Sensitive Plasmonic Detection of miR-10b in Biological Samples Using Enzyme-Assisted Target Recycling and Developed LSPR Probe

Novel Sensing Strategy for MicroRNA via DSN-RCA Dual Amplification and Optical Tweezer-Assisted Suspension Bead Arrays

Traditional microRNA detection methods have some limitations that cannot be ignored. Enzyme-catalyzed nucleic acid amplification has gradually become an important method in bioanalysis and is expected to be a substitute for traditional methods. Combining enzymes with different functions provides a wide range of analytical design possibilities to create high-performance sensing strategies. Meanwhile, the optical tweezers that produce the tightly focused laser beam are integrated with a suspension bead array that fully concentrates the signal labels, contributing to stable signal output and improved detection efficiency. Herein, we have developed a novel "DSN-RCA dual amplification and optical tweezer-assisted suspension bead array imaging" sensing strategy for highly efficient detection of microRNA-21 (miRNA-21). The conversion of low abundance targets into bulk fluorescence signal probes was achieved by duplex-specific nuclease (DSN), and signal enrichment on bead supports rather than dispersion in solution was realized by rolling circle amplification (RCA) in one step. The synergistic integration of dual amplification and the application of bead supports effectively improved the sensitivity and specificity. Finally, the suspension bead array was created by the modified optical tweezer system, which realized the high-quality imaging analysis and improved the detection efficiency. The proposed sensing strategy achieved a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 5.90 pM with excellent specificity, stability, and reproducibility and was successfully applied to human serum samples, which has great potential for application in clinical serological research.

Plasmonic Biosensors in Cancer-Associated miRNA Detection

Cancer is one of the most lethal diseases and has distinct variants that affect over 60 organs in the human body. The necessity of advanced methodologies for the early diagnosis of cancer has grown over the past decades. Among various biomarkers, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as highly specific and minimally invasive indicators for cancer detection, prognosis, and treatment monitoring. Their stability in biological fluids and their critical role in gene regulation make them valuable targets for diagnostic applications. Plasmonic biosensors have gained massive attention owing to their unique optical properties, such as surface plasmon resonance, making them promising tools for the sensitive and selective analysis of cancer-associated biomarkers. In contrast to previous reviews, this work offers a comprehensive overview of advancements from approximately the past five years, particularly in the detection of cancer-associated miRNAs. It emphasizes emerging plasmonic sensing strategies, integration with novel nanomaterials, and enhanced signal amplification techniques. By focusing on these recent innovations, this review provides new insights into the potential of plasmonic biosensors to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Recent trends and impact of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in modern analysis

An optical biosensor is a specialized analytical device that utilizes the principles of optics and light in bimolecular processes. Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) is a phenomenon in the realm of nanophotonics that occurs when metallic nanoparticles (NPs) or nanostructures interact with incident light. Conversely, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an influential analytical technique based on Raman scattering, wherein it amplifies the Raman signals of molecules when they are situated near specific and specially designed nanostructures. A detailed exploration of the recent ground-breaking developments in optical biosensors employing LSPR and SERS technologies has been thoroughly discussed along with their underlying principles and the working mechanisms. A biosensor chip has been created, featuring a high-density deposition of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) under varying ligand concentration and reaction duration on the substrate. An ordinary description, along with a visual illustration, has been thoroughly provided for concepts such as a sensogram, refractive index shift, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and the evanescent field, Rayleigh scattering, Raman scattering, as well as the electromagnetic enhancement and chemical enhancement. LSPR and SERS both have advantages and disadvantages, but widely used SERS has some advantages over LSPR, like chemical specificity, high sensitivity, multiplexing, and versatility in different fields. This review confirms and elucidates the significance of different disease biomarker identification. LSPR and SERS both play a vital role in the detection of various types of cancer, such as cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and brain tumors. This proposed optical biosensor offers potential applications for early diagnosis and monitoring of viral disease, bacterial infectious diseases, fungal diseases, diabetes, and cardiac disease biosensing. LSPR and SERS provide a new direction for environmental monitoring, food safety, refining impurities from water samples, and lead detection. The understanding of these biosensors is still limited and challenging.

Deep learning-assisted monitoring of trastuzumab efficacy in HER2-Overexpressing breast cancer via SERS immunoassays of tumor-derived urinary exosomal biomarkers

Monitoring drug efficacy is significant in the current concept of companion diagnostics in metastatic breast cancer. Trastuzumab, a drug targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), is an effective treatment for metastatic breast cancer. However, some patients develop resistance to this therapy; therefore, monitoring its efficacy is essential. Here, we describe a deep learning-assisted monitoring of trastuzumab efficacy based on a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) immunoassay against HER2-overexpressing mouse urinary exosomes. Individual Raman reporters bearing the desired SERS tag and exosome capture substrate were prepared for the SERS immunoassay; SERS tag signals were collected to prepare deep learning training data. Using this deep learning algorithm, various complicated mixtures of SERS tags were successfully quantified and classified. Exosomal antigen levels of five types of cell-derived exosomes were determined using SERS-deep learning analysis and compared with those obtained via quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Finally, drug efficacy was monitored via SERS-deep learning analysis using urinary exosomes from trastuzumab-treated mice. Use of this monitoring system should allow proactive responses to any treatment-resistant issues.

Single Particle Analysis-Enhanced DNA Walking Machine for Sensitive miRNA Detection

DNA walking machines have achieved significant breakthroughs in areas such as biosensing, bioimaging, and early cancer diagnosis, facilitated by the self-assembly of DNA or its combination with other materials, such as magnetic beads and metal nanoparticles. However, current DNA walking machine strategies are constantly challenged by inadequate analytical sensitivity, while sophisticated signal amplification procedures are often indispensable. Single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICPMS) provides superior sensitivity and can effectively discriminate between background noise and detected signals due to the large number of metal atoms in a nanoparticle and the concentrating effect of single nanoparticle detection. In this study, we present a novel approach utilizing single nanoparticle counting and duplex-specific nuclease (DSN)-assisted signal amplification to construct a 3D DNA walking machine for detecting the aggressive prostate cancer (PCa) biomarker miRNA-200c. The proposed strategy showed an improvement in sensitivity with a detection limit (LOD) of 0.93 pM (28 amol) and was successfully applied in human serum samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the DNA walking machine with single nanoparticle counting study.

Exploiting the design of surface plasmon resonance interfaces for better diagnostics: A perspective review

Surface Plasmon Resonance based-sensors are promising tools for precision diagnostics as they can provide tests useful for early and, whenever possible, non-invasive disease detection and monitoring. The design of novel, robust and effective interfaces enabling the sensing of a variety of molecular interactions in a highly selective and sensitive manner is a necessary step to obtain both accurate and reliable detection by SPR. This review covers the recent research efforts in this area, specifically emphasizing well-designed interfaces and applications in real-life samples. In particular, after a short introduction which identifies some of the critical challenges, the emerging strategies for the integration of the linker, the metal substrate and the recognition element on the sensing interface will be explored and discussed in three sections, as well as the opportunities for building SPR biosensors, easy to use, and with excellent sensitivities. Finally, a summary of some of the more promising and latest diagnostic applications will be provided, presenting a new window into the near-future perspectives.

Rapid Visible Detection of African Swine Fever Virus Using Hybridization Chain Reaction-Sensitized Magnetic Nanoclusters and Affinity Chromatography

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a severe and persistent threat to the global swine industry. As there are no vaccines against ASFV, there is an immense need to develop easy-to-use, cost-effective, and rapid point-of-care (POC) diagnostic platforms to detect and prevent ASFV outbreaks. Here, a novel POC diagnostic system based on affinity column chromatography for the optical detection of ASFV is presented. This system employs an on-particle hairpin chain reaction to sensitize magnetic nanoclusters with long DNA strands in a target-selective manner, which is subsequently fed into a column chromatography device to produce quantitatively readable and colorimetric signals. The detection approach does not require expensive analytical apparatus or immobile instrumentation. The system can detect five genes constituting the ASFV whole genome with a detection limit of ≈19.8 pm in swine serum within 30 min at laboratory room temperature. With an additional pre-amplification step using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the assay is successfully applied to detect the presence of ASFV in 30 suspected swine samples with 100% sensitivity and specificity, similar to quantitative PCR. Thus, this simple, inexpensive, portable, robust, and customizable platform for the early detection of ASFV can facilitate the timely surveillance and implementation of control measures.

Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) Sensor for Cancer Biomarker Detection

A biomarker is a physiological observable marker that acts as a stand-in and, in the best-case scenario, forecasts a clinically significant outcome. Diagnostic biomarkers are more convenient and cost-effective than directly measuring the ultimate clinical outcome. Cancer is among the most prominent global health problems and a major cause of morbidity and death globally. Therefore, cancer biomarker assays that are trustworthy, consistent, precise, and verified are desperately needed. Biomarker-based tumor detection holds a lot of promise for improving disease knowledge at the molecular scale and early detection and surveillance. In contrast to conventional approaches, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) allows for the quick and less invasive screening of a variety of circulating indicators, such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), microRNA (miRNA), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), lipids, and proteins. With several advantages, the SPR technique is a particularly beneficial choice for the point-of-care identification of biomarkers. As a result, it enables the timely detection of tumor markers, which could be used to track cancer development and suppress the relapse of malignant tumors. This review emphasizes advancements in SPR biosensing technologies for cancer detection.

Gold Nanoparticles as a Biosensor for Cancer Biomarker Determination

Molecular biology applications based on gold nanotechnology have revolutionary impacts, especially in diagnosing and treating molecular and cellular levels. The combination of plasmonic resonance, biochemistry, and optoelectronic engineering has increased the detection of molecules and the possibility of atoms. These advantages have brought medical research to the cellular level for application potential. Many research groups are working towards this. The superior analytical properties of gold nanoparticles can not only be used as an effective drug screening instrument for gene sequencing in new drug development but also as an essential tool for detecting physiological functions, such as blood glucose, antigen-antibody analysis, etc. The review introduces the principles of biomedical sensing systems, the principles of nanomaterial analysis applied to biomedicine at home and abroad, and the chemical surface modification of various gold nanoparticles.

State-of-the-Art Fluorescent Probes: Duplex-Specific Nuclease-Based Strategies for Early Disease Diagnostics

Precision healthcare aims to improve patient health by integrating prevention measures with early disease detection for prompt treatments. For the delivery of preventive healthcare, cutting-edge diagnostics that enable early disease detection must be clinically adopted. Duplex-specific nuclease (DSN) is a useful tool for bioanalysis since it can precisely digest DNA contained in duplexes. DSN is commonly used in biomedical and life science applications, including the construction of cDNA libraries, detection of microRNA, and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) recognition. Herein, following the comprehensive introduction to the field, we highlight the clinical applicability, multi-analyte miRNA, and SNP clinical assays for disease diagnosis through large-cohort studies using DSN-based fluorescent methods. In fluorescent platforms, the signal is produced based on the probe (dyes, TaqMan, or molecular beacon) properties in proportion to the target concentration. We outline the reported fluorescent biosensors for SNP detection in the next section. This review aims to capture current knowledge of the overlapping miRNAs and SNPs' detection that have been widely associated with the pathophysiology of cancer, cardiovascular, neural, and viral diseases. We further highlight the proficiency of DSN-based approaches in complex biological matrices or those constructed on novel nano-architectures. The outlooks on the progress in this field are discussed.

Programmable, Universal DNAzyme Amplifier Supporting Pancreatic Cancer-Related miRNAs Detection

The abnormal expression of miRNA is closely related to the occurrence of pancreatic cancer. Herein, a programmable DNAzyme amplifier for the universal detection of pancreatic cancer-related miRNAs was proposed based on its programmability through the rational design of sequences. The fluorescence signal recovery of the DNAzyme amplifier showed a good linear relationship with the concentration of miR-10b in the range of 10–60 nM, with a detection limit of 893 pM. At the same time, this method displayed a high selectivity for miR-10b, with a remarkable discrimination of a single nucleotide difference. Furthermore, this method was also successfully used to detect miR-21 in the range of 10–60 nM based on the programmability of the DNA amplifier, exhibiting the universal application feasibility of this design. Overall, the proposed programmable DNAzyme cycle amplifier strategy shows promising potential for the simple, rapid, and universal detection of pancreatic cancer-related miRNAs, which is significant for improving the accuracy of pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

Advances in surface plasmon resonance-based biosensor technologies for cancer biomarker detection

Surface plasmon resonance approach is a highly useful option to offer optical and label-free detection of target bioanalytes with numerous advantages (e.g., low-cost fabrication, appreciable sensitivity, label-free detection, and outstanding accuracy). As such, it allows early diagnosis of cancer biomarkers to monitor tumor progression and to prevent the recurrence of oncogenic tumors. This work highlights the recent progress in SPR biosensing technology for the diagnosis of various cancer types (e.g., lung, breast, prostate, and ovarian). Further, the performance of various SPR biosensors is also evaluated in terms of the basic quality assurance criteria (e.g., limit of detection (LOD), selectivity, sensor response time, and reusability). Finally, the limitations and future challenges associated with SPR biosensors are also discussed with respect to cancer biomarker detection.

Micro- and nanosensors for detecting blood pathogens and biomarkers at different points of sepsis care

Severe infections can cause a dysregulated response leading to organ dysfunction known as sepsis. Sepsis can be lethal if not identified and treated right away. This requires measuring biomarkers and pathogens rapidly at the different points where sepsis care is provided. Current commercial approaches for sepsis diagnosis are not fast, sensitive, and/or specific enough for meeting this medical challenge. In this article, we review recent advances in the development of diagnostic tools for sepsis management based on micro- and nanostructured materials. We start with a brief introduction to the most popular biomarkers for sepsis diagnosis (lactate, procalcitonin, cytokines, C-reactive protein, and other emerging protein and non-protein biomarkers including miRNAs and cell-based assays) and methods for detecting bacteremia. We then highlight the role of nano- and microstructured materials in developing biosensors for detecting them taking into consideration the particular needs of every point of sepsis care (e.g., ultrafast detection of multiple protein biomarkers for diagnosing in triage, emergency room, ward, and intensive care unit; quantitative detection to de-escalate treatment; ultrasensitive and culture-independent detection of blood pathogens for personalized antimicrobial therapies; robust, portable, and web-connected biomarker tests outside the hospital). We conclude with an overview of the most utilized nano- and microstructured materials used thus far for solving issues related to sepsis diagnosis and point to new challenges for future development.

Detection of multiplex exosomal miRNAs for clinically accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease using label-free plasmonic biosensor based on DNA-Assembled advanced plasmonic architecture

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common neurologic disorder, is characterized by progressive cognitive impairment. However, the low clinical significance of the currently used core AD biomarkers amyloid-beta and tau proteins remains a challenge. Recently, exosomes, found in human biological fluids, are gaining increasing attention because of their clinical significance in diagnosing of various diseases. In particular, blood-derived exosomal miRNAs are not only stable but also provide information regarding the different characteristics according to AD progression. However, quantitative and qualitative detection is difficult due to their characteristics, such as small size, low abundance, and high homology. Here, we present a DNA-assembled advanced plasmonic architecture (DAPA)-based plasmonic biosensor to accurately detect exosomal miRNAs in human serum. The designed nanoarchitecture possesses two narrow nanogaps that induce plasmon coupling; this significantly enhances its optical energy density, resulting in a 1.66-fold higher refractive-index (RI) sensitivity than nanorods at localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). Thus, the proposed biosensor is ultrasensitive and capable of selective single-nucleotide detection of exosomal miRNAs at the attomolar level. Furthermore, it identified AD patients from healthy controls by measuring the levels of exosomal miRNA-125b, miRNA-15a, and miRNA-361 in clinical serum samples. In particular, the combination of exosomal miRNA-125b and miRNA-361 showed the best diagnostic performance with a sensitivity of 91.67%, selectivity of 95.00%, and accuracy of 99.52%. These results demonstrate that our sensor can be clinically applied for AD diagnosis and has great potential to revolutionize the field of dementia research and treatment in the future.

Gold nanoplasmonic particles in tunable porous silicon 3D scaffolds for ultra-low concentration detection by SERS

A composite material of plasmonic nanoparticles embedded in a scaffold of nano-porous silicon offers unmatched capabilities for use as a SERS substrate. The marriage of these components presents an exclusive combination of tightly focused amplification of Localised Surface Plasmon (LSP) fields inside the material with an extremely high surface-to-volume ratio. This provides favourable conditions for a single molecule or extremely low concentration detection by SERS. In this work the advantage of the composite is demonstrated by SERS detection of Methylene Blue at a concentration as low as a few picomolars. We systematically investigate the plasmonic properties of the material by imaging its morphology, establishing its composition and the effect on the LSP resonance optical spectra.

The emerging role of miR-10 family in gastric cancer

Evidence has demonstrated that miRNAs play an irreplaceable role in tumorigenesis and progression of a broad range of cancers, including gastric cancer. Among these miRNAs, miR-10a and miR-10b have been identified to critically participate in gastric carcinogenesis and malignant progression. In this review, we briefly describe the role of miR-10a and miR-10b in gastric cancer, especially in the regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration, invasion and metastasis, drug resistance, and cancer stem cells. Furthermore, we highlight several compounds that target the miR-10 family and exhibit antitumor activity in cancer cells. Moreover, we conclude that targeting the miR-10 family might be a promising approach for the treatment of gastric cancer.

Surface plasmon resonance biosensor for the detection of miRNAs by combining the advantages of homogeneous reaction and heterogeneous detection

The hybridization and enzymolysis reactions for nucleic acid detection were carried out on the chip surface in the traditional surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors. Herein, we proposed an innovative method for microRNA (miRNA) detection in which the hybridization-enzymolysis recycling reactions were performed in solution. Duplex-specific nuclease (DSN) and streptavidin-modified gold nanoparticles (SA-AuNPs) were employed for enhancing the assay sensitivity. In the absence of miRNA, the biotinylated DNA probe (bio-DNA-bio, biotin tags at both the 3' and 5' termini of DNA) was attached to the SA-modified chip through the SA-biotin binding, allowing the capture of SA-AuNPs with the same interaction. As a result, a larger SPR signal was attained. However, in the presence of miRNA, bio-DNA-bio hybridized with miRNA was digested by DSN. In this process, the miRNA strand remained intact and participated in the next hybridization-enzymolysis recycling process. Thus, one miRNA could promote the hydrolysis of many bio-DNA-bio probes and allow the generation of numerous bio-DNA fragments. Meanwhile, the produced bio-DNA competed with the undigested bio-DNA-bio to bind SA on the chip surface. The digestion of bio-DNA-bio and the competitive binding between bio-DNA-bio and bio-DNA led to the attachment of fewer SA-AuNPs and then smaller SPR signals. The change in SPR signal at the concentration as low as 1 fM miRNA has been readily determined. The strategy possessed the advantageous properties of simple operation, fast response, high sensitivity and excellent specificity, serving as a viable means for the fabrication of novel sensing platforms.

Biosensing Applications Using Nanostructure-Based Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensors

Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)-based biosensors have recently garnered increasing attention due to their potential to allow label-free, portable, low-cost, and real-time monitoring of diverse analytes. Recent developments in this technology have focused on biochemical markers in clinical and environmental settings coupled with advances in nanostructure technology. Therefore, this review focuses on the recent advances in LSPR-based biosensor technology for the detection of diverse chemicals and biomolecules. Moreover, we also provide recent examples of sensing strategies based on diverse nanostructure platforms, in addition to their advantages and limitations. Finally, this review discusses potential strategies for the development of biosensors with enhanced sensing performance.

Electrical Cartridge Sensor Enables Reliable and Direct Identification of MicroRNAs in Urine of Patients

Urinary miRNAs are biomarkers that demonstrate considerable promise for the noninvasive diagnosis and prognosis of diseases. However, because of background noise resulting from complex physiological features of urine, instability of miRNAs, and their low concentration, accurate monitoring of miRNAs in urine is challenging. To address these limitations, we developed a urine-based disposable and switchable electrical sensor that enables reliable and direct identification of miRNAs in patient urine. The proposed sensing platform combining disposable sensor chips composed of a reduced graphene oxide nanosheet and peptide nucleic acid facilitates the label-free detection of urinary miRNAs with high specificity and sensitivity. Using real-time detection of miRNAs in patient urine without pretreatment or signal amplification, this sensor allows rapid, direct detection of target miRNAs in a broad dynamic range with a detection limit down to 10 fM in human urine specimens within 20 min and enables simultaneous quantification of multiple miRNAs. As confirmed using a blind comparison with the results of pathological examination of patients with prostate cancer, the sensor offers the potential to improve the accuracy of early diagnosis before a biopsy is taken. This study holds the usefulness of the practical sensor for the clinical diagnosis of urological diseases.

Photonic technologies for liquid biopsies: recent advances and open research challenges

The recent development of sophisticated techniques capable of detecting extremely low concentrations of circulating tumor biomarkers in accessible body fluids, such as blood or urine, could contribute to a paradigm shift in cancer diagnosis and treatment. By applying such techniques, clinicians can carry out liquid biopsies, providing information on tumor presence, evolution, and response to therapy. The implementation of biosensing platforms for liquid biopsies is particularly complex because this application domain demands high selectivity/specificity and challenging limit-of-detection (LoD) values. The interest in photonics as an enabling technology for liquid biopsies is growing owing to the well-known advantages of photonic biosensors over competing technologies in terms of compactness, immunity to external disturbance, and ultra-high spatial resolution. Some encouraging experimental results in the field of photonic devices and systems for liquid biopsy have already been achieved by using fluorescent labels and label-free techniques and by exploiting super-resolution microscopy, surface plasmon resonance, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, and whispering gallery mode resonators. This paper critically reviews the current state-of-the-art, starting from the requirements imposed by the detection of the most common circulating biomarkers. Open research challenges are considered together with competing technologies, and the most promising paths of improvement are discussed for future applications.

Magnetic nanoparticle-based amplification of microRNA detection in body fluids for early disease diagnosis

Circulating biomarkers such as microRNAs (miRNAs), short noncoding RNA strands, represent prognostic and diagnostic indicators for a variety of physiological disorders making their detection and quantification an attractive approach for minimally invasive early disease diagnosis. However, highly sensitive and selective detection methods are required given the generally low abundance of miRNAs in body fluids together with the presence of large amounts of other potentially interfering biomolecules. Although a variety of miRNA isolation and detection methods have been established in clinics, they usually require trained personnel and often constitute labor-, time- and cost-intensive approaches. During the last years, nanoparticle-based biosensors have received increasing attention due to their superior detection efficiency even in very low concentration regimes. This is based on their unique physicochemical properties in combination with their high surface area that allows for the immobilization of multiple recognition sites resulting in fast and effective recognition of analytes. Among various materials, magnetic nanoparticles have been identified as useful tools for the separation, concentration, and detection of miRNAs. Here, we review state-of-the-art technology with regard to magnetic particle-based miRNA detection from body fluids, critically discussing challenges and future perspective of such biosensors while comparing their handling, sensitivity as well as selectivity against the established miRNA isolation and detection methods.

A novel quantification platform for point-of-care testing of circulating MicroRNAs based on allosteric spherical nanoprobe

MiRNA-150, a gene regulator that has been revealed to be abnormal expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), can be regarded as a serum indicator for diagnosis and monitoring of NSCLC. Herein, a new sort of nanoprobe, termed allosteric spherical nanoprobe, was first developed to sense miRNA-150. Compared with conventional hairpin, this new nanoprobe possesses more enrichment capacity and reaction cross section. Structurally, it consists of magnetic nanoparticles and dual-hairpin. In the absence of miRNA-150, the spherical nanoprobes form hairpin structure through DNA self-assembly, which could promote the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) of fluorophore (FAM) and quencher (BHQ1) nearby. However, in the presence of target, the target-probe hybridization can open the hairpin and form the active “Y” structure which separated fluorophore and quencher to yield “signal on” fluorescence. In the manner of multipoint fluorescence detection, the target-bound allosteric spherical nanoprobe could provide high detection sensitivity with a linear range of 100 fM to 10 nM and a detection limit of 38 fM. More importantly, the proposed method can distinguish the expression of serum miRNA-150 among NSCLC patients and healthy people. Finally, we hoped that the potential bioanalytical application of this nanoprobe strategy will pave the way for point-of-care testing (POCT).

Dark-field hyperspectral imaging for label free detection of nano-bio-materials

Nanomaterials are playing an increasingly important role in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Nanoparticle (NP)-based technologies have been utilized for targeted drug delivery during chemotherapies, photodynamic therapy, and immunotherapy. Another active area of research is the toxicity studies of these nanomaterials to understand the cellular uptake and transport of these materials in cells, tissues, and environment. Traditional techniques such as transmission electron microscopy, and mass spectrometry to analyze NP-based cellular transport or toxicity effect are expensive, require extensive sample preparation, and are low-throughput. Dark-field hyperspectral imaging (DF-HSI), an integration of spectroscopy and microscopy/imaging, provides the ability to investigate cellular transport of these NPs and to quantify the distribution of them within bio-materials. DF-HSI also offers versatility in non-invasively monitoring microorganisms, single cell, and proteins. DF-HSI is a low-cost, label-free technique that is minimally invasive and is a viable choice for obtaining high-throughput quantitative molecular analyses. Multimodal imaging modalities such as Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy are also being integrated with HSI systems to enable chemical imaging of the samples. HSI technology is being applied in surgeries to obtain molecular information about the tissues in real-time. This article provides brief overview of fundamental principles of DF-HSI and its application for nanomaterials, protein-detection, single-cell analysis, microbiology, surgical procedures along with technical challenges and future integrative approach with other imaging and measurement modalities. This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > in vitro Nanoparticle-Based Sensing Diagnostic Tools > in vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanoscale Tools and Techniques in Surgery.

A miRNA biosensor based on localized surface plasmon resonance enhanced by surface-bound hybridization chain reaction

The dysregulation of the concentration of individual circulating microRNAs or small sets of them has been recognized as a marker of disease. For example, an increase of the concentration of circulating miR-17 has been linked to lung cancer and metastatic breast cancer, while its decrease has been found in multiple sclerosis and gastric cancer. Consequently, techniques for the fast, specific and simple quantitation of microRNAs are becoming crucial enablers of early diagnosis and therapeutic follow-up. DNA based biosensors can serve this purpose, overcoming some of the drawbacks of conventional lab-based techniques. Herein, we report a cost-effective, simple and robust biosensor based on localized surface plasmon resonance and hybridization chain reaction. Immobilized gold nanoparticles are used for the detection of miR-17. Specificity of the detection was achieved by the use of hairpin surface-tethered probes and the hybridization chain reaction was used to amplify the detection signal and thus extend the dynamic range of the quantitation. Less than 1 h is needed for the entire procedure that achieved a limit of detection of about 1 pM or 50 amol/measurement, well within the reported useful range for diagnostic applications. We suggest that this technology could be a promising substitute of traditional lab-based techniques for the detection and quantification of miRNAs after these are extracted from diagnostic specimens and their analysis is thus made possible.

Portable and field-deployed surface plasmon resonance and plasmonic sensors

Plasmonic sensors are ideally suited for the design of small, integrated, and portable devices that can be employed in situ for the detection of analytes relevant to environmental sciences, clinical diagnostics, infectious diseases, food, and industrial applications. To successfully deploy plasmonic sensors, scaled-down analytical devices based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) must integrate optics, plasmonic materials, surface chemistry, fluidics, detectors and data processing in a functional instrument with a small footprint. The field has significantly progressed from the implementation of the various components in specifically designed prism-based instruments to the use of nanomaterials, optical fibers and smartphones to yield increasingly portable devices, which have been shown for a number of applications in the laboratory and deployed on site for environmental, biomedical/clinical, and food applications. A roadmap to deploy plasmonic sensors is provided by reviewing the current successes and by laying out the directions the field is currently taking to increase the use of field-deployed plasmonic sensors at the point-of-care, in the environment and in industries.

Cancer Diagnosis through SERS and Other Related Techniques

Cancer heterogeneity increasingly requires ultrasensitive techniques that allow early diagnosis for personalized treatment. In addition, they should preferably be non-invasive tools that do not damage surrounding tissues or contribute to body toxicity. In this context, liquid biopsy of biological samples such as urine, blood, or saliva represents an ideal approximation of what is happening in real time in the affected tissues. Plasmonic nanoparticles are emerging as an alternative or complement to current diagnostic techniques, being able to detect and quantify novel biomarkers such as specific peptides and proteins, microRNA, circulating tumor DNA and cells, and exosomes. Here, we review the latest ideas focusing on the use of plasmonic nanoparticles in coded and label-free surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. Moreover, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy, colorimetric assays, dynamic light scattering (DLS) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry or total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy among others are briefly examined in order to highlight the potential and versatility of plasmonics.

Activated Plasmonic Nanoaggregates for Dark-Field in Situ Imaging for HER2 Protein Imaging on Cell Surfaces

Dark-field microscopy (DFM) based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) was used for observation of experimental phenomena, which is a hopeful nondamaging and non-photobleaching biological imaging technique. In this strategy, plasma nanoaggregates with stronger scattering efficiency were formed in the presence of the target, causing a "turn-on" phenomenon, when asymmetry modified AuNPs were introduced as probes with zero LSPR background. First, Au₁-N₃ probe and Au₂-C≡C probe were designed for the cycloaddition between azide and alkyne to form AuNP dimers under catalytic action by Cu⁺, which was obtained from the reduction of Cu²⁺ by sodium ascorbate. The two kinds of probes were successfully used for the detection of Cu²⁺ in rat serum. Then, to apply this concept to protein on cells, DNA and antibody were modified on the probes. DNA1/Au₁-N₃ probe and anti-HER2/Au₂-C≡C probe were proposed for HER2 protein DFM on cells. By designing an aptamer sequence in primer, the rolling circle amplification (RCA) was introduced in HER2 DFM on cells, and the image signal was much brighter than that from no-RCA. The unique design made it easier to discriminate the target signal from background noise in cell DFM. This method might be used in the fields of molecular diagnostics and cell imaging.

Advanced Evanescent-Wave Optical Biosensors for the Detection of Nucleic Acids: An Analytic Perspective

Evanescent-wave optical biosensors have become an attractive alternative for the screening of nucleic acids in the clinical context. They possess highly sensitive transducers able to perform detection of a wide range of nucleic acid-based biomarkers without the need of any label or marker. These optical biosensor platforms are very versatile, allowing the incorporation of an almost limitless range of biorecognition probes precisely and robustly adhered to the sensor surface by covalent surface chemistry approaches. In addition, their application can be further enhanced by their combination with different processes, thanks to their integration with complex and automated microfluidic systems, facilitating the development of multiplexed and user-friendly platforms. The objective of this work is to provide a comprehensive synopsis of cutting-edge analytical strategies based on these label-free optical biosensors able to deal with the drawbacks related to DNA and RNA detection, from single point mutations assays and epigenetic alterations, to bacterial infections. Several plasmonic and silicon photonic-based biosensors are described together with their most recent applications in this area. We also identify and analyse the main challenges faced when attempting to harness this technology and how several innovative approaches introduced in the last years manage those issues, including the use of new biorecognition probes, surface functionalization approaches, signal amplification and enhancement strategies, as well as, sophisticated microfluidic solutions.

DNA-Functionalized Plasmonic Nanomaterials for Optical Biosensing

Plasmonic nanomaterials, especially Au and Ag nanomaterials, have shown attractive physicochemical properties, such as easy functionalization and tunable optical bands. The development of this active subfield paves the way to the fascinating biosensing platforms. In recent years, plasmonic nanomaterials-based sensors have been extensively investigated because they are useful for genetic diseases, biological processes, devices, and cell imaging. In this account, a brief introduction of the development of optical biosensors based on DNA-functionalized plasmonic nanomaterials is presented. Then the common strategies for the application of the optical sensors are summarized, including colorimetry, fluorescence, localized surface plasmon resonance, and surface-enhanced resonance scattering detection. The focus is on the fundamental aspect of detection methods, and then a few examples of each method are highlighted. Finally, the opportunities and challenges for the plasmonic nanomaterials-based biosensing are discussed with the development of modern technologies.