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Xie Y, Li Y, Lin H, Wang X, Liao W, Liu Z, Lin L. Real-Time pH Sensor in Bacterial Microenvironments Using Liquid Crystal Core-Shell Microspheres. Anal Chem 2024; 96:11472-11478. [PMID: 38957093 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c02040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
It is well-known that the bacterial microenvironment imposes restrictions on the growth and behavior of bacteria. The localized monitoring of microenvironmental factors is appreciated when consulting bacterial adaptation and behavior in the presence of chemical or mechanical stimuli. Herein, we developed a novel liquid crystal (LC) biosensor in a microsphere configuration for real-time 3D monitoring of the bacteria microenvironment, which was implemented by a microfluidic chip. As a proof of concept, a LC gel (LC-Gel) microsphere biosensor was prepared and employed in the localized pH changes of bacteria by observing the configuration change of LC under polarized optical microscopy. Briefly, the microsphere biosensor was constructed in core-shell configuration, wherein the core contained LCE7 (a nematic LC) doped with 4-pentylbiphenyl-4'-carboxylic acid (PBA), and the shell encapsulated the bacteria. The protonation of carboxyl functional groups of the PBA induced a change in charge density on the surface of LCE7 and the orientation of E7 molecules, resulting in the transitions of the LC nucleus from axial to bipolar. The developed LC-Gel microspheres pH sensor exhibited its dominant performance on localized pH real-time sensing with a resolution of 0.1. An intriguing observation from the prepared pH biosensor was that the diverse bacteria impelled distinct acidifying or alkalizing effects. Overall, the facile LC-Gel microsphere biosensor not only provides a versatile tool for label-free, localized pH monitoring but also opens avenues for investigating the effects of chemical and mechanical stimuli on cellular metabolism within bacterial microenvironments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoshuang Xie
- MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Department of Bioengineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Yuxuan Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Haifeng Lin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Department of Bioengineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Xiaorui Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Department of Bioengineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Wenjun Liao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Department of Bioengineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Zeyang Liu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Ling Lin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Department of Bioengineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
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2
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Bezrukov A, Galeeva A, Krupin A, Galyametdinov Y. Molecular Orientation Behavior of Lyotropic Liquid Crystal-Carbon Dot Hybrids in Microfluidic Confinement. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5520. [PMID: 38791556 PMCID: PMC11122583 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Lyotropic liquid crystals represent an important class of anisotropic colloid systems. Their integration with optically active nanoparticles can provide us with responsive luminescent media that offer new fundamental and applied solutions for biomedicine. This paper analyzes the molecular-level behavior of such composites represented by tetraethylene glycol monododecyl ether and nanoscale carbon dots in microfluidic channels. Microfluidic confinement allows for simultaneously applying multiple factors, such as flow dynamics, wall effects, and temperature, for the precise control of the molecular arrangement in such composites and their resulting optical properties. The microfluidic behavior of composites was characterized by a set of analytical and modeling tools such as polarized and fluorescent microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and fluorescent spectroscopy, as well as image processing in Matlab. The composites were shown to form tunable anisotropic intermolecular structures in microchannels with several levels of molecular ordering. A predominant lamellar structure of the composites was found to undergo additional ordering with respect to the microchannel axis and walls. Such an alignment was controlled by applying shear and temperature factors to the microfluidic environment. The revealed molecular behavior of the composite may contribute to the synthesis of hybrid organized media capable of polarized luminescence for on-chip diagnostics and biomimetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem Bezrukov
- Department of Physical and Colloid Chemistry, Kazan National Research Technological University, 68 Karl Marx Str., 420015 Kazan, Russia; (A.G.); (A.K.); (Y.G.)
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3
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Pradhan SR, Pathinti RS, Kandimalla R, Chithari K, Veeramalla N MR, Vallamkondu J. Label-free detection of Aβ-42: a liquid crystal droplet approach for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis. RSC Adv 2024; 14:12107-12118. [PMID: 38628477 PMCID: PMC11019351 DOI: 10.1039/d4ra00615a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
This study introduces a biosensor based on liquid crystals (LC) designed to detect the Aβ-42 biomarker, commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease. The sensor utilizes LC droplets created using a PEI/Tween-20 surfactant mixture, arranged radially in an aqueous solution. These droplets are coated with the Aβ1-16 antibody, enabling the detection of the Aβ1-42 biomarker. The key advantage of this biosensor lies in its ability to directly translate the antigen-antibody interaction into a change in the molecular orientation of the LC droplets, simplifying the detection process by removing additional procedural steps. Specifically, this immunoassay induces a transformation in the nematic droplets orientation from radial to bipolar upon successful antigen binding. When only the Aβ1-16 antibody coated the LC droplets, no change in orientation was detected, confirming the reaction's specificity. The orientation shift in the LC droplets indicates the formation of an immunocomplex between the Aβ1-16 antibody and the Aβ1-42 antigen. The LC droplet immunoassay effectively detected Aβ1-42 antigen concentrations ranging from 45 to 112.5 μM, with the Aβ1-16 antibody immobilized on the droplets at a concentration of 1 μg mL-1. These findings suggest that the LC microdroplets' orientational behavior can be harnessed to develop a biosensor for the in vivo detection of various proteins or pathogens in a PBS aqueous medium. Owing to its label-free nature and distinct optical signaling, this LC droplet-based immunoassay holds promise for further development into a cost-effective, portable diagnostic tool.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ramesh Kandimalla
- Department of Biochemistry, Kakatiya Medical College Warangal 506007 India
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Duong STD, Jang CH. Detection of glyphosate residues in agricultural products using liquid-crystal-based sensor exploiting competitive binding of glyphosate and Cu 2+ at the aqueous/LC interface and capillary tube test strip. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2024; 234:113726. [PMID: 38157765 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2023.113726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide that poses both health and environmental risks. In this study, we propose a liquid crystal (LC)-based assay for glyphosate detection that exploits the unique properties of LC materials. The nematic LC 4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) was employed as the sensing material and a self-assembled monolayer of octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) was used to modify glass substrates. The assay involved strong competition for coordination with Cu2+ for glyphosate, resulting in changes in the LC texture. By monitoring and analyzing the optical images of the LC film using polarizing microscopy, we detected and quantified the glyphosate concentrations. The proposed assay demonstrated high sensitivity and selectivity toward glyphosate in the detection range of 1-300 nM with a limit of detection of 0.26 nM. Moreover, the assay successfully applied to analyze glyphosate in spiked samples, including tap water, soil, and cabbage, and satisfactory recovery rates were achieved. Based on this detection principle, capillary tube test strips were developed for on-site applications. The detection thresholds of the test strips were controlled by varying the Cu2+ concentration. The developed LC-based assay is a rapid and reliable glyphosate detection method with potential applications in environmental monitoring and food safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Thai Duong Duong
- Department of Chemistry, Gachon University, San 65, Bokjeong-Dong, Sujeong-Gu, Seongnam-City, Gyeonggi-Do 461-701, South Korea.
| | - Chang-Hyun Jang
- Department of Chemistry, Gachon University, San 65, Bokjeong-Dong, Sujeong-Gu, Seongnam-City, Gyeonggi-Do 461-701, South Korea.
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Qi L, Liu J, Liu S, Liu Y, Xiao Y, Zhang Z, Zhou W, Jiang Y, Fang X. Ultrasensitive Point-of-Care Detection of Protein Markers Using an Aptamer-CRISPR/Cas12a-Regulated Liquid Crystal Sensor (ALICS). Anal Chem 2024; 96:866-875. [PMID: 38164718 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c04492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Despite extensive efforts, point-of-care testing (POCT) of protein markers with high sensitivity and specificity and at a low cost remains challenging. In this work, we developed an aptamer-CRISPR/Cas12a-regulated liquid crystal sensor (ALICS), which achieved ultrasensitive protein detection using a smartphone-coupled portable device. Specifically, a DNA probe that contained an aptamer sequence for the protein target and an activation sequence for the Cas12a-crRNA complex was prefixed on a substrate and was released in the presence of target. The activation sequence of the DNA probe then bound to the Cas12a-crRNA complex to activate the collateral cleavage reaction, producing a bright-to-dark optical change in a DNA-functionalized liquid crystal interface. The optical image was captured by a smartphone for quantification of the target concentration. For the two model proteins, SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (N protein) and carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA), ALICS achieved detection limits of 0.4 and 20 pg/mL, respectively, which are higher than the typical sensitivity of the SARS-CoV-2 test and the clinical CEA test. In the clinical sample tests, ALICS also exhibited superior performances compared to those of the commercial ELISA and lateral flow test kits. Overall, ALICS represents an ultrasensitive and cost-effective platform for POCT, showing a great potential for pathogen detection and disease monitoring under resource-limited conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lubin Qi
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, PR China
| | - Jie Liu
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, PR China
| | - Songlin Liu
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, PR China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Taian 271000, PR China
| | - Yating Xiao
- School of Molecular Medicine, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, PR China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Beijing National Research Center for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100190, PR China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, PR China
| | - Yifei Jiang
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, PR China
| | - Xiaohong Fang
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, PR China
- School of Molecular Medicine, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, PR China
- Beijing National Research Center for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100190, PR China
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Ryu JJ, Jang CH. A liquid crystal-based biosensor for sensitive detection of tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Mikrochim Acta 2023; 191:55. [PMID: 38153588 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-023-06125-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a cytokine secreted by the macrophages and Th1 cells of the immune system in response to inflammation. Given its significance as a biomarker with elevated levels in physiological fluids in various conditions, there is an increasing demand for a simple and accurate TNF-α detection strategy. In this article, we present a liquid crystal (LC)-based biosensor developed for sensitive TNF-α detection. The biosensor operates as follows: TNF-α and detection antibodies (DAbs) form complexes during preincubation. These complexes then bind with the surface-immobilized capture antibodies (CAbs), facilitating the antigen-antibody reaction between the CAbs and the TNF-α/DAb complexes. This target recognition interaction alters the surface topography, disrupting the vertical orientation of LCs produced by dimethyloctadecyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl)-propyl]ammonium chloride. The orientational change in the LCs can be easily visualized with a polarized optical microscope, resulting in brighter images as TNF-α levels rise. Our results demonstrated a linear range of 5.00-500 pg/mL, with a limit of detection and limit of quantification being 1.08 and 3.56 pg/mL, respectively. Recovery experiments on diluted saliva samples produced reasonable results, with TNF-α recoveries ranging from 97.1% ± 2.58% to 107% ± 5.95%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Je-Jin Ryu
- Department of Chemistry, Gachon University, Seongnam-daero 1342, Sujeong-Gu, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Hyun Jang
- Department of Chemistry, Gachon University, Seongnam-daero 1342, Sujeong-Gu, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, 13120, Republic of Korea.
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Ryu JJ, Jang CH. A liquid crystal-based sensor exploiting the aptamer-mediated recognition at the aqueous/liquid crystal interface for sensitive detection of serotonin. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2023; 70:1972-1982. [PMID: 37479671 DOI: 10.1002/bab.2503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
We report here a liquid crystal (LC)-based sensor for detecting serotonin (5-HT); the proposed sensor uses target-specific aptamer recognition at a cationic surfactant decorated-aqueous/LC interface. Our detection strategy focuses on the orientational transition of LCs upon biological interactions at the interface. In this sensing system, the cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) forms a self-assembled monolayer at the aqueous/LC interface and triggers the homeotropic orientation of LCs. After introducing the 5-HT specific aptamer, an electrostatic attraction occurs between the cationic CTAB and anionic aptamer. This interaction destructs the surfactant monolayer at the interface, inducing reorganization of LC alignment from homeotropic to tilted conditions. In the increasing 5-HT levels, specific binding between 5-HT and the aptamer diminishes the interaction between the aptamer and CTAB, thereby maintaining the homeotropic alignment of LCs. The orientational transition of the LCs was observed under a polarized optical microscope. The developed biosensor has a linear detection range from 1 to 1000 nM and a detection limit of 1.68 nM. Moreover, the sensor was applied to a human urine sample and a detection limit of 2.25 nM was obtained. Overall, the designed LC-based sensor is a sensitive, simple, cost effective, and selective platform for detecting 5-HT in aqueous solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Je-Jin Ryu
- Department of Chemistry, Gachon University, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Hyun Jang
- Department of Chemistry, Gachon University, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
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8
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Bezrukov A, Galyametdinov Y. Tuning Molecular Orientation Responses of Microfluidic Liquid Crystal Dispersions to Colloid and Polymer Flows. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13555. [PMID: 37686359 PMCID: PMC10488184 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
An important approach to molecular diagnostics is integrating organized substances that provide complex molecular level responses to introduced chemical and biological agents with conditions that optimize and distinguish such responses. In this respect, liquid crystal dispersions are attractive components of molecular diagnostic tools. This paper analyzes a colloid system, containing a nematic liquid crystal as a dispersed phase, and aqueous surfactant and polymer solutions as the continuous phases. We applied a microfluidic approach for tuning orientation of liquid crystal molecules in picoliter droplets immobilized on microchannel walls. Introduction of surfactant to the aqueous phase was found to proportionally increase the order parameter of liquid crystal molecules in microdroplets. Infusion of polymer solutions into surfactant-mediated microfluidic liquid crystal dispersions increased the order parameter at much lower surfactant concentrations, while further infusion of surfactant solutions randomized the orientation of liquid crystal molecules. These effects were correlated with the adsorption of surfactant molecules on surfaces of microdroplets, stabilizing the effect of a polymer matrix on bound surfactant ions and the formation of insoluble polymer-colloid aggregates, respectively. The revealed molecular behavior of liquid crystal dispersions may contribute to optimized synthesis of responsive liquid crystal dispersions for in-flow molecular diagnostics of polymers and colloids, and the development of functional laboratory-on-chip prototypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem Bezrukov
- Department of Physical and Colloid Chemistry, Kazan National Research Technological University, 68 Karl Marx Str., Kazan 420015, Russia;
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Duong DST, Jang CH. Optical sensing of tetracycline concentration using a liquid crystal-based platform targeting the chelating properties of tetracycline. Anal Chim Acta 2023; 1270:341459. [PMID: 37311612 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.341459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In this study, a liquid crystal (LC)-based assay for the real-time detection of tetracycline (Tc) was developed. The sensor was constructed by implementing an LC-based platform that utilized the chelating properties of Tc to target Tc metal ions. This design enabled Tc-dependent induction of changes in the optical image of the LC; these modifications could then be observed in real-time with the naked eye. The performance of the sensor in detecting Tc was investigated with various metal ions to identify the most effective metal ion for Tc detection. In addition, the selectivity of the sensor was evaluated using different antibiotics. A correlation between Tc concentration and the optical intensity of the LC optical images was established, which enabled the quantification of Tc concentrations. The proposed method can detect Tc concentrations with a detection limit as low as 2.67 pM. Tests were conducted on milk, honey, and serum samples, which demonstrated that the proposed assay is highly accurate and reliable. The high sensitivity and selectivity of the proposed method make it a promising tool for real-time Tc detection, with potential applications in fields ranging from biomedical research to agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duong Song Thai Duong
- Department of Chemistry, Gachon University, San 65, Bokjeong-Dong, Sujeong-Gu, Seongnam-City, Gyeonggi-Do, 461-701, South Korea.
| | - Chang-Hyun Jang
- Department of Chemistry, Gachon University, San 65, Bokjeong-Dong, Sujeong-Gu, Seongnam-City, Gyeonggi-Do, 461-701, South Korea.
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10
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Pourasl MH, Vahedi A, Tajalli H, Khalilzadeh B, Bayat F. Liquid crystal-assisted optical biosensor for early-stage diagnosis of mammary glands using HER-2. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6847. [PMID: 37100835 PMCID: PMC10133346 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31668-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and the second leading cause of cancer mortality among women around the world. The purpose of this study is to present a non-labeled liquid crystal (LC) biosensor, based on the inherent feature of nematic LCs, for the evaluation of BC using the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) biomarker. The mechanism of this sensing is supported by surface modification with dimethyloctadecyl [3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl] ammonium chloride (DMOAP) encouraging the long alkyl chains that induce a homeotropic orientation of the LC molecules at the interface. To enhance the binding efficacy of more HER-2 antibody (Ab) on LC aligning agents, a simple ultraviolet radiation-assisted method was also used to increase functional groups on the DMOAP coated slides, thereby improving binding affinity and efficiency onto HER-2 Abs. The designed biosensor makes use of the specific binding of HER-2 protein to HER-2 Ab and disruption of the orientation of LCs. This orientation change leads to a transition of the optical appearance from dark to birefringent, enabling the detection of HER-2. This novel biosensor exhibits a linear optical response to HER-2 concentration in the wide dynamic range of 10-6-102 ng/mL, with an ultra-low detection limit of 1 fg/mL. As a proof of concept, the designed LC biosensor was successfully investigated for the quantification of HER-2 protein in patients suffering from BC. Owing to the sensitivity, selectivity, and label-free detection, this biosensor may amplify the application of LC-based biosensors for the detection of most types of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehri H Pourasl
- Department of Physics, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
- Biophotonic Research Center, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Vahedi
- Department of Physics, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Habib Tajalli
- Department of Physics, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
- Biophotonic Research Center, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Balal Khalilzadeh
- Stem Cell Research Center (SCRC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, 51664-14766, Iran.
| | - Farzaneh Bayat
- Department of Physics, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran
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11
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Ramou E, Palma SICJ, Roque ACA. A room temperature 9CB‐based chemical sensor. NANO SELECT 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/nano.202200153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Efthymia Ramou
- UCIBIO – Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit Department of Chemistry School of Science and Technology NOVA University Lisbon Caparica Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB – Institute for Health and Bioeconomy School of Science and Technology NOVA University Lisbon Caparica Portugal
| | - Susana I. C. J. Palma
- UCIBIO – Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit Department of Chemistry School of Science and Technology NOVA University Lisbon Caparica Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB – Institute for Health and Bioeconomy School of Science and Technology NOVA University Lisbon Caparica Portugal
| | - Ana Cecília A. Roque
- UCIBIO – Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit Department of Chemistry School of Science and Technology NOVA University Lisbon Caparica Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB – Institute for Health and Bioeconomy School of Science and Technology NOVA University Lisbon Caparica Portugal
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12
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Lin L, Li W, Wang X, Xie Y, Li Y, Wu Z. Functional Liquid Crystal Core/Hydrogel Shell Microcapsules for Monitoring Live Cells in a 3D Microenvironment. Anal Chem 2023; 95:2750-2756. [PMID: 36599406 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c03762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture, even as a simple microspheroid model, can be used to recapitulate the native biological microenvironment of cells. Examining the biochemical characteristics of cells in multicellular hydrogel microspheroids using microsensors is usually limited to monitoring the medium around the microspheroids. Here, functional liquid crystal (LC) core/hydrogel shell microcapsules loaded with cells were prepared using droplet microfluidic technology for monitoring live cells in a 3D microenvironment. These microcapsules have a distinctive core/shell structure; cells can be cultured in the hydrogel shell of this 3D model. The functional LC core responds to the acidic microenvironment of cells, showing an axial-to-bipolar transfiguration. 3D cell culture and visual monitoring of the cell microenvironment can be simultaneously achieved in a single microcapsule. Therefore, this novel method may enable a standard approach for monitoring multiple ions or molecules in a 3D model of the cell microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Lin
- Department of Bioengineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Weiwei Li
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiaorui Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Yaoshuang Xie
- Department of Bioengineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Yuxuan Li
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zengnan Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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Abbasi AD, Hussain Z, Yang KL. Aptamer-Based Gold Nanoparticles-PDMS Composite Stamps as a Platform for Micro-Contact Printing. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:1067. [PMID: 36551034 PMCID: PMC9775676 DOI: 10.3390/bios12121067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, a functional template made up of in situ synthesised gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is prepared on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for patterning of target protein onto the desired solid substrates. Unlike previous studies in which bioreceptor probes are randomly attached to the PDMS stamp through electrostatic interactions, herein, we propose an AuNPs-PDMS stamp, which provides a surface for the attachment of thiol-modified biorecognition probes to link to the stamp surface through a dative bond with a single anchoring point based on thiol chemistry. By using this platform, we have developed the ability for microcontact printing (µCP) to selectively capture and transfer target protein onto solid surfaces for detection purposes. After µCP, we also investigated whether liquid crystals (LCs) could be used as a label-free approach for identifying transfer protein. Our reported approach provides promise for biosensing of various analytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amna Didar Abbasi
- Department of Materials Engineering, School of Chemical and Materials Engineering (SCME), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Zakir Hussain
- Department of Materials Engineering, School of Chemical and Materials Engineering (SCME), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Kun-Lin Yang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Engineering Drive 4, Singapore 117576, Singapore
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Dissipative Particle Dynamics Simulation of the Sensitive Anchoring Behavior of Smectic Liquid Crystals at Aqueous Phase. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27217433. [DOI: 10.3390/molecules27217433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Rational design of thermotropic liquid crystal (LC)-based sensors utilizing different mesophases holds great promise to open up novel detection modalities for various chemical and biological applications. In this context, we present a dissipative particle dynamics study to explore the unique anchoring behavior of nematic and smectic LCs at amphiphile-laden aqueous-LC interface. By increasing the surface coverage of amphiphiles, two distinct anchoring sequences, a continuous planar-tilted-homeotropic transition and a discontinuous planar-to-homeotropic transition, can be observed for the nematic and smectic LCs, respectively. More importantly, the latter occurs at a much lower surface coverage of amphiphiles, demonstrating an outstanding sensitivity for the smectic-based sensors. The dynamics of reorientation further reveals that the formation of homeotropic smectic anchoring is mainly governed by the synchronous growth of smectic layers through the LCs, which is significantly different from the mechanism of interface-to-bulk ordering propagation in nematic anchoring. Furthermore, the smectic LCs have also been proven to possess a potential selectivity in response to a subtle change in the chain rigidity of amphiphiles. These simulation findings are promising and would be valuable for the development of novel smectic-based sensors.
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Rouhbakhsh Z, Huang JW, Ho TY, Chen CH. Liquid crystal-based chemical sensors and biosensors: From sensing mechanisms to the variety of analytical targets. Trends Analyt Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2022.116820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Babamale HF, Khor BK, Chear NJY, Haque RA, Yam W. The First tetrafluorinated azobenzene-imidazolium ionic conjugates as potential thermotropic liquid crystalline drugs: Self-assembly properties and cytotoxic effects. J Mol Struct 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.132470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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Cheng S, Khan M, Yin F, Wu W, Sun T, Hu Q, Lin JM, Wang X. Liquid crystal-based sensitive and selective detection of uric acid and uricase in body fluids. Talanta 2022; 244:123455. [PMID: 35397324 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The abnormal levels of uric acid (UA) in body fluids are associated with gout, type (II) diabetes, leukemia, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, uremia, kidney damage, and cardiovascular diseases. Also, the presence of uricase (UOx) symbolizes genetic disorders and corresponding complications. Therefore, the detection of UA and UOx in the body fluids is significant for clinical diagnosis. 4-Cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl (5CB, a nematic liquid crystal (LC)) was doped with octadecyl trimethylammonium bromide (OTAB, a cationic surfactant), which formed a self-assembled monolayer at the aqueous/5CB interface. The UOx-catalyzed oxidation of UA yielded H2O2, releasing the single-strand deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA) from the nanoceria/ssDNA complex. The interaction of the released ssDNA with OTAB disrupted the monolayer at the aqueous/5CB interface, which resulted in a dark to bright change when observed through a polarized optical microscope. The LC-based sensor allowed the detection of UA with a linear range of 0.01-10 μM and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.001 μM. The UA detection was also performed in human urine samples and the results were comparable to that of a standard commercial colorimetric method. Similarly, the detection of UOx was performed, with a noted linear range of 20-140 μg/mL. The LOD was as low as 0.34 μg/mL. The detection of UOx was also demonstrated in human serum samples with excellent performance. This method provides a robust sensing platform for the detection of UA and UOx and has potential for applications in clinical analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supan Cheng
- Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Shandong Analysis and Test Center, Jinan, 250014, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Mashooq Khan
- Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Shandong Analysis and Test Center, Jinan, 250014, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Fangchao Yin
- Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Shandong Analysis and Test Center, Jinan, 250014, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Wenli Wu
- Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Shandong Analysis and Test Center, Jinan, 250014, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Tao Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, 250014, China.
| | - Qiongzheng Hu
- Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Shandong Analysis and Test Center, Jinan, 250014, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250014, China.
| | - Jin-Ming Lin
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Shandong Analysis and Test Center, Jinan, 250014, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, 250014, China
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