Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nupur Garg, Upasana Sahu, Sudeshna Kar, Farhan J. Ahmad
Summary: This study introduces a fast, sensitive, and specific LAMP technique for early detection of leprosy, which showed complete concurrence with conventional techniques in blind clinical validation studies. Visual detection methods were also standardized for easy-to-read and rapid diagnosis, eliminating the lack of accuracy and sensitivity in skin smear tests and the need for expensive lab equipments and trained technicians.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Shun-ichi Matsuura, Tomoya Baba, Takuji Ikeda, Katsutoshi Yamamoto, Tatsuo Tsunoda, Aritomo Yamaguchi
Summary: The mesoporous silica-enhanced PCR technology allows highly precise and sensitive DNA amplification/detection from minimal amounts of nucleic acid, making it applicable for genetic testing involving small samples.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Weidu Song, Chuanhao Zhang, Huichao Lin, Taiyi Zhang, Haixia Liu, Xiaowen Huang
Summary: The proposed real-time rotary PCR reaction system (RRP) meets the requirements of low cost, low-power consumption, potential for miniaturization, and portability. Experimental and theoretical results demonstrate its feasibility in the rapid quantitative detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and have broad application prospects in bacteria detection and food safety.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Shaolei Huang, Yiquan An, Bangchao Xi, Xianglian Gong, Zhongfu Chen, Shan Shao, Shengxiang Ge, Jun Zhang, Dongxu Zhang, Ningshao Xia
Summary: Nucleic acid detection is a method that directly identifies the presence of pathogenic microorganisms and has advantages of high sensitivity, commendable specificity, and a short window period. A real-time PCR system based on multiple temperature zones was proposed to solve the time-consuming problem, enabling fast detection speed and high sensitivity under extreme conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Xinran Dong, Yuchen Huang, Dechen Jiang
Summary: A fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nanokit was established for detecting specific DNA sequences in single living cells. This strategy involves sorting the DNA sequence in a cellular nucleus into a nanopipette, where it reacts with PCR kit components to complete a PCR amplification reaction. The presence of the target DNA sequence is validated through an increase in fluorescence, and the nanokit offers a general and highly sensitive approach for single cell analysis.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Hassan Ali Abid, Jian Wern Ong, Zhixiong Song, Eric Shen Lin, Oi Wah Liew, Tuck Wah Ng
Summary: PCR amplifies specific DNA targets through precise temperature control and efficient heat transfer. Tilt method can achieve uniform temperature distributions and shorter settling times, potentially enhancing the efficiency of DNA amplification.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER
(2021)
Article
Pathology
Cecile Nabet, Jean-Yves Brossas, Corentin Poignon, Amira Bouzidi, Luc Paris, Feriel Touafek, Emmanuelle Varlet-Marie, Yvon Sterkers, Karine Passebosc-Faure, Marie-Laure Darde, Renaud Piarroux, Jerome Alexandre Denis
Summary: Accurate detection and quantification tools for Toxoplasma gondii are valuable for the management of toxoplasmosis. This study evaluated the performance of droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) for T. gondii detection and quantification. The results showed that ddPCR had equivalent performance to qPCR for T. gondii detection and was more accurate for quantification.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jae Jong Kim, Hyoung-Min Park, A. Young Kyoung, In Kyung Park, Si-Kyu Lim, Byoung Chul Park
Summary: Genetic mutations like SNP are common in genetic disorders and cancers, and PCR methods are widely used for SNP detection. The specifically designed PCR platform STexS can efficiently distinguish small amounts of SNP mixed in normal DNA, aiding in targeting potential SNPs or genetically mutated biomarkers in human clinical samples.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Renna L. Nouwairi, Larissa L. Cunha, Rachelle Turiello, Orion Scott, Jeff Hickey, Scott Thomson, Stuart Knowles, Jeff D. Chapman, James P. Landers
Summary: This article describes a field-forward prototype instrument capable of ultra-fast thermal cycling for real-time PCR amplification of DNA and RNA. The instrument can complete 40 cycles of real-time PCR in under 10 minutes, an 84% reduction in time compared to standard assays.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Man Ho, N. Sathishkumar, Alexandros A. Sklavounos, Jianxian Sun, Ivy Yang, Kevin P. Nichols, Aaron R. Wheeler
Summary: This study developed a new microfluidic system that combines digital microfluidics (DMF) with distance-based detection (DBD) for LAMP-based point-of-care nucleic acid amplification tests (POC NAATs). The system allows for direct signal readout without the need for dedicated optical detection apparatus. The method was validated for SARS-CoV-2 detection in saliva and showed promising results. The combination of DMF with DBD holds great potential for implementing various POC NAATs or other applications in the future.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Drew F. K. Williamson, Sean R. N. Marris, Vanesa Rojas-Rudilla, Jacqueline L. Bruce, Cloud P. Paweletz, Geoffrey R. Oxnard, Lynette M. Sholl, Fei Dong
Summary: Activating mutations in EGFR can predict the effectiveness of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer. This article presents a fast and accurate analytical method for detecting EGFR mutations.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Esra Oktay, Joshua Bush, Merlyn Vargas, Dylan Valerio Scarton, Bailey O'Shea, Amber Hartman, Christopher M. Green, Kayla Neyra, Carolina M. Gomes, Igor L. Medintz, Divita Mathur, Remi Veneziano
Summary: Functional DNA origami nanoparticles (DNA-NPs) are used as nanocarriers in biomedical applications. A simple and robust strategy based on asymmetric polymerase chain reaction (aPCR) allows direct synthesis of custom-length scaffolds that can be randomly or precisely modified.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jarad Yost, Zachary Gagnon
Summary: In this study, a novel Faradaic reaction-free nucleic acid amplification method was proposed for microscale liquid samples, using a radio frequency alternating current electric field to induce Joule heating without producing electrolysis gaseous by-products. The approach demonstrated successful direct thermal amplification using two popular NAA biochemical reactions, offering substantial miniaturization of heating elements for microfluidic or miniaturized NAA reaction systems.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Suresh Reddy Banda, Holger Klapproth, Nicolaas Smit, Sonja Bednar, Thomas Brandstetter, Juergen Ruehe
Summary: The sensitivity of a PCR-based biochip assay depends on the efficiency of PCR amplicons in binding to the microarray spots. Asymmetric PCR is often inefficient in generating single-stranded (ss) amplicons. However, a novel variant called Asymmetric Exponential and Linear Amplification (AELA) can overcome these issues and generate large amounts of ss-amplicons. AELA-PCR combines both exponential and linear amplification of the target nucleic acid, resulting in higher biochip sensitivity compared to conventional methods.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Adam C. Faller, Dhivya Shanmughanandhan, Subramanyam Ragupathy, Yanjun Zhang, Zhengfei Lu, Peter Chang, Gary Swanson, Steven G. Newmaster
Summary: Traditional botanical protein sources like peas and soybeans face new challenges in authentication as powdered supplements. The use of qPCR provides an efficient and economical method for identifying the botanical source of protein products and quantifying relative proportions.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yibo Liu, Juewen Liu
Summary: In this study, a new DNA aptamer (UA-Mg-1) for uric acid detection was obtained through a salt-toggled selection method. The aptamer exhibited strong binding affinity and showed metal dependency only on Mg2+ ions. The UA-Mg-1 aptamer was then engineered into a fluorescent biosensor for uric acid detection.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuzhe Ding, Po-Jung Jimmy Huang, Mohamad Zandieh, Jinghan Wang, Juewen Liu
Summary: In this study, the authors compared gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) prepared using different reducing agents and found that citrate-AuNPs and glucose-AuNPs had better DNA adsorption and affinity. Citrate-AuNPs also exhibited higher sensitivity for label-free DNA detection. The authors further investigated the effect of aging on citrate-AuNPs and found that their colloidal stability, DNA adsorption efficiency, and sensing performance decreased gradually. The study highlights the importance of considering the aging effect when using AuNPs in colloidal science and biosensor technology.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jia Guo, Peng Liu, Benliang Wei, Ying Peng, Jinsong Ding, Hailun Zhang, Guanxiong Zhang, Juan Su, Hong Liu, Wenhu Zhou, Xiang Chen
Summary: This study found that adenosine A1 receptor (ADORA1) is overexpressed in melanoma tissue and is positively correlated with tumor malignancy and advancement. Inhibition of ADORA1 can specifically damage melanoma cells and induce immunogenic cell death (ICD). To compensate for this, researchers designed and fabricated a hybrid nanomedicine that combines ADORA1 inhibitor with PD-L1 blockage, enhancing melanoma immunotherapy.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Javier Perez Tobia, Po-Jung Jimmy Huang, Yuzhe Ding, Runjhun Saran Narayan, Apurva Narayan, Juewen Liu
Summary: Computer-aided prediction of aptamer sequences has traditionally focused on primary sequence alignment and motif comparison. However, this study introduces a new algorithm that incorporates secondary structure information, combining conserved primary sequences and secondary structures. This algorithm was successfully used in predicting aptamer sequences from two different selections and showed promise in predicting challenging sequences. It provides a novel approach to pattern discovery in aptamer selection libraries and has the potential to shorten selection time and improve applications in biosensors and chemical biology.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Pengbo Zhang, Mohamad Zandieh, Yuzhe Ding, Lyuyuan Wu, Xiaoyu Wang, Juewen Liu, Zhengping Li
Summary: A cationic conjugated polymer (CCP)-based assay was studied for the accurate measurement of concentration of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). The method utilized the fluorescence change of CCPs upon binding ssDNA and achieved a high binding affinity with ssDNA. The developed CCP-based biosensor showed comparable detection limit and better suitability for ssDNA measurement compared to fluorescence-dye-based methods.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuzhe Ding, Juewen Liu
Summary: This article introduces a classical DNA aptamer that has been widely used for biosensing, imaging, and DNA nanotechnology. Two separate selections were performed using adenosine and ATP as targets, obtaining two new aptamers with significantly higher affinity compared to the classical aptamer. The new aptamers bind to one target molecule instead of two, and their secondary structures and specific binding were confirmed through mutation studies.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mohamad Zandieh, Una E. Hogan, Rodney D. L. Smith, Juewen Liu
Summary: The wettability of microplastics can change due to surface transformations. This study investigated the adsorption of spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) and linear DNA on microplastics to understand their wettability. Soaking microplastics in water for 3 months increased SNA adsorption, while the adsorption of linear DNA remained the same. Reversibility was observed when the soaked microplastics were dried and rehydrated. Heating the microplastics had a similar effect to long-term soaking.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yao Lin, Xueshan Chen, Yuyang Li, Yi Ye, Lin Yang, Linchuan Liao, Yurong Deng, Juewen Liu, Jinyi Zhang, Chengbin Zheng
Summary: A neutral photocatalytic oxidation strategy induced by scandium (Sc3+) was developed for the visual detection of cocaine within 40 s. The strategy was based on G-quadruplex/PPIX and split aptamers, allowing the activation of Sc3+-mediated photosensitization oxidation of TMB.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zhiyuan Hou, Qiang Wen, Wenhu Zhou, Peng Yan, Hailong Zhang, Jinsong Ding
Summary: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used for treating inflammatory pain, including osteoarthritis. Ketorolac tromethamine, a strong NSAID with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, can cause adverse effects when administered orally or through injections. To address this issue, a topical delivery system in the form of a cataplasm was designed and fabricated, which showed comparable effectiveness in reducing inflammation and pain as oral administration. The cataplasm also demonstrated reduced side effects in human volunteers, making it a better alternative for the treatment of inflammatory pain.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Hanxiao Zhang, Albert Zehan Li, Juewen Liu
Summary: Using DNA staining dyes for label-free detection of aptamer binding has been done for a long time, but the cationic nature of the dyes can lead to unstable signals and false interpretations of results due to adsorption. This study evaluated the stability of the signal and found that a quartz cuvette provided a more stable signal compared to a polystyrene microplate, and equilibrating the system improved signal stability. The surfactant Triton X-100 was found to have the best protective effect against fluorescence signal decrease due to dye adsorption, and its use improved signal stability for different aptamers.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xiangcheng Zhao, Nuli Xie, Hailong Zhang, Wenhu Zhou, Jinsong Ding
Summary: In this review, the advantages and various drug-loading strategies of bacteria as drug delivery systems are summarized, along with discussions on current challenges and clinical trial status.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Tyler S. Lott, Ariel A. Petruk, Nicolette A. Shaw, Natalie Hamada, Carmen M. Andrei, Yibo Liu, Juewen Liu, German Sciaini
Summary: Liquid cell electron microscopy (LCEM) has suffered from reproducibility issues and limited imaging quality over a wide field of view. In this study, a shape-engineered nanofluidic cell architecture and an air-free drop-casting sample loading technique were introduced to overcome these challenges. The presented LCEM method enables high-resolution imaging without bulging membranes, providing lattice resolution and sufficient contrast for observing unstained liposomes in their near native environment.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhen Wang, Man Li, Huaiyu Bu, David S. Zia, Penggao Dai, Juewen Liu
Summary: Biosensors use biomolecules and nanomaterials for target recognition and signal transduction. There are three types of biosensors described in this review: those relying on fluorescent nanomaterials, those based on regulation of catalytic activity of nanozymes, and those using additional signal transduction molecules. Challenges include limited selectivity and susceptibility to interference, while future research opportunities involve mechanistic studies, improving selectivity, and real sample testing.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Ka-Ying Wong, Yibo Liu, Liping Zhou, Man-Sau Wong, Juewen Liu
Summary: In order to overcome the limitations of traditional eye drops, researchers constructed a mucin-1 aptamer-functionalized liposome to deliver cyclosporin A for the treatment of dry eye diseases. The aptamer-functionalized liposomes were found to enhance drug delivery and therapeutic efficacy in both in vitro and in vivo experiments.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chang Lu, Mohamad Zandieh, Jinkai Zheng, Juewen Liu
Summary: Peroxidase-based assays are widely used in bioanalytical sensors due to their simple colorimetric readout and high sensitivity. This study compared the peroxidase activities and stability of HRP, G-quadruplex (G4)-hemin DNAzyme, and Fe3O4 nanozymes under different conditions. The results showed variations in activity, stability, reaction mechanisms, and their response to different buffers and nanozyme sizes. Fe3O4 exhibited the highest stability among the catalysts. This study contributes to the understanding of catalyst properties and the development of novel catalysts with enzyme-mimicking activities.
