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1.
Nanobiotechnology approaches for engineering smart plant sensors.
Giraldo, JP, Wu, H, Newkirk, GM, Kruss, S
Nature nanotechnology. 2019;(6):541-553
Abstract
Nanobiotechnology has the potential to enable smart plant sensors that communicate with and actuate electronic devices for improving plant productivity, optimize and automate water and agrochemical allocation, and enable high-throughput plant chemical phenotyping. Reducing crop loss due to environmental and pathogen-related stresses, improving resource use efficiency and selecting optimal plant traits are major challenges in plant agriculture industries worldwide. New technologies are required to accurately monitor, in real time and with high spatial and temporal resolution, plant physiological and developmental responses to their microenvironment. Nanomaterials are allowing the translation of plant chemical signals into digital information that can be monitored by standoff electronic devices. Herein, we discuss the design and interfacing of smart nanobiotechnology-based sensors that report plant signalling molecules associated with health status to agricultural and phenotyping devices via optical, wireless or electrical signals. We describe how nanomaterial-mediated delivery of genetically encoded sensors can act as tools for research and development of smart plant sensors. We assess performance parameters of smart nanobiotechnology-based sensors in plants (for example, resolution, sensitivity, accuracy and durability) including in vivo optical nanosensors and wearable nanoelectronic sensors. To conclude, we present an integrated and prospective vision on how nanotechnology could enable smart plant sensors that communicate with and actuate electronic devices for monitoring and optimizing individual plant productivity and resource use.
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2.
Biosensors for early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer: a review.
Qian, L, Li, Q, Baryeh, K, Qiu, W, Li, K, Zhang, J, Yu, Q, Xu, D, Liu, W, Brand, RE, et al
Translational research : the journal of laboratory and clinical medicine. 2019;:67-89
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is characterized by extremely high mortality and poor prognosis and is projected to be the leading cause of cancer deaths by 2030. Due to the lack of early symptoms and appropriate methods to detect pancreatic carcinoma at an early stage as well as its aggressive progression, the disease is often quite advanced by the time a definite diagnosis is established. The 5-year relative survival rate for all stages is approximately 8%. Therefore, detection of pancreatic cancer at an early surgically resectable stage is the key to decrease mortality and to improve survival. The traditional methods for diagnosing pancreatic cancer involve an imaging test, such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging, paired with a biopsy of the mass in question. These methods are often expensive, time consuming, and require trained professionals to use the instruments and analyze the imaging. To overcome these issues, biosensors have been proposed as a promising tool for the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. The present review critically discusses the latest developments in biosensors for the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Protein and microRNA biomarkers of pancreatic cancer and corresponding biosensors for pancreatic cancer diagnosis have been reviewed, and all these cases demonstrate that the emerging biosensors are becoming an increasingly relevant alternative to traditional techniques. In addition, we discuss the existing problems in biosensors and future challenges.
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3.
Comparative review of the recent enzymatic methods used for selective assay of l-lysine.
Isobe, K, Matsui, D, Asano, Y
Analytical biochemistry. 2019;:113335
Abstract
l-Lysine is an essential amino acid important for maintaining human health. To date, many enzymatic methods for assay of l-lysine have been developed. The first method has been developed using l-lysine α-oxidase (l-LysOα). However, low specificity towards l-lysine of l-LysOα is a disadvantage inherent in this method. Recently, methods more specific to l-lysine were developed using newly discovered enzymes such as l-lysine ε-oxidase (l-LysOε), l-amino acid oxidase/monooxygenase (l-AAO/MOG) and l-lysine decarboxylase/oxidase (l-Lys-DC/OD). The present paper reviews recent enzymatic methods used for assay of l-lysine. These l-lysine selective assays rely on detecting and quantifying hydrogen peroxide, a product generated by the oxidase reaction of these enzymes. l-LysOε catalyzes the oxidative deamination of the ε-amino group of l-lysine, thus assays using this enzyme are more specific towards l-lysine than the ones using l-LysOα. The l-AAO/MOG has high substrate specificity towards l-lysine; however it exhibits l-lysine oxidase and monooxygenase activities. The sensitivity of l-AAO/MOG method was improved either by using its mutant, which has reduced monooxygenase activity, or by coupling with an aminoamide-oxidizing enzyme. The l-Lys-DC/OD exhibits both l-lysine decarboxylase and oxidase activities. The sensitivity of the l-Lys-DC/OD method was improved by using putrescine oxidase to oxidize the decarboxylation product of l-lysine.
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4.
Near-Infrared Fluorescent Proteins and Their Applications.
Karasev, MM, Stepanenko, OV, Rumyantsev, KA, Turoverov, KK, Verkhusha, VV
Biochemistry. Biokhimiia. 2019;(Suppl 1):S32-S50
Abstract
High transparency, low light-scattering, and low autofluorescence of mammalian tissues in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral range (~650-900 nm) open a possibility for in vivo imaging of biological processes at the micro- and macroscales to address basic and applied problems in biology and biomedicine. Recently, probes that absorb and fluoresce in the NIR optical range have been engineered using bacterial phytochromes - natural NIR light-absorbing photoreceptors that regulate metabolism in bacteria. Since the chromophore in all these proteins is biliverdin, a natural product of heme catabolism in mammalian cells, they can be used as genetically encoded fluorescent probes, similarly to GFP-like fluorescent proteins. In this review, we discuss photophysical and biochemical properties of NIR fluorescent proteins, reporters, and biosensors and analyze their characteristics required for expression of these molecules in mammalian cells. Structural features and molecular engineering of NIR fluorescent probes are discussed. Applications of NIR fluorescent proteins and biosensors for studies of molecular processes in cells, as well as for tissue and organ visualization in whole-body imaging in vivo, are described. We specifically focus on the use of NIR fluorescent probes in advanced imaging technologies that combine fluorescence and bioluminescence methods with photoacoustic tomography.
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5.
Functional nanomaterials with unique enzyme-like characteristics for sensing applications.
Song, W, Zhao, B, Wang, C, Ozaki, Y, Lu, X
Journal of materials chemistry. B. 2019;(6):850-875
Abstract
Over the past ten years, considerable progress has been achieved in the field of nanomaterials-based enzymes (nanozymes). In comparison with natural enzymes, nanozymes demonstrate significant advantages such as facile synthesis procedure, low price, long storage period, and high environmental stability. A variety of nanomaterials including nanocarbons, metals, metal oxides, metal chalcogenides, halogen compounds, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have been extensively investigated for enzyme mimicking. In this review, the recent progresses made in the development of the enzymatic properties of these nanozymes have been discussed. We comprehensively discuss strategies to improve catalytic activity and substrate specificity, enzyme-like catalytic mechanism, and novel application of nanozymes in sensing techniques. In addition, the remaining challenges and some future directions have been addressed. With the fast development of nanozyme applications in bioscience and technology, research in this field has become more and more attractive, which is expected to be a long-term exciting subject in the near future.
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6.
Analysis of neural activity with fluorescent protein biosensors.
Burke, RD, Yaguchi, S
Methods in cell biology. 2019;:519-526
Abstract
Fluorescent calcium sensors provide a means of detecting and analyzing cytoplasmic calcium levels in embryos and larvae. Conventional RNA injection of eggs results in expression of protein sensors throughout larval tissues. Larvae are immobilized for wide field or confocal recordings and video records reveal recurrent fluctuations in cytoplasmic calcium levels in several cell types. Neurons can be identified by location and form, and continuous records made of their activity. Confocal image stacks are registered and Z-axis, fluorescence intensity profiles of individual neurons generated to provide time/activity plots. These optogenetic methods enable analysis in intact larvae of the activity of identified neurons or effectors, such as muscles or ciliary band cells.
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7.
Cholesterol biosensors: A review.
Narwal, V, Deswal, R, Batra, B, Kalra, V, Hooda, R, Sharma, M, Rana, JS
Steroids. 2019;:6-17
Abstract
Cholesterol is the most important sterol synthesized by most of the human cells majorly in the liver. It is a necessary constituent of cell membranes, it acts as a precursor for the synthesis of steroid hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids. Cholesterol is transported in plasma primarily in the form of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), the principal route for its removal from tissues to the liver is in high-density lipoproteins (HDL), followed by excretion in the bile. Cholesterol level is less than 200 mg/dL in healthy persons. 200 and 239 mg/dL is considered borderline high and 240 mg/dL and above is considered a biomarker for cardiovascular diseases, heart attack, strokes, peripheral arterial disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Several methods are available for detection of cholesterol, among them, most are burdensome, time-consuming, require sample pre-treatment, high-cost instrumental set-up, and experienced personnel to operate. Biosensing approach overcomes these disadvantages, as these are highly specific, fast, easy, cost-effective, and highly sensitive. The review describes the various cholesterol biosensors. Cholesterol biosensors work ideally within 1 to 300 s, in pH range, 7.0-8.6, temperature 25-37 °C and cholesterol concentration range, 0.000025-700 mM, the detection limits being in the range, 0.000002-4 mM, with working potential -0.05 to 0.65 V. These biosensors measured cholesterol level in fruit juices, beverages, sera and urine samples and reused up to 200 times over a period of 15 to 50 days, while stored dry at 4 °C (Table 1). Future perspective for further improvement and commercialization of cholesterol biosensors are discussed.
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8.
Advanced electronic skin devices for healthcare applications.
Ma, Z, Li, S, Wang, H, Cheng, W, Li, Y, Pan, L, Shi, Y
Journal of materials chemistry. B. 2019;(2):173-197
Abstract
Electronic skin, a kind of flexible electronic device and system inspired by human skin, has emerged as a promising candidate for wearable personal healthcare applications. Wearable electronic devices with skin-like properties will provide platforms for continuous and real-time monitoring of human physiological signals such as tissue pressure, body motion, temperature, metabolites, electrolyte balance, and disease-related biomarkers. Transdermal drug delivery devices can also be integrated into electronic skin to enhance its non-invasive, real-time dynamic therapy functions. This review summarizes the recent progress in electronic skin devices for applications in human health monitoring and therapy systems as well as several potential mass production technologies such as inkjet printing and 3D printing. The opportunities and challenges in broadening the applications of electronic skin devices in practical healthcare are also discussed.
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9.
Enzyme-Based Ultrasensitive Electrochemical Biosensors for Rapid Assessment of Nitrite Toxicity: Recent Advances and Perspectives.
Gahlaut, A, Hooda, V, Gothwal, A, Hooda, V
Critical reviews in analytical chemistry. 2019;(1):32-43
Abstract
In the present era of rapid international globalization and industrialization, intensive use of nitrite as a fertilizing agent in agriculture, preservative, dyeing agent, food additive and as corrosion inhibitor in industrial sectors is adversely effecting environment, natural habitats and human health. The issue of toxicity and carcinogenicity due to excessive ingestion of nitrites via the dietary intake has led to an imminent need for its efficient real-time monitoring in situ. Nitrite detection employing electrochemical biosensors has been gaining high credibility in the field of clinical research. Nitrite biosensors have emerged as an outstanding choice for portable point of care testing of nitrite quantification owing to the excellent properties, such as rapidity, miniaturization, ultra-low limits of detection, multiplexing and enhanced detection sensitivity. The article is enclosed with an interesting outlook on latest emerging trends in the development of nitrite biosensors utilizing nanomaterials, such as metal nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, metal oxide nanoparticles, nanocomposites, polymers and biomaterials. The present review embarks on the highlights relevant to the nitrite quantification in real samples, then proceeds with a meticulous description of the most pertinent electrochemical nitrite biosensors, which have been proposed by adopting diverse materials and strategies of fabrication and finally end with the achievements and future outlook signifying the application of these nanoengineered biosensors for environmental surveillance and human safety.
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10.
Beverage spoilage yeast detection methods and control technologies: A review of Brettanomyces.
Tubia, I, Prasad, K, Pérez-Lorenzo, E, Abadín, C, Zumárraga, M, Oyanguren, I, Barbero, F, Paredes, J, Arana, S
International journal of food microbiology. 2018;:65-76
Abstract
Spoilage yeasts detection is the key to improve the quality of alcoholic fermentation beverages such as wine and cider. The metabolic activity of the spoilage yeast causes irreparable damage to many liters of final products every year. Therefore, winemakers and cider-house companies suffer a substantial economic impact. Thus, over the years, many detection techniques have been proposed to control the occurrence of spoilage yeast. Out of the many spoilage yeast genera, Brettanomyces is one of the most commonly encountered in the beverage industry. Leveraging its ability to thrive in wine and cider conditions (low pH, high levels of ethanol, and low oxygenation levels), Brettanomyces can proliferate inside beverage production tanks. Moreover, their resultant by products reduce the quality of the beverage. While the beverage industry has made great strides in detecting harmful organisms, gaps remain. Traditional methods such as microscopy, cell plating, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, etc. are often imprecise, expensive, and/or complicated. New emerging spoilage yeast detection platforms, such as biosensors and microfluidic devices, aim to alleviate these constraints. Novel platforms have already demonstrated great promise to be a real alternative for in situ and fast detection in the beverage industry. Finally, the review discusses the potential of emerging spoilage yeast detection and treatment methods.