Preparation and characterization of thin organosilicon films deposited on SPR chip

Calcium sulfide-organosilicon complex for sustained release of H2S in strongly acidic wastewater: Synthesis, mechanism and efficiency

Sulfide precipitation is an efficient method to remove Cu(II) and As(III) from strongly acidic wastewater, but the instantaneous release of H₂S from traditional sulfuration reagents causes serious H₂S pollution. Moreover, the obtained precipitates are mixtures of CuS and As₂S₃, leading to difficulties in resource recovery. In this study, a calcium sulfide-organosilicon complex (CaS-OSCS), in which CaS was coated into a matrix of {[O_1.5Si(CH₂)₃NH]CS}_n (OSCS) via the coordination bonding, was developed. OSCS, as a matrix of CaS-OSCS, can ensure the sustained and stable release of H₂S under strongly acidic conditions owing to its low swelling (1.75% swelling ratio) and excellent acid resistance. The release longevity of H₂S from CaS-OSCS extended from 5 min up to 50 min compared with that from CaS because the hydrophobic OSCS prevented solution diffusing to the pores of CaS-OSCS and thus slowed down the hydrolysis of CaS in pores. 99% of Cu(II)/As(III) was precipitated without H₂S escape, and the dosage of sulfuration reagents was reduced by 30%. In addition, CaS-OSCS improved the selective separation of copper from wastewater, and a separation factor between Cu(II) and As(III) reached 2376. This study provides a potential approach for the elimination of H₂S pollution and selective recovery of copper.

Laboratory Diagnosis of Paratyphoid Fever: Opportunity of Surface Plasmon Resonance

Paratyphoid fever is caused by the bacterium Salmonellaenterica serovar Paratyphi (A, B and C), and contributes significantly to global disease burden. One of the major challenges in the diagnosis of paratyphoid fever is the lack of a proper gold standard. Given the absence of a licensed vaccine against S. Paratyphi, this diagnostic gap leads to inappropriate antibiotics use, thus, enhancing antimicrobial resistance. In addition, the symptoms of paratyphoid overlap with other infections, including the closely related typhoid fever. Since the development and utilization of a standard, sensitive, and accurate diagnostic method is essential in controlling any disease, this review discusses a new promising approach to aid the diagnosis of paratyphoid fever. This advocated approach is based on the use of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor and DNA probes to detect specific nucleic acid sequences of S. Paratyphi. We believe that this SPR-based genoassay can be a potent alternative to the current conventional diagnostic methods, and could become a rapid diagnostic tool for paratyphoid fever.

Non-labeled monitoring of targeted liposome interactions with a model receptor surface: effect of flow rate and water content

In this study, we present a novel in vitro approach that utilizes two surface-sensitive and label-free techniques, i.e. surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), to study the interfacial events during liposome-target surface interactions. The flow channels of SPR and QCM devices were first synchronized via hydrodynamic modeling. Biotin-streptavidin was used as a model pair and self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) were utilized as model surfaces for targeted liposome-surface interaction studies. The interactions between biotin-liposomes and the streptavidin-biotin-SAM surfaces were investigated under controlled shear flows using the synchronized SPR and QCM devices. The response of the liposome interaction was monitored as a function of the flow rate. The affinity and the amount of bound liposome indicated that the increased flow rate improved the binding of the targeted liposomes to the model membrane surfaces. The combined use of the synchronized SPR and QCM devices for nanoparticle interaction studies clearly demonstrates the effect of the flow rate (or the shear stress) on the liposome binding. Our results suggest that the binding of liposomes to the model membranes is flow rate and shear stress regulated. Thus, the flow rate (or the shear stress), which is usually neglected, should be taken into account during the development and optimization of targeted liposome formulations. In addition, the water content within the liposome layer (including the water inside the liposomes and the water between the liposomes) had a significant influence on the visco-elasticity and the binding kinetics to the SAM surfaces.

Multi-layered plasma-polymerized chips for SPR-based detection

The surface functionalization of a noble metal is crucial in a surface plasmon resonance-based biomolecular detection system because the interfacial coating must retain the activity of immobilized biomolecules while enhancing the optimal loading. We present here a one-step, room-temperature, high-speed, gas-phase plasma polymerization process for functionalizing gold substrates using siloxane as an adhesion layer and acrylic acid as a functional layer. Siloxane- and thiol-based coatings were compared for their performance as adhesion and the interfacial layer for subsequent functionalization. An in situ sequential deposition of siloxane and acrylic acid resulted in a 7-fold increase in carboxylic functionality surfacial content compared to films deposited with thiol-containing precursors. Grading of the layer composition achieved as a consequence of ion-induced mixing on the surface coating under the application of the plasma is confirmed through secondary ion mass spectroscopic studies. DNA hybridization assays were demonstrated on gold/glass substrates using surface plasmon enhanced ellipsometry and the applicability of this coating for protein immunoassays were demonstrated with plasma functionalized gold/plastic substrates in Biacore 3000 SPR instrument.

Grading the commercial optical biosensor literature-Class of 2008: 'The Mighty Binders'

Optical biosensor technology continues to be the method of choice for label-free, real-time interaction analysis. But when it comes to improving the quality of the biosensor literature, education should be fundamental. Of the 1413 articles published in 2008, less than 30% would pass the requirements for high-school chemistry. To teach by example, we spotlight 10 papers that illustrate how to implement the technology properly. Then we grade every paper published in 2008 on a scale from A to F and outline what features make a biosensor article fabulous, middling or abysmal. To help improve the quality of published data, we focus on a few experimental, analysis and presentation mistakes that are alarmingly common. With the literature as a guide, we want to ensure that no user is left behind.