Improved EIS Performance of an Electrochemical Cytosensor Using Three-Dimensional Architecture Au@BSA as Sensing Layer

Nanotechnology‐based electrochemical biosensors for monitoring breast cancer biomarkers

Breast cancer is categorized as the most widespread cancer type among women globally. On-time diagnosis can decrease the mortality rate by making the right decision in the therapy procedure. These features lead to a reduction in medication time and socioeconomic burden. The current review article provides a comprehensive assessment for breast cancer diagnosis using nanomaterials and related technologies. Growing use of the nano/biotechnology domain in terms of electrochemical nanobiosensor designing was discussed in detail. In this regard, recent advances in nanomaterial applied for amplified biosensing methodologies were assessed for breast cancer diagnosis by focusing on the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches. We also monitored designing methods, advantages, and the necessity of suitable (nano) materials from a statistical standpoint. The main objective of this review is to classify the applicable biosensors based on breast cancer biomarkers. With numerous nano-sized platforms published for breast cancer diagnosis, this review tried to collect the most suitable methodologies for detecting biomarkers and certain breast cancer cell types.

Platinum-Based Nanocomposite Pt@BSA as an Efficient Electrochemical Biosensing Interface for Rapid and Ultrasensitive Determination of Folate Receptor-Positive Tumor Cells

Developing a cytosensing strategy based on electrochemical approaches has attracted wide interest due to the low cost, rapid response, and simple instrumentation. In this work, an electrochemical cytosensor employing the Pt@BSA nanocomposite as the biosensing substrate along with the covalent cross-linking of targeting molecules folic acid (FA) was constructed for highly sensitive determination of folate receptor (FR)-positive tumor cells. The prepared Pt@BSA nanocomposite revealed excellent biocompatibility for cell adhesion and proliferation, which was confirmed by cell viability evaluation using thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric methods. Due to the satisfactory electrical conductivity originating from Pt@BSA and the high binding affinity of FA to FR on the cell surface, an ultrasensitive and specific cytosensing device was designed for rapid and quantitative determination of HeLa cells (a model system) by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) tests. This proposed cytosensor resulted in a wide HeLa cell determination range of 2.8 × 10¹-2.8 × 10⁶ cells mL^-1 with a low DPV detection limit of 9 cells mL^-1. The developed cytosensing approach exhibited highly specific recognition of FR-positive tumor cells, excellent inter-assay reproducibility with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 4.7%, acceptable intra-assay precision, and favorable storage stability, expanding the application of electrochemical measurement technology in the biomedical field of early detection and diagnosis of cancers.

Facile Non-Enzymatic Electrochemical Sensing for Glucose Based on Cu2O-BSA Nanoparticles Modified GCE

Transition-metal nanomaterials are very important to non-enzymatic glucose sensing because of their excellent electrocatalytic ability, good selectivity, the fact that they are not easily interfered with by chloride ion (Cl-), and low cost. However, the linear detection range needs to be expanded. In this paper, Cu2O-bovine serum albumin (BSA) core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized for the first time in air at room temperature by a facile and green route. The structure and morphology of Cu2O-BSA NPs were characterized. The as-prepared Cu2O-BSA NPs were used to modify the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in a Nafion matrix. By using cyclic voltammetry (CV), the influence from scanning speed, concentration of NaOH, and load of Cu2O-BSA NPs for the modified electrodes was probed. Cu2O-BSA NPs showed direct electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of glucose in 50 mM NaOH solution at 0.6 V. The chronoamperometry result showed this constructing sensor in the detection of glucose with a lowest detection limit of 0.4 μM, a linear detection range up to 10 mM, a high sensitivity of 1144.81 μAmM-1cm-2 and reliable anti-interference property to Cl-, uric acid (UA), ascorbic acid (AA), and acetaminophen (AP). Cu2O-BSA NPs are promising nanostructures for the fabrication of non-enzymatic glucose electrochemical sensing devices.

Isolation of HL-60 cancer cells from the human serum sample using MnO2-PEI/Ni/Au/aptamer as a novel nanomotor and electrochemical determination of thereof by aptamer/gold nanoparticles-poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) modified GC electrode

Herein, aptamer-modified self-propelled nanomotors were used for transportation of human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60) from a human serum sample. For this purpose, the fabricated manganese oxide nanosheets-polyethyleneimine decorated with nickel/gold nanoparticles (MnO₂-PEI/Ni/Au) as nanomotors were added to a vial containing thiolated aptamer KH1C12 solution as a capture aptamer to attach to the gold nanoparticles on the surface of nanomotors covalently. The aptamer-modified self-propelled nanomotors (aptamer_KH1C12/nanomotors) were then separated by placing the vial in a magnetic stand. The aptamer-modified self-propelled nanomotors were rinsed three times with water to remove the non-attached aptamers. Then, the resulting aptamer_KH1C12/nanomotors were applied for the on-the-fly" transporting of HL-60 cancer cell from a human serum sample. To release of the captured HL-60 cancer cells, the complementary nucleotide sequences of KH1C12 aptamer solution (releasing aptamer) that has a with capture aptamer was added to phosphate buffer solution (1 M, pH 7.4) containing HL-60/aptamer_KH1C12/nanomotors. Because of the high affinity of capture aptamer to complementary nucleotide sequences of aptamer_KH1C12, the HL-60 cancer cells released on the surface of aptamer_KH1C12/nanomotors into the solution. The second goal of the present work was determining the concentration of HL-60 cancer cell in the human serum samples. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique (EIS) was used for the determination of HL-60 cancer cell. The concentration of separated cancer cell was determined by aptamer/gold nanoparticles-poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) modified GC electrode (GC/PEDOT-Au_nano/aptamer _KH1C12). The proposed aptasensor exhibited a good response to the concentration of HL-60 cancer cells in the range of 2.5 × 10¹ to 5 × 10⁵ cells mL^-1 with a low limit of detection of 250 cells mL^-1.

Rapid Determination of H2S Poisoning in a Forensic Study Using a Novel Fluorescence Assay Based on Zn/Cu@BSA Nanoclusters

The quantitative determination of H2S in the blood can provide valid evidence for H2S poisoning through occupational exposure. However, known traditional methods for the detection of H2S in blood are time consuming, require complicated pretreatments, and have low sensitivity. In this paper, a new fluorescence sensing assay is proposed for the rapid detection of H2S poisoning in forensic cases based on bovine serum albumin (BSA)-stabilised zinc/copper (Zn/Cu) bi-metal nanoclusters (Zn/Cu@BSA NCs). The as-prepared Zn/Cu@BSA NCs probes have been characterised by UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The fluorescence of Zn/Cu@BSA NCs can be quenched through specific interactions between HS−/S2− and the Zn2+/Cu2+ bi-metal ions. Under optimised conditions, the fluorescence sensing method was linear in the concentration range of 2.5 nM to 30 mM with 0.69 nM as the limit of detection. Moreover, the practical feasibility of this fluorescence sensing method has also been demonstrated by the analysis of mice blood samples containing different levels of sulfide and human blood samples from forensic cases of H2S poisoning. Compared with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), this fluorescence sensing method is quite simple, straightforward, and can be accurate for the quantitative determination of H2S poisoning in a few minutes for forensic analysis. Overall, this is the first report of a bi-metal fluorescence sensing assay for detecting H2S poisoning directly in blood. This research may provide a new approach for forensic toxicologists to monitor poisoning by H2S using a fluorescence-sensing method.

Peptide nanoparticles (PNPs) modified disposable platform for sensitive electrochemical cytosensing of DLD-1 cancer cells

A novel diphenylalaninamid (FFA) based peptide nanoparticles (PNPs) modified pencil graphite electrodes (PGEs) for construction of electrochemical cytosensor was demonstrated for the first time in this study. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed the spherical nanostructure of the synthesized FFA based PNPs while attenuated total reflectance-fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectra provided information about the structure and conformation of proteins in their structure. Self-assembly of PNPs on PGE surface and adhesion of DLD-1 cancer cells on this surface was also characterized by electrochemical measurements. PNP/PGEs acted as a sensitive platform for simple and rapid quantification of low concentration of DLD-1 cancer cells in early diagnosis using the electrochemical impedance method (EIS). The offered cytosensor demonstrated outstanding performance for the detection of DLD-1 cells by the EIS method. The impedance of electronic transduction was associated with the amount of the immobilized cells ranging from 2 × 10² to 2.0 × 10⁵ cellsmL^-1 with a limit of detection of 100 cellsmL^-1. The efficient performance of the cytosensor was attributed to the well-defined nanostructure and biocompability of PNPs on the substrate.

Electrochemiluminescence resonance energy transfer system between GNRs and Ru(bpy)32+: Application in magnetic aptasensor for β-amyloid

Electrochemiluminescent (ECL) assay has gradually drawn increasing interest in the biomedical analysis. This paper proposed a new methodology for ultrasensitive and facile detection of Alzheimer's disease marker β-amyloid (Aβ) by fabricating a sandwich-type ECL sensing platform. Herein, electrochemiluminescence resonance energy transfer (ECL-RET) was employed to determine Aβ concentration, which can be attributed to the quenching effect from RET between Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ and gold nanorods (GNRs) acting as ECL-RET electron donor and acceptor, respectively. In this protocol, mesoporous carbon nanospheres were adopted to immobilize ECL reactant Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ and antibody via nafion to acquire the RET donor nanocomposites (MOCs/nafion/Ru(bpy)₃²⁺/antibody), which were tightly interconnected with epoxy group functionalized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. It is of vital importance that GNRs with exquisite rod shape were synthesized and exhibited a typical absorption peak at 650nm to quench ECL signal of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ effectively. In addition, the ECL emission decreased linearly with the logarithm of Aβ concentration in a wide linear range from 1.0 × 10^-5 to 100ng/mL with a detection limit of 4.2 × 10^-6ng/mL. Furthermore, distinctive and desirable properties were verified to declare the promise for being applicable to analyze the Aβ content in real Alzheimer's cerebrospinal fluid samples with satisfactory results.

Facile synthesis of mesoporous calcium carbonate particles with finger citron residue as template and their adsorption performances for Congo red

Herein, we demonstrate a simple and cost-effective method to prepare the new hierarchically Ni-doped porous CaCO3 monoliths in a large scale by mineralizing finger citron residue templates with a calcium acetate precursor. The morphology, microstructure, and element composition of as-prepared adsorbents are characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and N2 adsorption, respectively. Adsorption performance of anionic dye Congo red was investigated in a batch experiment. The results showed that pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir adsorption isotherm matched well for the Congo red adsorption. Compared with previously reported adsorbents, due to positive and negative charge effect between Congo red and Ni, Ni-doped porous CaCO3 monoliths demonstrated a superior Congo red dye adsorption capability. The results of the present study substantiate that Ni-doped porous CaCO3 monoliths is a promising adsorbent for the removal of the anionic dyes from wastewater.

Detection of Guanine and Adenine Using an Aminated Reduced Graphene Oxide Functional Membrane-Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

A new electrochemical sensor based on a Nafion, aminated reduced graphene oxide and chitosan functional membrane-modified glassy carbon electrode was proposed for the simultaneous detection of adenine and guanine. Fourier transform-infrared spectrometry (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electrochemical methods were utilized for the additional characterization of the membrane materials. The prepared electrode was utilized for the detection of guanine (G) and adenine (A). The anodic peak currents to G and A were linear in the concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 120 μM and 0.2 to 110 μM, respectively. The detection limits were found to be 0.1 μM and 0.2 μM, respectively. Moreover, the modified electrode could also be used to determine G and A in calf thymus DNA.

Noble metal nanoparticles in biosensors: recent studies and applications

The aim of this review is to cover advances in noble metal nanoparticle (MNP)-based biosensors and to outline the principles and main functions of MNPs in different classes of biosensors according to the transduction methods employed. The important biorecognition elements are enzymes, antibodies, aptamers, DNA sequences, and whole cells. The main readouts are electrochemical (amperometric and voltametric), optical (surface plasmon resonance, colorimetric, chemiluminescence, photoelectrochemical, etc.) and piezoelectric. MNPs have received attention for applications in biosensing due to their fascinating properties. These properties include a large surface area that enhances biorecognizers and receptor immobilization, good ability for reaction catalysis and electron transfer, and good biocompatibility. MNPs can be used alone and in combination with other classes of nanostructures. MNP-based sensors can lead to significant signal amplification, higher sensitivity, and great improvements in the detection and quantification of biomolecules and different ions. Some recent examples of biomolecular sensors using MNPs are given, and the effects of structure, shape, and other physical properties of noble MNPs and nanohybrids in biosensor performance are discussed.

Design and synthesis of novel adenine fluorescence probe based on Eu(III) complexes with dtpa-bis(guanine) ligand

A novel adenine (Ad) fluorescence probe (Eu^III-dtpa-bis(guanine)) was designed and synthesized by improving experimental method based on the Eu(III) complex and dtpa-bis(guanine) ligand. The dtpa-bis(guanine) ligand was first synthesized by the acylation action between dtpaa and guanine (Gu), and the corresponding Eu(III) complex was successfully prepared through heat-refluxing method with dtpa-bis(guanine) ligand. As a novel fluorescence probe, the Eu^III-dtpa-bis(guanine) complex can detect adenine (Ad) with characteristics of strong targeting, high specificity and high recognition ability. The detection mechanism of the adenine (Ad) using this probe in buffer solution was studied by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and fluorescence spectroscopy. When the Eu^III-dtpa-bis(guanine) was introduced to the adenine (Ad) solution, the fluorescence emission intensity was significantly enhanced. However, adding other bases such as guanine (Gu), xanthine (Xa), hypoxanthine (Hy) and uric acid (Ur) with similar composition and structure to that of adenine (Ad) to the Eu^III-dtpa-bis(guanine) solution, the fluorescence emission intensities are nearly invariable. Meanwhile, the interference of guanine (Gu), xanthine (Xa), hypoxanthine (Hy) and uric acid (Ur) on the detection of the adenine using Eu^III-dtpa-bis(guanine) probe was also studied. It was found that presence of these bases does not affect the detection of adenine (Ad). A linear response of fluorescence emission intensities of Eu^III-dtpa-bis(guanine) at 570nm as a function of adenine (Ad) concentration in the range of 0.00-5.00×10^-5molL^-1 was observed. The detection limit is about 4.70×10^-7molL^-1.

Simple and Large-Scale Strategy to Prepare Flexible Graphene Tape Electrode

A simple and large-scale strategy to prepare flexible graphene tape electrode (GTE) was proposed. The flexible GTE was prepared by a facile peeling method in which a piece of commercial graphite foil was first covered by a commercial acrylic transparent tape and then the transparent adhesive tape was quickly torn off from the graphite foil. Scanning electron microscopy results showed that some folded and wrinkled graphene layers stood up on the GTE surface to form three-dimensional (3D) porous graphene foam. The 3D porous flexible GTE was proposed as a novel supporting matrix to load Ni-Co nanoparticles (Ni-CoNPs) and glucose oxidase (GOD) as examples to test its applications for electrochemical glucose sensing. The Ni-CoNPs/GTE showed the linear range of 0.6 μM-0.26 mM and 1.360-5.464 mM with a detection limit of 0.16 μM. The GOD/AuNPs-CHIT/GTE had a linear range of 0.616-14.0 mM and a detection limit of 0.202 mM. These results were similar or superior to the printable electrodes by nanocarbon and electrodes modified with graphene, carbon nanotubes, or porous carbon materials, but the flexible GTE was more easier to prepare in large-scale and the 3D porous graphene foam were not easy to drop off from the tape because they were glued on acrylic transparent tape firmly. Therefore, the 3D porous flexible GTE should be promising candidates for electrochemical sensors and other electrochemical applications.

Boronic Acid vs. Folic Acid: A Comparison of the bio-recognition performances by Impedimetric Cytosensors based on Ferrocene cored dendrimer

A comparative study is reported where folic acid (FA) and boronic acid (BA) based cytosensors and their analytical performances in cancer cell detection were analyzed by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) method. Cytosensors were fabricated using self-assembled monolayer principle by modifying Au electrode with cysteamine (Cys) and immobilization of ferrocene cored polyamidiamine dendrimers second generation (Fc-PAMAM (G2)), after which electrodes were modified with FA and BA. Au/Fc-PAMAM(G2)/FA and Au/Fc-PAMAM(G2)/BA based cytosensors showed extremely good analytical performances in cancer cell detection with linear range of 1×10² to 1×10⁶cellsml^-1, detection limit of 20cellsml^-1 with incubation time of 20min for FA based electrode, and for BA based electrode detection limit was 28cellsml^-1 with incubation time of 10min. Next to excellent analytical performances, cytosensors showed high selectivity towards cancer cells which was demonstrated in selectivity study using human embryonic kidney 293 cells (HEK 293) as normal cells and Au/Fc-PAMAM(G2)/FA electrode showed two times better selectivity than BA modified electrode. These cytosensors are promising for future applications in cancer cell diagnosis.

One-pot bioinspired synthesis of all-inclusive protein-protein nanoflowers for point-of-care bioassay: detection of E. coli O157:H7 from milk

Protein-protein conjugates play a vital role in bioassays with their inherent functions of biological recognition and signal amplification. Herein, a one-pot green method for synthesis of all-inclusive protein-protein nanoflowers has been developed. The protein-protein nanoflowers integrate both essential functions of biological recognition and signal amplification, and they were used as ideal signal labels for the sensitive point-of-care detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7. Especially noteworthy, the prepared Con A-invertase-CaHPO₄ hybrid nanoflowers simultaneously loaded sufficient invertase and enhanced the activity of the immobilized invertase, which fits well with the requirements of signal labels for bioassays. Due to the conversion of sucrose to glucose by invertase, Con A-invertase-CaHPO₄ hybrid nanoflowers were successfully used for the reliable point-of-care detection of food pathogens by a personal glucose meter. The presented approach successfully resolved the bottleneck in preparing protein-protein conjugate-based signal labels for bioassays using enzyme-based signal amplification strategies, which holds great promise to develop on-demand protein-protein conjugates for a variety of applications extending from biosensors and biomedicine to energy, environmental monitoring and remediation.

Label-Free 3D Ag Nanoflower-Based Electrochemical Immunosensor for the Detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Pathogens

It is highly desirable to develop a rapid and simple method to detect pathogens. Combining nanomaterials with electrochemical techniques is an efficient way for pathogen detection. Herein, a novel 3D Ag nanoflower was prepared via a biomineralization method by using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a template. It was adopted as a sensing interface to construct an electrochemical bacteria immunosensor for the rapid detection of foodborne pathogens Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7. Bacterial antibody was immobilized onto the surface of Ag nanoflowers through covalent conjugation. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to detect and validate the resistance changes, where [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- acted as the redox probe. A linear relation between R et and E. coli concentration was obtained in the E. coli concentration range of 3.0 × 102-3.0 × 108 cfu mL-1. The as-prepared biosensor gave rise to an obvious response to E. coli but had no distinct response to Cronobacter sakazakii, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus albus, Lactobacillus easei, and Shigella flexneri, revealing a high selectivity for the detection of the pathogens down to 100 cfu mL-1 in a short time. We believe that this BSA-conjugated 3D Ag nanoflowers could be used as a powerful interface material with good conductivity and biocompatibility for improving pathogen detection and treatment in the field of medicine, environment, and food safety.

Highly sensitive detection of cancer cells with an electrochemical cytosensor based on boronic acid functional polythiophene

The detection of cancer cells through important molecular recognition target such as sialic acid is significant for the clinical diagnosis and treatment. There are many electrochemical cytosensors developed for cancer cells detection but most of them have complicated fabrication processes which results in poor reproducibility and reliability. In this study, a simple, low-cost, and highly sensitive electrochemical cytosensor was designed based on boronic acid-functionalized polythiophene. In cytosensors fabrication simple single-step procedure was used which includes coating pencil graphite electrode (PGE) by means of electro-polymerization of 3-Thienyl boronic acid and Thiophen. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry were used as an analytical methods to optimize and measure analytical performances of PGE/P(TBA_0.5Th_0.5) based electrode. Cytosensor showed extremely good analytical performances in detection of cancer cells with linear rage of 1×10¹ to 1×10⁶ cellsmL^-1 exhibiting low detection limit of 10 cellsmL^-1 and incubation time of 10min. Next to excellent analytical performances, it showed high selectivity towards AGS cancer cells when compared to HEK 293 normal cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-hMSCs). This method is promising for future applications in early stage cancer diagnosis.

A Functional CT Contrast Agent for In Vivo Imaging of Tumor Hypoxia

Hypoxia, which has been well established as a key feature of the tumor microenvironment, significantly influences tumor behavior and treatment response. Therefore, imaging for tumor hypoxia in vivo is warranted. Although some imaging modalities for detecting tumor hypoxia have been developed, such as magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and optical imaging, these technologies still have their own specific limitations. As computed tomography (CT) is one of the most useful imaging tools in terms of availability, efficiency, and convenience, the feasibility of using a hypoxia-sensitive nanoprobe (Au@BSA-NHA) for CT imaging of tumor hypoxia is investigated, with emphasis on identifying different levels of hypoxia in two xenografts. The nanoprobe is composed of Au nanoparticles and nitroimidazole moiety which can be electively reduced by nitroreductase under hypoxic condition. In vitro, Au@BSA-NHA attain the higher cellular uptake under hypoxic condition. Attractively, after in vivo administration, Au@BSA-NHA can not only monitor the tumor hypoxic environment with CT enhancement but also detect the hypoxic status by the degree of enhancement in two xenograft tumors with different hypoxic levels. The results demonstrate that Au@BSA-NHA may potentially be used as a sensitive CT imaging agent for detecting tumor hypoxia.

A Label-Free Electrochemical Impedance Cytosensor Based on Specific Peptide-Fused Phage Selected from Landscape Phage Library

One of the major challenges in the design of biosensors for cancer diagnosis is to introduce a low-cost and selective probe that can recognize cancer cells. In this paper, we combined the phage display technology and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to develop a label-free cytosensor for the detection of cancer cells, without complicated purification of recognition elements. Fabrication steps of the cytosensing interface were monitored by EIS. Due to the high specificity of the displayed octapeptides and avidity effect of their multicopy display on the phage scaffold, good biocompatibility of recombinant phage, the fibrous nanostructure of phage, and the inherent merits of EIS technology, the proposed cytosensor demonstrated a wide linear range (2.0 × 10(2) - 2.0 × 10(8) cells mL(-1)), a low limit of detection (79 cells mL(-1), S/N = 3), high specificity, good inter-and intra-assay reproducibility and satisfactory storage stability. This novel cytosensor designing strategy will open a new prospect for rapid and label-free electrochemical platform for tumor diagnosis.

Bottom-Up Synthesis and Sensor Applications of Biomimetic Nanostructures

The combination of nanotechnology, biology, and bioengineering greatly improved the developments of nanomaterials with unique functions and properties. Biomolecules as the nanoscale building blocks play very important roles for the final formation of functional nanostructures. Many kinds of novel nanostructures have been created by using the bioinspired self-assembly and subsequent binding with various nanoparticles. In this review, we summarized the studies on the fabrications and sensor applications of biomimetic nanostructures. The strategies for creating different bottom-up nanostructures by using biomolecules like DNA, protein, peptide, and virus, as well as microorganisms like bacteria and plant leaf are introduced. In addition, the potential applications of the synthesized biomimetic nanostructures for colorimetry, fluorescence, surface plasmon resonance, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, electrical resistance, electrochemistry, and quartz crystal microbalance sensors are presented. This review will promote the understanding of relationships between biomolecules/microorganisms and functional nanomaterials in one way, and in another way it will guide the design and synthesis of biomimetic nanomaterials with unique properties in the future.

An electrochemiluminescence lab-on-paper device for sensitive detection of two antigens at the MCF-7 cell surface based on porous bimetallic AuPd nanoparticles

Sensitive detection of two antigens at the MCF-7 cell surface based on porous bimetallic AuPd nanopar.

A novel multifunctional biomimetic Au@BSA nanocarrier as a potential siRNA theranostic nanoplatform

A novel siRNA nanocarrier based on biomimetic Au@BSA nanoflowers is fabricated which could serve as a potential theranostic nanoplatform.

Graphene-Assisted Label-Free Homogeneous Electrochemical Biosensing Strategy based on Aptamer-Switched Bidirectional DNA Polymerization

In this contribution, taking the discrimination ability of graphene over single-stranded (ss) DNA/double-stranded (ds) DNA in combination with the electrochemical impedance transducer, we developed a novel label-free homogeneous electrochemical biosensor using graphene-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) as the sensing platform. To convert the specific aptamer-target recognition into ultrasensitive electrochemical signal output, a novel aptamer-switched bidirectional DNA polymerization (BDP) strategy, capable of both target recycling and exponential signal amplification, was compatibly developed in this study. In this strategy, all the designed DNA structures could be adsorbed on the graphene/GCE and, thus, serve as the electrochemical impedance signal reporter, while the target acts as a trigger of this BDP reaction, in which these designed DNA structures are bound together and, then, converted to long dsDNA duplex. The distinct difference in electrochemical impedance spectroscopy between the designed structures and generated long dsDNA duplex on the graphene/GCE allows label-free and homogeneous detection of target down to femto-gram level. The target can be displaced from aptamer through the polymerization to initiate the next recognition-polymerization cycle. Herein, the design and signaling principle of aptamer-switched BDP amplification system were elucidated, and the working conditions were optimized. This method not only provides a universal platform for electrochemical biosensing but also shows great potential in biological process researches and clinic diagnostics.

A recyclable chitosan-based QCM biosensor for sensitive and selective detection of breast cancer cells in real time

A highly sensitive and recyclable quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) biosensor was developed using chitosan (CS) and folic acid (FA), generating conjugates that are selectively recognized by MCF-7 cancer cell over-expressed folic acid receptors. The prepared CS-FA conjugate was characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy further presented the morphology of the CS-FA conjugate interface. The hydrophilicity of films was characterized by measuring the contact angle. The recognition of MCF-7 cancer cells was investigated in situ using QCM. Captured by FA, the concentration of the MCF-7 cell was determined on-line using a quartz crystal microbalance and a wide linear range of 4.5 × 10(2) to 1.01 × 10(5) cells per mL was obtained, with a detection limit of 430 cells per mL. The fluorescence microscope further confirmed the specificity and biocompatibility of the constructed biosensor. In addition, the regeneration of the QCM biosensor was studied by using lysozyme. This receptor-bound ligand based QCM biosensor also showed good selectivity, and repeatability in the cell mixture. For the first time, this simple, economical and label-free chitosan-based QCM sensing was demonstrated, and such design could provide a promising detection strategy for sensitive detection of cancer cell over-expressed folic acid receptors.

A novel aptasensor based on MUC-1 conjugated CNSs for ultrasensitive detection of tumor cells

A novel strategy for the quantitative determination of human colon cancer DLD-1 cells utilizing an electrochemical aptasensor was developed by effective surface recognition between Mucin 1 glycoprotein over-expressed on the cell membrane and MUC-1 aptamer (MUC-1) bound on carbon nanospheres (CNSs). An MTT assay revealed that the as-prepared CNSs by green route exhibited satisfactory biocompatibility for cell viability, providing a suitable platform for the cell adhesion study. Furthermore, using CNSs as a sensing layer accelerated electron transfer and provided a highly stable matrix for the convenient conjugation of target MUC-1 aptamer, considerably amplifying the electrochemical signals. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were applied to assess the optimal conditions and detection performance of the as-fabricated aptasensor. The attachment of colon cancer DLD-1 cells onto the MUC-1 aptamer immobilized CNSs led to increased EIS responses, which changed linearly in cell concentration ranging from 1.25 × 10(2) to 1.25 × 10(6) cells per mL with a lower detection limit of 40 cells per mL. With this method, colon cancer DLD-1 cells can be easily distinguished from normal cells, Human astrocytes 1800. The novel aptasensor revealed high specificity to DLD-1 cells. Furthermore, the aptasensor described here showed good reproducibility and high stability because of the CNSs of high stability and biocompatibility. The proposed protocols are a promising technique for the early monitoring of human colon cancer, and might have potential clinical applications such as cancer diagnosis, drug screening.

An efficient nanomaterial-based electrochemical biosensor for sensitive recognition of drug-resistant leukemia cells

A novel electrochemical cytosensor was developed for the fast and high-sensitivity recognition of drug-resistant leukemia K562/ADM cells based on the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression level on a cell membrane. The nanocomposite interface of the gold nanoparticles/polyaniline nanofibers (AuNPs/PANI-NF) was chosen to design the biosensor for electrochemical detection. Au/PANI-NF-based cytosensors coated with anti-P-glycoprotein (anti-P-gp) molecules could provide a biomimetic interface for the immunosensing of cell surface P-glycoprotein, and thus could capture the over-expression P-gp cells. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that the gold nanoparticles were uniformly anchored along the structure of the PANI-NF surface, displaying fibrillar morphology with a diameter of ∼70 nm, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) further presented the morphology of the nanocomposite film. Owing to the high affinity of anti-P-gp for leukemia K562/ADM cells of the propounded sensing platform, the proposed biosensor exhibited excellent analytical performance for leukemia K562/ADM cells, ranging from 1.6 × 10(2) to 1.6 × 10(6) cells per mL with a detection limit of 80 cells per mL. Recovery experiments indicated that the sensitivity reported here is suitable for practical application. The cell surface P-gp expression level was analysed by flow cytometric experiments, which confirmed the above recognized result. This strategy is also a cost-effective and convenient operation, implying great promise for the sensitive recognition of cancer cells and cell surface receptors; thus, it is helpful in cancer diagnosis.

Bio-inspired synthesis of metal nanomaterials and applications

This critical review focuses on recent advances in the bio-inspired synthesis of metal nanomaterials (MNMs) using microorganisms, viruses, plants, proteins and DNA molecules as well as their applications in various fields. Prospects in the design of bio-inspired MNMs for novel applications are also discussed.

Ultrasensitive electrochemical immunosensor based on orderly oriented conductive wires for the detection of human monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in serum

For the first time, a simple, ultrasensitive and label-free electrochemical monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) immunosensor based on orderly oriented conductive wires has been developed. A conductive wire, which is similar to an electron-conducting tunnel, was designed with Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) joined to Au@Pt core-shell microspheres via a cysteamine (CA) crosslinker. To enhance the sensitivity of the immunosensor, Au nanoparticles were electrodeposited onto the gold electrode, and CA was self-assembled via strong Au-S covalent bonds, providing an appropriate surface and promoting electron transfer. Next, Au@Pt core-shell microspheres with large surface area were grafted onto the modified electrode to immobilize more MCP-1 antibodies. MCP-1 is an initiating factor and biomarker of atherosclerotic diseases. Under optimal experimental conditions, differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) current changes were used to detect MCP-1 with a broad linear range of 0.09-360 pg mL(-1) and a low detection limit of 0.03 pg mL(-1) (S/N=3). The proposed immunosensor exhibited good selectivity, reproducibility and reusability. When applied to spiked serum samples, the data for the developed immunosensor were in agreement with an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, suggesting that the electrochemical immunosensor would be suitable for practical detection.

Au nanoparticle decorated resin microspheres: synthesis and application in electrochemical cytosensors for sensitive and selective detection of lung cancer A549 cells

A novel cytosensor that can sensitively differentiate cancer cells from normal ones is prepared by using antibody-decorated resin microspheres.