Amplified and selective detection of manganese peroxidase genes based on enzyme-scaffolded-gold nanoclusters and mesoporous carbon nitride

The Manganese Peroxidase Gene Family of Trametes trogii: Gene Identification and Expression Patterns Using Various Metal Ions under Different Culture Conditions

Manganese peroxidases (MnPs), gene family members of white-rot fungi, are necessary extracellular enzymes that degrade lignocellulose and xenobiotic aromatic pollutants. However, very little is known about the diversity and expression patterns of the MnP gene family in white-rot fungi, especially in contrast to laccases. Here, the gene and protein sequences of eight unique MnP genes of T. trogii S0301 were characterized. Based on the characteristics of gene sequence, all TtMnPs here belong to short-type hybrid MnP (type I) with an average protein length of 363 amino acids, 5–6 introns, and the presence of conserved cysteine residues. Furthermore, analysis of MnP activity showed that metal ions (Mn²⁺ and Cu²⁺) and static liquid culture significantly influenced MnP activity. A maximum MnP activity (>14.0 U/mL) toward 2,6-DMP was observed in static liquid culture after the addition of Mn²⁺ (1 mM) or Cu²⁺ (0.2 or 2 mM). Moreover, qPCR analysis showed that Mn²⁺ obviously upregulated the Group I MnP subfamily (T_trogii_09901, 09904, 09903, and 09906), while Cu²⁺ and H₂O₂, along with changing temperatures, mainly induced the Group II MnP subfamily (T_trogii_11984, 11971, 11985, and 11983), suggesting diverse functions of fungal MnPs in growth and development, stress response, etc. Our studies here systematically analyzed the gene structure, expression, and regulation of the TtMnP gene family in T. trogii, one of the important lignocellulose-degrading fungi, and these results extended our understanding of the diversity of the MnP gene family and helped to improve MnP production and appilications of Trametes strains and other white-rot fungi.

Status Update on Bioelectrochemical Systems: Prospects for Carbon Electrode Design and Scale-Up

Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) employ enzymes, subcellular structures or whole electroactive microorganisms as biocatalysts for energy conversion purposes, such as the electrosynthesis of value-added chemicals and power generation in biofuel cells. From a bioelectrode engineering viewpoint, customizable nanostructured carbonaceous matrices have recently received considerable scientific attention as promising electrode supports due to their unique properties attractive to bioelectronics devices. This review demonstrates the latest advances in the application of nano- and micro-structured carbon electrode assemblies in BES. Specifically, in view of the gradual increase in the commercial applicability of these systems, we aim to address the stability and scalability of different BES designs and to highlight their potential roles in a circular bioeconomy.

Highly sensitive detection of microcystin-LR under visible light using a self-powered photoelectrochemical aptasensor based on a CoO/Au/g-C3N4 Z-scheme heterojunction

Based on the unique photoelectrochemical properties of a CoO/Au/g-C₃N₄ Z-scheme heterojunction, a self-powered photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptasensor was constructed for the detection of microcystin-leucine arginine (MC-LR). Z-scheme heterojunctions can promote the separation of a photo-induced electron-hole pair, and the surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) of Au nanoparticles can significantly enhance the adsorption of visible light. Importantly, MC-LR molecules were captured by aptamers initially immobilized on the modified electrode due to their high affinity, and then oxidized by the photogenerated holes, which caused an amplified photocurrent signal, allowing the quantitative analysis of MC-LR by measuring the photocurrent intensity change. This PEC MC-LR aptasensor showed high sensitivity and selectivity within a wide linear response range from 0.1 pM to 10 nM and a detection limit of 0.01 pM. The application of this sensor in the analysis of lake water samples provided accurate results with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2.6%-4.2%.

Sensing platform for neuron specific enolase based on molecularly imprinted polymerized ionic liquids in between gold nanoarrays

A molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor for neuron specific enolase (NSE) was developed by electrochemical polymerizing ionic liquid, which was functionalized with pyrrole moiety, in between gold nanoarrays. A well-defined 3D structured gold nanoarray was fabricated on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface by using template-assisted electrochemical deposition technique. 1-(3-mercaptopropyl)-3-vinyl-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate was self-assembled onto the surface of gold nanoarrays to produce active sites for anchoring the molecularly imprinted film. Subsequently, an electrochemical polymerization procedure was carried out in an aqueous solution containing 1,3-di(3-N-pyrrolpropyl)imidazolium bromine ionic liquid and neuron specific enolase (NSE). After removing NSE templates, a molecularly imprinted sensor was successfully fabricated. The sensor showed high selectivity and sensitivity towards NSE, produced a linear response in the concentration range from 0.01 to 1.0ngmL^-1 and had a detection limit of 2.6pgmL^-1 with an incubation time of 15min. The developed sensor was demonstrated successful in determining NSE in clinical serum samples.

Recent advances in biomedical applications of fluorescent gold nanoclusters

Fluorescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) are emerging as novel fluorescent materials and have attracted more and more attention in the field of biolabeling, biosensing, bioimaging and targeted cancer treatment because of their unusual physicochemical properties, such as long fluorescence lifetime, ultrasmall size, large Stokes shift, strong photoluminescence, as well as excellent biocompatibility and photostability. Recently, significant efforts have been committed to the preparation, functionalization and biomedical application studies of fluorescent AuNCs. In this review, we have summarized the strategies for preparation and surface functionalization of fluorescent AuNCs in the past several years, and highlighted recent advances in the biomedical applications of the relevant fluorescent AuNCs. Based on these observations, we also give a discussion on the current problems and future developments of the fluorescent AuNCs for biomedical applications.

Simultaneous removal of atrazine and copper using polyacrylic acid-functionalized magnetic ordered mesoporous carbon from water: adsorption mechanism

Highly efficient simultaneous removal of atrazine and Cu(II) was accomplished using synthesized polyacrylic acid-functionalized magnetic ordered mesoporous carbon (P-MMC) as compared to magnetic ordered mesoporous carbon (MMC) and ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC). The mutual effects and interactive mechanism of their adsorption onto P-MMC were investigated systematically by binary, preloading and thermodynamic adsorption procedures. In both binary and preloading systems, the adsorption of atrazine was inhibited to some extent by the presence of Cu(II) because of selective recognition and direct competition, but the presence of atrazine had negligible effect on Cu(II) desorption. With the coexistence of humic acid (0–20 mg L⁻¹), both atrazine and Cu(II) sorption increased slightly in sole and binary systems. With the concentration of coexisting NaCl increasing from 0 to 100 mM, the adsorption capacity for Cu(II) slightly decreased, but as for atrazine adsorption, it decreased at first, and then increased slightly in sole and binary systems. P-MMC was applied to treat real environmental samples, and the sorption capacities for atrazine and Cu(II) in real samples were all more than 91.47% and 96.43% of those in lab ultrapure water, respectively. Finally, comprehensively considering the relatively good renewability and the superior behavior in the application to real water samples, P-MMC has potential in removal of atrazine, Cu(II) and possibly other persistent organic pollutants from wastewater.

Determination of Cd2+ and Pb2+ Based on Mesoporous Carbon Nitride/Self-Doped Polyaniline Nanofibers and Square Wave Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

The fabrication and evaluation of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with self-doped polyaniline nanofibers (SPAN)/mesoporous carbon nitride (MCN) and bismuth for simultaneous determination of trace Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) are presented here. The morphology properties of SPAN and MCN were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the electrochemical properties of the fabricated electrode were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Experimental parameters, such as deposition time, pulse potential, step potential, bismuth concentration and NaCl concentration, were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the fabricated electrode exhibited linear calibration curves ranging from 5 to 80 nM for Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺. The limits of detection (LOD) were 0.7 nM for Cd²⁺ and 0.2 nM for Pb²⁺ (S/N = 3). Additionally, the repeatability, reproducibility, anti-interference ability and application were also investigated, and the proposed electrode exhibited excellent performance. The proposed method could be extended for other heavy metal determination.

Phosphorus-doped ordered mesoporous carbons embedded with Pd/Fe bimetal nanoparticles for the dechlorination of 2,4-dichlorophenol

Pd–Fe bimetal nanoparticles embedded within phosphorus-doped ordered mesoporous carbons as highly active and stable catalysts for the degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol.

Application of nanomaterials in the bioanalytical detection of disease-related genes

In the diagnosis of genetic diseases and disorders, nanomaterials-based gene detection systems have significant advantages over conventional diagnostic systems in terms of simplicity, sensitivity, specificity, and portability. In this review, we describe the application of nanomaterials for disease-related genes detection in different methods excluding PCR-related method, such as colorimetry, fluorescence-based methods, electrochemistry, microarray methods, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) methods, and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The most commonly used nanomaterials are gold, silver, carbon and semiconducting nanoparticles. Various nanomaterials-based gene detection methods are introduced, their respective advantages are discussed, and selected examples are provided to illustrate the properties of these nanomaterials and their emerging applications for the detection of specific nucleic acid sequences.

A novel biosensor for silver(i) ion detection based on nanoporous gold and duplex-like DNA scaffolds with anionic intercalator

A novel biosensor for silver(i) ion detection based on nanoporous gold and duplex-like DNA scaffolds with anionic intercalator.