Fabrication of GO/PANi/CdSe nanocomposites for sensitive electrochemiluminescence biosensor

Flexible Passive Wireless Sensing Platform with Frequency Mapping and Multimodal Fusion

As one of the core parts of the Internet-of-things (IOTs), multimodal sensors have exhibited great advantages in fields such as human-machine interaction, electronic skin, and environmental monitoring. However, current multimodal sensors substantially introduce a bloated equipment architecture and a complicated decoupling mechanism. In this work we propose a multimodal fusion sensing platform based on a power-dependent piecewise linear decoupling mechanism, allowing four parameters to be perceived and decoded from the passive wireless single component, which greatly broadens the configurable freedom of a sensor in the IOT. A systematic model is employed to analyze the linear sensing properties and ensure the feasibility of the scheme. The excitation power dependence provides an efficient and quantitative linear decoupling strategy of unidentified combinations for multiple stimuli. As a validation for a wearable device such as electronic skin (e-skin), the functionalized sensing film polyaniline/graphene oxide (PANI/GO) is served to synchronously monitor humidity, temperature, ultraviolet, and proximity through the mapping in resonant frequency (fs). Compared with the output errors of ∼18.00%, ∼17.50%, ∼15.00%, and ∼20.00%, the maximum experimental errors of temperature, humidity, ultraviolet, and proximity are 5.70%, 4.00%, 5.00%, and 8.30% after decoupling, respectively. In general, the developed single-component multimodal fusion sensing platform offers a strategic advantage for a miniaturization, passive wireless, and inexpensive (less than $1) signal identification system with a facile circuit layout.

Electrochemiluminescence resonance energy transfer detection of HBsAg based on Co doped 3D porous luminol-based conjugates and quencher UiO-66-NH2@Au

An electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor based on ECL resonance energy transfer (ECL-RET) was designed to sensitively detect hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg). In this ECL-RET system, luminol was employed as ECL donor, and gold nanoparticles functionalized zirconium organoskeleton (UiO-66-NH2@Au) was prepared and served as ECL acceptor. The UiO-66-NH2@Au possessed an ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption between 400 nm and 500 nm, and the absorption spectra overlapped with the ECL spectrum of luminol. Furthermore, Graphene oxide-poly(aniline-luminol)-cobalt nanoparticles conjugates (GO-PALu-Co) was prepared to optimize the ECL behavior through the catalysis of Cobalt nanoparticles and served as a stable 3D porous film to load capture probe primary antibody (Ab1). Based on the ECL-RET biosensing method, the UiO-66-NH2@Au-labeled Ab2 and target HBsAg could pair with primary antibody Ab1 to form sandwich-type structure, and the ECL signal of GO-PALu-Co was quenched. Under optimized experimental conditions, the ECL-RET analytical method represented eminent analytical performance for HBsAg detection with a wide linear relationship from 2.2 × 10-13 to 2.2 × 10-5 mg/mL, and a detection limit of 9 × 10-14 mg/mL (S/N = 3), with spiked sample recoveries ranging from 97.27 % to 102.73 %. The constructed sensor has good stability, reproducibility, and specificity. It can be used to detect HBsAg in human serum and has the potential to be used for the sensitive detection of other disease biomarkers.

Au Nanorings/TiO2 NPs@MXene-Based Metasurfaces with a Magnetic Mirror-Modulated ECL Strategy for Extracellular Vesicle Detection

A metasurface as an artificial electromagnetic structure can concentrate optical energy into nanometric volumes to strongly enhance the light-matter interaction, which has been becoming a powerful platform for optical sensing, nonlinear effects, and quantum optics. Herein, we developed a novel hybrid plasmonic-dielectric metasurface consisting of Au nanorings (Au NRs) and TiO2 nanoparticles derived from MXene (TiO2 NPs@MXene). The hybrid metasurface simultaneously benefited from the high near-field enhancement effect of plasmonic materials and the low loss of dielectric materials. Furthermore, the optical modulation efficiency of the hybrid metasurface can be regulated by a magnetic mirror configuration. The magnetic mirror acted like a mirror, confining the electrons to a limited region and increasing the density of the surface plasmon. Moreover, the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of the Cu2BDC metal-organic framework (Cu2BDC-MOF) served as a light source for the Au NRs/TiO2 NPs@MXene metasurface. Due to the exceptional light manipulation capability of the hybrid metasurface and the coordination of the magnetic mirror, the isotropic ECL signal can be dynamically amplified and converted into polarized emission. Finally, a metasurface-regulated ECL (MECL)-based biosensor with a dual-positive membrane protein recognition strategy was developed for the accurate identification of gastric cancer-derived extracellular vesicles. The novel MECL research opened up a new route in the realization of dynamically tunable metasurfaces for optical sensing and novel nanophotonic devices.

A label-free RTP sensor based on aptamer/quantum dot nanocomposites for cytochrome c detection

Given the outstanding room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) of Mn–ZnS quantum dots (QDs) and the specific recognition performance of the aptamer, we built phosphorescent composites from aptamers conjugated with polyethyleneimine quantum dots (PEI-QDs) and applied them to cytochrome c (Cyt c) detection. Specifically, QDs/CBA composites were generated from the electrostatic interaction between the positively-charged PEI-QDs and the negatively-charged Cyt c binding aptamer (CBA). With the presence of Cyt c, the Cyt c can specifically bind with the QDs/CBA composites, and quench the RTP of QDs through photoinduced electron-transfer (PIET). Thereby, an optical biosensor for Cyt c detection was built, which had a detection range of 0.166–9.96 μM and a detection limit of 0.084 μM. This aptamer-mediated phosphorescent sensor with high specificity and operational simplicity can effectively avoid the interference of scattering light from complex substrates. Our findings offer a new clue for building biosensors based on QDs and aptamers.

In this study, the nanocomposites from polyethyleneimine-capped Mn-doped ZnS QDs (PEI-QDs) and Cyt c binding aptamer (CBA) were prepared and used as Cyt c RTP sensors..

A fluorescent aptamer/carbon dots based assay for Cytochrome c protein detection as a biomarker of cell apoptosis

Cytochrome c (Cyt c), a heme protein, can be a potential biomarker for cell-apoptosis or even cancer diagnosis. In this work, a simple, rapid, sensitive and selective label-free assay for Cytochrome c (Cyt c) detection is introduced based on an interaction between nucleic acid aptamer biomolecules and surfaces of Carbon Dots (CDs). CDs are used as a fluorescent probes and Cyt c-aptamers as a sensing materials. Interactions of aptamers with CDs quench the fluorescent intensity of CDs. By addition of Cyt c biomolecule as an analyte to the solution and binding to the aptamers, CDs fluorescence turns on. Stronger binding affinity of the aptamers toward Cyt c than CDs, causes they leave the CDs surfaces and the fluorescence is recovered. The amount of recoveries corresponds linearly to the concentration of Cyt c and be used as the basis of detection. The method exhibited high sensitivity to Cyt c with a detection limit of 25.90 nM and a linear range from 40 nM to 240 nM.

Electrochemiluminescent biosensor with DNA link for selective detection of human IgG based on steric hindrance

A highly selective DNA-based electrochemiluminescence (ECL) based biosensor is described for the detection of human IgG. It is exploiting the effect of steric hindrance that affects the strength of the ECL signal in the presence of IgG. Digoxin-linked signaling DNA was specifically bound to IgG, and this causes steric hindrance which limits the ability of DNA to hybridize with capturing DNA attached to a gold electrode. Europium (II) doped CdSe quantum dots were covalently linked to the DNA in order to generate the ECL signal. Using this steric hindrance hybridization method, the ECL signal of the biosensor were proportional to the concentration of IgG with a wide linear range and a 14 pM detection limit. Conceivably, the method can be expanded to the detection of a wide range of proteins for which homologous recognition elements are available.

Deep Eutectic Solvent-Assisted Preparation of Nitrogen/Chloride-Doped Carbon Dots for Intracellular Biological Sensing and Live Cell Imaging

A novel approach for the preparation of dual-functional carbon dots, i.e., nitrogen- and chloride-doped carbon dots, abbreviated as N/Cl-CDs, is developed with the assistance of a choline chloride-glycerine deep eutectic solvent (DES). The carbon source is provided by urea and the DES serves as a solvent for controlling the preparation of CDs in the absence of water. The dual-element doped carbon dots are oxygen-rich with hydroxyl and amine groups. They exhibit an average particle size of ca. 3.88 nm and give rise to strong and pH-sensitive fluorescent emission at λ_ex/λ_em = 340/430 nm with a quantum yield of 16.15 ± 1.36%. It is particularly interesting to see that the fluorescence of N/Cl-CDs remains stable in a high-salinity matrix, providing vast potentials for treating real biological sample matrixes with high salinity. The N/Cl-CDs provide an optical probe for intracellular pH sensing and multicolor imaging in HeLa cells. In addition, the N/Cl-CDs show obvious fluorescence response to cytochrome c (cyt- c) with a detection limit of 3.6 mg L^-1 (ca. 0.29 μmol L^-1) within in a range of 10-500 mg L^-1, providing potentials for fluorescence detection of cyt- c as well as facilitating intracellular cyt- c imaging.

Helix structure of the double-stranded DNA for aptameric biosensing and imaging of cytochrome c

Here, a method is introduced for construction the aptameric biosensor for biosensing detection of cytochrome C (CYC) based on chain-shape structure of aptasensor by using highly dispersed silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on acid-oxidized carbon nanotube (CNTs) substrate. The animated capture probe (ssDNA1) and CYC-aptamer (ssDNA2) was immobilized on AgNPs/CNTs surface by covalent amide bonds formed by the carboxyl groups on the nanotubes and the amino groups on the oligonucleotides and hybridization, respectively. In this protocol, the nucleic acids at both ends of the ssDNA1 were sequenced to be complementary (tailor-made ssDNA1). The helix structure of the double-stranded DNA was fabricated by hybridizing ssDNA2 with its complementary sequence (ssDNA1). CYC-aptamer could be forced to dissociate from the sensing interface after CYC triggered structure switching of the aptamer and ssDNA1 thus tend to form a chain-shape structure through the hybridization of the complementary sequences at both its ends. The proposed assay permitted to detect CYC in the linear range of 0.01-750 nM with a very low limit of detection (LOD) (1.66 pM). In addition, the specificity of this sensing system for the detection of CYC was also demonstrated by using albumin, fructose, myoglobin, and hemoglobin.

Recent advances in cytochrome c biosensing technologies

This review is an attempt, for the first time, to describe advancements in sensing technology for cytochrome c (cyt c) detection, at point-of-care (POC) application. Cyt c, a heme containing metalloprotein is located in the intermembrane space of mitochondria and released into bloodstream during pathological conditions. The release of cyt c from mitochondria is a key initiative step in the activation of cell death pathways. Circulating cyt c levels represents a novel in-vivo marker of mitochondrial injury after resuscitation from heart failure and chemotherapy. Thus, cyt c detection is not only serving as an apoptosis biomarker, but also is of great importance to understand certain diseases at cellular level. Various existing techniques such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), Western blot, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), spectrophotometry and flow cytometry have been used to estimate cyt c. However, the implementation of these techniques at POC application is limited due to longer analysis time, expensive instruments and expertise needed for operation. To overcome these challenges, significant efforts are being made to develop electrochemical biosensing technologies for fast, accurate, selective, and sensitive detection of cyt c. Presented review describes the cutting edge technologies available in the laboratories to detect cyt c. The recent advancements in designing and development of electrochemical cyt c biosensors for the quantification of cyt c are also discussed. This review also highlights the POC cyt c biosensors developed recently, that would prove of interest to biologist and therapist to get real time informatics needed to evaluate death process, diseases progression, therapeutics and processes related with mitochondrial injury.

Electrochemiluminescence aptasensor of TiO2/CdS:Mn hybrids for ultrasensitive detection of cytochrome c

A novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL) aptasensor was proposed for ultrasensitive detection of cytochrome c (cyt c) using CdS:Mn quantum dot-modified TiO2 nanowires (NWs) as electrode. The Mn-doped CdS was deposited on the TiO2 NWs by successive ion layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) as ECL emitter, on which thiol-modified aptamer of cyt c was attached via Cd-S bond. Due to the high photo-electrical transfer efficiency, the as-prepared aptasensor shows high selectivity and sensitivity towards cyt c with a detection limit of 9.5fM and a linear range from 50fM to 125pM.

Synthesis and sensing applications of polyaniline nanocomposites: a review

A comprehensive review on the synthesis of PANI nanocomposites and their applications as gas sensors and biosensors has been presented.

Highly Enhanced Fluorescence of CdSeTe Quantum Dots Coated with Polyanilines via In-Situ Polymerization and Cell Imaging Application

The polyaniline (PAN)-coated CdSeTe quantum dots (QDs) were prepared by in situ polymerization of aniline on the surface of CdSeTe QDs. The PAN-coated CdSeTe QDs has a tremendously enhanced fluorescence (∼40 times) and improved biocompatibility compared to the uncoated CdSeTe QDs. The fluorescence intensity of the PAN-coated CdSeTe QDs can be adjusted by controlling the construction parameters of the PAN shell. The kinetics of the in situ controllable polymerization process was studied by varying the temperature, and the apparent activation energy of polymerization was estimated. With the same method, a series of the PAN derivatives were also tested to coat the CdSeTe QDs in this study. All the QDs showed a significant enhancement of the fluorescence intensity and better biocompatibility. The significantly enhanced fluorescence can provide highly amplified signal for luminescence-based cell imaging.

Multiple signal amplified electrochemiluminescent immunoassay for Hg2+ using graphene-coupled quantum dots and gold nanoparticles-labeled horseradish peroxidase

A multiple signal amplification strategy was designed for an ultrasensitive competitive immunoassay for Hg(2+). This strategy was achieved using graphene conjugated with a large number of CdSe quantum dots to enhance the basal signal and enormous horseradish peroxidase (HRP) labeled with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to consume the coreactant H2O2 generated in situ. The immunosensor was constructed by immobilization of coating antigen on poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)-graphene-CdSe composites (PDDA-GN-CdSe), and a strong electrochemiluminescence (ECL) signal was obtained. When the immunosensor was immersed in antibody-AuNPs-HRP composites, the ECL signal greatly decreased, which was ascribed to the bound enzyme on the electrode surface. The self-produced coreactant H2O2 was consumed by o-phenylenediamine in the presence of enzyme, effectively decreasing the ECL intensity from the quantum dots. The Hg(2+) in solution and the corresponding coating antigen competed for the limited antibody, and thus, the ECL intensity was linearly dependent on the logarithm of the mercury(II) concentration from 0.2 to 1000 ng mL(-1) with a detection limit of 0.06 ng mL(-1). The immunoassay exhibited good stability and accuracy and acceptable reproducibility, indicating that it provides a promising approach for the detection of trace mercury and other small molecular compounds in environmental samples.

A novel VS2nanosheet-based biosensor for rapid fluorescence detection of cytochrome c

A VS₂/aptamer-based cytochromecsensor was successfully constructed by first applying the DNA-adsorbing ability/fluorescence-quenching properties of VS₂in bioanalysis.

A doped polyaniline modified electrode amperometric biosensor for gluconic acid determination in grapes

In winemaking gluconic acid is an important marker for quantitative evaluation of grape infection by Botrytis cinerea. A screen-printed amperometric bienzymatic sensor for the determination of gluconic acid based on gluconate kinase (GK) and 6-phospho-D-gluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH) coimmobilized onto polyaniline/poly (2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid; PANI-PAAMPSA) is reported in this study. The conductive polymer electrodeposed on the working electrode surface allowed the detection of NADH at low potential (0.1 V) with a linear range from 4 × 10⁻³ to 1 mM (R² = 0.99) and a sensitivity of 419.44 nA·mM⁻¹. The bienzymatic sensor has been optimized with regard to GK/6PGDH enzymatic unit ratio and ATP/NADP⁺ molar ratio which resulted equal to 0.33 and 1.2, respectively. Under these conditions a sensitivity of 255.2 nA·mM⁻¹, a limit of detection of 5 μM and a Relative Standard Deviation (RSD) of 4.2% (n = 5) have been observed. Finally, the biosensor has been applied for gluconic acid measurements in must grape samples and the matrix effect has been taken into consideration. The results have been compared with those obtained on the same samples with a commercial kit based on a spectrophotometric enzyme assay and were in good agreement, showing the capability of the bienzymatic PANI-PAAMPSA biosensor for gluconic acid measurements and thus for the evaluation of Botrytis cinerea infection in grapes.