Recoverable Bismuth-Based Microrobots: Capture, Transport, and On-Demand Release of Heavy Metals and an Anticancer Drug in Confined Spaces.

Self-propelled microrobots are seen as the next step of micro- and nanotechnology. The biomedical and environmental applications of these robots in the real world need their motion in the confined environments, such as in veins or spaces between the grains of soil. Here, self-propelled trilayer microrobots have been prepared using electrodeposition techniques, coupling unique properties of green bismuth (Bi) with a layered crystal structure, magnetic nickel (Ni), and a catalytic platinum (Pt) layer.

A Metal-Doped Fungi-Based Biomaterial for Advanced Electrocatalysis.

Nature and its highly sophisticated biomaterials are an endless source of inspiration for engineers and scientists across a wide range of disciplines. During the last decade, concepts of bioinspired synthesis of hierarchically structured nano- and micromaterials have been attracting increasing attention. In this article, we have utilized the natural ability of fungi to absorb metal ions for a bioinspired synthesis of carbonaceous material doped by selected transition metals.

Kinetic analysis of human metallothionein and CdTe quantum dot complexes using fluorescence and voltammetry techniques.

Thanks to quantum dots' (QDs) properties, they can be used as selective and sensitive biomarkers in molecular imaging. In a previous paper, we confirmed the possibility of interaction between mercaptosuccinic acid-capped cadmium telluride QDs (MSA-CdTe) and human metallothionein (MT). The aim of this study was to expand on our previous research with an evaluation of the stability of the formed complexes between human MT and four CdTe compounds of the following sizes: 3.

VPA does not enhance platinum binding to DNA in cisplatin-resistant neuroblastoma cancer cells.

Neuroblastoma represents a malignancy of the sympathetic nervous system characteristic by biological heterogeneity. Thus, chemotherapy exhibits only low effectivity in curing high-risk forms. Previous studies revealed the cytotoxic potential of valproate on neuroblastoma cells.

Current trends in electrochemical sensing and biosensing of DNA methylation.

DNA methylation plays an important role in physiological and pathological processes. Several genetic diseases and most malignancies tend to be associated with aberrant DNA methylation. Among other analytical methods, electrochemical approaches have been successfully employed for characterisation of DNA methylation patterns that are essential for the diagnosis and treatment of particular diseases.

Exceptional release kinetics and cytotoxic selectivity of oxidised MWCNTs double-functionalised with doxorubicin and prostate-homing peptide.

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are among the frequently studied carbon materials, particularly because of their physical and chemical properties and high potential for application in materials chemistry, industry, and medicine. MWCNTs are very promising as transporters of bioactive molecules because of their π electrons and large surface area, which can be easily modified, mostly by the application of inorganic acids for the introduction of carboxylic moieties on the surface. In the present study, we designed an oxidised MWCNTs (oMWCNTs) transporter for the targeted delivery of doxorubicin (Dox).

Fully automated two-step assay for detection of metallothionein through magnetic isolation using functionalized γ-FeO particles.

Metallothioneins (MTs) are involved in heavy metal detoxification in a wide range of living organisms. Currently, it is well known that MTs play substantial role in many pathophysiological processes, including carcinogenesis, and they can serve as diagnostic biomarkers. In order to increase the applicability of MT in cancer diagnostics, an easy-to-use and rapid method for its detection is required.

Specific Magnetic Isolation of E6 HPV16 Modified Magnetizable Particles Coupled with PCR and Electrochemical Detection.

The majority of carcinomas that were developed due to the infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) are caused by high-risk HPV types, HPV16 and HPV18. These HPV types contain the E6 and E7 oncogenes, so the fast detection of these oncogenes is an important point to avoid the development of cancer. Many different HPV tests are available to detect the presence of HPV in biological samples.

A two-step protocol for isolation of influenza A (H7N7) virions and their RNA for PCR diagnostics based on modified paramagnetic particles.

Annual epidemics of influenza cause death of hundreds of thousands people and they also have a significant economic impact. Hence, a need for fast and cheap influenza diagnostic method is arising. The conventional methods for an isolation of the viruses are time-consuming and require expensive instrumentation as well as trained personnel.

Perspective of Use of Antiviral Peptides against Influenza Virus.

The threat of a worldwide influenza pandemic has greatly increased over the past decade with the emergence of highly virulent avian influenza strains. The increased frequency of drug-resistant influenza strains against currently available antiviral drugs requires urgent development of new strategies for antiviral therapy, too. The research in the field of therapeutic peptides began to develop extensively in the second half of the 20(th) century.

Bioconjugation of peptides using advanced nanomaterials to examine their interactions in 3D printed flow-through device.

Peptide-peptide interactions are crucial in the living cell as they lead to the formation of the numerous types of complexes. In this study, synthetic peptides containing 11 of cysteines (α-domain of metallothionein (MT)) and sialic acid binding region (130-loop of hemagglutinin (HA)) were employed. The aim of the experiment was studying the interactions between MT and HA-derived peptides.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer between green fluorescent protein and doxorubicin enabled by DNA nanotechnology.

DNA nanotechnology is a rapidly growing research area, where DNA may be used for wide range of applications such as construction of nanodevices serving for large scale of diverse purposes. Likewise a panel of various purified fluorescent proteins is investigated for their ability to emit their typical fluorescence spectra under influence of particular excitation. Hence these proteins may form ideal donor molecules for assembly of fluorescence resonance emission transfer (FRET) constructions.

Beads-based electrochemical assay for the detection of influenza hemagglutinin labeled with CdTe quantum dots.

In this study we describe a beads-based assay for rapid, sensitive and specific isolation and detection of influenza vaccine hemagglutinin (HA). Amplification of the hemagglutinin signal resulted from binding of an electrochemical label as quantum dots (QDs). For detection of the metal and protein part of the resulting HA-CdTe complex, two differential pulse voltammetric methods were used.

3D printed chip for electrochemical detection of influenza virus labeled with CdS quantum dots.

In this study, we report a new three-dimensional (3D), bead-based microfluidic chip developed for rapid, sensitive and specific detection of influenza hemagglutinin. The principle of microfluidic chip is based on implementation of two-step procedure that includes isolation based on paramagnetic beads and electrochemical detection. As a platform for isolation process, streptavidin-modified MPs, which were conjugated via biotinylated glycan (through streptavidin-biotin affinity) followed by linkage of hemagglutinin to glycan, were used.

Fullerene as a transporter for doxorubicin investigated by analytical methods and in vivo imaging.

Carbon nanomaterials, including fullerenes, exhibit not only unique structure and electronic properties but also a significant potential to serve as radical scavengers and/or anti-oxidants. Their conjugation with anticancer drugs such as doxorubicin (DOX) may help to balance severe negative side effects of these cytostatics and also improve the delivery of the drug taking advantage of the enhanced cellular uptake, selectivity to cancer cells, and pH regulated release. In this study, the fullerene (C60) surface was oxidized by concentrated nitric acid, which enabled simple DOX-fullerene conjugation based on π-π stacking and hydrophilic interactions with carboxylic groups.

Electrochemical study of ellipticine interaction with single and double stranded oligonucleotides.

Ellipticine (5,11-dimethyl-6H-pyrido[4,3-b]carbazole) is an alkaloid that has been isolated from plants of an Apocynaceae family. It is one of the simplest naturally occurring alkaloids with a planar structure. Over the past decades, ellipticine became a very promising antitumor agent.

Development of a magnetic electrochemical bar code array for point mutation detection in the H5N1 neuraminidase gene.

Since its first official detection in the Guangdong province of China in 1996, the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus of H5N1 subtype (HPAI H5N1) has reportedly been the cause of outbreaks in birds in more than 60 countries, 24 of which were European. The main issue is still to develop effective antiviral drugs. In this case, single point mutation in the neuraminidase gene, which causes resistance to antiviral drug and is, therefore, subjected to many studies including ours, was observed.

Rapid superparamagnetic-beads-based automated immunoseparation of Zn-proteins from Staphylococcus aureus with nanogram yield.

Pathogenic bacteria have become a serious socio-economic concern. Immunomagnetic separation-based methods create new possibilities for rapidly recognizing many of these pathogens. The aim of this study was to use superparamagnetic particles-based fully automated instrumentation to isolate pathogen Staphylococcus aureus and its Zn(II) containing proteins (Zn-proteins).

Paramagnetic particles coupled with an automated flow injection analysis as a tool for influenza viral protein detection.

Currently, the influenza virus infects millions of individuals every year. Since the influenza virus represents one of the greatest threats, it is necessary to develop a diagnostic technique that can quickly, inexpensively, and accurately detect the virus to effectively treat and control seasonal and pandemic strains. This study presents an alternative to current detection methods.

Bio-sensing of cadmium(II) ions using Staphylococcus aureus.

Cadmium, as a hazardous pollutant commonly present in the living environment, represents an important risk to human health due to its undesirable effects (oxidative stress, changes in activities of many enzymes, interactions with biomolecules including DNA and RNA) and consequent potential risk, making its detection very important. New and unique technological and biotechnological approaches for solving this problems are intensely sought. In this study, we used the commonly occurring potential pathogenic microorganism Staphylococcus aureus for the determination of markers which could be used for sensing of cadmium(II) ions.

Microfluidic tool based on the antibody-modified paramagnetic particles for detection of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in urine of prostate cancer patients.

Guanosine derivatives are important for diagnosis of oxidative DNA damage including 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as one of the most abundant products of DNA oxidation. This compound is commonly determined in urine, which makes 8-OHdG a good non-invasive marker of oxidation stress. In this study, we optimized and tested the isolation of 8-OHdG from biological matrix by using paramagnetic particles with an antibody-modified surface.