Highly Sensitive Fluorescence Detection of Global 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine from Nanogram Input with Strongly Emitting Copper Nanotags

Universal Signal Switch Based on a Mesostructured Silica Xerogel-Confined ECL Polymer for Epigenetic Quantification

The development of a highly accurate electrochemiluminescence (ECL) signal switch to avoid nonspecific stimulus responses is currently a significant and challenging task. Here, we constructed a universal signal switch utilizing a luminophore-quencher pair of mesostructured silica xerogel-confined polymer and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) that can accurately detect low-abundance epigenetic markers in complex sample systems. Notably, the ECL polymer encapsulated in mesostructured silica xerogel acts as a luminophore, which demonstrated a highly specific dependence on the Au NPs-mediated energy transfer quenching. To demonstrate the feasibility, we specifically labeled the 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) site on the random sequence using a double-stranded (dsDNA) tag that was skillfully designed with the CRISPR/Cas12a activator and recombinant polymerase amplification (RPA) template. After amplification by RPA, a large amount of dsDNA tag was generated as the activator to initiate the trans-cleavage activity of CRISPR/Cas12a and subsequently activate the signal switch, allowing for precise quantification of 5hmC. The ECL signal switch improves the stability of the luminophore and prevents nonspecific stimulus responses, providing a new paradigm for constructing high-precision biosensors.

Application of nanotechnology in bladder cancer diagnosis and therapeutic drug delivery

Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the urinary system, and its high recurrence rate is a great economic burden to patients. Traditional diagnosis and treatment methods have the disadvantages of insufficient targeting, obvious side effects and low sensitivity, which seriously limit the accurate diagnosis and efficient treatment of BC. Due to their small size, easy surface modification, optical properties such as plasmon resonance, and surface enhanced Raman scattering, good electrical conductivity and photothermal conversion properties, nanomaterials have great potential application value in the realization of specific diagnosis and targeted therapy of BC. At present, the application of nanomaterials in the diagnosis and treatment of BC is attracting great attention and achieving rich research results. Therefore, this paper summarizes the recent research on nanomaterials in the diagnosis and treatment of BC, clarifies the existing advantages and disadvantages, and provides theoretical guidance for promoting the accurate diagnosis and efficient treatment of BC.

Pillararene-containing polymers with tunable fluorescence properties based on host-guest interactions

Linear polymers containing pillar[5]arenes as the pendant groups were designed and synthesized via a ring-opening metathesis polymerization. Such polymers could form supramolecular brush polymers and exhibited tunable fluorescence properties based on the host-guest interactions.