Wearable Sensing Device Integrated with Prestored Reagents for Cortisol Detection in Sweat.

Wearable sweat sensors have achieved rapid development since they hold great potential in personalized health monitoring. However, a typical difficulty in practical processes is the control of working conditions for biorecognition elements, e.g., pH level and ionic strength in sweat may decrease the affinity between analytes and recognition elements. Here, we developed a wearable sensing device for cortisol detection in sweat using an aptamer as the recognition element. The device integrated functions of sweat collection, reagent prestorage, and signal conversion. Especially, the components of prestored reagents were optimized according to the inherent characteristics of sweat samples and electrodes, which allowed us to keep optimal conditions for aptamers. The sweat samples were transferred from the inlet of the device to the reagent prestored chamber, and the dry preserved reagents were rehydrated with sweat and then arrived at the aptamer-modified electrodes. Sweat samples of volunteers were analyzed by the wearable sensing device, and the results showed a good correlation with those of the ELISA kit. We believe that this convenient and reliable wearable sensing device has significant potential in self-health monitoring.

Synthetic Cells from Droplet-Based Microfluidics for Biosensing and Biomedical Applications.

Synthetic cells function as biological mimics of natural cells by mimicking salient features of cells such as metabolism, response to stimuli, gene expression, direct metabolism, and high stability. Droplet-based microfluidic technology presents the opportunity for encapsulating biological functional components in uni-lamellar liposome or polymer droplets. Verified by its success in the fabrication of synthetic cells, microfluidic technology is widely replacing conventional labor-intensive, expensive, and sophisticated techniques justified by its ability to miniaturize and perform batch production operations. In this review, an overview of recent research on the preparation of synthetic cells through droplet-based microfluidics is provided. Different synthetic cells including lipid vesicles (liposome), polymer vesicles (polymersome), coacervate microdroplets, and colloidosomes, are systematically discussed. Efforts are then made to discuss the design of a variety of microfluidic chips for synthetic cell preparation since the combination of microfluidics with bottom-up synthetic biology allows for reproductive and tunable construction of batches of synthetic cell models from simple structures to higher hierarchical structures. The recent advances aimed at exploiting them in biosensors and other biomedical applications are then discussed. Finally, some perspectives on the challenges and future developments of synthetic cell research with microfluidics for biomimetic science and biomedical applications are provided.

Development of an aptamer capable of multidrug resistance reversal for tumor combination chemotherapy.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major factor in the failure of many forms of tumor chemotherapy. Development of a specific ligand for MDR-reversal would enhance the intracellular accumulation of therapeutic agents and effectively improve the tumor treatments. Here, an aptamer was screened against a doxorubicin (DOX)-resistant human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2/DOX) via cell-based systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment. A 50 nt truncated sequence termed d3 was obtained with high affinity and specificity for HepG2/DOX cells. Multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) is determined to be a possible recognition target of the selected aptamer. Aptamer d3 binding was revealed to block the MDR of the tumor cells and increase the accumulation of intracellular anticancer drugs, including DOX, vincristine, and paclitaxel, which led to a boost to the cell killing of the anticancer drugs and lowering their survival of the tumor cells. The aptamer d3-mediated MDR-reversal for effective chemotherapy was further verified in an in vivo animal model, and combination of aptamer d3 with DOX significantly improved the suppression of tumor growth by treating a xenograft HepG2/DOX tumor in vivo. This work demonstrates the feasibility of a therapeutic DNA aptamer as a tumor MDR-reversal agent, and combination of the selected aptamer with chemotherapeutic drugs shows great potential for liver cancer treatments.

DNA-Encoded Bidirectional Regulation of the Peroxidase Activity of Pt Nanozymes for Bioanalysis.

Rational regulation of nanozyme activity can promote biochemical sensing by expanding sensing strategies and improving sensing performance, but the design of effective regulatory strategies remains a challenge. Herein, a rapid DNA-encoded strategy was developed for the efficient regulation of Pt nanozyme activity. Interestingly, we found that the catalytic activity of Pt nanozymes was sequence-dependent, and its peroxidase activity was significantly enhanced only in the presence of T-rich sequences. Thus, different DNA sequences realized bidirectional regulation of Pt nanozyme peroxidase activity. Furthermore, the DNA-encoded strategy can effectively enhance the stability of Pt nanozymes at high temperatures, freezing, and long-term storage. Meanwhile, a series of studies demonstrated that the presence of DNA influenced the reduction degree of H2PtCl6 precursors, which in turn affected the peroxidase activity of Pt nanozymes. As a proof of application, the sensor array based on the Pt nanozyme system showed superior performance in the accurate discrimination of antioxidants. This study obtained the regulation rules of DNA on Pt nanozymes, which provided theoretical guidance for the development of new sensing platforms and new ideas for the regulation of other nanozyme activities.

"One suction and one extrusion" mode-based wash-free platform for determination of breast cancer cell-derived exosomes.

A simple and wash-free POCT platform based on microcapillary was developed, using breast cancer cell-derived exosomes as a model. This method adopted the "one suction and one extrusion" mode. The hybridized complex of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) aptamer and complementary DNA-horseradish peroxidase conjugate (CDNA-HRP) was pre-modified on the microcapillary's inner surface. "One suction" meant inhaling the sample into the functionalized microcapillary. The exosomes could specifically bind with the EpCAM aptamer on the microcapillary's inner wall, and then the CDNA-HRP complex was released. "One extrusion" referred to squeezing the shedding CDNA-HRP into the 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB)/H2O2 solution, and then the enzyme-catalyzed reaction would occur to make the solution yellow using sulfuric acid as the terminator. Therefore, exosome detection could be realized. The limit of detection was 2.69 × 104 particles mL-1 and the signal value had excellent linearity in the concentration range from 2.75 × 104 to 2.75 × 108 particles⋅mL-1 exosomes. In addition, the wash-free POCT platform also displayed a favorable reproducibility (RSD = 2.9%) in exosome detection. This method could effectively differentiate breast cancer patients from healthy donors. This work provided an easy-to-operate method for detecting cancer-derived exosomes without complex cleaning steps, which is expected to be applied to breast cancer screening.

A Versatile Integrated Microfluidic Chip Based on Sonic Toothbrush-Assisted Mixing for Analyses of Diverse Biomolecules.

Usually, different assays and instrumentation are required for different types of targets, e.g., nucleic acids, proteins, small molecules, etc., because of significant differences in their structures and sizes. To increase efficiency and reduce costs, a desirable solution is to develop a versatile platform suitable for diverse objectives. Here, we established a versatile detection technique: first, target separation and enrichment were carried out using magnetic beads (MBs); then, different targets were converted to same barcoded DNA strands (BDs) released from gold nanoparticles; finally, sensitive detection of three different targets (miRNA-21, digoxigenin antibody, and aflatoxin B1) was achieved through exonuclease III (Exo III) cyclic cleavage-assisted signal amplification. To simplify the operation, we integrated this technique into a microfluidic chip with multiple chambers in which the requisite reagents were prestored. Just by moving the MBs through different chambers with a magnet, multiple steps can be completed. Due to the limited space in microfluidic chips, the full mixing of MBs and solution is a key point to improve reaction efficiency. The mixing can be achieved by acoustic vibration generated by a small, portable sonic toothbrush. Based on the microfluidic chip, the detection limits of the above three targets were 0.76 pM, 0.16 ng/mL, and 0.56 nM, respectively. Furthermore, miRNA-21 and Digoxigenin antibody (Dig-Ab) in serum and AFB1 in corn powder were also used to demonstrate the performance of this chip. Our versatile platform is easy to operate and is expected to develop into an automatic "sample-to-answer" device.

One-step multiplex analysis of breast cancer exosomes using an electrochemical strategy assisted by gold nanoparticles.

Exosomes, as a non-invasive biomarker, perform an important role in breast cancer screening and prognosis monitoring. However, establishing a simple, sensitive, and reliable exosome analysis technique remains challenging. Herein, a one-step multiplex analysis electrochemical aptasensor based on a multi-probe recognition strategy was constructed to analyze breast cancer exosomes. HER2-positive breast cancer cell (SK-BR-3) exosomes were selected as the model targets and three aptamers including CD63, HER2 and EpCAM aptamers were used as the capture units. Methylene blue (MB) functionalized HER2 aptamer and ferrocene (Fc) functionalized EpCAM aptamer, which were modified on gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), i.e. MB-HER2-Au NPs and Fc-EpCAM-Au NPs, were used as signal units. When the mixture of target exosomes, MB-HER2-Au NPs and Fc-EpCAM-Au NPs were added on the CD63 aptamer modified gold electrode, two Au NPs modified by MB and Fc could be specifically captured on the electrode by the recognition of three aptamers with target exosomes. Then one-step multiplex analysis of exosomes was achieved by detecting two independent electrochemical signals. This strategy can not only distinguish breast cancer exosomes from other exosomes (including normal exosomes and other tumor exosomes) but also HER2-positive breast cancer exosomes and HER2-negative breast cancer exosomes. Besides, it had high sensitivity and can detect SK-BR-3 exosomes with a concentration as low as 3.4 × 103 particles mL-1. Crucially, this method can be applicable to the examination of exosomes in complicated samples, which is anticipated to afford assistance for the screening and prognosis of breast cancer.

DNA-Based Artificial Receptors as Transmembrane Signal Transduction Systems for Protocellular Communication.

The ability to reproduce signal transduction and cellular communication in artificial cell systems is significant in synthetic protobiology. Here, we describe an artificial transmembrane signal transduction through low pH-mediated formation of the i-motif and dimerization of DNA-based artificial membrane receptors, which is coupled to the occurrence of fluorescence resonance energy transfer and the activation of G-quadruplex/hemin-mediated fluorescence amplification inside giant unilamellar vesicles. Moreover, an intercellular signal communication model is established when the extravesicular H+ input is replaced by coacervate microdroplets, which activate the dimerization of the artificial receptors, and subsequent fluorescence production or polymerization in giant unilamellar vesicles. This study represents a crucial step towards designing artificial signalling systems with environmental response, and provides an opportunity to establish signalling networks in protocell colonies.

Investigation on protein dimerization and evaluation of medicine effects by single molecule force spectroscopy.

Monitoring the dimerization state of the mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (Met) was essential for in-depth understanding of the tumor signal transduction network. At present, the dimerization activation pathway of Met protein was mainly studied at the macro level, while the research at the single molecule level was far from comprehensive. Herein, the dimerization activation of Met protein's extracellular domain induced by ligand hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was dynamically studied by single-molecule force spectroscopy. Met protein was immobilized on a biomimetic lipid membrane for ensuring its physiological environment, and then the Met dimers were recognized by bivalent probe which was formed by two Met-binding aptamers. Then the dimeric state of Met protein could be distinguished from monomeric state of Met protein through some parameters, (such as unimodal ratio, bimodal ratio and separation work). The unimodal indicates the occurrence of single molecule binding event, and the bimodal represents the occurrence of double binding event (also represents the presence of Met dimer). Before HGF treatment, most of the Met protein on the lipid membrane was still in the form of monomer, so the unimodal ratio in the force curve was larger (78.8 ± 5.2%), and the bimodal ratio was smaller (17.0 ± 4.1%). After HGF treatment, the unimodal ratio decreased to 54.0 ± 7.4%, and the bimodal ratio increased to 43.2 ± 7.3%. It was due to the formation of dimers after the binding of Met protein on the fluidity lipid membrane with HGF. In addition, the average separation work increased to about 2 times after HGF treatment. Given that studies of Met protein dimerization inhibitors have contributed to the development of more potent and safe inhibitors to significantly inhibit tumor metastasis, the effects of different medicines (including anticoagulant medicines, different antibiotics and anti-cancer medicines) on the dimerization activation of Met protein were then explored by the platform described above. The results showed that anticoagulant medicines heparin and its analogs can significantly inhibit HGF-mediated Met protein activation, while different antibiotics and anticancer medicines had no significant effect on the dimerization of Met protein. This work provided a platform for studying protein dimerization as well as for screening Met protein dimerization inhibitors at the single-molecule level.

Portable detection of multiple mycotoxins based on a sonic toothbrush, microfluidic chip and smartphone.

A portable method for on-site detection of three mycotoxins was developed based on a sonic toothbrush, microfluidic chip and smartphone. Our method could complete all procedures, including sample pretreatment, signal conversion and processing, without any sophisticated instruments. The limits of detection for these mycotoxins were lower than the limit values in cereals in the standards of China and the European Union.

DNA Tetrahedron-Based Valency Controlled Signal Probes for Tunable Protein Detection.

Combined detection of multiple markers related to the same disease could improve the accuracy of disease diagnosis. However, the abundance levels of multiple markers of the same disease varied widely in real samples, making it difficult for the traditional detection method to meet the requirements of a wide detection range. Herein, three kinds of cardiac biomarkers, cardiac troponin I (cTnI), myoglobin (Myo), and C-reaction protein (CRP), which were from the pM level to the µM level in real samples, were selected as model targets. Valency-controlled signal probes based on DNA tetrahedron nanostructures (DTNs) and platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) were constructed for tunable cardiac biomarker detection. PtNPs with high horseradish peroxidase-like activity and stability served as signal molecules, and DTNs with unique spatial structure and sequence specificity were used for precisely controlling the number of connected PtNPs. By controlling the number of PtNPs connected to DTNs, monovalent, bivalent, and trivalent signal probes were obtained and were used for the detection of cardiac markers in different concentration ranges. The limit of detection of cTnI, Myo, and CRP was 3.0 pM, 0.4 nM, and 6.7 nM, respectively. Furthermore, it performed satisfactorily for the detection of cardiac markers in 10% human serum. It was anticipated that the design of valency-controlled signal probes based on DTNs and nanozymes could be extended to the construction of other multi-target detection platforms, thus providing a basis for the development of a new precision medical detection platform.

Size-Controllable and Self-Assembled DNA Nanosphere for Amplified MicroRNA Imaging through ATP-Fueled Cyclic Dissociation.

Visualizing intracellular microRNA (miRNA) is of great importance for revealing its roles in the development of disease. However, cell membrane barrier, complex intracellular environment and low abundance of target miRNA are three main challenges for efficient imaging of intracellular miRNA. Here, we report a size-controllable and self-assembled DNA nanosphere with ATP-fueled dissociation property for amplified miRNA imaging in live cells and mice. The DNA nanosphere was self-assembled from Y-shaped DNA (Y-DNA) monomers through predesigned base pair hybridization, and the size could be easily controlled by varying the concentration of Y-DNA. Once the nanosphere was internalized into cells, the intracellular specific target miRNA would trigger the cyclic dissociation of the DNA nanosphere driven by ATP, resulting in amplified FRET signal. The programmable DNA nanosphere has been proven to work well for detecting the expression of miRNA in cancer cells and in mice, which demonstrates its fairish cell penetration, stability and sensitivity.

Feasibility of the modified inverted L-shaped approach for posterolateral tibial plateau fracture: A retrospective study.

Approaches for treating posterolateral tibial plateau fractures vary among surgeons, and the inverted L-shaped approach is a known option. This article aims to introduce a new modified posterolateral inverted L-shaped approach for isolated posterolateral tibial plateau fractures and study its feasibility. Medical records of patients with posterolateral tibial plateau fractures were reviewed. Plain radiographs were obtained during the follow-up period, and the hospital for special surgery (HSS) score was used to assess the function of the injured limb. Perioperative complications were recorded and followed-up. In total, 32 patients with posterolateral tibial plateau fractures were treated using a modified posterolateral approach. The mean age of the patients was 44 ± 11 years (28-64 years). All patients successfully underwent surgery and were followed-up for a mean duration of 13 ± 2 months (10-16 months). On plain radiographs, fracture lines were fuzzy 3 months after surgery and disappeared 12 months after surgery. No perioperative complications occurred during the follow-up period. The HSS score was evaluated 12 months after surgery, and the mean score was 91 ± 5 points (81-97 points), including 25 excellent cases and 7 good cases. The modified posterolateral inverted L-shaped approach has the advantages of small soft tissue dissection, fracture reduction under direct vision, easy internal fixation, and a lower risk of neurovascular injury. This approach is feasible for the treatment of isolated posterolateral tibial plateau fractures, and further high-quality randomized control trials are required to confirm its clinical efficacy.

DNA nanotubes in coacervate microdroplets as biomimetic cytoskeletons modulate the liquid fluidic properties of protocells.

Coacervate microdroplets, formed via liquid-liquid phase separation, have been proposed as a compartment model for the construction of artificial cells or organelles. However, these microsystems are very fragile and demonstrate liquid-like fluidity. Here, an artificial cytoskeleton based on DNA nanotubes was constructed in coacervate microdroplets to modulate the liquid fluidic properties of the microdroplets. The coacervate microdroplets were obtained from the association of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes through liquid-liquid phase separation, and DNA nanotubes were constructed by molecular tile self-assembly from six clip sequences. The DNA nanotubes were efficiently sequestered in the liquid coacervate microdroplets, and the rigid structure of the DNA nanotubes was capable of modulating the liquid fluidic properties of the coacervate protocell models, as indicated by coalescence imaging and atomic force microscopy analysis. Therefore, artificial cytoskeletons made from DNA nanotubes worked in modulating the liquid fluidic properties of coacervate microdroplets, in a manner akin to the cytoskeleton in the cell. DNA cytoskeletons have the potential to become an ideal platform with which how the liquid fluidic properties of cells are modulated by their cytoskeletons can be investigated, and the cell-sized coacervate microdroplets containing artificial cytoskeletons might be critical in developing a stable liquid-phase protocell model.

Signal processing and generation of bioactive nitric oxide in a model prototissue.

The design and construction of synthetic prototissues from integrated assemblies of artificial protocells is an important challenge for synthetic biology and bioengineering. Here we spatially segregate chemically communicating populations of enzyme-decorated phospholipid-enveloped polymer/DNA coacervate protocells in hydrogel modules to construct a tubular prototissue-like vessel capable of modulating the output of bioactive nitric oxide (NO). By decorating the protocells with glucose oxidase, horseradish peroxidase or catalase and arranging different modules concentrically, a glucose/hydroxyurea dual input leads to logic-gate signal processing under reaction-diffusion conditions, which results in a distinct NO output in the internal lumen of the model prototissue. The NO output is exploited to inhibit platelet activation and blood clot formation in samples of plasma and whole blood located in the internal channel of the device, thereby demonstrating proof-of-concept use of the prototissue-like vessel for anticoagulation applications. Our results highlight opportunities for the development of spatially organized synthetic prototissue modules from assemblages of artificial protocells and provide a step towards the organization of biochemical processes in integrated micro-compartmentalized media, micro-reactor technology and soft functional materials.

Polymer-assisted Au@PDA nanoparticles lyophilized powder with high stability and low adsorption and its application in colorimetric biosensing.

Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) has been widely used to develop label-free colorimetric biosensors. Since the lyophilization process of Au NPs might cause various stresses and lead to irreversible aggregation, Au NPs were usually preserved in an aqueous suspension, which was inconvenienced for transportation and storage. In addition, the potential adsorption interaction between target and Au NPs was often ignored, which may lead to false-signal for Au NPs based colorimetric strategy. Herein, polydopamine-coated gold nanoparticles (Au@PDA NPs) freeze-dried powder was prepared with the assistance of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) (i.e. Au@PDA-PVP NPs) or polyethylene glycol (PEG) (i.e. Au@PDA-PEG NPs). After freeze-dried powder of Au@PDA nanoparticles was redissolved, not only their spectral properties can still be maintained, but also the Au@PDA nanoparticles have nice monodispersity. Besides, the freeze-dried powder has long-term stability and could be stored for at least nine months. Since kanamycin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, can be absorbed on the surface of Au NPs and induce easily the false signal, it was difficult to be detected using conventional Au NPs-based colorimetric method. Thus, kanamycin was chosen as the model target, a simple, sensitive and label-free colorimetric sensor was established. Given that the adsorption between kanamycin and Au@PDA-PVP NPs was effectively avoided, the possibility of false-positive signal was also reduced. The detection limit of kanamycin was 0.22 nM (S/N = 3), which was met the requirements for the detection of kanamycin residues in milk. This work not only provided an effective and facile way to prepare the nanomaterial lyophilized powder, but also expanded the application of the Au NPs based colorimetric method.

Photocaged amplified FRET nanoflares: spatiotemporal controllable of mRNA-powered nanomachines for precise and sensitive microRNA imaging in live cells.

There is considerable interest in creating a precise and sensitive strategy for in situ visualizing and profiling intracellular miRNA. Present here is a novel photocaged amplified FRET nanoflare (PAFN), which spatiotemporal controls of mRNA-powered nanomachine for precise and sensitive miRNA imaging in live cells. The PAFN could be activated remotely by light, be triggered by specific low-abundance miRNA and fueled by high-abundance mRNA. It offers high spatiotemporal control over the initial activity of nanomachine at desirable time and site, and a 'one-to-more' ratiometric signal amplification model. The PAFN, an unprecedented design, is quiescent during the delivery process. However, upon reaching the interest tumor site, it can be selectively activated by light, and then be triggered by specific miRNA, avoiding undesirable early activation and reducing nonspecific signals, allowing precise and sensitive detection of specific miRNA in live cells. This strategy may open new avenues for creating spatiotemporally controllable and endogenous molecule-powered nanomachine, facilitating application at biological and medical imaging.

Coacervate microdroplet protocell-mediated gene transfection for nitric oxide production and induction of cell apoptosis.

Liquid coacervate microdroplets have been widely explored as membrane-free compartment protocells for cargo delivery in therapeutic applications. In this study, coacervate protocells were developed as gene carriers for transfection of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) for killing of cancer cells. The coacervate microdroplet protocells were formed via the liquid-liquid phase separation of oppositely charged diethylaminoethyl-dextran/polyacrylic acids. The coacervate microdroplet protocells were found to facilitate gene transfection, which was demonstrated by cell imaging of the internalized coacervate microdroplets containing plasmids of enhanced green fluorescent protein. Due to their high transfection capability, the coacervate protocells were subsequently utilized for the delivery of NOS plasmids (pNOS). The cellular internalization of pNOS-containing coacervate carriers was found to result in high NOS expression coupled with NO overproduction, which then induced cell apoptosis and decreased cell viability. The cell apoptosis is associated with NO-mediated mitochondrial damage. The enhanced gene transfection was attributed to coacervate microdroplets' unique high sequestration capability and liquid-like fluidity. Overall, the incorporation of genes in coacervate microdroplets was demonstrated as a viable and novel strategy for the development of cargo biocarriers for biomedical applications.

An ion transport switch based on light-responsive conformation-dependent G-quadruplex transmembrane channels.

A light-responsive ion transport switch has been developed based on conformation-dependent azobenzene-incorporated lipophilic G-quadruplex channels, which provides a new smart approach for the selective transport of K+ ions across the lipid membrane.

Controlled dimerization of artificial membrane receptors for transmembrane signal transduction.

In biology, membrane-spanning proteins are responsible for the transmission of chemical signals across membranes, including the signal recognition-mediated conformational change of transmembrane receptors at the cell surface, and a trigger of an intracellular phosphorylation cascade. The ability to reproduce such biological processes in artificial systems has potential applications in smart sensing, drug delivery, and synthetic biology. Here, an artificial transmembrane receptors signaling system was designed and constructed based on modular DNA scaffolds. The artificial transmembrane receptors in this system are composed of three functional modules: signal recognition, lipophilic transmembrane linker, and signal output modules. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) served as an external signal input to trigger the dimerization of two artificial receptors on membranes through a proximity effect. This effect induced the formation of a G-quadruplex, which served as a peroxidase-like enzyme to facilitate a signal output measured by either fluorescence or absorbance in the lipid bilayer vesicles. The broader utility of this modular method was further demonstrated using a lysozyme-binding aptamer instead of an ATP-binding aptamer. Therefore, this work provides a modular and generalizable method for the design of artificial transmembrane receptors. The flexibility of this synthetic methodology will allow researchers to incorporate different functional modules while retaining the same molecular framework for signal transduction.