Amplified electrochemical aptasensor taking AuNPs based sandwich sensing platform as a model

Here, we report a sensitive amplified electrochemical impedimetric aptasensor for thrombin, a kind of serine protease that plays important role in thrombosis and haemostasis. For improving detection sensitivity, a sandwich sensing platform is fabricated, in which the thiolated aptamers are firstly immobilized on a gold substrate to capture the thrombin molecules, and then the aptamer functionalized Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) are used to amplify the impedimetric signals.

Characterization and optimization of AuNPs labeled by Raman reporters on glass based on silver enhancement

In this report, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) labeled by Raman reporters (AuNPs-R6G) were assembled on glass and used as the seeds to in situ grow silver-coated nanostructures based on silver enhancer solution, forming the nanostructures of AuNPs-R6G@Ag, which were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV-visible spectroscopy. More importantly, the obtained silver-coated nanostructures can be used as a surface enhancement Raman scattering (SERS) substrate. The different SERS activities can be controlled by the silver deposition time and assembly time of AuNPs-R6G on glass. The results indicate that the maximum SERS activity could be obtained on AuNPs-R6G when these nanostructures were assembled on glass for 2 h with silver deposition for 2 min.

A biofuel cell with enhanced performance by multilayer biocatalyst immobilized on highly ordered macroporous electrode

A one-compartment glucose/O-2. biofuel cell based on an electrostatic layer-by-layer (LbL) technique on three-dimensional ordered macroporous (3DOM) gold electrode was described. A 3DOM gold electrode was synthesized electrochemically by an inverted colloidal crystal template technique. Then the macroporous gold electrodes were functionalized with Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) and enzyme, glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) or laccase.

Nanoparticle-amplified Surface Plasmon Resonance Study of Protein Conformational Change at Interface

This paper reports the study of protein conformational change by Au nanoparticles (AUNPs)-amplified surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy. Taking cytochrome c (Cyt c) as an example, this paper gives a detailed description of the construction of metal-protein-metal sandwich nanostructure consisting of an Au film underlayer, a cytochrome c intermediate layer and an AuNPs upper layer. The incorporation of AuNPs into SPR biosensing results in increased SPR sensitivity to protein conformational change as demonstrated by acid denaturation of Cyt c. It suggests the conformational change of surface-confined Cyt c leads to the distance and electromagnetic coupling variations of Au film-AuNPs.

Cationic Lipid Bilayer Coated Gold Nanoparticles-mediated Transfection of Mammalian Cells

Here, we demonstrated dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DODAB), a cationic lipid, bilayer coated Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) could efficiently deliver two types of plasmid DNA into human embryonic kidney cells (HEK 293) in the presence of serum. The transfection efficiency of AuNPs was about five times higher than that of DODAB. The interaction of AuNPs with DNA was characterized with dye intercalation assay and agarose gel electrophoresis. The morphology of the complex of AuNPs with DNA was observed with scanning electron microscope (SEM). The intracellular trafficking of the complex was monitored with transmission electron microscope (TEM).

Ultrasensitive colorimetric detection of protein by aptamer - Au nanoparticles conjugates based on a dot-blot assay

A simple, rapid and ultrasensitive colorimetric detection of protein using aptamer-Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) conjugates based on a dot-blot array has been developed, which was combined with the unique optical properties of AuNPs, enabling the visual detection of protein within minutes without any instrument.

Effect of Freeze-Thawing on Lipid Bilayer-Protected Gold Nanoparticles

In this study, varieties of lipid bilayer-protected gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized through a simple wet chemical method, and then the effect of freeze-thawing on the as-prepared AuNPs was investigated. The freeze-thawing process induced fusion or fission of lipid bilayers tethered on the AuNPs. The UV-vis spectra and transmission electron microscopy experiments revealed that the disruption of lipid bilayer structures on the nanoparticles led to the fusion or aggregation of AuNPs.

Facile fabrication of gold nanoparticle arrays for efficient surface-enhanced Raman scattering

An effective and facile method for the fabrication of a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-active film with closely packed gold nanoparticle (AuNP) arrays is proposed by self-assembly of different sizes ( 16, 25, 40 and 70 nm) of AuNPs at a toluene/water interface with ethanol as the inducer. The as-prepared AuNP arrays exhibit efficient Raman scattering enhancement, and the enhancement factors estimated using p-aminothiophenol as a probe molecule range from 10(5) to 10(7).

A electrochemiluminescence aptasensor for detection of thrombin incorporating the capture aptamer labeled with gold nanoparticles immobilized onto the thio-silanized ITO electrode

A novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL) aptasensor was proposed for sensitive and cost-effective detection of the target thrombin adopted an aptamer-based sandwich format. To detect thrombin, capture aptamers; labeled with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were first immobilized onto the thio-silanized ITO electrode surface through strong Au-S bonds. After catching the target thrombin, signal aptamers; tagged with ECL labels were attached to the assembled electrode surface. As a result, an AuNPs-capture-aptamer/thrombin/ECL-tagged signal-aptamer sandwich type was formed.

A new method for studying the interaction between chlorpromazine and phospholipid bilayer

The spectroscopic and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies of interaction between chlorpromazine (CPZ) and dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) bilayer by using gold nanoparticles (AuN-Ps) as probes are reported. The DMPG bilayer-protected AuNPs were prepared by a simple one-step method. The DMPG bilayer tethered on the AuNPs was considered as a biomembrane model. The addition of CPZ affected the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and morphology of the prepared AuNPs, and this effect was monitored by UV-vis spectroscopy and TEM.

Metallic Cation Induced One-Dimensional Assembly of Poly(acrylic acid)-1-Dodecanethiol-Stabilized Gold Nanoparticles

In this work, we report a simple approach for controllable synthesis of one-dimensional (ID) gold nanoparticle (AuNP) assemblies in solution. In the presence of divalent metallic ions, poly(acrylic acid)-1-dodecanethiol-stabilized AuNPs (PAA-DDT@AuNPs) are found to form I D assemblies in aqueous solution by an ion-templated chelation process; this causes an easily measurable change in the absorption spectrum of the particles. The assemblies are very stable and remain suspended in solution for more than one month without significant aggregation.

Carbon nanotube/gold nanoparticles/polyethylenimine-functionalized ionic liquid thin film composites for glucose biosensing

A novel glucose biosensor based on immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOD) in thin films of polyethylenimine-functionalized ionic liquid (PFIL), containing a mixture of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and deposited on glassy carbon electrodes, was developed. Direct electrochemistry of glucose oxidase in the film was observed, with linear glucose response up to 12 mM. The PFIL-stabilized gold nanoparticles had a diameter of 2.4 +/- 0.8 nm and exhibited favorable stability (stored even over one month with invisible change in UV-vis spectroscopic measurements).

Size-controlled synthesis of monodispersed gold nanoparticles stabilized by polyelectrolyte-functionalized ionic liquid

The size-controlled synthesis of monodispersed gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) stabilized by polyelectrolyte-functionalized ionic liquid (PFIL) is described. The resulting AuNPs' size, with a narrow distribution, can be tuned by the concentration of HAuCl4. Such PFIL-stabilized AuNPs (PFIL-AuNPs) showed a high stability in water at room temperature for at least one month; they were also quite stable in solutions of pH 7-13 and high concentration of NaCl.

Colorimetric detection of mercury ion (Hg2+) based on DNA oligonucleotides and unmodified gold nanoparticles sensing system with a tunable detection range

Here, we report a simple and Sensitive colorimetric detection method for Hg2+ ions With a tunable detection range based on DNA oligonucleotides and unmodified gold nanoparticles (DNA/AuNPs) sensing system. Complementary DNA strands with T-T mismatches could effectively protect AuNPs from salt-induced aggregation. While in the presence of Hg2+ ions T-Hg2+-T coordination chemistry leads to the formation of DNA duplexes, and AuNPs are less well protected thus aggregate at the same salt concentration, accompanying by color change from red to blue. By rationally varying the number of T-T mismatches in DNA oligonucleotides, the detection range could be tuned.

One step to detect the latent fingermarks with gold nanoparticles

A simple and environment friendly chemical route for detecting latent fingermarks by one-step single-metal nanoparticles deposition method (SND) was achieved successfully on several non-porous items. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) synthesized using sodium borohydride as reducing agent in the presence of glucose, were used as working solution for latent fingermarks detection. The SND technique just needs one step to obtain clear ridge details in a wide pH range (2.5-5.0), whereas the standard multi-metal deposition (MMD) technique requires six baths in a narrow pH range (2.5-2.8). The SND is very convenient to detect latent fingermarks in forensic scene or laboratory for forensic operators. The SND technique provided sharp and clear development of latent fingermarks, without background staining, dramatically diminished the bath steps.