Beyond labels: A review of the application of quantum dots as integrated components of assays, bioprobes, and biosensors utilizing optical transduction

A comprehensive review of the development of assays, bioprobes, and biosensors using quantum dots (QDs) as integrated components is presented. In contrast to a QD that is selectively introduced as a label, an integrated QD is one that is present in a system throughout a bioanalysis, and simultaneously has a role in transduction and as a scaffold for biorecognition. Through a diverse array of coatings and bioconjugation strategies, it is possible to use QDs as a scaffold for biorecognition events. The modulation of QD luminescence provides the opportunity for the transduction of these events via fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET), charge transfer quenching, and electrochemiluminescence (ECL). An overview of the basic concepts and principles underlying the use of QDs with each of these transduction methods is provided, along with many examples of their application in biological sensing. The latter include: the detection of small molecules using enzyme-linked methods, or using aptamers as affinity probes; the detection of proteins via immunoassays or aptamers; nucleic acid hybridization assays; and assays for protease or nuclease activity. Strategies for multiplexed detection are highlighted among these examples. Although the majority of developments to date have been in vitro, QD-based methods for ex vivo biological sensing are emerging. Some special attention is given to the development of solid-phase assays, which offer certain advantages over their solution-phase counterparts.     

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.     

On-line solid-phase extraction-HPLC-fluorescence detection for simultaneous determination of puerarin and daidzein in human serum

Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to the optimization of on-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) parameters, and an automated system of on-line SPE coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection was developed for the determination of puerarin and daidzein in human serum. The human serum sample of 50 μL was injected into a conditioned C18 SPE cartridge, and the matrix was washed out with acetonitrile-KH₂PO₄-triethylamine buffer (0.01 M, pH 7.4) (3:97, v/v) for 3 min at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min. Then the target analytes were eluted and transferred to the analytical column. A chromatographic gradient elution was programmed with the mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and KH₂PO₄-triethylamine buffer, and the analytes were determined with a fluorescence detector at excitation wavelength of 350 nm and emission wavelength of 472 nm, respectively. The proposed method presented good linear relations (0.85-170 μg/mL for puerarin and 0.2-40 μg/mL for daidzein), satisfactory precision (RSD < 8%), and accredited recovery (92.5-107.8%).     

Applications of Raman-based techniques to on-site and in-vivo analysis

Raman-based technologies have proved to be excellent tools for on-site and in-vivo analysis, due to the non-invasive nature of their detection, their capability of providing structure information, their high tolerance to aqueous samples, the ultra-sensitivity of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and resonance Raman scattering (RRS), the high spatial resolution of tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS), and the ultrashort spectra-acquisition time for coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS).In this review, we highlight the recent success of Raman-based technologies in various applications, including:

• (1) 

  on-site surface analysis and chemical-reaction monitoring;

• (2) 

  on-site identification of cultural objects, archeological studies and planetary science;

• (3) 

  in-vivo analysis of cells and microorganisms;

• (4) 

  in-vivo diagnosis inside human and animal bodies;

• (5) 

  in-vivo fast Raman imaging and mapping;

• (6) 

  the study of SERS processes; and,

• (7) 

  assessment of nanomaterial safety.

     

柱前衍生-反相高效液相色谱测定牛磺罗定及固体制剂含量

本文建立了对甲苯磺酰氯柱前衍生-反相高效液相色谱紫外检测法测定牛磺罗定及其固体制剂含量的方法.利用牛磺罗定中含有仲胺基的特点,以对甲基苯磺酰氯柱前衍生牛磺罗定,Venusil XBP C18色谱柱分离,在240 nm波长检测,线性范围为0.016～0.160 g·L-1(r=0.9995),衍生化产物在24 h内稳定,...     

微流控芯片测定盐酸金刚烷胺片中的盐酸金刚烷胺

建立了微流控芯片非接触电导检测片剂中盐酸金刚烷胺的分析方法.对缓冲液和添加剂的种类及浓度、分离电压、进样时间等进行了优化.实验采用1 mmol/L HAc+2 mmol/L NaAc(pH 4.5)+0.1 mmol/LSDS的缓冲体系,于2.00kV的分离电压下进样10 s,在1 min内实现了盐酸金刚烷胺的快速检测...     

基于纳米金探针和基因芯片的DNA检测新方法

运用荧光纳米金探针和基因芯片杂交建立一种新的DNA检测方法. 荧光纳米金探针表面标记有两种DNA探针: 一种为带有Cy5荧光分子的信号探针BP1, 起信号放大作用; 另一种为与靶DNA一部分互补的检测探针P532, 两种探针比例为5∶1. 当靶DNA存在时, 芯片上捕捉探针(与靶DNA的另一部分互补)通过碱基互补配对结合靶DNA, 将靶DNA固定于芯片上; 荧光纳米金探针通过检测探针与靶DNA及芯片结合, 在芯片上形成“三明治”复合结构, 最后通过检测信号探针上荧光分子的信号强度来确定靶DNA的量. 新方法检测灵敏度高, 可以检测浓度为1 pmol/L的靶DNA, 操作简单, 检测时间短. 通过改进纳米金探针的标记和优化杂交条件, 可进一步提高核酸检测的灵敏度, 这将在核酸检测方面具有重要的应用价值.     

罗布泊地区环境样品中的放射性检测

随着核能的开发应用,研究环境中铀、钍、钾等长寿命放射性核素的放射性水平,对保护公众安全和生态环境具有重要意义。采用中子活化分析方法,对罗布泊地区环境样品作了放射性检测。根据该样品的比活度以及该样品的元素丰度与中国大陆地壳元素丰度的比较,表明罗布泊地区的地质放射性无明显的放射性异常,并可以作为建筑材料使用,符合GB6566-2001标准。     

高效液相色谱-荧光检测法测定血清中的犬尿氨酸

建立了高效液相色谱-荧光检测(HPLC-FLD)测定血清中犬尿氨酸(kynurenine,Kyn)含量的方法。采用Hypersil C8色谱柱(300 mm×6.0 mm,10 μm), 流动相为0.25 mol/L醋酸锌及50 mmol/L醋酸溶液(含3%乙腈),流速为1.5 mL/min, 荧光检测激发波长和发射波长分别为365 nm和480 nm。血清标本经5%(v/v)高氯酸溶液去除蛋白质后取上层清液直接进样, Kyn经流动相等度洗脱分离后,用FLD进行测定。研究结果表明Kyn保留时间约为8.3 min,线性范围为0.098～19.6 μmol/L,最低检出浓度为0.04 μmol/L,回收率为90.8%～96.2%,日内、日间测定的相对标准偏差均小于5%,苯丙氨酸、酪氨酸、色氨酸、5-羟色胺和犬尿喹啉酸等物质对犬尿氨酸的测定均无干扰。建立的方法简便、快速、灵敏、特异,适用于临床和科研应用。     

Microfluidic differential resistive pulse sensors

This study demonstrates an on-chip resistive pulse-sensing scheme with a design of symmetric mirror channels, which significantly reduces the noise and achieves better signal-to-noise ratio. Polystyrene particles of different sizes have been detected with the developed sensing scheme and a record low volume ratio of the particle to the sensing channel, or 0.0004%, has been detected with particles of 520 nm in diameter in a sensing aperture of 50x16x20 microm3. This volume ratio is about ten times lower than the lowest volume ratio reported in the literature including that specified for commercial Coulter counters.