Multi‐Light‐Responsive Quantum Dot Sensitized Hybrid Micromotors with Dual‐Mode Propulsion

CdS quantum dots/C₆₀ tubular micromotors with chemical/multi‐light‐controlled propulsion and “on‐the‐fly” acceleration capabilities are described. In situ growth of CdS quantum dots on the outer fullerene layer imparts this layer with light‐responsive properties in connection to inner Pt, Pd or MnO₂ layers. This is the first time that visible light is used to drive bubble‐propelled tubular micromotors. The micromotors exhibit a broad absorption range from 320 to 670 nm and can be wirelessly controlled by modulating light intensity and peroxide concentration. The built‐in accelerating optical system allows for the control of the velocity over the entire UV/Vis light spectra by modulating the catalyst surface chemistry. The light‐responsive properties have been also exploited to accelerate the chemical dealloying and propulsion of micromotors containing a Cu/Pd layer. Such dual operated hybrid micromotors hold considerable promise for designing smart micromachines for on‐demand operations, motion‐based sensing, and enhanced cargo transportation.     

A convenient and practical heterogeneous palladium‐catalyzed carbonylative Suzuki coupling of aryl iodides with formic acid as carbon monoxide source

A practical heterogeneous palladium‐catalyzed carbonylative Suzuki coupling of aryl iodides with arylboronic acids under carbon monoxide gas‐free conditions has been developed using a bidentate phosphino‐functionalized magnetic nanoparticle‐immobilized palladium(II) complex as catalyst. Formic acid was utilized as the carbon monoxide source with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide as the activator, and a wide variety of biaryl ketones were generated in moderate to high yields. The new heterogeneous palladium catalyst can be prepared via a simple procedure and can easily be separated from a reaction mixture by simply applying an external magnet and recycled up to 10 times without any loss of activity.     

Rolled‐Up Monolayer Graphene Tubular Micromotors: Enhanced Performance and Antibacterial Property

The motion of catalytic tubular micromotors are driven by the oxygen bubbles generated from chemical reaction and is influenced by the resistance from the liquid environment. Herein, we fabricated a rolled‐up graphene tubular micromotor, in which the graphene layer was adopted as the outmost surface. Due to the hydrophobic property of the graphene layer, the fabricated micromotor performed a motion pattern that could escape from the attraction from the bubbles. In addition, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus culture experiments proved that the graphene outer surface displays antibacterial property. Considering the bubble‐avoiding and antibacterial properties, the rolled‐up graphene tubular micromotor holds great potential for various applications such as in vivo drug delivery and biosensors.     

Fluorescent polymeric transducer for the rapid, simple, and specific detection of nucleic acids at the zeptomole level

We report the specific detection of a few hundred molecules of genetic material using a fluorescent polythiophene biosensor. Such recognition is based on simple electrostatic interactions between a cationic polymeric optical transducer and the negatively charged nucleic acid target and can be done in less than 1 h, simply and affordably, and without any chemical reaction. This simple system is versatile enough to detect nucleic acids of various lengths, including a segment from the RNA genome of the Influenza virus.     

Smart Microdevices Laying “Breadcrumbs” to Find the Way Home: Chemotactic Homing TiO2/Pt Janus Microrobots

Synthetic microrobots or micromotors are known to show “intelligent” behavior such as magnetotaxis, phototaxis, chemotaxis, active detection, and chemical communication. Herein, we present the concept of micromotors laying “breadcrumbs”; that is, these micromachines can move/return to a home position without external guidance after their external energy input is stopped. As a demonstration, TiO₂/Pt Janus micromotors that move forward with UV light can return back following the previous path when the UV light is turned off. Such autonomy of motion opens the door for truly independent applications of micromotors in the “deliver‐and‐return” fashion.     

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on amine‐functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles for the determination of phenolic acids in vegetable oils by high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV detection

A novel dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method based on amine‐functionalized Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles was developed for the determination of six phenolic acids in vegetable oils by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Amine‐functionalized Fe₃O₄ was synthesized by a one‐pot solvothermal reaction between Fe₃O₄ and 1,6‐hexanediamine and characterized by transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry. A trace amount of phosphate buffer solution (extractant) was adsorbed on bare Fe₃O₄‐NH₂ nanoparticles by hydrophilic interaction to form the “magnetic extractant”. Rapid extraction could be achieved while the “magnetic extractant” on amine‐functionalized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was dispersed in the sample solution by vortexing. After extraction, the “magnetic extractant” was collected by application of an external magnet. Some important parameters, such as pH and volume of extraction and desorption solvents, the extraction and desorption time needed were carefully investigated and optimized to achieve the best extraction efficiency. Under the optimal conditions, satisfactory extraction recoveries were obtained for the six phenolic acids in the range of 84.2–106.3%. Relative standard deviations for intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were less than 6.3 and 10.0%, respectively. Finally, the established method was successfully applied for the determination of six phenolic acids in eight kinds of vegetable oils.     

磁性二氧化硅微球的表面修饰及其在植物基因组核酸纯化中的应用

在利用自主研发的专利技术制备球形磁性硅胶微球的基础上,对磁性硅胶微球进行表面改性,使其表面分别键合硅羟基、环氧基、邻二醇基和羧基等官能团,并对表面官能团进行了定量研究。以小牛胸腺基因组脱氧核糖核酸(DNA)为模型化合物,研究了核酸在不同表面官能团的磁性硅胶上的吸附和脱附行为,发现表面具有硅醇基的磁球对DNA的回收率最高。将改性后磁性微球应用于玉米DNA的提取,得到了平均长度大于8kb的高纯度基因组DNA。与传统的有机溶剂抽提法相比,基于磁性微球的核酸固相萃取法具有快速简便、省时省力、易于自动化的特点,适合于大规模植物基因组DNA的样品制备。     

A new access to polypyrrole‐based functionalized magnetic core‐shell nanoparticles

Magnetic nanoparticles (NP) have found various important applications in nanotechnology and nanomedicine, because they can be manipulated by external magnetic field and can be functionalized on their surface. Although a variety of magnetic core shell NP are known present research focuses on new NP with better properties (reduced toxicity, high colloidal and chemical stability, wide scope of application) and more straightforward and reproducible syntheses. In this work, we report the synthesis of azido‐functionalized polypyrrole (PPy)‐based superparamagnetic core shell NP by surface initiated polymerization wherein miniemulsion technique have been applied in this field for the first time. The new NP are attractive for biomedical applications because the PPy is biocompatible, the shell can easily be functionalized by Cu‐catalyzed click‐reaction as shown by the introduction of biotin and the material exhibits superparamagnetic behavior. The surface initiated polymerization is carried out at new magnetite NP, which are stabilized by pyrrol‐containing fatty acids. Although these starting NP lack a polymer shell, they show a remarkable stability and thus have the potential for further functionalization. The magnetic NP are characterized by various methods such as FTIR, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, magnetic measurements, thermal gravimetric analysis, and dynamic light scattering. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Magneto-mechanical detection of nucleic acids and telomerase activity in cancer cells

The ultra-sensitive magneto-mechanical detection of DNA, single-base-mismatches in nucleic acids, and the assay of telomerase activity are accomplished by monitoring the magnetically induced deflection of a cantilever functionalized with magnetic beads associated with the biosensing interface. The analyzed M13phi DNA hybridized with the nucleic acid-functionalized magnetic beads is replicated in the presence of dNTPs that include biotin-labeled dUTP. The resulting beads are attached to an avidin-coated cantilever, and the modified cantilever is deflected by an external magnetic field. Similarly, telomerization of nucleic acid-modified magnetic beads in the presence of dNTPs, biotin-labeled dUTP, and telomerase from cancer cell extracts and the subsequent association of the magnetic beads to the cantilever surface results in the lever deflection by an external magnetic field. M13phi DNA is sensed with a sensitivity limit of 7.1 x 10(-20) M by the magneto-mechanical detection method.     

Cargo Transportation and Methylene Blue Degradation by Using Fuel-Powered Micromotors

In the past two decades, micromotors have experienced rapid development, especially in environmental remediation, the biomedical field, and in cargo delivery. In this study micromotors have been synthesized from a variety of materials. Different functional layers and catalytic layers are formed through template electrodeposition (the bottom-up method). At the same time, the article analyzes the influence of hydrogen peroxide concentration, surfactant type and concentration on the speed of the micromotors. Cargo transportation through tubular micromotors has always been a problem that people are eager to solve. In this article, we electrodeposit a layer of Ni in the microtubes, which effectively guides the microtubular motors to complete the cargo transportation. The potential applications of micromotors are also being explored. We added the prepared micromotors to the methylene blue solution to effectively enhance the degradation.     

Cross-coupling reactions of nucleoside triphosphates followed by polymerase incorporation. Construction and applications of base-functionalized nucleic acids

Construction of functionalized nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) via polymerase incorporation of modified nucleoside triphosphates is reviewed and selected applications of the modified nucleic acids are highlighted. The classical multistep approach for the synthesis of modified NTPs by triphosphorylation of modified nucleosides is compared to the novel approach consisting of direct aqueous cross-coupling reactions of unprotected halogenated nucleoside triphosphates. The combination of cross-coupling of NTPs with polymerase incorporation gives an efficient and straightforward two-step synthesis of modified nucleic acids. Primer extension using biotinylated templates followed by separation using streptavidine-coated magnetic beads and DNA duplex denaturation is used for preparation of modified single stranded oligonucleotides. Examples of using this approach for electrochemical DNA labelling and bioanalytical applications are given.     

Functional membranes prepared by layer‐by‐layer assembly and its metal ions adsorption property

PVDF/(PEI‐C/PAA)_n functional membranes were prepared by layer‐by‐layer (LbL) assembly, and their heavy metal ions adsorption capability was investigated. The changes in the chemical compositions of membrane surfaces were determined by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XPS results show that the surface of the PVDF membrane can be alternatively functionalized by PEI‐C and PAA. The membrane surface hydrophilicity was evaluated through water contact angle measurement. Contact angle results show that the surface hydrophilicity of the membrane surface depends on the outermost deposited layer. Morphological changes of membrane surfaces were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The water fluxes for these membranes were elevated after modification. The performances of the PVDF/(PEI‐C/PAA)_n membranes on the adsorption of copper ions (Cu²⁺) from aqueous solutions were investigated by inductively coupled plasma (ICP). The results indicate that the PVDF/(PEI‐C/PAA)_n functional membranes show high copper ions adsorption ability. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Micromotors from Microfluidics

Inspired by the motions of natural objects, attention and efforts have been paid and devoted to fabricate micromotors of spherical, tubular, helical or other shapes for applications in emerging fields including delivery, remediation, and other biomedical applications. Among the proposed methods, the microfluidic technology offers an opportunity to fabricate micromotors with different microstructures. This review presents research progress on micromotors, especially those from microfluidics. The morphologies of the micromotors were firstly outlined. Then, the microfluidic technology used to fabricate different micromotors was discussed. Finally, the applications of these micromotors were briefly introduced, followed by their challenges and future developments.     

A novel open-tubular capillary electrochromatography with magnetic nanoparticle coating as stationary phase

A novel open‐tubular capillary electrochromatography (OT‐CEC) with modified core/shell magnetic nanoparticles coating as stationary phase was introduced using external magnetic force to fix magnetic nanoparticles. The magnetic nanoparticles coating inside the capillary columns could be easily regenerated by removing and re‐applying the external magnetic field. Magnetic field intensity, concentration and flow rate of nanoparticles suspension were investigated to achieve simple and stable preparation. Mixture of five organic acids was used as the marker sample to evaluate the OT‐CEC system, and the relative column efficiency of anthranilic acid reaches 220 000 plates/m. The excellent within‐column and between‐column repeatability has been testified with the RSDs of retention time of less than 1.51 and 5.29%, respectively. The aqueous extract of rhizoma gastrodiae was analyzed by the OT‐CEC system, and 23 peaks were eluted in 30 min. Compared with conventional open‐tubular capillary column, this new system shows faster separation speed and higher column efficiency from the larger surface area of nanoparticles. It has great potential in the method development for the analysis of complex samples, since magnetic coating can effectively prolong the column life by expediently replacing stationary phase to eliminate the pollution or irreversible adsorption.     

Antiviral properties of polymeric aziridine- and biguanide-modified core-shell magnetic nanoparticles

Polycationic superparamagnetic nanoparticles (～150-250 nm) were evaluated as virucidal agents. The particles possess a core-shell structure, with cores consisting of magnetite clusters and shells of functional silica covalently bound to poly(hexamethylene biguanide) (PHMBG), polyethyleneimine (PEI), or PEI terminated with aziridine moieties. Aziridine was conjugated to the PEI shell through cationic ring-opening polymerization. The nanometric core-shell particles functionalized with biguanide or aziridine moieties are able to bind and inactivate bacteriophage MS2, herpes simplex virus HSV-1, nonenveloped infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV), and enveloped viral hemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV). The virus-particle complexes can be efficiently removed from the aqueous milieu by simple magnetocollection.     

Charge selective encapsulation by polymeric micelles with cationic,anionic, or zwitterionic cores

Polymeric micelles showing charge selective and pH‐reversible encapsulation are reported. It is found that for a guest mixture of organic cationic–anionic dyes, a unimolecular micelle (PEI@PS) with a polystyrene (PS) as shell and a hyperbranched polyethylenimine (PEI) as core can exclusively entrap the anionic one; and a physical micelle consisting of brush‐like macromolecule (mPS‐PAA) with multi PS‐b‐polyacrylic acid (PAA) as grafts can exclusively entrap the cationic one. A covalent micelle (PEI‐COOH@PS) bearing a zwitterionic core, that is, PEI covalently derived with dense carboxylic acids, can undergo highly pH‐switchable charge selective and pH‐reversible encapsulation. Both PEI@PS and mPS‐PAA can be used for highly charge‐selective separation of ionic dyes but the pH‐reversibility of the encapsulation is relatively limited. In contrast, PEI‐COOH@PS is less effective to differentiate the anionic–cationic dyes but is well recyclable. A physical micelle obtained from the self‐assembly of PEI and mPS‐PAA shows similar property to PEI‐COOH@PS. The combination of these micelles in mixture separation can enhance the recyclability of the micelle and widen the spectrum of mixtures that can be well separated. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Lipophilic nucleic acids — A flexible construction kit for organization and functionalization of surfaces

Lipophilic nucleic acids have become a versatile tool for structuring and functionalization of lipid bilayers and biological membranes as well as cargo vehicles to transport and deliver bioactive compounds, like interference RNA, into cells by taking advantage of reversible hybridization with complementary strands. This contribution reviews the different types of conjugates of lipophilic nucleic acids, and their physicochemical and self-assembly properties. Strategies for choosing a nucleic acid, lipophilic modification, and linker are discussed. Interaction with lipid membranes and its stability, dynamic structure and assembly of lipophilic nucleic acids upon embedding into biological membranes are specific points of the review. A large diversity of conjugates including lipophilic peptide nucleic acid and siRNA provides tailored solutions for specific applications in bio- and nanotechnology as well as in cell biology and medicine, as illustrated through some selected examples.     

Magnetic Latex Particles in Nanobiotechnologies for Biomedical Diagnostic Applications: State of the Art

Summary: The main objective of this short state-of-the art is to report on the preparation of reactive magnetic latexes for biomedical applications. The main advantage of colloidal magnetic particles is their separation upon applying an external permanent magnetic field. Then magnetic particles bearing reactive groups or specific receptors are used in biomedical diagnosis such as immunoassay, molecular diagnosis for specific capture and detection of nucleic acids, viruses extraction and detection, cell sorting and more recently in numerous biotechnological applications. The preparation of magnetic latexes requires the use of well-defined iron oxide nanoparticles in appropriate medium. In this direction, aqueous ferrofluids were largely used to prepare functional magnetic latexes, whereas few approaches have been devoted to the use of organic ferrofluids.     

A versatile approach for the syntheses of poly(ester amide)s with pendant functional groups

Poly(ester amide)s (PEAs) are emerging as promising materials for a wide range of biomedical applications due to their potential for both hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation, as well as the ease with which their properties can be tuned by the choice of monomers. The incorporation of pendant functional handles along the PEA backbone has the potential to further expand their applications by allowing the charge and hydrophilicity of the polymers to be altered, and facilitating the conjugation of active molecules such as drugs, targeting groups, and cell signaling molecules. Described here is a simple and versatile strategy based on orthogonal protecting groups, by which L ‐lysine and L‐ aspartic acid can be incorporated into several families of PEAs based on monomers including the diacids succinic and terephthalic acid, the diols 1,4‐butanediol and 1,8‐octanediol, and the amino acids L‐ alanine and L‐ phenylalanine. All polymers were thoroughly characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. It was demonstrated that the side chain protecting groups could be readily removed, allowing the pendant amines or carboxylic acids to be functionalized. In particular, the carboxylic acid groups on a polymer containing L‐ aspartic acid units were converted to N‐hydroxysuccinimidyl esters, providing a useful template for further derivatization. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3757–3772, 2009     

Synthesis of Some Functionalized Peptomers via Ugi Four-Component Reaction

This article describes the synthesis of new peptomers through a simple and efficient route using a one-pot Ugi four-component reaction. The synthesis started from either carboxylic acids or protected amino acids, primary amines, aldehydes, and isocyanides in anhydrous methanol and proceeded under stirring at room temperature. The reaction produced several functionalized peptomers in good yields (67–80%). These compounds are versatile multifunctional intermediates that can be further unprotected or functionalized to generate new molecules with numerous applications in the field of biomedicine.