Quartz Crystal Microbalance Platform for SARS-CoV-2 Immuno-Diagnostics.

Rapid and accurate serological analysis of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is important for assessing immune protection from vaccination or infection of individuals and for projecting virus spread within a population. The quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is a label-free flow-based sensor platform that offers an opportunity to detect the binding of a fluid-phase ligand to an immobilized target molecule in real time. A QCM-based assay was developed for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibody binding and evaluated for assay reproducibility. The assay was cross-compared to the Roche electrochemiluminescence assay (ECLIA) Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology test kit and YHLO's chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA). The day-to-day reproducibility of the assay had a correlation of r2 = 0.99, p < 0.001. The assay linearity was r2 = 0.96, p < 0.001, for dilution in both serum and buffer. In the cross-comparison analysis of 119 human serum samples, 59 were positive in the Roche, 52 in the YHLO, and 48 in the QCM immunoassay. Despite differences in the detection method and antigen used for antibody capture, there was good coherence between the assays, 80-100% for positive and 96-100% for negative test results. In summation, the QCM-based SARS-CoV-2 IgG immunoassay showed high reproducibility and linearity, along with good coherence with the ELISA-based assays. Still, factors including antibody titer and antigen-binding affinity may differentially affect the various assays' responses.

Highly Efficient Recovery and Recycling of Cobalt from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries Using an N-Methylurea-Acetamide Nonionic Deep Eutectic Solvent.

The growing demand for lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) for the electronic and automobile industries combined with the limited availability of key metal components, in particular cobalt, drives the need for efficient methods for the recovery and recycling of these materials from battery waste. Herein, we introduce a novel and efficient approach for the extraction of cobalt, and other metal components, from spent LiBs using a nonionic deep eutectic solvent (ni-DES) comprised of N-methylurea and acetamide under relatively mild conditions. Cobalt could be recovered from lithium cobalt oxide-based LiBs with an extraction efficiency of >97% and used to fabricate new batteries. The N-methylurea was found to act as both a solvent component and a reagent, the mechanism of which was elucidated.

Smart bio-nano interface derived from zein protein as receptors for biotinyl moiety.

Proteinaceous, tunable nanostructures of zein (prolamine of corn) were developed as biotinyl-specific receptors using a molecular imprinting technique. Sacrificial templates, such as latex beads (LB3) and anodized alumina membrane (AAM), have been used to control nanostructural patterns in biotin-imprinted zein (BMZ). Briefly, a methanolic solution of the zein-biotin complex was drop cast upon a self-organized LB3 and AAM templates on Au/quartz surfaces. Subsequent dissolution of these sacrificial templates affords highly oriented, predetermined, and uniformly grown hyperporous (300 nm) and nanowires (150 nm) motifs of zein (BMZ-LB3 and BMZ-AAM), as shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Selective extraction of biotin molecular template cast-off site-selective biotin imprints within these zein nanostructures complementary to biotinyl moieties. Alternatively, biotin-imprinted zein nanoparticles (BMZ-Np) and thin film (BMZ-MeOH) were prepared by coacervation and drop casting methods, respectively. Density functional theoretical (DFT) studies reveal strong hydrogen-bonded interaction of biotin with serine and glutamine residues of zein. Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) studies show remarkable sensitivity of the hyperporous-BMZ-LB3 and nanowires of BMZ-AAM towards biotin derivative (biotin methyl ester) by five (24.75 ± 1.34 Hz/mM) and four (18.19 ± 0.75 Hz/mM) times, respectively, higher than the BMZ-MeOH. Enhanced permeability features of the zein nanostructures, when templated with LB3, enable the QCM detection of biotin- or its derivatives down to 12.9 ng mL-1 from dairy products (Kefir). The outcome of this study shall be a key aspect in interfacing biological materials with micro-/nano-sensors and electronic devices for detecting pertinent analytes using sustainably developed biopolymer-based nanostructures.

Correction: Palladium nanoparticles immobilized on polyethylenimine-derivatized gold surfaces for catalysis of Suzuki reactions: development and application in a lab-on-a-chip context.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D1RA06851B.].

Oxytocin-Selective Nanogel Antibody Mimics.

Oxytocin imprinted polymer nanoparticles were synthesized by glass bead supported solid phase synthesis, with NMR and molecular dynamics studies used to investigate monomer-template interactions. The nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering, scanning- and transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Investigation of nanoparticle-template recognition using quartz crystal microbalance-based studies revealed sub-nanomolar affinity, kd ≈ 0.3 ± 0.02 nM (standard error of the mean), comparable to that of commercial polyclonal antibodies, kd ≈ 0.02-0.2 nM.

Making nanostructured materials from maize, milk and malacostraca.

Nano-structured materials are used in electronics, diagnostics, therapeutics, smart packaging, energy management and textiles, areas critical for society and quality of life. However, their fabrication often places high demands on limited natural resources. Accordingly, renewable sources for the feedstocks used in their production are highly desirable. We demonstrate the use of readily available biopolymers derived from maize (zein), milk (casein) and malacostraca (crab-shell derived chitin) in conjunction with sacrificial templates, self-assembled monodisperse latex beads and anodized aluminium membranes, for producing robust surfaces coated with highly regular hyperporous networks or wire-like morphological features, respectively. The utility of this facile strategy for nano-structuring of biopolymers was demonstrated in a surface based-sensing application, where biotin-selective binding sites were generated in the zein-based nano-structured hyperporous network.

The Use of Computational Methods for the Development of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers.

Recent years have witnessed a dramatic increase in the use of theoretical and computational approaches in the study and development of molecular imprinting systems. These tools are being used to either improve understanding of the mechanisms underlying the function of molecular imprinting systems or for the design of new systems. Here, we present an overview of the literature describing the application of theoretical and computational techniques to the different stages of the molecular imprinting process (pre-polymerization mixture, polymerization process and ligand-molecularly imprinted polymer rebinding), along with an analysis of trends within and the current status of this aspect of the molecular imprinting field.

Improved Solvothermal Synthesis of γ-Fe2O3 Magnetic Nanoparticles for SiO2 Coating.

Monodisperse magnetic γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles (MNPs) were prepared by a simple, improved, one-pot solvothermal synthesis using SDS and PEG 6000 as double capping reagents. This double protecting layer afforded better MNP uniformity (Z average 257 ± 11.12 nm, PDI = 0.18) and colloidal stability. Materials were characterized by DLS, SEM, TEM, XPS, and XRD. The use of these MNPs in the synthesis of core-shell structures with uniform and tunable silica coatings was demonstrated, as silica coated MNPs are important for use in a range of applications, including magnetic separation and catalysis and as platforms for templated nanogel synthesis.

Palladium nanoparticles immobilized on polyethylenimine-derivatized gold surfaces for catalysis of Suzuki reactions: development and application in a lab-on-a-chip context.

Gold surface-bound hyperbranched polyethyleneimine (PEI) films decorated with palladium nanoparticles have been used as efficient catalysts for a series of Suzuki reactions. This thin film-format demonstrated good catalytic efficiency (TON up to 3.4 × 103) and stability. Incorporation into a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) instrument illustrated the potential for using this approach in lab-on-a-chip-based synthesis applications.

Non-Ionic Deep Eutectic Liquids: Acetamide-Urea Derived Room Temperature Solvents.

A family of non-ionic deep eutectic liquids has been developed based upon mixtures of solid N-alkyl derivatives of urea and acetamide that in some cases have melting points below room temperature. The eutectic behaviour and physical characteristics of a series of eleven eutectic mixtures are presented, along with a molecular dynamics study-supported hypothesis for the origin of the non-ideal mixing of these substances. Their use as solvents in applications ranging from natural product extraction to organic and polymer synthesis are demonstrated.

Electrooxidative Amination of sp2 C-H Bonds: Coupling of Amines with Aryl Amides via Copper Catalysis.

Metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions are among the most important transformations in organic synthesis. However, the use of C-H activation for sp2 C-N bond formation remains one of the major challenges in the field of cross-coupling chemistry. Described herein is the first example of the synergistic combination of copper catalysis and electrocatalysis for aryl C-H amination under mild reaction conditions in an atom-and step-economical manner with the liberation of H2 as the sole and benign byproduct.

Enantioselective hyperporous molecularly imprinted thin film polymers.

Significant enantioselective recognition has been achieved through the introduction of long range ordered and highly interconnected 300 nm diameter pores in molecularly imprinted polymer matrices.

Theoretical and Computational Strategies for the Study of the Molecular Imprinting Process and Polymer Performance.

The development of in silico strategies for the study of the molecular imprinting process and the properties of molecularly imprinted materials has been driven by a growing awareness of the inherent complexity of these systems and even by an increased awareness of the potential of these materials for use in a range of application areas. Here we highlight the development of theoretical and computational strategies that are contributing to an improved understanding of the mechanisms underlying molecularly imprinted material synthesis and performance, and even their rational design.

Biotin selective polymer nano-films.

BACKGROUND: The interaction between biotin and avidin is utilized in a wide range of assay and diagnostic systems. A robust material capable of binding biotin should offer scope in the development of reusable assay materials and biosensor recognition elements. RESULTS: Biotin-selective thin (3-5 nm) films have been fabricated on hexadecanethiol self assembled monolayer (SAM) coated Au/quartz resonators. The films were prepared based upon a molecular imprinting strategy where N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid were copolymerized and grafted to the SAM-coated surface in the presence of biotin methyl ester using photoinitiation with physisorbed benzophenone. The biotinyl moiety selectivity of the resonators efficiently differentiated biotinylated peptidic or carbohydrate structures from their native counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Molecularly imprinted ultra thin films can be used for the selective recognition of biotinylated structures in a quartz crystal microbalance sensing platform. These films are stable for periods of at least a month. This strategy should prove of interest for use in other sensing and assay systems.

Hierarchical thin film architectures for enhanced sensor performance: liquid crystal-mediated electrochemical synthesis of nanostructured imprinted polymer films for the selective recognition of bupivacaine.

Nanostructured bupivacaine-selective molecularly imprinted 3-aminophenylboronic acid-p-phenylenediamine co-polymer (MIP) films have been prepared on gold-coated quartz (Au/quartz) resonators by electrochemical synthesis under cyclic voltammetric conditions in a liquid crystalline (LC) medium (triton X-100/water). Films prepared in water and in the absence of template were used for control studies. Infrared spectroscopic studies demonstrated comparable chemical compositions for LC and control polymer films. SEM studies revealed that the topologies of the molecularly imprinted polymer films prepared in the LC medium (LC-MIP) exhibit discernible 40 nm thick nano-fiber structures, quite unlike the polymers prepared in the absence of the LC-phase. The sensitivity of the LC-MIP in a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor platform was 67.6 ± 4.9 Hz/mM under flow injection analysis (FIA) conditions, which was ≈250% higher than for the sensor prepared using the aqueous medium. Detection was possible at 100 nM (30 ng/mL), and discrimination of bupivacaine from closely related structural analogs was readily achieved as reflected in the corresponding stability constants of the MIP-analyte complexes. The facile fabrication and significant enhancement in sensor sensitivity together highlight the potential of this LC-based imprinting strategy for fabrication of polymeric materials with hierarchical architectures, in particular for use in surface-dependent application areas, e.g., biomaterials or sensing.

A phage display screening derived Peptide with affinity for the adeninyl moiety.

Phage display screening of a surface-immobilized adenine derivative led to the identification of a heptameric peptide with selectivity for adenine as demonstrated through quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) studies. The peptide demonstrated a concentration dependent affinity for an adeninyl moiety decorated surface (K D of 968 ± 53.3 µM), which highlights the power of piezoelectric sensing in the study of weak interactions.

Biotinyl moiety-selective polymer films with highly ordered macropores.

Macroporous polymer films with long-range uniformity and biotinyl-moiety selective recognition sites have been developed. A hierarchical molecular imprinting strategy afforded significant enhancements in quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensitivities towards biotinylated compounds.

Protein-resistant hyperbranched polyethyleneimine brush surfaces.

A novel hyperbranched polyethyleneimine (PEI) modified gold surface has been designed, fabricated, and investigated with respect to its ability to resist non-specific adsorption of proteins. The facile synthesis strategy, based on self-assembly, involves immobilization of polyethyleneimine to gold surfaces modified with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MuDA) monolayers using traditional carbodiimide chemistry. The hyperbranched polymer brushes were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) and ellipsometry measurements showed the thickness of the PEI brushes increases with adsorption solution ionic strength. Polymer brush surface concentrations can be improved from 2560 to 3880chains/µm(2) by changing the ionic strength of the adsorption solution (PBS) by varying NaCl concentration from 0 to 650mM. Protein adsorption (pH 7.4) was evaluated under flow injection analysis (FIA) conditions using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The PEI brushes suppress protein adsorption, for example, cytochrome C, bovine serum albumin (BSA), and ribonuclease A, to less than 0.08µg/cm(2) and the protein resistance increases with increasing ionic strength of the carrier solution, performance comparable to that achieved with comparable PEG-coated surfaces. The PEI brushes were exceptionally stable, with adsorption characteristics maintained after 6months storage in aqueous conditions (pH 7.4, 25°C, PBS). The potential of hyperbranched PEI structures as protein-resistant surfaces is discussed.

Rational design of biomimetic molecularly imprinted materials: theoretical and computational strategies for guiding nanoscale structured polymer development.

In principle, molecularly imprinted polymer science and technology provides a means for ready access to nano-structured polymeric materials of predetermined selectivity. The versatility of the technique has brought it to the attention of many working with the development of nanomaterials with biological or biomimetic properties for use as therapeutics or in medical devices. Nonetheless, the further evolution of the field necessitates the development of robust predictive tools capable of handling the complexity of molecular imprinting systems. The rapid growth in computer power and software over the past decade has opened new possibilities for simulating aspects of the complex molecular imprinting process. We present here a survey of the current status of the use of in silico-based approaches to aspects of molecular imprinting. Finally, we highlight areas where ongoing and future efforts should yield information critical to our understanding of the underlying mechanisms sufficient to permit the rational design of molecularly imprinted polymers.