Combination of the lateral-flow immunoassay with multicolor gold nanorod etching for the semi-quantitative detection of digoxin.

We are the first to combine the lateral-flow immunoassay (LFA) with gold nanorod (GNR) etching to achieve a multicolor readout where the color produced was correlated with digoxin concentrations in human serum in the relevant range for therapeutic drug monitoring of 0.5-3.0 ng mL.

On-demand nanozyme signal enhancement at the push of a button for the improved detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein in serum.

We developed an innovative 3D printed casing that incorporates a lateral-flow immunoassay, dehydrated signal enhancement reagents, and a sealed buffer chamber. With only the push of a button for signal enhancement, our device detected the SARS-CoV-2 N-protein in 40 min at concentrations as low as 0.1 ng mL in undiluted serum.

Trkb signaling in pericytes is required for cardiac microvessel stabilization.

Pericyte and vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) recruitment to the developing vasculature is an important step in blood vessel maturation. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), expressed by endothelial cells, activates the receptor tyrosine kinase TrkB to stabilize the cardiac microvasculature in the perinatal period. However, the effects of the BDNF/TrkB signaling on pericytes/SMCs and the mechanisms downstream of TrkB that promote vessel maturation are unknown.