A lab-on-chip for biothreat detection using single-molecule DNA mapping

Rapid, specific, and sensitive detection of airborne bacteria, viruses, and toxins is critical for biodefense, yet the diverse nature of the threats poses a challenge for integrated surveillance, as each class of pathogens typically requires different detection strategies. Here, we present a laboratory-on-a-chip microfluidic device (LOC-DLA) that integrates two unique assays for the detection of airborne pathogens: direct linear analysis (DLA) with unsurpassed specificity for bacterial threats and Digital DNA for toxins and viruses. The LOC-DLA device also prepares samples for analysis, incorporating upstream functions for concentrating and fractionating DNA. Both DLA and Digital DNA assays are single molecule detection technologies, therefore the assay sensitivities depend on the throughput of individual molecules. The microfluidic device and its accompanying operation protocols have been heavily optimized to maximize throughput and minimize the loss of analyzable DNA. We present here the design and operation of the LOC-DLA device, demonstrate multiplex detection of rare bacterial targets in the presence of 100-fold excess complex bacterial mixture, and demonstrate detection of picogram quantities of botulinum toxoid.     

Determination of honokiol and magnolol by micro HPLC with electrochemical detection and its application to the distribution analysis in branches and leaves of Magnolia obovata

A simple and sensitive method has been developed for determining honokiol and magnolol in fresh Magnolia obovata (M. obovata) by micro high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (microHPLC-ECD). Chromatography was performed using a Capcell Pak C-18 UG 120 microbore octadecylsilica (ODS) column, methanol-water-phosphoric acid (65 : 35 : 0.5, v/v/v), as a mobile phase and applied potential at +0.8 V vs. Ag/AgCl. Peak heights were found linearly related to the amounts of honokiol and magnolol injected from 0.67 pg to 2.0 ng (r>0.999). The detection limits (S/N=3) were 0.13 pg, respectively. Honokiol and magnolol of 0.27 ng were detected with relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.73 and 1.17% (n=5), respectively. Honokiol and magnolol in Magnolia Bark of the Japanese Pharmacopoeia were extracted with 70% methanol, diluted with a mobile phase, and injected into the microHPLC-ECD for determination. Recoveries of honokiol and magnolol in Magnolia Bark exceeded 98.7% with RSD, less than 0.93% (n=5). Determination of the distributions of honokiol and magnolol in bark, phloem, wood, leaf blades, and petioles of fresh M. obovata were made using weight samples of 40-238 mg. This method is useful to determine honokiol and magnolol in M. obovata, which is a candidate for crude magnolia bark for traditional Japanese herbal medicines.     

Introducing curcumin as an electrochemical DNA hybridization indicator and its application for detection of human interleukin-2 gene

In this paper, the application of curcumin (CU) as a non-toxic electrochemical DNA hybridization indicator was described. Hybridization investigations on a pencil graphite electrode surface as a transducer using oligonucleotides containing only one base type, including poly A, poly T, poly C, and poly G as probe and as related complementary/non-complementary sequences, showed that CU has no specific interaction with each of the oligonucleotides of DNA. Furthermore, results showed good interaction between CU and the hybridized form of oligonucleotides; thus, the extent of hybridization was evaluated based on the difference between differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) signals of CU accumulated on the probe-pencil graphite electrode (PGE) and CU accumulated on the probe-target-PGE. Then, the developed biosensor was successfully applied for the detection of short sequences of human interleukin-2 (hIL-2) gene as a model. A hybridization experiment with non-complementary oligonucleotide showed that the suggested DNA sensor responds selectively to the target. At optimized conditions, two linear ranges were obtained for hIL-2 gene, first from 50 to 1000 pM and second from 0.01 to 1 μM with a detection limit of 12 pM. 7.0) containing 20 mM NaCl.     

Determination of catecholamines in human serum by micro high-performance liquid chromatography with micro precolumn and dual electrochemical detection

A dual electrochemical detector having two working electrodes (anode and cathode) in parallel--opposed configuration suitable for micro high-performance liquid chromatography was developed for the selective and sensitive detection of catecholamines on the basis of their electrochemical reversibility and catalytic amplification by recycling oxidation and re-reduction. The micro high-performance liquid chromatographic system with a micro alumina precolumn for enriching catecholamines and the dual electrochemical detector in parallel--opposed configuration was successfully utilized for the determination of catecholamines in healthy human serum injected directly after ultrafiltration.     

Carbon nanotube wiring for signal amplification of electrochemical magneto immunosensors: application to myeloperoxidase detection

In this work, chronoamperometric myelo-peroxidase (MPO) detection was accomplished using immunofunctionalized magnetic microparticles (MPs), disposable carbon screen-printed electrodes (C-SPEs), and a ready-to-use commercially available tetramethylbenzidine (TMB)-based enzymatic substrate. In order to reach the limit of detection (LOD) needed to study real blood serum samples, assay performance was additionally improved by exploiting CNT wiring, which amplified the signal and decreased the LOD. The optimized assay can be performed in 30 min and yields LODs of 6 and 55 ng mL^?1 in PBS and undiluted human serum, respectively, making it useful for the identification of patients at risk of cardiovascular disease. These results demonstrate that electrode nanostructuring can be accomplished “post-assay,” which favors the development of enhanced magneto immunosensors based on the exploitation of cheap and simple SPE devices.     

Assay of chondroitin sulfate using time-based detection in a simple lab-on-chip

Amount of chondroitin sulfate in supplementary tablets is determined using the reaction with methylene blue in a proposed simple lab-on-chip platform. An easy approach of detection by timing the migration of the reaction zone, which depends upon concentration of chondroitin sulfate, is described. This simple assay system does not require any complicated or expensive instrumentation and has a potential of further development for on-site analysis.     

A new polarographic response for ethynyloestradiol and its application to electrochemical detection associated with reverse-phase liquid chromatography

Mercury electrodes are oxidized in the presence of ethynyloestradiol, a synthetic steroid. The direct polarographic response obtained is based on the formation of an insoluble mercury compound. In analytical applications of this response, interference from laevonorgestrel, which is found in extracts from combined oral contraceptives, renders the direct determination of ethynyloestradiol impossible. However, reverse-phase liquid chromatography provides separation of the two steroids prior to electrochemical detection of both species at either static or dropping mercury electrodes. Linear response is obtained for 2.5–15.0 μg ml^-1 ethynyloestradiol and 12.5–50 μg ml^-1 laevonorgestrel with 20-μl injections. A microprocessor-based waveform generator is used to optimize the electro-chemical detection. The method is applied to pharmaceutical formulations; the data obtained agree satisfactorily with the nominal contents. Cathodic stripping voltammetry is briefly investigated for very low levels of ethynyloestradiol; the detection limit is around 5 × 10^-9 M on standard solutions.     

Redox cycling amplified electrochemical detection of DNA hybridization: application to pathogen E. coli bacterial RNA

An electrochemical genosensor in which signal amplification is achieved using p-aminophenol (p-AP) redox cycling by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) is presented. An immobilized thiolated capture probe is combined with a sandwich-type hybridization assay, using biotin as a tracer in the detection probe, and streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase as reporter enzyme. The phosphatase liberates the electrochemical mediator p-AP from its electrically inactive phosphate derivative. This generated p-AP is electrooxidized at an Au electrode modified self-assembled monolayer to p-quinone imine (p-QI). In the presence of NADH, p-QI is reduced back to p-AP, which can be re-oxidized on the electrode and produce amplified signal. A detection limit of 1 pM DNA target is offered by this simple one-electrode, one-enzyme format redox cycling strategy. The redox cycling design is applied successfully to the monitoring of the 16S rRNA of E. coli pathogenic bacteria, and provides a detection limit of 250 CFU μL⁻¹.     

Protein modulation of electrochemical signals: application to immunobiosensing

Herein we present a label-free immunobiosensor based on the modulation of amperometric signals of surface bound redox species when immersed in a protein environment which is applicable to either the detection of antibodies or the detection of small molecules such as drugs or pesticides.     

基于多肽的电化学传感器在蛋白质检测中应用的研究进展

生物体内的细胞通常会分泌各种各样的蛋白质,这些蛋白质在生物体中发挥着重要作用,尤其是可被用于诊断各种疾病的发生和发展。多肽具有良好选择性、空间适应能力和识别灵活的特点,可与不同类型的蛋白分子形成非共价键,用于蛋白质的生物检测。将多肽与电化学生物传感器结合用于蛋白质的广谱检测具有良好的发展前景。本文介绍了多肽修饰的电化学传感器在不同蛋白质检测方面的研究进展,分析了待测蛋白质的不同对多肽修饰的电化学传感器分类的影响及其优缺点,提出了基于多肽的电化学传感器在不同蛋白质检测中存在的问题,并展望了其未来发展。     

A flexible microfluidic processor for molecular biology: application to microarray sample preparation

We describe a programmable microfluidic system with onboard pumps and valves that has the ability to process reaction volumes in the sub-microlitre to hundred microlitre range. The flexibility of the architecture is demonstrated with a commercial molecular biology protocol for mRNA amplification, implemented without significant modification. The performance of the microchip system is compared to conventional bench processing at each stage of the multistep protocol, and DNA microarrays are used to assess the quality and performance of bench- and microchip-amplified RNA. The results show that the microchip system reactions are similar to bench control reactions at each step, and that the microchip- and bench-derived amplified RNAs are virtually indistinguishable in differential microarray analyses.     

Determination of nalbuphine by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection: application to clinical samples from postoperative patients

A rapid, selective and reproducible high-performance liquid chromatographic assay with electrochemical detection was developed for the determination of nalbuphine in human plasma. The method involves extraction with chloroform-isopropanol at pH 9.4, back-extraction into dilute phosphoric acid and reversed-phase chromatography on a microBondapak phenyl column. The recovery of nalbuphine and naltrexone (internal standard) was greater than 90%. Calibration curves were linear over a concentration range of 3-36 ng/ml with coefficients of variation, within-day or between-day, not exceeding 8% at any level. Although the limit of detection was 0.3 ng/ml based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, the reliable limit of quantitation was 1 ng/ml (coefficient of variation 12%) using 1 ml of plasma. The dual-electrode detector was operated in the screening mode of oxidation (electrode 1, 0.3 V and electrode 2, 0.6 V), providing a greater specificity and reducing background noise. This procedure was applied to a large number of clinical samples in an intravenous dose-range pharmacokinetic study in patients.     

The electrochemical oxidation of homocysteine at boron-doped diamond electrodes with application to HPLC amperometric detection

The electrochemical oxidation of homocysteine was studied at as-deposited and anodized (oxidized) boron-doped diamond (BDD) thin film electrodes with cyclic voltammetry, flow injection analysis and high-pressure liquid chromatography with amperometric detection. At anodized boron-doped diamond electrodes, highly reproducible, well-defined cyclic voltammograms for homocysteine oxidation were obtained in acidic media, while as-deposited diamond did not provide a detectable signal. In alkaline media, however, the oxidation response was obtained both at as-deposited and anodized diamond electrodes. The potential sweep rate dependence of homocysteine oxidation (peak currents for 1 mM homocysteine linearly proportional to v(1/2), within the range of 0.01 to 0.3 V s(-1)) indicates that the oxidation involves a diffusing species, with negligible adsorption on the BDD surface at this concentration. In the flow system, BDD exhibited a highly reproducible amperometric response, with a peak variation less than 2%. An extremely low detection limit (1 nM) was obtained at 1.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl. In addition, the determination of homocysteine in a standard mixture with aminothiols and disulfide compounds by means of isocratic reverse-phase HPLC with amperometric detection at diamond electrodes has been investigated. The results showed excellent separation, with a detection limit of 1 pmol and a linear range of three orders of magnitude.     

Nanomaterials for electrochemical detection of pollutants in water: A review

The survival of living beings, including humanity, depends on a continuous supply of clean water. However, due to the development of industry, agriculture, and population growth, an increasing number of wastewaters is discarded, and the negative effects of such actions are clear. The first step in solving this situation is the collection and monitoring of pollutants in water bodies to subsequently facilitate their treatment. Nonetheless, traditional sensing techniques are typically laboratory-based, leading to potential diminishment in analysis quality. In this paper, the most recent developments in micro- and nano-electrochemical devices for pollutant detection in wastewater are reviewed. The devices reviewed are based on a variety of electrodes and the sensing of three different categories of pollutants: nutrients and phenolic compounds, heavy metals, and organic matter. From these electrodes, Cu, Co, and Bi showed promise as versatile materials to detect a grand variety of contaminants. Also, the most commonly used material is glassy carbon, present in the detection of all reviewed analytes.     

Determination of dosulepin and its metabolite: application of high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

Dosulepin, 11-(3-dimethylaminopropylidene)-6,11-dihydrodibenzo [b,e]thiepin hydrochloride, is a thio analogue of amitriptyline and is used for the treatment of anxiety and affective disorders. The present study developed a simple and sensitive procedure for the determination of this compound and its metabolite, northiaden, by a combination of high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Hydrodynamic voltammograms demonstrated an optimal applied potential at 1300 mV for both dosulepin and northiaden. A mobile phase consisting of 0.1 M acetate buffer-acetonitrile-perchloric acid-trichloroacetic acid (50:50:2:1.5) provided the best separation of the drugs. The extraction procedure, which used a heptane-isoamyl alcohol (99:1) mixture, was successfully applied with a recovery of over 90%. A preliminary pharmacokinetic study was performed by the proposed method.     

A disposable electrochemical sensor for vanillin detection

A disposable electrochemical sensor was developed for the detection of vanillin in vanilla extracts and in commercial products. An analytical procedure based on square-wave voltammetry (SWV) was optimised and a detection limit of 0.4 μM for vanillin was found. A relative standard deviation of 2% was calculated for a vanillin concentration of 100 μM. The method was applied to the determination of vanillin in natural concentrated vanilla extracts and in final products such as yoghurt and compote. The obtained results were compared with those provided by a reference method based on HPLC. The electrochemical behaviour of other compounds (vanillic acid, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, etc.), generally present in natural oleoresins, were also studied, to check for interferences with respect to the vanillin voltammetric signal.     

Direct modification of mRNA by ferrocenyl carbodiimide and its application to electrochemical detection of mRNA.

Ferrocenyl carbodiimide (1) could be used for the direct labeling of synthetic RNA and expressed mRNA in vitro with the electrochemically active ferrocene moieties. These RNAs modified by 1 could be detected electrochemically coupled with a DNA probe-immobilized electrode. After hybridization of 1.1 Kb mRNA modified by 1 with the DNA probe-immobilized electrode, the peak charge observed by an Osteryoung square wave voltammetry (SWV) measurement correlated well with the concentration of mRNA, having a detection limit at the sub nanogram level.     

A quantitative application of the J-based configuration analysis method to a flexible small molecule

An example of the use of the J-based configuration analysis method to determine relative stereochemistry of a small molecule related to reboxetine is described. This study was complicated by the fact that the molecule did not exhibit J-couplings and NOEs consistent with a single conformation, but rather an ensemble average. A quantitative fitting procedure using predicted couplings and NOEs from all possible conformers was used. This gave a clear indication of the stereochemistry, and the populations of the conformers involved.