under various force fields in order to ...

Large-area Scanning Probe Nanolithography Facilitated by Automated Alignment and Its Application to Substrate Fabrication for Cell Culture Studies

Scanning probe microscopy has enabled the creation of a variety of methods for the constructive (&#39;additive&#39;) top-down fabrication of nanometer-scale features. Historically, a major drawback of scanning probe lithography has been the intrinsically low throughput of single probe systems. This has been tackled by the use of arrays of multiple probes to enable increased nanolithography throughput. In order to implement such parallelized nanolithography, the accurate alignment of probe arrays with the substrate surface is vital, so that all probes make contact with the surface simultaneously when lithographic patterning begins. This protocol describes the utilization of polymer pen lithography to produce nanometer-scale features over centimeter-sized areas, facilitated by the use of an algorithm for the rapid, accurate, and automated alignment of probe arrays. Here, nanolithography of thiols on gold substrates demonstrates the generation of features with high uniformity. These patterns are then functionalized with fibronectin for use in the context of surface-directed cell morphology studies.

Here we present a protocol for wide-area scanning probe nanolithography enabled by the iterative alignment of probe arrays, as well as the utilization of lithographic patterns for cell-surface interaction studies.

Scanning probe microscopy has enabled the creation of a variety of methods for the constructive (&#39;additive&#39;) top-down fabrication of ...

A Droplet-Based Microfluidic Approach and Microsphere-PCR Amplification for Single-Stranded DNA Amplicons

Droplet-based microfluidics enable the reliable production of homogeneous microspheres in the microfluidic channel, providing controlled size and morphology of the obtained microsphere. A microsphere copolymerized with an acrydite-DNA probe was successfully fabricated. Different methods such as asymmetric PCR, exonuclease digestion, and isolation on streptavidin-coated magnetic beads can be used to synthesize single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). However, these methods cannot efficiently use large amounts of highly purified ssDNA. Here, we describe a microsphere-PCR protocol detailing how ssDNA can be efficiently amplified and separated from dsDNA simply by pipetting from a PCR reaction tube. The amplification of ssDNA can be applied as potential reagents for the DNA microarray and DNA-SELEX (Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) processes.

This work provides a method for the fabrication of droplet-based microfluidic platforms and the application of polyacrylamide microspheres for microsphere-PCR amplification. The microsphere-PCR method makes it possible to obtain single-stranded DNA amplicons without separating double-stranded DNA.

Droplet-based microfluidics enable the reliable production of homogeneous microspheres in the microfluidic channel, providing controlled size and ...

Detection of Endotoxin in Nano-formulations Using Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) Assays

When present in pharmaceutical products, a Gram-negative bacterial cell wall component endotoxin (often also called lipopolysaccharide) can cause inflammation, fever, hypo- or hypertension, and, in extreme cases, can lead to tissue and organ damage that may become fatal. The amounts of endotoxin in pharmaceutical products, therefore, are strictly regulated. Among the methods available for endotoxin detection and quantification, the Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay is commonly used worldwide. While any pharmaceutical product can interfere with the LAL assay, nano-formulations represent a particular challenge due to their complexity. The purpose of this paper is to provide a practical guide to researchers inexperienced in estimating endotoxins in engineered nanomaterials and nanoparticle-formulated drugs. Herein, practical recommendations for performing three LAL formats including turbidity, chromogenic and gel-clot assays are discussed. These assays can be used to determine endotoxin contamination in nanotechnology-based drug products, vaccines, and adjuvants.

Detection of Endotoxin in Nano-formulations Using Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate LAL Assays

Detection of endotoxins in engineered nanomaterials represents one of the grand challenges in the field of nanomedicine. Here, we present a case study that describes the framework composed of three different LAL formats to estimate potential endotoxin contamination in nanoparticles.