In Vitro Tracking of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Using Ultra-Sensitive Quantum Dot-Embedded Silica Nanoparticles.

The nanoscale spatiotemporal resolution of single-particle tracking (SPT) renders it a powerful method for exploring single-molecule dynamics in living cells or tissues, despite the disadvantages of using traditional organic fluorescence probes, such as the weak fluorescent signal against the strong cellular autofluorescence background coupled with a fast-photobleaching rate. Quantum dots (QDs), which enable tracking targets in multiple colors, have been proposed as an alternative to traditional organic fluorescence dyes; however, they are not ideally suitable for applying SPT due to their hydrophobicity, cytotoxicity, and blinking problems. This study reports an improved SPT method using silica-coated QD-embedded silica nanoparticles (QD), which represent brighter fluorescence and are less toxic than single QDs.

Highly sensitive near-infrared SERS nanoprobes for in vivo imaging using gold-assembled silica nanoparticles with controllable nanogaps.

Background: To take advantages, such as multiplex capacity, non-photobleaching property, and high sensitivity, of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based in vivo imaging, development of highly enhanced SERS nanoprobes in near-infrared (NIR) region is needed. A well-controlled morphology and biocompatibility are essential features of NIR SERS nanoprobes. Gold (Au)-assembled nanostructures with controllable nanogaps with highly enhanced SERS signals within multiple hotspots could be a breakthrough.

Nonenzymatic Hydrogen Peroxide Detection Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering of Gold-Silver Core-Shell-Assembled Silica Nanostructures.

Hydrogen peroxide (HO) plays important roles in cellular signaling and in industry. Thus, the accurate detection of HO is critical for its application. Unfortunately, the direct detection of HO by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is not possible because of its low Raman cross section.

Silver-Assembled Silica Nanoparticles in Lateral Flow Immunoassay for Visual Inspection of Prostate-Specific Antigen.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the best-known biomarker for early diagnosis of prostate cancer. For prostate cancer in particular, the threshold level of PSA <4.0 ng/mL in clinical samples is an important indicator.

Glucose Detection of 4-Mercaptophenylboronic Acid-Immobilized Gold-Silver Core-Shell Assembled Silica Nanostructure by Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering.

The importance of glucose in many biological processes continues to garner increasing research interest in the design and development of efficient biotechnology for the sensitive and selective monitoring of glucose. Here we report on a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection of 4-mercaptophenyl boronic acid (4-MPBA)-immobilized gold-silver core-shell assembled silica nanostructure (SiO@Au@Ag@4-MPBA) for quantitative, selective detection of glucose in physiologically relevant concentration. This work confirmed that 4-MPBA converted to 4-mercaptophenol (4-MPhOH) in the presence of HO.

Synthesis of Densely Immobilized Gold-Assembled Silica Nanostructures.

In this study, dense gold-assembled SiO nanostructure (SiO@Au) was successfully developed using the Au seed-mediated growth. First, SiO (150 nm) was prepared, modified by amino groups, and incubated by gold nanoparticles (ca. 3 nm Au metal nanoparticles (NPs)) to immobilize Au NPs to SiO surface.

Facile Histamine Detection by Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering using SiO@Au@Ag Alloy Nanoparticles.

Histamine intoxication associated with seafood consumption represents a global health problem. The consumption of high concentrations of histamine can cause illnesses ranging from light symptoms, such as a prickling sensation, to death. In this study, gold-silver alloy-embedded silica (SiO@Au@Ag) nanoparticles were created to detect histamine using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS).

Generation of motor neurons requires spatiotemporal coordination between retinoic acid and Mib-mediated Notch signaling.

Mind bomb (Mib) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that activates the Notch signaling pathway. A previous study demonstrated that the generation of late-born GABAergic neurons may be regulated by the interplay between Mib and retinoic acid (RA). However, the relationship between Mib function and the retinoid pathway during the generation of late-born motor neurons remains unclear.