Wafer-scale nanowell array patterning based electrochemical impedimetric immunosensor

We have reported that nanowell array (NWA) can enhance electrochemical detection of molecular binding events by controlling the binding sites of the captured molecules. Using NWA biosensor based amperometric analysis, we have detected biological macromolecules such as DNA, protein or aptamers at low concentrations. In this research, we developed an impedimetric immunosensor based on wafer-scale NWA for electrochemical detection of stress-induced-phosphoprotein-1 (STIP-1). In order to develop NWA sensor through the cost-effective combination of high-throughput nanopattern, the NWA electrode was fabricated on Si wafer by krypton-fluoride (KrF) stepper semiconductor process. Finally, 12,500,000 ea nanowell with a 500 nm diameter was fabricated on 4 mm × 2 mm substrate. Next, by using these electrodes, we measured impedance to quantify antigen binding to the immunoaffinity layer. The limit of detection (LOD) of the NWA was improved about 100-fold compared to milli-sized electrodes (4 mm × 2 mm) without an NWA. These results suggest that wafer-scale NWA immunosensor will be useful for biosensing applications because their interface response is appropriate for detecting molecular binding events.     

Bioelectrocatalyzed signal amplification for affinity interactions at chemically modified electrodes

A comparative study was performed to evaluate the signal amplification strategies in electrochemical affinity sensing, which included the direct electron transfer and diffusible-group mediated electron transfer between label enzymes that were specifically bound to target proteins and chemically modified electrode surfaces. As a platform surface for affinity recognition reactions, a double functionalized poly(amido amine) dendrimer monolayer that was modified with ferrocene and biotin groups was constructed on a gold surface. With the chemically modified electrode, a model affinity sensing with avidin was investigated. The advantages of adopting the diffusible-group mediated signaling strategy were demonstrated in terms of signal sensitivity and stability.     

Knowledge-based design of reagentless fluorescent biosensors from recombinant antibodies

The possibility of obtaining from any antibody a fluorescent conjugate which responds to the binding of the antigen by a variation of its fluorescence, would be of great interest in the analytical sciences and for the construction of protein chips. This possibility was explored with antibody mAbD1.3 directed against hen egg white lysozyme. Rules of design were developed to identify the residues of the antibody to which a fluorophore could be chemically coupled, after changing them to cysteine by mutagenesis. These rules were based on: the target residue belonging to a topological neighbourhood of the antigen in the structure of the complex between antibody and antigen; its absence of functional importance for the interaction with the antigen; and its solvent accessibility in the structure of the free antibody. Seventeen conjugates between the single-chain variable fragment scFv of mAbD1.3 and an environment-sensitive fluorophore were constructed. For six of the ten residues which fully satisfied the design rules, the relative variation of the fluorescence intensity between the free and bound states of the conjugate was comprised between 12 and 75% (in non-optimal buffer), and the affinity of the conjugate for lysozyme remained unchanged relative to the parental scFv. In contrast, such results were true for only one of the seven residues which failed to satisfy one of the rules and were used as controls. One of the conjugates was studied in more detail. Its fluorescence increased proportionally to the concentration of lysozyme in a nanomolar range, up to 90% in a defined buffer, and 40% in serum. This increase was specific for hen egg lysozyme and it was not observed with a closely related protein, turkey egg lysozyme. The residues which gave operational conjugates (six in V(L) and one in V(H)), were located in the immediate vicinity of residues which are functionally important, along the sequence of FvD1.3. The results suggest rules of design for constructing antigen-sensitive fluorescent conjugates from any antibody, in the absence of structural data.     

Enhanced electrochemiluminescence from luminol at carboxyl graphene for detection of α-fetoprotein

In this study, a novel sensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor was constructed by carboxyl graphene (GR) for enhancing luminol–O₂ system emission. Here, carboxyl GR was used to enhance the ECL intensity of luminol that had excellent electron transfer ability and good solubility. The sensing platform was constructed by depositing carboxyl GR on electrodes and immobilizing antibodies on the surface of carboxyl GR through amidation. The specific immunoreaction between α-fetoprotein (AFP) and antibodies resulted in a decrease of ECL intensity, and the intensity decreased linearly with AFP concentrations in the range of 5 pg ml⁻¹ to 14 ng ml⁻¹ with a detection limit of 2.0 pg ml⁻¹. The proposed immunosensor exhibits high specificity, good reproducibility, and longtime stability. It may become a promising technique for protein detection.     

Trace detection of picloram using an electrochemical immunosensor based on three-dimensional gold nanoclusters

Picloram, a herbicide widely used for broadleaf weed control, is persistent and mobile in soil and water with adverse health and environmental effects. It is important to develop a sensitive method for accurate detection of trace picloram in the environment. In this article, a type of ordered three-dimensional (3D) gold (Au) nanoclusters obtained by two-step electrodeposition using the spatial obstruction/direction of the polycarbonate membrane is reported. Bovine serum albumin (BSA)-picloram was immobilized on the 3D Au nanoclusters by self-assembly, and then competitive immunoreaction with picloram antibody and target picloram was executed. The horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled secondary antibody was applied for enzyme-amplified amperometric measurement. The electrodeposited Au nanoclusters built direct electrical contact and immobilization interface with protein molecules without postmodification and positioning. Under the optimal conditions, the linear range for picloram determination was 0.001-10 μg/ml with a correlation coefficient of 0.996. The detection and quantification limits were 5.0 × 10⁻⁴ and 0.0021 μg/ml, respectively. Picloram concentrations in peach and excess sludge supernatant extracts were tested by the proposed immunosensor, which exhibited good precision, sensitivity, selectivity, and storage stability.     

检测H5 亚型禽流感的压电免疫传感器的研究

目的:为研制检测H5亚型禽流感的压电免疫传感器。方法:用巯基丙酸在镀银电极石英晶体自组装巯基丙酸单分子膜再通过N-乙基-N′(-3-二甲氨基)丙基碳化二亚胺盐酸(EDC)和N-羟基琥珀酰亚胺(NHS)偶联抗H5亚型禽流感病毒的特异性单抗构建传感器芯片,建立了可以检测H5亚型禽流感病毒的免疫传感器。结果:结果表明,该法具有较好的特异性,不与H9亚型流感病毒和NDV反应;检测灵敏度达到10-50个EID50。结论:本文结果为检测禽流感病毒免疫传感器的进一步深入研究奠定了基础,这为其它相关病毒的监测提供了一种新途径。     

基于硒化镉量子点磁微球的微悬臂梁式免疫传感器片上磁分离

应用了以硒化镉量子点为荧光探针,具有磁性和抗体双重靶向功能的聚苯乙烯磁微球.设计了基于此种磁微球的新型微悬臂梁式免疫传感器,满足在液相环境中,借助嵌入到聚苯乙烯磁微球的荧光探针及微球表面的特异性抗体探针,达到生物分子的定性检测,借助具有纳米机械响应的微悬臂梁及微平面电感线圈,达到生物分子的定量检测及传感器的复用性,解决传统微悬臂梁式免疫传感器的不足.着重对三种粒径尺寸的硒化镉量子点进行了表征,同时针对片上磁分离的机理,梁上微电感线圈的结构,微磁场对磁微球的吸引进行了研究,设计并优化出满足新型微悬臂梁式免疫传感器所需的蛇形微平面电感线圈.通过生物磁分离实验,验证了设计及优化的结果,实现了用于生物分子分离的片上磁分离技术.     

基于免疫纳米颗粒强化的压电免疫传感器检测大肠杆菌O157︰H7

摘要：【目的】结合纳米技术建立检测大肠杆菌（Escherichia coli）O157︰H7高灵敏检测技术。【方法】采用化学共沉淀法制备出核心粒径约为10 nm的免疫纳米磁颗粒,柠檬酸钠还原法制备粒径约为20 nm的免疫胶体金。压电免疫传感器通过金黄色葡萄球菌蛋白A（Protein A from Staphylococcus aureus SPA）法将抗体固定于石英晶振上,两种免疫纳米颗粒借助不同的抗体连接于传感器上对检测频率信号进行放大。【结果】SPA在石英晶振上的最佳固定浓度和时间为1.2 mg/mL和40 min,抗体的最佳固定浓度和时间为1.0 mg/mL和60 min。压电免疫传感器通过两种免疫纳米颗粒的放大作用,使其对大肠杆菌O157︰H7的检测限从104 cfu/mL提高到101 cfu/mL。【结论】免疫纳米颗粒强化对压电免疫传感器的检测频率信号具有很好的放大效应,可以明显提高其检测灵敏度。     

A reusable amperometric biosensor based on a novel silver-epoxy electrode for immunoglobulin detection

A renewable immunosensor consisting of an `epoxygraphite' biocomposite containing silver and tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) is described. These compounds enhance conductivity allowing the use of a smaller potential (0.28 v) which, in turn, enhances selectivity. This sensor, which may be renewed by simple polishing of its surface, was employed to detect human IgG using peroxidase-coupled anti-human IgG.     

Micromorphological characterization and label-free quantitation of small rubber particle protein in natural rubber latex

Commercial natural rubber is traditionally supplied by Hevea brasiliensis, but now there is a big energy problem because of the limited resource and increasing demand. Intensive study of key rubber-related substances is urgently needed for further research of in vitro biosynthesis of natural rubber. Natural rubber is biosynthesized on the surface of rubber particles. A membrane protein called small rubber particle protein (SRPP) is a key protein associated closely with rubber biosynthesis; however, SRPP in different plants has been only qualitatively studied, and there are no quantitative reports so far. In this work, H. brasiliensis was chosen as a model plant. The microscopic distribution of SRPP on the rubber particles during the washing process was investigated by transmission electron microscopy–immunogold labeling. A label-free surface plasmon resonance (SPR) immunosensor was developed to quantify SRPP in H. brasiliensis for the first time. The immunosensor was then used to rapidly detect and analyze SRPP in dandelions and prickly lettuce latex samples. The label-free SPR immunosensor can be a desirable tool for rapid quantitation of the membrane protein SRPP, with excellent assay efficiency, high sensitivity, and high specificity. The method lays the foundation for further study of the functional relationship between SRPP and natural rubber content.