Wash-free magnetic oligonucleotide probes-based NMR sensor for detecting the Hg ion

An easily applied and sensitive sensor for the detection of heavy metal ion residues based entirely on magnetic nanoparticle and oligonucleotide was developed. The tool is established on the relaxation of magnetic nanoparticles with different dispersion states. The target analyte, Hg ions, induce the aggregation of the MNP oligonucleotide probes. Accordingly, the light produced by the magnetic relaxation image and the transverse relaxation time (T(2)) all change due to the effect of the aggregation. The limit of qualitative detection of the sensor is 0.15 ppt. The recoveries from test samples range between 97.1-101.8%. Using the nuclear resonance instrument, the method is a high throughput and sensitive sensor.     

Progresses of Magnetic Relaxation Switch Sensor in Medical Diagnosis and Food Safety Analysis

Fast and accurate detection of complex samples in either medical diagnosis or food safety analysis are of great significance for the safeguarding of human health. Magnetic relaxation switches (MRS) technique based on superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SMP) is the combination of nano-biotechnology, nuclear magnetic resonance, chemistry and immunoassay. MRS assay has the characteristics of high sensitivity and specificity, as well as nondestructive and time-saving, and can be used in turbid complex samples. In this paper, with a brief discussion about the detection theory of superparamagnetic nanosensor, the target type, structural characteristics, limit of detection, state of magnetic nanoparticles and the change of T₂ value of MRS were reviewed. The research progresses of magnetic relaxation switch sensor in medical diagnosis of different biomarkers and the analysis of food hazard factor were also summarized. Accordingly, future research targets from three aspects, e.g., preparation and modification of magnetic nanoparticles, the improvement of detection sensitivity and construction of high flux magnetic relaxation switch sensor, were put forward.     

Downhill protein folding modules as scaffolds for broad-range ultrafast biosensors

Conformational switches are macromolecules that toggle between two states (active/inactive or folded/unfolded) upon specific binding to a target molecule. These molecular devices provide an excellent scaffold for developing real-time biosensors. Here we take this concept one step beyond to build high-performance conformational rheostat sensors. The rationale is to develop sensors with expanded dynamic range and faster response time by coupling a given signal to the continuous (rather than binary) unfolding process of one-state downhill folding protein modules. As proof of concept we investigate the pH and ionic-strength sensing capabilities of the small α-helical protein BBL. Our results reveal that such a pH/ionic-strength sensor exhibits a linear response over 4 orders of magnitude in analyte concentration, compared to the 2 orders of magnitude for switches, and nearly concentration-independent microsecond response times.     

Water-soluble magnetic CoO nanocrystals functionalized with surfactants as T2-weighed MRI contrast agents in vitro

CoO nanocrystals (CoO NCs) were synthesized by thermal decomposition of the cobalt-oleate complex. For biological applications, water-soluble CoO NCs were obtained via a facile phase-transfer method by employing amphiphilic surfactants, such as anionic (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS), neutral (Pluronic F127, PF127) and cationic (cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide, CTAB). Field-dependent magnetization measurements indicated that the type of surfactants around the CoO NCs plays a crucial role in their magnetic properties. Among them, CoO NCs functionalized with PF127 have the largest saturated magnetization (M(s)) of 10.9 emu g(-1). To clarify the potential application in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), longitudinal relaxivities (r(1)) and transverse relaxivities (r(2)) of the functionalized CoO NCs were investigated in detail. The r(2)/r(1) of CoO NCs functionalized with PF127 is about 26. Therefore, they should be novel excellent potential T(2) contrast agents. Furthermore, methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assays show that they have low cytotoxicity in living cells. In vitro experiment results indicated that they can be taken up by living cells effectively, showing the obvious decrease of the transverse relaxation time T(2) after internalization.     

DNA-based magnetic nanoparticle assembly acts as a magnetic relaxation nanoswitch allowing screening of DNA-cleaving agents

Monodisperse magnetic nanoparticles conjugated with complementary oligonucleotide sequences self-assemble into stable magnetic nanoassemblies resulting in a decrease of the spin-spin relaxation times (T2) of neighboring water protons. When these nanoassemblies are treated with a DNA cleaving agent, the nanoparticles become dispersed, switching the T2 of the solution back to original values. These qualities render the developed nanoparticles and their nanoassemblies as magnetic relaxation switches capable of screening for DNA-cleaving compounds by magnetic resonance methods such as MRI and NMR.     

Hydrogen switches and sensors fabricated by combining electropolymerization and Pd electrodeposition at microgap electrodes

Here we describe a simple electrochemical approach to fabricate devices which behave as hydrogen sensors and switches. Devices fabricated by the electrodeposition of Pd directly across a 5 microm gap interdigitated array (IDA) of gold electrodes behaved as "hydrogen sensors". These devices had initial currents on the 10(-3) A level at -0.3 V and exhibited fast and reversible decreases in current in the presence of H(2) concentrations in a N(2) carrier gas with an average detection limit of 400 ppm. The current decrease is due to the formation of the more resistive PdH(x) in the presence of H(2). Devices fabricated by polyphenol electropolymerization on one set of electrodes and Pd electrodeposition on the other set behaved as "hydrogen switches". These devices displayed very low baseline currents of 10-100 pA at -0.3 V due to the presence of polphenol in the Electrode1/Pd/Polyphenol/Electrode 2 junction, and the current increased a remarkable 7-8 orders of magnitude in the presence of > or = 1.0% H(2) due to volume expansion upon PdH(x) formation, which leads to a direct connection between Pd (as PdH(x)) and Electrode 2 through the porous 4-10 nm thick polyphenol insulating film. The response and recovery time for the "hydrogen sensor" ranged from 20 to 60 s while that for the "hydrogen switch" ranged from 10 to >100 s. The response and recovery time generally decreased for the "hydrogen switch" as the number of polyphenol electrochemical cycles decreased.     

Immobilized DNA switches as electronic sensors for picomolar detection of plasma proteins

The sensing principle of a new class of DNA conformational switches (deoxyribosensors) is based on the incorporation of an aptamer as the receptor, whose altered conformation upon analyte binding switches on the conductivity of an adjacent helical conduction path, leading to an increase in the measured electrical signal through the sensor. We report herein the rational design and biochemical testing of candidate deoxyribosensors for the detection and quantitation of a plasma protein, thrombin, followed by surface immobilization of the optimized sensor and its electrochemical testing in both a near-physiological buffer solution and in diluted blood serum. The very high detection sensitivity (in the picomolar range) and specificity, as well as the adaptability of deoxyribosensors for the detection of diverse molecular analytes both small and macromolecular, make this novel sensing methodology an extremely promising one. Such synthetic and robust DNA-based electronic sensors should find broad application in the rapid, miniaturized, and automated on-chip detection of many biomedically relevant substances (such as metabolites, toxins, and disease and tumor markers) as well as of environmental contaminants.     

Single-use phosphorimetric sensor for the determination of nalidixic acid in human urine and milk

A single-use phosphorimetric sensor to determine the germicide nalidixic acid is proposed. The sensing action is based on the absorption of the analyte into the sensing zone and the subsequent measurement of the phosphorescence intensity emitted by the analyte fixed in the sensor. This plane drop sensor is made up of a 3 x 1.6 cm sheet of the polyester Mylar as solid support, and a circular film 5 mm in diameter and 20 microns in thickness, formed by poly(vinyl chloride) and tributyl phosphate as the plasticizer, adhered to its surface. The sensor is introduced for 2 h into the sample solution, after which it is dried and the phosphorescence intensity is measured directly at lambda ex = 332 nm, lambda em = 412 nm, with a delay time of 0.15 ms and a gate time of 10 ms, under a dry nitrogen stream. The characteristic parameters of the construction of the sensing zone and of the processes of fixing the analyte along with the emission of phosphorescence were studied. The applicable concentration range was from 60 to 1500 ng ml-1, with a detection limit of 20 ng ml-1 and a precision of 2% expressed as relative standard deviation. The method was applied to the determination of nalidixic acid in milk and human urine with recoveries ranging between 96.0 and 103.7%. The calibration process was carried out by applying a mathematical method of finite elements that expresses the analytical signal as a function of the analyte concentration and equilibration time between the sensor and the sample solution.     

Optical sensing systems for microfluidic devices: a review

This review deals with the application of optical sensing systems for microfluidic devices. In the “off-chip approach” macro-scale optical infrastructure is coupled, while the “on-chip approach” comprises the integration of micro-optical functions into microfluidic devices. The current progress of the use of both optical sensing approaches in microfluidic devices, as well as its applications is described. In all cases, sensor size and shape profoundly affect the detection limits, due to analyte transport limitation, not to signal transduction limitation. The micro- or nanoscale sensors are limited to picomolar-order detection for practical time scales. The review concludes with an assessment of future directions of optical sensing systems for integrated microfluidic devices.     

Acoustic Wave Mass Sensors

The application of acoustic wave microsensors for mass sensing will be reviewed with focus on the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices. The use of QCM and SAW devices in chemical sensing as well as in the determination of solid and liquid properties will be described. In chemical sensing, it is unlikely that a single sensor with a single coating will display a selective and reversible response to a given analyte in a mixture. Alternative strategies such as the use of sensor arrays and the use of sampling devices can be used to improve performance. QCM sensors (QCMs) will oscillate under liquids; their use in under-liquid sensing will be discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The assembly state between magnetic nanosensors and their targets orchestrates their magnetic relaxation response

The target-induced clustering of magnetic nanoparticles is typically used for the identification of clinically relevant targets and events. A decrease in the water proton transverse NMR relaxation time, or T(2), is observed upon clustering, allowing the sensitive and accurate detection of target molecules. We have discovered a new mechanistically unique nanoparticle-target interaction resulting in a T(2) increase and demonstrate herein that this increase, and its associated r(2) relaxivity decrease, are also observed upon the interaction of the nanoparticles with ligands or molecular entities. Small molecules, proteins, and a 15-bp nucleic acid sequence were chemically conjugated to polyacrylic-acid-coated iron oxide nanoparticles, and all decreased the original nanoparticle r(2) value. Further experiments established that the r(2) decrease was inversely proportional to the number of ligands bound to the nanoparticle and the molecular weight of the bound ligand. Additional experiments revealed that the T(2)-increasing mechanism was kinetically faster than the conventional clustering mechanism. Most importantly, under conditions that result in T(2) increases, as little as 5.3 fmol of Bacillus anthracis plasmid DNA (pX01 and pX02), 8 pmol of the cholera toxin B subunit (Ctb), and even a few cancer cells in blood were detected. Transition from the binding to the clustering mechanism was observed in the carbohydrate-, Ctb-, and DNA-sensing systems, simply by increasing the target concentration significantly above the nanoparticle concentration, or using Ctb in its pentameric form as opposed to its monomer. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the molecular architectures resulting from the interaction between magnetic nanosensors and their targets directly govern water proton NMR relaxation. We attribute the observed T(2) increases to the bound target molecules partially obstructing the diffusion of solvent water molecules through the superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles' outer relaxation spheres. Finally, we anticipate that this novel interaction can be incorporated into new clinical and field detection applications, due to its faster kinetics relative to the conventional nanoparticle-clustering assays.     

Reversible solvatomagnetic switching in a spongelike manganese(II)-copper(II) 3D open framework with a pillared square/octagonal layer architecture

The concept of "molecular magnetic sponges" was introduced for the first time in 1999 by the creative imagination of the late Olivier Kahn. It refers to the exotic spongelike behavior of certain molecule-based materials that undergo a dramatic change of their magnetic properties upon reversible dehydration/rehydration processes. Here we report a unique example of a manganese(II)-copper(II) mixed-metal-organic framework of formula [Na(H(2)O)(4)](4)[Mn(4){Cu(2)(mpba)(2)(H(2)O)(4)}(3)]·56.5H(2)O (1) (mpba=N,N'-1,3-phenylenebis(oxamate)). Compound 1 possesses a 3D Mn(II)(4)Cu(II)(6) pillared layer structure with mixed square and octagonal pores of approximate dimensions 1.2×1.2 nm and 2.1×3.0 nm, respectively, hosting a large amount of crystallization H(2)O molecules and hydrated Na(I) countercations as guests. It reversibly switches from a crystalline hydrated phase with long-range ferromagnetic ordering at a rather high critical temperature (T(c)) of 22.5 K to an amorphous dehydrated phase with T(c) as low as 2.3 K, which is accompanied by a breathing-type dynamic effect involving a large crystal volume (ca. 45%) and color changes after water desorption/adsorption. The combination of both the open-framework structure and the spongelike optical, mechanical, and magnetic switching behavior in this new class of oxamato-based porous magnets offers fascinating possibilities in designing multifunctional materials for host-guest molecular sensing.     

Protein biosensors based on biofunctionalized conical gold nanotubes

There is increasing interest in the concept of using nanopores as the sensing elements in biosensors. The nanopore most often used is the alpha-hemolysin protein channel, and the sensor consists of a single channel embedded within a lipid bilayer membrane. An ionic current is passed through the channel, and analyte species are detected as transient blocks in this current associated with translocation of the analyte through the channel-stochastic sensing. While this is an extremely promising sensing paradigm, it would be advantageous to eliminate the very fragile lipid bilayer membrane and perhaps to replace the biological nanopore with an abiotic equivalent. We describe here a new family of protein biosensors that are based on conically shaped gold nanotubes embedded within a mechanical and chemically robust polymeric membrane. While these sensors also function by passing an ion current through the nanotube, the sensing paradigm is different from the previous devices in that a transient change in the current is not observed. Instead, the protein analyte binds to a biochemical molecular-recognition agent at the mouth of the conical nanotube, resulting in complete blockage of the ion current. Three different molecular-recognition agents, and correspondingly three different protein analytes, were investigated: (i) biotin/streptavidin, (ii) protein-G/immunoglobulin, and (iii) an antibody to the protein ricin with ricin as the analyte.     

A highly selective magnetic sensor with functionalized Fe/Fe3O4 nanoparticles for detection of Pb2+

A magnetic sensor for detection of Pb~(2+) has been developed based on Fe/Fe_3O_4 nanoparticles modified by3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid(DHCA). The carboxyl groups of DHCA have a strong affinity to coordination behavior of Pb~(2+) thus inducing the transformation of Fe/Fe_3O_4 nanoparticles from a dispersed to an aggregated state with a corresponding decrease, then increase in transverse relaxation time(T_2) of the surrounding water protons. Upon addition of the different concentrations of Pb~(2+) to an aq. solution of DHCA functionalized Fe/Fe_3O_4 nanoparticles(DHCA-Fe/Fe_3O_4 NPs)([Fe] = 90 mmol/L), the change of T_2 values display a good linear relationship with the concentration of Pb~(2+) from 40 μmol/L to 100 μmol/L and from 130 μmol/L to 200 μmol/L, respectively. Owing to the especially strong interaction between DHCA and Pb~(2+), DHCA-Fe/Fe_3O_4 NPs exhibited a high selectivity over other metal ions.     

Magnetic-Field-Dependent Electronic Relaxation of Gd3+ in Aqueous Solutions of the Complexes [Gd(H2O)8]3+, [Gd(propane-1,3-diamine-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetate)(H2O)2]−, and [Gd(N,N′-bis[(N-methylcarbamoyl)methyl]-3-azapentane-1,5-diamine-3,N,N′-triacetate)(H2O)] of interest in magnetic-resonance imaging

EPR Spectra have been measured for aqueous solutions of a series of Gd³⁺ complexes at variable temperature and a range of magnetic fields; S-band (0.14 T), X-band (0.34 T), Q-band (1.2 T), and 2-mm-band (5.0 T). The major contribution to the observed line widths is magnetic-field-dependent and is interpreted as being due to the modulation of the zero-field splitting produced by distortion of the complexes from perfect symmetry. The transverse and longitudinal relaxation matrices for an ⁸S ion with such an interaction have been calculated using Redfield theory with vector-coupling methods, and diagonalised numerically to obtain relaxation rates and intensities for the degenerate transitions which contribute to the multiplet. The observed line width, which is inversely proportional to the magnetic field at low temperatures, is best described by the intensity-weighted mean transverse relaxation time for the four transitions with non-zero intensity. A least-squares fit of the data yields the square of the zero-field splitting tensor, Δ², and a correlation time, τ_v, with activation energy, E_v. The physical significance of these parameters and the extent of validity of the theoretical approach are considered. The parameters are used to predict the magnetic-field dependence of the longitudinal and transverse electronic relaxation times, which are discussed in the context of their relevance to ¹H-NMR relaxivity.     

Selective coordination and localized polarization in graphene quantum dots: Detection of fluoride anions using ultra-low-field NMR relaxometry

The development of ultra-sensitive methods for detecting anions is limited by their low charge to radius ratios, microenvironment sensitivity, and pH sensitivity. In this paper, a magnetic sensor is devised that exploits the controllable and selective coordination that occurs between a magnetic graphene quantum dot (GQD) and fluoride anion (F^–). The sensor is used to measure the change in relaxation time of aqueous solutions of magnetic GQDs in the presence of F^‒ using ultra-low-field (118 µT) nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry. The method was optimized to produce a limit of detection of 10 nmol/L and then applied to quantitatively detect F^– in domestic water samples. More importantly, the key factors responsible for the change in relaxation time of the magnetic GQDs in the presence of F^‒ are revealed to be the selective coordination that occurs between the GQDs and F^‒ as well as the localized polarization of the water protons. This striking finding is not only significant for the development of other magnetic probes for sensing anions but also has important ramifications for the design of contrast agents with enhanced relaxivity for use in magnetic resonance imaging.     

Survey on mass determination with oscillating systems: Part III. Acoustic wave mass sensors for chemical and biological sensing

We will review the application of acoustic wave mass sensors in chemical and biological sensing with focus on quartz crystal microbalance and surface acoustic wave devices. In chemical sensing, it is unlikely that a single sensor will display a selective and reversible response to a given analyte in a mixture. Alternative strategies such as use of sensor arrays and sampling devices will be discussed to improve performance. We will also discuss applications of quartz crystal microbalance as biosensor in the liquid phase.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Exploration of continuous-flow benchtop NMR acquisition parameters and considerations for reaction monitoring

This study focused on fundamental data acquisition parameter selection for a benchtop nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system with continuous flow, applicable for reaction monitoring. The effect of flow rate on the mixing behaviors within a flow cell was observed, along with an exponential decay relationship between flow rate and the apparent spin–lattice relaxation time (T1*) of benzaldehyde. We also monitored sensitivity (as determined by signal-to-noise ratios; SNRs) under various flow rates, analyte concentrations, and temperatures of the analyte flask. Results suggest that a maximum SNR can be achieved with low to medium flow rates and higher analyte concentrations. This was consistent with data collected with parameters that promote either slow or fast data acquisition. We further consider the effect of these conditions on the analyte's residence time, T1*, and magnetic field inhomogeneity that is a product of continuous flow. Altogether, our results demonstrate how fundamental acquisition parameters can be manipulated to achieve optimal data acquisition in continuous-flow NMR systems.     

低场核磁共振法对油基钻井液乳状液乳滴稳定性的研究

采用低场核磁共振技术,针对油基钻井液油包水型乳状液乳滴的稳定性进行研究。引入弛豫试剂Mn Cl2·4H2O对W/Q型乳状液的T2分布曲线进行定性分析,位于10~1 000 ms之间的弛豫峰对应于中度可自由移动水和白油弛豫峰的叠合峰,定义为乳状液弛豫峰;1 000~10 000 ms之间的峰为高度可自由移动水的弛豫峰。基于此,以弛豫峰峰形为定性指标,弛豫峰面积比率和弛豫峰间距为定量指标,针对弛豫试剂、油水比和老化温度等因素对乳状液横向弛豫时间T2分布曲线的影响进行了分析,进而深入研究了其对油基钻井液乳状液乳滴稳定性的影响。还将低场核磁共振分析技术运用于油基钻井液乳状液体系相对含油率的测量。结果表明,低场核磁共振是一种高效、快捷、准确反映油基钻井液乳状液稳定性的分析测试技术,同时,还可用于油基钻井液乳状液或原油相对含油率的测量。     

The interaction of MS-325 with human serum albumin and its effect on proton relaxation rates

MS-325 is a novel blood pool contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging currently undergoing clinical trials to assess blockage in arteries. MS-325 functions by binding to human serum albumin (HSA) in plasma. Binding to HSA serves to prolong plasma half-life, retain the agent in the blood pool, and increase the relaxation rate of water protons in plasma. Ultrafiltration studies with a 5 kDa molecular weight cutoff filter show that MS-325 binds to HSA with stepwise stoichiometric affinity constants (mM(-1)) of K(a1) = 11.0 +/- 2.7, K(a2) = 0.84 +/- 0.16, K(a3) = 0.26 +/- 0.14, and K(a4) = 0.43 +/- 0.24. Under the conditions 0.1 mM MS-325, 4.5% HSA, pH 7.4 (phosphate-buffered saline), and 37 degrees C, 88 +/- 2% of MS-325 is bound to albumin. Fluorescent probe displacement studies show that MS-325 can displace dansyl sarcosine and dansyl-L-asparagine from HSA with inhibition constants (K(i)) of 85 +/- 3 microM and 1500 +/- 850 microM, respectively; however, MS-325 is unable to displace warfarin. These results suggest that MS-325 binds primarily to site II on HSA. The relaxivity of MS-325 when bound to HSA is shown to be site dependent. The Eu(III) analogue of MS-325 is shown to contain one inner-sphere water molecule in the presence and in the absence of HSA. The synthesis of an MS-325 analogue, 5, containing no inner-sphere water molecules is described. Compound 5 is used to estimate the contribution to relaxivity from the outer-sphere water molecules surrounding MS-325. The high relaxivity of MS-325 bound to HSA is primarily because of a 60-100-fold increase in the rotational correlation time of the molecule upon binding (tau(R) = 10.1 +/- 2.6 ns bound vs 115 ps free). Analysis of the nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (T(1) and T(2)) profiles also suggests a decrease in the electronic relaxation rate (1/T(1e) at 20 MHz = 2.0 x 10(8) s(-1) bound vs 1.1 x 10(9) s(-1) free) and an increase in the inner-sphere water residency time (tau(m) = 170 +/- 40 ns bound vs 69 +/- 20 ns free).