On-chip multiplexed solid-phase nucleic acid hybridization assay using spatial profiles of immobilized quantum dots and fluorescence resonance energy transfer

A microfluidic based solid-phase assay for the multiplexed detection of nucleic acid hybridization using quantum dot (QD) mediated fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) is described herein. The glass surface of hybrid glass-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic channels was chemically modified to assemble the biorecognition interface. Multiplexing was demonstrated using a detection system that was comprised of two colors of immobilized semi-conductor QDs and two different oligonucleotide probe sequences. Green-emitting and red-emitting QDs were paired with Cy3 and Alexa Fluor 647 (A647) labeled oligonucleotides, respectively. The QDs served as energy donors for the transduction of dye labeled oligonucleotide targets. The in-channel assembly of the biorecognition interface and the subsequent introduction of oligonucleotide targets was accomplished within minutes using a combination of electroosmotic flow and electrophoretic force. The concurrent quantification of femtomole quantities of two target sequences was possible by measuring the spatial coverage of FRET sensitized emission along the length of the channel. In previous reports, multiplexed QD-FRET hybridization assays that employed a ratiometric method for quantification had challenges associated with lower analytical sensitivity arising from both donor and acceptor dilution that resulted in reduced energy transfer pathways as compared to single-color hybridization assays. Herein, a spatial method for quantification that is based on in-channel QD-FRET profiles provided higher analytical sensitivity in the multiplexed assay format as compared to single-color hybridization assays. The selectivity of the multiplexed hybridization assays was demonstrated by discrimination between a fully-complementary sequence and a 3 base pair sequence at a contrast ratio of 8 to 1.     

Ratiometric fluorescence transduction by hybridization after isothermal amplification for determination of zeptomole quantities of oligonucleotide biomarkers with a paper-based platform and camera-based detection

Paper is a promising platform for the development of decentralized diagnostic assays owing to the low cost and ease of use of paper-based analytical devices (PADs). It can be challenging to detect on PADs very low concentrations of nucleic acid biomarkers of lengths as used in clinical assays. Herein we report the use of thermophilic helicase-dependent amplification (tHDA) in combination with a paper-based platform for fluorescence detection of probe-target hybridization. Paper substrates were patterned using wax printing. The cellulosic fibers were chemically derivatized with imidazole groups for the assembly of the transduction interface that consisted of immobilized quantum dot (QD)–probe oligonucleotide conjugates. Green-emitting QDs (gQDs) served as donors with Cy3 as the acceptor dye in a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based transduction method. After probe-target hybridization, a further hybridization event with a reporter sequence brought the Cy3 acceptor dye in close proximity to the surface of immobilized gQDs, triggering a FRET sensitized emission that served as an analytical signal. Ratiometric detection was evaluated using both an epifluorescence microscope and a low-cost iPad camera as detectors. Addition of the tHDA method for target amplification to produce sequences of ∼100 base length allowed for the detection of zmol quantities of nucleic acid targets using the two detection platforms. The ratiometric QD-FRET transduction method not only offered improved assay precision, but also lowered the limit of detection of the assay when compared with the non-ratiometric QD-FRET transduction method. The selectivity of the hybridization assays was demonstrated by the detection of single nucleotide polymorphism.     

A dual-color flow cytometry protocol for the simultaneous detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Salmonella typhimurium using aptamer conjugated quantum dots as labels

A sensitive, specific method for the collection and detection of pathogenic bacteria was demonstrated using quantum dots (QDs) as a fluorescence marker coupled with aptamers as the molecular recognition element by flow cytometry. The aptamer sequences were selected using a bacterium-based SELEX strategy in our laboratory for Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Salmonella typhimurium that, when applied in this method, allows for the specific recognition of the bacteria from complex mixtures including shrimp samples. Aptamer-modified QDs (QD-apt) were employed to selectively capture and simultaneously detect the target bacteria with high sensitivity using the fluorescence of the labeled QDs. The signal intensity is amplified due to the high photostability of QDs nanoparticles, resulting in improved sensitivity over methods using individual dye-labeled probes. This proposed method is promising for the sensitive detection of other pathogenic bacteria in food stuff if suitable aptamers are chosen. The method may also provide another potential platform for the application of aptamer-conjugated QDs in flow cytometry.     

Single domain antibody–quantum dot conjugates for ricin detection by both fluoroimmunoassay and surface plasmon resonance

The combination of stable biorecognition elements and robust quantum dots (QDs) has the potential to yield highly effective reporters for bioanalyses. Llama-derived single domain antibodies (sdAb) provide small thermostable recognition elements that can be easily manipulated using standard DNA methods. The sdAb was self-assembled on dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) ligand-capped CdSe–ZnS core–shell QDs made in our laboratory through the polyhistidine tail of the protein, which coordinated to zinc ions on the QD surface. The sdAb–QD bioconjugates were then applied in both fluorometric and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) immunoassays for the detection of ricin, a potential biothreat agent. The sdAb–QD conjugates functioned in fluoroimmunoassays for the detection of ricin, providing equivalent limits of detection when compared to the same anti-ricin sdAb labeled with a conventional fluorophore. In addition, the DHLA-QD–sdAb conjugates were very effective reporter elements in SPR sandwich assays, providing more sensitive detection with a signal enhancement of ∼10-fold over sdAb reporters and 2–4 fold over full sized antibody reporters. Commercially prepared streptavidin-modified polymer-coated QDs also amplified the SPR signal for the detection of ricin when applied to locations where biotinylated anti-ricin sdAb was bound to target; however, we observed a 4-fold greater amplification when using the DHLA-QD–sdAb conjugates in this format.     

Influence of quantum dot's quantum yield to chemiluminescent resonance energy transfer

The resonance energy transfer between chemiluminescence donor (luminol-H₂O₂ system) and quantum dots (QDs, emission at 593 nm) acceptors (CRET) was investigated. The resonance energy transfer efficiencies were compared while the oil soluble QDs, water soluble QDs (modified with thioglycolate) and QD-HRP conjugates were used as acceptor. The fluorescence of QD can be observed in the three cases, indicating that the CRET occurs while QD acceptor in different status was used. The highest CRET efficiency (10.7%) was obtained in the case of oil soluble QDs, and the lowest CRET efficiency (2.7%) was observed in the QD-HRP conjugates case. This result is coincident with the quantum yields of the acceptors (18.3% and 0.4%). The same result was observed in another similar set of experiment, in which the amphiphilic polymer modified QDs (emission at 675 nm) were used. It suggests that the quantum yield of the QD in different status is the crucial factor to the CRET efficiency. Furthermore, the multiplexed CRET between luminol donor and three different sizes QD acceptors was observed simultaneously. This work will offer useful support for improving the CRET studies based on quantum dots.     

A competitive displacement assay with quantum dots as fluorescence resonance energy transfer donors

The unique optoelectronic properties of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) make them well-suited as fluorescent bioprobes for use in various biological applications. Modification of CdSe/ZnS QDs with biologically relevant molecules provides for multipotent probes that can be used for cellular labeling, bioassays, and localized optical interrogation by means of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Herein, we demonstrate the use of red-emitting streptavidin-coated QDs (QD₆₀₅) as donors in FRET to introduce a competitive displacement-based assay for the detection of oligonucleotides. Various QD–DNA bioconjugates featuring 25-mer probe sequences diagnostic of Hsp23 were prepared. The single-stranded oligonucleotide probes were hybridized to dye-labeled (Alexa Fluor 647) reporter sequences, which were provided for a FRET-sensitized emission signal due to proximity of the QD and dye. The dye-labeled sequence was designed to be partially complementary and include base-pair mismatches to facilitate displacement by a more energetically favorable, fully complementary recognition motif embedded within a 98-mer displacer sequence. Overall, this study demonstrates proof-of-concept at the nM level for competitive displacement hybridization assays in vitro by reduction of fluorescence intensity that directly correlates to the presence of oligonucleotides of interest. This work demonstrates an analytical method that could potentially be implemented for monitoring of intracellular gene expression in the future.     

The photophysical studies of a mixture of CdTe quantum dots and negatively charged zinc phthalocyanines

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) studies were carried out with quantum dots capped with thioglycolic acid (TGA) and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) and negatively charged phthalocyanines {Zn tetracarboxy (ZnTCPc), Zn octacarboxy (ZnOCPc) and Zn tetrasulfo (ZnTSPc) phthalocyinines} in a 0.1 NaOH:EtOH (50:50) solvent mixture. The best overlap between emission spectra of the donor (QDs) and the absorption spectra of the acceptor (ZnPc derivatives) was observed for TGA capped QDs, very little overlap was obtained for 2-ME QDs. ZnTSPc gave the highest FRET efficiency (0.3), with ZnOCPc and ZnTCPc giving a FRET efficiency of 0.2. The Φ_T values of the MPcs generally decreased in the presence of the QD whereas the triplet lifetimes (τ_T) of the ZnPc derivatives were higher in the presence of QDs.     

Use of quantum dots in the development of assays for cancer biomarkers

Biomarker assays may be useful for screening and diagnosis of cancer if a set of molecular markers can be quantified and statistically differentiated between cancerous cells and healthy cells. Markers of disease are often present at very low concentrations, so methods capable of low detection limits are required. Quantum dots (QDs) are nanoparticles that are emerging as promising probes for ultrasensitive detection of cancer biomarkers. QDs attached to antibodies, aptamers, oligonucleotides, or peptides can be used to target cancer markers. Their fluorescent properties have enabled QDs to be used as labels for in-vitro assays to quantify biomarkers, and they have been investigated as in-vivo imaging agents. QDs can be used as donors in assays involving fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), or as acceptors in bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET). The nanoparticles are also capable of electrochemical detection and are potentially useful for “lab-on-a-chip” applications. Recent developments in silicon QDs, non-blinking QDs, and QDs with reduced-size and controlled-valence further make these QDs bioanalytically attractive because of their low toxicity, biocompatibility, high quantum yields, and diverse surface modification flexibility. The potential of multiplexed sensing using QDs with different wavelengths of emission is promising for simultaneous detection of multiple biomarkers of disease.

Förster Resonance Energy Transfer Investigations Using Quantum‐Dot Fluorophores

F?rster resonance energy transfer (FRET), which involves the nonradiative transfer of excitation energy from an excited donor fluorophore to a proximal ground-state acceptor fluorophore, is a well-characterized photophysical tool. It is very sensitive to nanometer-scale changes in donor-acceptor separation distance and their relative dipole orientations. It has found a wide range of applications in analytical chemistry, protein conformation studies, and biological assays. Luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots, QDs) are inorganic fluorophores with unique optical and spectroscopic properties that could enhance FRET as an analytical tool, due to broad excitation spectra and tunable narrow and symmetric photoemission. Recently, there have been several FRET investigations using luminescent QDs that focused on addressing basic fundamental questions, as well as developing targeted applications with potential use in biology, including sensor design and protein conformation studies. Herein, we provide a critical review of those developments. We discuss some of the basic aspects of FRET applied to QDs as both donors and acceptors, and highlight some of the advantages offered (and limitations encountered) by QDs as energy donors and acceptors compared to conventional dyes. We also review the recent developments made in using QD bioreceptor conjugates to design FRET-based assays.     

A Brief Overview of Some Physical Studies on the Relaxation Dynamics and Förster Resonance Energy Transfer of Semiconductor Quantum Dots

This article highlights some physical studies on the relaxation dynamics and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) and the way these phenomena change with size, shape, and composition of the QDs. The understanding of the excited‐state dynamics of photoexcited QDs is essential for technological applications such as efficient solar energy conversion, light‐emitting diodes, and photovoltaic cells. Here, our emphasis is directed at describing the influence of size, shape, and composition of the QDs on their different relaxation processes, that is, radiative relaxation rate, nonradiative relaxation rate, and number of trap states. A stochastic model of carrier relaxation dynamics in semiconductor QDs was proposed to correlate with the experimental results. Many recent studies reveal that the energy transfer between the QDs and a dye is a FRET process, as established from 1/d⁶ distance dependence. QD‐based energy‐transfer processes have been used in applications such as luminescence tagging, imaging, sensors, and light harvesting. Thus, the understanding of the interaction between the excited state of the QD and the dye molecule and quantitative estimation of the number of dye molecules attached to the surface of the QD by using a kinetic model is important. Here, we highlight the influence of size, shape, and composition of QDs on the kinetics of energy transfer. Interesting findings reveal that QD‐based energy‐transfer processes offer exciting opportunities for future applications. Finally, a tentative outlook on future developments in this research field is given.     

Quantum dots as donors in fluorescence resonance energy transfer for the bioanalysis of nucleic acids,proteins, and other biological molecules

Quantum dots (QDs) have a number of unique optical properties that are advantageous in the development of bioanalyses based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Researchers have used QDs as energy donors in FRET schemes for the analysis of nucleic acids, proteins, proteases, haptens, and other small molecules. This paper reviews these applications of QDs. Existing FRET technologies can potentially be improved by using QDs as energy donors instead of conventional fluorophores. Superior brightness, resistance to photobleaching, greater optimization of FRET efficiency, and/or simplified multiplexing are possible with QD donors. The applicability of the Förster formalism to QDs and the feasibility of using QDs as energy acceptors are also reviewed.

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Figure A ligand capped core/shell quantum dot acting as energy donor in a FRET process with aconjugated Cy3 labeled oligonucleotide

     

A paper-based resonance energy transfer nucleic acid hybridization assay using upconversion nanoparticles as donors and quantum dots as acceptors

Monodisperse aqueous upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) were covalently immobilized on aldehyde modified cellulose paper via reduction amination to develop a luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET)-based nucleic acid hybridization assay. This first account of covalent immobilization of UCNPs on paper for a bioassay reports an optically responsive method that is sensitive, reproducible and robust. The immobilized UCNPs were decorated with oligonucleotide probes to capture HPRT1 housekeeping gene fragments, which in turn brought reporter conjugated quantum dots (QDs) in close proximity to the UCNPs for LRET. This sandwich assay could detect unlabeled oligonucleotide target, and had a limit of detection of 13 fmol and a dynamic range spanning nearly 3 orders of magnitude. The use of QDs, which are excellent LRET acceptors, demonstrated improved sensitivity, limit of detection, dynamic range and selectivity compared to similar assays that have used molecular fluorophores as acceptors. The selectivity of the assay was attributed to the decoration of the QDs with polyethylene glycol to eliminate non-specific adsorption. The kinetics of hybridization were determined to be diffusion limited and full signal development occurred within 3 min.     

Aptamer/quantum dot-based simultaneous electrochemical detection of multiple small molecules

A novel strategy for “signal on” and sensitive one-spot simultaneous detection of multiple small molecular analytes based on electrochemically encoded barcode quantum dot (QD) tags is described. The target analytes, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and cocaine, respectively, are sandwiched between the corresponding set of surface-immobilized primary binding aptamers and the secondary binding aptamer/QD bioconjugates. The captured QDs yield distinct electrochemical signatures after acid dissolution, whose position and size reflect the identity and level, respectively, of the corresponding target analytes. Due to the inherent amplification feature of the QD labels and the “signal on” detection scheme, as well as the sensitive monitoring of the metal ions released upon acid dissolution of the QD labels, low detection limits of 30 nM and 50 nM were obtained for ATP and cocaine, respectively, in our assays. Our multi-analyte sensing system also shows high specificity to target analytes and promising applicability to complex sample matrix, which makes the proposed assay protocol an attractive route for screening of small molecules in clinical diagnosis.     

Semiconductor quantum dots for bioanalysis

Semiconductor nanoparticles, or quantum dots (QDs), have unique photophysical properties, such as size-controlled fluorescence, have high fluorescence quantum yields, and stability against photobleaching. These properties enable the use of QDs as optical labels for the multiplexed analysis of immunocomplexes or DNA hybridization processes. Semiconductor QDs are also used to probe biocatalytic transformations. The time-dependent replication or telomerization of nucleic acids, the oxidation of phenol derivatives by tyrosinase, or the hydrolytic cleavage of peptides by proteases are probed by using fluorescence resonance energy transfer or photoinduced electron transfer. The photoexcitation of QD-biomolecule hybrids associated with electrodes enables the photoelectrochemical transduction of biorecognition events or biocatalytic transformations. Examples are the generation of photocurrents by duplex DNA assemblies bridging CdS NPs to electrodes, and by the formation of photocurrents as a result of biocatalyzed transformations. Semiconductor nanoparticles are also used as labels for the electrochemical detection of DNA or proteins: Semiconductor NPs functionalized with nucleic acids or proteins bind to biorecognition complexes, and the subsequent dissolution of the NPs allows the voltammetric detection of the related ions, and the tracing of the recognition events.     

Development and characterization of a magnetic bead-quantum dot nanoparticles based assay capable of Escherichia coli O157:H7 quantification

The development and characterization of a magnetic bead (MB)-quantum dot (QD) nanoparticles based assay capable of quantifying pathogenic bacteria is presented here. The MB-QD assay operates by having a capturing probe DNA selectively linked to the signaling probe DNA via the target genomic DNA (gDNA) during DNA hybridization. The signaling probe DNA is labeled with fluorescent QD₅₆₅ which serves as a reporter. The capturing probe DNA is conjugated simultaneously to a MB and another QD₆₅₅, which serve as a carrier and an internal standard, respectively. Successfully captured target gDNA is separated using a magnetic field and is quantified via a spectrofluorometer. The use of QDs (i.e., QD₅₆₅/QD₆₅₅) as both a fluorescence label and an internal standard increased the sensitivity of the assay. The passivation effect and the molar ratio between QD and DNA were optimized. The MB-QD assay demonstrated a detection limit of 890 zeptomolar (i.e., 10⁻²¹ mol L⁻¹) concentration for the linear single stranded DNA (ssDNA). It also demonstrated a detection limit of 87 gene copies for double stranded DNA (dsDNA) eaeA gene extracted from pure Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 culture. Its corresponding dynamic range, sensitivity, and selectivity were also presented. Finally, the bacterial gDNA of E. coli O157:H7 was used to highlight the MB-QD assay's ability to detect below the minimum infective dose (i.e., 100 organisms) of E. coli O157:H7 in water environment.     

Single-molecule measurements with a single quantum dot

Recent progress of quantum dot (QD) applications in single-molecule measurements are reviewed in this paper. Bright fluorescence and anti-photobleaching properties of QDs have explored the way to conduct long-time trajectory tracking of transmembrane proteins both in vitro and in vivo. Coupled with diversities of chemical and biochemical modifications of QD surfaces, their application fields are expanding to multidiscipline fields including imaging on the basis of a single molecule. Currently, molecular interactions and conformational changes on the QD surface can be detected at a single-molecule level. These expansions of application fields also involve toxicity problems in cells since most commercially available QDs consist of cadmium selenide or cadmium telluride, which are inherently toxic. For widespread applications of QDs including in vivo and therapeutic use in place of current organic fluorophore, cytotoxicity is discussed as well in this paper. 10.1002/tcr.20128.     

Toward a solid-phase nucleic acid hybridization assay within microfluidic channels using immobilized quantum dots as donors in fluorescence resonance energy transfer

The optical properties and surface area of quantum dots (QDs) have made them an attractive platform for the development of nucleic acid biosensors based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Solid-phase assays based on FRET using mixtures of immobilized QD–oligonucleotide conjugates (QD biosensors) have been developed. The typical challenges associated with solid-phase detection strategies include non-specific adsorption, slow kinetics of hybridization, and sample manipulation. The new work herein has considered the immobilization of QD biosensors onto the surfaces of microfluidic channels in order to address these challenges. Microfluidic flow can be used to dynamically control stringency by adjustment of the potential in an electrokinetic-based microfluidics environment. The shearing force, Joule heating, and the competition between electroosmotic and electrophoretic mobilities allow the optimization of hybridization conditions, convective delivery of target to the channel surface to speed hybridization, amelioration of adsorption, and regeneration of the sensing surface. Microfluidic flow can also be used to deliver (for immobilization) and remove QD biosensors. QDs that were conjugated with two different oligonucleotide sequences were used to demonstrate feasibility. One oligonucleotide sequence on the QD was available as a linker for immobilization via hybridization with complementary oligonucleotides located on a glass surface within a microfluidic channel. A second oligonucleotide sequence on the QD served as a probe to transduce hybridization with target nucleic acid in a sample solution. A Cy3 label on the target was excited by FRET using green-emitting CdSe/ZnS QD donors and provided an analytical signal to explore this detection strategy. The immobilized QDs could be removed under denaturing conditions by disrupting the duplex that was used as the surface linker and thus allowed a new layer of QD biosensors to be re-coated within the channel for re-use of the microfluidic chip.     

CuInS2量子点敏化太阳能电池中尺寸依赖的电子注入和光电性质

研究了CuInS₂（CIS）量子点敏化太阳能电池（QDSSCs）的电子注入和器件性能与粒子尺寸之间的依赖关系. 首先合成了不同尺寸的CuInS₂量子点（QDs）,制备了CuInS₂量子点敏化的TiO₂薄膜,并组装了量子点敏化太阳能电池. 通过循环伏安法确定了CuInS₂量子点的能级位置. 采用时间分辨荧光光谱分析测量了CuInS₂量子点到TiO₂薄膜的电子转移速率和效率. 结果发现,随着粒子尺寸从4.0 nm减小到2.5 nm,电子注入速率略微增加而电子注入效率减小,同时量子点敏化太阳能电池的开路电压基本不变,而光电转换效率、短路电流和填充因子（FF）均减小. 上述研究结果表明量子点敏化太阳能电池性能的优化可以通过改变量子点的尺寸来实现.     

Kinetic capillary electrophoresis-based affinity screening of aptamer clones

DNA aptamers are single stranded DNA (ssDNA) molecules artificially selected from random-sequence DNA libraries for their specific binding to a certain target. DNA aptamers have a number of advantages over antibodies and promise to replace them in both diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The development of DNA aptamers involves three major stages: library enrichment, obtaining individual DNA clones, and the affinity screening of the clones. The purpose of the screening is to obtain the nucleotide sequences of aptamers and the binding parameters of their interaction with the target. Highly efficient approaches have been recently developed for the first two stages, while the third stage remained the rate-limiting one. Here, we introduce a new method for affinity screening of individual DNA aptamer clones. The proposed method amalgamates: (i) aptamer amplification by asymmetric PCR (PCR with a primer ratio different from unity), (ii) analysis of aptamer-target interaction, combining in-capillary mixing of reactants by transverse diffusion of laminar flow profiles (TDLFP) and affinity analysis using kinetic capillary electrophoresis (KCE), and (iii) sequencing of only aptamers with satisfying binding parameters. For the first time we showed that aptamer clones can be directly used in TDLFP/KCE-based affinity analysis without an additional purification step after asymmetric PCR amplification. We also demonstrated that mathematical modeling of TDLFP-based mixing allows for the determination of K_d values for the in-capillary reaction of an aptamer and a target and that the obtained K_d values can be used for the accurate affinity ranking of aptamers. The proposed method does not require the knowledge of aptamer sequences before screening, avoids lengthy (3-5 h) purification steps of aptamer clones, and minimizes reagent consumption to nanoliters.     

Preparation of High‐Performance Water‐Soluble Quantum Dots for Biorecognition through Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer

An improved method for the synthesis of high‐performance and water‐soluble quantum dots (QDs) involving the encapsulation of mercaptosuccinic acid coated QDs (MSA‐QDs) with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) followed by their direct photoactivation with fluorescent radiation near 295 K to yield PDDA‐coated QDs (PDDA‐QDs) has been demonstrated. The quantum yield (QY) of the PDDA‐QDs was significantly improved from 0.6 (QY of MSA‐QDs) to 48 %. By using this synthetic strategy, highly photoluminescent PDDA‐QDs of varied size were readily prepared. The surface properties of PDDA‐QDs and MSA‐QDs were extensively characterized. The highly luminescent and positively charged PDDA‐QDs serve as a useful and convenient tool for protein adsorption. With a Δ⁵‐3‐ketosteroid isomerase adsorbed PDDA‐QD complex, the biorecognition of steroids was demonstrated through the application of fluorescent resonance energy transfer.