Biomimetic synthesis of protein-DNA-CaHPO4 hybrid nanosheets for biosensing: Detection of thrombin as an example

Magnetic self-assembled label-free electrochemical biosensor based on Fe3O4/α-Fe2O3 heterogeneous nanosheets for the detection of Tau proteins

A type of electrochemical biosensors based on magnetic Fe3O4/α-Fe2O3 heterogeneous nanosheets was constructed to detect Tau proteins for early diagnosis and intervention therapy of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Firstly, Fe3O4/α-Fe2O3 heterogeneous nanosheets were fabricated as the substrate to realize magnetic self-assembly and magnetic separation to improve current response, and Fe3O4/α-Fe2O3@Au-Apt/ssDNA/MCH biosensors were successfully constructed through the reduction process of chloroauric acid, the immobilizations of aptamer (Apt) and ssDNA, and the intercept process of 6-Mercapto-1-hexanol (MCH); the construction process of the electrochemical biosensor was monitored using Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and the factors affecting the current response of this sensor (concentration of Fe3O4/α-Fe2O3@Au and Apt/ssDNA, incubation temperature and time of Tau) were explored and optimized using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Analyzing the performance of this sensor under optimal conditions, the linear range was finally obtained to be 0.1 pg/mL-10 ng/mL, the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.08 pg/mL, and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.28 pg/mL. The selectivity, reproducibility and stability of the biosensors were further investigated, and in a really sample analysis using human serum, the recoveries were obtained in the range of 93.93 %-107.39 %, with RSD ranging from 1.05 % to 1.94 %.

Advancing piezoelectric 2D nanomaterials for applications in drug delivery systems and therapeutic approaches

Precision drug delivery and multimodal synergistic therapy are crucial in treating diverse ailments, such as cancer, tissue damage, and degenerative diseases. Electrodes that emit electric pulses have proven effective in enhancing molecule release and permeability in drug delivery systems. Moreover, the physiological electrical microenvironment plays a vital role in regulating biological functions and triggering action potentials in neural and muscular tissues. Due to their unique noncentrosymmetric structures, many 2D materials exhibit outstanding piezoelectric performance, generating positive and negative charges under mechanical forces. This ability facilitates precise drug targeting and ensures high stimulus responsiveness, thereby controlling cellular destinies. Additionally, the abundant active sites within piezoelectric 2D materials facilitate efficient catalysis through piezochemical coupling, offering multimodal synergistic therapeutic strategies. However, the full potential of piezoelectric 2D nanomaterials in drug delivery system design remains underexplored due to research gaps. In this context, the current applications of piezoelectric 2D materials in disease management are summarized in this review, and the development of drug delivery systems influenced by these materials is forecast.

Aptamer-Protein Interactions: From Regulation to Biomolecular Detection

Serving as the basis of cell life, interactions between nucleic acids and proteins play essential roles in fundamental cellular processes. Aptamers are unique single-stranded oligonucleotides generated by in vitro evolution methods, possessing the ability to interact with proteins specifically. Altering the structure of aptamers will largely modulate their interactions with proteins and further affect related cellular behaviors. Recently, with the in-depth research of aptamer-protein interactions, the analytical assays based on their interactions have been widely developed and become a powerful tool for biomolecular detection. There are some insightful reviews on aptamers applied in protein detection, while few systematic discussions are from the perspective of regulating aptamer-protein interactions. Herein, we comprehensively introduce the methods for regulating aptamer-protein interactions and elaborate on the detection techniques for analyzing aptamer-protein interactions. Additionally, this review provides a broad summary of analytical assays based on the regulation of aptamer-protein interactions for detecting biomolecules. Finally, we present our perspectives regarding the opportunities and challenges of analytical assays for biological analysis, aiming to provide guidance for disease mechanism research and drug discovery.

Nucleic acid aptamer-based biosensors and their application in thrombin analysis

Thrombin is a multifunctional serine protease that plays an important role in coagulation and anticoagulation processes. Aptamers have been widely applied in biosensors due to their high specificity, low cost and good biocompatibility. This review summarizes recent advances in thrombin quantification using aptamer-based biosensors. The primary focus is optical sensors and electrochemical sensors, along with their applications in thrombin analysis and disease diagnosis.