Conducting Polymer-Reinforced Laser-Irradiated Graphene as a Heterostructured 3D Transducer for Flexible Skin Patch Biosensors

Flexible skin patch biosensors are promising for the noninvasive determination of physiological parameters in perspiration for fitness and health monitoring. However, various prerequisites need to be met for the development of such biosensors, including the creation of a flexible conductive platform, bending/contact stability, fast electrochemical kinetics, and immobilization of biomolecules. Here, we describe a conducting polymer-reinforced laser-irradiated graphene (LIG) network as a heterostructured three-dimensional (3D) transducer for flexible skin patch biosensors. LIG with a hierarchically interconnected graphene structure is geometrically patterned on polyimide via localized laser irradiation as a flexible conductive platform, which is then reinforced by poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) as a conductive binder (PEDOT/LIG) with improved structural/contact stability and electrochemical kinetics. The interconnected pores of the reinforced PEDOT/LIG function as a 3D host matrix for high loading of "artificial" (Prussian blue, PB) and natural enzymes (lactate oxidase, LOx), forming a compact and heterostructured 3D transducer (LOx/PB-PEDOT/LIG) for lactate biosensing with excellent sensitivity (11.83 μA mM^-1). We demonstrated the fabrication of flexible skin patch biosensors comprising a custom-built integrated three-electrode system achieve amperometric detection of lactate in artificial sweat over a wide physiological linear range of 0-18 mM. The advantage of this facile and versatile transducer is further illustrated by the development of a folded 3D wristband lactate biosensor and a dual channel biosensors for simultaneous monitoring of lactate and glucose. This innovative design concept of a heterostructured transducer for flexible biosensors combined with a versatile fabrication approach could potentially drive the development of new wearable and skin-mountable biosensors for monitoring various physiological parameters in biofluids for noninvasive fitness and health management.

Tunable 3D nanofibrous and bio-functionalised PEDOT network explored as a conducting polymer-based biosensor

Conducting polymers that possess good electrochemical properties, nanostructured morphology and functionality for bioconjugation are essential to realise the concept of all-polymer-based biosensors that do not depend on traditional nanocatalysts such as carbon materials, metal, metal oxides or dyes. In this research, we demonstrated a facile approach for the simultaneous preparation of a bi-functional PEDOT interface with a tunable 3D nanofibrous network and carboxylic acid groups (i.e. Nano-PEDOT-COOH) via controlled co-polymerisation of EDOT and EDOT-COOH monomers, using tetrabutylammonium perchlorate as a soft-template. By tuning the ratio between EDOT and EDOT-COOH monomer, the nanofibrous structure and carboxylic acid functionalisation of Nano-PEDOT-COOH were varied over a fibre diameter range of 15.6 ± 3.7 to 70.0 ± 9.5 nm and a carboxylic acid group density from 0.03 to 0.18 μmol cm^-2. The nanofibres assembled into a three-dimensional network with a high specific surface area, which contributed to low charge transfer resistance and high transduction activity towards the co-enzyme NADH, delivering a wide linear range of 20-960 μM and a high sensitivity of 0.224 μA μM^-1 cm^-2 at the Nano-PEDOT-COOH50% interface. Furthermore, the carboxylic acid groups provide an anchoring site for the stable immobilisation of an NADH-dependent dehydrogenase (i.e. lactate dehydrogenase), via EDC/S-NHS chemistry, for the fabrication of a Bio-Nano-PEDOT-based biosensor for lactate detection which had a response time of less than 10 s over the range of 0.05-1.8 mM. Our developed bio-Nano-PEDOT interface shows future potential for coupling with multi-biorecognition molecules via carboxylic acid groups for the development of a range of advanced all-polymer biosensors.

Modulating Electrode Kinetics for Discrimination of Dopamine by a PEDOT:COOH Interface Doped with Negatively Charged Tricarboxylate

The rapidly developing field of conducting polymers in organic electronics has many implications for bioelectronics. For biosensing applications, tailoring the functionalities of the conducting polymer's surface is an efficient approach to improve both sensitivity and selectivity. Here, we demonstrated a facile and economic approach for the fabrication of a high-density, negatively charged carboxylic-acid-group-functionalized PEDOT (PEDOT:COOH) using an inexpensive ternary carboxylic acid, citrate, as a dopant. The polymerization efficiency was significantly improved by the addition of LiClO₄ as a supporting electrolyte yielding a dense PEDOT:COOH sensing interface. The resulting PEDOT:COOH interface had a high surface density of carboxylic acid groups of 0.129 μmol/cm² as quantified by the toluidine blue O (TBO) staining technique. The dopamine response measured with the PEDOT:COOH sensing interface was characterized by cyclic voltammetry with a significantly reduced ΔE_p of 90 mV and a 3-fold increase in the I_pa value compared with those of the nonfunctionalized PEDOT sensing interface. Moreover, the cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results demonstrated the increased electrode kinetics and highly selective discrimination of dopamine (DA) in the presence of the interferents ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA), which resulted from the introduction of negatively charged carboxylic acid groups. The negatively charged carboxylic acid groups could favor the transfer, preconcentration, and permeation of positively charged DA to deliver improved sensing performance while repelling the negatively charged AA and UA interferents. The PEDOT:COOH interface facilitated measurement of dopamine over the range of 1-85 μM, with a sensitivity of 0.228 μA μM^-1, which is 4.1 times higher than that of a nonfunctionalized PEDOT electrode (0.055 μA μM^-1). Our results demonstrate the feasibility of a simple and economic fabrication of a high-density PEDOT:COOH interface for chemical sensing, which also has the potential for coupling with other biorecognition molecules via carboxylic acid moieties for the development of a range of advanced PEDOT-based biosensors.

Electrochemical detection of DNA mismatches using a branch-shaped hierarchical SWNT-DNA nano-hybrid bioelectrode

Common approaches for DNA mutation detection are high cost and have difficult or complex procedure. We propose a fast quantitative method for recognition of DNA mutation based on SWNT/DNA self-assembled nanostructure. Covalent SWNT/DNA hybrid nanostructures are widely used in the fabrication of electrochemical biosensors. Interfacing carbon nanotubes with DNA in particular, is used as a detection method for the analysis of genetic disorders or the detection of mismatches in DNA hybridisation. We have designed a self-assembled, branch-shaped hybrid nanostructure by hybridisation of two sticky oligos that are attached to the ends of SWNTs via a linker oligo. These hybrid nanostructures showed a good conductivity that was greater than free SWNTs. Impedance spectroscopy studies illustrated that the conductivity of these hybrid nanostructures depended on the conformation and structure of the hybridised DNA. We demonstrated that the strategy of using SWNT/DNA self-assembled hybrid nanostructure fabrication yields sensitive and selective tools to discriminate mismatches in DNA. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and impedance spectroscopy clearly revealed that the conductivity of the branch-shaped and hierarchical hybridised SWNT/DNA nanostructure is higher when matched, than when mismatched in a 1 and 1' hybridised SWNT/DNA nanostructure. Rapid biosensing of match and mismatch nanostructure based on carbon printed electrode showed similar results which can be used for rapid and fast detection of DNA mismatch.

Artificial Muscles Powered by Glucose

Untethered actuation is important for robotic devices to achieve autonomous motion, which is typically enabled by using batteries. Using enzymes to provide the required electrical charge is particularly interesting as it will enable direct harvesting of fuel components from a surrounding fluid. Here, a soft artificial muscle is presented, which uses the biofuel glucose in the presence of oxygen. Glucose oxidase and laccase enzymes integrated in the actuator catalytically convert glucose and oxygen into electrical power that in turn is converted into movement by the electroactive polymer polypyrrole causing the actuator to bend. The integrated bioelectrode pair shows a maximum open-circuit voltage of 0.70 ± 0.04 V at room temperature and a maximum power density of 0.27 µW cm^-2 at 0.50 V, sufficient to drive an external polypyrrole-based trilayer artificial muscle. Next, the enzymes are fully integrated into the artificial muscle, resulting in an autonomously powered actuator that can bend reversibly in both directions driven by glucose and O₂ only. This autonomously powered artificial muscle can be of great interest for soft (micro-)robotics and implantable or ingestible medical devices manoeuvring throughout the body, for devices in regenerative medicine, wearables, and environmental monitoring devices operating autonomously in aqueous environments.

Soft and flexible material-based affinity sensors

Recent advances in biosensors and point-of-care (PoC) devices are poised to change and expand the delivery of diagnostics from conventional lateral-flow assays and test strips that dominate the market currently, to newly emerging wearable and implantable devices that can provide continuous monitoring. Soft and flexible materials are playing a key role in propelling these trends towards real-time and remote health monitoring. Affinity biosensors have the capability to provide for diagnosis and monitoring of cancerous, cardiovascular, infectious and genetic diseases by the detection of biomarkers using affinity interactions. This review tracks the evolution of affinity sensors from conventional lateral-flow test strips to wearable/implantable devices enabled by soft and flexible materials. Initially, we highlight conventional affinity sensors exploiting membrane and paper materials which have been so successfully applied in point-of-care tests, such as lateral-flow immunoassay strips and emerging microfluidic paper-based devices. We then turn our attention to the multifarious polymer designs that provide both the base materials for sensor designs, such as PDMS, and more advanced functionalised materials that are capable of both recognition and transduction, such as conducting and molecularly imprinted polymers. The subsequent content discusses wearable soft and flexible material-based affinity sensors, classified as flexible and skin-mountable, textile materials-based and contact lens-based affinity sensors. In the final sections, we explore the possibilities for implantable/injectable soft and flexible material-based affinity sensors, including hydrogels, microencapsulated sensors and optical fibers. This area is truly a work in progress and we trust that this review will help pull together the many technological streams that are contributing to the field.

Integrated Printed Microfluidic Biosensors

Integrated printed microfluidic biosensors are one of the most recent point-of-care (POC) sensor developments. Fast turnaround time for production and ease of customization, enabled by the integration of recognition elements and transducers, are key for on-site biosensing for both healthcare and industry and for speeding up translation to real-life applications. Here, we provide an overview of recent progress in printed microfluidics, from the 2D to the 4D level, accompanied by novel sensing element integration. We also explore the latest trends in integrated printed microfluidics for healthcare, especially POC diagnostics, and food safety applications.

Generic Neutravidin Biosensor for Simultaneous Multiplex Detection of MicroRNAs via Electrochemically Encoded Responsive Nanolabels

Current electrochemical biosensors for multiple miRNAs require tedious immobilization of various nucleic acid probes. Here, we demonstrate an innovative approach using a generic neutravidin biosensor combined with electrochemically encoded responsive nanolabels for facile and simultaneous multiplexed detection of miRNA-21 and miRNA-141. The selectivity of the biosensor arises from the intrinsic properties of the electrochemically encoded responsive nanolabels, comprising biotinylated molecular beacons (biotin-MB) and metal nanoparticles (metal-NPs). The procedure is a simple one-pot assay, where the targeted miRNA causes the opening of biotin-MB followed by capturing of the biotin-MB-metal-NPs by the neutravidin biosensor and simultaneous detection of the captured metal-NPs by stripping square-wave voltammetry (SSWV). The multiplexed detection of miRNA-21 and miRNA-141 is achieved by differentiation of the electrochemical signature (i.e., the peak current) for the different metal-NP labels. The biosensor delivers simultaneous detection of miRNAs with a linear range of 0.5-1000 pM for miRNA-21 and a limit of detection of 0.3 pM (3σ/sensitivity,  n = 3), and a range of 50-1000 pM for miRNA-141, with a limit of detection of 10 pM. Furthermore, we demonstrate multiplexed detection of miRNA-21 and miRNA-141 in a spiked serum sample.

A repertoire of biomedical applications of noble metal nanoparticles

The emerging properties of noble metal nanoparticles are attracting huge interest from the translational scientific community. In this feature article, we highlight recent advances in the adaptation of noble metal nanomaterials and their biomedical applications in therapeutics, diagnostics and sensing.

Type I Collagen-Derived Injectable Conductive Hydrogel Scaffolds as Glucose Sensors

The advent of home blood glucose monitoring revolutionized diabetes management, and the recent introduction of both wearable devices and closed-loop continuous systems has enormously impacted the lives of people with diabetes. We describe the first fully injectable soft electrochemical glucose sensor for in situ monitoring. Collagen, the main component of a native extracellular matrix in humans and animals, was used to fabricate an in situ gellable self-supporting electroconductive hydrogel that can be injected onto an electrode surface or into porcine meat to detect glucose amperometrically. The study provides a proof-of-principle of an injectable electrochemical sensor suitable for monitoring tissue glucose levels that may, with further development, prove clinically useful in the future.

An electrochemical immunosensor for cardiac Troponin I using electrospun carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotube-whiskered nanofibres

A sandwich-type nanostructured immunosensor based on carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotube (CMWCNT)-embedded whiskered nanofibres (WNFs) was developed for detection of cardiac Troponin I (cTnI). WNFs were directly fabricated on glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) by removing the sacrificial component (polyethylene glycol, PEG) after electrospinning of polystyrene/CMWCNT/PEG nanocomposite nanofibres, and utilised as a transducer layer for enzyme-labeled amperometric immunoassay of cTnI. The whiskered segments of CMWCNTs were activated and utilised to immobilise anti-cTnT antibodies. It was observed that the anchored CMWCNTs within the nanofibres were suitably stabilised with excellent electrochemical repeatability. A sandwich-type immuno-complex was formed between cTnI and horseradish peroxidase-conjugated anti-cTnI (HRP-anti-cTnI). The amperometric responses of the immunosensor were studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV) through an enzymatic reaction between hydrogen peroxide and HRP conjugated to the secondary antibody. The nanostructured immunosensor delivered a wide detection range for cTnI from the clinical borderline for a normal person (0.5-2ngmL^-1) to the concentration present in myocardial infarction patients (> 20ngmL^-1), with a detection limit of ~ 0.04ngmL^-1. It also showed good reproducibility and repeatability for three different cTnI concentration (1, 10 and 25ngmL^-1) with satisfactory relative standard deviations (RSD). Hence, the proposed nanostructured immunosensor shows potential for point-of-care testing.

Printable Heterostructured Bioelectronic Interfaces with Enhanced Electrode Reaction Kinetics by Intermicroparticle Network

Printable organic bioelectronics provide a fast and cost-effective approach for the fabrication of novel biodevices, while the general challenge is to achieve optimized reaction kinetics at multiphase boundaries between biomolecules and electrodes. Here, we present an entirely new concept based on a modular approach for the construction of heterostructured bioelectronic interfaces by using tailored functional "biological microparticles" combined with "transducer microparticles" as modular building blocks. This approach offers high versatility for the design and fabrication of bioelectrodes with a variety of forms of interparticle spatial organization, from layered-structures to more advance bulk heterostructured architectures. The heterostructured biocatalytic electrodes delivered twice the reaction rate and a six-fold increase in the effective diffusion kinetics in response to a catalytic model using glucose as the substrate, together with the advantage of shortened diffusion paths for reactants between multiple interparticle junctions and large active particle surface. The consequent benefits of this improved performance combined with the simple means of mass production are of major significance for the emerging printed electronics industry.

Intelligent ECM mimetic injectable scaffolds based on functional collagen building blocks for tissue engineering and biomedical applications

A one-pot approach to fabricate in situ-gellable, thermo- and pH-responsive, hydrogels based on covalently crosslinked networks of collagen-I and thermo-responsive polymer.

Doping Polypyrrole Films with 4-N-Pentylphenylboronic Acid to Enhance Affinity towards Bacteria and Dopamine

Here we demonstrate the use of a functional dopant as a fast and simple way to tune the chemical affinity and selectivity of polypyrrole films. More specifically, a boronic-functionalised dopant, 4-N-Pentylphenylboronic Acid (PBA), was used to provide to polypyrrole films with enhanced affinity towards diols. In order to prove the proposed concept, two model systems were explored: (i) the capture and the electrochemical detection of dopamine and (ii) the adhesion of bacteria onto surfaces. The chemisensor, based on overoxidised polypyrrole boronic doped film, was shown to have the ability to capture and retain dopamine, thus improving its detection; furthermore the chemisensor showed better sensitivity in comparison with overoxidised perchlorate doped films. The adhesion of bacteria, Deinococcus proteolyticus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Klebsiella pneumoniae, onto the boric doped polypyrrole film was also tested. The presence of the boronic group in the polypyrrole film was shown to favour the adhesion of sugar-rich bacterial cells when compared with a control film (Dodecyl benzenesulfonate (DBS) doped film) with similar morphological and physical properties. The presented single step synthesis approach is simple and fast, does not require the development and synthesis of functional monomers, and can be easily expanded to the electrochemical, and possibly chemical, fabrication of novel functional surfaces and interfaces with inherent pre-defined sensing and chemical properties.

Inflammation-sensitive in situ smart scaffolding for regenerative medicine

To cope with the rapid evolution of the tissue engineering field, it is now essential to incorporate the use of on-site responsive scaffolds. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to find new 'Intelligent' biomaterials that can respond to the physicochemical changes in the microenvironment. In this present report, we have developed biocompatible stimuli responsive polyaniline-multiwalled carbon nanotube/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), (PANI-MWCNT/PNIPAm) composite nanofiber networks and demonstrated the physiological temperature coordinated cell grafting phenomenon on its surface. The composite nanofibers were prepared by a two-step process initiated with an assisted in situ polymerization followed by electrospinning. To obtain a smooth surface in individual nanofibers with the thinnest diameter, the component ratios and electrospinning conditions were optimized. The temperature-gated rearrangements of the molecular structure are characterized by FTIR spectroscopy with simultaneous macromolecular architecture changes reflected on the surface morphology, average diameter and pore size as determined by scanning electron microscopy. The stimuli responsiveness of the nanofibers has first been optimized with computational modeling of temperature sensitive components (coil-like and globular conformations) to tune the mechanism for temperature dependent interaction during in situ scaffolding with the cell membrane. The nanofiber networks show excellent biocompatibility, tested with fibroblasts and also show excellent sensitivity to inflammation to combat loco-regional acidosis that delay the wound healing process by an in vitro model that has been developed for testing the proposed responsiveness of the composite nanofiber networks. Cellular adhesion and detachment are regulated through physiological temperature and show normal proliferation of the grafted cells on the composite nanofibers. Thus, we report for the first time, the development of physiological temperature gated inflammation-sensitive smart biomaterials for advanced tissue regeneration and regenerative medicine.

Programmable bioelectronics in a stimuli-encoded 3D graphene interface

The ability to program and mimic the dynamic microenvironment of living organisms is a crucial step towards the engineering of advanced bioelectronics. Here, we report for the first time a design for programmable bioelectronics, with 'built-in' switchable and tunable bio-catalytic performance that responds simultaneously to appropriate stimuli. The designed bio-electrodes comprise light and temperature responsive compartments, which allow the building of Boolean logic gates (i.e."OR" and "AND") based on enzymatic communications to deliver logic operations.

Total phenol analysis of weakly supported water using a laccase-based microband biosensor

The monitoring of phenolic compounds in wastewaters in a simple manner is of great importance for environmental control. Here, a novel screen printed laccase-based microband array for in situ, total phenol estimation in wastewaters and for water quality monitoring without additional sample pre-treatment is presented. Numerical simulations using the finite element method were utilized for the characterization of micro-scale graphite electrodes. Anodization followed by covalent modification was used for the electrode functionalization with laccase. The functionalization efficiency and the electrochemical performance in direct and catechol-mediated oxygen reduction were studied at the microband laccase electrodes and compared with macro-scale electrode structures. The reduction of the dimensions of the enzyme biosensor, when used under optimized conditions, led to a significant improvement in its analytical characteristics. The elaborated microsensor showed fast responses towards catechol additions to tap water - a weakly supported medium - characterized by a linear range from 0.2 to 10 μM, a sensitivity of 1.35 ± 0.4 A M(-1) cm(-2) and a dynamic range up to 43 μM. This enhanced laccase-based microsensor was used for water quality monitoring and its performance for total phenol analysis of wastewater samples from different stages of the cleaning process was compared to a standard method.

Surface-Engineered Contact Lens as an Advanced Theranostic Platform for Modulation and Detection of Viral Infection

We have demonstrated an entirely new concept of a wearable theranostic device in the form of a contact lens (theranostic lens) with a dual-functional hybrid surface to modulate and detect a pathogenic attack, using a the corneal HSV serotype-1 (HSV-1) model. The theranostic lenses were constructed using a facile layer-by-layer surface engineering technique, keeping the theranostic lenses with good surface wettability, optically transparency, and nontoxic toward human corneal epithelial cells. The theranostic lenses were used to capture and concentrate inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1α (IL-1α), which is upregulated during HSV-1 reactivation, for sensitive, noninvasive diagnostics. The theranostic lens also incorporated an antiviral coating to serve as a first line of defense to protect patients against disease. Our strategy tackles major problems in tear diagnostics that are mainly associated with the sampling of a relatively small volume of fluid and the low concentration of biomarkers. The theranostic lenses show effective anti-HSV-1 activity and good analytical performance for the detection of IL-1α, with a limit of detection of 1.43 pg mL(-1) and a wide linear range covering the clinically relevant region. This work offers a new paradigm for "wearable" noninvasive healthcare devices combining "diagnosis" and "protection" against disease, while supporting patient compliance. We believe that this approach holds immense promise as a next-generation point-of-care and decentralized diagnostic/theranostic platform for a range of biomarkers.

Switchable Bioelectrocatalysis Controlled by Dual Stimuli-Responsive Polymeric Interface

The engineering of bionanointerfaces using stimuli-responsive polymers offers a new dimension in the design of novel bioelectronic interfaces. The integration of electrode surfaces with stimuli-responsive molecular cues provides a direct control and ability to switch and tune physical and chemical properties of bioelectronic interfaces in various biodevices. Here, we report a dual-responsive biointerface employing a positively responding dual-switchable polymer, poly(NIPAAm-co-DEAEMA)-b-HEAAm, to control and regulate enzyme-based bioelectrocatalysis. The design interface exhibits reversible activation-deactivation of bioelectrocatalytic reactions in response to change in temperature and in pH, which allows manipulation of biomolecular interactions to produce on/off switchable conditions. Using electrochemical measurements, we demonstrate that interfacial bioelectrochemical properties can be tuned over a modest range of temperature (i.e., 20-60 °C) and pH (i.e., pH 4-8) of the medium. The resulting dual-switchable interface may have important implications not only for the design of responsive biocatalysis and on-demand operation of biosensors, but also as an aid to elucidating electron-transport pathways and mechanisms in living organisms by mimicking the dynamic properties of complex biological environments and processes.

Zinc oxide nanostructure-modified textile and its application to biosensing, photocatalysis, and as antibacterial material

Recently, one-dimensional nanostructures with different morphologies (such as nanowires, nanorods (NRs), and nanotubes) have become the focus of intensive research, because of their unique properties with potential applications. Among them, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials has been found to be highly attractive, because of the remarkable potential for applications in many different areas such as solar cells, sensors, piezoelectric devices, photodiode devices, sun screens, antireflection coatings, and photocatalysis. Here, we present an innovative approach to create a new modified textile by direct in situ growth of vertically aligned one-dimensional (1D) ZnO NRs onto textile surfaces, which can serve with potential for biosensing, photocatalysis, and antibacterial applications. ZnO NRs were grown by using a simple aqueous chemical growth method. Results from analyses such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the ZnO NRs were dispersed over the entire surface of the textile. We have demonstrated the following applications of these multifunctional textiles: (1) as a flexible working electrode for the detection of aldicarb (ALD) pesticide, (2) as a photocatalyst for the degradation of organic molecules (i.e., Methylene Blue and Congo Red), and (3) as antibacterial agents against Escherichia coli. The ZnO-based textile exhibited excellent photocatalytic and antibacterial activities, and it showed a promising sensing response. The combination of sensing, photocatalysis, and antibacterial properties provided by the ZnO NRs brings us closer to the concept of smart textiles for wearable sensing without a deodorant and antibacterial control. Perhaps the best known of the products that is available in markets for such purposes are textiles with silver nanoparticles. Our modified textile is thus providing acceptable antibacterial properties, compared to available commercial modified textiles.

On/off-switchable anti-neoplastic nanoarchitecture

Throughout the world, there are increasing demands for alternate approaches to advanced cancer therapeutics. Numerous potentially chemotherapeutic compounds are developed every year for clinical trial and some of them are considered as potential drug candidates. Nanotechnology-based approaches have accelerated the discovery process, but the key challenge still remains to develop therapeutically viable and physiologically safe materials suitable for cancer therapy. Here, we report a high turnover, on/off-switchable functionally popping reactive oxygen species (ROS) generator using a smart mesoporous titanium dioxide popcorn (TiO₂ Pops) nanoarchitecture. The resulting TiO₂ Pops, unlike TiO₂ nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs), are exceptionally biocompatible with normal cells. Under identical conditions, TiO₂ Pops show very high photocatalytic activity compared to TiO₂ NPs. Upon on/off-switchable photo activation, the TiO₂ Pops can trigger the generation of high-turnover flash ROS and can deliver their potential anticancer effect by enhancing the intracellular ROS level until it crosses the threshold to open the ‘death gate’, thus reducing the survival of cancer cells by at least six times in comparison with TiO₂ NPs without affecting the normal cells.

Molecularly-imprinted polymer sensors: realising their potential

In parallel with recent developments in communications, nanotechnology and materials sciences, there has been extraordinary growth in the area of biosensors, with almost half of the total number of papers ever published (1962-2015) appearing in the last five-years (2010-2015). Molecular imprinting offers a route to the creation of specific and selective cavities in a 3D-polymeric network, which are complementary not only to the size and shape of a target species, but also provide interaction points and a coordination sphere around the template molecule. Given the challenges facing biosensor technologists, it is natural that this approach to create potentially highly stable synthetic ligands as an alternative to, or to compliment natural receptors, should emerge as a key line of interdisciplinary research. Despite the profuse amount of recent literature on molecularly-imprinted polymers (MIPs) and some limited commercial activity, these promising materials still need to overcome some limitations before taking their place in analytical market. In this review, we have focused on the most promising advances in MIP-based biosensors to illustrate how close to market they really are. We present our material under five main sections covering computational design, polymerisation strategies, material combinations, recent sensor designs and manufacturing issues. Each section provides technical details and evaluates the effect on sensor performance.

Band edge engineering of TiO2@DNA nanohybrids and implications for capacitive energy storage devices

Novel mesoporous TiO2@DNA nanohybrid electrodes, combining covalently encoded DNA with mesoporous TiO2 microbeads using dopamine as a linker, were prepared and characterised for application in supercapacitors. Detailed information about donor density, charge transfer resistance and chemical capacitance, which have an important role in the performance of an electrochemical device, were studied by electrochemical methods. The results indicated the improvement of electrochemical performance of the TiO2 nanohybrid electrode by DNA surface functionalisation. A supercapacitor was constructed from TiO2@DNA nanohybrids with PBS as the electrolyte. From the supercapacitor experiment, it was found that the addition of DNA played an important role in improving the specific capacitance (Cs) of the TiO2 supercapacitor. The highest Cs value of 8 F g(-1) was observed for TiO2@DNA nanohybrids. The nanohybrid electrodes were shown to be stable over long-term cycling, retaining 95% of their initial specific capacitance after 1500 cycles.

Cholesterol Oxidase Functionalised Polyaniline/Carbon Nanotube Hybrids for an Amperometric Biosensor

Functional carbon nanotubes (CNT) have attracted much attention for analytical and biomedical applications. This paper describes the fabrication of a cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) immobilised polyaniline (PANI)/CNT composite electrode for the amperometric detection of cholesterol. The prepared ChOx/PANI/CNT/Au bioelectrode bound ChOx via the available functionalties of PANI (-NH2) and CNT (-COOH). Moreover, the CNT creates a network inside the matrix that strengthens the mechanical property of the bioelectrode. The multifunctional matrix is presumed to provide a 3D-mesoporous surface, which substantially enhances enzyme activity. The linear range of the biosensor for cholesterol oleate was 30-280 μM with a response time of 10 sec.

Effect of Electrophoresis on the Efficiency of Graphite-Nano-TiO2 Modified Silica Sol-Gel Electrode

Electrophoresis treatment was used to improve the function of a nano-TiO2 modified sol-gel electrode. Electrodes were prepared using TiO2 nanoparticles and fine graphite powder and then treated by electrophoresis. The developed electrode was employed for the detection of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) by following the decrease in the immobilised lactate peak current due to its LDH-mediated enzymatic oxidation. Detection was realised using square wave voltammetry (SWV). Experiments showed that the positive and negative heads of the electrophoresis-treated electrode displayed different activities, with the positive head response being remarkably improved. Parameters affecting the electrode response, such as applied potential value, electrophoresis time and percentage of TiO2, were investigated and optimised. The improved performance was dependent on TiO2 concentration as well as electrophoresis voltage and time. The prepared sensor, under optimised conditions, displayed a detection limit of 0.0073 U/μl for LDH.

A potential-gated molecularly imprinted smart electrode for nicotinamide analysis

Triggered surface responsiveness paves the way for smart sensor technologies that not only have tunable retention, but also provide sensing through a ‘built-in’ programming of electrode material.

pH-induced on/off-switchable graphene bioelectronics

Switchable interfaces can deliver functionally reversible reactivity with their corresponding analytes, which allows one to positively respond to the activity of biological elements, including enzymes and other biomolecules, through an encoded stimulus.

Cholesterol self-powered biosensor

Monitoring the cholesterol level is of great importance, especially for people with high risk of developing heart disease. Here we report on reagentless cholesterol detection in human plasma with a novel single-enzyme, membrane-free, self-powered biosensor, in which both cathodic and anodic bioelectrocatalytic reactions are powered by the same substrate. Cholesterol oxidase was immobilized in a sol-gel matrix on both the cathode and the anode. Hydrogen peroxide, a product of the enzymatic conversion of cholesterol, was electrocatalytically reduced, by the use of Prussian blue, at the cathode. In parallel, cholesterol oxidation catalyzed by mediated cholesterol oxidase occurred at the anode. The analytical performance was assessed for both electrode systems separately. The combination of the two electrodes, formed on high surface-area carbon cloth electrodes, resulted in a self-powered biosensor with enhanced sensitivity (26.0 mA M(-1) cm(-2)), compared to either of the two individual electrodes, and a dynamic range up to 4.1 mM cholesterol. Reagentless cholesterol detection with both electrochemical systems and with the self-powered biosensor was performed and the results were compared with the standard method of colorimetric cholesterol quantification.

An electrochemical dopamine sensor based on the ZnO/CuO nanohybrid structures

The selective detection of dopamine (DA) is of great importance in the modern medicine because dopamine is one of the main regulators in human behaviour. In this study, ZnO/CuO nanohybrid structures, grown on the gold coated glass substrate, have been investigated as a novel electrode material for the electrochemical detection of dopamine. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques were used for the material characterization and the obtained results are in good agreement. The selective determination of dopamine was demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and amperometric experiments. The amperometric response was linear for dopamine concentrations between 1.0 x 10(-3) and 8.0 mM with a sensitivity of 90.9 μA mM(-1) cm(-2). The proposed dopamine biosensor is very stable, selective over common interferents as glucose, uric acid and ascorbic acid, and also good reproducibility was observed for seven electrodes. Moreover, the dopamine sensor exhibited a fast response time of less than 10 s. The wide range and acceptable sensitivity of the presented dopamine sensor provide the possible application in analysing the dopamine from the real samples.

MRI-visual order-disorder micellar nanostructures for smart cancer theranostics

The development of MRI-visual order-disorder structures for cancer nanomedicine explores a pH-triggered mechanism for theragnosis of tumor hallmark functions. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) stabilized with amphiphilic poly(styrene)-b-poly(acrylic acid)-doxorubicin with folic acid (FA) surfacing are employed as a multi-functional approach to specifically target, diagnose, and deliver drugs via a single nanoscopic platform for cancer therapy. The functional aspects of the micellar nanocomposite is investigated in vitro using human breast SkBr3 and colon cancer HCT116 cell lines for the delivery, release, localization, and anticancer activity of the drug. For the first time, concentration-dependent T2 -weighted MRI contrast for a monolayer of clustered cancer cells is shown. The pH tunable order-disorder transition of the core-shell structure induces the relative changes in MRI contrast. The outcomes elucidate the potential of this material for smart cancer theranostics by delivering non-invasive real-time diagnosis, targeted therapy, and monitoring the course and response of the action before, during, and after the treatment regimen.

Electrochemical evaluation of troponin T imprinted polymer receptor

The selective detection and quantification of macromolecular targets is a fundamental biological mechanism in nature. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been identified as one of the most promising synthetic alternatives to bioreceptors. However, expanding this methodology towards selective recognition of bulky templates such as proteins appears to be extremely challenging due to problems associated with removal of the template from the polymeric network. In this study, polymer imprinted with troponin T (TnT) was assessed using electrochemical methods and the influence of various extraction methods, including conventional immersion extraction, thermal annealing and ultrasonic-assisted extraction, on the binding characteristics of the troponin-to-imprinted polymer receptor was elucidated. Cyclic voltammetric deposition of o-phenylenediamine (o-PD) film in the presence of TnT as a template was performed in acetate buffer (0.5 M, pH 5.2) on a gold substrate. Solvent extraction of the target molecule was optimised and followed by subsequent washing with water. The electrochemistry of a ferro/ferricyanide probe was used to characterise the TnT MIP receptor film. The incubation of the TnT MIP receptor-modified electrode with respect to TnT concentration resulted in a suppression of the ferro/ferricyanide redox current. The dissociation constant (KD) was calculated using a two-site model of template affinity for the TnT MIP receptor. The synthetic TnT MIP receptor had high affinity for TnT with a KD of 2.3×10(-13) M.

On/Off-switchable zipper-like bioelectronics on a graphene interface

An on/off-switchable graphene-based zipper-like interface is architectured for efficient bioelectrocatalysis. The graphene interface transduces a temperature input signal into structural changes of the membrane, resulting in the amplification of electrochemical signals and their transformation into the gated transport of molecules through the membrane.

Solid-Phase Synthesis of Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Nanoparticles with a Reusable Template - "Plastic Antibodies"

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) are generic alternatives to antibodies in sensors, diagnostics and separations. To displace biomolecules without radical changes in infrastructure in device manufacture, MIPs should share their characteristics (solubility, size, specificity and affinity, localized binding domain) whilst maintaining the advantages of MIPs (low-cost, short development time and high stability) hence the interest in MIP nanoparticles. Herein we report a reusable solid-phase template approach (fully compatible with automation) for the synthesis of MIP nanoparticles and their precise manufacture using a prototype automated UV photochemical reactor. Batches of nanoparticles (30-400 nm) with narrow size distributions imprinted with: melamine (d = 60 nm, Kd = 6.3 × 10-8 m), vancomycin (d = 250 nm, Kd = 3.4 × 10-9 m), a peptide (d = 350 nm, Kd = 4.8 × 10-8 m) and proteins have been produced. Our instrument uses a column packed with glass beads, bearing the template. Process parameters are under computer control, requiring minimal manual intervention. For the first time we demonstrate the reliable re-use of molecular templates in the synthesis of MIPs (≥ 30 batches of nanoMIPs without loss of performance). NanoMIPs are produced template-free and the solid-phase acts both as template and affinity separation medium.

Template-directed hierarchical self-assembly of graphene based hybrid structure for electrochemical biosensing

A template-directed self-assembly approach, using functionalised graphene as a fundamental building block to obtain a hierarchically ordered graphene-enzyme-nanoparticle bioelectrode for electrochemical biosensing, is reported. An anionic surfactant was used to prepare a responsive, functional interface and direct the assembly on the surface of the graphene template. The surfactant molecules altered the electrostatic charges of graphene, thereby providing a convenient template-directed assembly approach to a free-standing planar sheet of sp(2) carbons. Cholesterol oxidase and cholesterol esterase were assembled on the surface of graphene by intermolecular attractive forces while gold nanoparticles are incorporated into the hetero-assembly to enhance the electro-bio-catalytic activity. Hydrogen peroxide and cholesterol were used as two representative analytes to demonstrate the electrochemical sensing performance of the graphene-based hybrid structure. The bioelectrode exhibited a linear response to H2O2 from 0.01 to 14 mM, with a detection limit of 25 nM (S/N=3). The amperometric response with cholesterol had a linear range from 0.05 to 0.35 mM, sensitivity of 3.14 µA/µM/cm(2) and a detection limit of 0.05 µM. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (Km(app)) was calculated to be 1.22 mM. This promising approach provides a novel methodology for template-directed bio-self-assembly over planar sp(2) carbons of a graphene sheet and furnishes the basis for fabrication of ultra-sensitive and efficient electrochemical biosensors.

Biosensors: sense and sensibility

This review is based on the Theophilus Redwood Medal and Award lectures, delivered to Royal Society of Chemistry meetings in the UK and Ireland in 2012, and presents a personal overview of the field of biosensors. The biosensors industry is now worth billions of United States dollars, the topic attracts the attention of national initiatives across the world and tens of thousands of papers have been published in the area. This plethora of information is condensed into a concise account of the key achievements to date. The reasons for success are examined, some of the more exciting emerging technologies are highlighted and the author speculates on the importance of biosensors as a ubiquitous technology of the future for health and the maintenance of wellbeing.