Electrochemical aptasensor for sensitive, rapid and label-free detection of MUP13

Invasive mammalian predators threaten native ecosystems globally, and eradication efforts often fail to fully protect local flora and fauna. Continuous surveillance is crucial to ensure eradication and prevent reinvasion. Rapid detection of invasive species, particularly large mammals, is challenging due to the reliance on labour-intensive methods like traps and baits. A remote sensing device capable of detecting these species could be transformative for ecosystem protection. Here we present an electrochemical aptasensor device that can rapidly detect a protein biomarker, MUP13, from rat urine, as a proof of concept for a new surveillance system able to identify the presence of a pest in an area through detection of species-specific biomarkers. The developed electrochemical sensor provided a linear detection range from 1.68 nM to 16.82 μM, with a LoD of 2.2 nM and a sensitivity of 0.26 [log(M)]^-1. The electrochemical aptasensor exhibited high specificity when tested against structurally related biomarkers and other contaminants present in rat urine.