Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Rui Gao, Dan Li, Siqing Zheng, Haixin Gu, Wei Deng
Summary: A trimodal method for accurate sensing of Zn2+ in complex matrices was developed using stimuli-responsive GNRs-DPY, which can visually detect Zn2+ aggregation and lower the SERS detection limit through electromagnetic enhancement. This method not only enables the differentiation of Zn2+ from Cd2+ but also allows for sensitive and selective quantitative determination of Zn2+ in different matrices.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Taylor D. Krueger, Longteng Tang, Chong Fang
Summary: Fluorescent proteins (FPs) are important tools for noninvasive bioimaging and sensing. REX-GECO1, a red-green emission and excitation ratiometric FP-based biosensor, shows a high dynamic range in measuring cellular calcium concentrations. The potential energy surfaces of these biosensors are revealed using electronic and spectroscopic techniques, uncovering details of their behavior. These findings can inform the design of biosensors with improved efficiency for calcium imaging.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Wei Wang, Yue Zhang, Wei Zhang, Yibing Liu, Pinyi Ma, Xinghua Wang, Ying Sun, Daqian Song
Summary: A sensing platform for the determination of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in human serum based on SERS-fluorescent dual-mode assay was developed, allowing for evaluation of ALP inhibitors. The platform utilizes a nanoprobe that can provide both SERS and fluorescence signals without the need for additional reporters or fluorophores.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
Lulu Liu, Dan Li, Wei Deng
Summary: The study presents a smart microgels platform capable of sensitive analysis of water and temperature with reliable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) quantification. The sensor demonstrates fast response, excellent stability, and accurate and reliable detection of water content in organic solvents and pharmaceutical products.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Stefan Krause, Evelyn Ploetz, Johann Bohlen, Patrick Schuler, Renukka Yaadav, Florian Selbach, Florian Steiner, Izabela Kaminska, Philip Tinnefeld
Summary: Researchers screened 10 preparation methods for graphene-on-glass and presented an optimized protocol for single-molecule and super-resolution imaging; they utilized DNA origami technology to detect graphene quality, showing discrepancies between conventional techniques such as light microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy for graphene characterization.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jinseo Park, Hao Zuo, Aurel Frangaj, Ziao Fu, Laura Y. Yen, Zhening Zhang, Lidia Mosyak, Vesna N. Slavkovich, Jonathan Liu, Kimberly M. Ray, Baohua Cao, Francesca Vallese, Yong Geng, Shaoxia Chen, Robert Grassucci, Venkata P. Dandey, Yong Zi Tan, Edward Eng, Yeji Lee, Brian Kloss, Zheng Liu, Wayne A. Hendrickson, Clinton S. Potter, Bridget Carragher, Joseph Graziano, Arthur D. Conigrave, Joachim Frank, Oliver B. Clarke, Qing R. Fan
Summary: The study reveals the structural insights of the human extracellular calcium-sensing receptor in the presence and absence of allosteric modulators, showing that activation of the receptor requires a break in the transmembrane 6 helix. Two modulators with opposite functional roles bind to overlapping sites within the transmembrane domain to stabilize distinct conformations of key residues on the TM6 helix, influencing receptor activity.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Surya Narayan Panda, Sudip Majumder, Samiran Choudhury, Arpan Bhattacharya, Sumona Sinha, Anjan Barman
Summary: This study investigates the magnetization dynamics in graphene/ferromagnet hybrid heterostructures and reveals an inverse relationship between ultrafast demagnetization time and Gilbert damping parameter, induced by interfacial spin accumulation and pure spin-current transport. The findings can contribute to the understanding of magnetic damping and aid in the design of graphene-based ultrahigh-speed spintronic devices.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cheng Chen, J. Nathan Henderson, Dmitry A. Ruchkin, Jacob M. Kirsh, Mikhail S. Baranov, Alexey M. Bogdanov, Jeremy H. Mills, Steven G. Boxer, Chong Fang
Summary: This study systematically analyzed the vibrational properties of FP chromophores by using FSRS and quantum calculations. A bond-stretching mode characteristic of the quinoidal resonance structure was found to be present in most FPs and model chromophores, which can serve as a vibrational marker for interpreting chromophore-environment interactions and structural effects on the electronic properties of the chromophore.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bjorn Paulson, Yeonhee Shin, Akimitsu Okamoto, Yeon-Mok Oh, Jun Ki Kim, Chan-Gi Pack
Summary: RNA plays a crucial role in cellular processes, making it essential to visualize and quantify its molecular dynamics directly in living cells to understand its metabolism. In this study, fluorescence correlation methods were utilized to demonstrate the visualization and quantification of interactions between ECHO probes targeting mRNA, showing changes in fluorescence brightness and diffusion coefficient upon binding. The uptake of ECHO probes in HeLa cells for mRNA detection provides new insights into intracellular mRNA metabolism.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Jasper J. van Thor, Paul M. Champion
Summary: This paper reviews the photoacid dynamics of fluorescent proteins, including both electronic excited- and ground-state mechanisms of proton transfer. It discusses the characteristic timescales of these reactions and the involvement of coherent nuclear motion. The paper also summarizes the experiments and theory regarding proton tunneling in the electronic ground state and excited-state proton-transfer reaction of the green fluorescent protein (GFP), as well as the remaining questions and recent advances.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Xiao Jin, Lu Xue, Shengwei Ye, Weiqing Cheng, Jamie Jiangmin Hou, Lianping Hou, John H. Marsh, Ming Sun, Xuefeng Liu, Jichuan Xiong, Bin Ni
Summary: A novel virus detection method is proposed in this paper, which utilizes an indirect polarization parametric imaging method combined with a plasmonic split-ring nanocavity array coated with an Au film. A quantitative algorithm based on the extended Laplace operator is implemented. Experimental results show that the developed method has high detection sensitivity and can detect virus samples at low concentrations.
BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS
(2023)
Article
Spectroscopy
Reshma P. Radhakrishnan, Arun K. Prasad
Summary: In this study, a multi-modal approach was used to investigate the sensing mechanism of NH3 gas by V2O5 nanoparticles in ambient air. The results showed that V2O5 nanoparticles with an average size of 49 nm exhibited a superior sensor response towards 1 ppm of NH3 gas. The presence of NH3 induced electron doping, resulting in conduction band filling and an increase in the optical band gap. The vanadyl oxygen site was found to be the most active in the sensing process.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Satish A. Ture, Veerabhadragouda B. Patil, Channabasaveshwar V. Yelamaggad, Ramon Martinez-Manez, Venkataraman Abbaraju
Summary: Understanding the mechanism of detection is crucial in selecting a suitable fluorophore for the detection of nitroaromatic and non-aromatic high energy materials (HEMs). Conducting polymers, specifically functionalized polyaniline, have shown significance in fluorescence quenching studies. Electrochemical methods help in establishing the probable mechanism associated with the sensing study of HEMs, while FTIR and resonance Raman characterization aid in understanding the interaction between nitro groups and polyaniline.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chiara Montali, Stefania Abbruzzetti, Arne Franzen, Giorgia Casini, Stefano Bruno, Pietro Delcanale, Sandra Burgstaller, Jeta Ramadani-Muja, Roland Malli, Thomas Gensch, Cristiano Viappiani
Summary: S-Nitrosylation of cysteine residues is an important molecular mechanism for post-translational regulation of proteins, and the sensitivity of fluorescent proteins to nitric oxide has been discovered, which is of great significance for cell biology research.
Article
Optics
Weiao Qi, Jiaqi Zhou, Xinru Cao, Zhi Cheng, Huawei Jiang, Shuzhen Cui, Yan Feng
Summary: NOGM is a method for generating high-performance ultrafast pulses with wavelength versatility. The study demonstrates coherent femtosecond Raman pulse generation through cascaded NOGM process experimentally. Numerical simulations investigate the dynamic evolution of pump and cascaded Stokes pulses within the Raman amplifier and show that higher energy and shorter pulse duration NOGM pulses can be obtained by limiting the impact of walk-off effect.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ziyu Wang, Ya Zhang, Cheng Chen, Ruixue Zhu, Jiaming Jiang, Tsu-Chien Weng, Quanjiang Ji, Yifan Huang, Chong Fang, Weimin Liu
Summary: This study utilized femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy and various time-resolved electronic spectroscopies, aided by quantum calculations, to investigate the red fluorescent protein mKeima with a large Stokes shift. It revealed the photocycle and isomerization process of mKeima, and identified the trans-isomer as the dominant contributor to the large Stokes shift emission.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhiyuan Zhao, Ruihua Pu, Ziyu Wang, Jiaming Jiang, Weimin Liu
Summary: Light-induced reduction of graphene oxide (GO) is a promising method to produce reduced GO (rGO) without using harsh chemicals. However, the physicochemical mechanisms underlying photoreduction are still controversial, whether GO is reduced through direct excitation or through solvated electron production. Distinguishing GO photoreduction dynamics from solvated electron dynamics is challenging due to the similar electronic absorption responses.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ruihua Pu, Ziyu Wang, Ruixue Zhu, Jiaming Jiang, Tsu-Chien Weng, Yifan Huang, Weimin Liu
Summary: Phototherapy is an effective and safe method for reducing high levels of ZZ-BR in the serum of newborns. This study used various spectroscopic techniques and quantum chemical calculations to investigate the primary configurational isomerization dynamics of ZZ-BR in organic solvents. The results showed that upon photoexcitation, ultrafast configurational isomerization occurred, followed by intramolecular hydrogen-bond distortion and large-scale rotation of the two dipyrrinone halves of the ZZ-BR isomer in a few picoseconds. Most of the population returned back to ZZ-BR, while a small amount converted into stable BR isomers via structural isomerization.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Taylor D. D. Krueger, Longteng Tang, Cheng Chen, Liangdong Zhu, Isabella L. L. Breen, Rebekka M. M. Wachter, Chong Fang
Summary: Green-to-red photoconvertible fluorescent proteins are important tools for super-resolution imaging. The key residue Ala69 was identified to enhance the green-to-red photoconversion, and Thr69 promoted a stronger pi-pi stacking interaction between the chromophore and His193. These findings can be used to improve other green-to-red photoconvertible proteins for deeper biophysical and molecular biology insights, as well as bioimaging advancements.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Khyati Gohil, Sheng-Yi Wu, Kei Takahashi-Yamashiro, Yi Shen, Robert E. Campbell
Summary: Genetically encoded biosensors based on Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) are essential tools for monitoring biochemical changes in cells. Green and red fluorescent protein-based FRET pairs offer advantages over cyan and yellow fluorescent protein pairs, including better spectral separation, lower phototoxicity, and less autofluorescence. In this study, a green fluorescent protein called mWatermelon, derived from mScarlet, was developed and used as a FRET donor to mScarlet-I, a red fluorescent protein, as the FRET acceptor. The functionality of this FRET pair was tested by constructing biosensors for the detection of protease activity, Ca2+, and K+. Furthermore, a strategy to enhance the FRET efficiency of these biosensors by modulating the intramolecular association between mWatermelon and mScarlet-I was described.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Taylor D. Krueger, Longteng Tang, Chong Fang
Summary: Fluorescent proteins (FPs) are important tools for noninvasive bioimaging and sensing. REX-GECO1, a red-green emission and excitation ratiometric FP-based biosensor, shows a high dynamic range in measuring cellular calcium concentrations. The potential energy surfaces of these biosensors are revealed using electronic and spectroscopic techniques, uncovering details of their behavior. These findings can inform the design of biosensors with improved efficiency for calcium imaging.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Heng Jiang, Longteng Tang, Yanke Fu, Shitong Wang, Sean K. Sandstrom, Alexis M. Scida, Guoxing Li, David Hoang, Jessica J. Hong, Nan-Chieh Chiu, Kyriakos C. Stylianou, William F. Stickle, Donghai Wang, Ju Li, P. Alex Greaney, Chong Fang, Xiulei Ji
Summary: Rechargeable aqueous zinc batteries are gaining popularity in stationary storage applications due to their safety, cost-effectiveness, scalability, and low carbon footprint. However, the challenge of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at the zinc surface hinders the utilization of this reversible redox chemistry. In this study, a concentrated electrolyte design is developed to eliminate HER and achieve high Coulombic efficiency for Zn plating/stripping. The hybrid electrolyte not only enables the formation of a protective solid electrolyte interphase but also enhances battery performance, allowing for sustainable energy storage with high energy density.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Taylor D. Krueger, Cheng Chen, Chong Fang
Summary: Red fluorescent proteins (RFPs) are a popular class of genetically encodable bioprobes and biomarkers that can advance breakthroughs in imaging and life sciences. Understanding their working mechanisms requires suitable spectroscopic techniques to delineate key structural features and dynamic steps. Progress has been made in designing RFPs with improved functions and versatility.
CHEMISTRY-AN ASIAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cheng Chen, J. Nathan Henderson, Dmitry A. Ruchkin, Jacob M. Kirsh, Mikhail S. Baranov, Alexey M. Bogdanov, Jeremy H. Mills, Steven G. Boxer, Chong Fang
Summary: This study systematically analyzed the vibrational properties of FP chromophores by using FSRS and quantum calculations. A bond-stretching mode characteristic of the quinoidal resonance structure was found to be present in most FPs and model chromophores, which can serve as a vibrational marker for interpreting chromophore-environment interactions and structural effects on the electronic properties of the chromophore.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Di Li, Shaobing Xiong, Bo Peng, Weimin Liu, Bo Li, Qinye Bao
Summary: In this study, the charge carrier extraction and recombination kinetics at the heterointerface of perovskite solar cells were investigated using ultrafast transient technologies. The results showed that the electron extraction, trap-induced electron capturing, and recombination processes at the heterointerface have specific time ranges. Furthermore, the insertion of a poly(vinyl alcohol) thin layer effectively enhanced electron extraction, blocked undesired electron back injection, and suppressed nonradiative recombination, leading to improved device parameters.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yi Shen, Yurong Wen, Silvia Sposini, Anjali Amrapali Vishwanath, Ahmed S. Abdelfattah, Eric R. Schreiter, M. Joanne Lemieux, Jaime de Juan-Sanz, David Perrais, Robert E. Campbell
Summary: This article introduces genetically encoded pH sensors based on fluorescent proteins for imaging cellular events associated with pH changes. A new improved variant called Lime with higher fluorescence brightness and greater pH sensitivity is presented. Lime shows significant improvements over SEP in endocytosis and exocytosis imaging, and is advantageous for a broader range of applications including the detection of synaptic release and neuronal voltage changes.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xueqiao Zhang, Ye Liu, Chieh-Hsi Kuan, Longteng Tang, Taylor D. Krueger, Sanjida Yeasmin, Ahasan Ullah, Chong Fang, Li-Jing Cheng
Summary: Researchers have discovered red carbon dots with large Stokes shifts and demonstrated their potential for display applications by creating multicolor patterns and color-conversion LEDs using printable carbon dot inks.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Cheng Chen, Hao Zhang, Jing Zhang, Hui-wang Ai, Chong Fang
Summary: The incorporation of ncAAs into fluorescent proteins has the potential to red-shift their fluorescence and improve tissue imaging. However, ncAA-based RFPs are rare. The recent advance of 3-aminotyrosine modified sfGFP has provided insights into the molecular mechanism of red-shifted fluorescence, but its dim fluorescence limits its applications.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Di Li, Shaobing Xiong, Bo Peng, Weimin Liu, Bo Li, Qinye Bao
Summary: The suboptimal carrier dynamics at the heterointerface between the perovskite and charge transport layer severely limit the further improvement of the perovskite solar cells. By using ultrafast transient technologies, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the charge carrier extraction and recombination kinetics at buried electron-selective heterointerfaces. It is demonstrated that the insertion of a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) thin layer can effectively enhance the electron extraction, block electron back injection, and suppress nonradiative recombination, resulting in improved device parameters.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)