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Costantini F, Lovecchio N, Nandimandalam M, Manglli A, Faggioli F, Biasin M, Manetti C, Roversi PF, Nascetti A, de Cesare G, Caputo D. Biomolecular Monitoring Tool Based on Lab-on-Chip for Virus Detection. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:bios13050544. [PMID: 37232905 DOI: 10.3390/bios13050544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Lab-on-Chip (LoC) devices for performing real-time PCR are advantageous compared to standard equipment since these systems allow to conduct in-field quick analysis. The development of LoCs, where the components for performing the nucleic acid amplification are all integrated, can be an issue. In this work, we present a LoC-PCR device where thermalization, temperature control and detection elements are all integrated on a single glass substrate named System-on-Glass (SoG) obtained using metal thin-film deposition. By using a microwell plate optically coupled with the SoG, real-time reverse transcriptase PCR of RNA extracted from both a plant and human virus has been carried out in the developed LoC-PCR device. The limit of detection and time of analysis for the detection of the two viruses by using the LoC-PCR were compared with those achieved by standard equipment. The results showed that the two systems can detect the same concentration of RNA; however, the LoC-PCR performs the analysis in half of the time compared to the standard thermocycler, with the advantage of the portability, leading to a point-of-care device for several diagnostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Costantini
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, 00156 Rome, Italy
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Lovecchio
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Manasa Nandimandalam
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Ariana Manglli
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, 00156 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Faggioli
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, 00156 Rome, Italy
| | - Mara Biasin
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Via G.B. Grassi, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Cesare Manetti
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Augusto Nascetti
- School of Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, 00138 Rome, Italy
| | - Giampiero de Cesare
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Caputo
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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2
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Calabria D, Trozzi I, Lazzarini E, Pace A, Zangheri M, Iannascoli L, Maipan Davis N, Gosikere Matadha SS, Baratto De Albuquerque T, Pirrotta S, Del Bianco M, Impresario G, Popova L, Lovecchio N, de Cesare G, Caputo D, Brucato J, Nascetti A, Guardigli M, Mirasoli M. AstroBio-CubeSat: A lab-in-space for chemiluminescence-based astrobiology experiments. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 226:115110. [PMID: 36750012 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Space exploration is facing a new era in view of the planned missions to the Moon and Mars. The development and the in-flight validation of new technologies, including analytical and diagnostic platforms, is pivotal for exploring and inhabiting these extreme environments. In this context, biosensors and lab-on-chip devices can play an important role in many situations, such as the analysis of biological samples for assessing the impact of deep space conditions on man and other biological systems, environmental and food safety monitoring, and the search of molecular indicators of past or present life in extra-terrestrial environments. Small satellites such as CubeSats are nowadays increasingly exploited as fast and low-cost platforms for conducting in-flight technology validation. Herein, we report the development of a fully autonomous lab-on-chip platform for performing chemiluminescence-based bioassays in space. The device was designed to be hosted onboard the AstroBio CubeSat nanosatellite, with the aim of conducting its in-flight validation and evaluating the stability of (bio)molecules required for bioassays in a challenging radiation environment. An origami-like microfluidic paper-based analytical format allowed preloading all the reagents in the dried form on the paper substrate, thus simplifying device design and analytical protocols, facilitating autonomous assay execution, and enhancing the stability of reagents. The chosen approach should constitute the first step to implement a mature technology with the aim to conduct life science research in space (e.g., for evaluation the effect of deep space conditions on living organisms or searching molecular evidence of life) more easily and at lower cost than previously possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donato Calabria
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, I-40126, Bologna, Italy; Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Aerospace Research (CIRI AEROSPACE), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Baldassarre Canaccini 12, I-47121, Forlì, Italy
| | - Ilaria Trozzi
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, I-40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Lazzarini
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, I-40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Pace
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, I-40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Martina Zangheri
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, I-40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Iannascoli
- School of Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Salaria 851, I-00138, Rome, Italy
| | - Nithin Maipan Davis
- School of Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Salaria 851, I-00138, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Simone Pirrotta
- Italian Space Agency (ASI), Via del Politecnico, I-00133, Roma, Italy
| | - Marta Del Bianco
- Italian Space Agency (ASI), Via del Politecnico, I-00133, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Liyana Popova
- Kayser Italia s.r.l., Via di Popogna 501, I-57128, Livorno, Italy
| | - Nicola Lovecchio
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, I-00184, Rome, Italy
| | - Giampiero de Cesare
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, I-00184, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Caputo
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, I-00184, Rome, Italy
| | - John Brucato
- INAF-Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri, Largo E. Fermi 5, I-50125, Florence, Italy
| | - Augusto Nascetti
- School of Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Salaria 851, I-00138, Rome, Italy.
| | - Massimo Guardigli
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, I-40126, Bologna, Italy; Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Aerospace Research (CIRI AEROSPACE), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Baldassarre Canaccini 12, I-47121, Forlì, Italy
| | - Mara Mirasoli
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, I-40126, Bologna, Italy; Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Aerospace Research (CIRI AEROSPACE), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Baldassarre Canaccini 12, I-47121, Forlì, Italy.
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3
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A Novel Strategy for Rapid Fluorescence Detection of FluB and SARS-CoV-2. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28052104. [PMID: 36903349 PMCID: PMC10004075 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28052104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Undoubtedly, SARS-CoV-2 has caused an outbreak of pneumonia that evolved into a worldwide pandemic. The confusion of early symptoms of the SARS-CoV-2 infection with other respiratory virus infections made it very difficult to block its spread, leading to the expansion of the outbreak and an unreasonable demand for medical resource allocation. The traditional immunochromatographic test strip (ICTS) can detect one analyte with one sample. Herein, this study presents a novel strategy for the simultaneous rapid detection of FluB/SARS-CoV-2, including quantum dot fluorescent microspheres (QDFM) ICTS and a supporting device. The ICTS could be applied to realize simultaneous detection of FluB and SARS-CoV-2 with one test in a short time. A device supporting FluB/SARS-CoV-2 QDFM ICTS was designed and had the characteristics of being safe, portable, low-cost, relatively stable, and easy to use, ensuring the device could replace the immunofluorescence analyzer in cases where there is no need for quantification. This device does not need to be operated by professional and technical personnel and has commercial application potential.
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Lovecchio N, Costantini F, Nascetti A, de Cesare G, Caputo D. Thin-Film-Based Multifunctional System for Optical Detection and Thermal Treatment of Biological Samples. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12110969. [PMID: 36354478 PMCID: PMC9688047 DOI: 10.3390/bios12110969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we present a multifunctional Lab-on-Chip (LoC) platform based on hydrogenated amorphous silicon sensors suitable for a wide range of application in the fields of biochemical and food quality control analysis. The proposed system includes a LoC fabricated on a 5 cm × 5 cm glass substrate and a set of electronic boards for controlling the LoC functionalities. The presented Lab-on-Chip comprises light and temperature sensors, a thin film resistor acting as a heating source, and an optional thin film interferential filter suitable for fluorescence analysis. The developed electronics allows to control the thin film heater, a light source for fluorescence and absorption measurements, and the photosensors to acquire luminescent signals. All these modules are enclosed in a black metal box ensuring the portability of the whole platform. System performances have been evaluated in terms of sensor optical performances and thermal control achievements. For optical sensors, we have found a minimum number of detectable photons of 8 × 104 s-1·cm-2 at room temperature, 1.6 × 106 s-1·cm-2 in presence of fluorescence excitation source, and 2.4 × 106 s-1·cm-2 at 90 °C. From a thermal management point of view, we have obtained heating and cooling rates both equal to 2.2 °C/s, and a temperature sensor sensitivity of about 3 mV/°C even in presence of light. The achieved performances demonstrate the possibility to simultaneously use all integrated sensors and actuators, making promising the presented platform for a wide range of application fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Lovecchio
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Costantini
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy
- CREA-DC Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, 00156 Rome, Italy
| | - Augusto Nascetti
- School of Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, 00138 Rome, Italy
| | - Giampiero de Cesare
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Caputo
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy
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Nandimandalam M, Costantini F, Lovecchio N, Iannascoli L, Nascetti A, de Cesare G, Caputo D, Manetti C. Split Aptamers Immobilized on Polymer Brushes Integrated in a Lab-on-Chip System Based on an Array of Amorphous Silicon Photosensors: A Novel Sensor Assay. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 14:7210. [PMID: 34885364 PMCID: PMC8658169 DOI: 10.3390/ma14237210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Innovative materials for the integration of aptamers in Lab-on-Chip systems are important for the development of miniaturized portable devices in the field of health-care and diagnostics. Herein we highlight a general method to tailor an aptamer sequence in two subunits that are randomly immobilized into a layer of polymer brushes grown on the internal surface of microfluidic channels, optically aligned with an array of amorphous silicon photosensors for the detection of fluorescence. Our approach relies on the use of split aptamer sequences maintaining their binding affinity to the target molecule. After binding the target molecule, the fragments, separately immobilized to the brush layer, form an assembled structure that in presence of a "light switching" complex [Ru(phen)2(dppz)]2+, emit a fluorescent signal detected by the photosensors positioned underneath. The fluorescent intensity is proportional to the concentration of the target molecule. As proof of principle, we selected fragments derived from an aptamer sequence with binding affinity towards ATP. Using this assay, a limit of detection down to 0.9 µM ATP has been achieved. The sensitivity is compared with an assay where the original aptamer sequence is used. The possibility to re-use both the aptamer assays for several times is demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasa Nandimandalam
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.N.); (C.M.)
| | - Francesca Costantini
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.N.); (C.M.)
- CREA-DC Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, 00156 Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Lovecchio
- Department of Information, Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Roma, Italy; (N.L.); (L.I.); (G.d.C.); (D.C.)
| | - Lorenzo Iannascoli
- Department of Information, Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Roma, Italy; (N.L.); (L.I.); (G.d.C.); (D.C.)
- School of Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Salaria 851/881, 00138 Rome, Italy;
| | - Augusto Nascetti
- School of Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Salaria 851/881, 00138 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giampiero de Cesare
- Department of Information, Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Roma, Italy; (N.L.); (L.I.); (G.d.C.); (D.C.)
| | - Domenico Caputo
- Department of Information, Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Roma, Italy; (N.L.); (L.I.); (G.d.C.); (D.C.)
| | - Cesare Manetti
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.N.); (C.M.)
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Costantini F, Lovecchio N, Ruggi A, Manetti C, Nascetti A, Reverberi M, de Cesare G, Caputo D. Fluorescent Label-Free Aptasensor Integrated in a Lab-on-Chip System for the Detection of Ochratoxin A in Beer and Wheat. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2019; 2:5880-5887. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.9b00831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Costantini
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, p.le Aldo Moro 5, 00186 Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Lovecchio
- Department Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, Sapienza University of Rome, via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Albert Ruggi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Cesare Manetti
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, p.le Aldo Moro 5, 00186 Rome, Italy
| | - Augusto Nascetti
- School of Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, via Salaria 851/881, 00138 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Reverberi
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, p.le Aldo Moro 5, 00186 Rome, Italy
| | - Giampiero de Cesare
- Department Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, Sapienza University of Rome, via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Caputo
- Department Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, Sapienza University of Rome, via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
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