Phenylboronic acid functionalized gold nanoparticles for highly sensitive detection of Staphylococcus aureus

A new strategy to build electrochemical enzymatic biosensors using a nanohybrid material based on carbon nanotubes and a rationally designed schiff base containing boronic acid

We report a nanohybrid material obtained by non-covalent functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with the new ligand (((1E,1'E)-(naphthalene-2,3-diylbis(azaneylylidene))bis(methaneylylidenedene)) bis(4-hydroxy-3,1-phenylene))diboronic acid (SB-dBA), rationally designed to mimic some recognition properties of biomolecules like concanavalin A, for the development of electrochemical biosensors based on the use of glycobiomolecules as biorecognition element. We present, as a proof-of-concept, a hydrogen peroxide biosensor obtained by anchoring horseradish peroxidase (HRP) at a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with the nanohybrid prepared by sonication of 2.0 mg mL-1 MWCNTs and 0.50 mg mL-1 SB-dBA in N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) for 30 min. The hydrogen peroxide biosensing was performed at -0.050 V in the presence of 5.0 × 10-4 M hydroquinone. The analytical characteristics of the resulting biosensor are the following: linear range between 0.175 μM and 6.12 μM, detection limit of 58 nM, and reproducibility of 2.0 % using the same nanohybrid (6 biosensors), and 9.0 % using three different nanohybrids. The sensor was successfully used to quantify hydrogen peroxide in enriched milk and human blood serum samples and in a commercial disinfector.

Gold Nanoparticle-Based Colorimetric Biosensing for Foodborne Pathogen Detection

Ensuring safe high-quality food is an ongoing priority, yet consumers face heightened risk from foodborne pathogens due to extended supply chains and climate change in the food industry. Nanomaterial-based assays are popular and have recently been developed to ensure food safety and high quality. This review discusses strategies for utilizing gold nanoparticles in colorimetric biosensors. The visible-signal biosensor proves to be a potent sensing technique for directly measuring targets related to foodborne pathogens in the field of food analysis. Among visible-signal biosensors, the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) biosensor has garnered increasing attention and experienced rapid development in recent years. This review succinctly introduces the origin of LSPR theory, providing detailed insights into its fundamental principles. Additionally, this review delves into the application of nanotechnology for the implementation of the LSPR biosensor, exploring methods for utilizing gold nanoparticles and elucidating the factors that influence the generation of visible signals. Several emerging technologies aimed at simple and rapid immunoassays for onsite applications have been introduced in the food industry. In the foreseeable future, field-friendly colorimetric biosensors could be adopted in food monitoring systems. The onsite and real-time detection of possible contaminants and biological substances in food and water is essential to ensure human health and safety.

Colorimetric Sensing of Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive Bacteria Using 4-Mercaptophenylboronic Acid-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles in the Presence of Polyethylene Glycol

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been used as detection probes for rapid and sensitive detection of various analytes, including bacteria. Here, we demonstrate a simple strategy for bacterial detection using GNPs functionalized with 4-mercaptophenylboronic acid (4-MPBA). 4-MPBA can interact with peptidoglycan or lipopolysaccharides present in bacterial organelles. After the addition of a high concentration of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), the functionalization of the surface of 50 nm GNPs with 4-MPBA (4-MPBA@GNPs) in the presence of polyethylene glycol results in a color change because of the aggregation of 4-MPBA@GNPs. This color change is dependent on the amount of bacteria present in the tested samples. Escherichia coli (E. coli) K-12 and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) are used as Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial models, respectively. The color change can be detected within an hour by the naked eye. A linear relationship is observed between bacterial concentrations and the absorbance intensity at 533 nm; R ² values of 0.9152 and 0.8185 are obtained for E. coli K-12 and S. aureus, respectively. The limit of detection of E. coli K-12 is ∼2.38 × 10² CFU mL^-1 and that of S. aureus is ∼4.77 × 10³ CFU mL^-1. This study provides a promising approach for the rapid detection of target Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.

Rapid and Sensitive Fluorescence Detection of Staphylococcus aureus Based on Polyethyleneimine-Enhanced Boronate Affinity Isolation

There are increasing demands for fast and simple detection of pathogens in foodstuffs. Fluorescence analysis has demonstrated significant advantages for easy operation and high sensitivity, although it is usually hindered by a complex matrix, low bacterial abundance, and long-term bacterial enrichment. Effective enrichment procedures are required to meet the requirements for food detection. Here, boronate-functionalized cellulose filter paper and specific fluorescent probes were combined. An integrated approach for the enrichment of detection of Staphylococcus aureus was proposed. The modification of polyethyleneimine demonstrated a significant effect in enhancing the bacterial enrichment, and the boronate affinity efficiency of the paper was increased by about 51~132%. With optimized conditions, the adsorption efficiency for S. aureus was evaluated as 1.87 × 10⁸ CFU/cm², the linear range of the fluorescent analysis was 10⁴ CFU/mL~10⁸ CFU/mL (R² = 0.9835), and the lowest limit of detection (LOD) was calculated as 2.24 × 10² CFU/mL. Such efficiency was validated with milk and yogurt samples. These results indicated that the material had a high enrichment capacity, simple operation, and high substrate tolerance, which had the promising potential to be the established method for the fast detection of food pathogens.

Gold-based nanostructured platforms for oxytetracycline detection from milk by a "signal-on" aptasensing approach

Several gold platforms of different morphologies were investigated in the elaboration of a new aptasensor for oxytetracycline. Au-nanostructures were electrochemically synthesized from solutions of different concentrations of HAuCl₄ in different media by chronoamperometry, multipulse amperometry, and chronopotentiometry, respectively at carbon-based screen-printed electrodes (C-SPE). The nano-/micro-scale morphologies of the patterned surfaces and elemental composition were examined by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The electrochemical properties of the obtained gold nanostructured platforms (AuNSs|C-SPE) were investigated to achieve optimal aptamer coverage. The results showed that the aptasensor developed using the platform with thistle-like AuNSs exhibited the highest conductivity in terms of ferrocene signal and the largest effective area. Under optimal conditions, a linear range from 5.0 × 10^-8 M to 1.2 × 10^-6 M, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 8.7 × 10^-9 M OXT were obtained, which is about 20 times lower than the EU regulations for OXT residues in milk. The electrochemical aptasensor was able to discriminate other antibacterial agents, such as amoxicillin, ampicillin, gentamicin, tetracycline, and vancomycin and was successfully applied in milk samples. This "signal-on" aptasensing approach provides a simple and cost-effective disposable sensor that could be easily applied for the on-site determination of antibiotics.

A bioinspired hierarchical nanoplatform targeting and responding to intracellular pathogens to eradicate parasitic infections

Intracellular bacteria-mediated antibiotic tolerance, which acts as a "Trojan horse," plays a critical and underappreciated role in chronic and recurrent infections. Failure of conventional antibiotic therapy is often encountered because infected cells prevent drug permeation or the drug concentration is too low at the site of resident bacteria. New paradigms are therefore urgently needed for intracellular anti-infective therapy. Here, a novel therapeutic was developed for targeted delivery of antibiotics into bacteria-infected macrophages to improve drug accumulation in intracellular niches and bactericidal activity of antibiotics against intracellular pathogens. This hierarchical nanoplatform includes a glycocalyx-mimicking shell that enables rapid uptake by macrophages. Subsequently, the targeting moieties are activated in response to the bacteria, and the release of entrapped antibiotics is triggered by bacteria and bacteria-secreted enzymes. The self-immolative drug delivery nanoplatform eliminates intracellular pathogenic bacteria residing in macrophages more efficiently compared to drugs alone. The in vivo dynamically monitored nanosystem also efficiently inhibited the growth of intracellular Staphylococcus aureus in infected muscles of mice with negligible systemic toxicity. The novel dual-targeting design of an all-in-one therapeutic platform can be used as an alternative strategy to reanimate antibiotic therapy against multifarious intracellular bacterial infections.

A facile and one-pot aqueous phase transfer of oleylamine capped Au NP with aminophenylboronic acid used as transfer and targeting ligand

Although various phase transfer techniques have been used to make hydrophobic nanoparticles (NPs) water-soluble. However, these techniques have been limited by inefficient surface modification strategy that often stable NPs in aqueous solutions. Herein, we report the use of 3-aminophenylboronic acid (3-APBA) as a hydrophilic ligand for phase transfer of oleylamine (OA) capped Au NPs (OA@Au NPs) from non-hydrolytic system into aqueous solutions. The 3-APBA capped Au NPs (3-APBA@Au NPs) was mainly characterized using different analytical techniques to substantiate the efficiency of the phase transfer procedure. In this simple procedure, 3-APBA molecule was simultaneously used as both phase transfer and targeting ligand for bacteria recognition in one step. In principle, while free electron pair of amin (:NH₂) group of 3-APBAbind to surface of hydrophobic Au NPs for phase transfer, diol group can bind to glycan on the membrane of Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) through proper cis-diol configuration. In addition, the resulting 3-APBA@Au NP can effectively catalyze the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) in the presence of sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) in aqueous solution.

Tailor-made magnetic nanocomposite with pH and thermo-dual responsive copolymer brush for bacterial separation

Rapid detection of pathogenic bacteria particularly in food samples demands efficient separation and enrichment strategies. Here, hydrophilic temperature-responsive boronate affinity magnetic nanocomposites were established for selective enrichment of bacteria. The thermo-responsive polymer brushes were developed by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) and allyl glycidyl ether (AGE), followed by a reaction of epoxy groups, and incorporation of fluorophenylboronic acid. The physical and chemical characteristics of the magnetic nanocomposites were analyzed systematically. After optimization, S. aureus and Salmonella spp. showed high binding capacities of 32.14 × 10⁶ CFU/mg and 50.98 × 10⁶ CFU/mg in 0.01 M PBS (pH 7.4) without bacteria death. Bacterial bindings can be controlled by altering temperature and the application of competing monosaccharides. The nanocomposite was then utilized to enrich S. aureus and Salmonella spp. from the spiked tap water, 25% milk, and turbot extraction samples followed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR), which resulted in high bacteria enrichment, and demonstrated great potential in separation of bacteria from food samples.

Development of Highly Sensitive Immunosensor for Detection of Staphylococcus aureus Based on AuPdPt Trimetallic Nanoparticles Functionalized Nanocomposite

The rapid and sensitive detection of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is essential to ensure food safety and protect humans from foodborne diseases. In this study, a sensitive and facile electrochemical immunosensor using AuPdPt trimetallic nanoparticles functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-AuPdPt) as the signal amplification platform was designed for the label-free detection of S. aureus. The nanocomposite of MWCNTs-AuPdPt was prepared by an in situ growth method of loading AuPdPt trimetallic nanoparticles on the surface of MWCNTs. The synthesized MWCNTs-AuPdPt featured good conductivity and superior catalytic performance for hydrogen peroxide. The nanocomposite of MWCNTs-AuPdPt with good biocompatibility and high specific surface area was further functionalized by anti-S. aureus antibodies. The immobilized antibodies could efficiently capture S. aureus to the modified electrode by an immune reaction, which resulted in the change of catalytic current intensity to realize the sensitive detection of S. aureus. The designed immunosensor could detect S. aureus in a linear range from 1.1 × 102 to 1.1 × 107 CFU mL-1 with a low detection limit of 39 CFU mL-1. Additionally, the proposed immunosensor was successfully applied to determine S. aureus in actual samples with acceptable results. This strategy provided a promising platform for highly sensitive determination of S. aureus and other pathogens in food products.

Localized Plasmonic Photothermal Therapy as a Life-saving Treatment Paradigm for Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

Lung failure is the main reason for mortality in COVID-19 patients, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To date, no drug has been clinically approved for treatment of COVID-19. Nanotechnology has a great potential in contributing significantly to the fight against COVID-19 by developing effective therapies that can selectively eradicate the respiratory virus load. We propose a novel COVID-19 management approach that is efficient in eliminating the virus load from the airways and protecting the lungs from the fatal effects of the virus. This approach relies on targeting the virus using ACE-2-functionalized gold nanorods (AuNRs) followed by irradiation with near-infrared (NIR) light for the selective eradication of SARS-CoV-2 without off-target effects, i.e., targeted plasmonic photothermal therapy. Using discrete dipole approximation (DDA), we quantitatively determined the efficiency of AuNRs (31 nm × 8 nm) in absorbing NIR when present at different orientations relative to one another on the surface of the virus. The safety and the local administration of AuNRs using a well-tolerated flexible bronchoscopy technique, commonly used for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, ensure feasibility and clinical translation. While requiring further research, we anticipate this approach to result in a first-line treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients that are experiencing severe respiratory conditions or belong to a high-risk population, e.g., seniors and diabetic patients.

Preparation of Boronic Acid-Functionalized Cryogels Using Modular and Clickable Building Blocks for Bacterial Separation

Composite cryogels containing boronic acid ligands are synthesized for effective separation and isolation of bacteria. The large and interconnected pores in cryogels enable fast binding and release of microbial cells. To control bacterial binding, an alkyne-tagged boronic acid ligand is conjugated to azide-functionalized cryogel via the Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction. The boronic acid-functionalized cryogel binds Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria through reversible boronate ester bonds, which can be controlled by pH and simple monosaccharides. To increase the capacity of affinity separation, a new approach is used to couple the alkyne-tagged phenylboronic acid to cryogel via an intermediate polymer layer that provides multiple immobilization sites. The morphology and chemical composition of the composite cryogel are characterized systematically. The capability of the composite cryogel for the separation of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria is investigated. The binding capacities of the composite cryogel for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis are 2.15 × 10⁹ and 3.36 × 10⁹ cfu/g, respectively. The bacterial binding of the composite cryogel can be controlled by adjusting pH. The results suggest that the composite cryogel may be used as affinity medium for rapid separation and isolation of bacteria from complex samples.

Photoconjugation of temperature- and pH-responsive polymer with silica nanoparticles for separation and enrichment of bacteria

A new photoconjugation approach was developed to prepare nanoparticle-supported boronic acid polymer for effective separation and enrichment of bacteria. The photo-activated polymer immobilization was demonstrated by coupling an azide-modified copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide and glycidyl methacrylate to a perfluorophenyl azide-modified silica surface. The thermoresponsive polymer was synthesized using reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization followed by conversion of the pendant epoxides into azide groups. The perfluorophenyl azide-modified silica nanoparticles were synthesized by an amidation reaction between amino-functionalized silica and pentafluorobenzoyl chloride, and a subsequent treatment with sodium azide. Bacteria-capturing boronic acid was conjugated to the silica-supported polymer chains via Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) click reaction. The particle size, morphology and organic content of the composite nanoparticles were characterized systematically. The capability of the nanocomposite to bind Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was investigated. The nanocomposite exhibited high binding capacities for E. coli (13.4 × 10⁷ CFU/mg) and S. epidermidis (7.66 × 10⁷ CFU/mg) in phosphate buffered saline. The new photoconjugation strategy enables fast and straightforward grafting of functional polymers on surface, which opens many new opportunities for designing functional materials for bioseparation and biosensing.

Fabrication of a polycarbonate microdevice and boronic acid-mediated surface modification for on-chip sample purification and amplification of foodborne pathogens

In this study, we integrated sample purification and genetic amplification in a seamless polycarbonate microdevice to facilitate foodborne pathogen detection. The sample purification process was realized based on the increased affinity of the boronic acid-modified surface toward the cis-diol group present on the bacterial outer membrane. The modification procedure was conducted at room temperature using disposable syringe. The visible color and fluorescence signals of alizarin red sodium were used to confirm the success of the surface modification process. Escherichia coli O157:H7 containing green fluorescence protein (GFP) and Staphylococcus aureus were chosen as the microbial models to demonstrate the nonspecific immobilization using the microdevice. Bacterial solutions of various concentrations were injected into the microdevice at three flow rates to optimize the operation conditions. This microdevice successfully amplified the 384-bp fragment of the eaeA gene of the captured E. coli O157:H7 within 1 h. Its detection limit for E. coli O157:H7 was determined to be 1 × 10³ colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU mL^-1). The proposed microdevice serves as a monolithic platform for facile and on-site identification of major foodborne pathogens.

Colorimetric method for glucose detection with enhanced signal intensity using ZnFe2O4-carbon nanotube-glucose oxidase composite material

In this paper, a composite material comprised of ZnFe2O4 nanomaterial, carbon nanotubes (CNT) and glucose oxidase (GOD) was synthesized and used for glucose detection. ZnFe2O4-CNT was formed by a one-step solvothermal approach using acid-treated CNT as precursor, then GOD was linked to it by coupling reaction between -NH2 and -COOH. After addition of glucose, which is oxidized by GOD, the intermediate product (H2O2) further oxidizes the 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) substrate and forms a blue product. This process was accelerated in the presence of peroxidase-mimic ZnFe2O4 nanomaterial and the detected signal intensity was correspondingly enhanced. The linear detection range of glucose was 0.8 to 250 μM, with a limit of detection of 0.58 μM. This may originate from (1) the limited diffusion of intermediate species, which resulted in enhanced local concentrations of reaction compounds; (2) enhanced electron transmission among CNT, GOD and ZnFe2O4; (3) the synergistic enhancement of catalytic activity of ZnFe2O4 compared with other metal oxides; (4) the high loading capacity of ZnFe2O4-CNT for GOD molecules, because of its high surface-to-volume ratio. Meanwhile, this method has reasonable selectivity, stability and reusability and can be used for real serum detection, which may be useful for the development of sensitive biosensors.

Gold nanoparticles-based multifunctional nanoconjugates for highly sensitive and enzyme-free detection of E.coli K12

Immobilization of proteins on a biocompatible conductive interface is highly desirable for the fabrication of biosensors. In this study, a nanocomposite has been prepared by assembling well-distributed gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the surface of a polypyrrole-reduced graphene oxide (PPy-rGO) composite through electrostatic adsorption. This serves as a platform for immobilization of a capture antibody, which was conjugated onto the ferrocene doped polypyrrole-gold nanoparticles (PPy@Fc/AuNPs) composite. The design and performance of the biosensor was tested against detection of a whole-cell bacteria E. coli K12. This nanocomposite has a high surface area, good conductivity and biocompatibility, which is shown to be very suitable for enzyme-free detection of this bacteria. Results show excellent analytical performance with a linear range from 1.0 × 10¹ to 1.0 × 10⁷ CFU mL^-1 and a low detection limit of 10 CFU mL^-1. The sensor has high selectivity, excellent reproducibility, and good stability.

Rational design of an anchoring peptide for high-efficiency and quantitative modification of peptides and DNA strands on gold nanoparticles

The pentapeptide Cys-Ala-Leu-Asn-Asn (CALNN) could stabilize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), most of which serve as anchoring blocks for various bioanalyses by introducing recognition blocks. However, the typical conjugation strategy greatly suffers from excessive use of peptides, overnight incubation and consequently low efficiency. In this study, new design criteria for the efficacious anchor were established. In addition, a stable, instantaneous and effective modification of the anchoring peptide RRFPDD or its derivatives on AuNPs is first proposed for the first time. With low consumption of peptides (50 μM), the loading process could be realized in 100 seconds. The anchor RRFPDD also allowed for the quantitative adsorption of appended recognition blocks (e.g., peptides or DNAs), thus adjusting their proportions for better performance. In particular, the biological characteristics of those recognition blocks were fully retained. Furthermore, the anchor RRFPDD contributed to a time-saving and high-efficiency (85%) hydrolysis of peptide-capped AuNPs. Considering these advantages of the new anchor, a reliable assay for cardiac troponin I (cTnI) was developed with a detection limit as low as 0.45 ng mL-1, and also successfully applied in human serum samples.

DNA aptamer functionalized gold nanostructures for molecular recognition and photothermal inactivation of methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

In this work, we report the development of DNA aptamer-functionalized gold nanoparticles (Apt@Au NPs) and gold nanorods (Apt@Au NRs) for inactivation of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with targeted photothermal therapy (PTT). Although both Apt@Au NPs and Apt@Au NRs specifically bind to MRSA cells, Apt@Au NPs and Apt@Au NRs inactivated ∼5% and over 95% of the cells,respectively through PTT. This difference in inactivation was based on the relatively high longitudinal absorption of near-infrared (NIR) radiation and strong photothermal conversion capability for the Apt@Au NRs compared to the Apt@Au NPs. The Au NRs served as a nanoplatform for the loading of thiolated aptamer and also provided multivalent effects for increasing binding strength and affinity to MRSA. Our results indicate that the type of aptamer and the degree of multivalent effect(s) are important factors for MRSA inactivation efficiency in PTT. We show that the Apt@Au NRs are a very effective and promising nanosystem for specific cell recognition and in vitro PTT.

Analytical protocols for separation and electron microscopy of nanoparticles interacting with bacterial cells

An important step toward understanding interactions between nanoparticles (NPs) and bacteria is the ability to directly observe NPs interacting with bacterial cells. NP-bacteria mixtures typical in nanomedicine, however, are not yet amendable for direct imaging in solution. Instead, evidence of NP-cell interactions must be preserved in derivative (usually dried) samples to be subsequently revealed in high-resolution images, for example, via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Here, this concept is realized for a mixed suspension of model NPs and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. First, protocols for analyzing the relative colloidal stabilities of NPs and bacteria are developed and validated based on systematic centrifugation and comparison of colony forming unit (CFU) counting and optical density (OD) measurements. Rate-dependence of centrifugation efficiency for each component suggests differential sedimentation at a specific predicted rate as an effective method for removing free NPs after co-incubation; the remaining fraction comprises bacteria with any associated NPs and can be examined, for example, by SEM, for evidence of NP-bacteria interactions. These analytical protocols, validated by systematic control experiments and high-resolution SEM imaging, should be generally applicable for investigating NP-bacteria interactions.

Colorimetric biosensing of pathogens using gold nanoparticles

Rapid detection of pathogens is crucial to minimize adverse health impacts of nosocomial, foodborne, and waterborne diseases. Gold nanoparticles are extremely successful at detecting pathogens due to their ability to provide a simple and rapid color change when their environment is altered. Here, we review general strategies of implementing gold nanoparticles in colorimetric biosensors. First, we highlight how gold nanoparticles have improved conventional genomic analysis methods by lowering detection limits while reducing assay times. Then, we focus on emerging point-of-care technologies that aim at pathogen detection using simpler assays. These advances will facilitate the implementation of gold nanoparticle-based biosensors in diverse environments throughout the world and help prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Graphene-based potentiometric biosensor for the immediate detection of living bacteria

In this communication we present a potentiometric aptasensor based on chemically modified graphene (transducer layer of the aptasensor) and aptamers (sensing layer). Graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) are the basis for the construction of two versions of the aptasensor for the detection of a challenging living organism such as Staphylococcus aureus. In these two versions, DNA aptamers are either covalently (in the GO case) or non-covalently (in the RGO case) attached to the transducer layer. In both cases we are able to selectively detect a single CFU/mL of S. aureus in an assay close to real time, although the noise level associated to the aptasensors made with RGO is lower than the ones made with GO. These new aptasensors, that show a high selectivity, are characterized by the simplicity of the technique and the materials used for their construction while offering ultra-low detection limits in very short time responses in the detection of microorganisms.

Preparation of graphene oxide-silver nanoparticle nanohybrids with highly antibacterial capability

A simple method based on electrostatic interactions was utilized to assemble silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to graphene oxide (GO) sheets. This method allows conjugation of AgNPs with desired morphologies (densities, sizes and shapes) onto GO. In this process, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) was introduced as an adhesive agent. The as-prepared graphene oxide-AgNPs composites (GO-AgNPs) have enhanced colloid stability and photo-stability than that of AgNPs. After conjugating to GO sheets, the antibacterial activities of AgNPs against Gram negative (G-) bacterial strain (Escherichia coli, E. coli) and Gram positive (G+) bacterial strain (Bacillus subtilis, B. subtilis) have been improved significantly. The antibacterial activity of GO-AgNPs is dependent on the size of AgNPs, i.e. the small AgNPs modified GO sheets show more effective antibacterial capability than that of large AgNPs modified GO sheets. Compared with AgNPs, the enhanced antibacterial activity of GO-AgNPs might not only be due to high stability of AgNPs anchored on GO sheets, but also the positive charged surface of hybrids which increases the electrostatic interaction of bacterial cell membrane with nanohybrids.

Assaying multiple restriction endonucleases functionalities and inhibitions on DNA microarray with multifunctional gold nanoparticle probes

Herein, a double-stranded (ds) DNA microarray-based resonance light scattering (RLS) assay with multifunctional gold nanoparticle (GNP) probes has been developed for studying restriction endonuclease functionality and inhibition. Because of decreasing significantly melting temperature, the enzyme-cleaved dsDNAs easily unwind to form single-stranded (ss) DNAs. The ssDNAs are hybridized with multiplex complementary ssDNAs functionalized GNP probes followed by silver enhancement and RLS detection. Three restriction endonucleases (EcoRI, BamHI and EcoRV) and three potential inhibitors (doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX), ethidium bromide (EB) and an EcoRI-derived helical peptide (α4)) were selected to demonstrate capability of the assay. Enzyme activities of restriction endonucleases are detected simultaneously with high specificity down to the limits of 2.0 × 10(-2)U/mL for EcoRI, 1.1 × 10(-2)U/mL for BamHI and 1.6 × 10(-2)U/mL for EcoRV, respectively. More importantly, the inhibitory potencies of three inhibitors are showed quantitatively, indicating that our approach has great promise for high-throughput screening of restriction endonuclease inhibitors.

Sensitive and visible detection of apoptotic cells on Annexin-V modified substrate using aminophenylboronic acid modified gold nanoparticles (APBA-GNPs) labeling

A new strategy for sensitive detection of early stage apoptosis was proposed based on silver-enhanced gold nanoparticle (GNP) label method. Annexin-V modified substrate was constructed via layer-by-layer (LBL) method for specific capture of early stage apoptotic Jurkat cells. A new kind of aminophenylboronic acid modified gold nanoparticle (APBA-GNP) was synthesized and utilized for labeling cells, followed by silver enhancement. Anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) was applied to sensitive detection of Ag(+) dissolved from the deposited silver particles, which reflected the number of cells. A good linear range from 1 × 10(2) to 3.5 × 10(3) cells was achieved, with a detection limit of 38 apoptotic cells. Moreover, the gray color of silver enhancement could be observed by the naked eye, which could be used to tell apoptotic cells apart from normal cells. Therefore, using the silver-enhanced GNP label method, apoptotic cells could not only be sensitively detected via electrochemical technique, but also can be discriminated from normal cells by the naked eye.

Carbon nanotube-based aptasensors for the rapid and ultrasensitive detection of bacteria

In this paper we present a new generation of potentiometric biosensors based on carbon nanotubes (transducer layer of the biosensor) and aptamers (sensing layer of the biosensor) for the ultralow and selective detection of microorganisms. We show that with these aptasensors we were able to detect a few CFU of the target bacteria almost in real-time, both in buffered and in real samples.