Miniaturized Biosensors Based on Lanthanide-Doped Upconversion Polymeric Nanofibers.

Electrospun nanofibers possess a large surface area and a three-dimensional porous network that makes them a perfect material for embedding functional nanoparticles for diverse applications. Herein, we report the trends in embedding upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) in polymeric nanofibers for making an advanced miniaturized (bio)analytical device. UCNPs have the benefits of several optical properties, like near-infrared excitation, anti-Stokes emission over a wide range from UV to NIR, narrow emission bands, an extended lifespan, and photostability. The luminescence of UCNPs can be regulated using different lanthanide elements and can be used for sensing and tracking physical processes in biological systems. We foresee that a UCNP-based nanofiber sensing platform will open opportunities in developing cost-effective, miniaturized, portable and user-friendly point-of-care sensing device for monitoring (bio)analytical processes. Major challenges in developing microfluidic (bio)analytical systems based on UCNPs@nanofibers have been reviewed and presented.

Metal Sulfide Nanoparticles for Imaging and Phototherapeutic Applications.

The intriguing properties of metal sulfide nanoparticles (=MxSy-NPs), particularly transition metal dichalcogenides, are discussed for their use in diverse biological applications. Herein, recent advances in MxSy-NPs-based imaging (MRI, CT, optical and photoacoustic) and phototherapy (photothermal and photodynamic) are presented. Also, recent made progress in the use of immuno-phototherapy combinatorial approaches in vitro and in vivo are reported. Furthermore, challenges in nanomaterials-based therapies and future research directions by applying MxSy-NPs in combinatorial therapies are envisaged.

Physico-Chemical and Antimicrobial Efficacy of Encapsulated Dhavana Oil: Evaluation of Release and Stability Profile from Base Matrices.

Essential oils (EOs) are naturally occurring volatile aromatic compounds extracted from different parts of plants. They are made up of components like terpenes, phenols, etc., and are chemically unstable and susceptible to oxidative deterioration, leading to reduced shelf-life and overall degradation of the product. Encapsulation of EOs in a matrix can prevent degradation of the active ingredient and improve the shelf-life. In this paper, we report encapsulation of Dhavana oil (Artemisia pellen) in a modified starch matrix using a spray-drying technique. Physico-chemical properties of neat and encapsulated Dhavana oil were studied. We selected two powder bases: CaCO3 and TALC and, loaded neat and encapsulated Dhavana oil in it, studied their stability and interaction with the base matrices at 3 °C, 22 °C and 45 °C up to 2 months under closed conditions and one week at 22 °C and 45 °C under open condition. Thermal degradation pattern was studied for neat and encapsulated Dhavana oil and modified starch. Release of primary active component of neat and encapsulated Dhavana oil from the base matrices was evaluated with GCMS. Stability study and release mechanism were elucidated to understand the release pattern in different base powders under similar conditions. Retention of hydroxydhavanone was found to be better in TALC than CaCO3, and therefore, the former can be considered a suitable base matrix for developing a stable powder formulation with an optimum release of the oil. Dhavana oil is known for its anti-microbial activity, and hence, neat and encapsulated Dhavana oil was tested on different bacterial and fungal strains. The encapsulated oil depicted good anti-microbial efficacy against various bacterial and fungal strains, which is a step forward for developing anti-microbial formulations. Thus, the reported work will provide helpful information on cosmetic formulation and, therefore, be useful for perfumery, food, and cosmetic industries.

Design and application of polyurea microcapsules containing herbicide (oxyfluorfen).

Polyurea, a controlled release material, has been widely applied in agricultural fields due to high thermal stability and low cost. In this article oxyfluorfen polyurea microcapsules suspension was successfully prepared by interfacial polymerization using diisocyanate and polyamines such as Ethylenediamine, Hexamethylenediamine, Diethylenetriamine in presence of green solvent, i.e., N,N-dimethyldecanamide. The microcapsule suspension of oxyfluorfen has not been researched yet by using solvent N,N-dimethyldecanamide and polyamines. The effect and the type of diamines on the morphology and properties of the microcapsules have been investigated. The synthesized microcapsules were characterized by scanning electron microscope, ultraviolet spectrometry, Fourier transform iInfrared spectrometer, thermogravimetric analysis and particle size analyser. The effect of the core to shell ratio on encapsulation efficiency and release kinetics were also studied. The oxyfluorfen microcapsules had an excellent encapsulation efficiency (98.2%) using EDA as the monomer and Release kinetics depended upon the type of monomers used and also on core to shell ratio used (6.5:1, 5:1, 4:1). As core to shell ratio was increased the encapsulation efficiency was found to decrease. Prepared Microcapsules when sprayed on paddy crop was found to be safe in comparison with Emulsifiable concentrate sample.

Regeneration of hyaline cartilage in osteochondral lesion model using L-lysine magnetic nanoparticles labeled mesenchymal stem cells and their in vivo imaging.

Treatment of osteochondral defects continues to pose a major challenge for patients and orthopedic surgeons due to the limited healing potential of articular cartilage. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess therapeutic potential for the treatment of osteochondral pain and pathology. However, it is necessary to use proper labeling and imaging agent of stem cells that can decipher its role posttransplantation. A major limitation of routinely used contrast agents is signal dilution over a period of time which limits its use for further studies. At the same time, regeneration of fibrocartilage over native hyaline cartilage also limits the use of conventional therapies. The present study evaluates the efficacy of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) for the treatment of osteochondral defect in rats with the regeneration of hyaline cartilage in situ and in vivo monitoring of the stem cells using L-lysine functionalized magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (lys-IONPs). L-lysine stabilizes the iron oxide nanoparticles, enhances the biocompatibility, and provides functionalities for efficient stem cell labeling. in vitro toxic effects of lys-IONPs on mitochondrial impairment, morphological alterations, and actin cytoskeleton reveal minimum damage to BM-MSCs. Histological data (H and E, Masson's trichrome and immunohistochemistry) describe the early initiation of healing and regeneration of hyaline-like cartilage over fibrocartilage in stem cell treated groups. MR scans demonstrate generation of hypointense signals in lys-IONPs-BMSCs with improved signal intensity and minimum loss over 28 days revealing its use as a long-term stem cell labeling and imaging agent.

A comprehensive toxicity evaluation of novel amino acid-modified magnetic ferrofluids for magnetic resonance imaging.

Stem cells have been widely exploited as remedial agents in regenerative medicine due to its tremendous potential in treatment of various debilitating diseases. In spite of this fact, there is need of a reliable, clinically applicable cell tracker for deciphering the homing and distribution of stem cells post-transplantation. Researchers have proposed the use of superparamagnetic magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles for in vivo and in vitro tracking and imaging of stem cells. However, there is not much understanding of the chemical coatings on the nanoparticles, which is very important for the sustainability of stem cells in biological system. For any biomedical applications, the surface properties and the core structure of nanoparticles play a significant role. This study reports surface modification of magnetic Fe3O4 nanofluid with biocompatible amino acids viz., arginine and histidine to maintain colloidal stability at neutral pH, impart least disruption when encountered with the biological system and allow labeling with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The size of amino acids-modified magnetic nanoferrofluid (AA@MNFs) was restricted to 15-25 nm for enhanced uptake in stem cells. In vitro cytotoxicity profile of stem cells labeled AA@MNFs was estimated using various assays like MTT, LDH and AO/EtBr followed by detailed pre-clinical toxicity assessment of AA@MNFs which illustrated least toxicity effects in major tissues of the animals. In vitro MRI scans of the stem cells labeled AA@MNFs confirmed the suitability of the reported ferrofluids for the use as MR contrast agents.

Simultaneous voltammetric immunodetection of alpha-fetoprotein and glypican-3 using a glassy carbon electrode modified with magnetite-conjugated dendrimers.

The authors describe an electrochemical immunoassay for simultaneous determination of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and glypican-3 (GPC-3) which are important biomarkers for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NPs) were decorated with hyperbranched amino functionalized dendrimers. The modified NPs were coupled to the antibodies against AFP and GPC-3. The electrochemical behaviour of the Fe3O4 NPs and dendrimer-modified NPs were studied. A glassy carbon electrode was then modified with the NP-conjugated antibodies and biomolecular interactions were studied by using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Dual differential pulse voltammetric sensing was performed by utilizing the redox probes; Prussian blue for AFP and toluidine blue for GPC-3. The biomarkers can be detected best at voltages of 0.25 mV and - 0.54 mV (vs Ag/AgCl) for AFP and GPC-3, respectively. The low working potentials makes the method more selective over other electroactive species present in real human serum samples. Response is linear in 0.02 to 10 ng mL-1 concentration ranges of both AFP and GPC-3; and the respective detection limits are 50 and 70 pg mL-1. The method was validated by analysing spiked human serum samples. In our perception, the method is of great clinical significance as combination of GPC-3 and AFP increases the sensitivity of detection of HCC. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers modified magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles as electrochemical sensing platform using redox dyes Prussian blue and toluidine blue for simultaneous detection of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and glypican-3 (GPC-3), respectively by differential pulse voltammetry.

Investigation of HSA as a biocompatible coating material for arsenic trioxide nanoparticles.

The anticancer properties of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) are accompanied by highly cytotoxic effects on normal cells. This necessitates developing modalities towards the targeted delivery of As2O3. Albumins, on account of their large structure and presence of several interacting groups, are ideal for encapsulating or carrying various drugs. In the present study, human serum albumin (HSA) was chosen as a coating agent to increase the biocompatibility of As2O3. An in situ chemical precipitation method was adopted for the synthesis of HSA-coated As2O3 nanoparticles (HSA-As2O3NPs) that were further characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), zeta potential and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). HSA-As2O3NPs were assessed for their biocompatibility using mouse fibroblast cells (NIH-3T3) and human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells by a time- and dose-dependent cytocompatibility MTT assay. The safety of the HSA-As2O3 nanoparticles was assessed using haemolysis and blood cell aggregation studies. Molecular simulation studies provided evidence of interaction between HSA and As2O3. Herein, we report the development of a protein-based delivery system for As2O3 with improved biocompatibility.

Detailed toxicity evaluation of ß-cyclodextrin coated iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications.

The application of iron oxide nanoparticles [IONPs] in biomedical research is progressively increasing, leading to the rapid development of biocompatible and surface modified IONPs. However, there is still a need of information pertaining to its cellular and acute toxicity profile. This work reports the synthesis of ß-cyclodextrin coated iron oxide nanoparticles (ßCD-IONPs) and their characterization using spectroscopic (FT-IR), thermal (TGA) and surface analysis (TEM, SEM, BET and Zeta potential). All the characterization techniques displayed the synthesis of well dispersed, rod shaped ßCD-IONPs of 45nm. Time dependent cellular uptake of these nanoparticles was also evaluated using Prussian blue staining. Further, cytocompatibility analysis was executed in mouse fibroblast cell line (NIH 3T3) using MTT and LDH assays, respectively which did not show any cytotoxic indications of ßCD-IONPs. Finally, acute toxicity analysis was carried out in female Wistar rats according to OECD guidelines 420. Rats were exposed to the highest dose (2000mg/kg) of ßCD-IONPs along with control and observed for 14days. After two weeks of administration, tissues and blood were collected and subjected to histopathological and biochemical analysis (SGOT, SGPT and ALP). Animals were sacrificed and gross necropsy was carried out. It has been shown that ßCD-IONPs does not have any significant toxic effect at the cellular level. Thus, this study provides new perspectives for future biomedical applications.

PAMAM dendrimers: A multifunctional nanomaterial for ECL biosensors.

Polyamido amine (PAMAM) dendrimers have been shown to function as electrochemiluminescence (ECL) co-reactant and have the inherent capability of improving immobilization of molecules on surfaces due to their dendritic structure. Here, we investigated the combination of both of these properties as the basis for biosensor development. Dendrimers with 5, 8, 10 and 16 terminal amine groups, respectively, were used. These were covalently coupled to biotin as model recognition site, and tagged with Ru(bpy)32+ via adsorption. Due to their hydrophilicity, Ru-dendrimers showed significantly improved electrochemical activity in comparison to the standard tripropylamine (TPA) assisted ECL and similar luminescence yields even though 10 fold less dendrimer concentration was required in comparison to TPA. Best signals were obtained for D8 and D10 dendrimers. These Ru-dendrimers were subsequently used for the quantification of streptavidin, as its binding to the biotin-tag caused a proportional decrease in ECL signal with a dynamic range of 5nM to 1µM. These preliminary studies demonstrate that PAMAM dendrimers can function as responsive signal generators in solution-based ECL-bioassays with an assumed even higher impact when being immobilized directly on the electrode-surface.

Novel thermoresponsive assemblies of co-grafted natural and synthetic polymers for water purification.

Water contamination and its purification are a global problem. The current approach to purify water is reduction of impurities to acceptable levels. One of the ways to achieve this is by use of water-soluble polymers that extract organic and metallic contaminants, from water. This paper presents a blend of composite polymers that eliminates both the contaminants simultaneously by the principle of adsorption at lower critical solution temperature. These composite polymers have been synthesized by grafting poly(N,N-diethylacrylamide), poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) on-to the natural polymer chitosan or its derivatives, giving smart graft polymeric assemblies (GPAs). One of the graft polymers, GPA-2, exhibits excellent adsorption properties able to remove metal ions like cadmium, cobalt, copper, lead, iron and also organic impurities like chlorophenol and phthalic anhydride. Studies reveal that 6 mg/ml GPA-2 is able to effect a 100% removal of organic impurities - chlorophenol (50 ppm) and phthalic anhydride (70 ppm) - from water, while complete removal of the heavy metal ions (Cu+2, Co+2 and Cd+2) together at 30 ppm concentration has been achieved with 7.5 mg/ml GPA-2. The reduction in level of impurities along with recyclability and reproducibility in the elimination spectrum makes these assemblies promising materials in water treatment.

Mechanistic insights into the interactions of magnetic nanoparticles with bovine serum albumin in presence of surfactants.

This work reports the physicochemical parameters and the nature of association between magnetic nanoparticles and bovine serum albumin (BSA) in presence of cationic and anionic surfactants. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) are first synthesized using chemical co-precipitation method and subsequently characterized by FTIR, XRD, DLS, TEM and Zeta potential. The bare nanoparticles are then coated with BSA and their interactions studied using fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and circular dichroism techniques. The spectroscopic investigation sheds light into various aspects of binding and size variation during the molecular association of BSA with the MNPs in absence and presence of cationic and anionic surfactants. Isothermal titration calorimetry was used to probe the thermodynamic parameters of the systems. MNPs-BSA system was found to be more stable in presence of cationic surfactant. This study provides valuable mechanistic insights into the interactions taking place at the interface of the nanoparticles which further helps in designing a stable colloidal MNPs systems.

Effect of HSA coated iron oxide labeling on human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) are known for self-renewal and differentiation into cells of various lineages like bone, cartilage and fat. They have been used in biomedical applications to treat degenerative disorders. However, to exploit the therapeutic potential of stem cells, there is a requirement of sensitive non-invasive imaging techniques which will offer the ability to track transplanted cells, bio-distribution, proliferation and differentiation. In this study, we have analyzed the efficacy of human serum albumin coated iron oxide nanoparticles (HSA-IONPs) on the differentiation of hUC-MSCs. The colloidal stability of the HSA-IONPs was tested over a long period of time (≥20 months) and the optimized concentration of HSA-IONPs for labeling the stem cells was 60 µg ml(-1). Detailed in vitro assays have been performed to ascertain the effect of the nanoparticles (NPs) on stem cells. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay showed minimum release of LDH depicting the least disruptions in cellular membrane. At the same time, mitochondrial impairment of the cells was also not observed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Flow cytometry analysis revealed lesser generation of reactive oxygen species in HSA-IONPs labeled hUC-MSCs in comparison to bare and commercial IONPs. Transmission electron microscopy showed endocytic engulfment of the NPs by the hUC-MSCs. During the process, the gross morphologies of the actin cytoskeleton were found to be intact as shown by immunofluorescence microscopy. Also, the engulfment of the HSA-IONPs did not show any detrimental effect on the differentiation potential of the stem cells into adipocytes, osteocytes and chondrocytes, thereby confirming that the inherent properties of stem cells were maintained.

Cellular internalization and detailed toxicity analysis of protein-immobilized iron oxide nanoparticles.

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have been extensively used for biomedical applications like in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases, as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging, and in targeted drug delivery. Despite several attempts, there is a dearth of information with respect to the cellular response and in-depth toxicity analysis of the nanoparticles. Considering the potential benefits of IONPs, there is a need to study the potential cellular damage associated with IONPs. The size and surface of the particles are some critical factors that should be analyzed when evaluating cytotoxicity. Therefore, in this study, we synthesized and characterized bare (7-9 nm) and protein-coated IONPs of diameter 50-70 nm, and evaluated their toxicity on membrane integrity, intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species, and mitochondrial activity in mouse fibroblast cell line by lactate dehydrogenase, 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate, and [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assays, respectively. Our extensive cytotoxicity analysis demonstrated that the size of the IONPs and their surface coating are the critical determinants of cellular response and potential mechanism toward cytotoxicity. The study of the interactions and assessment of potential toxicity of the nanoparticles with cells/tissues is a key determinant when considering their translation in biomedical applications.

SnO(2) quantum dots-reduced graphene oxide composite for enzyme-free ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of urea.

Most of the urea sensors are biosensors and utilize urease, which limit their use in harsh environments. Recently, because of their exceptional ability to endorse faster electron transfer, carbonaceous material composites and quantum dots are being used for fabrication of a sensitive transducer surface for urea biosensors. We demonstrate an enzyme free ultrasensitive urea sensor fabricated using a SnO2 quantum dots (QDs)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) composite. Due to the synergistic effect of the constituents, the SnO2 QDs/RGO (SRGO) composite proved to be an excellent probe for electrochemical sensing. The morphology and structure of the composite was characterized by various techniques, and it was observed that SnO2 QDs are decorated on RGO layers. Electrochemical studies were performed to evaluate the characteristics of the sensor toward detection of urea. Amperometry studies show that the SRGO/GCE electrode is sensitive to urea in the concentration range of 1.6 × 10(-14)-3.9 × 10(-12) M, with a detection limit of as low as 11.7 fM. However, this is an indirect measurement for urea wherein the analytical signal is recorded as a decrease in the amperommetric and/or voltammetric current from the solution redox species ferrocyanide. The porous structure of the SRGO matrix offers a very low transport barrier and thus promotes rapid diffusion of the ionic species from the solution to the electrode, leading to a rapid response time (∼5 s) and ultrahigh sensitivity (1.38 µA/fM). Good analytical performance in the presence of interfering agents, low cost, and easy synthesis methodology suggest that SRGO can be quite promising as an electroactive material for effective urea sensing.

Combining unique properties of dendrimers and magnetic nanoparticles towards cancer theranostics.

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are a well explored class of nanomaterials, known for their high magnetization and biocompatibility thus finding their way in several biomedical applications viz., drug delivery, magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent, immunoassay, detoxification of biological fluids and cell separation, biosensing and hyperthermia. On other hand, dendrimers are a class of hyperbranched, mostly symmetrical polymers that originate from a central core with repetitive branching units, called monomers, thus forming a globular structure. Due to their structural properties and controlled size, dendrimers have emerged as an attractive material for biomedical applications particularly as carriers for therapeutic cargo. Of late, researchers have started attempting to combine the unique features of dendrimer chemistry with the versatile magnetic nanoparticles to provide a facile platform for enhanced therapeutics and biomedical applications. This review intends to present the advances made towards fabrication of dendrimer based magnetic nanoparticles with varied surface architecture and their contribution towards theranostics, particularly for cancer.

Poly(ethylene glycol)-modified PAMAM-Fe3O4-doxorubicin triads with the potential for improved therapeutic efficacy: generation-dependent increased drug loading and retention at neutral pH and increased release at acidic pH.

Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer-coated magnetic nanoparticles are a promising drug-delivery system that can enhance the therapeutic effects of chemotherapy drugs, such as doxorubicin (DOX), with minimized side effects. This work explores the optimization of the potential therapeutic efficiency of PAMAM-Fe3O4-DOX triads. Different generations (G3, G5, and G6) of PAMAMs were synthesized and modified with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and then used to encapsulate glutamic acid-modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The Fe3O4-dendrimer carriers (Fe3O4-DGx where x = the generation 3, 5, or 6 of dendrimers) were electrostatically conjugated with drug DOX. The loading and releasing efficiencies of DOX increased with the PAMAM generation from 3 to 6. The loading efficiencies of DOX molecules were 87, 93, and 96% for generations 3, 5, and 6, respectively. At pH 5, the DOX release efficiencies within 24 h were approximately 60, 68, and 80% for generations 3, 5, and 6, respectively. At pH 7.4, the DOX releasing efficiency was as low as ∼ 15%. Compared to the negative control, the PAMAM-Fe3O4-DOX triads showed only mild toxicity against human cervical adenocarcinoma cell line HeLa at pH 7.4, which indicated that DOX can be fairly benignly carried and sparingly released until PAMAM-Fe3O4-DOX is taken up into the cell.

Polyaniline-iron oxide nanohybrid film as multi-functional label-free electrochemical and biomagnetic sensor for catechol.

Polyaniline-iron oxide magnetic nanohybrid was synthesized and characterized using various spectroscopic, microstructural and electrochemical techniques. The smart integration of Fe3O4 nanoparticles within the polyaniline (PANI) matrix yielded a mesoporous nanohybrid (Fe3O4@PANI) with high surface area (94 m(2) g(-1)) and average pore width of 12.8 nm. Catechol is quasi-reversibly oxidized to o-quinone and reduced at the Fe3O4@PANI modified electrodes. The amperometric current response toward catechol was evaluated using the nanohybrid and the sensitivity and detection limit were found to be 312 µA µL(-1) and 0.2 nM, respectively. The results from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) indicated that the increased solution resistance (Rs) was due to elevated adsorption of catechol on the modified electrodes. Photoluminescence spectra showed ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) between p-π orbitals of the phenolate oxygen in catechol and the d-σ* metal orbital of Fe3O4@PANI nanohybrid. Potential dependent spectroelectrochemical behavior of Fe3O4@PANI nanohybrid toward catechol was studied using UV/vis/NIR spectroscopy. The binding activity of the biomagnetic particles to catechol through Brownian relaxation was evident from AC susceptibility measurements. The proposed sensor was used for successful recovery of catechol in tap water samples.

Fabrication of a glucose biosensor based on citric acid assisted cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticles.

A novel and practical glucose biosensor was fabricated with immobilization of Glucose oxidase (GOx) enzyme on the surface of citric acid (CA) assisted cobalt ferrite (CF) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). This innovative sensor was constructed with glassy carbon electrode which is represented as (GOx)/CA-CF/(GCE). An explicit high negative zeta potential value (-22.4 mV at pH 7.0) was observed on the surface of CA-CF MNPs. Our sensor works on the principle of detection of H2O2 which is produced by the enzymatic oxidation of glucose to gluconic acid. This sensor has tremendous potential for application in glucose biosensing due to the higher sensitivity 2.5 microA/cm2-mM and substantial increment of the anodic peak current from 0.2 microA to 10.5 microA.

Impedimetric biosensor for early detection of cervical cancer.

An impedimetric biosensor based on PEGylated arginine functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for early detection of cervical cancer is reported. The cervical cancer cells could be selectively and sensitively detected down to 10 cells mL(-1) on the modified electrode, which is promising for advancement in clinical diagnosis and monitoring of tumors.