Highly selective synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes from methane in a coupled Downer-turbulent fluidized-bed reactor

For the synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) from CH₄ over a Fe/MgO catalyst, we proposed a coupled Downer-turbulent fluidized-bed (TFB) reactor to enhance the selectivity and yield (or production rate) of SWCNTs. By controlling a very short catalyst residence time (1–3 s) in the Downer, only part of Fe oxides can be reduced to form Fe nano particles (NPs) available for the growth of SWCNTs. The percentage of unreduced Fe oxides increased and the yield of SWCNTs decreased accordingly with the increase of catalyst feeding rate in Downer. SWCNTs were preferentially grown on the catalyst surface and inhibited the sintering of the Fe crystallites which would be formed thereafter in the downstream TFB, evidenced by TEM, Raman and TGA. The coupled Downer-turbulent fluidized-bed reactor technology allowed higher selectivity and higher production rate of SWCNTs as compared to TFB alone.     

Selective collection and detection of MCF-7 breast cancer cells using aptamer-functionalized magnetic beads and quantum dots based nano-bio-probes

A novel strategy for selective collection and detection of breast cancer cells (MCF-7) based on aptamer–cell interaction was developed. Mucin 1 protein (MUC1) aptamer (Apt1) was covalently conjugated to magnetic beads to capture MCF-7 cell through affinity interaction between Apt1 and MUC1 protein that overexpressed on the surface of MCF-7 cells. Meanwhile, a nano-bio-probe was constructed by coupling of nucleolin aptamer AS1411 (Apt2) to CdTe quantum dots (QDs) which were homogeneously coated on the surfaces of monodispersed silica nanoparticles (SiO₂ NPs). The nano-bio-probe displayed similar optical and electrochemical performances to free CdTe QDs, and remained high affinity to nucleolin overexpressed cells through the interaction between AS1411 and nucleolin protein. Photoluminescence (PL) and square-wave voltammetric (SWV) assays were used to quantitatively detect MCF-7 cells. Improved selectivity was obtained by using these two aptamers together as recognition elements simultaneously, compared to using any single aptamer. Based on the signal amplification of QDs coated silica nanoparticles (QDs/SiO₂), the detection sensitivity was enhanced and a detection limit of 201 and 85 cells mL⁻¹ by PL and SWV method were achieved, respectively. The proposed strategy could be extended to detect other cells, and showed potential applications in cell imaging and drug delivery.     

Automation of dimethylation after guanidination labeling chemistry and its compatibility with common buffers and surfactants for mass spectrometry-based shotgun quantitative proteome analysis

Isotope labeling liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) is a major analytical platform for quantitative proteome analysis. Incorporation of isotopes used to distinguish samples plays a critical role in the success of this strategy. In this work, we optimized and automated a chemical derivatization protocol (dimethylation after guanidination, 2MEGA) to increase the labeling reproducibility and reduce human intervention. We also evaluated the reagent compatibility of this protocol to handle biological samples in different types of buffers and surfactants. A commercially available liquid handler was used for reagent dispensation to minimize analyst intervention and at least twenty protein digest samples could be prepared in a single run. Different front-end sample preparation methods for protein solubilization (SDS, urea, Rapigest™, and ProteaseMAX™) and two commercially available cell lysis buffers were evaluated for compatibility with the automated protocol. It was found that better than 94% desired labeling could be obtained in all conditions studied except urea, where the rate was reduced to about 92% due to carbamylation on the peptide amines. This work illustrates the automated 2MEGA labeling process can be used to handle a wide range of protein samples containing various reagents that are often encountered in protein sample preparation for quantitative proteome analysis.     

Chemisorption assembly of Au nanorods on mercaptosilanized glass substrate for label-free nanoplasmon biochip

The fabrication of a localized surface plasmon resonance nanosensor in a chip based format that utilizes Au nanorods (GNRs) as the optical transducer were systematically studied. (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) modified glass substrate offers GNR deposition with maximal sensitivity to local refractive index changes, which subsequently results in better optical recognition of receptor–analyte binding. Kinetics governing the mass transport and chemisorption of nanorods from bulk to solid surface can be dynamically controlled in a predictable fashion. We demonstrate that slight aggregation induced by a low ionic strength (5 mM NaCl) can facilitate the nanorod assembly to result in a dense, well-distributed surface monolayer. In high ionic media (e.g. 40–80 mM), anions present electrostatically bind with the positively charged cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surrounding nanorod surfaces, thereby leading to instability with heavy aggregation in solution. However, once chemically bound on silanized substrates, the nanorods exhibit excellent stability in physiological buffer where high amount of ionic species are present. The fundamental study is followed by demonstration of a practical application of the fabricated biochip in label-free detection based on GNR wavelength shift of the longitudinal palsmon maxima as the optical signature of human IgG model detection.     

High sensitivity chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay for detecting staphylococcal enterotoxin A in multi-matrices

In this study, detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) in multi-matrices using a highly sensitive and specific microplate chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA) has been established. A pair of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) was selected from 37 anti-SEA mAbs by pairwise analysis, and the experimental conditions of the CLEIA were optimized. This CLEIA exhibited high performance with a wide dynamic range from 6.4 pg mL⁻¹ to 1600 pg mL⁻¹, and the measured low limit of detection (LOD) was 3.2 pg mL⁻¹. No cross-reactivity was observed when this method was applied to test SEB, SEC1, and SED. It has also been successfully applied for analyzing SEA in a variety of environmental, biological, and clinical matrices, such as sewage, tap water, river water, roast beef, peanut butter, cured ham, 10% nonfat dry milk, milk, orange juice, human urine, and serum. Thus, the highly sensitive and SEA-specific CLEIA should make it attractive for quantifying SEA in public health and diagnosis in near future.     

Enhancement of sensitivity of paper-based sensor array for the identification of heavy-metal ions

Paper-based microfluidic devices have been widely investigated in recent years. Among various detection techniques, colorimetric method plays a very important role in paper-based microfluidic devices. The limitation, however, is also clear: they generally require highly sensitive indicators. In this work, we have developed a novel enrichment-based paper test for the discrimination of heavy-metal ions. Comparing to regular paper-based microfluidic devices, enrichment-based technique showed largely improved sensitivity. Combining with eight pyridylazo compounds and array technologies-based pattern-recognition, we have obtained the discrimination capability of eight different heavy-metal ions at same concentration as low as 50 μM using our enrichment-based pyridylazo compounds array paper. Identification of the heavy-metal ions was readily achieved using a standard chemometric approach. This method can be, of course, used for other analytes as well.     

Experimental Evidence for Ion Accumulation Time Affecting Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Ophiopogons in Ophiopogon Extract by Hybrid Ion Trap Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

The qualitative and quantitative capability of the ion trap mass analyzer could be greatly affected by the accumulation time. However, the importance of the accumulation time has not so far been thoroughly explored. Here, the influence of ion accumulation time on qualitative and quantitative analysis of complicated components was systematically investigated based on the case study of 40 ophiopogonins in Ophiopogon extract by hybrid ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LCMS-IT-TOF). In this process, the accumulation time was set at 10, 25, 50, 100, and 200 ms, respectively. The effect of accumulation time on qualitative analysis of ophiopogonins was studied by comparing the total ion current (TIC) of MS¹, TIC of MS², and the number and signal of fragmental ions. The results demonstrated that the signal could be greatly influenced by varying the accumulation time. The number and signal of the fragmental ions were increased significantly with a longer accumulation time in the range of 10–100 ms. Also, the effect of accumulation time on quantitative analysis of ophiopogonins was investigated by comparing the linearity, accuracy, and precision measured on LCMS-IT-TOF. Importantly, quantitative parameters could all be significantly improved by choosing an appropriate accumulation time.

     

Preparation of biodegradable and thermoresponsive enzyme–polymer conjugates with controllable bioactivity via RAFT polymerization

The preparation of biodegradable and thermoresponsive enzyme–polymer bioconjugates with controllable enzymatic activity via reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and amidation conjugation reaction is presented. A new 2-mercaptothiazoline ester functionalized RAFT agent with intra-disulfide linkage was synthesized and used as chain transfer agent (CTA) to generate a biocompatible homopolymer, poly(ethyleneglycol) acrylate (polyPEG-A) and a thermoresponsive copolymer of poly(ethyleneglycol) acrylate with di(ethyleneglycol)ethyl ether acrylate [poly(PEG-A-co-DEG-A)]. These biodegradable and thermoresponsive polymers were then conjugated to the surface of glucose oxidase (GOx) under mild condition to afford the biodegradable and thermoresponsive enzyme–polymer conjugates. Cleavage of the polymer chains from the GOx surface obviously recovered the enzymatic activity. The thermoresponsive test of GOx-poly(PEG-A-co-DEG-A) revealed that the bioconjugate exhibited regular enzymatic activity fluctuation upon the temperature change below or above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST). The as-prepared enzyme–polymer conjugates were also characterized using ¹H NMR, UV–vis spectroscopy, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and biocatalytic activity tests. These smart enzyme–polymer conjugates would envision promising applications in biotechnology and biomedicine.