Computational studies on the molecular insights of aptamer induced poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-graft-graphene oxide for on/off- switchable whole-cell cancer diagnostics.

This work deals with first-principles and in silico studies of graphene oxide-based whole-cell selective aptamers for cancer diagnostics utilising a tunable-surface strategy. Herein, graphene oxide (GO) was constructed as a surface-based model with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) covalently grafted as an "on/off"-switch in triggering interactions with the cancer-cell protein around its lower critical solution temperature. The atomic building blocks of the aptamer and the PNIPAM adsorbed onto the GO was investigated at the density functional theory (DFT) level.

Light induced DNA-functionalized TiO nanocrystalline interface: Theoretical and experimental insights towards DNA damage detection.

Owing to the emerging applications of DNA-functionalized TiO nanocrystals towards DNA damage detection, it is inevitable to understand the better chemistry as well as in-depth molecular interaction phenomena. Fundamentally, energy difference underlies the layer-by-layer construction, resulted in the increase of the interaction energy and thus, altering the electrochemical behavior. Herein, Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed using DMol3 and DFTB+ codes successfully to elucidate the structural, electronics, and vibrational properties of the layer-by-layer components composing ss-DNA/dopamine/TiO/FTO.

One-pot biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Iboza Riparia and Ilex Mitis for cytotoxicity on human embryonic kidney cells.

Plant extracts continue gaining significant prominence in green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), due to their potential applications in nano-medicine and material engineering. This work reports on green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from aqueous extracts of Iboza Riparia leaf and Ilex Mitis root bark with diterpenes (DTPs) and saponins (SPNs) as major components. After TEM, DLS, TGA/DSC, ATR, XRD and UV-Vis characterization, the relevant cytotoxicity studies were conducted with the MTT assay on human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293T) followed by antioxidant activity with ABTS.

Smartphone based bioanalytical and diagnosis applications: A review.

A smartphone is a facile, handy-analytical device that makes our lives comfortable and stress-free in terms of health care diagnostic assessments. Due to recent advancements in the technology and the introduction of user friendly operating systems and applications, the smartphones have replaced laptops and desktop computers. Taking this fact into account, researchers have designed sensing systems which are more compatible with smartphones.

Biosynthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using Jacaranda mimosifolia flowers extract: Synergistic antibacterial activity and molecular simulated facet specific adsorption studies.

The naturally occurring biomolecules present in the plant extracts have been identified to play an active role in the single step formation of nanoparticles with varied morphologies and sizes which is greener and environmentally benign. In the present work, spherical zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) of 2-4nm size were synthesized using aqueous extract of fallen Jacaranda mimosifolia flowers (JMFs), treated as waste. The microwave assisted synthesis was completed successfully within 5min.

Electrochemical sensing platform amplified with a nanobiocomposite of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase enzyme for the detection of capsaicin.

The present study involves the development of a sensitive electrochemical biosensor for the determination of capsaicin extracted from chilli fruits, based on a novel signal amplification strategy using enzyme technology. For the first time, platinum electrode modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes where phenylalanine ammonia-lyase enzyme was immobilized using nafion was characterized by attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy, transmittance electron microscopy and thermo-gravimetric analysis supported by computational methods. Cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry measurements were performed to better understand the redox mechanism of capsaicin.

An ultrasensitive performance enhanced novel cytochrome c biosensor for the detection of rebaudioside A.

In this study a novel cyctochrome c modified nanocomposite electrochemical biosensor was developed for the electrochemical determination of rebaudioside A in different food samples. The electrode surface was fabricated with graphene oxide assimilated with gold nanoparticles decorated on multiwalled carbon nanotubes/cytochrome c. The developed biosensor exhibited a 10-fold enhancement in the differential pulse voltammetry signal carried out at pH 11.

Fabrication of copper nanoparticles decorated multiwalled carbon nanotubes as a high performance electrochemical sensor for the detection of neotame.

A highly sensitive and novel electrochemical sensor for the detection of neotame using differential pulse voltammetry with a modified glassy carbon electrode is presented. The method was further customized by the fabrication of the electrode surface with copper nanoparticles-ammonium piperidine dithiocarbamate-mutiwalled carbon nanotubes assimilated with β-cyclodextrin. The multiwalled carbon nanotubes assimilated with β-cyclodextrin/glassy carbon electrode exhibited catalytic activity towards the oxidation of neotame at a potential of 1.