Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shogo Ikarashi, Hiromu Akai, Hiroki Koiwa, Yukihiro Izawa, Jun Takahashi, Takuya Mabuchi, Kan Shoji
Summary: Synthetic DNA nanopores are being explored as alternatives to traditional biological nanopores in nanopore sensors due to their highly customizable pore structures and functions. Inserting DNA nanopores into planar bilayer lipid membranes (pBLMs) efficiently remains a challenge. This study presents an efficient method for the insertion of DNA nanopores into pBLMs and measurement of their channel currents using a DNA nanopore-tethered gold electrode. The high insertion probability achieved with this method can accelerate the application of DNA nanopores in stochastic nanopore sensors.
Article
Biophysics
Jayeon Song, Hyo Yong Kim, Soohyun Kim, Yujin Jung, Hyun Gyu Park
Summary: A novel technology, SP-HAMP, is described for target nucleic acid detection under isothermal conditions. By designing a unique hairpin probe, it is possible to detect target DNA with outstanding discrimination capability using only a single primer, without the need for complex multiple primers.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jianmei Wang, Hong Zhou, Jing Liu, Jin He, Jingquan Liu, Wenrong Yang
Summary: A unique label-free electrochemical DNA biosensor based on gold nanoparticles (GNPs) mediated electron transfer has been developed for sensitive and accurate detection of target DNA. Experimental results showed that the different states of DNA monolayers and the sizes of GNPs significantly affect the electron transfer, with a detection limit of 1.47 pM.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kunling Hu, Wenhua Sun, Ruobing Tang, Boying Zhang, Ran An, Xingguo Liang
Summary: This study demonstrates that phosphorothioated DNA (PS-DNA) can be efficiently cleaved via oxidation, and the presence of Tris or other ethanolamine derivatives greatly enhances the cleavage efficiency. A mechanism is proposed to explain these effects, and it is found that desulphurization is dominant when PS-DNA is oxidized to sulfonic group. The biological significance of PS-DNA lies in protecting DNA nucleobases from oxidative damage, and this research contributes to the development of new biotechniques and nucleic acid medicines.
BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Koushik Barman, Xiang Wang, Rui Jia, Michael Mirkin
Summary: SECM is a powerful tool for mapping surface reactivity, but mapping electrocatalytic processes at the nanoscale is challenging. New SECM nanoprobes based on bimolecular electron transfer overcome this difficulty and can be used for mapping various electrocatalytic processes and as nanosensors.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Weidan Na, Changjin Ou, Yijun Ming, Yuchong Gao, Lin Tian
Summary: To improve the practical applicability of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) detection, a weak Raman signal (1640 cm-1) from water bending vibration was adopted as a benchmark, and dual-ligand gold nanoparticles (DL-AuNPs) were synthesized using amygdalin and citrate sodium as reducing and capping agents. The cyano group of amygdalin attached to the surface of DL-AuNPs and generated a primary SERS signal (2174 cm-1), which was significantly enhanced by Cu(II) as DL-AuNPs aggregates. The strong binding affinity between pyrophosphate ions (PPi) and Cu(II) could redisperse DL-AuNPs and decrease the signal intensity, making the DL-AuNPs/Cu(II) SERS sensor promising for the detection of PPi. This proposed method provides a reliable SERS analysis with stable water background calibration and broadens the application of SERS technique in aqueous solution target monitoring.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Xudan Shen, Mingcheng Xu, Hechen Wang, Hua Wang, Minzhe Shen, Jadera Talap, Haihong Hu, Su Zeng, Shunxiang Gao, Sheng Cai
Summary: Researchers have developed a novel PS-LAMP assay for detecting DNA methylation levels in samples from renal cell carcinoma patients. The assay outperforms traditional methods and offers a noninvasive way to detect methylation in various biological samples.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Koun Lim, Yoo Seok Lee, Olja Simoska, Fangyuan Dong, Monika Sima, Russell J. Stewart, Shelley D. Minteer
Summary: Over the past two decades, the design of redox polymers has become critical in the field of mediated bioelectrocatalysis, used in commercial glucose biosensors and other bioelectrochemical applications. Entrapping mediators in reverse ionically condensed polyelectrolytes for NAD(+)-dependent bioelectrocatalysis allows for rapid phase inversion and stabilization on electrode surfaces, enabling efficient bioelectrocatalysis reactions within seconds.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Electrochemistry
Sara Grecchi, Serena Arnaboldi, Abdirisak Ahmed Isse, Chiara D'Aloi, Armando Gennaro, Patrizia R. Mussini
Summary: A comparative investigation on the electrochemical activity of substituted bromothiophenes vs bromobenzenes highlights the combined effects of the aromatic or heteroaromatic ring substituents and the sulphur atom on both the intrinsic reactivity and the reactivity in the presence of electro-catalytic effects. The presence of sulphur atom significantly promotes the process in both non-catalytic conditions and on catalytic electrodes, acting as an adsorption auxiliary. The nitrile group may also act as an additional adsorption auxiliary.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Marvin Nyenhuis, Isabell Schonrath, Polina N. Kamzeeva, Timofei S. Zatsepin, Jens Mueller, Nikos Doltsinis, Andrey Aralov
Summary: A benzothiazole-substituted derivative was evaluated for its ability to form Ag(I)-mediated homo base pairs in DNA duplexes, and the study revealed that even bulky non-planar artificial nucleobases can form stable metal-mediated base pairs.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Emma E. Coughlin, Jingtian Hu, Andrew Lee, Teri W. Odom
Summary: This paper demonstrates the light-directed functionalization of anisotropic gold nanoparticles with different thiolated-DNA oligomer sequences, enabling the creation of nanoparticle superstructures with precise control over oligo presentation at the single-particle level.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jue Yin, Mo Xie, Junke Wang, Meirong Cui, Dan Zhu, Shao Su, Chunhai Fan, Jie Chao, Qian Li, Lianhui Wang
Summary: In this work, the authors report a simple and versatile one-pot strategy to fabricate DNA architectures with the assistance of spherical gold nanoparticles modified with thiolated oligonucleotide strands. The desired architectures are formed via the stochastic co-assembly of different modules.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kaiyu Fu, Ji-Won Seo, Vladimir Kesler, Nicolo Maganzini, Brandon D. Wilson, Michael Eisenstein, Boris Murmann, H. Tom Soh
Summary: This study successfully optimized electrochemical aptamer biosensors on nanoporous electrodes to improve sensitivity and proposed a novel mechanism. By tuning pore size, probe density, and electrochemical measurement parameters, it was experimentally verified that electron transfer is accelerated within nanostructured electrodes, leading to enhanced sensitivity.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Dan Klein, Karen Michaeli
Summary: The chirality-induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect leads to spin-dependent transport through organic molecules and structures. The discovery of this effect raises fundamental questions and potential applications. The paper shows that the energy scale for CISS is much larger in currents carried by polarons, in the presence of strong electron-phonon coupling. Polaron fluctuations play a crucial role in the manifestations of CISS in transport measurements.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Siew Ting Melissa Tan, Gijun Lee, Kalee Rozylowicz, Adam Marks, Alberto Salleo
Summary: The development of sensor electrode materials for the detection of metabolites will enable the creation of point-of-care diagnostic devices for monitoring and treating metabolic diseases such as diabetes.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Kamila Malecka, Edyta Mikula, Elena E. Ferapontova
Summary: The improvement in outcomes for various types of cancer in recent years is attributed to early tumor detection and widespread use of screening tests, with non-invasive, fast, and accurate diagnostic devices playing a crucial role. Biosensors utilizing aptamers in cancer diagnosis offer advantages such as in-vitro aptamer production, cost-effective chemical synthesis, and thermal stability, while electrochemical biosensing approaches provide sensitive, accurate, and affordable sensing methods. This review evaluates the design strategies and analytical performance of electrochemical aptamer-based biosensors for cancer diagnosis, highlighting their future prospects in cancer diagnostics.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Kamila Malecka, Elena E. Ferapontova
Summary: Thrombin is a central biomarker in cardiovascular diseases and Alzheimer's disease development, but its electroanalysis is complicated by low physiological concentrations and nonspecific binding. A new electrochemical method was developed to detect femtomolar levels of thrombin in serum and CSF using G4-hemin DNAzyme, which is simple, sensitive, and selective, providing a new tool for ultrasensitive electrocatalytic assays.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Natan Blommaerts, Nick Hoeven, Daniel Arenas Esteban, Rui Campos, Myrjam Mertens, Rituraj Borah, Antonella Glisenti, Karolien De Wael, Sara Bals, Silvia Lenaerts, Sammy W. Verbruggen, Pegie Cool
Summary: In this study, a Ti-Beta zeolite was utilized in gas phase photocatalytic CO2 reduction with Pt and Pd nanoparticles to enhance efficiency and selectivity, achieving higher turnover frequency. Selectivity towards CO or CH4 could be adjusted by adding different nanoparticles, with significantly improved performance compared to the commercial benchmark P25.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Electrochemistry
Naghmehalsadat Mirbagheri, Rui Campos, Elena E. Ferapontova
Summary: This study investigated the effect of different capping ligands and electrode substrates on the electrocatalysis of iridium oxide nanoparticles for water oxidation reaction. The results showed that the hydrophilic properties of the electrode substrate could affect the morphology and catalytic performance of the formed iridium oxide films.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Myrthe Van Hal, Rui Campos, Silvia Lenaerts, Karolien De Wael, Sammy W. Verbruggen
Summary: Research has shown the potential of photofuel cells for waste water treatment and energy recovery. This study introduces an autonomously operating air purification device for sustainable electricity generation. Experiment results demonstrate that tungsten oxide-based photocatalysts outperform titanium dioxide-based ones in gas-phase PFC operation, achieving high fuel-to-electricity conversion rates.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Elise Daems, Giulia Moro, Rui Campos, Karolien De Wael
Summary: Aptamers are versatile biorecognition elements with wide applicability, requiring thorough characterization of their binding performance in the presence of the target for successful use. Various multi-analytical approaches are available to understand the aptamer-target interaction, highlighting the importance of considering the final application and limitations of analytical tools in the characterisation process.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Giulia Moro, Cedrix J. Dongmo Foumthuim, Marco Spinaci, Ettore Martini, Dafne Cimino, Eleonora Balliana, Peter Lieberzeit, Flavio Romano, Achille Giacometti, Rui Campos, Karolien De Wael, Ligia Maria Moretto
Summary: There is an urgent need for sensing strategies to screen perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aqueous matrices. Changes in fluorinated self-assembled monolayers (SAM) with different architectures were studied upon exposure to both long and short-chain PFAS. The applicability of fluorinated SAM in PFAS sensing was evaluated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and voltam-metric techniques, supported by molecular dynamics simulations. Pinhole/defect-free fluorinated SAM were found to be applicable to long-chain PFAS screening using a switch-on sensing strategy, while a switch-off sensing strategy was reported for screening of both short/long-chain PFAS.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Rocio Canovas, Elise Daems, Rui Campos, Sofie Schellinck, Annemieke Madder, Jose C. Martins, Frank Sobott, Karolien De Wael
Summary: This work presents a proof-of-concept assay for the detection and quantification of small molecules based on aptamer recognition and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) readout. The research demonstrates the successful use of the testosterone-binding aptamer as a novel method for detecting and quantifying testosterone. The combination of aptamer recognition and ECL readout allows for selective detection and quantification of testosterone with high sensitivity.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Elena E. Ferapontova
Summary: This article discusses the application of electrochemical methods in the study of neurodegenerative disorders, with a focus on recent advancements in bioelectroanalysis using aptamer- and antibody-modified electrodes.
CURRENT OPINION IN ELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ana Diaz-Fernandez, Elena E. Ferapontova
Summary: This study introduces a simple and fast liquid biopsy method for analyzing the overexpressed HER-2/neu protein in aggressive cancers, which shows high sensitivity and low cost.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Lucia Gomez-Arconada, Ana Diaz-Fernandez, Elena E. Ferapontova
Summary: Serine protease thrombin is a strong neurotoxin and Alzheimer's disease biomarker. In this study, the O-2-dependent aptamer assay for thrombin was adapted to gold screen-printed electrodes (Au SPE) for point-of-care testing (POCT). The assay showed enhanced electrocatalytic activity in O2 reduction upon thrombin binding to the aptamer, and 0.5 fM thrombin was detected with a logarithmic linear range extending to 100 fM. The disposable aptasensor met basic POCT requirements but special surface pre-treatment and modification protocols were needed for practical applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maciej Sosna, Elena E. Ferapontova
Summary: The oriented coupling of redox enzymes to electrodes by reconstitution onto redox cofactors poses the requirements for a suitable self-assembled monolayer (SAM) design. The kinetics of electron transfer in binary SAMs composed of alkanethiols and hemin-conjugated linker molecules depends on the SAM composition and hemin surface density. The use of SAM-modified electrodes with loosely dispersed redox centers and rigid molecular wires is important for the effective on-surface reconstitution of proteins and enzymes.
Article
Oncology
Galina Proshkina, Elena Shramova, Anastasiya Ryabova, Liat Katrivas, Clelia Giannini, Daniele Malpicci, Yael Levi-Kalisman, Sergey Deyev, Alexander Kotlyar
Summary: This study demonstrates a methodology to enhance the solubility of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) and delivers it specifically to cancer cells using designed ankyrin repeat protein (DARPin)-functionalized small multilamellar vesicles (SMVs). The positively charged PNA molecules bind electrostatically to the negatively charged phospholipid membranes, encapsulating the PNA in the vesicles. The DARPin-functionalized SMVs can enter HER2-overexpressing cells and cause cell death by interfering with normal cell functioning.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ana Diaz-Fernandez, Alexey Ferapontov, Mikkel Holm Vendelbo, Elena E. Ferapontova
Summary: Researchers have developed a cellulase-linked sandwich bioassay on magnetic beads for detecting the levels of protein HER-2/neu in blood. This method is simple, low-cost, and enables fast and accurate liquid biopsy analysis.
ACS MEASUREMENT SCIENCE AU
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giulia Moro, Rui Campos, Elise Daems, Ligia Maria Moretto, Karolien De Wael
Summary: The haem group is a promising redox probe for albumin-based voltammetric sensors, with reversible redox behaviour and binding kinetics that depend on hSA's conformation and the presence of other ligands. Hemin was tested as a redox probe using PFOA as a model analyte, and its binding kinetics were investigated using UV-Vis spectroscopy and electrochemical methods. The study provides insight into the application of hemin as a redox probe in albumin-based voltammetric sensing strategies.
BIOELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
