Validation of Size Estimation of Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis on Polydisperse Macromolecule Assembly.

As the physicochemical properties of drug delivery systems are governed not only by the material properties which they are compose of but by their size that they conform, it is crucial to determine the size and distribution of such systems with nanometer-scale precision. The standard technique used to measure the size distribution of nanometer-sized particles in suspension is dynamic light scattering (DLS). Recently, nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) has been introduced to measure the diffusion coefficient of particles in a sample to determine their size distribution in relation to DLS results. Because DLS and NTA use identical physical characteristics to determine particle size but differ in the weighting of the distribution, NTA can be a good verification tool for DLS and vice versa. In this study, we evaluated two NTA data analysis methods based on maximum-likelihood estimation, namely finite track length adjustment (FTLA) and an iterative method, on monodisperse polystyrene beads and polydisperse vesicles by comparing the results with DLS. The NTA results from both methods agreed well with the mean size and relative variance values from DLS for monodisperse polystyrene standards. However, for the lipid vesicles prepared in various polydispersity conditions, the iterative method resulted in a better match with DLS than the FTLA method. Further, it was found that it is better to compare the native number-weighted NTA distribution with DLS, rather than its converted distribution weighted by intensity, as the variance of the converted NTA distribution deviates significantly from the DLS results.

Fluorescence-based immunosensor using three-dimensional CNT network structure for sensitive and reproducible detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma biomarker.

A hierarchical three-dimensional network of carbon nanotubes on Si pillar substrate (3DN-CNTs) was developed for the accurate detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in clinical saliva samples. The 3DN-CNTs were uniformly coated with a layer of aluminum oxides to enhance structural stability during biomarker detection. Cytokeratin-19 antigen (Cyfra 21-1) was utilized as a model biomarker of OSCC for fluorescence-based immunosensor using 3DN-CNTs (3DN-CNTs sensor). The 3DN-CNTs sensor enhances the sensitivity of Cyfra 21-1 detection by increasing the density of immobilized antibody through high surface area of 3DN-CNTs and enhancing the accessibility of biomolecules through the ordered pathway of hierarchical structure. The reliable detection limit for sensing of Cyfra 21-1 was estimated as in the level of 0.5 ng/mL and the quantitative estimation of Cyfra 21-1 was analyzed by 4-parameter logistic (4-PL) model for curve-fitting analysis. Clinical applicability of 3DN-CNTs sensor was evaluated through correlation with the commercially available electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detection system in the hospital. The assay results of the two systems for clinical saliva samples showed a good linear correlation. The 3DN-CNTs sensor offers great potential for accurate diagnosis of OSCC using Cyfra 21-1 biomarker in clinical fluids.

Controlling the Formation of Phospholipid Monolayer, Bilayer, and Intact Vesicle Layer on Graphene.

Exciting progress has been made in the use of graphene for bio- and chemical sensing applications. In this regard, interfacing lipid membranes with graphene provides a high-sealing interface that is resistant to nonspecific protein adsorption and suitable for measuring biomembrane-associated interactions. However, a controllable method to form well-defined lipid bilayer coatings remains elusive, and there are varying results in the literature. Herein, we demonstrate how design strategies based on molecular self-assembly and surface chemistry can be employed to coat graphene surface with different classes of lipid membrane architectures. We characterize the self-assembly of lipid membranes on CVD-graphene using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation, field-effect transistor, and Raman spectroscopy. By employing the solvent-assisted lipid bilayer (SALB) method, a lipid monolayer and bilayer were formed on pristine and oxygen-plasma-treated CVD-graphene, respectively. On these surfaces, vesicle fusion method resulted in formation of a lipid monolayer and intact vesicle layer, respectively. Collectively, these findings provide the basis for improved surface functionalization strategies on graphene toward bioelectronic applications.

Plasmonic Nanohole Sensor for Capturing Single Virus-Like Particles toward Virucidal Drug Evaluation.

A plasmonic nanohole sensor for virus-like particle capture and virucidal drug evaluation is reported. Using a materials-selective surface functionalization scheme, passive immobilization of virus-like particles only within the nanoholes is achieved. The findings demonstrate that a low surface coverage of particles only inside the functionalized nanoholes significantly improves nanoplasmonic sensing performance over conventional nanohole arrays.

Configurable three-dimensional boron nitride-carbon architecture and its tunable electronic behavior with stable thermal performances.

Recent developments of 3D-graphene and 3D-boron-nitride have become of great interest owing to their potential for ultra-light flexible electronics. Here we demonstrate the first synthesis of novel 3D-BNC hybrids. By specifically controlling the compositions of C and BN, new fascinating properties are observed, such as highly tunable electrical conductivity, controllable EMI shielding properties, and stable thermal conductivity. This ultra-light hybrid opens up many new applications such as for electronic packaging and thermal interface materials (TIMs).