An effective method for saliva stabilization and magnetic nanoparticles based DNA extraction for genomic applications.

Introduction of magnetisable solid phase extraction procedures have provided various advantages over spin-column based extraction techniques. Although certain methods for magnetic bead based extraction of DNA from human saliva already exist, there is still a need to address the inadequate purity profile and low yield which occur due to the inefficiency of extraction methods. Hence, an improved method for DNA extraction from human saliva using uncoated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) intended to resolve the issues mentioned above is described here. The uncoated magnetic nanoparticles used in this study facilitate reversible binding of DNA and due to the absence of surface coating the particle size remains small thereby providing higher surface area to volume ratio for binding DNA. Another objective of this study was to develop a saliva preservation buffer (SPB) to solve the major challenges associated with storage and easy transportation of saliva sample at room temperature. Human saliva samples stored in the saliva preservation buffer were stable up to 160 days at room temperature without any bacterial or fungal growth and the quality of genomic DNA was intact.

A novel method for immobilization of proteins via entrapment of magnetic nanoparticles through epoxy cross-linking.

A method for immobilization of functional proteins by chemical cross-linking of the protein of interest and uncoated iron oxide nanoparticles in the presence of Epichlorohydrin is described. As a result of the cross-linking, the proteins form a matrix in which the particles get entrapped. The optimum concentration of Epichlorohydrin that facilitates immobilization of protein without affecting the functional properties of the protein was determined. This method was used to immobilize several functional proteins and the development and functional activity of Protein A-magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) is described here in detail. The Protein A-MNPs possess high binding capacity due to the increased surface area of uncoated nanoparticles and robust magnetic separation due to the absence of polymeric coating materials. Protein A-MNPs were successfully used for purification of antibodies and also for immunoprecipitation. We also immobilized enzymes such as horse radish peroxidase and esterase and found that by providing the optimum incubation time, temperature and protein to nanoparticle ratio, we can retain the activity and improve the stability of the enzyme. This study is the first demonstration that Epichlorohydrin can be used to entrap nanoparticles in a cross-linked matrix of protein without impairing the activity of immobilized protein.

Enhancement in recovery of drugs with high protein binding efficiency from human plasma using magnetic nanoparticles.

In this paper, we propose an alternate method for bioanalytical extraction of drugs from human plasma samples using bare magnetic nanoparticles. The magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were used for deproteination of biological samples that further assist in extraction of plasma bound drugs for bioanalytical studies. The method uses basic solvents (ethanol, methanol, etc.) rather than the expensive and toxic solvents. The MNPs provide several advantages like avoiding the use of centrifuge machine, and making extraction time effective. The average time involved for the sample preparation is around 30-40min. The developed method was examined for seven different drugs having moderate (40-70%) to high (>80%) plasma protein binding efficiency. The present study focuses on the principle of magnetic nanoparticle based extraction of drug that binds with the plasma protein. In calcitriol (protein binding efficiency >99%), it was observed that the drug extraction efficiency could be enhanced by 16% using the present method. However, we assume that still there is a scope for improving the extraction efficiency by optimizing proper solvent for the specific drug. The use of magnetic nanoparticles makes the extraction cost effective and quick with improved efficiency.

Omics of cancer.

With the advances in modern diagnostic expertise for cancer, certain approaches allowing scanning of the complete genome and the proteome are becoming very useful for researchers. These high throughput techniques have already proven power, over traditional detection methods, in differentiating disease sub-types and identifying specific genetic events during progression of cancer. This paper introduces major branches of omics-technology and their applications in the field of cancer. It also addresses current road blocks that need to be overcome and future possibilities of these methods in oncogenic detection.