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Marinaro G, Graceffa R, Riekel C. Wall-free droplet microfluidics for probing biological processes by high-brilliance X-ray scattering techniques. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:1049327. [DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1049327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we review probing biological processes initiated by the deposition of droplets on surfaces by micro- and nanobeam X-ray scattering techniques using synchrotron radiation and X-ray free-electron laser sources. We review probing droplet evaporation on superhydrophobic surfaces and reactions with substrates, basics of droplets deposition and flow simulations, droplet deposition techniques and practical experience at a synchrotron beamline. Selected applications with biological relevance will be reviewed and perspectives for the latest generation of high-brilliance X-ray sources discussed.
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Suthar J, Alvarez-Fernandez A, Taylor A, Fornerod MJ, Williams GR, Guldin S. Silica Inverse Opal Nanostructured Sensors for Enhanced Immunodetection of Extracellular Vesicles by Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation Monitoring. ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS 2022; 5:12951-12961. [PMID: 36185167 PMCID: PMC9513796 DOI: 10.1021/acsanm.2c02775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanosized circulating assemblies that contain biomarkers considered promising for early diagnosis within neurology, cardiology, and oncology. Recently, acoustic wave biosensors, in particular based on quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), have emerged as a sensitive, label-free, and selective EV characterization platform. A rational approach to further improving sensing detection limits relies on the nanostructuration of the sensor surfaces. To this end, inorganic inverse opals (IOs) derived from colloidal self-assembly present a highly tunable and scalable nanoarchitecture of suitable feature sizes and surface chemistry. This work systematically investigates their use in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) for enhanced QCM-D EV detection. Precise tuning of the architecture parameters delivered improvements in detection performance to sensitivities as low as 6.24 × 107 particles/mL. Our findings emphasize that attempts to enhance acoustic immunosensing via increasing the surface area by 3D nanostructuration need to be carefully analyzed in order to exclude solvent and artifact entrapment effects. Moreover, the use of 2D nanostructured electrodes to compartmentalize analyte anchoring presents a particularly promising design principle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jugal Suthar
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University College
London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, U.K.
- UCL
School of Pharmacy, University College London,
Bloomsbury, 29-39 Brunswick
Square, London WC1N 1AX, U.K.
| | - Alberto Alvarez-Fernandez
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University College
London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, U.K.
| | - Alaric Taylor
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University College
London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, U.K.
| | - Maximiliano J. Fornerod
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University College
London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, U.K.
| | - Gareth R. Williams
- UCL
School of Pharmacy, University College London,
Bloomsbury, 29-39 Brunswick
Square, London WC1N 1AX, U.K.
| | - Stefan Guldin
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University College
London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, U.K.
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3
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Romanò S, Di Giacinto F, Primiano A, Gervasoni J, Mazzini A, Papi M, Urbani A, Serafino A, De Spirito M, Krasnowska EK, Ciasca G. Label-free spectroscopic characterization of exosomes reveals cancer cell differentiation. Anal Chim Acta 2022; 1192:339359. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2021.339359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Allione M, Limongi T, Marini M, Torre B, Zhang P, Moretti M, Perozziello G, Candeloro P, Napione L, Pirri CF, Di Fabrizio E. Micro/Nanopatterned Superhydrophobic Surfaces Fabrication for Biomolecules and Biomaterials Manipulation and Analysis. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:1501. [PMID: 34945349 PMCID: PMC8708205 DOI: 10.3390/mi12121501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Superhydrophobic surfaces display an extraordinary repulsion to water and water-based solutions. This effect emerges from the interplay of intrinsic hydrophobicity of the surface and its morphology. These surfaces have been established for a long time and have been studied for decades. The increasing interest in recent years has been focused towards applications in many different fields and, in particular, biomedical applications. In this paper, we review the progress achieved in the last years in the fabrication of regularly patterned superhydrophobic surfaces in many different materials and their exploitation for the manipulation and characterization of biomaterial, with particular emphasis on the issues affecting the yields of the fabrication processes and the quality of the manufactured devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Allione
- Center for Sustainable Future Technologies @POLITO, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Livorno 60, 10144 Turin, Italy;
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy; (M.M.); (B.T.); (L.N.); (E.D.F.)
| | - Tania Limongi
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy; (M.M.); (B.T.); (L.N.); (E.D.F.)
| | - Monica Marini
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy; (M.M.); (B.T.); (L.N.); (E.D.F.)
| | - Bruno Torre
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy; (M.M.); (B.T.); (L.N.); (E.D.F.)
| | - Peng Zhang
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; (P.Z.); (M.M.)
| | - Manola Moretti
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; (P.Z.); (M.M.)
| | - Gerardo Perozziello
- BioNEM Laboratory, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Campus S. Venuta, Magna Graecia University, Germaneto, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (G.P.); (P.C.)
| | - Patrizio Candeloro
- BioNEM Laboratory, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Campus S. Venuta, Magna Graecia University, Germaneto, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (G.P.); (P.C.)
| | - Lucia Napione
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy; (M.M.); (B.T.); (L.N.); (E.D.F.)
| | - Candido Fabrizio Pirri
- Center for Sustainable Future Technologies @POLITO, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Livorno 60, 10144 Turin, Italy;
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy; (M.M.); (B.T.); (L.N.); (E.D.F.)
| | - Enzo Di Fabrizio
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy; (M.M.); (B.T.); (L.N.); (E.D.F.)
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5
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Di Santo R, Romanò S, Mazzini A, Jovanović S, Nocca G, Campi G, Papi M, De Spirito M, Di Giacinto F, Ciasca G. Recent Advances in the Label-Free Characterization of Exosomes for Cancer Liquid Biopsy: From Scattering and Spectroscopy to Nanoindentation and Nanodevices. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:1476. [PMID: 34199576 PMCID: PMC8230295 DOI: 10.3390/nano11061476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Exosomes (EXOs) are nano-sized vesicles secreted by most cell types. They are abundant in bio-fluids and harbor specific molecular constituents from their parental cells. Due to these characteristics, EXOs have a great potential in cancer diagnostics for liquid biopsy and personalized medicine. Despite this unique potential, EXOs are not yet widely applied in clinical settings, with two main factors hindering their translational process in diagnostics. Firstly, conventional extraction methods are time-consuming, require large sample volumes and expensive equipment, and often do not provide high-purity samples. Secondly, characterization methods have some limitations, because they are often qualitative, need extensive labeling or complex sampling procedures that can induce artifacts. In this context, novel label-free approaches are rapidly emerging, and are holding potential to revolutionize EXO diagnostics. These methods include the use of nanodevices for EXO purification, and vibrational spectroscopies, scattering, and nanoindentation for characterization. In this progress report, we summarize recent key advances in label-free techniques for EXO purification and characterization. We point out that these methods contribute to reducing costs and processing times, provide complementary information compared to the conventional characterization techniques, and enhance flexibility, thus favoring the discovery of novel and unexplored EXO-based biomarkers. In this process, the impact of nanotechnology is systematically highlighted, showing how the effectiveness of these techniques can be enhanced using nanomaterials, such as plasmonic nanoparticles and nanostructured surfaces, which enable the exploitation of advanced physical phenomena occurring at the nanoscale level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Di Santo
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (R.D.S.); (S.R.); (A.M.); (G.N.); (M.P.); (F.D.G.)
| | - Sabrina Romanò
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (R.D.S.); (S.R.); (A.M.); (G.N.); (M.P.); (F.D.G.)
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Alberto Mazzini
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (R.D.S.); (S.R.); (A.M.); (G.N.); (M.P.); (F.D.G.)
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Svetlana Jovanović
- “Vinča” Institute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Giuseppina Nocca
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (R.D.S.); (S.R.); (A.M.); (G.N.); (M.P.); (F.D.G.)
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Gaetano Campi
- Rome International Centre Materials Science Superstripes RICMASS, via dei Sabelli 119A, 00185 Rome, Italy;
- Institute of Crystallography, CNR, via Salaria Km 29. 300, Monterotondo Stazione, 00016 Roma, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Papi
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (R.D.S.); (S.R.); (A.M.); (G.N.); (M.P.); (F.D.G.)
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Marco De Spirito
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (R.D.S.); (S.R.); (A.M.); (G.N.); (M.P.); (F.D.G.)
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Flavio Di Giacinto
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (R.D.S.); (S.R.); (A.M.); (G.N.); (M.P.); (F.D.G.)
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Gabriele Ciasca
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (R.D.S.); (S.R.); (A.M.); (G.N.); (M.P.); (F.D.G.)
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
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Guerrini L, Garcia-Rico E, O’Loghlen A, Giannini V, Alvarez-Puebla RA. Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Spectroscopy for Sensing and Characterization of Exosomes in Cancer Diagnosis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092179. [PMID: 33946619 PMCID: PMC8125149 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The distinct molecular and biological properties of exosomes, together with their abundance and stability, make them an ideal target in liquid biopsies for early diagnosis and disease monitoring. On the other hand, in recent years, nanomaterial-based optical biosensors have been extensively investigated as novel, rapid and sensitive tools for exosome detection and discrimination. The scope of this review is to summarize and coherently discussed the diverse applications, challenges and limitations of nanosensors based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as the optosensing technique. Abstract Exosomes are emerging as one of the most intriguing cancer biomarkers in modern oncology for early cancer diagnosis, prognosis and treatment monitoring. Concurrently, several nanoplasmonic methods have been applied and developed to tackle the challenging task of enabling the rapid, sensitive, affordable analysis of exosomes. In this review, we specifically focus our attention on the application of plasmonic devices exploiting surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as the optosensing technique for the structural interrogation and characterization of the heterogeneous nature of exosomes. We summarized the current state-of-art of this field while illustrating the main strategic approaches and discuss their advantages and limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Guerrini
- Department of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Carrer de Marcel·li Domingo s/n, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
- Correspondence: (L.G.); (R.A.A.-P.)
| | - Eduardo Garcia-Rico
- Fundación de Investigación HM Hospitales, San Bernardo 101, 28015 Madrid, Spain;
- School of Medicine, San Pablo CEU, Calle Julian Romea, 18, 28003 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana O’Loghlen
- Epigenetics & Cellular Senescence Group, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AT, UK;
| | - Vincenzo Giannini
- Instituto de Estructura de la Materia (IEM-CSIC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28006 Madrid, Spain;
- Technology Innovation Institute, Masdar City, Abu Dhabi 9639, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ramon A. Alvarez-Puebla
- Department of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Carrer de Marcel·li Domingo s/n, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
- ICREA, Passeig Lluis Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (L.G.); (R.A.A.-P.)
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7
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Suarasan S, Liu J, Imanbekova M, Rojalin T, Hilt S, Voss JC, Wachsmann-Hogiu S. Superhydrophobic bowl-like SERS substrates patterned from CMOS sensors for extracellular vesicle characterization. J Mater Chem B 2021; 8:8845-8852. [PMID: 33026405 DOI: 10.1039/d0tb00889c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Using a regular CMOS sensor as a template, we are able to fabricate a simple but highly effective superhydrophobic SERS substrate. Specifically, we decorated the microlens layer of the sensor with 7 μm polystyrene beads to obtain a PDMS patterned replica. The process resulted in a uniform pattern of voids in the PDMS (denoted nanobowls) that are intercalated with a few larger voids (denoted here microbowls). The voids act as superhydrophobic substrates with analyte concentration capabilities in bigger bowl-like structures. Silver nanoparticles were directly grown on the patterned PDMS substrate inside both the nano- and microbowls, and serve as strong electromagnetic field enhancers for the SERS substrate. After systematic characterization of the fabricated SERS substrate by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, we demonstrated its SERS performance using 4-aminothiophenol as a reporter molecule. Finally, we employed this innovative substrate to concentrate and analyze extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from an MC65 neural cell line in an ultralow sample volume. This substrate can be further exploited for the investigation of various EV biomarkers for early diagnosis of different diseases using liquid biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sorina Suarasan
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0E9, Canada.
| | - Juanjuan Liu
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0E9, Canada.
| | - Meruyert Imanbekova
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0E9, Canada.
| | - Tatu Rojalin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Silvia Hilt
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - John C Voss
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Wang Z, Zong S, Wang Y, Li N, Li L, Lu J, Wang Z, Chen B, Cui Y. Screening and multiple detection of cancer exosomes using an SERS-based method. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:9053-9062. [PMID: 29718044 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr09162a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
As a kind of most important cancer biomarker, exosomes are getting more frequently investigated in cancer diagnosis. In this study, we proposed an SERS-based method for the screening and simultaneous multiple detection of exosomes using magnetic substrates and SERS probes. Specifically, the capturing substrates are achieved using gold shell magnetic nanobeads modified by aptamers, which can capture most kinds of exosomes by recognizing the generic surface protein CD63. Moreover, the SERS probes are made of gold nanoparticles decorated with a Raman reporter and a specific aptamer for targeting exosomes. Further, for the simultaneous detection of multiple kinds of exosomes, three kinds of SERS probes were designed using different SERS reporters. While detecting specific kinds of exosomes, the capturing substrates were mixed with these three kinds of SERS probes. When the target exosome is present, an apta-immunocomplex can be formed among the target exosomes, the substrate, and the corresponding kind of SERS probes, and the other non-specific SERS probes remain in the suspension. Hence, an SERS signal with a decreased intensity will be detected in the supernatant, indicating the presence of the target exosomes. Finally, this detection method has also been successfully employed for the detection of exosomes in real blood samples; this proves that the proposed SERS-based method is a promising tool for clinical cancer screening based on exosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhile Wang
- Advanced Photonics Center, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China.
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Roth SV. A deep look into the spray coating process in real-time-the crucial role of x-rays. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2016; 28:403003. [PMID: 27537198 DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/28/40/403003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Tailoring functional thin films and coating by rapid solvent-based processes is the basis for the fabrication of large scale high-end applications in nanotechnology. Due to solvent loss of the solution or dispersion inherent in the installation of functional thin films and multilayers the spraying and drying processes are strongly governed by non-equilibrium kinetics, often passing through transient states, until the final structure is installed. Therefore, the challenge is to observe the structural build-up during these coating processes in a spatially and time-resolved manner on multiple time and length scales, from the nanostructure to macroscopic length scales. During installation, the interaction of solid-fluid interfaces and between the different layers, the flow and evaporation themselves determine the structure of the coating. Advanced x-ray scattering methods open a powerful pathway for observing the involved processes in situ, from the spray to the coating, and allow for gaining deep insight in the nanostructuring processes. This review first provides an overview over these rapidly evolving methods, with main focus on functional coatings, organic photovoltaics and organic electronics. Secondly the role and decisive advantage of x-rays is outlined. Thirdly, focusing on spray deposition as a rapidly emerging method, recent advances in investigations of spray deposition of functional materials and devices via advanced x-ray scattering methods are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan V Roth
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Notkestr. 85, D-22607 Hamburg, Germany. Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 56-58, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
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10
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Ciasca G, Papi M, Businaro L, Campi G, Ortolani M, Palmieri V, Cedola A, De Ninno A, Gerardino A, Maulucci G, De Spirito M. Recent advances in superhydrophobic surfaces and their relevance to biology and medicine. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2016; 11:011001. [PMID: 26844980 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/11/1/011001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
By mimicking naturally occurring superhydrophobic surfaces, scientists can now realize artificial surfaces on which droplets of a few microliters of water are forced to assume an almost spherical shape and an extremely high contact angle. In recent decades, these surfaces have attracted much attention due to their technological applications for anti-wetting and self-cleaning materials. Very recently, researchers have shifted their interest to investigate whether superhydrophobic surfaces can be exploited to study biological systems. This research effort has stimulated the design and realization of new devices that allow us to actively organize, visualize and manipulate matter at both the microscale and nanoscale levels. Such precise control opens up wide applications in biomedicine, as it allows us to directly manipulate objects at the typical length scale of cells and macromolecules. This progress report focuses on recent biological and medical applications of superhydrophobicity. Particular regard is paid to those applications that involve the detection, manipulation and study of extremely small quantities of molecules, and to those that allow high throughput cell and biomaterial screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Ciasca
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
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11
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Accardo A, Shalabaeva V, Di Cola E, Burghammer M, Krahne R, Riekel C, Dante S. Superhydrophobic Surfaces Boost Fibril Self-Assembly of Amyloid β Peptides. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2015; 7:20875-20884. [PMID: 26306595 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b06219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid β (Aβ) peptides are the main constituents of Alzheimer's amyloid plaques in the brain. Here we report how the unique microfluidic flows exerted by droplets sitting on superhydrophobic surfaces can influence the aggregation mechanisms of several Aβ fragments by boosting their fibril self-assembly. Aβ(25-35), Aβ(1-40), and Aβ(12-28) were dried both on flat hydrophilic surfaces (contact angle (CA) = 37.3°) and on nanostructured superhydrophobic ones (CA = 175.8°). By embedding nanoroughened surfaces on top of highly X-ray transparent Si3N4 membranes, it was possible to probe the solid residues by raster-scan synchrotron radiation X-ray microdiffraction (μXRD). As compared to residues obtained on flat Si3N4 membranes, a general enhancement of fibrillar material was detected for all Aβ fragments dried on superhydrophobic surfaces, with a particular emphasis on the shorter ones. Indeed, both Aβ(25-35) and Aβ(12-28) showed a marked crystalline cross-β phase with varying fiber textures. The homogeneous evaporation rate provided by these nanostructured supports, and the possibility to use transparent membranes, can open a wide range of in situ X-ray and spectroscopic characterizations of amyloidal peptides involved in neurodegenerative diseases and for the fabrication of amyloid-based nanodevices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Accardo
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30, Genova 16163, Italy
| | | | - Emanuela Di Cola
- The European Synchrotron, CS40220 , 38043 Cedex 9 Grenoble, France
| | - Manfred Burghammer
- The European Synchrotron, CS40220 , 38043 Cedex 9 Grenoble, France
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Ghent University , Krijgslaan 281, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Roman Krahne
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30, Genova 16163, Italy
| | - Christian Riekel
- The European Synchrotron, CS40220 , 38043 Cedex 9 Grenoble, France
| | - Silvia Dante
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30, Genova 16163, Italy
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12
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Marini M, Falqui A, Moretti M, Limongi T, Allione M, Genovese A, Lopatin S, Tirinato L, Das G, Torre B, Giugni A, Gentile F, Candeloro P, Di Fabrizio E. The structure of DNA by direct imaging. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2015; 1:e1500734. [PMID: 26601243 PMCID: PMC4643809 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1500734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The structure of DNA was determined in 1953 by x-ray fiber diffraction. Several attempts have been made to obtain a direct image of DNA with alternative techniques. The direct image is intended to allow a quantitative evaluation of all relevant characteristic lengths present in a molecule. A direct image of DNA, which is different from diffraction in the reciprocal space, is difficult to obtain for two main reasons: the intrinsic very low contrast of the elements that form the molecule and the difficulty of preparing the sample while preserving its pristine shape and size. We show that through a preparation procedure compatible with the DNA physiological conditions, a direct image of a single suspended DNA molecule can be obtained. In the image, all relevant lengths of A-form DNA are measurable. A high-resolution transmission electron microscope that operates at 80 keV with an ultimate resolution of 1.5 Å was used for this experiment. Direct imaging of a single molecule can be used as a method to address biological problems that require knowledge at the single-molecule level, given that the average information obtained by x-ray diffraction of crystals or fibers is not sufficient for detailed structure determination, or when crystals cannot be obtained from biological molecules or are not sufficient in understanding multiple protein configurations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Marini
- SMILEs Lab, Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) and Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Divisions, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Andrea Falqui
- NABLA Lab, BESE Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Manola Moretti
- SMILEs Lab, Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) and Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Divisions, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Tania Limongi
- SMILEs Lab, Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) and Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Divisions, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Marco Allione
- SMILEs Lab, Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) and Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Divisions, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Alessandro Genovese
- NABLA Lab, BESE Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Sergei Lopatin
- Imaging and Characterization Core Lab, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Luca Tirinato
- SMILEs Lab, Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) and Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Divisions, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Gobind Das
- SMILEs Lab, Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) and Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Divisions, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Bruno Torre
- SMILEs Lab, Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) and Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Divisions, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Andrea Giugni
- SMILEs Lab, Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) and Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Divisions, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Francesco Gentile
- Bio Nanotechnology and Engineering for Medicine (BIONEM), Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Magna Graecia, Viale Europa, Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Patrizio Candeloro
- Bio Nanotechnology and Engineering for Medicine (BIONEM), Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Magna Graecia, Viale Europa, Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Enzo Di Fabrizio
- SMILEs Lab, Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) and Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Divisions, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Bio Nanotechnology and Engineering for Medicine (BIONEM), Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Magna Graecia, Viale Europa, Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
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13
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Sibillano T, De Caro L, Altamura D, Siliqi D, Ramella M, Boccafoschi F, Ciasca G, Campi G, Tirinato L, Di Fabrizio E, Giannini C. An optimized table-top small-angle X-ray scattering set-up for the nanoscale structural analysis of soft matter. Sci Rep 2014; 4:6985. [PMID: 25382272 PMCID: PMC4225548 DOI: 10.1038/srep06985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The paper shows how a table top superbright microfocus laboratory X-ray source and an innovative restoring-data algorithm, used in combination, allow to analyze the super molecular structure of soft matter by means of Small Angle X-ray Scattering ex-situ experiments. The proposed theoretical approach is aimed to restore diffraction features from SAXS profiles collected from low scattering biomaterials or soft tissues, and therefore to deal with extremely noisy diffraction SAXS profiles/maps. As biological test cases we inspected: i) residues of exosomes' drops from healthy epithelial colon cell line and colorectal cancer cells; ii) collagen/human elastin artificial scaffolds developed for vascular tissue engineering applications; iii) apoferritin protein in solution. Our results show how this combination can provide morphological/structural nanoscale information to characterize new artificial biomaterials and/or to get insight into the transition between healthy and pathological tissues during the progression of a disease, or to morphologically characterize nanoscale proteins, based on SAXS data collected in a room-sized laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. Sibillano
- Istituto di Cristallografia (IC-CNR), via Amendola 122/O, I-70126 Bari, Italy
| | - L. De Caro
- Istituto di Cristallografia (IC-CNR), via Amendola 122/O, I-70126 Bari, Italy
| | - D. Altamura
- Istituto di Cristallografia (IC-CNR), via Amendola 122/O, I-70126 Bari, Italy
| | - D. Siliqi
- Istituto di Cristallografia (IC-CNR), via Amendola 122/O, I-70126 Bari, Italy
| | - M. Ramella
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale “A. Avogadro”, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - F. Boccafoschi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale “A. Avogadro”, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - G. Ciasca
- Istituto di Fisica, Universitá Cattolica S. Cuore, L.go Francesco Vito 1 I-00168, Roma, Italy
| | - G. Campi
- Istituto di Cristallografia (IC-CNR), Via Salaria Km 29.300, 00015 Monterotondo, Roma, Italy
| | - L. Tirinato
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, PSE and BESE Divisions, Thuwal. 23955 -6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- BIONEMlab University Magna Graecia, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - E. Di Fabrizio
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, PSE and BESE Divisions, Thuwal. 23955 -6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- BIONEMlab University Magna Graecia, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - C. Giannini
- Istituto di Cristallografia (IC-CNR), via Amendola 122/O, I-70126 Bari, Italy
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14
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Accardo A, Di Fabrizio E, Limongi T, Marinaro G, Riekel C. Probing droplets on superhydrophobic surfaces by synchrotron radiation scattering techniques. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2014; 21:643-53. [PMID: 24971957 PMCID: PMC4073955 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577514009849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2013] [Accepted: 05/01/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Droplets on artificially structured superhydrophobic surfaces represent quasi contact-free sample environments which can be probed by X-ray microbeams and nanobeams in the absence of obstructing walls. This review will discuss basic surface wettability concepts and introduce the technology of structuring surfaces. Quasi contact-free droplets are compared with contact-free droplets; processes related to deposition and evaporation on solid surfaces are discussed. Droplet coalescence based on the electrowetting effect allows the probing of short-time mixing and reaction processes. The review will show for several materials of biological interest that structural processes related to conformational changes, nucleation and assembly during droplet evaporation can be spatially and temporally resolved by raster-scan diffraction techniques. Orientational ordering of anisotropic materials deposited during solidification at pinning sites facilitates the interpretation of structural data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Accardo
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genova 16163, Italy
| | - Enzo Di Fabrizio
- Physical Science and Engineering Divisions, KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, BIONEM Lab at University Magna Graecia, Campus Salvatore Venuta, Viale Europa 88100, Germaneto-Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Tania Limongi
- Physical Science and Engineering Divisions, KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Giovanni Marinaro
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genova 16163, Italy
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, BP 220, 38043 Grenoble Cedex, France
| | - Christian Riekel
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, BP 220, 38043 Grenoble Cedex, France
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15
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Zhang X, Liang J, Liu B, Peng Z. Preparation of superhydrophobic zinc coating for corrosion protection. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2014.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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16
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Accardo A, Shalabaeva V, Cotte M, Burghammer M, Krahne R, Riekel C, Dante S. Amyloid β peptide conformational changes in the presence of a lipid membrane system. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2014; 30:3191-8. [PMID: 24575974 DOI: 10.1021/la500145r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Here we are presenting a comparative analysis of conformational changes of two amyloid β peptides, Aβ(25-35) and Aβ(1-42), in the presence and absence of a phospholipid system, namely, POPC/POPS (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphospatidylcholine/palmitoyl-2-oleoylphospatidylserine), through Raman spectroscopy, synchrotron radiation micro Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and micro X-ray diffraction. Ringlike samples were obtained from the evaporation of pure and mixed solutions of the proteins together with the POPC/POPS system on highly hydrophilic substrates. The results confirm the presence of a α-helical to β-sheet transition from the internal rim of the ringlike samples to the external one in the pure Aβ(25-35) residual, probably due to the convective flow inside the droplets sitting on highly hydrophilic substrates enhancing the local concentration of the peptide at the external edge of the dried drop. In contrast, the presence of POPC/POPS lipids in the peptide does not result in α-helical structures and introduces the presence of antiparallel β-sheet material together with parallel β-sheet structures and possible β-turns. As a control, Aβ(1-42) peptide was also tested and shows β-sheet conformations independently from the presence of the lipid system. The μXRD analysis further confirmed these conclusions, showing how the absence of the phospholipid system induces in the Aβ(25-35) a probable composite α/β material while its coexistence with the peptide leads to a not oriented β-sheet conformation. These results open interesting scenarios on the study of conformational changes of Aβ peptides and could help, with further investigations, to better clarify the role of enzymes and alternative lipid systems involved in the amyloidosis process of Aβ fragments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Accardo
- Nanostructures Department, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30, Genova 16163, Italy
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17
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Wu L, Zhang J, Li B, Wang A. Mimic nature, beyond nature: facile synthesis of durable superhydrophobic textiles using organosilanes. J Mater Chem B 2013; 1:4756-4763. [DOI: 10.1039/c3tb20934b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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