Covalent Self-Assembly of Bio-HCP Nanoparticles for Shell-Programmed Encapsulation of Microbial Cells.

Modifying the bacterial surface through grafting functional nanoparticles is a common strategy for programing bacteria. At this moment, the targeted nanoparticles face a dilemma of no multifunctional structure, high toxicity, and weak chemical driving forces, which restrict the broad practical applications. Like a multistage booster of a rocket, we propose a multistage covalent self-assembly strategy to protect, expand, and control the encapsulated shells of microbial cells via biocompatible hyper-cross-linked polymer nanoparticles (Bio-HCP NPs) with internal porosity and surface functional groups. The bacterial surface is enhanced with rich amino groups up to 1010 per cell for specifically grafting nanoparticles. The arming bacteria after first-stage assembly can complete biocatalysis in a highly toxic environment, and as-prepared polymer aggregates (6-20 µm) after third-stage assembly can be accurately counted in an aerosol environment. This nanoparticle encapsulation exhibits strong cell viability from pollutants and specificity from impurity particles, holding promise for various complex application scenarios.

A 3D porous polymer monolith-based platform integrated in poly(dimethylsiloxane) microchips for immunoassay.

In this work, we demonstrate the immunocapture and on-line fluorescence immunoassay of protein and virus based on porous polymer monoliths (PPM) in microfluidic devices. Poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) [poly(GMA-co-EGDMA)] monoliths were successfully synthesized in the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic channels by in situ UV-initiated free radical polymerization. After surface modification, PPM provides a high-surface area and specific affinity 3D substrate for immunoassays. Combining with well controlled microfluidic devices, the direct immunoassay of IgG and sandwich immunoassay of inactivated H1N1 influenza virus using 5 µL sample has been accomplished, with detection limits of 4 ng mL(-1) and less than 10 pg mL(-1), respectively. The enhanced detection sensitivity is due to both high surface area of PPM and flow-through design. The detection time was obviously decreased mainly due to the shortened diffusion distance and improved convective mass transfer inside the monolith, which accelerates the reaction kinetics between antigen and antibody. This work provides a novel microfluidic immunoassay platform with high efficiency thereby enabling fast and sensitive immunoassay.

Dual color fluorescence quantitative detection of specific single-stranded DNA with molecular beacons and nucleic acid dye SYBR Green I.

We have developed a dual color fluorescence quantitative detection method for specific single-stranded DNA with molecular beacons (MBs) and nucleic acid dye SYBR Green I by synchronous scanning fluorescence spectrometry. It is demonstrated by a reverse-transcription oligonucleotide sequence (target DNA, 33 bases) of RNA fragment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as a model system. In the absence of target DNA, the MBs are in the stem-closed state, the fluorescence of 5-carboxy-X-rhodamine (ROX) is quenched by black hole quencher-2 (BHQ-2), and the interaction between SYBR Green I and the MBs is very weak. At this time the fluorescence signals of ROX and SYBR Green I are all very weak. In the presence of target DNA, MBs hybridize with target DNA and form a double-strand structure, the fluorophore ROX is separated from the quencher BHQ-2, and the fluorescence of ROX recovers. At the same time, SYBR Green I binds to hybridized dsDNA, whose fluorescence intensity is significantly enhanced. Thus, dual color fluorescence quantitative detection for the target DNA can be realized by synchronous scanning fluorescence spectrometry. In this strategy, the fluorescence signal of SYBR Green I is far larger than that of ROX, so the quantitative analysis of target DNA with the fluorescence intensity of SYBR Green I can significantly improve the detection sensitivity. In addition, the false-positive signals of MBs do not affect the fluorescence signals of nucleic acid dye SYBR Green I. Thereby, in the analysis of complex samples, quantitative analysis of target DNA with SYBR Green I can avoid the false-positive signals of MBs and improve the detection accuracy.

Microchip-based immunoassays with application of silicon dioxide nanoparticle film.

Highly sensitive detection of proteins offers the possibility of early and rapid diagnosis of various diseases. Microchip-based immunoassay integrates the benefits from both immunoassays (high specificity of target sample) and microfluidics (fast analysis and low sample consumption). However, direct capture of proteins on bare microchannel surface suffers from low sensitivity due to the low capacity of microsystem. In this study, we demonstrated a microchip-based heterogeneous immunoassay using functionalized SiO(2) nanoparticles which were covalently assembled on the surface of microchannels via a liquid-phase deposition technique. The formation of covalent bonds between SiO(2) nanoparticles and polydimethylsiloxane substrate offered sufficient stability of the microfluidic surface, and furthermore, substantially enhanced the protein capturing capability, mainly due to the increased surface-area-to-volume ratio. IgG antigen and FITC-labeled anti-IgG antibody conjugates were adopted to compare protein-enrichment effect, and the fluorescence signals were increased by ~75-fold after introduction of functionalized SiO(2) nanoparticles film. Finally, a proof-of-concept experiment was performed by highly efficient capture and detection of inactivated H1N1 influenza virus using a microfluidic chip comprising highly ordered SiO(2) nanoparticles coated micropillars array. The detection limit of H1N1 virus antigen was 0.5 ng mL(-1), with a linear range from 20 to 1,000 ng mL(-1) and mean coefficient of variance of 4.71%.

Conformation, thermodynamics and stoichiometry of HSA adsorbed to colloidal CdSe/ZnS quantum dots.

Water-soluble luminescent colloidal quantum dots (QDs) have attracted great attention in biological and medical applications. In particular, for any potential in vivo application, the interaction of QDs with human serum albumin (HSA) is crucial. As a step toward the elucidation of the fate of QDs introduced to organism, the interactions between QDs and HSA were systematically investigated by various spectroscopic techniques under the physiological conditions. It was proved that binding of QDs and HSA is a result of the formation of QDs-HSA complex and electrostatic interactions play a major role in stabilizing the complex. The modified Stern-Volmer quenching constant K(a) at different temperatures and corresponding thermodynamic parameters DeltaH, DeltaG and DeltaS were calculated. Furthermore, the site marker competitive experiments revealed that the binding location of QDs with HSA is around site I, centered at Lys199. The conformational changes of HSA induced by QDs have been analyzed by means of CD and FT-IR. The results suggested that HSA underwent substantial conformational changes at both secondary and tertiary structure levels. The stoichiometry of HSA attached to QDs was obtained by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta-potential.

A high sensitive and specific QDs FRET bioprobe for MNase.

We used CdSe/ZnS quantum dots-ssDNA-fluorescent dye conjugates as bioprobes to detect micrococcal nuclease with high specificity and sensitivity, and further utilized the bioprobe to monitor the micrococcal nuclease activity in the culture medium of Staphylococcus aureus by fluorescence microscopy.

Fluorescence quenching of water-soluble conjugated polymer by metal cations and its application in sensor.

The effects of different metal cations on the fluorescence of water-soluble conjugated polymer (CP) and their quenching mechanism have been explored. Most transition metal cations, especially noble metal cations, such as Pd2+, Ru3+, and Pt2+ possessed higher quenching efficiency to CP fluorescence than that of the main group metal cations and other transition metal cations, which have filled or half-full outmost electron layer configurations. Base on this, rapid, sensitive detection of noble metal cations can be realized and a novel quencher-tether-ligand (QTL) probe was developed to detect avidin and streptavidin.

Preparation and characterization of overcoated II-VI quantum dots.

A convenient route for the synthesis of high-quality overcoated II-VI quantum dots (QDs) is reported in this paper. Simple salts, such as Cd(Ac)2 and Zn(Ac)2 were used to replace organometallics, whose disadvantage is obvious. Size-tunable core/shell structured QDs (CdSe/ZnS, CdSe/CdS, etc.) were synthesized. They were of narrow size distribution and had good monodispersivity and photoluminescence (PL) properties. The spectrum was symmetrical and sharp-pointed (with the full width at half-maximum (fwhm) of about 20-30 nm). The quantum yield (QY) was improved to 60-80% from 20-30% for bare QDs and remained stable at least for 6 months. The primary overcoated QDs were modified with biomacromolecules by a direct mechanical rubbing strategy, which is very simple and fast. The results obtained by UV-vis, PL, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and fluorescence microscopy imaging showed that the modified QDs were of good fluorescent and monodisperse characteristics. They are likely to be used further for biological labels.

The interaction between some diamines and CdSe quantum dots.

The interaction of some diamines (ethylenediamine (EDA), 1,6-hexanediamine (HDA), o-phenylenediamine (OPD)) with CdSe quantum dots (QDs) is reported. With increasing concentration of EDA from 0 to 2.0 x 10(-6) mol l(-1), slight fluorescence enhancement is observed. However, the CdSe QDs fluorescence quenching is seen at relatively higher concentration of EDA. There is a red-shift of 0-7 nm in fluorescence emission spectra of CdSe QDs when the concentration of EDA is changed from 2.0 x 10(-6) to 8.0 x 10(-6) mol l(-1). The resonance light scattering (RLS) spectra of CdSe QDs have little change when the concentration of EDA is less than 5.0 x 10(-6) mol l(-1). It indicates there are little large particles formed in the solution. However, a significant increase of the RLS is observed in the 300-500 nm wavelength range after adding higher concentration than 5.0 x 10(-6) mol l(-1) EDA, which could be attributed to the large particles formed. The interaction between HDA and CdSe QDs is similar to that of EDA. However, with the OPD, it is found that the interaction is much different from those of EDA, HDA, and that the quenching, even at low concentration, is effective for CdSe QDs emission. The quenching phenomenon could be explained by a surface bound complexation equilibrium model.

[Studies on Ru(bipy) 2dppx(2+) as interacting mode spectroscopic probe of DNA].

The interacting mode of adriamycin with DNA has been studied by the use of molecular "light switch" complex Ru(bipy)2-dppx(2+) as a interacting mode spectroscopic probe. The results of the influence of ADM on the fluorescence and Scatchard equation of Ru(bipy)2 dppx(2+) -DNA system indicate that ADM intercalates the base pairs of DNA. Compared with normal DNA interacting mode spectroscopic probe EB, Ru(bipy)2dppx(2+) has the advantages of higher sensitivity, lower toxicity, higher stability and simplicity.

[Synthesis and spectral properties of tailed sercine tetraphenylporphyrin cobalt complex].

A new tailed sercine tetraphenylporphinatozinc, 5-(p-butoxyphenyl-10,15,20-trichlorophenyl)porphine and cobalt complex (Co[Ser-TPP]) was synthesized and characterized by elementary analysis, UV, IR, 1HNMR and Raman spectra. The electronic absorption spectra of axial coordination reactions of Co[Ser-TPP] with pyridine, 4-methylpyridine, 4-aminopyridine, 4,4-bipyridine, imidazole, 1-methylimidazole and 2-methylimidazole were inverstigated. The results showed that the changes of electronic absorption spectra of Co[Ser-TPP] could be attributed to the axial coordination reactions of Co[Ser-TPP] with pyridine and imidazole series.

A new stable and reliable method for labeling nucleic acids of fully replicative viruses.

Efficiently labeling nucleic acids of fully replicative viruses is a challenge. In this work, a 'molecular light switch' complex [Ru(phen)(2)(dppz)](2+), where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine, has been exploringly used to label vaccinia virus nucleic acid. The labeled virions exhibited strong and stable fluorescence and could be imaged at the single-virion level. Moreover, they were fully infectious and can be used to study the behaviors of invasion into their host cells. The method is general and suitable for labeling various DNA viruses.

Magnetic microparticle-based multiplexed DNA detection with biobarcoded quantum dot probes.

We have developed a new analytical method to detect multiple DNA simultaneously based on the biobarcoded CdSe/ZnS quantum dot (QD) and magnetic microparticle (MMP). It was demonstrated by using oligonucleotide sequences of 64 bases associated with human papillomavirus 16 and 18 L1 genes (HPV-16 and HPV-18) as model systems. This analytical system involves three types of probes, a MMP probe and two streptavidin-modified QD probes. The MMPs are functionalized with HPV-16 and HPV-18 captures DNA to form MMP probes. The QDs are conjugated with HPV-16 or HPV-18 probe DNA along with FAM- or Rox-labeled random DNA to form HPV-16 and HPV-18 QD probes, respectively. A one-step hybridization reaction was performed by mixing the MMP probes, HPV-16 and HPV-18 target DNA (T-16 and T-18), HPV-16 and HPV-18 QD probes. Afterwards, the hybrid-conjugated microparticles were separated by a magnet and heated to remove the MMPs. Finally, the detections of T-16 and T-18 were done by measuring fluorescence signals of FAM and Rox, respectively. Under the optimum conditions, the fluorescence intensity exhibited a good linear dependence on target DNA concentration in the range from 8 × 10⁻¹¹ to 8 × 10⁻9 M. The detection limit of T-16 is up to 7 × 10⁻¹¹ M (3σ), and that of T-18 is 6 × 10⁻¹¹ M. Compared with other biobarcode assay methods, the proposed method that QDs were used as the solid support has some advantages including shorter preparation time of QD probes, faster binding kinetics and shorter analytical time. Besides, it is simple and accurate.

On-demand preparation of quantum dot-encoded microparticles using a droplet microfluidic system.

Optical barcoding technology based on quantum dot (QD)-encoded microparticles has attracted increasing attention in high-throughput multiplexed biological assays, which is realized by embedding different-sized QDs into polymeric matrixes at precisely controlled ratios. Considering the advantage of droplet-based microfluidics, producing monodisperse particles with precise control over the size, shape and composition, we present a proof-of-concept approach for on-demand preparation of QD-encoded microparticles based on this versatile new strategy. Combining a flow-focusing microchannel with a double T-junction in a microfluidic chip, biocompatible QD-doped microparticles were constructed by shearing sodium alginate solution into microdroplets and on-chip gelating these droplets into a hydrogel matrix to encapsulate CdSe/ZnS QDs. Size-controllable QD-doped hydrogel microparticles were produced under the optimum flow conditions, and their fluorescent properties were investigated. A novel multiplex optical encoding strategy was realized by loading different sized QDs into a single droplet (and thus a hydrogel microparticle) with different concentrations, which was triggered by tuning the flow rates of the sodium alginate solutions entrapped with different-colored QDs. A series of QD-encoded microparticles were controllably, and continuously, produced in a single step with the present approach. Their application in a model immunoassay demonstrated the potential practicability of QD-encoded hydrogel microparticles in multiplexed biomolecular detection. This simple and robust strategy should be further improved and practically used in making barcode microparticles with various polymer matrixes.

A simple and sensitive method for L-cysteine detection based on the fluorescence intensity increment of quantum dots.

In this contribution, a simple and sensitive method for L-cysteine detection was established based on the increment of the fluorescence intensity of mercaptoacetic acid-capped CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) in aqueous solution. Meanwhile, the fluorescence characteristics and the optimal conditions were investigated in detail. Under the optimized conditions, the linear range of QDs fluorescence intensity versus the concentration of L-cysteine was 10-800 nmol L(-1), with a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.9969 and a limit of detection (3sigma black) of 3.8 nmol L(-1). The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) for 0.5 micromol L(-1) L-cysteine was 1.1% (n = 5). There was no interference to coexisting foreign substances including common ions, carbohydrates, nucleotide acids and other 19 amino acids. The proposed method possessed the advantages of simplicity, rapidity and sensitivity. Synthetic amino acid samples, medicine sample together with human urine samples were analyzed by the methodology and the results were satisfying.

Preparation of photosensitized nanocrystalline TiO(2) hydrosol by nanosized CdS at low temperature.

A new method was developed for the fabrication of CdS-TiO(2) semiconductor nanoparticles as visible-light-excitable photocatalyst at low temperatures. Nanosized CdS acting as an effective and stable sensitizer was incorporated into TiO(2) by microemulsion-mediated solvothermal hydrolyzation followed by acidic peptization of the precipitate under 70 °C. The new method avoided the calcination or other pyrochemical treatments involved in traditional preparations, and thus eliminated the unwanted agglomeration of nanoparticles or the oxidation of CdS by oxygen. Compared to traditional methods, it was highly simplified, bypassing those miscellaneous steps like filtration, sintering, milling and redispersion in solutions. The crystal structure, configuration, element composition, as well as the light-absorption properties of the obtained CdS-TiO(2) hydrosol were characterized in detail. The hydrosol consisting of uniform and small crystalline particles of about 2 nm in diameter was thermodynamically stable and showed good dispersibility. The photocatalytic activity of the 'coupled' material was confirmed through the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under visible light irradiation, and the cooperative photocatalytic mechanism is discussed.

Functionalized CdSe quantum dots as selective silver ion chemodosimeter.

CdSe quantum dots (QDs) have been prepared and modified with mercaptoacetic acid. They are water-soluble and biocompatible. To improve their fluorescence intensity and stability in water solution, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was absorbed onto their surface. Based on the quench of fluorescence signals of the functionalized CdSe QDs in the 543 nm wavelength and enhancement of them in the 570-700 nm wavelength range by Ag(I) ions at pH 5.0, a simple, rapid and specific method for Ag(I) determination was proposed. In comparison with single organic fluorophores, these nanoparticles are brighter, more stable against photobleaching, and do not suffer from blinking. Under the optimum conditions, the response is linearly proportional to the concentration of Ag(I) between 4.0 x 10(-7) and 1.5 x 10(-5) mol L(-1), and the limit of detection is 7.0 x 10(-8) mol L(-1). The mechanism of reaction is also discussed.

Single-mismatch detection using nucleic acid molecular 'light switch'.

A novel nucleic acid molecular 'light switch' method is developed for the sensitive recognition and detection of a single-base mismatched oligonucleotides. The detection limit of oligonucleotide of perfect double stranded and that with single-base, two-base and three-base mismatched are 0.11, 0.17, 0.34 and 1.5 ng ml(-1), respectively. It was found that Ru(phen)(2)(dppx)(2+) (phen=1,10-phenanthroline, dppx=7,8-dimethyl-dipyridophenazine) can be used to detect and recognize the perfect double stranded oligonucleotides from mismatched and random targets by the intensity of fluorescence and temperature. This method can be used to recognize and quantitatively detect target DNA with specific sequence. The advantage of this method is that no requisites are needed to separate the coexisting random targets in the case of a mixed solution containing perfect, mismatched and random targets, which make the recognition analysis of oligonucleotide simple and fast. Moreover, it has potential in the study of dynamic process of DNA hybridization.