Imidazolium-based ionic liquid surfaces for biosensing.

Ionic liquid self-assembled monolayers (SAM) were designed and applied for binding streptavidin, promoting affinity biosensing and enzyme activity on gold surfaces of sensors. The synthesis of 1-((+)-biotin)pentanamido)propyl)-3-(12-mercaptododecyl)-imidazolium bromide, a biotinylated ionic liquid (IL-biotin), which self-assembles on gold film, afforded streptavidin sensing with surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The IL-biotin-SAM efficiently formed a full streptavidin monolayer. The synthesis of 1-(carboxymethyl)-3-(mercaptododecyl)-imidazoliumbromide, a carboxylated IL (IL-COOH), was used to immobilize anti-IgG to create an affinity biosensor. The IL-COOH demonstrated efficient detection of IgG in the nanomolar concentration range, similar to the alkylthiols SAM and PEG. In addition, the IL-COOH demonstrated low fouling in crude serum, to a level equivalent to PEG. The IL-COOH was further modified with N,N'-bis (carboxymethyl)-l-lysine hydrate to bind copper ions and then, chelate histidine-tagged biomolecules. Human dihydrofolate reductase (hDHFR) was chelated to the modified IL-COOH. By monitoring enzyme activity in situ on the SPR sensor, it was revealed that the IL-COOH SAM improved the activity of hDHFR by 24% in comparison to classical SAM. Thereby, IL-SAM has been synthesized and successfully applied to three important biosensing schemes, demonstrating the advantages of this new class of monolayers.

Modern surface plasmon resonance for bioanalytics and biophysics.

Physical chemistry, materials science, analytical chemistry and engineering greatly contributed to the increasing popularity of bioanalytical and biophysical applications of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) by providing novel materials, surface chemistry, instrumental concepts, and theory to further understand the plasmonic phenomenon and support innovation in SPR. This perspective article portrays the contemporary state of SPR-based techniques and establishes a list of challenges to be overcome for improving bioanalytical and biophysical applications of plasmonics and surface plasmon resonance.

Monitoring methotrexate in clinical samples from cancer patients during chemotherapy with a LSPR-based competitive sensor.

A competitive binding assay based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of folic acid-functionalized gold nanoparticles (FA-AuNPs) and human dihydrofolate reductase enzyme (hDHFR) was developed to detect nanomolar to micromolar concentrations of the widely applied anti-cancer drug, methotrexate (MTX). By the nature of the competitive assay for MTX, the LSPR shift from specific binding between FA-AuNPs and the free enzyme was inversely proportional to the concentration of MTX. In addition, the dynamic range for MTX was tuned from 10(-11) to 10(-6) M by varying the concentration of hDHFR from 1 to 100 nM. Inter-day reproducibility and recovery of MTX spiked in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) were excellent. Potential interferents such as FA, trimethoprim (TMP) and 4-amino-4-deoxy-N-methylpteroic acid (DAMPA) did not occur in the concentration range of interest for MTX. Clinical samples of human serum from patients undergoing MTX chemotherapy were analyzed following a simple solid-phase extraction step to isolate MTX from the serum matrix, with a limit of detection of 155 nM. Validation of the LSPR method was carried out in comparison to Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay (FPIA), a commonly used method in clinical settings, and LC-MS/MS, a reference technique. The results of the LSPR competitive assay compared well to FPIA and LC-MS/MS, with a slope of 2.4 and 1.1, respectively, for the correlation plots. The method established herein is intended for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of MTX levels in patients undergoing chemotherapy to ensure safety and efficacy of the treatment.

Modified peptide monolayer binding His-tagged biomolecules for small ligand screening with SPR biosensors.

A peptide self-assembled monolayer (SAM) was designed to bind His-tagged biomolecules for surface plasmon resonance (SPR) bioanalysis, which was applied for the determination of K(d) for small ligand screening against CD36. Nonspecific adsorption could be minimized using penta- and hexa-peptide monolayers. In particular, monolayers consisting of 3-mercaptopropionyl-leucinyl-histidinyl-aspartyl-leucinyl-histidinyl-aspartic acid (3-Mpa-LHDLHD) exhibited little (12 ng cm(-2)) nonspecific adsorption in crude serum. Modification of this peptide monolayer with Nα,Nα-bis(carboxymethyl)-L-lysine gave a surface competent for binding His-tagged proteins, as demonstrated using enzyme (human dihydrofolate reductase), protein/antibody and receptor (CD36) examples. Immobilization featured chelation of copper and the His-tagged protein by the peptide monolayer, which could be recycled by removing the copper using imidazole washes prior to reuse.

Improved quality assessment of proprietary Chinese medicines based on multi-chemical class fingerprinting.

Our present study constitutes the first successful attempt to employ eight distinctive chemical groups of compounds for the quality evaluation of a complex traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM) material: bazhen yimu (BZYM). Due to the complexity of its matrix, which is composed of nine different herbal ingredients, five representative chemical groups encompassing representative bioactive markers were initially chosen as targets for the quality assessment of this preparation. Furthermore, with the aid of LC-ESI-MS, three additional chemical groups were characterized. In summary, a total of nineteen markers belonging to eight different chemical groups were selectively displayed in the chromatographic fingerprint of BZYM preparation. With this fingerprint, the overall quality of any BZYM preparation can be comprehensively authenticated. The chromatographic separation was performed on an HP C(18)AQ column with a gradient elution of ACN and aqueous solution containing 0.1% phosphoric acid at the optimal detection wavelength of 230 nm. The established method was rigorously validated with respect to the ICH guidelines and represents the most extensive and facile HPLC quality control technique for this formulation. Compared with the conventional method of using a single or only a few markers of the same chemical group, this technique provides a new dimension for TCHM quality control.

Miniature multi-channel SPR instrument for methotrexate monitoring in clinical samples.

A multi-channel fully integrated SPR biosensor was applied for the analysis of an anti-cancer drug, methotrexate (MTX) as a potential analytical tool used in clinical chemistry laboratories for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). MTX concentrations in a patient's serum undergoing chemotherapy treatments can be determined by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensing using folic acid-functionalized gold nanoparticles (FA-AuNP) in competition with MTX for the bioreceptor, human dihydrofolate reductase (hDHFR) immobilized on the SPR sensor chip. To validate this biosensor, 13 nm FA-AuNP were shown to interact with immobilized hDHFR in the absence of MTX and this interaction was inhibited in the presence of MTX. The sensor was calibrated for MTX in phosphate buffer at different dynamic range by varying nanoparticle sizes (5, 13, 23 nm) and by modifying the Kd of the bioreceptor using wild-type and mutant hDHFR. Furthermore, initial binding rate data analyzes demonstrated quantitative and fast sensor response under 60s. This MTX assay was subsequently adapted to a fully integrated multi-channel SPR system built in-house and calibrated in human serum with a dynamic range of 28-500 nM. The SPR system was applied to analyzes of actual clinical samples and the results are in good agreement with fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) and LC-MS/MS. Finally, the prototype system was tested by potential clinical users in a hospital setting at the biochemistry laboratory of a Montreal hospital (Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont).

Influence of the Debye length on the interaction of a small molecule-modified Au nanoparticle with a surface-bound bioreceptor.

We report that a shorter Debye length and, as a consequence, decreased colloidal stability are required for the molecular interaction of folic acid-modified Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) to occur on a surface-bound receptor, human dihydrofolate reductase (hDHFR). The interaction measured using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensing was optimal in a phosphate buffer at pH 6 and ionic strength exceeding 300 mM. Under these conditions, the aggregation constant of the Au NPs was approximately 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) and the Debye length was below 1 nm, on the same length scale as the size of the folate anion (approximately 0.8 nm). Longer Debye lengths led to poorer SPR responses, revealing a reduced affinity of the folic acid-modified Au NPs for hDHFR. While high colloidal stability of Au NPs is desired in most applications, these conditions may hinder molecular interactions due to Debye lengths exceeding the size of the ligand and thus preventing close interactions with the surface-bound molecular receptor.

Properties of ionic liquids on Au surfaces: non-conventional anion exchange reactions with carbonate.

A simple anion metathesis in diluted aqueous carbonate at room temperature affords 1-(12-mercaptododecyl)-3-methyl-imidazolium carbonate (MDMI-HCO(3)) from MDMI salts self-assembled on gold films and nanoparticles. The properties of MDMI-SAM differ from MDMI in solution, for which the anion exchange reaction does not proceed.

Quality evaluation of mycelial Antrodia camphorata using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with diode array detector and mass spectrometry (DAD-MS).

BACKGROUND: Antrodia camphorata (AC) is an important fungus native to Taiwanese forested regions. Scientific studies have demonstrated that extracts of AC possess a variety of pharmacological functions. This study aims to identify the full profile fingerprint of nucleosides and nucleobases in mycelial AC and to assess the quality of two commercial mycelial AC products. METHODS: High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and mass spectrometry was employed to identify the major components in mycelial AC. The chemical separation was carried out using a gradient program on a reverse phase Alltima C18 AQ analytical column (250 x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) with the mobile phase consisting of deionized water and methanol. RESULTS: Ten nucleosides and nucleobases, two maleimide derivatives, and a sterol were identified as the major constituents in mycelial AC. These groups of chemical compounds constitute the first chromatographic fingerprint as an index for quality assessment of this medicinal fungus. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first chromatographic fingerprint to assess the quality of mycelial AC.

Harmonization of monographic standards is needed to ensure the quality of Chinese medicinal materials.

This article provides an overview on the regulations of Chinese medicinal materials (CMMs) in various countries and regions. Harmonization of CMM monographs would provide standards for the quality control of CMM products and play an important role in the modernization and globalization of Chinese medicine. A harmonized regulatory system would improve the quality of CMMs thereby ensuring the safety of the products and assisting Chinese medicine practitioners in their practice. The fast growing demand worldwide for traditional medicines calls for harmonized monographic standards to safeguard the safety and quality of CMM products.