An integrable sensoristic platform for β-amyloid based on supramolecular interactions

An early-stage diagnosis could significantly improve the prognosis of severe diseases such as Alzheimer’s (AD). The key is to find alternative platforms for the improvement of clinical diagnostic methods. In this scenario, nanotechnology gains the possibility to tailor materials and devices on purpose. Following this lead, we prepared and characterized, using dynamic light scattering (DLS), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques, a sensitive nanohybrid integrable in electrochemical detection platforms for the recognition of Aβ-40 and Aβ-42 β-amyloid peptides, selected as biomarkers of AD. Using the thin film hydration method, we decorated the surface of graphene oxide (GO) with the amphiphilic cyclodextrin heptakis[6-deoxy-6-hexadecylthio-2-poly(ethyleneglycol)]-β-cyclodextrin (SC16OH) nanovesicles entangling the hydrophobic peptide conjugate Ferrocene-(PEG)4-KLVFF (Lys-Leu-Val-Phe-Phe, Aβ (16–20)) or (Fc-Pep), selected as the recognition entity of Aβ-40 and Aβ-42 1. The supramolecular assembly, with or without GO, was prepared in view of the next integration in an electrochemical sensing platform towards β-amyloid detection.