1
|
Microwave Treatment of Calcium Phosphate/Titanium Dioxide Composite to Improve Protein Adsorption. MATERIALS 2022; 15:ma15144773. [PMID: 35888240 PMCID: PMC9316246 DOI: 10.3390/ma15144773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Calcium phosphate has attracted enormous attention as a bone regenerative material in biomedical fields. In this study, we investigated the effect of microwave treatment on calcium phosphate deposited TiO2 nanoflower to improve protein adsorption. Hierarchical rutile TiO2 nanoflowers (TiNF) fabricated by a hydrothermal method were soaked in modified simulated body fluid for 3 days to induce calcium phosphate (CAP) formation, followed by exposure to microwave radiation (MW). Coating the dental implants with CAP/TiNF provides a means of improving the biological properties, as the structure, morphology, and thickness of the composites can be controlled. The composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), respectively. The composites were identified to be composed of aggregated nano-sized particles with sphere-like shapes, and the calcium phosphate demonstrated low crystallinity. The ability of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to adsorb on MW-treated CAP/TiNF composites was studied as a function of BSA concentration. The Sips isotherm was used to analyze the BSA adsorption on MW-treated CAP/TiNF composites. The MW-treated samples showed high protein adsorption capacity, thereby indicating their potential in various biomedical applications.
Collapse
|
2
|
Quantitative Biosensing Based on a Liquid Crystal Marginally Aligned by the PVA/DMOAP Composite for Optical Signal Amplification. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12040218. [PMID: 35448279 PMCID: PMC9026489 DOI: 10.3390/bios12040218] [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: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The working principle for a liquid crystal (LC)-based biosensor relies on the disturbance in the orderly aligned LC molecules induced by analytes at the LC-aqueous or LC-solid interface to produce optical signals that can be typically observed under a polarizing optical microscope (POM). Our previous studies demonstrate that such optical response can be enhanced by imposing a weak electric field on LCs so that they are readily tilted from the homeotropic alignment in response to lower concentrations of analytes at the LC-glass interface. In this study, an alternative approach toward signal amplification is proposed by taking advantage of the marginally tilted alignment configuration without applying an electric field. The surface of glass substrates was modified with a binary aligning agent of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and dimethyloctadecyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl] ammonium chloride (DMOAP), in which the amount of PVA was fine-tuned so that the interfacing LC molecules were slightly tilted but remained virtually homeotropically aligned to yield no light leakage under the POM in the absence of an analyte. Two nematic LCs, E7 and 5CB, were each sandwiched between two parallel glass substrates coated with the PVA/DMOAP composite for the detection of bovine serum albumin (BSA), a model protein, and cortisol, a small-molecule steroid hormone. Through image analysis of the optical appearance of E7 observed under the POM, a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.5 × 10−8 μg/mL for BSA and that of 3 × 10−6 μg/mL for cortisol were deduced. Both values are significantly lower than that obtained with only DMOAP as the alignment layers, which correspond to signal amplification of more than six orders of magnitude. The new approach for signal amplification reported in this work enables analytes of a wide range of molecular weights to be detected with high sensitivity.
Collapse
|
3
|
Ficai D, Gheorghe M, Dolete G, Mihailescu B, Svasta P, Ficai A, Constantinescu G, Andronescu E. Microelectromechanical Systems Based on Magnetic Polymer Films. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:mi13030351. [PMID: 35334643 PMCID: PMC8952241 DOI: 10.3390/mi13030351] [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: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) have been increasingly used worldwide in a wide range of applications, including high tech, energy, medicine or environmental applications. Magnetic polymer composite films have been used extensively in the development of the micropumps and valves, which are critical components of the microelectromechanical systems. Based on the literature survey, several polymers and magnetic micro and nanopowders can be identified and, depending on their nature, ratio, processing route and the design of the device, their performances can be tuned from simple valves and pumps to biomimetic devices, such as, for instance, hearth ventricles. In many such devices, polymer magnetic films are used, the disposal of the magnetic component being either embedded into the polymer or coated on the polymer. One or more actuation zones can be used and the flow rate can be mono-directional or bi-directional depending on the design. In this paper, we review the main advances in the development of these magnetic polymer films and derived MEMS: microvalve, micropump, micromixer, microsensor, drug delivery micro-systems, magnetic labeling and separation microsystems, etc. It is important to mention that these MEMS are continuously improving from the point of view of performances, energy consumption and actuation mechanism and a clear tendency in developing personalized treatment. Due to the improved energy efficiency of special materials, wearable devices are developed and be suitable for medical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denisa Ficai
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Gh. Polizu 1-7, 011061 Bucharest, Romania;
- National Research Center for Food Safety, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (G.D.); (E.A.)
- National Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marin Gheorghe
- Center for Technological Electronics and Interconnection Techniques, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Bulevardul Iuliu Maniu, 061071 Bucharest, Romania; (M.G.); (B.M.); (P.S.)
- NANOM—MEMS, George Cosbuc 9, 505400 Rasnov, Romania
| | - Georgiana Dolete
- National Research Center for Food Safety, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (G.D.); (E.A.)
- National Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Bogdan Mihailescu
- Center for Technological Electronics and Interconnection Techniques, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Bulevardul Iuliu Maniu, 061071 Bucharest, Romania; (M.G.); (B.M.); (P.S.)
| | - Paul Svasta
- Center for Technological Electronics and Interconnection Techniques, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Bulevardul Iuliu Maniu, 061071 Bucharest, Romania; (M.G.); (B.M.); (P.S.)
| | - Anton Ficai
- National Research Center for Food Safety, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (G.D.); (E.A.)
- National Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Gh. Polizu 1-7, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Ilfov Street 3, 050044 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Gabriel Constantinescu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Clinical Emergency Hospital of Bucharest, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bulevardul Eroii Sanitari 8, 050474 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Ecaterina Andronescu
- National Research Center for Food Safety, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (G.D.); (E.A.)
- National Center for Micro and Nanomaterials, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
- Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Gh. Polizu 1-7, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Ilfov Street 3, 050044 Bucharest, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wu PC, Pai CP, Lee MJ, Lee W. A Single-Substrate Biosensor with Spin-Coated Liquid Crystal Film for Simple, Sensitive and Label-Free Protein Detection. BIOSENSORS 2021; 11:374. [PMID: 34677330 PMCID: PMC8533856 DOI: 10.3390/bios11100374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A liquid crystal (LC)-based single-substrate biosensor was developed by spin-coating an LC thin film on a dimethyloctadecyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ammonium chloride (DMOAP)-decorated glass slide. Compared with the conventional sandwiched cell configuration, the simplified procedure for the preparation of an LC film allows the film thickness to be precisely controlled by adjusting the spin rate, thus eliminating personal errors involved in LC cell assembly. The limit of detection (LOD) for bovine serum albumin (BSA) was lowered from 10-5 g/mL with a 4.2-μm-thick sandwiched cell of the commercial LC E7 to 10-7 g/mL with a 4.2-μm-thick spin-coated E7 film and further to 10-8 g/mL by reducing the E7 film thickness to 3.4 μm. Moreover, by exploiting the LC film of the highly birefringent nematic LC HDN in the immunodetection of the cancer biomarker CA125, an LOD comparable to that determined with a sandwiched HDN cell was achieved at 10-8 g/mL CA125 using a capture antibody concentration an order of magnitude lower than that in the LC cell. Our results suggest that employing spin-coated LC film instead of conventional sandwiched LC cell provides a more reliable, reproducible, and cost-effective single-substrate platform, allowing simple fabrication of an LC-based biosensor for sensitive and label-free protein detection and immunoassay.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Po-Chang Wu
- Institute of Imaging and Biomedical Photonics, College of Photonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Guiren Dist., Tainan 711010, Taiwan; (P.-C.W.); (C.-P.P.)
| | - Chao-Ping Pai
- Institute of Imaging and Biomedical Photonics, College of Photonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Guiren Dist., Tainan 711010, Taiwan; (P.-C.W.); (C.-P.P.)
| | - Mon-Juan Lee
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chang Jung Christian University, Guiren Dist., Tainan 711301, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Science Industries, Chang Jung Christian University, Guiren Dist., Tainan 711301, Taiwan
| | - Wei Lee
- Institute of Imaging and Biomedical Photonics, College of Photonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Guiren Dist., Tainan 711010, Taiwan; (P.-C.W.); (C.-P.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Novel Photonic Bio-Chip Sensor Based on Strained Graphene Sheets for Blood Cell Sorting. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26185585. [PMID: 34577055 PMCID: PMC8467184 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26185585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A photonic biochip with a tunable response in the visible range is suggested for blood cell sorting applications. Multi-layers of ZnS and Ge slabs (as the main building blocks), hosting a cell in which bio-sample could be injected, are considered as the core of the sensor. In order to increase the sensitivity of the chip, the bio-cell is capsulated inside air slabs, and its walls are coated with graphene sheets. Paying special attention to white and red blood components, the optimum values for structural parameters are extracted first. Tunability of the sensor detectivity is then explored by finding the role of the probe light incident angle, as well as its polarization. The strain of the graphene layer and angle in which it is applied are also suggested to further improve the performance tunability. Results reflect that the biochip can effectively identify selected components through their induced different optical features, besides of the different figure of merit and sensitivity amounts that are recorded for them by the sensor.
Collapse
|
6
|
Shaban H, Lee MJ, Lee W. Label-Free Detection and Spectrometrically Quantitative Analysis of the Cancer Biomarker CA125 Based on Lyotropic Chromonic Liquid Crystal. BIOSENSORS 2021; 11:bios11080271. [PMID: 34436073 PMCID: PMC8394883 DOI: 10.3390/bios11080271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Compared with thermotropic liquid crystals (LCs), the biosensing potential of lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLCs), which are more biocompatible because of their hydrophilic nature, has scarcely been investigated. In this study, the nematic phase, a mesophase shared by both thermotropic LCs and LCLCs, of disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) was employed as the sensing mesogen in the LCLC-based biosensor. The biosensing platform was constructed so that the LCLC was homogeneously aligned by the planar anchoring strength of polyimide, but was disrupted in the presence of proteins such as bovine serum albumin (BSA) or the cancer biomarker CA125 captured by the anti-CA125 antibody, with the level of disturbance (and the optical signal thus produced) predominated by the amount of the analyte. The concentration- and wavelength-dependent optical response was analyzed by transmission spectrometry in the visible light spectrum with parallel or crossed polarizers. The concentration of CA125 can be quantified with spectrometrically derived parameters in a linear calibration curve. The limit of detection for both BSA and CA125 of the LCLC-based biosensor was superior or comparable to that of thermotropic LC-based biosensing techniques. Our results provide, to the best of our knowledge, the first evidence that LCLCs can be applied in spectrometrically quantitative biosensing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hassanein Shaban
- Institute of Imaging and Biomedical Photonics, College of Photonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Guiren District, Tainan 71150, Taiwan;
- Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Engineering, The British University in Egypt, El Sherouk City 11837, Egypt
| | - Mon-Juan Lee
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chang Jung Christian University, Guiren District, Tainan 71101, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Science Industries, Chang Jung Christian University, Guiren District, Tainan 71101, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (M.-J.L.); (W.L.)
| | - Wei Lee
- Institute of Imaging and Biomedical Photonics, College of Photonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Guiren District, Tainan 71150, Taiwan;
- Correspondence: (M.-J.L.); (W.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lee MJ, Pai CP, Wu PC, Lee W. Label-free single-substrate quantitative protein assay based on optical characteristics of cholesteric liquid crystals. J Mol Liq 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2021.115756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
8
|
Shaban H, Yen SC, Lee MJ, Lee W. Signal Amplification in an Optical and Dielectric Biosensor Employing Liquid Crystal-Photopolymer Composite as the Sensing Medium. BIOSENSORS 2021; 11:bios11030081. [PMID: 33805735 PMCID: PMC7998463 DOI: 10.3390/bios11030081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
An optical and dielectric biosensor based on a liquid crystal (LC)-photopolymer composite was established in this study for the detection and quantitation of bovine serum albumin (BSA). When the nematic LC E7 was doped with 4-wt.% NOA65, a photo-curable prepolymer, and photopolymerized by UV irradiation at 20 mW/cm2 for 300 s, the limit of detection determined by image analysis of the LC optical texture and dielectric spectroscopic measurements was 3400 and 88 pg/mL for BSA, respectively, which were lower than those detected with E7 alone (10 μg/mL BSA). The photopolymerized NOA65, but not the prepolymer prior to UV exposure, contributed to the enhanced optical signal, and UV irradiation of pristine E7 in the absence of NOA65 had no effect on the optical texture. The effective tilt angle θ, calculated from the real-part dielectric constant ε', decreased with increasing BSA concentration, providing strong evidence for the correlation of photopolymerized NOA65 to the intensified disruption in the vertically oriented LC molecules to enhance the optical and dielectric signals of BSA. The optical and dielectric anisotropy of LCs and the photo-curable dopant facilitate novel quantitative and signal amplification approaches to potential development of LC-based biosensors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hassanein Shaban
- Institute of Imaging and Biomedical Photonics, College of Photonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Guiren District, Tainan 71150, Taiwan; (H.S.); (S.-C.Y.)
- Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Engineering, The British University in Egypt, El Sherouk City 11837, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Shih-Chun Yen
- Institute of Imaging and Biomedical Photonics, College of Photonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Guiren District, Tainan 71150, Taiwan; (H.S.); (S.-C.Y.)
| | - Mon-Juan Lee
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chang Jung Christian University, Guiren District, Tainan 71101, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Science Industries, Chang Jung Christian University, Guiren District, Tainan 71101, Taiwan
| | - Wei Lee
- Institute of Imaging and Biomedical Photonics, College of Photonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Guiren District, Tainan 71150, Taiwan; (H.S.); (S.-C.Y.)
| |
Collapse
|