Influence of dsDNA fragment length on particle binding in an evanescent field biosensing system.

Particle labels are widely used in affinity-based biosensing due to the high detection signal per label, the high stability, and the convenient biofunctionalization of particles. In this paper we address the question how the time-course of particle binding and the resulting signals depend on the length of captured target molecules. As a model system we used fragments of dsDNA with lengths of 105 bp (36 nm), 290 bp (99 nm) and 590 bp (201 nm), detected in an evanescent-field optomagnetic biosensing system. On both ends the fragments were provided with small-molecule tags to allow binding of the fragments to protein-coated particles and to the capture molecules at the sensor surface. For isolated single particles bound to the surface, we observe that the optical scattering signal per particle depends only weakly on the fragment length, which we attribute to the pivoting motion that allows the particles to get closer to the surface. Our data show a strong influence of the fragment length on the particle binding: the binding rate of particles to the sensor surface is an order of magnitude higher for the longest dsDNA fragments compared to the smallest fragment studied in this paper. We attribute the enhanced binding rate to the length and motional freedom of the fragments. These results generate a new dimension for the design of assays and systems in particle-based biosensing.

Amorphous carbon nanoparticles: a versatile label for rapid diagnostic (immuno)assays.

Carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) labeled with reporter molecules can serve as signaling labels in rapid diagnostic assays as an alternative to gold, colored latex, silica, quantum dots, or up-converting phosphor nanoparticles. Detailed here is the preparation of biomolecule-labeled CNPs and examples of their use as a versatile label. CNPs can be loaded with a range of biomolecules, such as DNA, antibodies, and proteins (e.g., neutravidin or a fusion protein of neutravidin with an enzyme), and the resulting conjugates can be used to detect analytes of high or low molecular mass.

Rapid one-step assays for on-site monitoring of mouse and rat urinary allergens.

Allergy to rodent proteins is common among laboratory animal workers. Sensitive methods to measure exposure to these allergens have been developed. These assays are, however, expensive, time-consuming, and require a laboratory facility and methodological expertise. A simple method to screen for allergen spread, or to test whether hygiene standards are maintained, would be useful. Lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) are especially suited for field settings; the tests are simple and results are visible within minutes. LFIAs were developed for detection of the rodent urinary allergens Mus m 1 and Rat n 1. Pilot studies were performed in animal facilities in three countries using both extracts from airborne dust samples and samples collected by wiping surfaces. For comparison and determination of sensitivity, the concentrations of rodent urinary allergens in the samples were also measured using enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). The LFIAs for rat and mouse urinary allergens had a detection limit of 31 pg allergen per mL in a buffer system with purified allergen standards. Results of environmental dust extracts tested in LFIAs correlated well with levels obtained using EIAs. Spread of rodent allergens, or non-adherence to hygiene around laboratory animal facilities, may aggravate rodent allergy. Using a simple, sensitive one-step assay, allergens can be detected to prevent allergen exposure. The results reveal that the rapid assays are suited for on-site demonstration of exposure to rodent allergens, and thus, useful in occupational hygiene practice.

Rapid detection of fungal alpha-amylase in the work environment with a lateral flow immunoassay.

BACKGROUND: Occupational allergen exposure assessment usually requires airborne dust sampling at the worksite followed by dust extraction and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) analysis at the laboratory. Use of semiquantitative lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) may allow a more rapid detection procedure with direct on-site demonstration of a bioallergen exposure hazard. OBJECTIVE: In a field study, we evaluated a recently developed LFIA for fungal alpha-amylase, an important bakery allergen. METHODS: Airborne and surface dust (wipe) samples and samples from flours and baking additives used at the workplace were collected in 5 industrial bakeries and tested in the LFIA for fungal amylase. For comparison, amylase was measured in sample eluates with the reference EIA method. RESULTS: Sensitivity of the LFIA was 1 to 10 ng/mL, and of EIA, approximately 25 pg/mL. In LFIA, most flour samples, 84% of wipe samples, 26% of personal airborne dust, and none of the 26 ambient air dust samples produced a visible reaction. Wipe samples from dough-making areas and flour samples gave the strongest reactions. All extracts with >5 ng allergen per milliliter showed a positive LFIA reaction. CONCLUSION: The LFIA for fungal amylase is an easy and rapid method to demonstrate the allergen directly at the worksite in less than 10 to 20 minutes. Similar LFIA methods may be used for other occupational allergens in other work environments. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Lateral flow immunoassays for occupational allergens may be of great value in occupational hygiene surveys to demonstrate directly to workers and supervisors the hazards of work-related bioallergen exposure.

A rapid lateral flow immunoassay for the detection of fungal alpha-amylase at the workplace.

Fungal alpha-amylase is a flour supplement which is added to improve the quality of bakery products. Various studies have shown that exposure to this enzyme is an important risk factor for the development of bakers' allergy and this allergy is reported to be one of the most frequent causes of occupational asthma. A rapid assay was developed to monitor exposure to occupational allergens directly at the workplace. The sensitivity of the developed assay is 0.32 ng amylase mL(-1) in a buffer system with the commercially available alpha-amylase preparation Fungamyl 1600S as the standard. Initial validation tests (n = 33) were performed with airborne and settled dust from an industrial bakery. The new lateral flow immunoassay detected amylase in 22 of the 26 samples regarded as positive in an enzyme immunoassay, and was negative for all seven enzyme immunoassay-negative samples, while the four lateral flow immunoassay-negative/enzyme immunoassay-positive samples all had levels below 2 ng mL(-1). The sensitivity of 2 ng mL(-1) of the amylase lateral flow immunoassay is sufficient for first screening purposes and, therefore, this simple and rapid assay may allow direct on-site demonstration of work-related hazards of bio-allergen exposure. This would be particularly useful in occupational hygiene practice, especially in traditional or small-scale bakeries which lack the technological skills for testing the exposure to respiratory allergens.

Neamin as an immunogen for the development of a generic ELISA detecting gentamicin, kanamycin, and neomycin in milk.

A broad-specific ELISA using one antibody preparation for the detection of gentamicin, kanamycin, and neomycin in milk is reported for the first time. For the immunization of rabbits, neamin was used as the generic hapten on the basis of the facts that it is a two-ring fragment of neomycin and, in shape and charge, it resembles parts of kanamycin and gentamicin. Neamin was linked to the preactivated carrier protein keyhole limpet hemocyanin by EDC coupling. The specificity and sensitivity of the polyclonal antibodies for the aminoglycoside antibiotics were tested in a competitive assay using homologous and heterologous conjugates coupled by various conjugation procedures as the ELISA solid phase. In contrast to the homologous assay recognizing only neomycin, the heterologous assay could be used for the detection of the whole subclass of deoxystreptamin antibiotics in buffer and raw milk. Gentamicin, kanamycin, and neomcyin were detected in artificially contaminated undiluted raw milk (without sample pretreatment) with 50% inhibition levels at 9, 21, and 113 ng mL(-)(1), respectively. Neomycin levels were also measured in milk samples obtained from a cow suffering from mastitis and treated with an antibiotic cocktail including neomycin. Levels below the EU maximum residue levels for deoxystreptamin antibiotics could readily be measured in this generic ELISA.