Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Shuaibing Yu, Jian Zhang, Yaodong Hu, Lianzhi Li, Jinming Kong, Xueji Zhang
Summary: The development of a convenient and efficient assay for miRNA-21 as a lung cancer marker is crucial for early cancer prevention. In this study, an electrochemical biosensor using click chemistry and photocatalytic atom transfer radical polymerization (photo-ATRP) was successfully fabricated for miRNA-21 detection under blue light excitation. The biosensor, based on hairpin DNA recognition probe, achieved signal amplification by depositing electroactive monomers on the electrode surface, exhibiting sensitivity, precision, and selectivity for miRNA-21 with different base mismatches. It showed a linear relationship in the range of 10 fM to 1 nM (R-2 = 0.995) and a detection limit of 1.35 fM. The biosensor also demonstrated anti-interference performance when analyzing RNAs in serum samples. It is a promising tool for the analysis of complex samples, offering the advantages of low cost, specificity, and anti-interference ability.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Derrick Butler, David Moore, Nicholas R. Glavin, Joshua A. Robinson, Aida Ebrahimi
Summary: The study demonstrates that by tuning the surface chemistry of graphene through a simple one-step annealing process, commercially available graphene ink can achieve selective and highly sensitive detection of dopamine. Optimal conditions lead to distinguishable and selective response to dopamine down to 5 pM, paving the way for developing sensitive and low-cost biosensors with potential applications in point-of-care diagnostics.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Zixin Zhou, Wenting He, Hao Chao, Han Wang, Ping Su, Jiayi Song, Yi Yang
Summary: In this study, a specific hemin-based mimetic enzyme was synthesized by assembling zeolitic imidazolate framework-L (ZIF-L) and hemin. The obtained mimetic enzyme displayed enhanced peroxidase activity and resistance to severe conditions. It also served as a colorimetric sensor for uranium detection.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Optics
Chaoyang Gong, Xi Yang, Shui-Jing Tang, Qian-Qian Zhang, Yanqiong Wang, Yi-Ling Liu, Yu-Cheng Chen, Gang-Ding Peng, Xudong Fan, Yun-Feng Xiao, Yun-Jiang Rao, Yuan Gong
Summary: This study reports the development of submonolayer lasers on optical fibers as ultrasensitive and disposable biosensors for biomarker detection, which offers great potential in early diagnosis.
LIGHT-SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xue Li, Xiaoyu Liu, Jiaqi Wei, Shengjun Bu, Zhongyi Li, Zhuo Hao, Wenhui Zhang, Jiayu Wan
Summary: A fluorescent biosensor based on click chemistry-terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (ccTdT) and the CRISPR/Cas12a cascade amplification system was constructed for ultrasensitive miRNA-21 detection, providing a promising platform for clinical diagnostics and biomedical research.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yao Han, Fan Li, Lan Yang, Xudong Guo, Xue Dong, Mengwei Niu, Yaxuan Jiang, Lin Li, Hao Li, Yansong Sun
Summary: This study presents an immunocapture magnetic bead-enhanced electrochemical biosensor for ultrasensitive SARS-CoV-2 detection based on CRISPR-Cas13a technology. The biosensor uses low-cost and immobilization-free carbon electrodes for electrochemical signal measurement, streptavidin-coated immunocapture magnetic beads to reduce background noise and enhance detection ability, and isothermal amplification methods in the CRISPR-Cas13a system for nucleic acid detection. The biosensor showed a two orders of magnitude increase in sensitivity with the use of magnetic beads. It can detect SARS-CoV-2 with an ultrasensitive ability as low as 1.66 aM and can be flexibly applied to other viruses.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Meiyun Shi, Xinyue Zheng, Ning Zhang, Yufeng Guo, Meichen Liu, Lei Yin
Summary: Green analytical chemistry (GAC) is a concept widely recognized in analytical chemistry laboratories that promotes the use of energy-saving instruments, reduction of toxic agents, and minimal waste production. This article introduces and discusses 16 typical greenness metric tools, such as the National Environmental Methods Index (NEMI), Analytical Eco-scale, Analytical method volume intensity (AMVI), Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI), and Analytical Greenness Calculator (AGREE), including their criteria, characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, and applications. The aim is to help analysts assess the greenness of different analytical procedures using various metric tools.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yongkai Lu, Yangyang Zhou, Junjie Xia, Suyun Zhong, Yawen Liu, Qiang Chen, Hongxia Chen
Summary: A facile synthetic strategy is used to construct raspberry-like gold nanoparticles, which are then used to develop an efficient and sensitive electrochemical sensor for the detection of Cr(VI). The sensor exhibits a wide linear range and an extremely low detection limit, suggesting potential applications in other ultrasensitive electrochemical sensors.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yuxin Li, Romana Jarosova, Moriah E. Weese-Myers, Ashley E. Ross
Summary: Graphene-fiber microelectrodes (GFME's) have been synthesized and characterized for subsecond detection of neurochemicals with fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) for the first time. These microelectrodes exhibit faster electron transfer kinetics, significantly improved sensitivity, and ease of tunability, making them highly impactful for neurochemical detection.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Shiva Ashoori, Maryam Naderpour, Mohammad M. Ghezelayagh, Reza Malekabadi Zadeh, Farshid Raissi
Summary: Single-electron devices have the capability to detect changes in the electric field caused by the presence of one single electron, making them potential tools for identifying microorganisms in liquids. However, their practical use is hindered by their small size, complex fabrication techniques, and cryogenic operational temperature. In this study, a room temperature single-electron structure is introduced, demonstrating its ability to distinguish liquids based on their dipole moments.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Xiumei Zhang, Jingru Yao, Xiangnan Gong, Jianfeng Sun, Runhui Wang, Li Wang, Liyu Liu, Yingzhou Huang
Summary: In this study, a glass fibre paper with Ag nanoparticles was used for electrodynamic enrichment, combined with paper electrophoresis and field amplification sample stacking, to achieve convenient and sensitive detection of Raman and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The method showed significant improvement in detection limit and could detect trace organic contaminants in aquaculture and food applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jia Yang, Feng Wang, Jianfeng Guo, Yanrong Wang, Chuanxiu Jiang, Shuhui Li, Yuchen Cai, Xueying Zhan, Xinfeng Liu, Zhihai Cheng, Jun He, Zhenxing Wang
Summary: This study demonstrates a low-light-level phototransistor that utilizes a photo-induced ferroelectric reversal mechanism, achieving record-breaking performance and offering potential applications.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Lijuan Feng, Hui Wang, Tingting Liu, Tiantian Feng, Meng Cao, Jiacheng Zhang, Tao Liu, Zhanhu Guo, Costas Galiotis, Yihui Yuan, Ning Wang
Summary: Strontium-90, a frequently released radioactive product in nuclear reactor waste, poses serious health hazards due to its long half-life and the ability to accumulate in the food chain and bones. However, its identification is challenging due to the absence of characteristic energy rays. In this study, the authors developed a biosensor that uses a fluorogenic dye, thioflavin T, to detect Sr2+ ions with high sensitivity and selectivity. This work provides a technological solution to monitor radioactive strontium pollution and contributes to the sustainability of nuclear power.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jonathan Poh, Kao Chin Ngeow, Michelle Pek, Kian-Hin Tan, Jing Shan Lim, Hao Chen, Choon Kiat Ong, Jing Quan Lim, Soon Thye Lim, Chwee Ming Lim, Boon Cher Goh, Yukti Choudhury
Summary: Next-generation sequencing of circulating tumor DNA offers a promising approach to cancer diagnostics, providing minimally invasive serial testing and broad genomic coverage through a simple blood draw, maximizing therapeutic benefit for patients.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ershad Mohammadi, Andreas Tittl, Kosmas L. Tsakmakidis, T. Raziman, Alberto G. Curto
Summary: This study explores the enhancement of chiral sensing using nanophotonics, achieving superchiral fields beyond the limits of single particles through hybrid metal-dielectric nanostructures. By adjusting the intensity and phase of electric and magnetic fields, and ensuring spatial overlap, optimal optical chirality can be achieved.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Harsha P. Gunawardena, Yongling Ai, Jinshan Gao, Richard N. Zare, Hao Chen
Summary: Microdroplet reactions have attracted attention for their ability to accelerate reactions, such as ultrafast protein digestion occurring in less than 1 ms. This study integrated a microdroplet protein digestion technique with automated sample flow injection and online mass spectrometry (MS) analysis, resulting in a rapid and reliable method for characterizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). The method allows for the assessment of the safety and quality of antibody drugs through structural characterization.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaowei Song, Qingce Zang, Chao Li, Tianhao Zhou, Richard N. N. Zare
Summary: We developed an immunoassay-based desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (immuno-DESI-MSI) technique for visualizing functional macromolecules. Boronic acid mass tags (BMTs) were synthesized to label antibodies as MSI probes, which can be released from the antibody by cleaving the boronic ester bond under acidic conditions. The BMTs can work in both optical and MS imaging modes and can be readily identified due to the introduction of the boron element.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mohammad Mofidfar, Xiaowei Song, John T. T. Kelly, Mitchell H. H. Rubenstein, Richard N. N. Zare
Summary: Using silicone wristband electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (SWESI-MS), the internal surface of a wristband can be exposed to sweat metabolites and the external surface can be exposed to environmental factors. A small amount of a water:methanol solution can effectively extract metabolites and chemicals from various sources. This method allows for onsite sampling, simple testing, and automatic data searching, making it suitable for monitoring hazardous chemical contamination and sweat-secreted metabolites.
ISRAEL JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yifan Meng, Elumalai Gnanamani, Richard N. Zare
Summary: In this study, hydroxyl radicals generated in situ were used for an organic transformation to synthesize anilines from aryl acids and ammonia/primary or secondary amines via decarboxylation. This one-step reaction occurred at room temperature without the need for metal catalysts or organic solvents. The scope of this transformation includes various types of amines and aromatic acids, enabling the synthesis of aniline and N-substituted anilines in a single step.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Summer Ramsay-Burrough, Daniel P. Marron, Keith C. Armstrong, Trevor J. Del Castillo, Richard N. Zare, Robert M. Waymouth
Summary: The strategy of improving catalyst performance is achieved by replacing ligands. Experimental results show that using 7,7'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-biquinoline (L3) as the ligand can enhance the catalyst's effectiveness. Furthermore, changes in ligand structure can also modulate the regioselectivity of the substrate.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yifan Meng, Elumalai Gnanamani, Richard N. Zare
Summary: Using room-temperature water microdroplets and applying negative high voltage at the sprayer source, toluene can react with CO2 to form phenylacetic acid in one step without any catalyst. The chemical components of these microdroplets are identified by mass spectrometry, and product structures are confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry. Mechanistic studies reveal that benzyl radicals formed from hydroxyl radicals at the water microdroplet interface drive these carboxylation reactions. This water microdroplet chemistry is general, enabling the activation and subsequent carboxylation of aryl alpha-C-H groups.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Adriaan Davidse, Richard N. Zare
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tao Zhang, Sarah E. Noll, Jesus T. Peng, Amman Klair, Abigail Tripka, Nathan Stutzman, Casey Cheng, Richard N. Zare, Alexandra J. Dickinson
Summary: Understanding the principles of plant growth is essential for agriculture and multicellular development research. Using DESI-MSI, we mapped the chemical distribution in developing maize roots and discovered various small molecule patterns across the stem cell differentiation gradient. Through the analysis of TCA cycle metabolites in Arabidopsis and maize, we found that these metabolites are enriched in developmentally opposing regions and control root development in distinct ways. These findings shed light on plant development and offer practical methods for regulating plant growth.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yifan Dai, Christian F. Chamberlayne, Marco S. Messina, Christopher J. Chang, Richard N. Zare, Lingchong You, Ashutosh Chilkoti
Summary: Biomolecular condensates play a crucial role in various cellular processes. This study reveals that the interface of condensates establishes an electric potential gradient, leading to spontaneous redox reactions in vitro and in living cells. These findings highlight the importance of the condensate interface in modulating biochemical activities.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wanbo Li, Chiu-wing Chan, Zeyu Li, Sin -Yung Siu, Siyu Chen, Han Sun, Zeyu Liu, Yisu Wang, Chong Hu, Nicola Maria Pugno, Richard N. Zare, Hongkai Wu, Kangning Ren
Summary: Developing versatile and robust surfaces that mimic the skins of living beings to regulate matter is crucial for bioinspired applications. This study presents a novel strategy of preparing a stable and monolithic surface for efficient matter regulation. The key to achieving superwettability and durability lies in the geometric-material mechanics design. The surface demonstrates versatility in manufacturing feasibility, multiple-use modes, and long-term air trapping in deep water, as well as multilevel durability needed for real-world applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yifan Meng, Richard N. Zare, Elumalai Gnanamani
Summary: Benzoic acid dissolved in water is electrosprayed to form microdroplets, which undergo decarboxylation to produce phenol. This ecofriendly method does not require any catalyst or added reagents, and the transformation mechanism was characterized using mass spectrometry and labeling techniques.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xuke Chen, Yu Xia, Zhenyuan Zhang, Lei Hua, Xiuquan Jia, Feng Wang, Richard N. Zare
Summary: Contact between water and oil can result in new chemical reactions, producing CO2, H·, H2, and short-chain hydrocarbons. This reaction is caused by contact electrification at the water-oil microdroplet interface, generating reactive oxygen species.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sason Shaik, David Danovich, Richard N. Zare
Summary: This paper describes the nature of hydrogen bond using valence bond theory. The analysis shows that polarization and charge transfer are the most important interactions in hydrogen bonds, and their sum is identical for different energy decomposition analysis methods. The total covalent-ionic resonance energy of the hydrogen bond is linearly correlated with the dissociation energy of the bond. The contributions of ionic structures to the hydrogen bond increase the positive charge on the hydrogen and contribute to catalytic reactions.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yifan Meng, Richard N. Zare, Elumalai Gnanamani
Summary: In this study, a catalyst-free and reagent-free method for converting benzoic acid to phenol in water solution using electrospray technique was reported. The conversion mechanism was characterized using mass spectrometry, tandem mass spectrometry, and oxygen isotope labeling, revealing the direct decarboxylation of benzoic acid to phenol in microdroplets. This environmentally friendly approach provides a new route for the synthesis of phenol and related aromatic alcohols.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaowei Song, Chanbasha Basheer, Yu Xia, Juan Li, Ismail Abdulazeez, Abdulaziz Al-Saadi, Mohammad Mofidfar, Mohammed Altahir Suliman, Richard Zare
Summary: This study develops a new catalytic system that utilizes a graphite mesh covered with a CuBi2O4 coating and a mixture of N-2 and CO2 as the nebulizing gas to synthesize urea in water microdroplets. The reaction converts greenhouse gases into a value-added product in an ecofriendly process.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
