Fabrication of graphene nanoplatelets embedded “partition cartridge” for efficient separation of target-bound ssDNA during SELEX

Graphene oxide (GO)-a carbon allotrope is widely used in aptamer generation process called SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) and efficiently adsorbs non-target specific ssDNA onto its surface during the partitioning step of SELEX. The amount of GO required to adsorb ssDNA is high that imposes new challenges. Here, we have demonstrated graphene nanoplatelets (GrNP) that can be exploited with less material for efficient partitioning. Further, we have compared the non-target specific ssDNA adsorption on graphene oxide (GO), and graphene nanoplatelets (GrNP) and fabricated the "partitioning cartridge" for efficient separation of target (Monocrotophos and Endosulfan) bound-ssDNA from unbound ssDNA (non-target specific). To fabricate the partitioning cartridge, the spin column was utilized from common molecular biology lab waste. The fabricated "partition cartridge" alienated the target bound ssDNA efficiently and used further for polymerase chain reaction successfully. The fabricated partitioning cartridge is easy to fabricate, cost effective and recycles the plastic waste thus the environment friendly approach.