Effect of magnetic bead agglomeration on cytomagnetometric measurements

One-PCR-tube approach for in situ DNA isolation and detection

Traditional real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) requires a purified DNA sample for PCR amplification and detection. This requires PCR tests be conducted in clean laboratories, and limits its applications for field tests. This work developed a method that can carry out DNA purification, amplification and detection in a single PCR tube. The polypropylene PCR tube was first treated with chromic acid and peptide nucleic acids (PNA) as DNA-capturer were immobilized on the internal surface of the tube. Cauliflower mosaic virus 35S (CaMV-35S) promoter in the crude extract was hybridized with the PNA on the tube surface, and the inhibitors, interfering agents and irrelevant DNA in the crude extract were effectively removed by rinsing with buffer solutions. The tube that has captured the target DNA can be used for the following real-time PCR (RT-PCR). By using this approach, the detection of less than 2500 copies of 35S plasmids in a complex sample could be completed within 3 hours. Chocolate samples were tested for real sample analysis, and 35S plasmids in genetically modified chocolate samples have been successfully identified with this method in situ. The novel One-PCR-tube method is competitive for commercial kits with the same time and simpler operation procedure. This method may be widely used for identifying food that contains modified DNA and specific pathogens in the field.

Modeling and simulation of magnetic nanoparticle sensor

Sensitivity and detection limit of a magnetic nanoparticle sensor is modeled and simulated. A micro coil generates an alternating magnetic field which excites magnetic nanoparticles in its vicinity. A concentric sensing coil applies Faraday's law of induction measuring the excited magnetization of the magnetic particles at high frequency. A differential measurement compensates disturbances and the influence of the driving microcoil leaving only the signal caused by the magnetic particles. The sensing system can be used for detection of magnetic nanoparticle labels in immunological point of care diagnostics. The paper shows simulation results for a microcoil system capable of detecting a single superparamagnetic nanoparticle.