Thiophene-Conjugated Ligand Probe for Nonenzymatic Turn-On Electrochemical Protein Detection

A new type of turn-on electrochemical protein detection is developed using an electropolymerizable molecular probe. To detect trypsin, a benzamidine ligand is conjugated with a thiophene moiety. Encapsulation of the probe in the trypsin pocket prevents electropolymerization, leading to efficient electron transfer from the electrolyte to the electrode. In contrast, unbound probes can become electropolymerized, yielding a polythiophene layer on...