Reverse transcription-free digital-quantitative-PCR for microRNA analysis.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNA sequences that regulate many biological processes and have become central targets of biomedical research. However, their naturally low abundances in biological samples necessitates the development of sensitive analytical techniques to conduct routine miRNA measurements in research laboratories. Digital PCR has the potential to meet this need because of its single-molecule detection capabilities, but PCR analyses of miRNAs are slowed by the ligation and reverse transcription steps first required to prepare samples.

Microfluidic Digital Quantitative PCR to Measure Internal Cargo of Individual Liposomes.

Lipid nanoparticles serve as drug delivery vehicles for biopharmaceutical products. The lipid membrane shields internal nucleic-acid drug cargo from enzymatic degradation and facilitates cellular uptake of the drug. However, existing methods to assess drug loading within liposomes are limited to averaged bulk measurements, which obscures heterogeneity of the biopharmaceutical formulation.

Determination of 2,4,6-triiodoresorcinol and other side reaction products and intermediates in the colour additive FD&C Red No. 3 (erythrosine) using high-performance liquid chromatography.

An HPLC method was developed for the quantitative determination of 2,4,6-triiodoresorcinol (I3R), 2-(2',4'-dihydroxy-3',5'-diiodobenzoyl)benzoic acid, resorcinol, phthalic acid, and sodium iodide in the colour additive FD&C Red No. 3 (erythrosine) (R3). Due to the fast decomposition of I3R in aqueous solutions, the dye portions analysed were dissolved in methanol and the determinations were performed in the freshly-made solutions.