Oligonucleotide-stabilized fluorescent silver nanoclusters for turn-on detection of melamine

Fluorescence nanoclusters have been used for the determination of melamine for the first time. The method is based on the fluorescence turn-on of oligonucleotide-stabilized silver nanoclusters (DNA-Ag NCs) by melamine. The enhancement factors (I-I(0))/I(0) increase linearly with melamine concentrations over the range 5.0×10(-8)-7.0×10(-6) M (R(2)=0.998). The detection limit is 1.0×10(-8) M, which is approximately 2000 times lower than the US Food and Drug Administration estimated melamine safety limit of 20.0 μM. Furthermore, the milk samples spiked with melamine are analyzed with excellent recoveries.     

Highly sensitive fluorescent detection of trypsin based on BSA-stabilized gold nanoclusters

In this study, fluorescent metal nanoclusters are presented as novel probes for sensitive detection of protease for the first time. The sensing mechanism is based on trypsin digestion of the protein template of BSA-stabilized Au nanoclusters. The decrease in fluorescence intensity of BSA-Au nanoclusters caused by trypsin allows the sensitive detection of trypsin in the range of 0.01-100 μg/mL. The detection limit for trypsin is 2 ng/mL (86 pM) at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The present nanosensor for trypsin detection possesses red emission, excellent biocompatibility, high selectivity, and good stability. In addition, we demonstrated the application of the present approach in real urine samples, which suggested its potential for diagnostic purposes.     

Selective fluorescence quenching of papain–Au nanoclusters by self‐polymerization of dopamine

In this paper, we synthesized a papain‐stabilized fluorescent Au nanocluster (NC) probe and studied its interaction with dopamine. As fluorescence of papain–Au NCs is quenched in the presence of dopamine under alkaline conditions, we were able to establish a simple, selective analytical method for dopamine determination. By studying the fluorescence lifetime and dynamic light scattering of the NCs before and after interaction with dopamine, we found that this fluorescence quenching mechanism was possibly due to dopamine self‐polymerization that produced polydopamine that cross‐linked papain–Au NCs. Based on this new phenomenon, we proposed a highly selective analytical method for dopamine detection. Other small organic molecules, such as amino acids, ascorbic acid and uric acid did not interfere with dopamine detection. Dopamine in the range 20–100 μM can be linearly detected by the fluorescence quenching ratio of gold nanoclusters. Dopamine detection could be visually realized by watching color changes of papain–Au NCs under UV light or daylight, as both fluorescence and absorption of the papain–Au NCs changed during dopamine polymerization.     

Interaction of glucose‐derived carbon quantum dots with silver and gold nanoparticles and its application for the fluorescence detection of 6‐thioguanine

The interaction of glucose‐derived carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with silver (Ag) and gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs) was explored by fluorescence spectroscopy. Both metal NPs cause an efficient quenching of CQD fluorescence, which is likely due to the energy transfer process between CQDs as donors and metal NPs as acceptors. The Stern–Volmer plots were evaluated and corresponding quenching constants were found to be 1.9 × 10¹⁰ and 2.2 × 10⁸ M^?1 for AgNPs and AuNPs, respectively. The analytical applicability of these systems was demonstrated for turn‐on fluorescence detection of the anti‐cancer drug, 6‐thioguanine. Because the CQD–AgNP system had much higher sensitivity than the CQD–AuNP system, we used it as a selective fluorescence probe in a turn‐on assay of 6‐thioguanine. Under optimum conditions, the calibration graph was linear from 0.03 to 1.0 μM with a detection limit of 0.01 μM. The developed method was applied to the analysis of human plasma samples with satisfactory results.     

BSA-stabilized Au clusters as peroxidase mimetics for use in xanthine detection

In this paper, we demonstrated that bovine serum albumin (BSA) stabilized Au clusters exhibited highly intrinsic peroxidase-like activity. Unlike nature enzymes, the BSA-Au clusters have strong robustness and can be used over a wide range of pH and temperature. Because of ultra-small size, good stability and high biocompatibility in water solution compare with other kinds of nanoparticles as peroxidase mimetics, such as Fe(3)O(4), FeS or graphene oxide, it is more competent for bioanalysis. Furthermore, we make use of the novel properties of BSA-Au clusters as peroxidase mimetics to detect H(2)O(2). The as-prepared BSA-Au clusters were used to catalyze the oxidation of a peroxidase substrate 3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) by H(2)O(2) to the oxidized colored product, and which provides a colorimetric detection of H(2)O(2). As low as 2.0 × 10(-8)M H(2)O(2) could be detected with a linear range from 5.0 × 10(-7) to 2.0 × 10(-5)M via this method. More importantly, a sensitive and selective method for xanthine detection was developed using xanthine oxidase (XOD) and the as-prepared BSA-Au clusters. The detection limit of this assay for xanthine was 5 × 10(-7)M and the proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of xanthine in urine and human serum sample.     

The application of Au nanoclusters in the fluorescence imaging of human serum proteins after native PAGE: enhancing detection by low-temperature plasma treatment

Proteins in human serum are increasingly being studied for their roles in a wide variety of biochemical interactions. To improve the sensitivity of the detection of human serum proteins after native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), we have developed a fluorescence imaging detection technique for the detection. BSA (bovine serum albumin)-stabilized Au nanoclusters (NCs) were applied as fluorescent probes for imaging, and low-temperature plasma (LTP) treatment of the Au NCs was introduced to enhance the fluorescence imaging. Here, a series of optimization experiments (e.g. those to optimize for pH) were conducted for protein detection after 1-DE and 2-DE, and several types of discharge gases (He, O(2), and N(2)) were selected for the LTP treatment. The possible mechanism of interaction between the proteins and the Au NCs was demonstrated by an isothermal titration calorimetry experiment. Using the present method, a sensitivity of 7-14 times higher than that of traditional staining detection methods was observed in the oxygen LTP-treated Au NCs fluorescence images, and some relatively low abundance proteins (identified by the MS/MS technique) were easily detected. In addition, this fluorescence imaging method was applied to distinguish between the serum samples of patients with liver diseases and those of healthy people. Thus, this fluorescence imaging method is suitable for the highly sensitive detection of various serum proteins, and it shows potential capabilities for clinical diagnosis.     

Sensor and biosensor based on Prussian Blue modified gold and platinum screen printed electrodes

Gold (Au) and platinum (Pt) screen-printed electrodes were modified with Prussian Blue (PB) for the development of amperometric sensors selective for hydrogen peroxide detection. The sensors exhibited sensitivities towards H(2)O(2) equal to 2 A M(-1) cm(-2) for Au and 1 A M(-1) cm(-2) for Pt electrodes. The sensors were also employed as the basis for construction of glucose biosensors through further modification with crystallised glucose oxidase immobilised in a Nafion membrane. In order to improve the operational stability of the modified electrodes a buffer solution containing tetrabutylammonium toluene-4-sulfonate was used. The long-term performance of the sensors and biosensors were evaluated by continuous monitoring of hydrogen peroxide and glucose solutions (50 microM and 1 mM, respectively) in the flow-injection mode for 10 h.     

Three-step electrodeposition synthesis of self-doped polyaniline nanofiber-supported flower-like Au microspheres for high-performance biosensing of DNA hybridization recognition

A three-step electrodeposition method has been successfully adopted to fabricate morphology-controlled novel Au microspheres on self-doped polyaniline nanofibers (nanoSPAN) modified glassy carbon electrode. The deposition conditions, such as HAuCl(4) concentration and deposition step, have significant influences on the morphologies and electrochemical properties of the resulted Au microspheres. Well hierarchical and homogeneously dispersed flower-like Au microspheres (HHFAu) were obtained under optimal conditions by the three-step electrodeposition strategy in 5.0mM HAuCl(4) solution. HHFAu possess large surface area, excellent electron transfer ability and good biocompatibility. The DNA probe could be effectively attached to HHFAu and thus a high-performance DNA biosensor was constructed by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy as detection method. A gene fragment of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S gene, which is related to one of the screening genes for the transgenically modified plants, has been satisfactorily detected. The linear range was from 1.0 × 10(-13)M to 1.0 × 10(-6)M and the detection limit was 1.9 × 10(-14)M. This HHFAu/nanoSPAN-based impedance biosensing platform holds great promise for the detection of other biological and chemical molecules.     

Glucose biosensor based on Au nanoparticles-conductive polyaniline nanocomposite

In this paper, we report a novel glucose biosensor based on composite of Au nanoparticles (NPs)-conductive polyaniline (PANI) nanofibers. Immobilized with glucose oxidase (GOx) and Nafion on the surface of nanocomposite, a sensitive and selective biosensor for glucose was successfully developed by electrochemical oxidation of H2O2. The glucose biosensor shows a linear calibration curve over the range from 1.0x10(-6) to 8.0x10(-4) mol/L, with a slope and detection limit (S/N=3) of 2.3 mA/M and 5.0x10(-7) M, respectively. In addition, the glucose biosensor system indicates excellent reproducibility (less than 5% R.S.D.) and good operational stability (over 2 weeks).     

Ambient temperature detection of PCR amplicons with a novel sequence-specific nucleic acid lateral flow biosensor

The spherical porous Pd nanoparticle assemblies (NPAs) have been successfully synthesized by starch-assisted chemical reduction of Pd(II) species at room temperature. Such Pd NPAs are not simply used to enlarge the surface area and to promote the electron transfer. They also catalyze the reduction of H(2)O(2) which are regarded as horseradish peroxidase (HRP) substitutes in electron transfer process. By using them as electrocatalysts, as low as 6.8×10(-7) M H(2)O(2) can be detected with a linear range from 1.0×10(-6) to 8.2×10(-4) M. Moreover, through co-immobilization of such Pd NPAs and glucose oxidase (GOx), a sensitive and selective glucose biosensor is developed. The detection principle lies on measuring the increase of cathodic current by co-reduction of dissolved oxygen and the in situ generated H(2)O(2) during the enzymatic reaction. Under optimal conditions, the detection limit is down to 6.1×10(-6) M with a very wide linear range from 4.0×10(-5) to 2.2×10(-2) M. The proposed biosensor shows a fast response, good stability, high selectivity and reproducibility of serum glucose level. It provides a promising strategy to construct fast, sensitive, stable and anti-interferential amperometric biosensors for early diagnosis and prevention of diabetes.     

A sensitive nonenzymatic glucose sensor in alkaline media with a copper nanocluster/multiwall carbon nanotube-modified glassy carbon electrode

Copper (Cu) nanoclusters were electrochemically deposited on the film of a Nafion-solubilized multiwall carbon nanotube (CNTs)-modified glassy carbon electrode (CNTs-GCE), which fabricated a Cu-CNTs composite sensor (Cu-CNTs-GCE) to detect glucose with nonenzyme. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used for the characterization of the distribution of the Cu nanoclusters on the CNTs matrix. The composite of the Cu-CNTs was investigated by the electrochemical characterization of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The preliminary study shows that the nonenzymatic sensor has synergistic electrocatalytic activity to the oxidation of glucose in alkaline media. A well applicable sensor was constructed to use for the analysis of the glucose in real blood serum samples due to the large number of electrons taking part in the oxidation process, the high apparent kinetic rate constant, and the stable operation of the electrode. The linear range for the detection of the glucose is 7.0 x 10(-7) to 3.5 x 10(-3) M with a high sensitivity of 17.76 microA mM(-1), a low detection limit of 2.1 x 10(-7) M, and a fast response time of within 5s. Experiment results also showed that the sensor has good reproducibility and long-term stability and is interference free.     

A novel ultrahigh-resolution surface plasmon resonance biosensor with an Au nanocluster-embedded dielectric film

The detection performance of conventional surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors is limited to a 1 pg/mm(2) surface coverage of biomolecules, and consequently, such sensors struggle to detect the interaction of small molecules in low concentrations. The present study is attempted to propose the use of a novel SPR biosensor with Au nanoclusters embedded in a dielectric film to achieve a 10-fold improvement in the resolution performance. A co-sputtering method utilizing a multi-target sputtering system is used to fabricate the present dielectric films (SiO(2)) with embedded Au nanoclusters. It is shown that the sensitivity of the developed SPR biosensor can be improved by adjusting the size and volume fraction of the embedded Au nanoclusters in order to control the surface plasmon effect. The present gas detection and DNA hybridization experimental results confirm that the proposed Au nanocluster-enhanced SPR biosensor provides the potential to achieve an ultrahigh-resolution detection performance of approximately 0.1 pg/mm(2) surface coverage of biomolecules.     

Ratiometric optical detection of pyrophosphate based on aggregation-caused dual-signal response of gold nanoclusters

Sensing of pyrophosphate ion (PPi) has received much attention due to the strong demand for clinical diagnostics. Here, based on gold nanoclusters (Au NCs), a ratiometric optical detection method for PPi is developed by simultaneously detecting the dual signals of fluorescence (FL) and second-order scattering (SOS). The PPi is detected by inhibiting the formation of aggregates of Fe³⁺ with Au NCs. Binding of Fe³⁺ to Au NCs causes aggregation of Au NCs, which leads to fluorescence quenching and scattering increasing. The presence of PPi can competitively bind Fe³⁺ to re-disperse the Au NCs and finally recover the fluorescence and reduce the scattering signal. The designed PPi sensor shows a high sensitivity with a linear range 5–50 μM and a detection limit of 1.2 μM. In addition, the assay has excellent selectivity for PPi, which makes its application in real biological samples extremely valuable.     

Oligonucleotide-stabilized fluorescent silver nanoclusters for sensitive detection of biothiols in biological fluids

In this work, we reported a simple and sensitive method to detect biothiols, such as cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy) and glutathione (GSH), using fluorescent silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs) stabilized by single-stranded DNA (DNA-Ag NCs) as probes. The photoluminescence intensity of DNA-Ag NCs was found to be quenched effectively with the increase of biothiols concentration due to the formed nonfluorescent coordination complex between DNA-Ag NCs and biothiols, resulting in the shift-to-red of emission wavelength. But the fluorescence of DNA-Ag NCs was not changed in the presence of other amino acids at 10-fold higher concentration. Satisfactory detection limits and linear relationships of Cys, GSH and Hcy were obtained, respectively. The resulted plots exhibited good linear relationships in the range from 8.0×10(-9) to 1.0×10(-7) mol L(-1) (R(2)=0.984) for Cys, 8.0×10(-9) to 1.0×10(-7) mol L(-1) (R(2)=0.983) for GSH, and 2.0×10(-6) to 6.0×10(-7) mol L(-1) (R(2)=0.999) for Hcy, respectively; the detection limits of Cys, GSH and Hcy were 4.0 nmol L(-1), 4.0 nmol L(-1), and 0.2 μmol L(-1), respectively. The method was successfully used for the detection of biothiols in human plasma samples.     

DNA electrochemical biosensor based on thionine-graphene nanocomposite

A novel protocol for development of DNA electrochemical biosensor based on thionine-graphene nanocomposite modified gold electrode was presented. The thionine-graphene nanocomposite layer with highly conductive property was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. An amino-substituted oligonucleotide probe was covalently grafted onto the surface of the thionine-graphene nanocomposite by the cross-linker glutaraldehyde. The hybridization reaction on the modified electrode was monitored by differential pulse voltammetry analysis using an electroactive intercalator daunomycin as the indicator. Under optimum conditions, the proposed biosensor exhibited high sensitivity and low detection limit for detecting complementary oligonucleotide. The complementary oligonucleotide could be quantified in a wide range of 1.0 × 10(-12) to 1.0 × 10(-7)M with a good linearity (R(2)=0.9976) and a low detection limit of 1.26 × 10(-13)M (S/N=3). In addition, the biosensor was highly selective to discriminate one-base or two-base mismatched sequences.     

Nanostructured conducting molecularly imprinted polymer for selective uptake/release of naproxen by the electrochemically controlled sorbent

A conducting molecularly imprinted polymer (CMIP) film, based on polypyrrole, was electrosynthesized for selective uptake/release and determination of naproxen. The film was prepared by incorporation of a template anion (naproxen) during the electropolymerization of pyrrole into a platinum electrode using the cyclic voltammetry method. Overoxidized polypyrrole films with cavities complementary to the template were used as a potential-induced selective recognition element in the solid-phase sorbent. Various important fabricating factors, which control the performance of the CMIP film, were investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy. The measured fluorescence intensities of released solutions were related to the concentrations of naproxen taken up into the films. Several key parameters such as applied potential and time for uptake and release were varied to achieve the optimal sorption procedure. The film template with naproxen exhibited excellent selectivity over some interference. The calibration graphs were linear in the ranges of 5×10(-8) to 3×10(-7)molml(-1) and 7×10(-6) to 8×10(-4)molml(-1), and the limit of detection was 1×10(-8)molml(-1). The CMIP films, as the electrochemically controlled solid-phase sorbent, were applied for the selective cleanup and quantification of trace amounts of naproxen from physiological samples. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the nanostructure morphology of the films.     

Homogeneous detection of concanavalin A using pyrene-conjugated maltose assembled graphene based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer

In this work, we proposed a novel biosensor to homogeneously detect concanavalin A (ConA) using pyrene-conjugated maltose assembled graphene based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Maltose-grafted-aminopyrene (Mal-Apy) was synthesized and characterized by mass spectra, UV-vis and fluorescence spectra. The Mal-Apy was further employed for fluorescence switch and ConA recognition. When Mal-Apy was self-assembled on the surface of graphene by means of π-stacking interaction, its fluorescence was adequately quenched because the graphene acted as a "nanoquencher" of the pyrene rings due to FRET. As a result, in the presence of ConA, competitive binding of ConA with glucose destroyed the π-stacking interaction between the pyrene and graphene, thereby causing the fluorescence recovery. This method was demonstrated the selective sensing of ConA, and the linear range is 2.0 × 10?2 to 1.0 μM with the linear equation y=1.029x + 0.284 (R = 0.996). The limit of detection for ConA was low to 0.8 nM, and the detection of ConA could be performed in 5 min, indicating that this method could be used for fast, sensitive, and selective sensing of ConA. Such data suggests that the graphene FRET platform is a great potential application for protein-carbohydrate studies, and would be widely applied in drug screening, bimolecular recognition and disease diagnosis.     

A novel enzymatic hydrogen peroxide biosensor based on Ag/C nanocables

A novel enzymatic hydrogen peroxide sensor was successfully fabricated based on the nanocomposites containing of Ag/C nanocables and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Ag/C nanocables have been synthesized by a hydrothermal method and then AuNPs were assembled on the surface of Ag/C nanocables. The nanocomposites were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). The above nanocomposites have satisfactory chemical stability and excellent biocompatibility. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to evaluate the electrochemical performance of the Ag/C/Au nanocomposites at glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The results indicated that the Ag/C/Au nanocomposites exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity to the reduction of H(2)O(2). It offered a linear range of 6.7×10(-9) to 8.0×10(-6) M, with a detection limit of 2.2×10(-9) M. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant of the biosensor was 51.7×10(-6) M. These results indicated that Ag/C/Au nanocomposites have potential for constructing of a variety of electrochemical biosensors.     

Effects of aurothiomalate and gold(III) complexes on spontaneous motility of isolated human oviduct

Organic gold complexes have different biological activity, depending on their potential for interactions with key functional molecules.The aim of this study was to investigate potential of several newly synthesized organic gold complexes to influence spontaneous motility of the Fallopian tubes.The effects of [Au(bipy)Cl(2)](+) (dichloride(2,2'-bipyridyl)aurate(III)-ion), aurothiomalate, [Au(DMSO)(2)Cl(2)]Cl and DMSO on spontaneous motility of Fallopian tubes were tested on the isolated tube segments in vitro. Aurothiomalate (from 2.9?×?10(-9) to 4.9?×?10(-4)?M/l), [Au(bipy)Cl(2)]Cl (from 3.3?×?10(-9) to 4.2?×?10(-5)?M/l) and DMSO (from 1.9?×?10(-8) to 1.0?×?10(-5)?M/l) did not affect spontaneous contractions of the isolated Fallopian tube ampulla, while [Au(DMSO)(2)Cl(2)]Cl (from 2.9?×?10(-9) to 4.2?×?10(-5)?M/l) showed concentration-dependent increase (stimulation) of spontaneous contractions of the isolated Fallopian tube isthmus, and remained without effect on the isolated ampulla.The drugs designed as organic gold complexes with weaker bonds between the gold itself and organic part of a molecule could adversely affect motility of the Fallopian tubes, and theoretically fertility of women taking such drugs in their reproductive age.     

荧光银纳米团簇的生物合成及其在痕量六价铬检测中的应用

[目的]利用季也蒙毕赤酵母ZJC-1合成银纳米团簇并用于痕量Cr(Ⅵ)的检测.[方法]使用经耐银驯化的季也蒙毕赤酵母ZJC-1生物合成荧光银纳米团簇,并对其结构和荧光性能进行了表征,探究Cr(Ⅵ)对银纳米团簇荧光的选择性猝灭作用,建立了银纳米团簇荧光强度与Cr(Ⅵ)浓度的线性关系.同时还考察了体系pH和其他金属离子对C...