Maxine Catherine den Hartog

Ms. Maxine Catherine den Hartog


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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3 November 2024 in Sensors
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
HCHayley Costanzo
Hayley Costanzo
MHMaxine Catherine den Hartog
Maxine Catherine den Hartog
JGJames Gooch
James Gooch
NFNunzianda Frascione
Nunzianda Frascione
Blood is a common biological fluid in forensic investigations, offering significant evidential value. Currently employed presumptive blood tests often lack specificity and are sample destructive, which can compromise downstream analysis. Within this study, the development of an optical biosensor for detecting human red blood cells (RBCs) has been explored to address such limitations. Aptamer-based biosensors, termed aptasensors, offer a promising alternative due to their high specificity and affinity for target analytes. Aptamers are short, single-stranded DNA or RNA sequences that form stable three-dimensional structures, allowing them to bind to specific targets selectively. A nanoflare design has been employed within this work, consisting of a quenching gold nanoparticle (AuNP), DNA aptamer sequences, and complementary fluorophore-labelled flares operating through a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) mechanism. In the presence of RBCs, the aptamer–flare complex is disrupted, restoring fluorescence and indicating the presence of blood. Two aptamers, N1 and BB1, with a demonstrated binding affinity to RBCs, were selected for inclusion within the nanoflare. This study aimed to optimise three features of the design: aptamer conjugation to AuNPs, aptamer hybridisation to complementary flares, and flare displacement in the presence of RBCs. Fluorescence restoration was achieved with both the N1 and BB1 nanoflares, demonstrating the potential for a functional biosensor to be utilised within the forensic workflow. It is hoped that introducing such an aptasensor could enhance the forensic workflow. This aptasensor could replace current tests with a specific and sensitive reagent that can be used for real-time detection, improving the standard of forensic blood analysis.