Ruthenium(ii) complex containing cinnamic acid derivative inhibits cell cycle progression at G0/G1 and induces apoptosis in melanoma cells

Melanoma is a highly aggressive skin cancer with a limited targeted therapy arsenal.

Smartphone-Based Droplet Digital LAMP Device with Rapid Nucleic Acid Isolation for Highly Sensitive Point-of-Care Detection

While advances in microfluidics have enabled rapid and highly integrated detection of nucleic acid targets, the detection sensitivity is still unsatisfactory in the current POC (point-of-care) detection systems, especially for low abundance samples. In this study, a chip that integrates rapid nucleic acid extraction based on IFAST (immiscible phase filtration assisted by surface tension) and digital isothermal detection was developed to achieve highly sensitive POC detection within 60 min. Based on the interface theory, the factors influencing the interface stability of the IFAST process were studied, and the IFAST nucleic acid extraction conditions were optimized to increase the nucleic acid extraction recovery rate to 75%. Spiral mixing channel and flow-focusing droplet generation structure were designed to achieve the mixing and sample partitioning by applying negative pressure. A portable microdroplet fluorescence detection device was developed based on smartphone imaging. Validation tests were carried out for quantification of low-abundance cfDNA and detection of mutations.

MoS2-LA-PEI nanocomposite carrier for real-time imaging of ATP metabolism in glioma stem cells co-cultured with endothelial cells on a microfluidic system

Stimuli-responsive carriers have extensively attracted attention in recent years. However, long-term and real-time tracking ability with stimuli-responsive carrier is still in its infant stage due to the limitations such as, low efficacy, instability and cytotoxicity in a bio-environment. In this work, we developed a reduction-sensitive carrier composed of lipoic acid-modified low molecular weight polyethyleneimine (LA-PEI) and large surface ratio MoS2 nanosheet integrated via disulfide bond to mimic a high molecular weight PEI. The positively charged carriers loading negatively charged aptamer enter the cells for a real time long-term tracking of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) metabolism in glioma stem cells (GSCs) when stimulated by TGFβ factor secreted from HUVECs. We envision that MoS₂-LA-PEI carrier has a promising potential for delivery and monitoring the changes in live cells with low cytotoxicity and high efficiency.

A ratiometric fluorescent pH probe based on keto–enol tautomerization for imaging of living cells in extreme acidity

A ratiometric fluorescent pH probe (DDXC) has been developed for extreme acidity, the sensing mechanism of which is based on the reversible protonation of the carbonyl oxygen followed by keto–enol tautomerization.