Immunosensor based on fluorescence quenching matrix of the conducting polymer polypyrrole

Tuning of Morphological and Antibacterial Properties of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):Peroxodisulfate by Methyl Violet

This study demonstrates a one-step synthesis of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) in the presence of the methyl violet (MV) dye. The structural properties of PEDOT:peroxodisulfate were studied using Raman and MALDI-TOF spectroscopies. The use of the MV dye in the polymerization process resulted in a change in the typical irregular morphology of PEDOT:peroxodisulfate, leading to the formation of spherical patterns. SEM and TEM analyses revealed that increasing the dye concentration can produce larger spherical aggregates probably due to the hydrophobic and π-π interactions. These larger aggregates hindered the charge transport and reduced the electrical conductivity. Interestingly, at higher dye concentrations (0.05 and 0.075 M), the PEDOT:peroxodisulfate/MV films exhibited significantly improved antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Furthermore, the PEDOT:peroxodisulfate films with the incorporated MV dye exhibited a well-defined and repeatable redox behavior. The remarkable amalgamation of their optical, electrochemical and antibacterial properties provides the PEDOT:peroxodisulfate/MV materials with an immensely diverse spectrum of applications, including in optical sensors and medical devices.

Amine/hydrazone functionalized Cd(II)/Zn(II) metal-organic framework for ultrafast sensitive detection of hazardous 2,4,6-trinitrophenol in water

Amine/hydrazone functionalized dual ligand Cd(II)/Zn(II) based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) denoted as CdMOF- and ZnMOF-NH₂, respectively were synthesized via a simple conventional high-yield reflux method using low-cost and readily available starting materials, i.e., a Schiff base linker, 4-pyridylcarboxaldehydeisonicotinoylhydrazone (L₁) and 2-aminoterephthalic acid (H₂ata) linker. Crystallographic and thermogravimetric studies confirmed the formation of MOFs with good crystallinity and thermal stability. Photoluminescence studies point out that both MOFs can be used efficiently for fast sensing of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) in water with noticeable turn-off quenching response. Their limits of detection (LODs) for TNP were 7 ppb and 10 ppb, respectively with enhanced selectivity toward TNP (over other nitro explosives) as verified by competitive nitro explosive tests. Density functional theory calculations and spectral overlap were used to assess the sensing mechanism. These MOF-based fluorescent sensing systems for TNP are demonstrated to have easy recoverability and high sensitivity.

Recent trends and advancements in electrochemiluminescence biosensors for human virus detection

Researchers are constantly looking to find new techniques of virus detection that are sensitive, cost-effective, and accurate. Additionally, they can be used as a point-of-care (POC) tool due to the fact that the populace is growing at a quick tempo, and epidemics are materializing greater often than ever. Electrochemiluminescence-based (ECL) biosensors for the detection of viruses have become one of the most quickly developing sensors in this field. Thus, we here focus on recent trends and developments of these sensors with regard to virus detection. Also, quantitative analysis of various viruses (e.g., Influenza virus, SARS-CoV-2, HIV, HPV, Hepatitis virus, and Zika virus) with a specific interest in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was introduced from the perspective of the biomarker and the biological receptor immobilized on the ECL-based sensors, such as nucleic acids-based, immunosensors, and other affinity ECL biosensors.

Multifunctional Smart ZnSe-Nanostructure-Based Fluorescent Aptasensor for the Detection of Ochratoxin A

Herein, we present a comprehensive investigation of rationally designed zinc selenide (ZnSe) nanostructures to achieve highly negatively charged ZnSe nanostructures. A Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis method was used to synthesize three types of ZnSe nanostructures, i.e., nanorods, µ-spheres and nanoclusters, as characterized by a zeta potential analyzer, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy and BET, which were labeled as type A, B and C. Three different solvents were used for the synthesis of type A, B and C ZnSe nanostructures, keeping other synthesis conditions such as temperature, pressure and precursors ratio constant. Based on two heating time intervals, 6 and 9 h, types A, B and C were further divided into types A6, A9, B6, B9, C6 and C9. ZnSe nanostructures were further evaluated based on their fluorescent quenching efficiency. The maximum fluorescence quenching effect was exhibited by the ZnSe-B6 type, which can be attributed to its highly negative surface charge that favored its strong interaction with cationic dye Rhodamine B (Rh-B). Further, the optimized ZnSe-B6 was used to fabricate an aptasensor for the detection of a food-based toxin, ochratoxin-A (OTA). The developed aptasensor exhibited a limit of detection of 0.07 ng/L with a wide linear range of 0.1 to 200 ng/L.

Development of molecularly imprinted polymer based phase boundaries for sensors design (review)

Achievements in polymer chemistry enables to design artificial phase boundaries modified by imprints of selected molecules and some larger structures. These structures seem very useful for the design of new materials suitable for affinity chromatography and sensors. In this review, we are overviewing the synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and the applicability of these MIPs in the design of affinity sensors. Such MIP-based layers or particles can be used as analyte-recognizing parts for sensors and in some cases they can replace very expensive compounds (e.g.: antibodies, receptors etc.), which are recognizing analyte. Many different polymers can be used for the formation of MIPs, but conducing polymers shows the most attractive capabilities for molecular-imprinting by various chemical compounds. Therefore, the application of conducting polymers (e.g.: polypyrrole, polyaniline, polythiophene, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), and ortho-phenylenediamine) seems very promising. Polypyrrole is one of the most suitable for the development of MIP-based structures with molecular imprints by analytes of various molecular weights. Overoxiation of polypyrrole enables to increase the selectivity of polypyrrole-based MIPs. Methods used for the synthesis of conducting polymer based MIPs are overviewed. Some methods, which are applied for the transduction of analytical signal, are discussed, and challenges and new trends in MIP-technology are foreseen.

Application of Rapid Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (RapidFLIM) to Examine Dynamics of Nanoparticle Uptake in Live Cells

A key challenge in nanomedicine stems from the continued need for a systematic understanding of the delivery of nanoparticles in live cells. Complexities in delivery are often influenced by the biophysical characteristics of nanoparticles, where even subtle changes to nanoparticle designs can alter cellular uptake, transport and activity. Close examination of these processes, especially with imaging, offers important insights that can aid in future nanoparticle design or translation. Rapid fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (RapidFLIM) is a potentially valuable technology for examining intracellular mechanisms of nanoparticle delivery by directly correlating visual data with changes in the biological environment. To date, applications for this technology in nanoparticle research have not been explored. A PicoQuant RapidFLIM system was used together with commercial silica nanoparticles to follow particle uptake in glioblastoma cells. Importantly, RapidFLIM imaging showed significantly improved image acquisition speeds over traditional FLIM, which enabled the tracking of nanoparticle uptake into subcellular compartments. We determined mean lifetime changes and used this to delineate significant changes in nanoparticle lifetimes (>0.39 ns), which showed clustering of these tracks proximal to both extracellular and nuclear membrane boundaries. These findings demonstrate the ability of RapidFLIM to track, localize and quantify changes in single nanoparticle fluorescence lifetimes and highlight RapidFLIM as a valuable tool for multiparameter visualization and analysis of nanoparticle molecular dynamics in live cells.

Advances and insights in the diagnosis of viral infections

Viral infections are the most common among diseases that globally require around 60 percent of medical care. However, in the heat of the pandemic, there was a lack of medical equipment and inpatient facilities to provide all patients with viral infections. The detection of viral infections is possible in three general ways such as (i) direct virus detection, which is performed immediately 1-3 days after the infection, (ii) determination of antibodies against some virus proteins mainly observed during/after virus incubation period, (iii) detection of virus-induced disease when specific tissue changes in the organism. This review surveys some global pandemics from 1889 to 2020, virus types, which induced these pandemics, and symptoms of some viral diseases. Non-analytical methods such as radiology and microscopy also are overviewed. This review overlooks molecular analysis methods such as nucleic acid amplification, antibody-antigen complex determination, CRISPR-Cas system-based viral genome determination methods. Methods widely used in the certificated diagnostic laboratory for SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A, B, C, HIV, and other viruses during a viral pandemic are outlined. A comprehensive overview of molecular analytical methods has shown that the assay's sensitivity, accuracy, and suitability for virus detection depends on the choice of the number of regions in the viral open reading frame (ORF) genome sequence and the validity of the selected analytical method.

An amine-functionalized metal-organic framework and triple-helix molecular beacons as a sensing platform for miRNA ratiometric detection

Herein, a metal-organic framework (UiO-66-NH₂) with two functions (intrinsic fluorescence and fluorescence quenching ability) is designed to establish a ratiometric fluorescent platform for high-performance miRNA detection. The use of a fluorescent organic ligand endows the MOF material with a strong intrinsic fluorescence at 440 nm. In the presence of target miRNA, the fluorescence signal of the FAM is restored with the triple helix molecular beacons bind to the target. Using the I_FAM/I_MOF signal as the output, the prepared ratiometric probe was able to eliminate disturbance caused by the sensing environment. Under the optimal reaction conditions, including buffer pH of 7.4, temperature of 37 °C, and response time of 1 h, the best detection results can be obtained. The ratiometric fluorescence probe presented showed good sensitivity and selectivity for detecting miRNA-203 and the limit of detection was 400 pM with a wide linear range from 1 nM to 160 nM. In addition, this method was applied to diluted human serum and cell lysates, and good detection effect was realized.

Induced ion-pair formation/ de-aggregation of rhodamine B octadecyl ester for anion optical sensing: Towards ibuprofen selective optical sensors

A novel approach is explored to result in anion selective nanostructural optodes, that do not require the presence of selective ionophore. The sensing principle proposed is based on interactions of polarity sensitive dye with anions, leading to change of the chromophore group environment, resulting in increase of emission for increase of analyte concentration. To induce interactions of the analyte with the dye precise matching of properties of analyte and receptor is required. It is shown that the careful balancing of composition of nanostructural probes allows fine tuning of linear response range to cover lower concentration range. The model analyte studied was ibuprofen, due to its clinical and environmental relevance, lack of ionophore. As model probes rhodamine B octadecyl ester based nanostructures were prepared and applied. For optimized system turn-on responses were obtained for ibuprofen concentration change from 10^-4.3 M to 10^-2 M, with no effect of other anti-inflammatory drugs such as naproxen or salicylate.

Advances in Molecularly Imprinted Polymers Based Affinity Sensors (Review)

Recent challenges in biomedical diagnostics show that the development of rapid affinity sensors is very important issue. Therefore, in this review we are aiming to outline the most important directions of affinity sensors where polymer-based semiconducting materials are applied. Progress in formation and development of such materials is overviewed and discussed. Some applicability aspects of conducting polymers in the design of affinity sensors are presented. The main attention is focused on bioanalytical application of conducting polymers such as polypyrrole, polyaniline, polythiophene and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) ortho-phenylenediamine. In addition, some other polymers and inorganic materials that are suitable for molecular imprinting technology are also overviewed. Polymerization techniques, which are the most suitable for the development of composite structures suitable for affinity sensors are presented. Analytical signal transduction methods applied in affinity sensors based on polymer-based semiconducting materials are discussed. In this review the most attention is focused on the development and application of molecularly imprinted polymer-based structures, which can replace antibodies, receptors, and many others expensive affinity reagents. The applicability of electrochromic polymers in affinity sensor design is envisaged. Sufficient biocompatibility of some conducting polymers enables to apply them as "stealth coatings" in the future implantable affinity-sensors. Some new perspectives and trends in analytical application of polymer-based semiconducting materials are highlighted.

Conducting Polymers in the Design of Biosensors and Biofuel Cells

Fast and sensitive determination of biologically active compounds is very important in biomedical diagnostics, the food and beverage industry, and environmental analysis. In this review, the most promising directions in analytical application of conducting polymers (CPs) are outlined. Up to now polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene, and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) are the most frequently used CPs in the design of sensors and biosensors; therefore, in this review, main attention is paid to these conducting polymers. The most popular polymerization methods applied for the formation of conducting polymer layers are discussed. The applicability of polypyrrole-based functional layers in the design of electrochemical biosensors and biofuel cells is highlighted. Some signal transduction mechanisms in CP-based sensors and biosensors are discussed. Biocompatibility-related aspects of some conducting polymers are overviewed and some insights into the application of CP-based coatings for the design of implantable sensors and biofuel cells are addressed. New trends and perspectives in the development of sensors based on CPs and their composites with other materials are discussed.

A near-infrared-II fluorescence anisotropy strategy for separation-free detection of adenosine triphosphate in complex media

Fluorescence anisotropy (FA) has been widely applied for detecting and monitoring special targets in life sciences. However, matrix autofluorescence restricted its further application in complex biological samples. Herein, we report a near-infrared-II (NIR-II) FA strategy for detecting adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in human serum samples and breast cancer cell lysate, which employed NIR-II fluorescent Ag₂Se quantum dots (QDs) as tags to reduce matrix autofluorescence effect and applied graphene oxide (GO) to enhance fluorescence anisotropy signals. In the presence of ATP, the recognition between NIR-II Ag₂Se QDs labeled aptamer (QD-pDNA) and ATP led to the release of QD-pDNA from GO, resulting in the obvious decrease of FA values. ATP could be quantitatively detected in concentrations ranged from 3 nM to 2500 nM, with a detection limit down to 1.01 nM. This study showed that the developed NIR-II FA strategy could be applied for detecting targets in complex biological samples and had great potential for monitoring interactions between biomolecules in biomedical research.

ZnO/polyaniline composite based photoluminescence sensor for the determination of acetic acid vapor

In this study, we report a novel ZnO/polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposite optical gas sensor for the determination of acetic acid at room temperatures. ZnO nanorods, synthesized in powder form were coated by PANI (ZnO/PANI) by chemical polymerization method. The obtained nanocomposites were deposited on glass substrate and dried overnight at room temperature. Structure and optical properties of ZnO/PANI nanocomposite have been studied by using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Tests towards acetic acids were performed in the range of concentrations 1-13 ppm. The adsorption of acetic acid on the sensor's surface resulted in the decrease of ZnO/PANI photoluminescence. The response and recovery time of the sensor were in the range of 30-50 s and 5 min, respectively. The developed sensors showed sensitivity towards acetic acid in a range of 1-10 ppm with the limit of detection of 1.2 ppm. Specially designed miniaturized sensing system based on integrated sensing layer, light emission diode as excitation source and optical fiber spectrometer was developed for the measurement of the sensor signal. The developed sensing system was applied for the investigation of some real sample assessment including the evaluation of storage conditions of ancient cellulose acetate films, which during the degradation are releasing acetic acid. The obtained results suggest that the developed novel optical ZnO/PANI nanocompsite based sensor shows great potential for acetic acid determination in various samples.

Structure-switching aptamer triggering hybridization displacement reaction for label-free detection of exosomes

Exosomes play important roles in intercellular communications, tumor migration and invasion. However, the specific detection of cancer exosomes remains as a big challenge due to its low concentration in biofluids. Therefore, the sensitive and selective detection of cancer cells-derived exosomes has attracted growing attention owing to their potential in diagnostic and prognostic applications. Activatable strategies have received great attention for the detection of low abundant analytes due to their high sensitivity. Herein, based on molecular recognition between DNA aptamer and exosome surface biomarker (protein tyrosine kinase-7), a novel activatable and label-free strategy was designed for highly sensitive and specific sensing of exosomes. In this work, the target exosomes trigger strand replacement reaction to form G-quadruplex, which result in an obvious fluorescence enhancement of N-methylmesoporphyrin IX due to the bonding between G-quadruplex and N-methylmesoporphyrin IX. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the linear range for exosomes was measured to be 5.0 × 10⁵-5.0 × 10⁷ particles/μL and the detection limit (LOD) was calculated to be 3.4 × 10⁵ particles/μL (3σ). This assay possesses high specificity to distinguish exosomes derived from different cell lines, and has successfully been validated in patient and healthy plasma samples. Furthermore, the probe can effectively detect the exosomes in 30% fetal bovine serum, indicating that the biological matrix has a negligible effect on this method. This developed label-free, convenient and highly sensitive biosensor will offer a great opportunity for exosomes quantification in biological study and clinical application.

Electrochemiluminescence biosensor based on conducting poly(5-formylindole) for sensitive detection of Ramos cells

A signal-on electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor devoted to the detection of Ramos cells was fabricated based on a novel conducting polymer, poly(5-formylindole) (P5FIn), which was synthesized electrochemically by direct anodic oxidation of 5-formylindole (5FIn). This ECL platform was presented by covalently coupling the 18-mer amino-substituted oligonucleotide (ODN) probes with aldehyde groups that are strongly reactive toward a variety of nucleophiles on the surface of solid substrates. The specific identification and high-affinity between aptamers and target cells, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) enhanced ECL nanoprobes, along with P5FIn induced ECL quenching contributed greatly to the sensitivity and selectivity. The ECL signals were logarithmically linear with the concentration of Ramos cells in a wide determination range from 500 to 1.0 × 10(5) cells mL(-1), and the corresponding detection limit was 300 cells mL(-1).

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence biosensor incorporating ruthenium complex-labelled Concanavalin A as a probe for the detection of Escherichia coli

A novel electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor for highly sensitive detection of Escherichia coli (E. coli) was first developed by employing Concanavalin A (Con A) as a biological recognition element and bis(2,2'-bipyridine)-4'-methyl-4-carboxybipyridine ruthenium (II) (Ru1) complex as the detector. The ECL biosensor was fabricated by adsorbing carboxyl-functionalised single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) onto a paraffin-impregnated graphite electrode and further covalently coupling the Ru1-Con A probe onto the surface of the SWNT-modified electrode. Upon the binding of E. coli O157:H7 (as a model target), the biosensor showed a decreased ECL intensity in the presence of tri-n-propylamine (TPrA), which was in logarithmically direct proportion to the concentration of E. coli over a range from 5.0 × 10(2) to 5.0 × 10(5)cells/mL. The detection limit of this sensor was 127 cells/mL. Additionally, the ECL biosensor also showed satisfactory selectivity in discriminating gram-negative E. coli from gram-positive bacteria. The strategy developed in this study may be a promising approach and could be extended to the design of ECL biosensors for highly sensitive and rapid detection of other desired bacteria.

Terbium hybrid particles with spherical shape as luminescent probe for detection of Cu2+ and Fe3+ in water

A novel green emissive terbium inorganic-polymeric hybrid particle was designed and this material could detect cations in water. Polyvinyl alcohol as an amphiphilic surfactant rendered the powders dispersible in water with regular round shape (10-20 μm). Interestingly, we noticed that not only Cu(2+) (detection limit 10(-4)M) but also Fe(3+) (detection limit 10(-4) M) can give rise to emission quenching to this target material in comparison with K(+), Na(+), Fe(2+), Mn(2+), Pd(2+), Cd(2+) and Co(2+) (10(-3) mol L(-1)). We regarded that the coordination interactions between ligand and metal ions resulted in these quenching processes. Additionally, it was found that the sensing material can be repeatedly used at least 5 cycles. More importantly, this novel material demonstrated higher thermal-stability in aqueous media than pure silica hybrid material.

Polymerization model for hydrogen peroxide initiated synthesis of polypyrrole nanoparticles

A very simple, environmentally friendly, one-step oxidative polymerization route to fabricate polypyrrole (Ppy) nanoparticles of fixed size and morphology was developed and investigated. The herein proposed method is based on the application of sodium dodecyl sulfate and hydrogen peroxide, both easily degradable and cheap materials. The polymerization reaction is performed on 24 h time scale under standard conditions. We monitored a polaronic peak at 465 nm and estimated nanoparticle concentration during various stages of the reaction. Using this data we proposed a mechanism for Ppy nanoparticle formation in accordance with earlier emulsion polymerization mechanisms. Rates of various steps in the polymerization mechanism were accounted for and the resulting particles identified using atomic force microscopy. Application of Ppy nanoparticles prepared by the route presented here seems very promising for biomedical applications where biocompatibility is paramount. In addition, this kind of synthesis could be suitable for the development of solar cells, where very pure and low-cost conducting polymers are required.