Oligonucleotide-Driven Nanoparticle Biosensor for <i>Candida albicans</i> Detection in Vaginal Swabs.

ABSTRACT: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), caused by Candida albicans ( C.albicans ), is a common gynecological infection. VVC is traditionally diagnosed using microbiological culture and microscopy by immunofluorescence, which suffer from limitations such as time-consuming procedures and subjectivity. This study developed a colorimetric biosensor based on gold nanoparticles functionalized with oligonucleotides for the rapid detection of C.albicans. To target the specific hypha wall protein 1 gene (HWP1), thiol-modified oligonucleotide probes were designed and conjugated to the surface of 60 nm citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). When the target RNA is present, oligonucleotide hybridization induces nanoparticle aggregation, causing a color shift in the so

SUBMITTER: Qiu L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12854496 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature