Ultrasensitive aptamer-based on-off assay for lysozyme using a glassy carbon electrode modified with gold nanoparticles and electrochemically reduced graphene oxide

Emerging Trends of Gold Nanostructures for Point-of-Care Biosensor-Based Detection of COVID-19

In 2019, a worldwide pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged. SARS-CoV-2 is the deadly microorganism responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has caused millions of deaths and irreversible health problems worldwide. To restrict the spread of SARS-CoV-2, accurate detection of COVID-19 is essential for the identification and control of infected cases. Although recent detection technologies such as the real-time polymerase chain reaction delivers an accurate diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2, they require a long processing duration, expensive equipment, and highly skilled personnel. Therefore, a rapid diagnosis with accurate results is indispensable to offer effective disease suppression. Nanotechnology is the backbone of current science and technology developments including nanoparticles (NPs) that can biomimic the corona and develop deep interaction with its proteins because of their identical structures on the nanoscale. Various NPs have been extensively applied in numerous medical applications, including implants, biosensors, drug delivery, and bioimaging. Among them, point-of-care biosensors mediated with gold nanoparticles (GNPSs) have received great attention due to their accurate sensing characteristics, which are widely used in the detection of amino acids, enzymes, DNA, and RNA in samples. GNPS have reconstructed the biomedical application of biosensors because of its outstanding physicochemical characteristics. This review provides an overview of emerging trends in GNP-mediated point-of-care biosensor strategies for diagnosing various mutated forms of human coronaviruses that incorporate different transducers and biomarkers. The review also specifically highlights trends in gold nanobiosensors for coronavirus detection, ranging from the initial COVID-19 outbreak to its subsequent evolution into a pandemic.

Development of an electrochemical biosensor utilizing a combined aptamer and MIP strategy for the detection of the food allergen lysozyme

This study aims to develop a MIP-Apt-based electrochemical biosensor for the sensitive and selective determination of Lysozyme (Lyz), a food allergen. For the development of the sensor, in the first stage, modifications were made to the screen-printed electrode (SPE) surface with graphene oxide (GO) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to increase conductivity and surface area. The advantages of using aptamer (Apt) and molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) technology were combined in a single biointerface in the prepared sensing tool. Surface characterization of the biosensor was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS), contact angle measurements, cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). A wide linear range from 0.001 to 100 pM was obtained under optimized conditions for the determination of Lyz detection using the proposed MIP-Apt sensing strategy. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for Lyz were 3.67 fM and 12 fM, respectively. This biosensor displays high selectivity, repeatability, reproducibility, and long storage stability towards Lyz detection. The results show that a sensitive and selective sensor fabrication is achieved compared with existing methods.

AuNP-based biosensors for the diagnosis of pathogenic human coronaviruses: COVID-19 pandemic developments

The outbreak rate of human coronaviruses (CoVs) especially highly pathogenic CoVs is increasing alarmingly. Early detection of these viruses allows treatment interventions to be provided more quickly to people at higher risk, as well as helping to identify asymptomatic carriers and isolate them as quickly as possible, thus preventing the disease transmission chain. The current diagnostic methods such as RT-PCR are not ideal due to high cost, low accuracy, low speed, and probability of false results. Therefore, a reliable and accurate method for the detection of CoVs in biofluids can become a front-line tool in order to deal with the spread of these deadly viruses. Currently, the nanomaterial-based sensing devices for detection of human coronaviruses from laboratory diagnosis to point-of-care (PoC) diagnosis are progressing rapidly. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have revolutionized the field of biosensors because of the outstanding optical and electrochemical properties. In this review paper, a detailed overview of AuNP-based biosensing strategies with the varied transducers (electrochemical, optical, etc.) and also different biomarkers (protein antigens and nucleic acids) was presented for the detection of human coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1, and MERS-CoV and lowly pathogenic CoVs. The present review highlights the newest trends in the SARS-CoV-2 nanobiosensors from the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic until 2022. We hope that the presented examples in this review paper convince readers that AuNPs are a suitable platform for the designing of biosensors.

Systematic Review of Aptamer Sequence Reporting in the Literature Reveals Widespread Unexplained Sequence Alterations

Aptamers have been the subject of more than 144 000 papers to date. However, there has been a growing concern that discrepancies in the reporting of aptamer research limit the reliability of these reagents for research and other applications. These observations noting inconsistencies in the use of our RNA antilysozyme aptamer served as an impetus for our systematic review of the reporting of aptamer sequences in the literature. Our detailed examination of the literature citing the RNA antilysozyme aptamer revealed that 93% of the 61 publications reviewed reported unexplained altered sequences with 96% of those using DNA variants. The 10 most cited aptamers were examined using a standardized methodology in order to categorize the extent to which the sequences themselves and altered sequences were adequately described in the literature. Our review of 780 aptamer publications spanned decades, multiple journals, and research groups and revealed that 41% of the papers reported unexplained sequence alterations or omitted sequences. We identified 10 common categories of sequence alterations including deletions, substitutions, and additions, among others. Overall, our findings can be used as a starting point for building better practices in author submissions and publication standards, elevating the rigor and reproducibility of aptamer research.

Recent Advances in Engineered Noble Metal Nanomaterials as a Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Active Platform for Cancer Diagnostics

Recently, noble metal nanomaterials have been extensively studied in the fields of biosensing, environmental catalysis, and cancer diagnosis and treatment, due to their excellent electrical conductivity, high surface area, and individual physical and optical properties. Early research on the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect was focused on the cognition of the SERS phenomenon and enhancing its sensitivity for single-molecule detection. With the development of nanomaterials and nanotechnology, the advances and applications based on SERS substrates have been accelerated. Among them, noble metal nanomaterials are mainly used as SERS-active substrates to enhance SERS signals owing to their compelling surface plasmon resonance (SPR) properties. This review provides recent advances, perspectives, and challenges in SERS assays based on engineered noble metal nanomaterials for early cancer diagnosis.

Selection of a High-Affinity DNA Aptamer for the Recognition of Cadmium Ions

Cadmium ions as toxic metallic pollutants have been dramatically risen due to industrial production, which causes serious environmental damages and potential health risks. Thus, developing sensitive and specific probes to recognize cadmium ions is vital for human and environmental safety. In this work, the aptamer as a capture probe was selected for the identification of cadmium ions. The modified SELEX method based on immobilizing ssDNA libraries on streptavidin magnetic beads was used to the high-affinity aptamer selection for binding cadmium ions. After 9 rounds of selection, 4 ssDNA sequences with the highest enrichment were obtained, and the Cd-1 aptamer exhibited the highest affinity to cadmium ions. The dissociation constant K_d value of the Cd-1 aptamer was 81.39 μM for cadmium ions. Later, we also investigated the binding specificity of Cd-1 aptamer toward other heavy metal ions. Given the availability of immobilizing ssDNA library on matrix, we believe the strategy also applies to discover other ions in a reproducible manner.

An excellent electrochemical aptasensor for amyloid-β oligomers based on a triple-helix aptamer switch via target-triggered signal transduction DNA displacement events

An excellent aptasensor for electrochemical detection of amyloid-β oligomers (AβOs) at trace levels was fabricated based on a triple-helix aptamer switch (THAS) via target-triggered signal transduction DNA displacement events. Specifically, a single-stranded anti-AβO aptamer (Apt) carrying two symmetrical arm segments was first attached via Au-S binding to an Au electrode. Gold nanoparticle (GNP)-tagged signal transduction probes (GNP-STPs) were simultaneously hybridized with the two arm segments of the Apt, and a rigid THAS was formed on the Au electrode. Compared to the conventional hybrid, the number of GNPs on the Au electrode increased significantly with the THAS, effectively improving the stability of the Apt to avoid lodging. Trithiocyanuric acid (TA) was utilized to further gather the GNPs and form network-like TA/GNPs. As a result, the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) response of GNPs was clearly enhanced. When AβOs were present, target-triggered signal transduction DNA displacement events were carried out from THAS via the reaction of the Apt with the AβOs, which caused the GNP-STP to dissociate from the Au electrode, and thus a significant reduction in the DPV response was observed. The assay was able to sensitively detect trace AβOs by monitoring the AβO-controlled DPV response change. It exhibited a wide linear range from 1 fM to 10 pM with a low detection limit of 0.5 fM, and was successfully employed for the determination of AβOs in 20 serum samples, with good recovery. Moreover, the developed assay can provide a sensitive and selective platform for many studies or investigations related to Alzheimer's disease (AD) monitoring and treatment.

An electrochemical sensor for high sensitive determination of lysozyme based on the aptamer competition approach

Protein is a kind of basic substance that constitutes a life body. The determination of protein is very important for the research of biology, medicine, and other fields. Lysozyme is relatively small and simple in structure among all kinds of proteins, so it is often used as a standard target detector in the study of aptamer sensor for protein detection. In this paper, a lysozyme electrochemical sensor based on aptamer competition mechanism is proposed. We have successfully prepared a signal weakening electrochemical sensor based on the lysozyme aptamer competition mechanism. The carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were modified on the glassy carbon electrode, and the complementary aptamer DNA with amino group was connected to MWCNTs. Because of the complementary DNA of daunomycin into the electrode, the electrochemical signal is generated. When there is a target, the aptamer binds to lysozyme with higher binding power, and the original complementary chain breaks down, resulting in the loss of daunomycin inserted into the double chain and the weakening of electrochemical signal. Differential pulse voltammetry was used to determine lysozyme, the response range was 1–500 nM, the correlation coefficient was 0.9995, and the detection limit was 0.5 nM. In addition, the proposed sensor has good selectivity and anti-interference.

Aptasensors for lysozyme detection: Recent advances

Lysozyme is an enzyme existing in multiple organisms where it plays various vital roles. The most important role is its antibacterial activity in the human body; in fact, it is also called "the body's own antibiotic". Despite its proven utility, lysozyme can potentially trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, even in trace amounts. Therefore, lysozyme determination in foods is becoming of paramount importance. Traditional detection methods are expensive, time-consuming and they cannot be applied for fast in-situ quantification. Electrochemical and optical sensors have attracted an increasing attention due to their versatility and ability to reduce the disadvantages of traditional methods. Using an aptamer as the bioreceptor, the sensor selectivity is amplified due to the specific recognition of the analyte. This review is presenting the progresses made in lysozyme determination by means of electrochemical and optical aptasensors in the last five years. A critical overview on the methodologies employed for aptamer immobilization and on the strategies for signal amplification of the assays will be described. Different optical and electrochemical aptasensors will be discussed and compared in terms of analytical performances, versatility and real samples applications.

Design, Bioanalytical, and Biomedical Applications of Aptamer-Based Hydrogels

Aptamers are special types of single-stranded DNA generated by a process called systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). Due to significant advances in the chemical synthesis and biotechnological production, aptamers have gained considerable attention as versatile building blocks for the next generation of soft materials. Hydrogels are high water-retainable materials with a three-dimensional (3D) polymeric network. Aptamers, as a vital element, have greatly expanded the applications of hydrogels. Due to their biocompatibility, selective binding, and molecular recognition, aptamer-based hydrogels can be utilized for bioanalytical and biomedical applications. In this review, we focus on the latest strategies of aptamer-based hydrogels in bioanalytical and biomedical applications. We begin this review with an overview of the underlying design principles for the construction of aptamer-based hydrogels. Next, we will discuss some bioanalytical and biomedical applications of aptamer-based hydrogel including biosensing, target capture and release, logic devices, gene and cancer therapy. Finally, the recent progress of aptamer-based hydrogels is discussed, along with challenges and future perspectives.

A review on nanostructure-based mercury (II) detection and monitoring focusing on aptamer and oligonucleotide biosensors

Heavy metal ion pollution is a severe problem in environmental protection and especially in human health due to their bioaccumulation in organisms. Mercury (II) (Hg²⁺), even at low concentrations, can lead to DNA damage and give permanent harm to the central nervous system by easily passing through biological membranes. Therefore, sensitive detection and monitoring of Hg²⁺ is of particular interest with significant specificity. In this review, aptamer-based strategies in combination with nanostructures as well as several other strategies to solve addressed problems in sensor development for Hg²⁺ are discussed in detail. In particular, the analytical performance of different aptamer and oligonucleotide-based strategies using different signal improvement approaches based on nanoparticles were compared within each strategy and in between. Although quite a number of the suggested methodologies analyzed in this review fulfills the standard requirements, further development is still needed on real sample analysis and analytical performance parameters.

Label-Free and Regenerable Aptasensor for Real-Time Detection of Cadmium(II) by Dual Polarization Interferometry

Recently, numerous aptamer-based biosensors have been developed to detect heavy metal ions. Most of aptamer-based biosensors only can be used to get some quantitative information. The mechanism of the interaction between aptamer and metal ions, however, is rarely studied. In this work, a label-free and regenerable aptamer-based biosensor was constructed using dual polarization interferometry (DPI). This aptasensor was used to investigate the real-time interaction process between cadmium(II) and its aptamer. According to the information on mass, thickness, and density obtained by DPI, a Cd²⁺ concentration-dependent interaction mechanism and conformation of aptamer was proposed. At low Cd²⁺ concentration, Cd²⁺ mainly interacted with phosphate groups on aptamer, resulting in the stretched ssDNA and a few vertical hairpin structures. When adding the high concentration of Cd²⁺, Cd²⁺ primarily bound with bases of DNA by coordination interaction and the conformation of aptamer transferred to a tight and short hairpin structure. In addition, the association rate constant (k_a), dissociation rate constant (k_d) and disassociation constant (K_D) between Cd²⁺ and its aptamer were calculated to be 96 M^-1 S^-1, 2.11 × 10^-5 S^-1, and 220 nM, respectively. The proposed aptasensor showed high sensitivity for Cd²⁺ detection with the detection limit of 0.61 μg/L, which was far below the 5.0 μg/L ranked by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The biosensor also exhibited excellent regenerability and could be used for three cycles without obvious change in response signal. Therefore, the developed method could not only provide quantitative information, but also offered the information on conformation and kinetics for molecular interaction. This method can facilely extend to study the interaction of DNA with other ions, small molecules, or biomacromolecules.

HIV biosensors for early diagnosis of infection: The intertwine of nanotechnology with sensing strategies

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus that leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). With increasing awareness of AIDS emerging as a global public health threat, different HIV testing kits have been developed to detect antibodies (Ab) directed toward different parts of HIV. A great limitation of these tests is that they can not detect HIV antibodies during early virus infection. Therefore, to overcome this challenge, a wide range of biosensors have been developed for early diagnosis of HIV infection. A significant amount of these studies have been focused on the application of nanomaterials for improving the sensitivity and accuracy of the sensing methods. Following an introduction into this field, a first section of this review covers the synthesis and applicability of such nanomaterials as metal nanoparticles (NPs), quantum dots (QDs), carbon-based nanomaterials and metal nanoclusters (NCs). A second larger section covers the latest developments concerning nanomaterial-based biosensors for HIV diagnosis, with paying a special attention to the determination of CD4⁺ cells as a hall mark of HIV infection, HIV gene, HIV p24 core protein, HIV p17 peptide, HIV-1 virus-like particles (VLPs) and HIV related enzymes, particularly those that are passed on from the virus to the CD⁴⁺ T lymphocytes and are necessary for viral reproduction within the host cell. These studies are described in detail along with their diverse principles/mechanisms (e.g. electrochemistry, fluorescence, electromagnetic-piezoelectric, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and colorimetry). Despite the significant progress in HIV biosensing in the last years, there is a great need for the development of point-of-care (POC) technologies which are affordable, robust, easy to use, portable, and possessing sufficient quantitative accuracy to enable clinical decision making. In the final section, the focus is on the portable sensing devices as a new standard of POC and personalized diagnostics.

Functionalized magnetic composites based on the aptamer serve as novel bio-adsorbent for the separation and preconcentration of trace lead

A magnetic functionalized bio-sorbent based on aptamer was designed for the selective separation of ultra-trace Pb²⁺, shortly termed as Fe₃O₄@Au@DNA. Pb(II) specific aptamer attached to the magnetic solid substrate served as affinity probe to capture and separate trace lead. Oligonucleotides with a polyA block were employed for the immobilization on the surface of AuNPs, with adenine sequences (polyA) as the part of effective anchoring block. The prepared Fe₃O₄@Au@DNA composites were characterized by FT-IR, SEM and XPS. The binding of lead on Fe₃O₄@Au@DNA composites surface was pH-dependent, the adsorption follows Langmuir model, and the adsorption dynamic fits the pseudo-second-order kinetics model. Procedure for lead separation and preconcentration was explored and combined with detection of graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). Under the optimum condition, an enrichment factor of 17.73 was obtained with a sample volume of 1.0 mL. The limit of detection (LOD) was 57 ng L^-1 along with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2.06 (n = 9). The procedure was further validated by a certified reference material GBW08608 and several environmental and blood samples.

An ultrasensitive electrochemical anti-lysozyme aptasensor with biorecognition surface based on aptamer/amino-rGO/ionic liquid/amino-mesosilica nanoparticles

In this work, a novel method based on aptamers is proposed for electrochemical measurement of lysozyme. To this end, screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) was modified with a nanocomposite made from amino-reduced graphene oxide (Amino-rGO) synthesized from natural graphite powder, an ionic liquid (IL), and amino-mesosilica nanoparticles (Amino-MSNs). The composition of the nanocomposite (Amino-rGO/IL/Amino-MSNs) results in high thermal and chemical stability, conductivity, surface-to-volume ratio, cost efficiency, biocompatibility, and great bioelectrocatalysis characteristics. Presence of numerous amino groups, as well as remaining oxygen defects in rGO, provides a suitable site for immobilization of aptamers. Furthermore, use of this nanocomposite leads to considerable enhancement of the electrochemical signal and improved method sensitivity. Covalent coupling of aptamer's amino groups with that of the nanocomposite using glutaraldehyde (GLA) as a linker helps immobilize amino-linked lysozyme aptamers (Anti-Lys aptamers) on nanocomposite. The modified electrode was characterized using electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The immobilized aptamer selectively adsorbs lysozyme (Lys) on the electrode interface, leading to increased Charge Transfer Resistance (R_CT) in EIS and decrease in the DPV peak currents which are used as analytical signals. Two separate calibration curves were drawn using the data acquired from EIS and DPV. The prepared anti-Lys aptasensor has two very low LODs equal to 2.1 and 4.2 fmol L^-1 with wide detection ranges of 10 fmol L^-1 to 200 nmol L^-1, and 20 fmol L^-1 to 50 nmol L^-1 for EIS and DPV calibration curves, respectively. The SPCE/Amino-rGO/IL/Amino-MSNs/APT also showed high reproducibility, specificity, sensitivity, and rapid response to Lys which has various applications in fields of bioengineering and biomedicine.

Electric Field-Induced Chemical Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Enhancement from Aligned Peptide Nanotube-Graphene Oxide Templates for Universal Trace Detection of Biomolecules

Semiconductor-graphene oxide-based surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrates represent a new frontier in the field of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). However, the application of graphene oxide has had limited success because of the poor Raman enhancement factors that are achievable in comparison to noble metals. In this work, we report chemical SERS enhancement enabled by the application of an electric field (10-25 V/mm) to aligned semiconducting peptide nanotube-graphene oxide composite structures during Raman measurements. The technique enables nanomolar detection sensitivity of glucose and nucleobases with up to 10-fold signal enhancement compared to metal-based substrates, which, to our knowledge, is higher than that previously reported for semiconductor-based SERS substrates. The increased Raman scattering is assigned to enhanced charge-transfer resonance enabled by work function lowering of the peptide nanotubes. These results provide insight into how semiconductor organic peptide nanotubes interact with graphene oxide, which may facilitate chemical biosensing, electronic devices, and energy-harvesting applications.

Application of functionalized silver nanoparticles as a biochemical sensor for selective detection of lysozyme protein in milk sample

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) functionalized with glutamic acid (GA) was used as a biochemical sensing probe in colorimetry for detection of lysozyme protein in milk samples. The method is based on the color change of AgNPs/GA from yellow to reddish-yellow differentiated with naked eyes for qualitative determination and red shift of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorption signal intensity of AgNPs/GA in visible region used for quantitative determination of lysozyme. The control experiments were performed to demonstrate the electrostatic force of interactions between AgNPs/GA and protein molecule. A wide linear range of 3-150 nM with limit of detection of 1.5 nM was acquired for quantitative determination of lysozyme using AgNPs/GA as a biochemical sensing probe. The advantages of using AgNPs/GA as a biochemical sensing probe are simple, label-free and economic for determination of lysozyme from milk samples.

Employing AgNPs doped amidoxime-modified polyacrylonitrile (PAN-oxime) nanofibers for target induced strand displacement-based electrochemical aptasensing of CA125 in ovarian cancer patients

In this study, a high-performance biosensing nanoplatform based on amidoxime-modified polyacrylonitrile nanofibers decorated with Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs-PAN-oxime NFs) is described. The AgNPs-PAN-oxime NFs were prepared by the combination of electrospinning technique and chemical modification of nitrile group in the PAN. The proposed signal amplifiying nanoplatform was applied in the fabrication of an electrochemical aptasensor for the sensitive detection of CA 125 based on aptamer-cDNA duplex and target induced strand displacement recognition mechanism. The aptasensing interface offers high sensitivity and selectivity for detection of tumor marker due to inherent advantages such as high specific surface area of NFs, good conductivity by doping AgNPs into the polymer NFs and especially the ideal selectivity of anti CA 125 aptamer to its target. The electrochemical aptasensor revealed a wide dynamic linear range (DLR) from 0.01 to 350 U mL^-1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.991 and limit of detection (LOD) of 0.0042 U mL^-1. Additionally, the designed aptasensor showed acceptable selectivity, reproducibility, repeatability and stability. The satisfactory results for determination of CA 125 in serum samples compared to ELISA method (p-value > 0.05) indicated the potential application of aptasensor in clinical monitoring of tumor biomarker for early diagnosis and management of ovarian cancer.

Clinical aspects of radiolabeled aptamers in diagnostic nuclear medicine: A new class of targeted radiopharmaceuticals

Targeted radiopharmaceuticals offer the possibility of improved imaging with reduced side effects. Up to now, a variety of biological receptors such as aptamers have been successfully radiolabeled and applied to diagnostic imaging of cancers. The concept of using radio-labeled aptamers for binding to their targets has stimulated an immense body of research in diagnostic nuclear medicine. These biological recognition elements are single-stranded oligonucleotides that interact with their target molecules with high affinity and specificity in unique three-dimensional structures. Because of their high affinity and specificity, the receptor-binding aptamers labeled with gamma emitters such as ^99mTc, ⁶⁴Cu, ¹¹¹In, ¹⁸F and ⁶⁷Ga can facilitate the visualization of receptor-expressing tissues noninvasively. Compared to the antibody-based radiopharmaceuticals, the radiolabeled aptamers provide a number of advantages for clinical diagnostics including high stability, low cost, and ease of production and modification, low immunogenicity and, especially, superior tissue penetration because of their smaller size. In this review, we present recent progresses and challenges in aptamer-based diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals and highlight some representative applications of aptamers in nuclear medicine.

An overview of nanoscale radionuclides and radiolabeled nanomaterials commonly used for nuclear molecular imaging and therapeutic functions

Recent advances in the field of nanotechnology applications in nuclear medicine offer the promise of better diagnostic and therapeutic options. In recent years, increasing efforts have been focused on developing nanoconstructs that can be used as core platforms for attaching medical radionuclides with different strategies for the purposes of molecular imaging and targeted drug delivery. This review article presents an introduction to some commonly used nanomaterials with zero-dimensional, one-dimensional, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional structures, describes the various methods applied to radiolabeling of nanomaterials, and provides illustrative examples of application of the nanoscale radionuclides or radiolabeled nanocarriers in nuclear nanomedicine. Especially, the passive and active nanotargeting delivery of radionuclides with illustrating examples for tumor imaging and therapy was reviewed and summarized. The accurate and early diagnosis of cancer can lead to increased survival rates for different types of this disease. Although, the conventional single-modality diagnostic methods such as positron emission tomography/single photon emission computed tomography or MRI used for such purposes are powerful means; most of these are limited by sensitivity or resolution. By integrating complementary signal reporters into a single nanoparticulate contrast agent, multimodal molecular imaging can be performed as scalable images with high sensitivity, resolution, and specificity. The advent of radiolabeled nanocarriers or radioisotope-loaded nanomaterials with magnetic, plasmonic, or fluorescent properties has stimulated growing interest in the developing multimodality imaging probes. These new developments in nuclear nanomedicine are expected to introduce a paradigm shift in multimodal molecular imaging and thereby opening up an era of new diagnostic medical imaging agents. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 251-285, 2019.

Recent advances in designing nanomaterial based biointerfaces for electrochemical biosensing cardiovascular biomarkers

Early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is critically important for successful treatment and recovery of patients. At present, detection of CVD at early stages of its progression becomes a major issue for world health. The nanoscale electrochemical biosensors exhibit diverse outstanding properties, rendering them extremely suitable for the determination of CVD biomarkers at very low concentrations in biological fluids. The unique advantages offered by electrochemical biosensors in terms of sensitivity and stability imparted by nanostructuring the electrode surface together with high affinity and selectivity of bioreceptors have led to the development of new electrochemical biosensing strategies that have introduced as interesting alternatives to conventional methodologies for clinical diagnostics of CVD. This review provides an updated overview of selected examples during the period 2005-2018 involving electrochemical biosensing approaches and signal amplification strategies based on nanomaterials, which have been applied for determination of CVD biomarkers. The studied CVD biomarkers include AXL receptor tyrosine kinase, apolipoproteins, cholesterol, C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, fibrinogen (Fib), glucose, insulin, interleukins, lipoproteins, myoglobin, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and troponins (Tns) on electrochemical transduction format. Identification of new specific CVD biomarkers, multiplex bioassay for the simultaneous determination of biomarkers, emergence of microfluidic biosensors, real-time analysis of biomarkers and point of care validation with high sensitivity and selectivity are the major challenges for future research.

An ultrasensitive and selective electrochemical aptasensor based on rGO-MWCNTs/Chitosan/carbon quantum dot for the detection of lysozyme

An aptamer-based method is described for the electrochemical determination of lysozyme. A glassy carbon electrode was modified with a nanocomposite composed of reduced graphene oxide (rGO), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), chitosan (CS), and a synthesized carbon quantum dot (CQD) from CS. The composition of the nanocomposite (rGO-MWCNT/CS/CQD) warrants a high surface-to-volume ratio, high conductivity, high stability, and great electrocatalytic activity. This nanocomposite provides a suitable site for better immobilization of aptamers due to the existence of many amino and carboxyl functional groups, and remaining oxygen-related defects properties in rGO. In addition, this nanocomposite allows considerable enhancement of the electrochemical signal and contributes to improving sensitivity. The amino-linked lysozyme aptamers were immobilized on the nanocomposite through covalent coupling between the amino groups of the aptamer and the amino groups of the nanocomposite using glutaraldehyde (GLA) linker. The modified electrode was characterized by electrochemical methods including differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). In the presence of lysozyme, the immobilized aptamer selectively caught the target lysozyme on the electrode interface that leads to a decrease in the DPV peak current and an increase in Charge Transfer Resistance (R_ct) in EIS as an analytical signal. Using the obtained data from DPV and EIS techniques, two calibration curves were drawn. The anti-lysozyme aptasensor proposed has two very low LODs. These measures are 3.7 and 1.9 fmol L^-1 within the wide detection ranges of 20 fmol L^-1 to 10 nmol L^-1, and 10 fmol L^-1 to 100 nmol L^-1 for DPV and EIS calibration curves, respectively. The GCE/rGO-MWCNT/CS/CQD showed sensitivity, high reproducibility, specificity and rapid response for lysozyme which can be used in biomedical fields.

Advances in the design of nanomaterial-based electrochemical affinity and enzymatic biosensors for metabolic biomarkers: A review

This review (with 340 refs) focuses on methods for specific and sensitive detection of metabolites for diagnostic purposes, with particular emphasis on electrochemical nanomaterial-based sensors. It also covers novel candidate metabolites as potential biomarkers for diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, autism spectrum disorder and hepatitis. Following an introduction into the field of metabolic biomarkers, a first major section classifies electrochemical biosensors according to the bioreceptor type (enzymatic, immuno, apta and peptide based sensors). A next section covers applications of nanomaterials in electrochemical biosensing (with subsections on the classification of nanomaterials, electrochemical approaches for signal generation and amplification using nanomaterials, and on nanomaterials as tags). A next large sections treats candidate metabolic biomarkers for diagnosis of diseases (in the context with metabolomics), with subsections on biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases, autism spectrum disorder and hepatitis. The Conclusion addresses current challenges and future perspectives. Graphical abstract This review focuses on the recent developments in electrochemical biosensors based on the use of nanomaterials for the detection of metabolic biomarkers. It covers the critical metabolites for some diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, autism spectrum disorder and hepatitis.

Lysozyme aptasensor based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with a nanocomposite consisting of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, poly(diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride) and carbon quantum dots

An aptamer-based method is described for electrochemical determination of lysozyme. A glassy carbon electrode was modified with a nanocomposite composed of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, poly(diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride), and carbon quantum dots. The composition of the nanocomposite (MWCNT/PDDA/CQD) warrants good electrical conductivity and a high surface-to-volume ratio. The lysozyme-binding aptamers were immobilized on the nanocomposite via covalent coupling between the amino groups of the aptamer and the carboxy groups of the nanocomposite. The modified electrode was characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The use of this nanocomposite results in a considerable enhancement of the electrochemical signal and contributes to improving sensitivity. Hexacyanoferrate was used as an electrochemical probe to study the dependence of the peak current on lysozyme concentration. In the presence of lysozyme, the interaction of lysozyme with immobilized aptamer results in a decrease of the peak current, best measured at +0.15 V vs. Ag/AgCl. A plot of peak current changes versus the logarithm of the lysozyme concentration is linear in the 50 fmol L^-1 to 10 nmol L^-1 concentration range, with a 12.9 fmol L^-1 detection limit (at an S/N ratio of 3). The method is highly reproducible, specific and sensitive, and the electrode has a rapid response. It was applied to the determination of lysozyme in egg white, serum, and urine. Graphical abstract Schematic of a nanocomposite composed of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride) (PDDA), and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) for use in a lysozyme aptasensor. The aptamer was immobilized on the surface, and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was applied to block the surface. The changes of peak current for the electrochemical probe hexacyanoferrate (Fe(CN)₆^3-/4-) in the presence and absence of lysozyme was traced.

Signalling probe displacement electrochemical aptasensor for malignant cell surface nucleolin as a breast cancer biomarker based on gold nanoparticle decorated hydroxyapatite nanorods and silver nanoparticle labels

Nucleolin is a multifunctional protein that is markedly overexpressed on the surface of most cancer cells. By taking advantage of the high affinity and specificity of the AS1411 aptamer for nucleolin, a signalling probe displacement electrochemical aptasensor was developed. The thiolated AS1411 aptamer was conjugated to hydroxyapatite nanorods (HApNRs) decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). To further increase the electrical conductivity of the interface, the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium alanine with its high ion conductivity was placed on the electrode surface. Then, the aptamer was immobilized on the modified electrode and conjugated to signalling c-DNA tagged with AgNPs (c-DNA@AgNPs). In the presence of the MCF7 target cells, the signalling probe is displaced and released from the electrode surface. This leads to a decrease in the current that is proportional to the concentration of cancer cells in the range from 10 to 106 cells mL-1, with a detection limit as low as 8 ± 2 cells mL-1 (n = 3) (based as 3σ/m, where σ is the standard deviation of the blank and m is the slope of the calibration plot). This method presents a promising tool for highly sensitive and selective detection of surface nucleolin on MCF7 cancer cells. Graphical abstract HApNR-AuNP-AS1411 aptamer nanocomposite as an electrochemical sensing interface was immobilized on the gold electrode surface and conjugated to signaling c-DNA tagged with AgNPs for determination of surface nucleolin on MCF7 cancer cells.

Voltammetric sensing based on the use of advanced carbonaceous nanomaterials: a review

This review (with 210 references) summarizes recent developments in the design of voltammetric chemical sensors and biosensors based on the use of carbon nanomaterials (CNMs). It is divided into subsections starting with an introduction into the field and a description of its current state. This is followed by a large section on various types of voltammetric sensors and biosensors using CNMs with subsections on sensors based on the use of carbon nanotubes, graphene, graphene oxides, graphene nanoribbons, fullerenes, ionic liquid composites with CNMs, carbon nanohorns, diamond nanoparticles, carbon dots, carbon nanofibers and mesoporous carbon. The third section gives conclusion and an outlook. Tables are presented on the application of such sensors to voltammetric detection of neurotransmitters, metabolites, dietary minerals, proteins, heavy metals, gaseous molecules, pharmaceuticals, environmental pollutants, food, beverages, cosmetics, commercial goods and drugs of abuse. The authors also describe advanced approaches for the fabrication of robust functional carbon nano(bio)sensors for voltammetric quantification of multiple targets. Graphical Abstract Featuring execellent electrical, catalytic and surface properies, CNMs have gained enormous attention for designing voltammetric sensors and biosensors. Functionalized CNM-modified electrode interfaces have demonstrated their prominent role in biological, environmental, pharmaceutical, chemical, food and industrial analysis.

Flow injection amperometric sandwich-type aptasensor for the determination of human leukemic lymphoblast cancer cells using MWCNTs-Pdnano/PTCA/aptamer as labeled aptamer for the signal amplification

In this research, we demonstrated a flow injection amperometric sandwich-type aptasensor for the determination of human leukemic lymphoblasts (CCRF-CEM) based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) decorated with gold nanoparticles (PEDOT-Au_nano) as a nano platform to immobilize thiolated sgc8c aptamer and multiwall carbon nanotubes decorated with palladium nanoparticles/3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic acid (MWCNTs-Pd_nano/PTCA) to fabricate catalytic labeled aptamer. In the proposed sensing strategy, the CCRF-CEM cancer cells were sandwiched between immobilized sgc8c aptamer on PEDOT-Au_nano modified surface electrode and catalytic labeled sgc8c aptamer (MWCNTs-Pd_nano/PTCA/aptamer). After that, the concentration of CCRF-CEM cancer cells was determined in presence of 0.1 mM hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as an electroactive component. The attached MWCNTs-Pd_nano nanocomposites to CCRF-CEM cancer cells amplified the electrocatalytic reduction of H₂O₂ and improved the sensitivity of the sensor to CCRF-CEM cancer cells. The MWCNT-Pd_nano nanocomposite was characterized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to confirm the stepwise changes in the electrochemical surface properties of the electrode. The proposed sandwich-type electrochemical aptasensor exhibited an excellent analytical performance for the detection of CCRF-CEM cancer cells ranging from 1.0 × 10¹ to 5.0 × 10⁵ cells mL^-1. The limit of detection was 8 cells mL^-1. The proposed aptasensor showed high selectivity toward CCRF-CEM cancer cells. The proposed aptasensor was also applied to the determination of CCRF-CEM cancer cells in human serum samples.

A review: Aptamer-based analytical strategies using the nanomaterials for environmental and human monitoring of toxic heavy metals

Recent developments in biotechnology offer the new methods for the sensitive detection of heavy metals based on the affinity and specificity of aptamers, as nucleic acid ligands selected from random sequence pools in vitro. Heavy metals have received considerable importance as the most toxic metallic pollutants which may cause serious environmental damages. They are classified as trace elements because of their presence in trace concentrations in various environmental matrices. Thus, the precise and sensitive methods to detect heavy metals are important to ensure human and environment safety. Aptamers as the biological probes, show high binding affinity which can often be directly translated into high detection sensitivity. On the other hand, high selectivity and stability make them possible to detect a wide range of targets, especially metallic ions. This review provides current progress of aptamers for environmental and biological monitoring of heavy metals using the nanomaterials mainly in two groups: (i) aptamer based biosensors (aptasensors) and (ii) aptamer based biosorbents (aptasorbents). The introduction of nanomaterials can efficiently increase the immobilization quantity of aptamers. Furthermore, they play an important role in the orientation and assembly density controlling of aptamers for the optimized recognition ability.