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Cheng S, Yin F, Wang Z, Zhao M, Ji W, Lin JM, Wang X, Hu Q. A biosensor method based on surfactant-mediated surface droplet evaporation for the detection of Aflatoxin B 1. Food Chem 2024; 453:139635. [PMID: 38759445 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.139635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a common mycotoxin that is of significant global concern due to its impact on food safety. Herein, we innovatively develop a sensing platform to detect AFB1 based on evaporation of surfactant solutions on the hydrophobic surface, resulting in dried patterns with varied sizes. The surfactant CTAB solution produces a relatively large dried pattern due to the surface wetting. However, the reduction in the dried pattern size is found when the mixture of CTAB and AFB1 aptamer is tested, because the formation of CTAB/aptamer complex. Moreover, the dried pattern size of the mixture of CTAB, aptamer, and AFB1 increases due to the specific binding of AFB1 to its aptamer. Using this innovative strategy, the AFB1 detection can be fulfilled with a detection limit of 0.77 pg/mL. As a simple, convenient, inexpensive, and label-free method, the surfactant-mediated surface droplet evaporation-based biosensor is very promising for various potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supan Cheng
- Key Laboratory for Applied Technology of Sophisticated Analytical Instruments of Shandong Province, Shandong Analysis and Test Center, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China; Qingdao Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao 266112, China
| | - Fangchao Yin
- Key Laboratory for Applied Technology of Sophisticated Analytical Instruments of Shandong Province, Shandong Analysis and Test Center, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China.
| | - Zhongxing Wang
- Key Laboratory for Applied Technology of Sophisticated Analytical Instruments of Shandong Province, Shandong Analysis and Test Center, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China
| | - Mei Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Applied Technology of Sophisticated Analytical Instruments of Shandong Province, Shandong Analysis and Test Center, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China
| | - Wenhua Ji
- Key Laboratory for Applied Technology of Sophisticated Analytical Instruments of Shandong Province, Shandong Analysis and Test Center, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China
| | - Jin-Ming Lin
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- Key Laboratory for Applied Technology of Sophisticated Analytical Instruments of Shandong Province, Shandong Analysis and Test Center, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China.
| | - Qiongzheng Hu
- Key Laboratory for Applied Technology of Sophisticated Analytical Instruments of Shandong Province, Shandong Analysis and Test Center, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China; Qingdao Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao 266112, China.
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2
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Honaker LW, Eijffius A, Plankensteiner L, Nikiforidis CV, Deshpande S. Biosensing with Oleosin-Stabilized Liquid Crystal Droplets. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2309053. [PMID: 38602194 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202309053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Liquid crystals (LCs) are emerging as novel platforms for chemical, physical, and biological sensing. They can be used to detect biological amphiphiles such as lipids, fatty acids, digestive surfactants, and bacterial endotoxins. However, designing LC-based sensors in a manner that preserves their sensitivity and responsiveness to these stimuli, and possibly improves biocompatibility, remains challenging. In this work, the stabilization of LC droplets by oleosins, plant-sourced and highly surface active proteins due to their extended amphipathic helix, is investigated. Purified oleosins, at sub-micromolar concentrations, are shown to readily stabilize nematic LC droplets without switching their alignment, allowing them to detect surfactants at micromolar concentrations. Direct evidence of localization of oleosins at the LC-water interface is provided with fluorescent labeling, and the stabilized droplets remain stable over months. Interestingly, chiral LC droplets readily switch in the presence of nanomolar oleosin concentrations, an unexpected behavior that is explained by accounting for the energy barriers required for switching the alignment between the two cases. This leads thus to a twofold conclusion: oleosin-stabilized nematic LC droplets present a biocompatible alternative for bioanalyte detection, while chiral LCs can be further investigated for use as highly sensitive sensors for detecting amphipathic helices in biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence W Honaker
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Axel Eijffius
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lorenz Plankensteiner
- Laboratory of Biobased Chemistry and Technology, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 WG, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Food Chemistry, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 WG, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Constantinos V Nikiforidis
- Laboratory of Biobased Chemistry and Technology, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 WG, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Siddharth Deshpande
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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3
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Das S, Sil S, Pal SK, Kula P, Sinha Roy S. Label-free liquid crystal-based optical detection of norfloxacin using an aptamer recognition probe in soil and lake water. Analyst 2024; 149:3828-3838. [PMID: 38855814 DOI: 10.1039/d4an00236a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Norfloxacin (NOX), a broad spectrum fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotic, is commonly detected in environmental residues, potentially contributing to biological drug resistance. In this paper, an aptamer recognition probe has been used to develop a label-free liquid crystal-based biosensor for simple and robust optical detection of NOX in aqueous solutions. Stimuli-receptive liquid crystals (LCs) have been employed to report aptamer-target binding events at the LC-aqueous interface. The homeotropic alignment of LCs at the aqueous-LC interface is due to the self-assembly of the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). In the presence of the negatively charged NOX aptamer, the ordering changes to planar/tilted. On addition of NOX, the aptamer-NOX binding causes redistribution of CTAB at the LC-aqueous interface and the homeotropic orientation is restored. This results in a bright-to-dark optical transition under a polarized optical microscope (POM). This optical transition serves as a visual indicator to mark the presence of NOX. The devised aptasensor demonstrates high specificity with a minimum detection limit of 5 nM (1.596 ppb). Moreover, the application of the developed aptasensor for the detection of NOX in freshwater and soil samples underscores its practical utility in environmental monitoring. This proposed LC-based method offers several advantages over conventional detection techniques for a rapid, feasible and convenient way to detect norfloxacin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayani Das
- Nanocarbon and Sensor Laboratory, Department of Physics, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Greater Noida, India.
| | - Soma Sil
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Mohali, India
| | - Santanu Kumar Pal
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Mohali, India
| | - Przemysław Kula
- Institute of Chemistry, Military University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Susanta Sinha Roy
- Nanocarbon and Sensor Laboratory, Department of Physics, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Greater Noida, India.
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4
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Bao P, Phillips K, Raval R. Membrane Proteins in Action Monitored by pH-Responsive Liquid Crystal Biosensors. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:31843-31850. [PMID: 38841859 PMCID: PMC11194810 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c06614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Liquid crystal (LC) biosensors have received significant attention for their potential applications for point-of-care devices due to their sensitivity, low cost, and easy read-out. They have been employed to detect a wide range of important biological molecules. However, detecting the function of membrane proteins has been extremely challenging due to the difficulty of integrating membrane proteins, lipid membranes, and LCs into one system. In this study, we addressed this challenge by monitoring the proton-pumping function of bacteriorhodopsin (bR) using a pH-sensitive LC thin film biosensor. To achieve this, we deposited purple membranes (PMs) containing a 2D crystal form of bRs onto an LC-aqueous interface. Under light, the PM patches changed the local pH at the LC-aqueous interface, causing a color change in the LC thin film that is observable through a polarizing microscope with crossed polarizers. These findings open up new opportunities to study the biofunctions of membrane proteins and their induced local environmental changes in a solution using LC biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Bao
- Open Innovation
Hub for Antimicrobial
Surfaces, Surface Science Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, U.K.
| | - Kyle Phillips
- Open Innovation
Hub for Antimicrobial
Surfaces, Surface Science Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, U.K.
| | - Rasmita Raval
- Open Innovation
Hub for Antimicrobial
Surfaces, Surface Science Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, U.K.
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5
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Li B, Wu W, Lin JM, Wang T, Hu Q, Yu L. Water in liquid crystal emulsion-based sensing platform for colorimetric detection of organophosphorus pesticide. Food Chem 2024; 436:137732. [PMID: 37857198 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.137732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Development of a simple and convenient method for the rapid detection of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) is particular important for the safety of environmental water and agriculture products. In this work, the water/liquid crystal (W/LC) emulsion is obtained via dispersing an aqueous solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and peroxidase from horseradish (HRP) into a water-immiscible nematic LC and employed as a sensing platform for the detection of dichlorvos (2, 2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate, DDVP) that is a typical OP with acute toxicity. Remarkably, the stepwise release of the encapsulated cargo HRP from the W/LC emulsion can be triggered upon the addition of the cationic surfactant myristoylcholine chloride (Myr) due to the strong interfacial charge interactions with the anionic surfactant SDS. The released HRP induces an obvious color change of the overlaying bulk aqueous solution via the H2O2-HRP-TMB reaction system. As Myr can be enzymatically cleaved by AChE, the detection of AChE is fulfilled successfully. This approach is also employed to detect DDVP that can irreversibly inhibit the activity of AChE. This assay shows a linear response between the absorbance of the oxidized TMB solution and the DDVP concentration in the range of 0.001-10 μg/mL (R2 = 0.99). The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantity (LOQ) of DDVP are determined to be 1.9 ng/mL and 6.3 ng/mL, respectively. In addition, this strategy also demonstrates excellent performance for the DDVP detection in real samples, the detection recovery rate of DDVP in water samples (lake water and tap water) and vegetables (tomatoes and cole) by this method is 88.0 % ∼112.6 %, the relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤ 7.5 %. These results suggest the W/LC emulsion-based sensing platform shows great potential for visual detection of DDVP in real samples. In conclusion, the proposed approach is scalable for practical application in food safety as well as environmental monitoring fields, and will provide promising solutions for the assay of pesticide residues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benyou Li
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Wenli Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China
| | - Jin-Ming Lin
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Petroleum Engineering Technology Research Institute of Shengli Oilfield, Sinopec, Dongying 257000, China
| | - Qiongzheng Hu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China.
| | - Li Yu
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan 250100, China.
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6
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Pani I, Sil S, Kaur R, Devi M, Pal SK. Dynamic Microparticle Assembly at the Interface of Chemoresponsive Liquid Crystal Droplets. Anal Chem 2024; 96:3780-3786. [PMID: 38407028 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c04555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
The confinement of liquid crystals (LCs) in spherical microdroplets results in exotic internal configurations and topological defects in response to physical and chemical stimuli. Recent exploration into the placement of colloids on the surface of LC microdroplets has led to the design of a new class of functional materials with patterned surface properties. It is established that the placement of a colloid on a LC droplet surface can pin the topological defect at the interface, thereby restricting changes in the LC configuration. Herein, we build upon the handful of reports published to provide a fundamental understanding of the colloid positioning in response to external stimuli. Using polystyrene (PS) colloids, we explored the dynamics of particle self-assembly in response to an interfacial enzymatic breakdown of poly-l-lysine by trypsin. We found that for a significant population of droplets, the positioning of the colloid is unaffected by the changes in the internal ordering of LC. Inspired by the new observations, we delved deeper to understand the role of interfacial stabilizers in modulating the preferential alignment of LC and the placement of colloidal microparticles. We also demonstrated that for a certain population of droplets, the positioning of the colloids remains unperturbed in response to multistep reversible adsorption of interfacial amphiphiles. Our findings reveal interesting possibilities of correlating the stimuli-responsive switching of internal configurations of LC with colloid placement on the particle-decorated LC droplets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ipsita Pani
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
| | - Soma Sil
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
| | - Rajwant Kaur
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
| | - Manisha Devi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
| | - Santanu Kumar Pal
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
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7
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Gupta T, Arora L, Mukhopadhyay S, Pal SK. Ultrasensitive Detection of Lipid-Induced Misfolding of the Prion Protein at the Aqueous-Liquid Crystal Interface. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:2117-2122. [PMID: 38363235 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c02770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
The misfolding of the α-helical cellular prion protein into a self-propagating β-rich aggregated form is a key pathogenic event in fatal and transmissible neurodegenerative diseases collectively known as prion diseases. Herein, we utilize the interfacial properties of liquid crystals (LCs) to monitor the lipid-membrane-induced conformational switching of prion protein (PrP) into β-rich amyloid fibrils. The lipid-induced conformational switching resulting in aggregation occurs at the nanomolar protein concentration and is primarily mediated by electrostatic interactions between PrP and lipid headgroups. Our LC-based methodology offers a potent and sensitive tool to detect and delineate molecular mechanisms of PrP misfolding mediated by lipid-protein interactions at the aqueous interface under physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarang Gupta
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Knowledge City, Manauli 140306, India
| | - Lisha Arora
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Centre for Protein Science, Design and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Knowledge City, Manauli 140306, India
| | - Samrat Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Centre for Protein Science, Design and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Knowledge City, Manauli 140306, India
| | - Santanu Kumar Pal
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Knowledge City, Manauli 140306, India
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8
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Piñeres-Quiñones OH, Oñate-Socarras MK, Wang F, Lynn DM, Acevedo-Vélez C. Pickering Emulsions of Thermotropic Liquid Crystals Stabilized by Amphiphilic Gold Nanoparticles. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024. [PMID: 38320298 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
We report emulsions of thermotropic liquid crystals (LCs) in water that are stabilized using amphiphilic gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and retain their ability to respond to aqueous analytes for extended periods (e.g., up to 1 year after preparation). These LC emulsions exhibit exceptional colloidal stability that results from the adsorption of AuNPs that are functionalized with thiol-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-thiol) and hexadecanethiol (C16-thiol) to LC droplet interfaces. These stabilized LC emulsions respond to the presence of model anionic (SDS), cationic (C12TAB), and nonionic (C12E4) surfactants in the surrounding aqueous media, as evidenced by ordering transitions in the LC droplets that can be readily observed using polarized light microscopy. Our results reveal significant differences in the sensitivity of the stabilized LC droplets toward each of these analytes. In particular, these stabilized droplets can detect the cationic C12TAB at concentrations that are lower than those required for bare LC droplets under similar experimental conditions (0.5 and 2 mM, respectively). These results demonstrate an enhanced sensitivity of the LC toward C12TAB when the PEG/C16-thiol-coated AuNPs are adsorbed at LC droplet interfaces. In contrast, the concentrations of SDS required to observe optical transformations in the stabilized LC droplets are higher than those required for the bare LC droplets, suggesting that the presence of the PEG/C16-thiol AuNPs reduces the sensitivity of the LC toward this analyte. When combined, our results show that this Pickering stabilization approach using amphiphilic AuNPs as stabilizing agents for LC-in-water emulsions provides a promising platform for developing LC droplet-based optical sensors with long-term colloidal stability as well as opportunities to tune the sensitivity and selectivity of the response to target aqueous analytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar H Piñeres-Quiñones
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, Call Box 9000, Mayagüez, PR 00681-9000, United States
| | - Maria K Oñate-Socarras
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, Call Box 9000, Mayagüez, PR 00681-9000, United States
| | - Fengrui Wang
- Department of Chemistry, 1101 University Avenue, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - David M Lynn
- Department of Chemistry, 1101 University Avenue, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, 1415 Engineering Drive, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Claribel Acevedo-Vélez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, Call Box 9000, Mayagüez, PR 00681-9000, United States
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9
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Kato T, Uchida J, Ishii Y, Watanabe G. Aquatic Functional Liquid Crystals: Design, Functionalization, and Molecular Simulation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2306529. [PMID: 38126650 PMCID: PMC10885670 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202306529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic functional liquid crystals, which are ordered molecular assemblies that work in water environment, are described in this review. Aquatic functional liquid crystals are liquid-crystalline (LC) materials interacting water molecules or aquatic environment. They include aquatic lyotropic liquid crystals and LC based materials that have aquatic interfaces, for example, nanoporous water treatment membranes that are solids preserving LC order. They can remove ions and viruses with nano- and subnano-porous structures. Columnar, smectic, bicontinuous LC structures are used for fabrication of these 1D, 2D, 3D materials. Design and functionalization of aquatic LC sensors based on aqueous/LC interfaces are also described. The ordering transitions of liquid crystals induced by molecular recognition at the aqueous interfaces provide distinct optical responses. Molecular orientation and dynamic behavior of these aquatic functional LC materials are studied by molecular dynamics simulations. The molecular interactions of LC materials and water are key of these investigations. New insights into aquatic functional LC materials contribute to the fields of environment, healthcare, and biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Kato
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
- Research Initiative for Supra-Materials, Shinshu University, Nagano, 380-8553, Japan
| | - Junya Uchida
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Ishii
- Department of Data Science, School of Frontier Engineering, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, 252-0373, Japan
| | - Go Watanabe
- Department of Data Science, School of Frontier Engineering, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, 252-0373, Japan
- Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (KISTEC), Ebina, 243-0435, Japan
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10
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Sezer S, Bukusoglu E. Nanoparticle-Assisted Liquid Crystal Droplet Sensors Enable Analysis of Low-Concentration Species in Aqueous Medium. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024. [PMID: 38296829 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
We introduce nanoparticle-assisted liquid crystal (LC) droplet-based sensors that allow determination of low-level concentrations of aqueous soluble species. The silica nanoparticles functionalized with mixed monolayers composed of two distinct groups, hydrophobic alkane tail- and charged group-terminated silanes, facilitated ternary physical interactions between the model analytes (methylene blue (MB) or methyl orange (MO)) and the nematic mesogens 5CB (4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl), and the interfacial species of the nanoparticle. The response of the LC droplets was measured upon nanoparticle adsorption as a function of analyte concentration, which was characterized by the optical determination of the configuration distributions of the LC droplets. We highlight the importance of the charging and the composition of the nanoparticle interfaces for analytical purposes that allow accurate determination of the concentration of the analytes on the order of 0.01 ppb. Such a low concentration corresponds to a low interfacial coverage of nanoparticles, indicating the promisingly high sensitivity of the sensor platform to target analytes. Distinct from the past examples of the LC-based sensors, the nanoparticle-assisted LC sensors allow detection of the species that do not directly cause an ordering transition at the LC-water interfaces, which allow a broader range of analytical targets. The sensor platform that we report herein can be easily tunable for a range of target molecules and will find use in the determination of a wide range of micropollutants in aqueous environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selda Sezer
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Dumlupinar Bulvari No. 1, Cankaya, Ankara 06800, Turkey
- Akcadag Vocational School, Laboratory and Veterinary Health Program, Malatya Turgut Ozal University, Dogu Mahallesi No: 42/1, Akcadag, Malatya 44600, Turkey
| | - Emre Bukusoglu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Dumlupinar Bulvari No. 1, Cankaya, Ankara 06800, Turkey
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11
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Qi L, Liu J, Liu S, Liu Y, Xiao Y, Zhang Z, Zhou W, Jiang Y, Fang X. Ultrasensitive Point-of-Care Detection of Protein Markers Using an Aptamer-CRISPR/Cas12a-Regulated Liquid Crystal Sensor (ALICS). Anal Chem 2024; 96:866-875. [PMID: 38164718 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c04492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Despite extensive efforts, point-of-care testing (POCT) of protein markers with high sensitivity and specificity and at a low cost remains challenging. In this work, we developed an aptamer-CRISPR/Cas12a-regulated liquid crystal sensor (ALICS), which achieved ultrasensitive protein detection using a smartphone-coupled portable device. Specifically, a DNA probe that contained an aptamer sequence for the protein target and an activation sequence for the Cas12a-crRNA complex was prefixed on a substrate and was released in the presence of target. The activation sequence of the DNA probe then bound to the Cas12a-crRNA complex to activate the collateral cleavage reaction, producing a bright-to-dark optical change in a DNA-functionalized liquid crystal interface. The optical image was captured by a smartphone for quantification of the target concentration. For the two model proteins, SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (N protein) and carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA), ALICS achieved detection limits of 0.4 and 20 pg/mL, respectively, which are higher than the typical sensitivity of the SARS-CoV-2 test and the clinical CEA test. In the clinical sample tests, ALICS also exhibited superior performances compared to those of the commercial ELISA and lateral flow test kits. Overall, ALICS represents an ultrasensitive and cost-effective platform for POCT, showing a great potential for pathogen detection and disease monitoring under resource-limited conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lubin Qi
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, PR China
| | - Jie Liu
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, PR China
| | - Songlin Liu
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, PR China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Taian 271000, PR China
| | - Yating Xiao
- School of Molecular Medicine, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, PR China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Beijing National Research Center for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100190, PR China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, PR China
| | - Yifei Jiang
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, PR China
| | - Xiaohong Fang
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, PR China
- School of Molecular Medicine, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, PR China
- Beijing National Research Center for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100190, PR China
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12
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Zhan X, Yang KL, Luo D. Liquid crystal based sensor for antimony ions detection using poly-adenine oligonucleotides. Talanta 2024; 267:125148. [PMID: 37678004 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.125148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Antimony is highly toxic and a key water pollutant, which needs to be monitored closely. To date, however, most analytical methods for antimony detection are quite limited because they are complicated, expensive, and not suitable for real-time monitoring of antimony. In this study, a label-free and rapid method for antimony ions (Sb3+) detection is developed based on liquid crystals and a 10-mer poly-adenine oligonucleotide as a specific recognition probe for the first time. The working principle is based on the binding of the oligonucleotide to Sb3+, which weakens the interaction between the oligonucleotide and cationic surfactants. As a result, the event induces a planar-to-homeotropic orientational change of liquid crystals and a bright-to-dark optical change under crossed polars. This liquid crystal-based optical sensor exhibits a rapid response to Sb3+ in 10 s, a detection range between 20 nM and 5 μM, and a detection limit at 6.7 nM calculated from 10-mins assay time. It also shows good selectivity against other metal ions including Ag+, Cd2+, Cu2+, Fe3+, K+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Na+, Pb2+, and Zn2+. Moreover, this system can be used to detect Sb3+ in aqueous solutions with different pH or ionic strengths. This simple, fast, and low-cost liquid crystal-based sensing approach with high sensitivity and selectivity has a high potential for detecting Sb3+ in natural environments and industrial wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiyun Zhan
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Xueyuan Road 1088, Shenzhen, 518055, China; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore, 117576, Singapore
| | - Kun-Lin Yang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore, 117576, Singapore.
| | - Dan Luo
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Xueyuan Road 1088, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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13
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Yang R, Deng Y, Xie S, Liu M, Zou Y, Qian T, An Q, Chen J, Shen S, van den Berg A, Zhang M, Shui L. Controllable ingestion and release of guest components driven by interfacial molecular orientation of host liquid crystal droplets. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 652:557-566. [PMID: 37607418 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.08.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Controllable construction and manipulation of artificial multi-compartmental structures are crucial in understanding and imitating smart molecular elements such as biological cells and on-demand delivery systems. Here, we report a liquid crystal droplet (LCD) based three-dimensional system for controllable and reversible ingestion and release of guest aqueous droplets (GADs). Induced by interfacial thermodynamic fluctuation and internal topological defect, microscale LCDs with perpendicular anchoring condition at the interface would spontaneously ingest external components from the surroundings and transform them as radially assembled tiny GADs inside LCDs. Landau-de Gennes free-energy model is applied to describe and explain the assembly dynamics and morphologies of these tiny GADs, which presents a good agreement with experimental observations. Furthermore, the release of these ingested GADs can be actively triggered by changing the anchoring conditions at the interface of LCDs. Since those ingestion and release processes are controllable and happen very gently at room temperature and neutral pH environment without extra energy input, these microscale LCDs are very prospective to provide a unique and viable route for constructing hierarchical 3D structures with tunable components and compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruizhi Yang
- Joint Laboratory of Optofluidic Technology and Systems (LOTS), National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yueming Deng
- Joint Laboratory of Optofluidic Technology and Systems (LOTS), National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shuting Xie
- Joint Laboratory of Optofluidic Technology and Systems (LOTS), National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Mengjun Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Functional Materials and Devices, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yiying Zou
- Joint Laboratory of Optofluidic Technology and Systems (LOTS), National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Tiezheng Qian
- Department of Mathematics, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Qi An
- Joint Laboratory of Optofluidic Technology and Systems (LOTS), National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jiamei Chen
- Joint Laboratory of Optofluidic Technology and Systems (LOTS), National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shitao Shen
- Joint Laboratory of Optofluidic Technology and Systems (LOTS), National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Albert van den Berg
- BIOS Lab-on-a-Chip Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Technical Medical Centre and Max Planck Centre for Complex Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, AE, Enschede 7500, the Netherlands
| | - Minmin Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Functional Materials and Devices, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Lingling Shui
- Joint Laboratory of Optofluidic Technology and Systems (LOTS), National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Functional Materials and Devices, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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14
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Katrahalli U, Shanker G, Pal D, Hadagali MD. Molecular spectroscopic and docking analysis of the interaction of fluorescent thiadicarbocyanine dye with biomolecule bovine serum albumin. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:10702-10712. [PMID: 36546697 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2158135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Binding studies of the water-soluble thiadicarbocyanine dye 3,3'-diethylthiadicarbocyanine acetate (DTC) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) were examined under physiological conditions using spectroscopic techniques like fluorescence, UV-Visible, circular dichroism (CD), FT-IR and molecular docking methods. Compiled experimental results envisage that DTC quench the fluorescence intensity of BSA. The increasing binding constants (K) were found to be in the order of 103 Mol-1 as a function of temperature, as calculated from the fluorescence quenching data. The quenching mechanism, thermodynamic parameters (ΔH0, ΔS0 and ΔG0) and the number of binding sites have been explored. CD values showed that the secondary structure of the BSA has been altered upon binding to DTC. Displacement experiments were carried out with different site probes to find out the binding site of DTC on BSA and it was found that binding interaction at site II of sub-domain IIIA. The interference of common metal ions on the interaction of DTC with BSA has also been studied. The experimental data exhibit that DTC interacts with BSA by hydrophobic forces. The experimental findings from BSA binding studies were validated by using in silico molecular docking technique. The results of the investigations were accurately supported by studies on molecular docking. The optimal shape of the molecular probe demonstrated the affinity as a free binding energy release of -7.37 Kcal/mol. The present research report endeavors to the approachable nature of water-soluble DTC dye and paves way for targeted biological interactions.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Govindaswamy Shanker
- Department of Chemistry, Jnana Bharathi Campus, Bangalore University, Bangalore, India
| | - Debnath Pal
- Department of Computational and Data Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Manjunatha Devagondanahalli Hadagali
- Department of Computational and Data Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- Department of Studies in Chemistry, Davangere University, Davangere, India
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15
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Gold JI, Sheavly JK, Bao N, Yu H, Rajbangshi J, Schauer JJ, Zavala VM, Abbott NL, Van Lehn RC, Mavrikakis M. Elucidating Molecular-Scale Principles Governing the Anchoring of Liquid Crystal Mixtures on Solid Surfaces. ACS NANO 2023; 17:22620-22631. [PMID: 37934462 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c06735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Computational chemistry calculations are broadly useful for guiding the atom-scale design of hard-soft material interfaces including how molecular interactions of single-component liquid crystals (LCs) at inorganic surfaces lead to preferred orientations of the LC far from the surface. The majority of LCs, however, are not single-component phases but comprise of mixtures, such as a mixture of mesogens, added to provide additional functions such as responsiveness to the presence of targeted organic compounds (for chemical sensing). In such LC mixtures, little is understood about the near-surface composition and organization of molecules and how that organization propagates into the far-field LC orientation. Here, we address this broad question by using a multiscale computational approach that combines density functional theory (DFT)-based calculations and classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to predict the interfacial composition and organization of a binary LC mixture of 4'-cyano-4-biphenylcarbolxylic acid (CBCA) and 4'-n-pentyl-4-biphenylcarbonitrile (5CB) supported on anatase (101) titania surfaces. DFT calculations determine the surface composition and atomic-scale organization of CBCA and 5CB at the titania surface, and classical MD simulations build upon the DFT description to describe the evolution of the near-surface order into the bulk LC. A surprising finding is that the 5CB and CBCA molecules adopt orthogonal orientations at the anatase surface and that, above a threshold concentration of CBCA, this mixture of orientations evolves away from the surface to define a uniform far-field homeotropic orientation. These results demonstrate that molecular-level knowledge achieved through a combination of computational techniques permits the design and understanding of functional LC mixtures at interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake I Gold
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Jonathan K Sheavly
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Nanqi Bao
- Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Huaizhe Yu
- Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Juriti Rajbangshi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - James J Schauer
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Victor M Zavala
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Nicholas L Abbott
- Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Reid C Van Lehn
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Manos Mavrikakis
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin─Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
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16
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Ahn JS, Jang CH. Sensitive detection of 17β-estradiol at a picomolar level using an aptamer-assisted liquid crystal-based optical sensor. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023; 415:6323-6332. [PMID: 37581706 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-04907-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
A liquid crystal (LC)-based aptasensor was developed that can detect 17β-estradiol (E2) at the picomolar level. This aptasensor is based on competitive reactions of the aptamer that interacts with cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and E2 at the aqueous/LC interface. The long alkyl chain of CTAB anchored the 4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) to a homeotropic state and controls the local anchoring depending on the extent of electrostatic interaction with the aptamer. Upon addition of the aptamer solution to the CTAB-saturated LC layer, LCs change from dark to bright optical response. This is due to the perturbed orientation of 5CB at the aqueous/LC interface as a result of electrostatic attraction of the cationic group of CTAB and the phosphate group of the aptamer. The conformational change of the aptamer due to specific binding with E2 weakens the electrostatic attraction between CTAB and aptamer. When specific binding becomes relatively dominant, CTAB induces the orientation of LCs to the homeotropic state, resulting in a dark optical image observed. We also analyzed the change in the optical response of LCs according to the interfacial events and compared the grayscale values of the optical image for each concentration of E2 to determine the detection limit. Accordingly, the detection limit of the E2 sensor was found to be 3.1 pM (0.8 pg/ml) in Tris-buffered saline (TBS), and 6.8 pM (1.9 pg/ml) in human urine. The LC-based optical aptasensor was thus shown to be highly sensitive and selective with no requirement for complex analysis equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Seong Ahn
- Department of Chemistry, Gachon University, Seongnam-daero 1342, Sujeong-Gu, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Hyun Jang
- Department of Chemistry, Gachon University, Seongnam-daero 1342, Sujeong-Gu, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, 13120, Republic of Korea.
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17
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Song H, Khan M, Yu L, Wang Y, Lin JM, Hu Q. Construction of Liquid Crystal-Based Sensors Using Enzyme-Linked Dual-Functional Nucleic Acid on Magnetic Beads. Anal Chem 2023; 95:13385-13390. [PMID: 37622311 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c03163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
The development of liquid crystal (LC)-based sensors with superior performances such as high portability, excellent stability, great convenience, and remarkable sensitivity is highly demanded. This work proposes a new strategy for constructing the LC-based sensor using enzyme-linked dual-functional nucleic acid (d-FNA) on magnetic beads (MBs). The detection of kanamycin (KA) is demonstrated as a model. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is assembled onto the KA aptamer-modified MBs with a d-FNA strand that consists of an AChE aptamer and the complementary sequence of a KA aptamer. As the specific recognition of KA by its aptamer triggers the release of AChE from the MBs, the myristoylcholine (Myr) solution after incubation with the MBs causes the black image of the LCs due to the formation of the Myr monolayer at the aqueous/LC interface. Otherwise, in the absence of KA, AChE is still decorated on the MBs and causes the hydrolysis of Myr. Therefore, a bright image of LCs is obtained. The detection of KA is successfully achieved with a lower detection limit of 48.1 pg/mL. In addition, a thin polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer-coated glass and a portable optical device are used to improve the stability and portability of the LC-based sensor to advance potential commercial applications. Furthermore, the detection of KA in milk with a portable device is demonstrated, showing the potential of the proposed enzyme-linked LC-based sensor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyang Song
- Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Shandong Analysis and Test Center, Jinan 250014, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China
| | - Mashooq Khan
- Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Shandong Analysis and Test Center, Jinan 250014, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China
| | - Li Yu
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Yunshan Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250021, China
| | - Jin-Ming Lin
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Qiongzheng Hu
- Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Shandong Analysis and Test Center, Jinan 250014, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250014, China
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18
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Zhang Z, Yang X, Zhao Y, Ye F, Shang L. Liquid Crystal Materials for Biomedical Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2300220. [PMID: 37235719 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202300220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystal is a state of matter being intermediate between solid and liquid. Liquid crystal materials exhibit both orientational order and fluidity. While liquid crystals have long been highly recognized in the display industry, in recent decades, liquid crystals provide new opportunities into the cross-field of material science and biomedicine due to their biocompatibility, multifunctionality, and responsiveness. In this review, the latest achievements of liquid crystal materials applied in biomedical fields are summarized. The start is made by introducing the basic concepts of liquid crystals, and then shifting to the components of liquid crystals as well as functional materials derived therefrom. After that, the ongoing and foreseeable applications of liquid crystal materials in the biomedical field with emphasis put on several cutting-edge aspects, including drug delivery, bioimaging, tissue engineering, implantable devices, biosensing, and wearable devices are discussed. It is hoped that this review will stimulate ingenious ideas for the future generation of liquid crystal-based drug development, artificial implants, disease diagnosis, health status monitoring, and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuohao Zhang
- Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, the International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xinyuan Yang
- Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, the International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, the International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Fangfu Ye
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325001, China
| | - Luoran Shang
- Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, the International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
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19
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Katayama K, Yoshimura T, Yamashita S, Teratani H, Murakami T, Suzuki H, Fukuda JI. Formation of topological defects at liquid/liquid crystal interfaces in micro-wells controlled by surfactants and light. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:6578-6588. [PMID: 37603438 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00838j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Topological defects, the fundamental entities arising from symmetry-breaking, have captivated the attention of physicists, mathematicians, and materials scientists for decades. Here we propose and demonstrate a novel method for robust control of topological defects in a liquid crystal (LC), an ideal testbed for the investigation of topological defects. A liquid layer is introduced on the LC in microwells in a microfluidic device. The liquid/LC interface facilitates the control of the LC alignment thereby introducing different molecules in the liquid/LC phase. A topological defect is robustly formed in a microwell when the liquid/LC interface and the microwell surface impose planar and homeotropic alignment, respectively. We also demonstrate the formation/disappearance of topological defects by light illumination, realized by dissolving photo-responsive molecules in the LC. Our platform that facilitates the control of LC topological defects by the introduction of different molecules and external stimuli could have potential for sensor applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Katayama
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Chuo University, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan.
| | - Takuro Yoshimura
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Chuo University, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan.
| | - Saki Yamashita
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Chuo University, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan.
| | - Hiroto Teratani
- Department of Precision Mechanics, Chuo University, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan
| | - Tomoki Murakami
- Department of Precision Mechanics, Chuo University, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Suzuki
- Department of Precision Mechanics, Chuo University, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan
| | - Jun-Ichi Fukuda
- Department of Physics, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
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20
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Luo Y, Gu M, Park M, Fang X, Kwon Y, Urueña JM, Read de Alaniz J, Helgeson ME, Marchetti CM, Valentine MT. Molecular-scale substrate anisotropy, crowding and division drive collective behaviours in cell monolayers. J R Soc Interface 2023; 20:20230160. [PMID: 37403487 PMCID: PMC10320338 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of cells to reorganize in response to external stimuli is important in areas ranging from morphogenesis to tissue engineering. While nematic order is common in biological tissues, it typically only extends to small regions of cells interacting via steric repulsion. On isotropic substrates, elongated cells can co-align due to steric effects, forming ordered but randomly oriented finite-size domains. However, we have discovered that flat substrates with nematic order can induce global nematic alignment of dense, spindle-like cells, thereby influencing cell organization and collective motion and driving alignment on the scale of the entire tissue. Remarkably, single cells are not sensitive to the substrate's anisotropy. Rather, the emergence of global nematic order is a collective phenomenon that requires both steric effects and molecular-scale anisotropy of the substrate. To quantify the rich set of behaviours afforded by this system, we analyse velocity, positional and orientational correlations for several thousand cells over days. The establishment of global order is facilitated by enhanced cell division along the substrate's nematic axis, and associated extensile stresses that restructure the cells' actomyosin networks. Our work provides a new understanding of the dynamics of cellular remodelling and organization among weakly interacting cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimin Luo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Mengyang Gu
- Department of Statistics and Applied Probability, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Minwook Park
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Xinyi Fang
- Department of Statistics and Applied Probability, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Younghoon Kwon
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Juan Manuel Urueña
- BioPACIFIC MIP, California NanoSystems Institute, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Javier Read de Alaniz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Matthew E. Helgeson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Cristina M. Marchetti
- Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Megan T. Valentine
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
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21
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Wang H, Xu T, Wang Z, Liu Y, Chen H, Jiang J, Liu T. Highly sensitive and label-free detection of biotin using a liquid crystal-based optofluidic biosensor. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2023; 14:3763-3774. [PMID: 37497519 PMCID: PMC10368036 DOI: 10.1364/boe.494783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
A liquid crystal (LC)-based optofluidic whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonator has been applied as a biosensor to detect biotin. Immobilized streptavidin (SA) act as protein molecules and specifically bind to biotin through strong non-covalent interaction, which can interfere with the orientation of LCs by decreasing the vertical anchoring force of the alignment layer in which the WGM spectral wavelength shift is monitored as a sensing parameter. Due to the double magnification of the LC molecular orientation transition and the resonance of the WGM, the detection limit for SA can reach 1.25 fM (4.7 × 10-13 g/ml). The measurable concentration of biotin and the wavelength shift of the WGM spectrum have an excellent linearity in the range of 0 to 0.1 pg/ml, which can achieve ultra-low detection limit (0.4 fM), i.e., seven orders of magnitude improvement over conventional polarized optical microscope (POM) method. The proposed optofluidic biosensor is highly reproducible and can be used as an ultrasensitive real-time monitoring biosensor, which will open the door for applications to other receptor and ligand models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haonan Wang
- School of Precision Instrument and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Tianhua Xu
- School of Precision Instrument and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
- School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Ziyihui Wang
- School of Precision Instrument and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Yize Liu
- School of Precision Instrument and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Huaixu Chen
- School of Precision Instrument and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Junfeng Jiang
- School of Precision Instrument and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Tiegen Liu
- School of Precision Instrument and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
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22
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Mukherjee F, Shi A, Wang X, You F, Abbott NL. Liquid Crystals as Multifunctional Interfaces for Trapping and Characterizing Colloidal Microplastics. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2207802. [PMID: 36892170 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202207802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Identifying and removing microplastics (MPs) from the environment is a global challenge. This study explores how the colloidal fraction of MPs assemble into distinct 2D patterns at aqueous interfaces of liquid crystal (LC) films with the goal of developing surface-sensitive methods for identifying MPs. Polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) microparticles are measured to exhibit distinct aggregation patterns, with addition of anionic surfactant amplifying differences in PS/PE aggregation patterns: PS changes from a linear chain-like morphology to a singly dispersed state with increasing surfactant concentration whereas PE forms dense clusters at all surfactant concentrations. Statistical analysis of assembly patterns using deep learning image recognition models yields accurate classification, with feature importance analysis confirming that dense, multibranched assemblies are unique features of PE relative to PS. Microscopic characterization of LC ordering at the microparticle surfaces leads to predict LC-mediated interactions (due to elastic strain) with a dipolar symmetry, a prediction consistent with the interfacial organization of PS but not PE. Further analysis leads to conclude that PE microparticles, due to their polycrystalline nature, possess rough surfaces that lead to weak LC elastic interactions and enhanced capillary forces. Overall, the results highlight the potential utility of LC interfaces for rapid identification of colloidal MPs based on their surface properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Mukherjee
- Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Anye Shi
- Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Xin Wang
- Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Fengqi You
- Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Nicholas L Abbott
- Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
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23
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Lin L, Li W, Wang X, Xie Y, Li Y, Wu Z. Functional Liquid Crystal Core/Hydrogel Shell Microcapsules for Monitoring Live Cells in a 3D Microenvironment. Anal Chem 2023; 95:2750-2756. [PMID: 36599406 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c03762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture, even as a simple microspheroid model, can be used to recapitulate the native biological microenvironment of cells. Examining the biochemical characteristics of cells in multicellular hydrogel microspheroids using microsensors is usually limited to monitoring the medium around the microspheroids. Here, functional liquid crystal (LC) core/hydrogel shell microcapsules loaded with cells were prepared using droplet microfluidic technology for monitoring live cells in a 3D microenvironment. These microcapsules have a distinctive core/shell structure; cells can be cultured in the hydrogel shell of this 3D model. The functional LC core responds to the acidic microenvironment of cells, showing an axial-to-bipolar transfiguration. 3D cell culture and visual monitoring of the cell microenvironment can be simultaneously achieved in a single microcapsule. Therefore, this novel method may enable a standard approach for monitoring multiple ions or molecules in a 3D model of the cell microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Lin
- Department of Bioengineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Weiwei Li
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiaorui Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Yaoshuang Xie
- Department of Bioengineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Yuxuan Li
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zengnan Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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24
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Pani I, Sil S, Pal SK. Liquid Crystal Biosensors: A New Therapeutic Window to Point-of-Care Diagnostics. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:909-917. [PMID: 36634050 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c02959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
After revolutionizing the field of electro-optic displays, liquid crystals (LCs) are emerging as functional soft materials with wide-ranging biomedical implications. Integrating smart sensor designs with label-free imaging presents exciting opportunities in diagnostics. In this Perspective, we present an elegant collage of the key findings that demonstrate the utility of LC biosensors in diagnosing a disease or infection in clinical samples, cellular microenvironments, or bodily fluids. We emphasize the currently prevalent diagnostic techniques and the advances made using LCs in achieving greater sensitivity, a simplified strategy, multiplexed detection, and so on. We collate the landmark contributions in translational research in LC-based diagnostics. We believe that developing LC-based biosensors presents a new therapeutic window in point-of-care diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ipsita Pani
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Mohali 140306, Punjab, India
| | - Soma Sil
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Mohali 140306, Punjab, India
| | - Santanu Kumar Pal
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Mohali 140306, Punjab, India
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25
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Kim WS, Im JH, Kim H, Choi JK, Choi Y, Kim YK. Liquid Crystalline Systems from Nature and Interaction of Living Organisms with Liquid Crystals. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2204275. [PMID: 35861641 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202204275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Biomaterials, which are substances interacting with biological systems, have been extensively explored to understand living organisms and obtain scientific inspiration (such as biomimetics). However, many aspects of biomaterials have yet to be fully understood. Because liquid crystalline phases are ubiquitously found in biomaterials (e.g., cholesterol, amphiphile, DNA, cellulose, bacteria), therefore, a wide range of research has made attempts to approach unresolved issues with the concept of liquid crystals (LCs). This review presents these studies that address the interactive correlation between biomaterials and LCs. Specifically, intrinsic LC behavior of various biomaterials such as DNA, cellulose nanocrystals, and bacteriaare first introduced. Second, the dynamics of bacteria in LC media are addressed, with focus on how bacteria interact with LCs, and how dynamics of bacteria can be controlled by exploiting the characteristics of LCs. Lastly, how the strong correlation between LCs and biomaterials has been leveraged to design a new class of biosensors with additional functionalities (e.g., self-regulated drug release) that are not available in previous systems is reviewed. Examples addressed in this review convey the message that the intersection between biomaterials and LCs offers deep insights into fundamental understanding of biomaterials, and provides resources for development of transformative technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won-Sik Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Hyung Im
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyein Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Kang Choi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Yena Choi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Ki Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
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26
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Stabilizing liquid crystal droplets with hydrogel films and its application in monitoring adenosine triphosphate. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2022.130122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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27
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Esmailpour M, Mohammadimasoudi M, Shemirani MG, Goudarzi A, Heidari Beni MH, Shahsavarani H, Aghajan H, Mehrbod P, Salehi-Vaziri M, Fotouhi F. Rapid, label-free and low-cost diagnostic kit for COVID-19 based on liquid crystals and machine learning. BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS: X 2022; 12:100233. [PMID: 36097520 PMCID: PMC9452410 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosx.2022.100233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We report a label-free method for detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in nasopharyngeal swab samples without purification steps and multiplication of the target which simplifies and expedites the analysis process. The kit consists of a textile grid on which liquid crystals (LC) are deposited and the grid is placed in a crossed polarized microscopy. The swab samples are subsequently placed on the LCs. In the presence of a particular biomolecule, the direction of LCs changes locally based on the properties of the biomolecule and forms a particular pattern. As the swab samples are not perfectly purified, image processing and machine learning techniques are employed to detect the presence of specific molecules or quantify their concentrations in the medium. The method can differentiate negative and positive COVID-19 samples with an accuracy of 96% and also differentiate COVID-19 from influenza types A and B with an accuracy of 93%. The kit is portable, simple to manufacture, convenient to operate, cost effective, rapid and sensitive. The simplicity of the specimen processing, the speed of image acquisition, and fast diagnostic operations enable the deployment of the proposed technique for performing extensive on-spot screening of COVID-19 in public places.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahboube Esmailpour
- Nano-bio-photonics Laboratory, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mohammadimasoudi
- Nano-bio-photonics Laboratory, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza G Shemirani
- Nano-bio-photonics Laboratory, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Goudarzi
- Nano-bio-photonics Laboratory, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Hosein Shahsavarani
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Science and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine and Biomedical Innovations, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Aghajan
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parvaneh Mehrbod
- Influenza and Respiratory Viruses Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Fatemeh Fotouhi
- Influenza and Respiratory Viruses Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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28
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Dissipative Particle Dynamics Simulation of the Sensitive Anchoring Behavior of Smectic Liquid Crystals at Aqueous Phase. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27217433. [DOI: 10.3390/molecules27217433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Rational design of thermotropic liquid crystal (LC)-based sensors utilizing different mesophases holds great promise to open up novel detection modalities for various chemical and biological applications. In this context, we present a dissipative particle dynamics study to explore the unique anchoring behavior of nematic and smectic LCs at amphiphile-laden aqueous-LC interface. By increasing the surface coverage of amphiphiles, two distinct anchoring sequences, a continuous planar-tilted-homeotropic transition and a discontinuous planar-to-homeotropic transition, can be observed for the nematic and smectic LCs, respectively. More importantly, the latter occurs at a much lower surface coverage of amphiphiles, demonstrating an outstanding sensitivity for the smectic-based sensors. The dynamics of reorientation further reveals that the formation of homeotropic smectic anchoring is mainly governed by the synchronous growth of smectic layers through the LCs, which is significantly different from the mechanism of interface-to-bulk ordering propagation in nematic anchoring. Furthermore, the smectic LCs have also been proven to possess a potential selectivity in response to a subtle change in the chain rigidity of amphiphiles. These simulation findings are promising and would be valuable for the development of novel smectic-based sensors.
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29
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Bao N, Jiang S, Smith A, Schauer JJ, Mavrikakis M, Van Lehn RC, Zavala VM, Abbott NL. Sensing Gas Mixtures by Analyzing the Spatiotemporal Optical Responses of Liquid Crystals Using 3D Convolutional Neural Networks. ACS Sens 2022; 7:2545-2555. [PMID: 35998611 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.2c00362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
We report how analysis of the spatial and temporal optical responses of liquid crystal (LC) films to targeted gases, when performed using a machine learning methodology, can advance the sensing of gas mixtures and provide important insights into the physical processes that underlie the sensor response. We develop the methodology using O3 and Cl2 mixtures (representative of an important class of analytes) and LCs supported on metal perchlorate-decorated surfaces as a model system. Although O3 and Cl2 both diffuse through LC films and undergo redox reactions with the supporting metal perchlorate surfaces to generate similar initial and final optical states of the LCs, we show that a three-dimensional convolutional neural network can extract feature information that is encoded in the spatiotemporal color patterns of the LCs to detect the presence of both O3 and Cl2 species in mixtures and to quantify their concentrations. Our analysis reveals that O3 detection is driven by the transition time over which the brightness of the LC changes, while Cl2 detection is driven by color fluctuations that develop late in the optical response of the LC. We also show that we can detect the presence of Cl2 even when the concentration of O3 is orders of magnitude greater than the Cl2 concentration. The proposed methodology is generalizable to a wide range of analytes, reactive surfaces, and LCs and has the potential to advance the design of portable LC monitoring devices (e.g., wearable devices) for analyzing gas mixtures using spatiotemporal color fluctuations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanqi Bao
- Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Shengli Jiang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Alexander Smith
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - James J Schauer
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Manos Mavrikakis
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Reid C Van Lehn
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Victor M Zavala
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Nicholas L Abbott
- Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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30
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Liquid Crystal Droplet-Based Biosensors: Promising for Point-of-Care Testing. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12090758. [PMID: 36140143 PMCID: PMC9496589 DOI: 10.3390/bios12090758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The development of biosensing platforms has been impressively accelerated by advancements in liquid crystal (LC) technology. High response rate, easy operation, and good stability of the LC droplet-based biosensors are all benefits of the long-range order of LC molecules. Bioprobes emerged when LC droplets were combined with biotechnology, and these bioprobes are used extensively for disease diagnosis, food safety, and environmental monitoring. The LC droplet biosensors have high sensitivity and excellent selectivity, making them an attractive tool for the label-free, economical, and real-time detection of different targets. Portable devices work well as the accessory kits for LC droplet-based biosensors to make them easier to use by anyone for on-site monitoring of targets. Herein, we offer a review of the latest developments in the design of LC droplet-based biosensors for qualitative target monitoring and quantitative target analysis.
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31
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Yu J, Liang C, Lee M, Das S, Ye A, Mujid F, Poddar PK, Cheng B, Abbott NL, Park J. Two-Dimensional Mechanics of Atomically Thin Solids on Water. NANO LETTERS 2022; 22:7180-7186. [PMID: 36047815 PMCID: PMC9479134 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c02499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Movement of a three-dimensional solid at an air-water interface is strongly influenced by the extrinsic interactions between the solid and the water. The finite thickness and volume of a moving solid causes capillary interactions and water-induced drag. In this Letter, we report the fabrication and dynamical imaging of freely floating MoS2 solids on water, which minimizes such extrinsic effects. For this, we delaminate a synthesized wafer-scale monolayer MoS2 onto a water surface, which shows negligible height difference across water and MoS2. Subsequently patterning by a laser generates arbitrarily shaped MoS2 with negligible in-plane strain. We introduce photoswitchable surfactants to exert a lateral force to floating MoS2 with a spatiotemporal control. Using this platform, we demonstrate a variety of two-dimensional mechanical systems that show reversible shape changes. Our experiment provides a versatile approach for designing and controlling a large array of atomically thin solids on water for intrinsically two-dimensional dynamics and mechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaehyung Yu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Ce Liang
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Myungjae Lee
- James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Soumik Das
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Andrew Ye
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Fauzia Mujid
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Preeti K Poddar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Baorui Cheng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Nicholas L Abbott
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Jiwoong Park
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
- James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
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32
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Nguyen TTT, Haam S, Park JS, Lee SW. Cysteine-Encapsulated Liposome for Investigating Biomolecular Interactions at Lipid Membranes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810566. [PMID: 36142476 PMCID: PMC9500635 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of a strategy to investigate interfacial phenomena at lipid membranes is practically useful because most essential biomolecular interactions occur at cell membranes. In this study, a colorimetric method based on cysteine-encapsulated liposomes was examined using gold nanoparticles as a probe to provide a platform to report an enzymatic activity at lipid membranes. The cysteine-encapsulated liposomes were prepared with varying ratios of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) and cholesterol through the hydration of lipid films and extrusions in the presence of cysteine. The size, composition, and stability of resulting liposomes were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and UV-vis spectrophotometry. The results showed that the increased cholesterol content improved the stability of liposomes, and the liposomes were formulated with 60 mol % cholesterol for the subsequent experiments. Triton X-100 was tested to disrupt the lipid membranes to release the encapsulated cysteine from the liposomes. Cysteine can induce the aggregation of gold nanoparticles accompanying a color change, and the colorimetric response of gold nanoparticles to the released cysteine was investigated in various media. Except in buffer solutions at around pH 5, the cysteine-encapsulated liposomes showed the color change of gold nanoparticles only after being incubated with Triton X-100. Finally, the cysteine-encapsulated liposomal platform was tested to report the enzymatic activity of phospholipase A2 that hydrolyzes phospholipids in the membrane. The hydrolysis of phospholipids triggered the release of cysteine from the liposomes, and the released cysteine was successfully detected by monitoring the distinct red-to-blue color change of gold nanoparticles. The presence of phospholipase A2 was also confirmed by the appearance of a peak around 690 nm in the UV-vis spectra, which is caused by the cysteine-induced aggregation of gold nanoparticles. The results demonstrated that the cysteine-encapsulated liposome has the potential to be used to investigate biological interactions occurring at lipid membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trang Thi Thuy Nguyen
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Gachon University, Seongnam-si 13120, Korea
| | - Seungjoo Haam
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Joon-Seo Park
- Department of Chemistry, Eastern University, St. Davids, PA 19087, USA
- Correspondence: (J.-S.P.); (S.-W.L.)
| | - Sang-Wha Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Gachon University, Seongnam-si 13120, Korea
- Correspondence: (J.-S.P.); (S.-W.L.)
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33
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Honaker L, Chen C, Dautzenberg FM, Brugman S, Deshpande S. Designing Biological Microsensors with Chiral Nematic Liquid Crystal Droplets. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:37316-37329. [PMID: 35969154 PMCID: PMC9412956 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c06923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Biosensing using liquid crystals has a tremendous potential by coupling the high degree of sensitivity of their alignment to their surroundings with clear optical feedback. Many existing set-ups use birefringence of nematic liquid crystals, which severely limits straightforward and frugal implementation into a sensing platform due to the sophisticated optical set-ups required. In this work, we instead utilize chiral nematic liquid crystal microdroplets, which show strongly reflected structural color, as sensing platforms for surface active agents. We systematically quantify the optical response of closely related biological amphiphiles and find unique optical signatures for each species. We detect signatures across a wide range of concentrations (from micromolar to millimolar), with fast response times (from seconds to minutes). The striking optical response is a function of the adsorption of surfactants in a nonhomogeneous manner and the topology of the chiral nematic liquid crystal orientation at the interface requiring a scattering, multidomain structure. We show that the surface interactions, in particular, the surface packing density, to be a function of both headgroup and tail and thus unique to each surfactant species. We show lab-on-a-chip capability of our method by drying droplets in high-density two-dimensional arrays and simply hydrating the chip to detect dissolved analytes. Finally, we show proof-of-principle in vivo biosensing in the healthy as well as inflamed intestinal tracts of live zebrafish larvae, demonstrating CLC droplets show a clear optical response specifically when exposed to the gut environment rich in amphiphiles. Our unique approach shows clear potential in developing on-site detection platforms and detecting biological amphiphiles in living organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence
W. Honaker
- Laboratory
of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen
University & Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands
| | - Chang Chen
- Laboratory
of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen
University & Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands
| | - Floris M.H. Dautzenberg
- Laboratory
of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen
University & Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands
| | - Sylvia Brugman
- Host-Microbe
Interactomics, Wageningen University &
Research, Wageningen 6708 WD, The Netherlands
| | - Siddharth Deshpande
- Laboratory
of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen
University & Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands
- . Phone: +31 (0)317 480
419
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34
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Wang H, Xu T, Fu Y, Wang Z, Leeson MS, Jiang J, Liu T. Liquid Crystal Biosensors: Principles, Structure and Applications. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12080639. [PMID: 36005035 PMCID: PMC9406233 DOI: 10.3390/bios12080639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Liquid crystals (LCs) have been widely used as sensitive elements to construct LC biosensors based on the principle that specific bonding events between biomolecules can affect the orientation of LC molecules. On the basis of the sensing interface of LC molecules, LC biosensors can be classified into three types: LC–solid interface sensing platforms, LC–aqueous interface sensing platforms, and LC–droplet interface sensing platforms. In addition, as a signal amplification method, the combination of LCs and whispering gallery mode (WGM) optical microcavities can provide higher detection sensitivity due to the extremely high quality factor and the small mode volume of the WGM optical microcavity, which enhances the interaction between the light field and biotargets. In this review, we present an overview of the basic principles, the structure, and the applications of LC biosensors. We discuss the important properties of LC and the principle of LC biosensors. The different geometries of LCs in the biosensing systems as well as their applications in the biological detection are then described. The fabrication and the application of the LC-based WGM microcavity optofluidic sensor in the biological detection are also introduced. Finally, challenges and potential research opportunities in the development of LC-based biosensors are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haonan Wang
- School of Precision Instruments and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Tianhua Xu
- School of Precision Instruments and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
- Correspondence: (T.X.); (J.J.)
| | - Yaoxin Fu
- School of Precision Instruments and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Ziyihui Wang
- School of Precision Instruments and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Mark S. Leeson
- School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Junfeng Jiang
- School of Precision Instruments and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Correspondence: (T.X.); (J.J.)
| | - Tiegen Liu
- School of Precision Instruments and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
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35
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State-of-the-Art Development in Liquid Crystal Biochemical Sensors. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12080577. [PMID: 36004973 PMCID: PMC9406035 DOI: 10.3390/bios12080577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
As an emerging stimuli-responsive material, liquid crystal (LC) has attracted great attentions beyond display applications, especially in the area of biochemical sensors. Its high sensitivity and fast response to various biological or chemical analytes make it possible to fabricate a simple, real-time, label-free, and cost-effective LC-based detection platform. Advancements have been achieved in the development of LC-based sensors, both in fundamental research and practical applications. This paper briefly reviews the state-of-the-art research on LC sensors in the biochemical field, from basic properties of LC material to the detection mechanisms of LC sensors that are categorized into LC-solid, LC–aqueous, and LC droplet platforms. In addition, various analytes detected by LCs are presented as a proof of the application value, including metal ions, nucleic acids, proteins, glucose, and some toxic chemical substances. Furthermore, a machine-learning-assisted LC sensing platform is realized to provide a foundation for device intelligence and automatization. It is believed that a portable, convenient, and user-friendly LC-based biochemical sensing device will be achieved in the future.
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Determination of chlorothalonil levels through inhibitory effect on papain activity at protein-decorated liquid crystal interfaces. Mikrochim Acta 2022; 189:292. [PMID: 35879491 PMCID: PMC9313939 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-022-05396-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
A liquid crystal (LC)-based assay was developed to detect chlorothalonil (CHL). The detection principle is based on (i) the electrostatic interaction between the positively charged protein protamine (PRO) with the negatively charged phospholipid dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-rac-(1-glycerol) sodium salt (DOPG) and (ii) the CHL-mediated inhibition of papain (PAP) activity. The aqueous/LC interface was decorated with a monolayer of DOPG and PRO that self-assembled via electrostatic interactions. PAP can hydrolyze PRO, resulting in the realignment of an LC by DOPG, inducing a shift in the LC response from bright to dark. The addition of CHL can inhibit the activity of PAP, leading to the attraction of PRO to DOPG and the consequent disruption of the LC orientation. The orientation change of the LC in the presence or absence of CHL can be observed from the changes in its optical appearance using a polarized light microscope. Under optimal conditions, the developed assay achieved a detection limit of 0.196 pg mL−1 within a range of determination of 0.65–200 pg mL−1. The selectivity of the assay was verified in the presence of carbendazim and imidacloprid. The practical application of the proposed assay was demonstrated by its use to determine the levels of CHL in food extracts and environmental samples, which yielded recoveries and relative standard deviations (RSD) in the ranges of 87.39–99.663% and 1.03–6.32%, respectively.
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Uchida J, Soberats B, Gupta M, Kato T. Advanced Functional Liquid Crystals. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2109063. [PMID: 35034382 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202109063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystals have been intensively studied as functional materials. Recently, integration of various disciplines has led to new directions in the design of functional liquid-crystalline materials in the fields of energy, water, photonics, actuation, sensing, and biotechnology. Here, recent advances in functional liquid crystals based on polymers, supramolecular complexes, gels, colloids, and inorganic-based hybrids are reviewed, from design strategies to functionalization of these materials and interfaces. New insights into liquid crystals provided by significant progress in advanced measurements and computational simulations, which enhance new design and functionalization of liquid-crystalline materials, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junya Uchida
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Bartolome Soberats
- Department of Chemistry, University of the Balearic Islands, Cra. Valldemossa Km. 7.5, Palma de Mallorca, 07122, Spain
| | - Monika Gupta
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Takashi Kato
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
- Research Initiative for Supra-Materials, Shinshu University, Wakasato, Nagano, 380-8553, Japan
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Kurt E, Bukusoglu E. Liquid crystal microcapillary-based sensors for affordable analytical applications. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:4009-4016. [PMID: 35551319 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00131d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Stimuli-responsive properties of liquid crystals (LCs), when combined with their optical properties, offer sensitive and rapid sensing applications. Here, we propose and demonstrate a microcapillary-based method to be applied for the online detection of amphiphilic species, which can be further used for tracking biological and chemical species in aqueous media. Specifically, we used compartments (300-1400 μm) of nematic 4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) that were positioned into cylindrical glass microcapillaries that promote homeotropic anchoring. The flat surfaces of the cylindrical LC compartments were in contact with an aqueous media. We characterized the equilibrium and nonequilibrium response of LCs upon a change in their anchoring at the aqueous interfaces. Upon anchoring transition, we observed the formation of a positively charged defect at the proximity of the interface that moved to the center of the LC compartment and reached equilibrium, a four-petal configuration. This transition was observed to take an average of 41 ± 19 min., which we related to the motion of the defect due to the imbalance of the elastic forces. During the transition, we observed metastable states which could be removed via thermal treatment. We showed the capillary sensors to be useful considering their ease of additional quantification. We also show that the sensors are reversible that facilitate temporal and cumulative quantification. The findings reported in this study can further be used to develop sensors for specific purposes that require continuous tracking of the chemical and biological species that is critical for the health and safety of the individuals and society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Kurt
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Dumlupınar Bulvarı No: 1, Çankaya, Ankara, 06800, Turkey.
| | - Emre Bukusoglu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Dumlupınar Bulvarı No: 1, Çankaya, Ankara, 06800, Turkey.
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Akram A, Shahzady TG, Hussain S, Saad NA, Islam MT, Ikram M. Liquid Crystal Polymers: Overview of Characteristics and Applications in Communication and Biomedical Technologies. RUSS J APPL CHEM+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s107042722112003x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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40
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Wang X, Sun H, Kim YK, Wright DB, Tsuei M, Gianneschi NC, Abbott NL. Stimuli-Responsive Liquid Crystal Printheads for Spatial and Temporal Control of Polymerization. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2106535. [PMID: 35065542 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202106535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Polymerization reactions triggered by stimuli play a pivotal role in materials science, with applications ranging from lithography to biomedicine to adaptive materials. However, the development of chemically triggered, stimuli-responsive systems that can confer spatial and temporal control on polymerization remains a challenge. Herein, chemical-stimuli-induced polymerization based on a liquid crystal (LC) printhead is presented. The LC responds to a local chemical stimulus at its aqueous interface, resulting in the ejection of initiator into the solution to trigger polymerization. Various LC printhead geometries are designed, allowing programming of: i) bulk solution polymerization, ii) synthesis of a thin surface-confined polymeric coating, iii) polymerization-induced self-assembly of block copolymers to form various nanostructures (sphere, worm-like, and vesicles), and iv) 3D polymeric structures printed according to local solution conditions. The approach is demonstrated using amphiphiles, multivalent ions, and biomolecules as stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
| | - Hao Sun
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Young-Ki Kim
- Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
| | - Daniel B Wright
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Michael Tsuei
- Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
| | | | - Nicholas L Abbott
- Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
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Şengül S, Aydoğan N, Bukusoglu E. Nanoparticle adsorption induced configurations of nematic liquid crystal droplets. J Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 608:2310-2320. [PMID: 34774320 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.10.156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Nematic liquid crystal (LC) droplets have been widely used for the detection of molecular species. We investigate the response of micrometer sized nematic LC droplets against the adsorption of nanoparticles from aqueous media. We synthesized ∼ 100 nm-in-diameter silica nanoparticles and modified their surfaces to mediate either planar or homeotropic LC anchoring and a pH-dependent charge. We show surface functionality- and concentration-dependent configurations of the droplets consistent with the change in the surface anchoring and the formation of local heterogeneities upon adsorption of the nanoparticles to LC-aqueous interfaces. The adsorption of nanoparticles modified with dimethyloctadecyl [3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl] ammonium chloride (DMOAP, homeotropic) exhibit a transition from bipolar to radial, whereas the adsorption of -COOH-terminated counterparts (planar) did not cause a configuration transition. By manipulating the electrostatic interactions, we controlled the adsorption of the nanoparticles to the LC-aqueous interfaces, providing access to the physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles. We demonstrate a temporal change in the droplet configurations caused by the adsorption of the nanoparticles functionalized with -COOH/DMOAP mixed monolayers. These results provide a basis for studies in applications for the detection of nano-sized species, for sensing applications that combine nanoparticles with LCs, and for the synthesis of anisotropic composite particles with complex structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selin Şengül
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Dumlupınar Bulvarı No:1, Çankaya 06800, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nihal Aydoğan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Hacettepe University, Beytepe 06800, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Emre Bukusoglu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Dumlupınar Bulvarı No:1, Çankaya 06800, Ankara, Turkey.
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42
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Wang Y, Wang B, Xiong X, Deng S. A self-oriented beacon liquid crystal assay for kanamycin detection with AuNPs signal enhancement. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2022; 14:410-416. [PMID: 35006220 DOI: 10.1039/d1ay01613j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The authors report a self-oriented beacon liquid crystal (LC) biosensor for kanamycin (Kana) detection with gold nanoparticle (AuNPs) signal enhancement. In this study, an assay was proposed for Kana detection using the aptamer as a self-oriented beacon. Without an additional orientation agent, the Kana aptamer was used as a self-oriented beacon both as an orientation agent for the LCs and as a signal recognition probe for biological molecules. Gold nanoparticles are blended with desired concentrations of the target molecules, which can greatly improve the performance of the biosensor. In the presence of Kana, AuNPs-Kana-aptamer conjugates will form on the sensing interface of the biosensor, which can remarkably destroy the orientated arrangement of the LCs, resulting in changes in the corresponding polarized images of the LCs. The limit of Kana detection is as low as 0.1 pmol L-1. It is important to note that the self-oriented beacons are immobilized on the assembled film of the glass slides for the specific recognition of Kana, simultaneously allowing the homeotropic orientation of the LCs. This study also provides a mechanism for the self-orientation beacon and liquid crystal biosensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- School of Medical Information Engineering, Jining Medical University, Rizhao 276826, Shandong, PR China.
| | - Bing Wang
- Rizhao Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Rizhao 276800, PR China
| | - Xingliang Xiong
- Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China.
| | - Shixiong Deng
- Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China.
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Piñeres-Quiñones OH, Lynn DM, Acevedo-Vélez C. Environmentally Responsive Emulsions of Thermotropic Liquid Crystals with Exceptional Long-Term Stability and Enhanced Sensitivity to Aqueous Amphiphiles. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:957-967. [PMID: 35001623 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c02278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We report colloidally stable emulsions of thermotropic liquid crystals (LCs) that can detect the presence of amphiphilic analytes in aqueous environments. Our approach makes use of a Pickering stabilization strategy consisting of surfactant-nanoparticle complexes (SiO2/CnTAB, n = 8, 12, 16) that adsorb to aqueous/LC droplet interfaces. This strategy can stabilize LC emulsions against coalescence for at least 3 months. These stabilized LC emulsions also retain the ability to respond to the presence of model anionic, cationic, and nonionic amphiphiles (e.g., SDS, C12TAB, C12E4) in aqueous solutions by undergoing "bipolar-to-radial" changes in LC droplet configurations that can be readily observed and quantified using polarized light microscopy. Our results reveal these ordering transitions to depend upon the length of the hydrocarbon tail of the CnTAB surfactant used to form the stabilizing complexes. In general, increasing CnTAB surfactant tail length leads to droplets that respond at lower analyte concentrations, demonstrating that this Pickering stabilization strategy can be used to tune the sensitivities of the stabilized LC droplets. Finally, we demonstrate that these colloidally stable LC droplets can report the presence of rhamnolipid, a biosurfactant produced by the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Overall, our results demonstrate that this Pickering stabilization strategy provides a useful tool for the design of LC droplet-based sensors with substantially improved colloidal stability and new strategies to tune their sensitivities. These advances could increase the potential practical utility of these responsive soft materials as platforms for the detection and reporting of chemical and biological analytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar H Piñeres-Quiñones
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, Call Box 9000, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 00681-9000, United States
| | - David M Lynn
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Claribel Acevedo-Vélez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, Call Box 9000, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 00681-9000, United States
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Kalita P, Singh RK, Bhattacharjee A. Thermotropic liquid crystals in the detection of albumins through a microscopic, spectroscopic and computational approach. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2022; 265:120374. [PMID: 34536891 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2021.120374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystals (LCs) are a promising system of molecules for biosensing as a transducing agent for detecting protein human serum albumin (HSA). Herein, we investigate the detection of HSA by a liquid crystal 4'-octyl-4-biphenylcarbonitrile (8CB) intending to develop an LC-based biosensor. The change in the alignment of liquid crystal molecules in the presence of protein results in the transfigurations of the director through interactions. The limit of 8CB to detect HSA is found to be at a reliable concentration in the development of biosensors. The transition in the director configurations from radial to bipolar during the crystalline to the isotropic phase of the liquid crystals are studied under polarizing optical microscopy. These transitions confirm the detection of HSA by 8CB. The docking analysis depicts the interactions by which 8CB liquid crystal molecules bind with protein HSA. The binding energy, binding active residues and their distances between the docked residues of HSA and molecules of ligand 8CB are calculated by molecular docking. Temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy is used to analyse the spectral behaviour of the interactions. The residues validated by molecular docking studies correlate well with the findings of Raman spectra for the interaction between 8CB and HSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanki Kalita
- Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology Meghalaya, Shillong 793003, India
| | - Ranjan K Singh
- Department of Physics, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India
| | - Ayon Bhattacharjee
- Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology Meghalaya, Shillong 793003, India.
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45
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Ma Z, Xu M, Zhou S, Shan W, Zhou D, Yan Y, Sun W, Liu Y. Ultra-low sample consumption consecutive-detection method for biochemical molecules based on a whispering gallery mode with a liquid crystal microdroplet. OPTICS LETTERS 2022; 47:381-384. [PMID: 35030611 DOI: 10.1364/ol.449778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Ultra-low sample consumption detection has many applications in molecular biology, bioanalytical chemistry, and medical science. In this Letter, a novel, to the best of our knowledge, simple type of ultra-low sample consumption detection method based on a whispering gallery mode is proposed as a means to realize consecutive detection with a liquid crystal (LC) microdroplet for biochemical molecule detection, using deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as a model biomarker. The sensor consists of a 105-µm-core multimode fiber fused with a hollow capillary tube, with the LC microdroplet suspended stably in the testing solution. Its application to the detection of salmon sperm DNA yielded an adjustable measurement range of 3.75-11.25 μg/ml and a sensitivity of 0.33 nm/µg/ml. The test solution required as little as 3 nl of the sample, and the limit of detection was 1.32 µg/ml, which corresponds to the effective detection of as little as 3.96 pg of DNA. This method has great potential for application in the ultra-low sample consumption detection of biochemical molecules.
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Yang X, Yang Z. Simple and Rapid Detection of Ibuprofen─A Typical Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products─by a Liquid Crystal Aptasensor. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:282-288. [PMID: 34955019 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c02480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This work established a liquid crystal (LC) aptasensor for simple and rapid detection of ibuprofen, a typical pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) pollutant. A negatively charged DNA aptamer specific for ibuprofen and a positively charged amphiphilic surfactant, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), were incubated with the sample and then directly added onto the LC interface. In the presence of ibuprofen, the specific binding of ibuprofen with the DNA aptamer will release CTAB, which then adsorbed at the LC-aqueous interface and induced the orientational change of LCs to homeotropic orientation with a dark optical signal output. While in the absence of ibuprofen, the DNA aptamer binds with CTAB through hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions, LCs remained in the planar orientation with a bright optical signal output. This LC aptasensor also has good specificity for ibuprofen and can even detect ibuprofen drug in tap water. Moreover, the response time of the LC aptasensor is fast in minutes. Additionally, this LC aptasensor benefits in monitoring the water quality and inspires the exploration of a general platform for PPCPs detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuxiu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zhongqiang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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Abstract
Smart soft materials are envisioned to be the building blocks of the next generation of advanced devices and digitally augmented technologies. In this context, liquid crystals (LCs) owing to their responsive and adaptive attributes could serve as promising smart soft materials. LCs played a critical role in revolutionizing the information display industry in the 20th century. However, in the turn of the 21st century, numerous beyond-display applications of LCs have been demonstrated, which elegantly exploit their controllable stimuli-responsive and adaptive characteristics. For these applications, new LC materials have been rationally designed and developed. In this Review, we present the recent developments in light driven chiral LCs, i.e., cholesteric and blue phases, LC based smart windows that control the entrance of heat and light from outdoor to the interior of buildings and built environments depending on the weather conditions, LC elastomers for bioinspired, biological, and actuator applications, LC based biosensors for detection of proteins, nucleic acids, and viruses, LC based porous membranes for the separation of ions, molecules, and microbes, living LCs, and LCs under macro- and nanoscopic confinement. The Review concludes with a summary and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities for LCs as smart soft materials. This Review is anticipated to stimulate eclectic ideas toward the implementation of the nature's delicate phase of matter in future generations of smart and augmented devices and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari Krishna Bisoyi
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, United States
| | - Quan Li
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, United States.,Institute of Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and Jiangsu Hi-Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
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Yang X, Zhao X, Zhao H, Liu F, Zhang S, Zhang CX, Yang Z. Combination of liquid crystal and deep learning reveals distinct signatures of Parkinson's disease-related wild-type α-synuclein and six pathogenic mutants. Chem Asian J 2021; 17:e202101251. [PMID: 34877798 DOI: 10.1002/asia.202101251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
α-Synuclein is a central player in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathology. Various point mutations in α-synuclein have been identified to alter the protein-phospholipid binding behavior and cause PD. Therefore, exploration of α-synuclein-phospholipid interaction is important for understanding the PD pathogenesis and helping the early diagnosis of PD. Herein, a phospholipid-decorated liquid crystal (LC)-aqueous interface is constructed to investigate the binding between α-synucleins (wild-type and six familial mutant A30P, E46K, H50Q, G51D, A53E and A53T) and phospholipid. The application of deep learning analyzes and reveals distinct LC signatures generated by the binding of α-synuclein and phospholipid. This system allows for the identification of single point mutant α-synucleins with an average accuracy of 98.3±1.3% in a fast and efficient manner. We propose that this analytical methodology provides a new platform to understand α-synuclein-lipid interactions, and can be potentially developed for easy identification of α-synuclein mutations in common clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuxiu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Xiaofang Zhao
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, P. R. China
| | - Hansen Zhao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Fengwei Liu
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, P. R. China
| | - Sichun Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Claire Xi Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, P. R. China
| | - Zhongqiang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
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50
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Devi M, Verma I, Pal SK. Distinct interfacial ordering of liquid crystals observed by protein-lipid interactions that enabled the label-free sensing of cytoplasmic protein at the liquid crystal-aqueous interface. Analyst 2021; 146:7152-7159. [PMID: 34734590 DOI: 10.1039/d1an01444g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Interfaces formed between a lipid decorated liquid crystal (LC) film and an aqueous phase can mimic the bimolecular membrane where interfacially occurring biological phenomena (e.g., lipid-protein interactions, protein adsorption) can be visually monitored by observing the surface-sensitive orientations of LCs. The ordering behavior of LCs at different phospholipid-based LC interfaces (1,2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DLPC) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)) were investigated to determine the sensing of an important cytoplasmic protein (juxtamembrane of epidermal growth factor receptor (JM-EGFR)). At both DLPC and LPA decorated interfaces, the LC adopts homeotropic ordering, causing a dark optical appearance under crossed polarizers. Interestingly, upon the introduction of JM-EGFR to these LC-aqueous interfaces, the homeotropic orientation of the LC changed to planar (bright optical appearance), suggesting the potential of the designed system for JM-EGFR sensing. The use of different lipid decorated LC-aqueous interfaces results in the emergence of distinct optical patterns. For example, at a DLPC laden interface, elongated bright domains are observed, whereas a uniform bright texture is observed on an LPA laden interface. The DLPC decorated LC-aqueous interface is found to be highly selective for the sensing of JM-EGFR with a detection limit in the nanomolar concentration region (∼ 50 nM). When compared to spectroscopic and other conventional techniques, the LC-based design is simpler, and it allows the simple and label-free optical sensing of JM-EGFR at fluidic interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manisha Devi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali (IISERM), Knowledge City, Sector-81, SAS Nagar, Mohali 140306, India.
| | - Indu Verma
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali (IISERM), Knowledge City, Sector-81, SAS Nagar, Mohali 140306, India.
| | - Santanu Kumar Pal
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali (IISERM), Knowledge City, Sector-81, SAS Nagar, Mohali 140306, India.
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