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Xu Y, Zhu H, Denduluri A, Ou Y, Erkamp NA, Qi R, Shen Y, Knowles TPJ. Recent Advances in Microgels: From Biomolecules to Functionality. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2200180. [PMID: 35790106 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202200180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The emerging applications of hydrogel materials at different length scales, in areas ranging from sustainability to health, have driven the progress in the design and manufacturing of microgels. Microgels can provide miniaturized, monodisperse, and regulatable compartments, which can be spatially separated or interconnected. These microscopic materials provide novel opportunities for generating biomimetic cell culture environments and are thus key to the advances of modern biomedical research. The evolution of the physical and chemical properties has, furthermore, highlighted the potentials of microgels in the context of materials science and bioengineering. This review describes the recent research progress in the fabrication, characterization, and applications of microgels generated from biomolecular building blocks. A key enabling technology allowing the tailoring of the properties of microgels is their synthesis through microfluidic technologies, and this paper highlights recent advances in these areas and their impact on expanding the physicochemical parameter space accessible using microgels. This review finally discusses the emerging roles that microgels play in liquid-liquid phase separation, micromechanics, biosensors, and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufan Xu
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Hongjia Zhu
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Akhila Denduluri
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Yangteng Ou
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Nadia A Erkamp
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Runzhang Qi
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Yi Shen
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
- The University of Sydney Nano Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
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Chibac-Scutaru AL, Cojocaru C, Roman G, Samoilă P, Săcărescu G, Simionescu M, Săcărescu L. Synthesis of benzaldehyde-grafted polysilane: A highly stable and selective “turn-on” fluorescent sensor for cytosine. J Mol Liq 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2021.115300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Li F, Lyu D, Liu S, Guo W. DNA Hydrogels and Microgels for Biosensing and Biomedical Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e1806538. [PMID: 31379017 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201806538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
DNA hydrogels, which take advantage of the unique properties of functional DNA motifs, such as specific molecular recognition, programmable and high-precision assembly, multifunctionality, and excellent biocompatibility, have attracted increasing research interest in the past two decades in diverse fields, especially in biosensing and biomedical applications. The responsiveness of smart DNA hydrogels to external stimuli by changing their swelling volume, crosslinking density, and optical or mechanical properties has facilitated the development of DNA-hydrogel-based in vitro biosensing systems and actuators. Furthermore, reducing the sizes of DNA hydrogels to the micro- and nanoscale leads to better responsiveness and delivery capacity, thereby making them excellent candidates for rapid detection, in vivo real-time sensing, and drug release applications. Here, the recent progress in the development of smart DNA hydrogels and DNA microgels for biosensing and biomedical applications is summarized, and the current challenges as well as future prospects are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyun Li
- College of Chemistry, Research Centre for Analytical Sciences, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Danya Lyu
- College of Chemistry, Research Centre for Analytical Sciences, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Shuo Liu
- College of Chemistry, Research Centre for Analytical Sciences, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Weiwei Guo
- College of Chemistry, Research Centre for Analytical Sciences, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
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Caputo TM, Battista E, Netti PA, Causa F. Supramolecular Microgels with Molecular Beacons at the Interface for Ultrasensitive, Amplification-Free, and SNP-Selective miRNA Fluorescence Detection. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:17147-17156. [PMID: 31021070 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b22635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In this study, a supramolecular structure with femtomolar biorecognition properties is proposed for use in analytical devices. It is obtained by an innovative interface between synthetic hydrogel polymers and molecular beacon (mb) probes. Supramolecularly structured microgels are synthetized with a core-shell architecture with specific dyes polymerized in a desired compartment. Mb probes are opportunely conjugated at the microgel interface so that their recognition mechanism is preserved and their spatial distribution is optimized to avoid crowding effects. The miR-21, a microRNA involved in various biological processes and usually used as a biomarker in early cancer diagnosis, has been selected as the target. The results demonstrate that by tuning the spatial distribution of molecular probes immobilized on the microgel and/or the amount of microgels, the assay shows scalable sensitivity reaching a limit of detection down to about 10 fM, without amplification steps and with detection time as short as 1 h. The assay results specific toward single mutated targets, and it is stable in the presence of high-interfering oligonucleotides concentrations. The miRNA target is also detected in human serum with performances similar to those observed in PBS buffer because of microgel antifouling properties without the need of any surface treatment. All tests were performed in a low sample volume (20 μL). As a result, mb-microgel represents an innovative biosensor to precisely quantify microRNAs in a direct (mix&read), scalable, and selective way. Such an approach paves the way for creating innovative biosensing interfaces with other probes, such as hairpins, aptamers, and PNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania M Caputo
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare@CRIB , Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53 , 80125 Naples , Italy
| | - Edmondo Battista
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare@CRIB , Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53 , 80125 Naples , Italy
- InterdisciplinaryResearch Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB) , Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II" , Piazzale Tecchio 80 , 80125 Naples , Italy
| | - Paolo A Netti
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare@CRIB , Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53 , 80125 Naples , Italy
- InterdisciplinaryResearch Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB) , Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II" , Piazzale Tecchio 80 , 80125 Naples , Italy
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica del Materiali e della Produzione Industriale (DICMAPI) , University "Federico II" , Piazzale Tecchio 80 , 80125 Naples , Italy
| | - Filippo Causa
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare@CRIB , Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53 , 80125 Naples , Italy
- InterdisciplinaryResearch Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB) , Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II" , Piazzale Tecchio 80 , 80125 Naples , Italy
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica del Materiali e della Produzione Industriale (DICMAPI) , University "Federico II" , Piazzale Tecchio 80 , 80125 Naples , Italy
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Caputo TM, Cummaro A, Lettera V, Mazzarotta A, Battista E, Netti PA, Causa F. One-step scalable fluorescent microgel bioassay for the ultrasensitive detection of endogenous viral miR-US4-5p. Analyst 2018; 144:1369-1378. [PMID: 30566146 DOI: 10.1039/c8an02166j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) infection is the leading cause of birth defects in newborns and death in immunosuppressed people. Traditional techniques require time-consuming and costly analyses, and sometimes result in false positive results; thus, a rapid and accurate detection for hCMV infection is necessary. Recently, hcmv-miR-US4-5p was selected as the biomarker for cytomegalovirus diagnosis and follow-up. Herein, we propose a bioassay based on microgels endowed with optical fluorescent oligonucleotide probes for the detection of circulating endogenous hcmv-microRNAs. In particular, a double strand probe, based on the fluorescence recovery after target capture, was conjugated on microgels and the probe density was opportunely optimised. Then, the microgels were directly mixed with the sample. The fluorescence read-out was measured as a function of target concentration at a fixed number of microgels per tube. As a bead-based assay, the performances of optical detection in terms of dynamic working range and limit of detection could be finely tuned by tuning the number of microgels per tube. The limit of detection of the assay could be tuned in the range from 39.1 fM to 156 aM by changing the microgel concentration from 50 μg mL-1 to 0.5 μg mL-1, respectively. The assay results specific for the selected target were stable over a one-year time span and they were not affected by the presence of human serum. Therefore, this bioassay based on microgels might represent a flexible platform that should be able to predict, identify and follow-up several diseases by monitoring freely circulating oligonucleotides in body fluids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Mariastella Caputo
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125 Naples, Italy.
| | - Annunziata Cummaro
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125 Naples, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Lettera
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125 Naples, Italy.
| | - Alessia Mazzarotta
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125 Naples, Italy.
| | - Edmondo Battista
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125 Naples, Italy. and Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB), Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Antonio Netti
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125 Naples, Italy. and Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB), Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy and Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica del Materiali e della Produzione Industriale (DICMAPI), University "Federico II", Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Filippo Causa
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125 Naples, Italy. and Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB), Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy and Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica del Materiali e della Produzione Industriale (DICMAPI), University "Federico II", Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
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Walper SA, Lasarte Aragonés G, Sapsford KE, Brown CW, Rowland CE, Breger JC, Medintz IL. Detecting Biothreat Agents: From Current Diagnostics to Developing Sensor Technologies. ACS Sens 2018; 3:1894-2024. [PMID: 30080029 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.8b00420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Although a fundamental understanding of the pathogenicity of most biothreat agents has been elucidated and available treatments have increased substantially over the past decades, they still represent a significant public health threat in this age of (bio)terrorism, indiscriminate warfare, pollution, climate change, unchecked population growth, and globalization. The key step to almost all prevention, protection, prophylaxis, post-exposure treatment, and mitigation of any bioagent is early detection. Here, we review available methods for detecting bioagents including pathogenic bacteria and viruses along with their toxins. An introduction placing this subject in the historical context of previous naturally occurring outbreaks and efforts to weaponize selected agents is first provided along with definitions and relevant considerations. An overview of the detection technologies that find use in this endeavor along with how they provide data or transduce signal within a sensing configuration follows. Current "gold" standards for biothreat detection/diagnostics along with a listing of relevant FDA approved in vitro diagnostic devices is then discussed to provide an overview of the current state of the art. Given the 2014 outbreak of Ebola virus in Western Africa and the recent 2016 spread of Zika virus in the Americas, discussion of what constitutes a public health emergency and how new in vitro diagnostic devices are authorized for emergency use in the U.S. are also included. The majority of the Review is then subdivided around the sensing of bacterial, viral, and toxin biothreats with each including an overview of the major agents in that class, a detailed cross-section of different sensing methods in development based on assay format or analytical technique, and some discussion of related microfluidic lab-on-a-chip/point-of-care devices. Finally, an outlook is given on how this field will develop from the perspective of the biosensing technology itself and the new emerging threats they may face.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott A. Walper
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
| | - Guillermo Lasarte Aragonés
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
- College of Science, George Mason University Fairfax, Virginia 22030, United States
| | - Kim E. Sapsford
- OMPT/CDRH/OIR/DMD Bacterial Respiratory and Medical Countermeasures Branch, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland 20993, United States
| | - Carl W. Brown
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
- College of Science, George Mason University Fairfax, Virginia 22030, United States
| | - Clare E. Rowland
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
- National Research Council, Washington, D.C. 20036, United States
| | - Joyce C. Breger
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
| | - Igor L. Medintz
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
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ZHANG M, HAI H, ZHOU FY, ZHONG JC, LI JP. Electrochemical Luminescent DNA Sensor Based on Polymerase-assisted Signal Amplification. CHINESE JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/s1872-2040(17)61067-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Battista E, Causa F, Netti PA. Bioengineering Microgels and Hydrogel Microparticles for Sensing Biomolecular Targets. Gels 2017; 3:E20. [PMID: 30920517 PMCID: PMC6318684 DOI: 10.3390/gels3020020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogels, and in particular microgels, are playing an increasingly important role in a diverse range of applications due to their hydrophilic, biocompatible, and highly flexible chemical characteristics. On this basis, solution-like environment, non-fouling nature, easy probe accessibility and target diffusion, effective inclusion of reporting moieties can be achieved, making them ideal substrates for bio-sensing applications. In fact, hydrogels are already successfully used in immunoassays as well as sensitive nucleic acid assays, also enabling hydrogel-based suspension arrays. In this review, we discuss key parameters of hydrogels in the form of micron-sized particles to be used in sensing applications, paying attention to the protein and oligonucleotides (i.e., miRNAs) targets as most representative kind of biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edmondo Battista
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB) and Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale (DICMAPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Filippo Causa
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB) and Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale (DICMAPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy.
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for HealthCare@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Paolo Antonio Netti
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB) and Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale (DICMAPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy.
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for HealthCare@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125 Napoli, Italy.
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Hu R, Wang G, Yuan R, Xu Y, Yu T, Zhong L, Zhou Q, Ding S. An electrochemical biosensor for highly sensitive detection of microRNA-377 based on strand displacement amplification coupled with three-way junction. J Electroanal Chem (Lausanne) 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2017.02.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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Dannhauser D, Causa F, Battista E, Cusano AM, Rossi D, Netti PA. In-flow real-time detection of spectrally encoded microgels for miRNA absolute quantification. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2016; 10:064114. [PMID: 27990216 PMCID: PMC5148760 DOI: 10.1063/1.4967489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We present an in-flow ultrasensitive fluorescence detection of microRNAs (miRNAs) using spectrally encoded microgels. We researched and employed a viscoelastic fluid to achieve an optimal alignment of microgels in a straight measurement channel and applied a simple and inexpensive microfluidic layout, allowing continuous fluorescence signal acquisitions with several emission wavelengths. In particular, we chose microgels endowed with fluorescent emitting molecules designed for multiplex spectral analysis of specific miRNA types. We analysed in a quasi-real-time manner circa 80 microgel particles a minute at sample volumes down to a few microliters, achieving a miRNA detection limit of 202 fM in microfluidic flow conditions. Such performance opens up new routes for biosensing applications of particles within microfluidic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Dannhauser
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Edmondo Battista
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Angela M Cusano
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Rossi
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125 Naples, Italy
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Ji X, Xiao C, Lau WF, Li J, Fu J. Metal enhanced fluorescence improved protein and DNA detection by zigzag Ag nanorod arrays. Biosens Bioelectron 2016; 82:240-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2016.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Revised: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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