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8 pages, 10004 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Nanoplasmonic Strip Test for Salivary Glucose Monitoring

by Helena Torné-Morató, Paolo Donati and Pier Paolo Pompa

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(1), 105; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12010105 - 29 Dec 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2015

Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in Point-of-care (POC) devices for the noninvasive glucose assessment. Despite the recent progress in glucose self-monitoring, commercially available devices still use invasive samples such as blood or interstitial fluids, and they are not equipment-free and affordable for [...] Read more.

Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in Point-of-care (POC) devices for the noninvasive glucose assessment. Despite the recent progress in glucose self-monitoring, commercially available devices still use invasive samples such as blood or interstitial fluids, and they are not equipment-free and affordable for the whole population. Here, we report a fully integrated strip test for the semi-quantitative detection of glucose in whole saliva. The colorimetric mechanism consists of an enzyme-mediated reshaping of multibranched gold nanoparticles (MGNPs) into nanospheres with an associated plasmonic shift and consequent blue-to-red color change, clearly detectable in less than 10 min. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Nanoparticle-Based Biosensors)

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18 pages, 3060 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Magneto-Plasmonic Nanoparticle Grid Biosensor with Enhanced Raman Scattering and Electrochemical Transduction for the Development of Nanocarriers for Targeted Delivery of Protected Anticancer Drugs

by Hoda Ilkhani, Chuan-Jian Zhong and Maria Hepel

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(5), 1326; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11051326 - 18 May 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2648

Abstract

Safe administration of highly cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs is a challenging problem in cancer treatment due to the adverse side effects and collateral damage to non-tumorigenic cells. To mitigate these problems, promising new approaches, based on the paradigm of controlled targeted drug delivery (TDD), [...] Read more.

Safe administration of highly cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs is a challenging problem in cancer treatment due to the adverse side effects and collateral damage to non-tumorigenic cells. To mitigate these problems, promising new approaches, based on the paradigm of controlled targeted drug delivery (TDD), and utilizing drug nanocarriers with biorecognition ability to selectively target neoplastic cells, are being considered in cancer therapy. Herein, we report on the design and testing of a nanoparticle-grid based biosensing platform to aid in the development of new targeted drug nanocarriers. The proposed sensor grid consists of superparamagnetic gold-coated core–shell Fe₂Ni@Au nanoparticles, further functionalized with folic acid targeting ligand, model thiolated chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX), and a biocompatibility agent, 3,6-dioxa-octanethiol (DOOT). The employed dual transduction method based on electrochemical and enhanced Raman scattering detection has enabled efficient monitoring of the drug loading onto the nanocarriers, attaching to the sensor surface, as well as the drug release under simulated intracellular conditions. The grid’s nanoparticles serve here as the model nanocarriers for new TDD systems under design and optimization. The superparamagnetic properties of the Fe₂Ni@Au NPs aid in nanoparticles’ handling and constructing a dense sensor grid with high plasmonic enhancement of the Raman signals due to the minimal interparticle distance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Nanoparticle-Based Biosensors)

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16 pages, 2487 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gold Nanostars Bioconjugation for Selective Targeting and SERS Detection of Biofluids

by Caterina Dallari, Claudia Capitini, Martino Calamai, Andrea Trabocchi, Francesco Saverio Pavone and Caterina Credi

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(3), 665; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11030665 - 08 Mar 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3878

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) show physicochemical and optical functionalities that are of great interest for spectroscopy-based detection techniques, and especially for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), which is capable of providing detailed information on the molecular content of analysed samples. Moreover, the introduction of [...] Read more.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) show physicochemical and optical functionalities that are of great interest for spectroscopy-based detection techniques, and especially for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), which is capable of providing detailed information on the molecular content of analysed samples. Moreover, the introduction of different moieties combines the interesting plasmonic properties of the AuNPs with the specific and selective recognition capabilities of the antibodies (Ab) towards antigens. The conjugation of biomolecules to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) has received considerable attention for analysis of liquid samples and in particular biological fluids (biofluids) in clinical diagnostic and therapeutic field. To date, gold nanostars (AuNSts) are gaining more and more attention as optimal enhancers for SERS signals due to the presence of sharp branches protruding from the core, providing a huge number of “hot spots”. To this end, we focused our attention on the design, optimization, and deep characterization of a bottom up-process for (i) AuNPs increasing stabilization in high ionic strength buffer, (ii) covalent conjugation with antibodies, while (iii) retaining the biofunctionality to specific tag analyte within the biofluids. In this work, a SERS-based substrate was developed for the recognition of a short fragment (HA) of the hemagglutinin protein, which is the major viral antigen inducing a neutralizing antibody response. The activity and specific targeting with high selectivity of the Ab-AuNPs was successfully tested in transfected neuroblastoma cells cultures. Then, SERS capabilities were assessed measuring Raman spectra of HA solution, thus opening interesting perspective for the development of novel versatile highly sensitive biofluids sensors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Nanoparticle-Based Biosensors)

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12 pages, 1093 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Gated Resonance Energy Transfer (gRET) Controlled by Programmed Death Protein Ligand 1

by Hubert Grel, Katarzyna Ratajczak, Slawomir Jakiela and Magdalena Stobiecka

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(8), 1592; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano10081592 - 13 Aug 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2556

Abstract

The resonance energy transfer (RET) between an excited fluorescent probe molecule and a plasmonic nanoparticle (AuNP) has been investigated to evaluate the effect of protein molecules on the RET efficiency. We have found that the energy transfer to a functionalized AuNP can be [...] Read more.

The resonance energy transfer (RET) between an excited fluorescent probe molecule and a plasmonic nanoparticle (AuNP) has been investigated to evaluate the effect of protein molecules on the RET efficiency. We have found that the energy transfer to a functionalized AuNP can be modulated by a sub-monolayer film of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) protein. The interactions of PD-L1 with AuNP@Cit involve incorporation of the protein in AuNP shell and formation of a submonolayer adsorption film with voids enabling gated surface plasmon resonance energy transfer (SPRET). A model of the gated-RET system based on the protein size, estimated using Fisher–Polikarpov–Craievich density approximation, has been developed and can be utilized for other proteins, with minimum data requirement, as well. The value of the equilibrium constant K_L determined for the Langmuir isotherm is high: K_L = 1.27 × 10⁸ M⁻¹, enabling highly sensitive control of the gated-RET by PD-L1. Thus, with the gated-RET technique, one can determine PD-L1 within the dynamic range, extending from 1.2 to 50 nM. Moreover, we have found that the Gibbs free energy for PD-L1 binding to AuNP@Cit is −46.26 kJ/mol (−11.05 kcal/mol), indicating a strong adsorption with supramolecular interactions. The proposed gated-RET system, with the fluorescence intensity of the fluorophore probe molecule modulated by plasmonic quenching with AuNP and shielding of energy transfer by the adsorbed PD-L1 can be further developed for determination of PD-L1 in pharmaceutical formulations for immune checkpoint control in cancer therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Nanoparticle-Based Biosensors)

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11 pages, 4849 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Detection of C-Reactive Protein Using Histag-HRP Functionalized Nanoconjugate with Signal Amplified Immunoassay

by Mohd Farhan Siddiqui, Zeeshan Ahmad Khan and Seungkyung Park

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(6), 1240; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano10061240 - 26 Jun 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3548

Abstract

Ultrasensitive detection of biomarkers is highly significant for disease prognosis and public health treatment. Despite wide acceptance in routine laboratory tests, the conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been of limited use for early biomarker detection due to insufficient sensitivity and multiple long [...] Read more.

Ultrasensitive detection of biomarkers is highly significant for disease prognosis and public health treatment. Despite wide acceptance in routine laboratory tests, the conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been of limited use for early biomarker detection due to insufficient sensitivity and multiple long incubation time. Several nanoprobes have been introduced to circumvent the limitation, however, rapid, simple, and chemical-free nanoprobe synthesis and sensitive detection methods, particularly for ELISA, are still lacking. In this study, we have synthesized a gold nanoprobe, conjugated with multiple 6X-histidine (6X-his) peptide and nickel-horseradish peroxidase (Ni²⁺-HRP), for enhancing the colorimetric signal in ELISA. The developed nanoprobe has been tested for the detection of immunologically significant C-reactive protein (CRP) in ELISA format. The performance of designed probe is validated by testing standard and serum samples, and the detection limit of 32.0 pg/mL with R² = 0.98 is confirmed. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the developed nanoprobe was performed with ELISA developed on conventional guidelines, the proposed immunoassay showed an increase of 12-fold sensitivity for detecting CRP due to the high loading of 6Xhis peptide and binding of multiple Ni²⁺-HRP on a gold nanoparticle. Additionally, the proposed assay provides a simple, fast, and cost-efficient (not requiring multiple antibodies) detection of CRP with easy nanoprobe synthesis. Moreover, the developed Histag-HRP functionalized nanoconjugate immunoassay is flexible and can be applied to other biomarkers efficiently by using disease specific antibody. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Nanoparticle-Based Biosensors)

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14 pages, 4544 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Highly Sensitive and Selective Colorimetric Detection of Creatinine Based on Synergistic Effect of PEG/Hg²⁺–AuNPs

by Yunxia Xia, Chenxue Zhu, Jie Bian, Yuxi Li, Xunyong Liu and Yi Liu

Nanomaterials 2019, 9(10), 1424; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano9101424 - 08 Oct 2019

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3177

Abstract

A colorimetric sensor, based on the synergistic coordination effect on a gold nanoparticle (AuNP) platform has been developed for the determination of creatinine. The sensor selects citrate stabilized AuNPs as a platform, polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a decorator, and Hg²⁺ as a [...] Read more.

A colorimetric sensor, based on the synergistic coordination effect on a gold nanoparticle (AuNP) platform has been developed for the determination of creatinine. The sensor selects citrate stabilized AuNPs as a platform, polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a decorator, and Hg²⁺ as a linkage to form a colorimetric probe system (PEG/Hg²⁻–AuNPs). By forming hydrogen bond between the oxygen-containing functional groups of PEG and citrate ions on the surface of AuNPs, this probe shows good stability. PEG coordinated with Hg²⁺ synergistically and specifically on the surface of dispersed AuNPs, and the existence of creatinine could induce the aggregation of AuNPs with a corresponding color change and an obvious absorption peak shift within 5 min. This PEG/Hg²⁺–AuNPs probe towards creatinine shows high sensitivity, and a good linear relationship (R² = 0.9948) was obtained between A_{620–522 nm} and creatinine concentration, which can achieve the quantitative calculations of creatinine. The limit of detection (LOD) of this PEG/Hg2+–AuNPs probe was estimated to be 9.68 nM, lower than that of many other reported methods. Importantly, the sensitive probe can be successfully applied in a urine simulating fluid sample and a bovine serum sample. The unique synergistic coordination sensing mechanism applied in the designation of this probe further improves its high selectivity and specificity for the detection of creatinine. Thus, the proposed probe may give new inspirations for colorimetric detection of creatinine and other biomolecules. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Nanoparticle-Based Biosensors)

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12 pages, 6861 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optical Detection of Denatured Ferritin Protein via Plasmonic Gold Nanoparticles Exposure through Aminosilane Solution

by Monique J. Farrell, Robert J. Reaume, Erin A. Jenrette, Jasmine Flowers, Kevin C. Santiago, Kyo D. Song and Aswini K. Pradhan

Nanomaterials 2019, 9(10), 1417; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano9101417 - 04 Oct 2019

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3417

Abstract

The presence of denatured proteins within a therapeutic drug product can create a series of serious adverse effects, such as mild irritation, immunogenicity, anaphylaxis, or instant death to a patient. The detection of protein degradation is complicated and expensive due to current methods [...] Read more.

The presence of denatured proteins within a therapeutic drug product can create a series of serious adverse effects, such as mild irritation, immunogenicity, anaphylaxis, or instant death to a patient. The detection of protein degradation is complicated and expensive due to current methods associated with expensive instrumentation, reagents, and processing time. We have demonstrated here a platform for visual biosensing of denatured proteins that is fast, low cost, sensitive, and user friendly by exploiting the plasmonic properties of noble metal nanoparticles. In this study we have exposed artificially heat stressed ferritin and gold nanoparticles to 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane, which degrades the protein by showing a systematic blue shift in the absorbance spectra of the gold nanoparticle/ferritin and aminosilane solution. This blue shift in absorbance produces a detectable visual color transition from a blue color to a purple hue. By studying the Raman spectroscopy of the gold nanoparticle/ferritin and aminosilane solution, the extent of ferritin degradation was quantified. The degradation of ferritin was again confirmed using dynamic light scattering and was attributed to the aggregation of the ferritin due to accelerated heat stress. We have successfully demonstrated a proof of concept for visually detecting ferritin from horse spleen that has experienced various levels of degradation, including due to heat stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Nanoparticle-Based Biosensors)

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Review

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32 pages, 7946 KiB

Open AccessReview

Advances in Gold Nanoparticles-Based Colorimetric Aptasensors for the Detection of Antibiotics: An Overview of the Past Decade

by Qurat ul Ain Zahra, Zhaofeng Luo, Rizwan Ali, Muhammad Imran Khan, Fenfen Li and Bensheng Qiu

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(4), 840; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11040840 - 25 Mar 2021

Cited by 57 | Viewed by 6093

Abstract

Misuse of antibiotics has recently been considered a global issue because of its harmful effects on human health. Since conventional methods have numerous limitations, it is necessary to develop fast, simple, sensitive, and reproducible methods for the detection of antibiotics. Among numerous recently [...] Read more.

Misuse of antibiotics has recently been considered a global issue because of its harmful effects on human health. Since conventional methods have numerous limitations, it is necessary to develop fast, simple, sensitive, and reproducible methods for the detection of antibiotics. Among numerous recently developed methods, aptasensors are fascinating because of their good specificity, sensitivity and selectivity. These kinds of biosensors combining aptamer with colorimetric applications of gold nanoparticles to recognize small molecules are becoming more popular owing to their advantageous features, for example, low cost, ease of use, on-site analysis ability using naked eye and no prerequisite for modern equipment. In this review, we have highlighted the recent advances and working principle of gold nanoparticles based colorimetric aptasensors as promising methods for antibiotics detection in different food and environmental samples (2011–2020). Furthermore, possible advantages and disadvantages have also been summarized for these methods. Finally, the recent challenges, outlook, and promising future perspectives for developing novel aptasensors are also considered. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Nanoparticle-Based Biosensors)

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