Molybdenum diselenide-based optical fiber biosensors for targeted detection of lung cancer-associated DNA

The emergence of molybdenum diselenide as a nanomaterial with unique electronic, mechanical, chemical, and optical properties has significantly advanced research in various biomedical sciences and the development of biosensors for biomolecule analysis. This research introduces a molybdenum diselenide-based biosensor to identify DNA molecules related to lung cancer. To stabilize single-stranded DNA containing a thiol group on the optical fiber surface, key parameters in the biosensor, such as stability time, solution concentration, and input power for single-stranded DNA molecules, were optimized. The hybridization process and the time required for it were evaluated, and the effect of the target molecule quantity on the limit of detection was analyzed. The results from the biosensor showed a significant increase in the optical refractive index in the optical fiber with two complementary strands compared to a single strand. In contrast, the hybridization process with non-complementary strands indicated minimal effect. The sensor demonstrated high effectiveness and selectivity in identifying single strands of DNA. Analytical properties such as linearity, detection limit, and repeatability were assessed for the designed sensor. The results indicate that it can detect concentrations from 1000 nM to 0.07 nM, with a detection limit of 88.58 pM. Its response speed is just one second, and it outperforms other sensors. Identification, early diagnosis, advanced awareness, and follow-up of lung cancer are crucial factors that can significantly facilitate treatment. • The use of two-dimensional (2D) MoSe 2 materials has led to a remarkable increase in the sensitivity of the optical biosensor. • This biosensor exhibits the ability to detect a broad range of concentrations from 0.07 nM to 1000 nM indicating its high performance in accurate measurements. • The detection limit of this biosensor has significantly reached 88.58 pM, which represents a considerable advantage for clinical and research applications.