Enhanced Anti-Interference Photoelectrochemical DNA Bioassay: Grafting a Peptide-Conjugated Hairpin DNA Probe on a COF-Based Photocathode.

Precise and sensitive analysis of specific DNA in actual human bodily fluids is crucial for the early diagnosis of major diseases and for a deeper understanding of DNA functions. Herein, by grafting a peptide-conjugated hairpin DNA probe to a covalent organic framework (COF)-based photocathode, a robust anti-interference photoelectrochemical (PEC) DNA bioassay was explored, which could specifically resist potential interference from nonspecific proteins and reducing species. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) DNA was used as the target DNA (tDNA) for the PEC DNA bioassay.

Shedding light on vascular imaging: the revolutionary role of nanotechnology.

Vascular dysfunction, characterized by changes in anatomy, hemodynamics, and molecular expressions of vasculatures, is closely linked to the onset and development of diseases, emphasizing the importance of its detection. In clinical practice, medical imaging has been utilized as a significant tool in the assessment of vascular dysfunction, however, traditional imaging techniques still lack sufficient resolution for visualizing the complex microvascular systems. Over the past decade, with the rapid advancement of nanotechnology and the emergence of corresponding detection facilities, engineered nanomaterials offer new alternatives to traditional contrast agents.

Intelligent DNA Nanosystem for Broad-Spectrum Oncological Typing and Therapy.

The occurrence of multiple primary cancers in individual patients underscores the need for diagnostic and therapeutic techniques with augmented cancer-targeting selectivity and broad-spectrum antitumor effects. To address this, we develop a quadruple-input-triggered R-ND-ND logic gated oncological nanosystem (OAA). This system employs four cancer-related markers (EpCAM, MUC1, APE1, and miR-21) to generate three distinct fluorescence signals, enabling precise differentiation of various cancer cell lines (MCF-7, HepG2, and HeLa) from normal cells (MCF-10A).

A Nonfouling Electrochemical Biosensor for Protein Analysis in Complex Body Fluids Based on Multifunctional Peptide Conjugated with PEGlyated Phospholipid.

Developing antifouling biosensors capable of performing robustly in complex human body fluids is crucial for biomarker diagnosis and health monitoring. Herein, an antifouling and highly sensitive and stable biosensor was constructed through the self-assembly of the designed conjugates composed of a multifunctional peptide (MP) and PEGylated distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE-PEG). The self-assembly capability of the DSPE-PEG-MP was demonstrated clearly through coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation and transmission electron microscopy, and it can be effectively self-assembled onto the electrode surface modified with gold nanoparticles.

Light-Triggered Plasmonic DNAzyme Walker Enables Precise Subcellular Molecular Imaging with Reduced Off-Mitochondria Signal Leakage.

The development of highly sensitive and precise imaging techniques capable of visualizing crucial molecules at the subcellular level is essential for elucidating mitochondrial functions and uncovering novel mechanisms in biological processes. However, traditional molecular imaging strategies are still limited by off-mitochondria signal leakage because of the "always-active" sensing mode. To address this limitation, we have developed a light-triggered activation sequence activated plasmonic DNAzyme walker (PDW) for accurate subcellular molecular imaging by the combination of an organelle localized strategy, upconversion nanotechnology, and a plasmon enhanced fluorescence (PEF) technique.

Synergistic Coordination Effect and Metal-Support Interaction Engineering of Single-Atom Mn-N Sites for Boosting Sensitive and Selective Dopamine Biosensing in Human Serum.

Coordination environment of metal atoms is core for designing high-performance single-atom catalysts (SACs), while metal-support interaction also has an important effect on structure-function relationship. Nevertheless, the interaction effect of metal-support is mostly ignored. Through synergistic regulation of coordination environment and metal-support interaction, Mn SAC with atom-dispersed Mn-N sites on dopamine (DA) support is synthesized for sensitive and selective DA oxidation based on theoretical calculations and experimental explorations.

Being Smarter, Azobenzene-Containing Biomaterial Showing Triple Stimuli-Responsive Phase Change Property to Light, Humidity and Force at Room Temperature.

Multiple stimuli-responsiveness is an attractive property that is studied in physical chemistry and materials chemistry. While, multiple stimuli-responsive phase change in an isothermal way is rarely addressed for functional materials at room temperature. In this study, one azobenzene-containing surfactant AZO is designed for the fabrication of triple stimuli-responsive phase change biomaterial (Alg-AZO) through the electrostatic complexation with natural alginate.

Photoresponsive protamine ionic complex towards a smart hemostatic biomaterial.

Protamine (PA) is the only licensed antidote for reversing heparin anticoagulation by electrostatically binding with heparin. Efforts have been made on designing various heparin-scavengers, while, it remains a great challenge for gaining the external-stimuli responsive PA-release material. In this study, a generic strategy is developed for fabricating photoresponsive protein materials with the designed azobenzene-containing surfactant.

Highly-Strong and Highly-Tough Alginate Fibers with Photo-Modulating Mechanical Properties.

The good combination of high strength and high toughness is a long-standing challenge in the design of robust biomaterials. Meanwhile, robust biomaterials hardly perform fast and significant mechanical property changes under the trigger of light at room temperature. These limit the application of biomaterials in some specific areas.

Antifouling and antimicrobial wearable electrochemical sweat sensors for accurate dopamine monitoring based on amyloid albumin composite hydrogels.

Wearable electrochemical sweat sensors are potentially promising for health monitoring in a continuous and non-invasive mode with high sensitivity. However, due to the complexity of sweat composition and the growth of skin bacteria, the wearable sweat sensors may gradually lose their sensitivity or even fail over time. To deal with this issue, herein, we proposed a new strategy to construct wearable sweat sensors with antifouling and antimicrobial capabilities.

Promoting OH* adsorption by defect engineering of CuO catalysts for selective electro-oxidation of amines to nitriles coupled with hydrogen production.

Developing a high-efficiency benzylamine oxidation reaction (BOR) to replace the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is an attractive pathway to promote H production and concurrently realize organic conversion. However, the electrochemical BOR performance is still far from satisfactory. Herein, we present a self-supported CuO nanorod array with abundant oxygen vacancies on copper foam (V-rich CuO/CF) as a promising anode for selective electro-oxidation of benzylamine (BA) to benzonitrile (BN) coupled with cathodic H generation.

Design of U-shaped peptides with long-lasting antifouling efficacy: Toward a feasible electrochemical aptasensor for robust detection in human serum.

Background: Developing biosensors with antifouling properties is essential for accurately detecting low-concentration biomarkers in complex biological matrix, which is imperative for effective disease diagnosis and treatment. Herein, an antifouling electrochemical aptasensor qualifying for probing targets in human serum was explored based on newly-devised peptides that could form inverted U-shaped structures with long-term stability.

Results: The inverted U-shaped peptides (U-Pep) with two terminals of thiol groups grafted onto the Au-modified electrode showcase superior antifouling properties in terms of high stability against enzymatic hydrolysis and long acting against biofouling in actual biofluids.

Aqueous Grown Quantum Dots with Robust Near-Infrared Fluorescence for Integrated Traumatic Brain Injury Diagnosis and Surgical Monitoring.

Surgical intervention is the most common first-line treatment for severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) associated with high intracranial pressure, while the complexity of these surgical procedures often results in complications. Surgeons often struggle to comprehensively evaluate the TBI status, making it difficult to select the optimal intervention strategy. Here, we introduce a fluorescence imaging-based technology that uses high-quality silver indium selenide-based quantum dots (QDs) for integrated TBI diagnosis and surgical guidance.

An antifouling electrochemical biosensor based on oxidized bacterial cellulose and quaternized chitosan for reliable detection of involucrin in wound exudate.

The monitoring of biomarkers in wound exudate is of great importance for wound care and treatment, and electrochemical biosensors with high sensitivity are potentially useful for this purpose. However, conventional electrochemical biosensors always suffer from severe biofouling when performed in the complex wound exudate. Herein, an antifouling electrochemical biosensor for the detection of involucrin in wound exudate was developed based on a wound dressing, oxidized bacterial cellulose (OxBC) and quaternized chitosan (QCS) composite hydrogel.

Photoresponsive heparin ionic complexes toward controllable therapeutic efficacy of anticoagulation.

Controllable heparin-release is of great importance and necessity for the precise anticoagulant regulation. Efforts have been made on designing heparin-releasing systems, while, it remains a great challenge for gaining the external-stimuli responsive heparin-release in either intravenous or catheter delivery. In this study, an azobenzene-containing ammonium surfactant is designed and synthesized for the fabrication of photoresponsive heparin ionic complexes through the electrostatic complexation with heparin.

Advances in microneedles for transdermal diagnostics and sensing applications.

Microneedles, the miniaturized needles, which can pierce the skin with minimal invasiveness open up new possibilities for constructing personalized Point-of-Care (POC) diagnostic platforms. Recent advances in microneedle-based POC diagnostic systems, especially their successful implementation with wearable technologies, enable biochemical detection and physiological recordings in a user-friendly manner. This review presents an overview of the current advances in microneedle-based sensor devices, with emphasis on the biological basis of transdermal sensing, fabrication, and application of different types of microneedles, and a summary of microneedle devices based on various sensing strategies.

A Super-Antifouling Electrochemical Biosensor for Protein Detection in Complex Biofluids Based on PEGylated Multifunctional Peptide.

Overcoming the influence of interfering substances in the environment and achieving superior sensing performance are significant challenges in biomarker detection within complex matrices. Herein, an integrated electrochemical sensing platform for sensitive detection of biomarkers in complex biofluids was developed based on a newly designed PEGylated multifunctional peptide (PEG-MPEP). The designed PEG-MPEP contains a poly(serine) sequence (-ssssss-) as the antifouling part and recognition peptide sequence (-avwgrwh) specific for the target human immunoglobulin G (IgG).

A highly stable electrochemical sensor with antifouling and antibacterial capabilities for mercury ion detection in seawater.

The monitoring of heavy metal ions in ocean is crucial for environment protection and assessment of seawater quality. However, the detection of heavy metal ions in seawater with electrochemical sensors, especially for long-term monitoring, always faces challenges due to marine biofouling caused by the nonspecific adsorption of microbial and biomolecules. Herein, an electrochemical aptasensor, integrating both antifouling and antibacterial properties, was developed for the detection of Hg in the ocean.

A low-fouling electrochemical biosensor based on BSA hydrogel doped with carbon black for the detection of cortisol in human serum.

Electrochemical biosensors with high sensitivity can detect low concentrations of biomarkers, but their practical detection applications in complex biological environments such as human serum and sweat are severely limited by the biofouling. Herein, a conductive hydrogel based on bovine serum albumin (BSA) and conductive carbon black (CCB) was prepared for the construction of an antifouling biosensor. The BSA hydrogel (BSAG) was doped with CCB, and the prepared composite hydrogel exhibited good conductivity originated from the CCB and antifouling capability owing to the BSA hydrogel.

Exogenous and Endogenous Dual-Activated Nanoladder for Precise Imaging of Mitochondrial Ferroptosis-Related Inhibition miRNA with Tumor Cell Specificity.

Developing precise tumor cell-specific mitochondrial ferroptosis-related inhibition miRNA imaging methods holds enormous potential for anticancer drug screening and cancer treatment. Nevertheless, traditional amplification methods still tolerated the limited tumor specificity because of the "off-tumor" signal leakage resulting from their "always-active" sensing mode. To overcome this limitation, we herein developed a dual (exogenous 808 nm NIR light and endogenous APE1) activated nanoladder for precise imaging of mitochondrial ferroptosis-related miRNA with tumor cell specificity and improved imaging resolution.

Intelligent Cell Profiling and Precision Release: Multimolecular Marker-Activated Transmembrane DNA Computing Nanosystem.

Accurate classification of tumor cells is of importance for cancer diagnosis and further therapy. In this study, we develop multimolecular marker-activated transmembrane DNA computing systems (MTD). Employing the cell membrane as a native gate, the MTD system enables direct signal output following simple spatial events of "transmembrane" and "in-cell target encounter", bypassing the need of multistep signal conversion.

DNA liquid crystals with AIE effect toward humidity-indicating biomaterials.

In this study, by fabricating DNA doped with tetraphenylethene-containing ammonium surfactant, the resulting solvent-free DNA ionic complex could undergo a humidity-induced phase change that could be well tracked by the fluorescence signal of the surfactant. Taking advantage of the humidity-induced change in fluorescence, the reported ionic DNA complex could accurately indicate the humidity in real time.

Renin imprinted Poly(methyldopa) for biomarker detection and disease therapy.

Conventional molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) perform their functions principally depended on their three dimensional (3D) imprinted cavities (recognition sites) of templates. Here, retaining the function of recognition sites resulted from the imprinting of template molecules, the role of functional monomers is explored and expanded. Briefly, a class of dual-functional renin imprinted poly(methyldopa) (RMIP) is prepared, consisting of a drug-type function monomer (methyldopa, clinical high blood pressure drug) and a corresponding disease biomarker (renin, biomarker for high blood pressure disease).

Enhanced split-type photoelectrochemical aptasensor incorporating a robust antifouling coating derived from four-armed polyethylene glycol.

Antifouling biosensors capable of preventing protein nonspecific adhesion in real human bodily fluids are highly sought-after for precise disease diagnosis and treatment. In this context, an enhanced split-type photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptasensor was developed incorporating a four-armed polyethylene glycol (4A-PEG) to construct a robust antifouling coating, enabling accurate and sensitive bioanalysis. The split-type PEC system involved the photoelectrode and the biocathode, effectively separating signal converter with biorecogniton events.