Recent advances in biological detection with magnetic nanoparticles as a useful tool

Magnetic nanoparticles have emerged as a powerful tool for magnetic resonance imaging, biodetection, drug delivery, and hyperthermia. This review focuses on the biological detection of magnetic nanoparticles as well as their physicochemical properties. Substantial progress in the sensitivity of detection has been made by developing variety of methods. Five applications of magnetic nanoparticles in biological detection are discussed in this review: magnetic separation, magnetic sensing, magnetic manipulation, magnetic catalysis, and signal enhancer for surface plasmon resonance(SPR). Finally, some future trends and perspectives in these research areas are outlined.

Recent advances in biocompatible supramolecular assemblies for biomolecular detection and delivery

Inspired by sophisticated biological structures and their physiological processes, supramolecular chemistry has been developed for understanding and mimicking the behaviors of natural species. Through spontaneous self-assembly of functional building blocks, we are able to control the structures and regulate the functions of resulting supramolecular assemblies. Up to now, numerous functional supramolecular assemblies have been constructed and successfully employed as molecular devices, machines and biological diagnostic platforms. This review will focus on molecular structures of functional molecular building blocks and their assembled superstructures for biological detection and delivery.

Detection of Staphylococcus Aureus using quantum dots as fluorescence labels

Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus)has been identified as one of the major foodborne pathogenic bacteria.The development of rapid detection methods for S.aureus is needed for assuring food safety.In this study,quantum dots were used as fluorescent labels in an immunoassay for quantitative detection of S.aureus.Firstly,biotin-labeled anti-S.aureus antibody was conjugated with streptavidin-coated magnetic nanobeads(180 nm diameter)and used to separate S.aureus cells.Then streptavidin coated quantum dots(QDs)were conjugated with biotin-labeled anti-S.aureus antibody and used as the fluorescence labels to mix with the separated S.aureus.Finally the fluorescence intensity of the bead-cell-QD complexes was measured at a wavelength of 620 nm.A linear relationship between S.aureus cell number(X)and fluorescence intensity(Y)was found for cell numbers ranging from 10^(3) to 10^(6) CFU(Colony Forming Unit)/mL,and the detection limit was 10^(3) CFU/mL.The regression model can be expressed as Y=7.68X+35.06 with R^(2)=0.94.The detection of S.aureus in food sample was explored initially.The fluorescence intensity of food sample was close to the background,so it was not satisfied.Further study will focus on the application of the method for detection of S.aureus in food sample.

Fiber-Optic Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor With Multi-Alternating Metal Layers for Biological Measurement

Optical fiber based SPR sensors have attracted more and more attention due to their unique advantages over the prism-based SPR sensors. A novel fiber-optic SPR sensor with multi-alternating metal layers for biochemical analysis is presented in this paper. Based on the fundamental SPR theory of the fiber optic sensing technology, we theoretically investigated the effects of the existence of alternating layers deposited on sensing region SPR wavelength changes. The emphasis was placed on the numerical simulation of the fiber-optic SPR sensor＇s sensitivity which could be affected by its technical parameters such as the metal thickness, number of alternating layers. Results showed that, compared to the normal SPR sensor with the single metal layer, the proposed sensor had a wider detecting range of the refractive index and higher sensitivity, which can find applications in biological analysis.