Investigation of NeutrAvidin-tagged liposomal nanovesicles as universal detection reagents for bioanalytical assays.

Ligand-tagged liposomes, obtained by covalent conjugation of ligands to the liposomal surface, have been widely used as detection reagents in bioanalytical assays. A non-covalent conjugation method where IgG was attached to protein G-tagged liposomes has been recently utilized. To enlarge the application of non-covalent methods to a greater variety of ligands, including peptides, proteins, and nucleic acids, we developed and optimized a new method for the preparation of NeutrAvidin-tagged liposomes with subsequent attachment of biotinylated ligands.

Peanut Allergy, Peanut Allergens, and Methods for the Detection of Peanut Contamination in Food Products.

  Attention to peanut allergy has been rising rapidly for the last 5 y, because it accounts for the majority of severe food-related anaphylaxis, it tends to appear early in life, and it usually is not resolved. Low milligram amounts of peanut allergens can induce severe allergic reactions in highly sensitized individuals, and no cure is available for peanut allergy. This review presents updated information on peanut allergy, peanut allergens (Ara h1 to h8), and available methods for detecting peanuts in foods.

Development of a competitive liposome-based lateral flow assay for the rapid detection of the allergenic peanut protein Ara h1.

A competitive lateral flow assay for detecting the major peanut allergen, Ara h1, has been developed. The detector reagents are Ara h1-tagged liposomes, and the capture reagents are anti-Ara h1 polyclonal antibodies. Two types of rabbit polyclonal antibodies were raised either against the entire Ara h1 molecules (anti-Ara h1 Ab) or against an immunodominant epitope on Ara h1 (anti-peptide Ab).

Development of an immunomagnetic bead-immunoliposome fluorescence assay for rapid detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in aqueous samples and comparison of the assay with a standard microbiological method.

The objective of this study was to develop and optimize a protocol for the rapid detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in aqueous samples by a combined immunomagnetic bead-immunoliposome (IMB/IL) fluorescence assay. The protocol consisted of the filtration or centrifugation of 30- to 100-ml samples followed by incubation of the filter membranes or pellet with anti-E. coli O157:H7 immunomagnetic beads in growth medium specific for E.

Ganglioside-liposome immunoassay for the detection of botulinum toxin.

A rapid and highly sensitive receptor immunoassay for botulinum toxin (BT) has been developed using ganglioside-incorporated liposomes. Botulism outbreaks are relatively rare, but their results can be very severe, usually leading to death from respiratory failure. To exert their toxicity, the biological toxins must first bind to receptors on the cell surface, and the trisialoganglioside GT1b has been identified as the cell receptor for BT.

Ganglioside-liposome immunoassay for the ultrasensitive detection of cholera toxin.

An extremely sensitive bioassay has been developed for cholera toxin (CT) detection, using ganglioside-incorporated liposomes. Cholera is a diarrheal disease, often associated with water or seafood contamination. Ganglioside GM1 was used to prepare the liposomes by spontaneous insertion into the phospholipid bilayer.