A signal amplification electrochemiluminescence biosensor based on Ru(bpy)32+ and β-cyclodextrin for detection of AFP

By combining two different materials, metal-organic frameworks (MOF) and β-cyclodextrins (β-CD), a signal amplification electrochemical luminescence (ECL) immunosensor was constructed to realize the sensitive detection of AFP. The indium-based metal-organic framework (In-MOF) was used as the carrier of Ru(bpy)32+, and Ru(bpy)32+ was immobilized by In-MOF through suitable pore size and electrostatic interaction. At the same time, using host-guest recognition, β-CD enriched TPA into the hydrophobic cavity for accelerating the electronic excitation of TPA, then, achieving the purpose of signal amplification. The signal amplification immunosensor structure is constructed among the primary antibody Ab1 connected to the Ru(bpy)32+@In-MOF modified electrode, AFP, BSA and the secondary antibody (Ab2) loaded with TPA-β-CD. The immunosensor has a good linearity in the range of 10-5 ng/mL-50 ng/mL, and the low limit of detection (LOD) is 1.1 × 10-6 ng/mL. In addition, the electrochemiluminescence immunosensor that we designed has strong stability, good selectivity and repeatability, which provides a choice for the analysis of AFP.

Unique Electron-Transfer-Mediated Electrochemiluminescence of AuPt Bimetallic Nanoclusters and the Application in Cancer Immunoassay

Noble Metal nanoclusters (NCs) are promising electrochemiluminescence (ECL) emitters due to their amazing optical properties and excellent biocompatibility. They have been widely used in the detection of ions, pollutant molecules, biomolecules, etc. Herein, we found that glutathione-capped AuPt bimetallic NCs (GSH-AuPt NCs) emitted strong anodic ECL signals with triethylamine as co-reactants which had no fluorescence (FL) response. Due to the synergistic effect of bimetallic structures, the ECL signals of AuPt NCs were 6.8 and 94 times higher than those of monometallic Au and Pt NCs, respectively. The electric and optical properties of GSH-AuPt NCs differed from those of Au and Pt NCs completely. An electron-transfer mediated ECL mechanism was proposed. The excited electrons may be neutralized by Pt(II) in GSH-Pt and GSH-AuPt NCs, resulting in the vanished FL. Furthermore, abundant TEA radicals formed on the anode contributed electrons to the highest unoccupied molecular orbital of GSH-Au_2.5Pt NCs and Pt(II), booming intense ECL signals. Because of the ligand effect and ensemble effect, bimetallic AuPt NCs exhibited much stronger ECL than GSH-Au NCs. A sandwich-type immunoassay for alpha fetoprotein (AFP) cancer biomarkers was fabricated with GSH-AuPt NCs as signal tags, which displayed a wide linear range from 0.01 to 1000 ng·mL^-1 and a limit of detection (LOD) down to 1.0 pg·mL^-1 at 3S/N. Compared to previous ECL AFP immunoassays, this method not only had a wider linear range but also a lower LOD. The recoveries of AFP in human serum were around 108%, providing a wonderful strategy for fast, sensitive, and accurate cancer diagnosis.

Hybrid Nanomat: Copolymer Template CdSe Quantum Dots In Situ Stabilized and Immobilized within Nanofiber Matrix

Fabrication and characterization of hybrid nanomats containing quantum dots can play a prominent role in the development of advanced biosensors and bio-based semiconductors. Owing to their size-dependent properties and controlled nanostructures, quantum dots (QDs) exhibit distinct optical and electronic characteristics. However, QDs include heavy metals and often require stabilizing agents which are toxic for biological applications. Here, to mitigate the use of toxic ligands, cadmium selenide quantum dots (CdSe QDs) were synthesized in situ with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) at room temperature. The addition of PVP polymer provided size regulation, stability, and control over size distribution of CdSe QDs. The characterization of the optical properties of the CdSe QDs was performed using fluorescence and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. CdSe QDs exhibited a typical absorbance peak at 280 nm and a photoluminescence emission peak at 580 nm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs demonstrated that CdSe QDs having an average size of 6 ± 4 nm were obtained via wet chemistry method. CdSe QDs were immobilized in a blend of PVP and poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PL-b-CL) copolymer that was electrospun to produce nanofibers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal analyses and attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) were used to characterize properties of fabricated nanofibers. Both pristine and hybrid nanofibers possessed cylindrical geometry and rough surface features, facilitating increased surface area. Infrared absorption spectra showed a slight shift in absorbance peaks due to interaction of PVP-coated CdSe QDs and nanofiber matrix. The presence of CdSe QDs influenced the fiber diameter and their thermal stability. Further, in vitro biological analyses of hybrid nanofibers showed promising antibacterial effect and decline in cancer cell viability. This study offers a simple approach to obtain hybrid nanomats immobilized with size-controlled PVP-coated CdSe QDs, which have potential applications as biosensors and antibacterial and anticancer cell agents.

Synthesis of europium(iii)-doped copper nanoclusters for electrochemiluminescence bioanalysis

We reported an electrochemiluminescence biosensing platform based on europium(iii)-doped copper nanoclusters that exhibited excellent analytical performances of high stability and enhanced intensity.

Label-free and highly sensitive electrochemiluminescence biosensing using quantum dots/carbon nanotubes in ionic liquid

A universal and label-free electrochemiluminescence biosensing platform with high sensitivity was developed based on quantum dots/carbon nanotubes in ionic liquid.

Current trends in the development of the electrochemiluminescent immunosensors

This review presents a general picture of the current trends and developments (2008-2013) related to electrochemiluminescence-based immunosensors. It briefly covers the milestones of qualitative changes in the field of electrochemiluminescent immunosensors; the peculiarities of the electrochemiluminescent immunoassay formats; the basic mechanisms of ECL detection, main features of early and ongoing approaches in electrochemiluminescent immunoassay commercial instruments, and the recent developments in fabrication of solid-state electrochemiluminescent immunosensors. Moreover, systematized data on biomarkers, immunoassay formats, and novel types of electrochemiluminescent label and immobilization support, such as semiconductor nanocrystals, porous noble metals, graphene, TiO2 nanotube arrays, metal-organic composites, multiwall carbon nanotubes, liposomes, photolummonescent carbone nanocrystals are presented as a table. Considerable efforts have also been devoted towards the following two key points: multiplexing analysis (multi-label, and the multianalyte strategies) and integration in microfluidic lab-on-paper devices with capabilities for point-to-care diagnostics. An immuno-like electrochemiluminescent sensor (based on synthetic receptors-molecularly imprinted polymers), as a new alternative to traditional electrochemiluminescent immunoassay is highlighted. Future perspectives and possible challenges in this rapidly developing area are also discussed.