Nossier A.I.Abdelzaher H.Matboli M.Eissa S.Biochemistry DepartmentFaculty of PharmacyMisr University for Science and Technology (MUST)6th October CityGizaEgypt; Faculty of BiotechnologyOctober University for Modern Sciences & Arts6th October CityCairoEgypt; Oncology Diagnostic UnitMedical Biochemistry & Molecular Biology DepartmentFaculty of MedicineAin Shams UniversityCairoEgypt; Faculty of Medicine Ain Shams Research Institute (MASRI)CairoEgypt2020-01-092020-01-092018263672https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-018-2767-9PubMedID29594755https://t.ly/rxxeWScopusThe authors describe a method for the colorimetric determination of unamplified microRNA. It is based on the use of citrate-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and, alternatively, a microRNA-probe hybrid or a magnetically extracted microRNA that serve as stabilizers against the salt-induced aggregation of AuNPs. The absorbance ratios A525/A625 of the reacted AuNP solutions were used to quantify the amount of microRNA. The assay works in the range of 5�25�pmol microRNA. The lower limit of detection (LOD) is 10�pmol. The performance of the method was tested by detection of microRNA-210-3p in totally extracted urinary microRNA from normal, benign, and bladder cancer subjects. The sensitivity and specificity for qualitative detection of urinary microRNA-210-3p using the assay are 74% and 88% respectively, which is consistent with real time PCR based assays. The assay was applied to the determination of specific microRNA by using its specific oligo targeter or following magnetic isolation of the desired microRNA. The method is simple, cost-efficient, has a short turn-around time and requires minimal equipment and personnel. � 2018, Springer-Verlag GmbH Austria, part of Springer Nature.EnglishAuNPsBladder cancerMagnetic nanoparticlesMicroRNA detectionMicroRNA-210-3pOligonucleotide adsorptionOligotargeterSalt-induced aggregationStreptavidincitric acidgoldmetal nanoparticlemicroRNAMIRN210 microRNA, humanchemistrycolorimetrycost benefit analysiseconomicshumanisolation and purificationproceduresurineCitric AcidColorimetryCost-Benefit AnalysisGoldHumansMetal NanoparticlesMicroRNAsArticlehttps://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-018-2767-9PubMedID29594755