Ultra-Sensitive Biosensors for Medical Applications Based on Nanomechanics: From Detection of Synthetic Biomolecules to Analysis of Sepsis in Pediatric Patients

Recent advancements in nanomechanical microcantilever biosensors open new possibilities for clinical applications, permitting precise analysis of molecular interactions. The technology enables tracking gene expression, molecular conformational changes, antibody binding and antibiotic resistance. In particular, hybridization of DNA or RNA extracted from biopsies and whole blood from patients has led to significant advancements in diagnostics of critical medical conditions, e.g., cancer, bacteraemia and sepsis, utilizing rapid, sensitive, and label-free detection. Direct diagnosis from patient samples is a decisive advantage over competitive methods circumventing elaborate and time-consuming purification, amplification and cultivation procedures prior to analysis. Here, recent developments are presented from simple DNA hybridization of synthesized oligonucleotides to RNA material obtained from patients' blood samples, highlighting technological advancements in diagnostic applications, such as detection of pathogens and disease biomarkers. We envisage our method to be a significant input to rapid, early and sensitive diagnosis directly from patients' blood without requirements for amplification or cultivation. This would represent a paradigm shift in diagnostics, as no competing method currently exists.

The Role of ESR Spectroscopy in Advancing Catalytic Science: Some Recent Developments

Recent progress is surveyed in regard to the importance of molecular species containing unpaired electrons in catalytic systems, as revealed using ESR spectroscopy. The review begins with studies of enzymes and their role directly in biological systems, and then discusses investigations of various artificially created catalysts with potential human and environmental significance, including zeolites. Among the specific types of catalytic media considered are those for photocatalysis, water splitting, the degradation of environmental pollutants, hydrocarbon conversions, fuel cells, ionic liquids and sensor devices employing graphene. Studies of muonium-labelled radicals in zeolites are also reviewed, as a means for determining the dynamics of transient radicals in these nanoporous materials.

Unpaired electrons as probes of catalytic systems

An overview is provided of the importance of molecular species containing unpaired electrons in catalytic systems, as revealed using ESR spectroscopy. The review aims to demonstrate the considerable extent of scientific progress that has been made in this broad topic during the past few decades. Studies of catalytically active surfaces, including zeolites, are surveyed, and the detection of radical species, formed as intermediates in their reactions, using matrix isolation and spin-trapping techniques. Radical cation formation in zeolites is discussed, and the employment of muon spin rotation and relaxation techniques to study the mobility of labelled radicals in various porous and catalytic media. Among the specific types of catalytic media considered are those for photocatalysis, water splitting, degradation of environmental pollutants, hydrocarbon conversions, fuel cells and sensor devices employing graphene. The review concludes with recent developments in the study of enzymes and their reactions, using ESR-based methods.