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Selective and sensitive detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is of critical importance for environmental monitoring, disease diagnosis and industrial applications. Among VOCs, assay development for primary alcohols has captured significant research attention since their toxicity causes adverse effects on gastrointestinal and central nerve systems, resulting in irreversible blindness, and coma, and can be even fatal at high exposure levels. However, selective detection of primary alcohols is extremely challenging owing to the similarity in their molecular structure and characteristic groups. Herein, we have attempted to investigate the differential methanol (MeOH)–ethanol (EtOH) discriminative properties of single-layer, bi-layer, and multi-layer graphene morphologies. Chemiresistors fabricated using the three morphologies of graphene illustrate discriminative MeOH–EtOH responses, which is attributed to the phenomenon of differential intercalation of MeOH within layered graphene morphologies as compared to that of EtOH. This hypothesis is verified by density functional theory calculations, which revealed that the adsorption of EtOH molecules on the graphene surface is more energetically favorable as compared to that of MeOH molecules, thereby inhibiting their intercalation within the layered graphene morphologies. It is further evaluated that the degree of MeOH intercalation increases with increasing layers of graphene for obtaining differential MeOH–EtOH responses. Experimental results suggest possibilities to develop selective and sensitive MeOH assays fabricated using various graphene morphologies in a combinatorial sensor array format. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exosomes released into the extracellular matrix have been reported to contain metabolic biomarkers of various diseases. These intraluminal vesicles are typically found in blood, urine, saliva, breast milk, cerebrospinal fluid, semen, amniotic fluid, and ascites. Analysis of exosomal content with specific profiles of DNA, microRNA, proteins, and lipids can mirror their cellular origin and physiological state. Therefore, exosomal cargos may reflect the physiological processes at cellular level and can potentially be used as biomarkers. Herein, we report an optical detection method for assaying exosomal biomarkers that supersedes the state-of-the-art time consuming and laborious assays such as ELISA and NTA. The proposed assay monitors the changes in optical properties of poly(3-(4-methyl-3′-thienyloxy) propyltriethylammonium bromide) upon interacting with aptamers/peptide nucleic acids in the presence or absence of target biomarkers. As a proof of concept, this study demonstrates facile assaying of microRNA, DNA, and advanced glycation end products in exosomes isolated from human plasma with detection levels of ~1.2, 0.04, and 0.35 fM/exosome, respectively. Thus, the obtained results illustrate that the proposed methodology is applicable for rapid and facile detection of generic exosomal biomarkers for facilitating diseases diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rapid and one-pot synthesis of poly 3-thiopheneacetic acid (PTAA) functionalized polyurea polymer dots (Pdots) using polyethyleneimine and isophorone diisocyanate is reported. The one-pot mini-emulsion polymerization technique yielded Pdots with an average diameter of ~20 nm. The size, shape, and concentration of the surface functional groups could be controlled by altering the synthesis parameters such as ultrasonication time, concentration of the surfactant, and crosslinking agent, and the types of isocyanates utilized for the synthesis. Colloidal properties of Pdots were characterized using dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurements. The spherical geometry of Pdots was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The Pdots were post-functionalized by 1,4,7,10 tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid for chelating gadolinium nanoparticles (Gd3+) that provide magnetic properties to the Pdots. Thus, the synthesized Pdots possess fluorescent and magnetic properties, imparted by PTAA and Gd3+, respectively. Fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy revealed that the synthesized dual-functional Gd3+-Pdots exhibited detectable fluorescent signals even at lower concentrations. Magnetic levitation experiments indicated that the Gd3+-Pdots could be easily manipulated via an external magnetic field. These findings illustrate that the dua- functional Gd3+-Pdots could be potentially utilized as fluorescent reporters that can be magnetically manipulated for bioimaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature has evolved several molecular strategies to ensure adhesion in aqueous environments, where artificial adhesives typically fail. One recently‐unveiled molecular design for wet‐resistant adhesion is the cohesive cross‐β structure characteristic of amyloids, complementing the well‐established surface‐binding strategy of mussel adhesive proteins based on 3,4‐l‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (Dopa). Structural proteins that self‐assemble into cross β‐sheet networks are the suckerins discovered in the sucker ring teeth of squids. Here, light is shed on the wet adhesion of cross‐β motifs by producing recombinant suckerin‐12, naturally lacking Dopa, and investigating its wet adhesion properties. Surprisingly, the adhesion forces measured on mica reach 70 mN m−1, exceeding those measured for all mussel adhesive proteins to date. The pressure‐sensitive adhesion of artificial suckerins is largely governed by their cross‐β motif, as evidenced using control experiments with disrupted cross‐β domains that result in complete loss of adhesion. Dopa is also incorporated in suckerin‐12 using a residue‐specific incorporation strategy that replaces tyrosine with Dopa during expression in Escherichia coli. Although the replacement does not increase the long‐term adhesion, it contributes to the initial rapid contact and enhances the adsorption onto model oxide substrates. The findings suggest that suckerins with supramolecular cross‐β motifs are promising biopolymers for wet‐resistant adhesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solvatochromic response of polydiacetylene (PDA) in the vapor phase is enabled upon incorporation with matrix polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyacrylic acid (PAA), and poly-4-vinylpyridine (P4VP). The matrix polymers provide a soft/gel-like framework for accommodating photopolymerized PDA, while facilitating its conformational alternations upon interaction with preconcentrated volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The matrix polymers enabled the differentiation of VOCs owing to their varying morphology, chemical affinity and solubility in VOCs. The ratios between PDA and the matrix polymers are optimized according to the obtained solvatochromic responses evaluated in varying temperature, humidity and storage conditions. As a proof of concept, a finger-print array for differentiation of 7 VOCs is demonstrated using matrix polymer-embedded PDA. The obtained results indicate that the response time and sensitivity of the proposed methodology supersedes previous reports on solvatochromic VOC assays. Furthermore, the proposed methodology would enable differentiation of a wide range of VOCs upon incorporation of additional matrix polymers with varying sorption properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review, recent advances in the development of electronic detection methodologies based on non-antibody recognition elements such as functional liposomes, aptamers and synthetic peptides are discussed. Particularly, we highlight the progress of field effect transistor (FET) sensing platforms where possible as the number of publications on FET-based platforms has increased rapidly. Biosensors involving antibody–antigen interactions have been widely applied in diagnostics and healthcare in virtue of their superior selectivity and sensitivity, which can be attributed to their high binding affinity and extraordinary specificity, respectively. However, antibodies typically suffer from fragile and complicated functional structures, large molecular size and sophisticated preparation approaches (resource-intensive and time-consuming), resulting in limitations such as short shelf-life, insufficient stability and poor reproducibility. Recently, bio-sensing approaches based on synthetic elements have been intensively explored. In contrast to existing reports, this review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the development of biosensors utilizing synthetic recognition elements and a detailed comparison of their assay performances. Therefore, this review would serve as a good summary of the efforts for the development of electronic bio-sensing approaches involving synthetic recognition elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel approach for enzymatic assay using reporter-encapsulated liposomes on graphene field effect transistors (FET) is proposed. This approach involves real time monitoring of drain current (Id) of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) upon rupture of reporter-encapsulated 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) liposomes triggered by enzymes. For validation of the proposed approach, 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) is used as the reporter for specific detection of phospholipase A2 (PLA2), a key enzyme in various membrane related physiological processes. Experimental results revealed that Id increased with PLA2 concentration, which is attributed to the interaction between released TNP and rGO. The limit of detection (LOD) achieved by the proposed approach was 80 pM, which is superior to most assays reported previously and much lower than the cut-off level of circulating secretory PLA2 (2.07 nM). Besides the high accuracy of the electronic detection methodology, the signal enhancement effect realized by the excess concentration of TNP (approximately 1 mM) in liposomes is believed to be the main reason for the significantly enhanced sensitivity of the proposed assay, indicating great potential for further improvement in the sensitivity by increasing the concentration of TNP. In addition, the proposed approach is rapid (incubation time ≤ 10 min) and label-free, thus showing great potential for practical applications in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Letter demonstrates the first attempt of using sol–gel technique in combination with argon plasma calcination for the preparation of mesoporous silica films. CTAB is used as an organic template to generate the porous structure upon removal by the argon plasma treatment. Field emission scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, small angle X-ray scattering, N2-sorption experiment and nanoindentation technique are used for characterization. Results show that the obtained films have identical chemical structure and comparable mechanical properties with those prepared using thermal calcination. The plasma parameters have distinct influences on the thickness and mesoporous property of the films. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this communication, a laminated, flexible, microfluidic-integrated, all CNT based liquid-gated transistor and biosensor are reported that comprises single walled CNTs for both the semiconducting channel as well as the contact electrodes. The proposed architecture eliminates the need for lithography, electrode definition processes, and also circumvents substrate surface compatibility issues. Real-time detection of 1 pM poly-L-lysine in a liquid-gated transistor comprising only two materials, single walled CNTs and polydimethoxysilane substrate with microfluidic channel, is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A facile and sensitive protease assay on a paper membrane is reported. • The paper based assay yields a LOD that is four times better than the conventional solution-based assays. • Naked eye observable responses is obtained for the active form of proteases. • MMP-7 assay in synthetic urine is demonstrated with responses comparable to that of responses in buffer. • The proposed approach is generic for detection of a wide range of proteases. Targeting enzymes, proteases in particular, using various assay formats has attracted considerable interest for early disease diagnosis. While affinity-based assays that report the presence of proteases in samples have been widely explored, it is of utmost importance to develop functional assays that provide information on the activity of proteases for a more precise indication of the disease state and progression. Herein, we report a paper-based functional assay that yields naked eye observable and concentration dependent responses for the active form of proteases. The paper-based assay involves a facile single step fabrication process of depositing protease specific peptide functionalized gold nanoparticles on paper membranes. Matrilysin is used as a model protease to validate the proposed methodology. The proteolysis-driven aggregation of nanoparticles on the membrane yields a colorimetric response that has limit of detection that is ∼4 times lower (3.1 μg/mL) than for the same assay performed in homogeneous solution (12.5 μg/mL). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on heterogeneous protease assay on paper relying on aggregation of peptide-functionalized nanoparticles. The approach easily can be extended to assay other enzymes by functionalizing the gold nanoparticles using specific peptides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]