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Leggio L, Paternò G, Vivarelli S, Bonasera A, Pignataro B, Iraci N, Arrabito G. Label-free approaches for extracellular vesicle detection. iScience 2023; 26:108105. [PMID: 37867957 PMCID: PMC10589885 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent pivotal mediators in cell-to-cell communication. They are lipid-membranous carriers of several biomolecules, which can be produced by almost all cells. In the current Era of precision medicine, EVs gained growing attention thanks to their potential in both biomarker discovery and nanotherapeutics applications. However, current technical limitations in isolating and/or detecting EVs restrain their standard use in clinics. This review explores all the state-of-the-art analytical technologies which are currently overcoming these issues. On one end, several innovative optical-, electrical-, and spectroscopy-based detection methods represent advantageous label-free methodologies for faster EV detection. On the other end, microfluidics-based lab-on-a-chip tools support EV purification from low-concentrated samples. Altogether, these technologies will strengthen the routine application of EVs in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loredana Leggio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Greta Paternò
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Silvia Vivarelli
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences, Morphological and Functional Imaging, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Aurelio Bonasera
- Department of Physics and Chemistry - Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, building 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Bruno Pignataro
- Department of Physics and Chemistry - Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, building 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Nunzio Iraci
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Arrabito
- Department of Physics and Chemistry - Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, building 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
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2
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Prestopino G, Orsini A, Barettin D, Arrabito G, Pignataro B, Medaglia PG. Vertically Aligned Nanowires and Quantum Dots: Promises and Results in Light Energy Harvesting. Materials (Basel) 2023; 16:4297. [PMID: 37374481 DOI: 10.3390/ma16124297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The synthesis of crystals with a high surface-to-volume ratio is essential for innovative, high-performance electronic devices and sensors. The easiest way to achieve this in integrated devices with electronic circuits is through the synthesis of high-aspect-ratio nanowires aligned vertically to the substrate surface. Such surface structuring is widely employed for the fabrication of photoanodes for solar cells, either combined with semiconducting quantum dots or metal halide perovskites. In this review, we focus on wet chemistry recipes for the growth of vertically aligned nanowires and technologies for their surface functionalization with quantum dots, highlighting the procedures that yield the best results in photoconversion efficiencies on rigid and flexible substrates. We also discuss the effectiveness of their implementation. Among the three main materials used for the fabrication of nanowire-quantum dot solar cells, ZnO is the most promising, particularly due to its piezo-phototronic effects. Techniques for functionalizing the surfaces of nanowires with quantum dots still need to be refined to be effective in covering the surface and practical to implement. The best results have been obtained from slow multi-step local drop casting. It is promising that good efficiencies have been achieved with both environmentally toxic lead-containing quantum dots and environmentally friendly zinc selenide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Prestopino
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università degli Studi di Roma "Tor Vergata", Via del Politecnico, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Orsini
- Università degli Studi "Niccolò Cusano", ATHENA European University, Via Don Carlo Gnocchi 3, 00166 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Barettin
- Università degli Studi "Niccolò Cusano", ATHENA European University, Via Don Carlo Gnocchi 3, 00166 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Arrabito
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica-Emilio Segrè, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Bruno Pignataro
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica-Emilio Segrè, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Pier Gianni Medaglia
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università degli Studi di Roma "Tor Vergata", Via del Politecnico, 00133 Rome, Italy
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3
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Arrabito G, Delisi A, Giuliano G, Prestopino G, Medaglia PG, Ferrara V, Arcidiacono F, Scopelliti M, Chillura Martino DF, Pignataro B. Self-Cleaning Bending Sensors Based on Semitransparent ZnO Nanostructured Films. ACS Appl Eng Mater 2023; 1:1384-1396. [PMID: 37256019 PMCID: PMC10226038 DOI: 10.1021/acsaenm.3c00082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The design of multifunctional nanostructured materials is the key to the development of smart wearable devices. For instance, nanostructures endowed with both piezoelectric and photocatalytic activities could well be the workhorse for solar-light-driven self-cleaning wearable sensors. In this work, a simple strategy for the assembly of a flexible, semitransparent piezophotocatalytic system is demonstrated by leveraging rational wet chemistry synthesis of ZnO-based nanosheets/nanoflowers (NSs/NFs) under basic pH conditions onto flexible ITO/PET supports. A KMnO4 pretreatment before the ZnO synthesis (seeded ZnO) allows for the control of the density, size, and orientation of the NSs/NFs systems compared to the systems produced in the absence of seeding (seedless ZnO). The electrical response of the sensors is extracted at a 1 V bias as a function of bending in the interval between 0 and 90°, being the responsivity toward bending significantly enhanced by the KMnO4 treatment effect. The photocatalytic activity of the sensors is analyzed in aqueous solution (methylene blue, 25 μM) by a solar simulator, resulting in similar values between seedless and seeded ZnO. Upon bending the sensor, the photocatalytic activity of seedless ZnO is almost unaffected, whereas that of seeded ZnO is improved by about 25%. The sensor's reusability and repeatability are tested in up to three different cycles. These results open up the way toward the seamless integration of bending sensitivity and photocatalysis into a single device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Arrabito
- Department
of Physics and Chemistry—Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonio Delisi
- Department
of Physics and Chemistry—Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuliana Giuliano
- Department
of Physics and Chemistry—Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Prestopino
- Department
of Industrial Engineering, University of
Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Pier Gianni Medaglia
- Department
of Industrial Engineering, University of
Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Vittorio Ferrara
- Department
of Physics and Chemistry—Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Federica Arcidiacono
- Department
of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies
(STeBiCeF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Scopelliti
- Department
of Physics and Chemistry—Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
- National
Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM),
UdR of Palermo, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Delia Francesca Chillura Martino
- Department
of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies
(STeBiCeF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
- National
Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM),
UdR of Palermo, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Bruno Pignataro
- Department
of Physics and Chemistry—Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
- National
Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM),
UdR of Palermo, 50121 Florence, Italy
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4
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Arrabito G, Gulli D, Alfano C, Pignataro B. "Writing biochips": high-resolution droplet-to-droplet manufacturing of analytical platforms. Analyst 2022; 147:1294-1312. [PMID: 35275148 DOI: 10.1039/d1an02295d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The development of high-resolution molecular printing allows the engineering of analytical platforms enabling applications at the interface between chemistry and biology, i.e. in biosensing, electronics, single-cell biology, and point-of-care diagnostics. Their successful implementation stems from the combination of large area printing at resolutions from sub-100 nm up to macroscale, whilst controlling the composition and volume of the ink, and reconfiguring the deposition features in due course. Similar to handwriting pens, the engineering of continuous writing systems tackles the issue of the tedious ink replenishment between different printing steps. To this aim, this review article provides an unprecedented analysis of the latest continuous printing methods for bioanalytical chemistry, focusing on ink deposition systems based on specific sets of technologies that have been developed to this aim, namely nanofountain probes, microcantilever spotting, capillary-based polymer pens and continuous 3D printing. Each approach will be discussed revealing the most important applications in the fields of biosensors, lab-on-chips and diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Arrabito
- Department of Physics and Chemistry (DiFC) Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Building 17, V.le delle Scienze, Palermo 90128, Italy.
| | - Daniele Gulli
- Department of Physics and Chemistry (DiFC) Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Building 17, V.le delle Scienze, Palermo 90128, Italy.
| | - Caterina Alfano
- Structural Biology and Biophysics Unit, Fondazione Ri.MED, Palermo 90133, Italy
| | - Bruno Pignataro
- Department of Physics and Chemistry (DiFC) Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Building 17, V.le delle Scienze, Palermo 90128, Italy.
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5
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Chiappara C, Arrabito G, Ferrara V, Scopelliti M, Sancataldo G, Vetri V, Chillura Martino DF, Pignataro B. Improved Photocatalytic Activity of Polysiloxane TiO 2 Composites by Thermally Induced Nanoparticle Bulk Clustering and Dye Adsorption. Langmuir 2021; 37:10354-10365. [PMID: 34461725 PMCID: PMC8413002 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c01475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Fine control of nanoparticle clustering within polymeric matrices can be tuned to enhance the physicochemical properties of the resulting composites, which are governed by the interplay of nanoparticle surface segregation and bulk clustering. To this aim, out-of-equilibrium strategies can be leveraged to program the multiscale organization of such systems. Here, we present experimental results indicating that bulk assembly of highly photoactive clusters of titanium dioxide nanoparticles within an in situ synthesized polysiloxane matrix can be thermally tuned. Remarkably, the controlled nanoparticle clustering results in improved degradation photocatalytic performances of the material under 1 sun toward methylene blue. The resulting coatings, in particular the 35 wt % TiO2-loaded composites, show a photocatalytic degradation of about 80%, which was comparable to the equivalent amount of bare TiO2 and two-fold higher with respect to the corresponding composites not subjected to thermal treatment. These findings highlight the role of thermally induced bulk clustering in enhancing photoactive nanoparticle/polymer composite properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Chiappara
- Department
of Physics and Chemistry (DiFC) Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Building 17, V.le delle Scienze, Palermo 90128, Italy
- National
Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM),
UdR of Palermo, Florence 50121, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Arrabito
- Department
of Physics and Chemistry (DiFC) Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Building 17, V.le delle Scienze, Palermo 90128, Italy
| | - Vittorio Ferrara
- National
Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM),
UdR of Palermo, Florence 50121, Italy
- Department
of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies
(STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Building 16, V.le delle Scienze, Palermo 90128, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Scopelliti
- Department
of Physics and Chemistry (DiFC) Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Building 17, V.le delle Scienze, Palermo 90128, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sancataldo
- Department
of Physics and Chemistry (DiFC) Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Building 17, V.le delle Scienze, Palermo 90128, Italy
| | - Valeria Vetri
- Department
of Physics and Chemistry (DiFC) Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Building 17, V.le delle Scienze, Palermo 90128, Italy
| | - Delia Francesca Chillura Martino
- National
Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM),
UdR of Palermo, Florence 50121, Italy
- Department
of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies
(STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Building 16, V.le delle Scienze, Palermo 90128, Italy
| | - Bruno Pignataro
- Department
of Physics and Chemistry (DiFC) Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Building 17, V.le delle Scienze, Palermo 90128, Italy
- National
Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM),
UdR of Palermo, Florence 50121, Italy
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Chiappara C, Campisciano V, Arrabito G, Errico V, Saggio G, Buscarino G, Scopelliti M, Gruttadauria M, Giacalone F, Pignataro B. Bending Sensors Based on Thin Films of Semitransparent Bithiophene‐Fulleropyrrolidine Bisadducts. Chempluschem 2020; 85:2455-2464. [DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202000526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Chiappara
- Department of Physics and Chemistry Emilio Segrè, and INSTM-UdR University of Palermo Building 17, Viale delle Scienze Palermo 90128 Italy
| | - Vincenzo Campisciano
- Department of Biological Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies University of Palermo Building 17, Viale delle Scienze Palermo 90128 Italy
| | - Giuseppe Arrabito
- Department of Physics and Chemistry -Emilio Segrè University of Palermo Building 17 Viale delle Scienze Palermo 90128 Italy
| | - Vito Errico
- Department of Electronic Engineering University of Roma “Tor Vergata” Via del Politecnico 1 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Giovanni Saggio
- Department of Electronic Engineering University of Roma “Tor Vergata” Via del Politecnico 1 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Gianpiero Buscarino
- Department of Physics and Chemistry -Emilio Segrè University of Palermo Building 17 Viale delle Scienze Palermo 90128 Italy
| | - Michelangelo Scopelliti
- Department of Physics and Chemistry -Emilio Segrè University of Palermo Building 17 Viale delle Scienze Palermo 90128 Italy
| | - Michelangelo Gruttadauria
- Department of Biological Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies University of Palermo Building 17, Viale delle Scienze Palermo 90128 Italy
| | - Francesco Giacalone
- Department of Biological Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies University of Palermo Building 17, Viale delle Scienze Palermo 90128 Italy
| | - Bruno Pignataro
- Department of Physics and Chemistry -Emilio Segrè University of Palermo Building 17 Viale delle Scienze Palermo 90128 Italy
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Leggio L, Arrabito G, Ferrara V, Vivarelli S, Paternò G, Marchetti B, Pignataro B, Iraci N. Mastering the Tools: Natural versus Artificial Vesicles in Nanomedicine. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e2000731. [PMID: 32864899 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202000731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Naturally occurring extracellular vesicles and artificially made vesicles represent important tools in nanomedicine for the efficient delivery of biomolecules and drugs. Since its first appearance in the literature 50 years ago, the research on vesicles is progressing at a fast pace, with the main goal of developing carriers able to protect cargoes from degradation, as well as to deliver them in a time- and space-controlled fashion. While natural occurring vesicles have the advantage of being fully compatible with their host, artificial vesicles can be easily synthetized and functionalized according to the target to reach. Research is striving to merge the advantages of natural and artificial vesicles, in order to provide a new generation of highly performing vesicles, which would improve the therapeutic index of transported molecules. This progress report summarizes current manufacturing techniques used to produce both natural and artificial vesicles, exploring the promises and pitfalls of the different production processes. Finally, pros and cons of natural versus artificial vesicles are discussed and compared, with special regard toward the current applications of both kinds of vesicles in the healthcare field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loredana Leggio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences University of Catania Torre Biologica, Via S. Sofia 97 Catania 95125 Italy
| | - Giuseppe Arrabito
- Department of Physics and Chemistry – Emilio Segrè University of Palermo Building 17, Viale delle Scienze Palermo 90128 Italy
| | - Vittorio Ferrara
- Department of Chemical Sciences University of Catania Viale Andrea Doria 6 Catania 95125 Italy
| | - Silvia Vivarelli
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences University of Catania Torre Biologica, Via S. Sofia 97 Catania 95125 Italy
| | - Greta Paternò
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences University of Catania Torre Biologica, Via S. Sofia 97 Catania 95125 Italy
| | - Bianca Marchetti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences University of Catania Torre Biologica, Via S. Sofia 97 Catania 95125 Italy
- Neuropharmacology Section OASI Institute for Research and Care on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging Troina 94018 Italy
| | - Bruno Pignataro
- Department of Physics and Chemistry – Emilio Segrè University of Palermo Building 17, Viale delle Scienze Palermo 90128 Italy
| | - Nunzio Iraci
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences University of Catania Torre Biologica, Via S. Sofia 97 Catania 95125 Italy
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Abstract
The continuous progress of printing technologies over the past 20 years has fueled the development of a plethora of applications in materials sciences, flexible electronics, and biotechnologies. More recently, printing methodologies have started up to explore the world of Artificial Biology, offering new paradigms in the direct assembly of Artificial Biosystems (small condensates, compartments, networks, tissues, and organs) by mimicking the result of the evolution of living systems and also by redesigning natural biological systems, taking inspiration from them. This recent progress is reported in terms of a new field here defined as Printing Biology, resulting from the intersection between the field of printing and the bottom up Synthetic Biology. Printing Biology explores new approaches for the reconfigurable assembly of designed life-like or life-inspired structures. This work presents this emerging field, highlighting its main features, i.e., printing methodologies (from 2D to 3D), molecular ink properties, deposition mechanisms, and finally the applications and future challenges. Printing Biology is expected to show a growing impact on the development of biotechnology and life-inspired fabrication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Arrabito
- Department of Physics and Chemistry - Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Building 17, Palermo, 90128, Italy
| | - Vittorio Ferrara
- Department of Physics and Chemistry - Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Building 17, Palermo, 90128, Italy
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria, 6, Catania, 95125, Italy
| | - Aurelio Bonasera
- Department of Physics and Chemistry - Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Building 17, Palermo, 90128, Italy
| | - Bruno Pignataro
- Department of Physics and Chemistry - Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Building 17, Palermo, 90128, Italy
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9
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Arrabito G, Aleeva Y, Ferrara V, Prestopino G, Chiappara C, Pignataro B. On the Interaction between 1D Materials and Living Cells. J Funct Biomater 2020; 11:E40. [PMID: 32531950 PMCID: PMC7353490 DOI: 10.3390/jfb11020040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
One-dimensional (1D) materials allow for cutting-edge applications in biology, such as single-cell bioelectronics investigations, stimulation of the cellular membrane or the cytosol, cellular capture, tissue regeneration, antibacterial action, traction force investigation, and cellular lysis among others. The extraordinary development of this research field in the last ten years has been promoted by the possibility to engineer new classes of biointerfaces that integrate 1D materials as tools to trigger reconfigurable stimuli/probes at the sub-cellular resolution, mimicking the in vivo protein fibres organization of the extracellular matrix. After a brief overview of the theoretical models relevant for a quantitative description of the 1D material/cell interface, this work offers an unprecedented review of 1D nano- and microscale materials (inorganic, organic, biomolecular) explored so far in this vibrant research field, highlighting their emerging biological applications. The correlation between each 1D material chemistry and the resulting biological response is investigated, allowing to emphasize the advantages and the issues that each class presents. Finally, current challenges and future perspectives are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Arrabito
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica—Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed.17, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Yana Aleeva
- INSTM UdR Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed.17, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (Y.A.); (C.C.)
| | - Vittorio Ferrara
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Prestopino
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università di Roma “Tor Vergata”, Via del Politecnico 1, I-00133 Roma, Italy;
| | - Clara Chiappara
- INSTM UdR Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed.17, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (Y.A.); (C.C.)
| | - Bruno Pignataro
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica—Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed.17, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
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10
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Bonasera A, Giuliano G, Arrabito G, Pignataro B. Tackling Performance Challenges in Organic Photovoltaics: An Overview about Compatibilizers. Molecules 2020; 25:E2200. [PMID: 32397234 PMCID: PMC7248780 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25092200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Organic Photovoltaics (OPVs) based on Bulk Heterojunction (BHJ) blends are a mature technology. Having started their intensive development two decades ago, their low cost, processability and flexibility rapidly funneled the interest of the scientific community, searching for new solutions to expand solar photovoltaics market and promote sustainable development. However, their robust implementation is hampered by some issues, concerning the choice of the donor/acceptor materials, the device thermal/photo-stability, and, last but not least, their morphology. Indeed, the morphological profile of BHJs has a strong impact over charge generation, collection, and recombination processes; control over nano/microstructural morphology would be desirable, aiming at finely tuning the device performance and overcoming those previously mentioned critical issues. The employ of compatibilizers has emerged as a promising, economically sustainable, and widely applicable approach for the donor/acceptor interface (D/A-I) optimization. Thus, improvements in the global performance of the devices can be achieved without making use of more complex architectures. Even though several materials have been deeply documented and reported as effective compatibilizing agents, scientific reports are quite fragmentary. Here we would like to offer a panoramic overview of the literature on compatibilizers, focusing on the progression documented in the last decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurelio Bonasera
- Department of Physics and Chemistry-Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze, bdg. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (G.G.); (G.A.)
- INSTM-Palermo Research Unit, viale delle Scienze, bdg. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuliana Giuliano
- Department of Physics and Chemistry-Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze, bdg. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (G.G.); (G.A.)
| | - Giuseppe Arrabito
- Department of Physics and Chemistry-Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze, bdg. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (G.G.); (G.A.)
| | - Bruno Pignataro
- Department of Physics and Chemistry-Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze, bdg. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (G.G.); (G.A.)
- INSTM-Palermo Research Unit, viale delle Scienze, bdg. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
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11
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Ferrara V, Zito G, Arrabito G, Cataldo S, Scopelliti M, Giordano C, Vetri V, Pignataro B. Aqueous Processed Biopolymer Interfaces for Single-Cell Microarrays. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:3174-3186. [PMID: 33463257 PMCID: PMC7997111 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b01871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Single-cell microarrays are emerging tools to unravel intrinsic diversity within complex cell populations, opening up new approaches for the in-depth understanding of highly relevant diseases. However, most of the current methods for their fabrication are based on cumbersome patterning approaches, employing organic solvents and/or expensive materials. Here, we demonstrate an unprecedented green-chemistry strategy to produce single-cell capture biochips onto glass surfaces by all-aqueous inkjet printing. At first, a chitosan film is easily inkjet printed and immobilized onto hydroxyl-rich glass surfaces by electrostatic immobilization. In turn, poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether is grafted on the chitosan film to expose reactive epoxy groups and induce antifouling properties. Subsequently, microscale collagen spots are printed onto the above surface to define the attachment area for single adherent human cancer cells harvesting with high yield. The reported inkjet printing approach enables one to modulate the collagen area available for cell attachment in order to control the number of captured cells per spot, from single-cells up to double- and multiple-cell arrays. Proof-of-principle of the approach includes pharmacological treatment of single-cells by the model drug doxorubicin. The herein presented strategy for single-cell array fabrication can constitute a first step toward an innovative and environmentally friendly generation of aqueous-based inkjet-printed cellular devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittorio Ferrara
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Zito
- Dipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza "G. D'Alessandro" (ProMISE), Sezione di Malattie Endocrine, del Ricambio e della Nutrizione, Università di Palermo, Piazza delle Cliniche 2, 90127 Palermo, Sicilia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Arrabito
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica-Emilio Segrè, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Cataldo
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica-Emilio Segrè, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Scopelliti
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica-Emilio Segrè, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Carla Giordano
- Dipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza "G. D'Alessandro" (ProMISE), Sezione di Malattie Endocrine, del Ricambio e della Nutrizione, Università di Palermo, Piazza delle Cliniche 2, 90127 Palermo, Sicilia, Italy
| | - Valeria Vetri
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica-Emilio Segrè, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Bruno Pignataro
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica-Emilio Segrè, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy
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Arrabito G, Ferrara V, Ottaviani A, Cavaleri F, Cubisino S, Cancemi P, Ho YP, Knudsen BR, Hede MS, Pellerito C, Desideri A, Feo S, Pignataro B. Imbibition of Femtoliter-Scale DNA-Rich Aqueous Droplets into Porous Nylon Substrates by Molecular Printing. Langmuir 2019; 35:17156-17165. [PMID: 31790261 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b02893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This work presents the first reported imbibition mechanism of femtoliter (fL)-scale droplets produced by microchannel cantilever spotting (μCS) of DNA molecular inks into porous substrates (hydrophilic nylon). Differently from macroscopic or picoliter droplets, the downscaling to the fL-size leads to an imbibition process controlled by the subtle interplay of evaporation, spreading, viscosity, and capillarity, with gravitational forces being quasi-negligible. In particular, the minimization of droplet evaporation, surface tension, and viscosity allows for a reproducible droplet imbibition process. The dwell time on the nylon surface permits further tuning of the droplet lateral size, in accord with liquid ink diffusion mechanisms. The functionality of the printed DNA molecules is demonstrated at different imbibed oligonucleotide concentrations by hybridization with a fluorolabeled complementary sequence, resulting in a homogeneous coverage of DNA within the imbibed droplet. This study represents a first step toward the μCS-enabled fabrication of DNA-based biosensors and microarrays into porous substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Arrabito
- Department of Physics and Chemistry "Emilio Segrè" , University of Palermo , Building 17, V.le delle Scienze , Palermo 90128 , Italy
| | - V Ferrara
- Department of Chemical Sciences , University of Catania , Viale Andrea Doria 6 , Catania 95125 , Italy
| | - A Ottaviani
- Department of Biology , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica , Rome 00133 , Italy
| | - F Cavaleri
- Department of Physics and Chemistry "Emilio Segrè" , University of Palermo , Building 17, V.le delle Scienze , Palermo 90128 , Italy
| | - S Cubisino
- Department of Physics and Chemistry "Emilio Segrè" , University of Palermo , Building 17, V.le delle Scienze , Palermo 90128 , Italy
| | - P Cancemi
- Department of Biological Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies , University of Palermo , Building 16, V.le delle Scienze , Palermo 90128 , Italy
| | - Y P Ho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR , China
- Centre for Novel Biomaterials , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR , China
| | - B R Knudsen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics , Aarhus University , C.F. Møllers Allé 3 , Aarhus C 8000 , Denmark
- iNANO , Aarhus University , Gustav Wieds Vej 14 , Aarhus 8000 , Denmark
| | - M S Hede
- VPCIR.COM , CF. Møllers Alle 3 , Aarhus C 800 , Denmark
| | - C Pellerito
- Department of Physics and Chemistry "Emilio Segrè" , University of Palermo , Building 17, V.le delle Scienze , Palermo 90128 , Italy
| | - A Desideri
- Department of Biology , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica , Rome 00133 , Italy
| | - S Feo
- Department of Biological Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies , University of Palermo , Building 16, V.le delle Scienze , Palermo 90128 , Italy
| | - B Pignataro
- Department of Physics and Chemistry "Emilio Segrè" , University of Palermo , Building 17, V.le delle Scienze , Palermo 90128 , Italy
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Prestopino G, Arrabito G, Generosi A, Mattoccia A, Paci B, Perez G, Verona-Rinati G, Medaglia PG. Emerging switchable ultraviolet photoluminescence in dehydrated Zn/Al layered double hydroxide nanoplatelets. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11498. [PMID: 31395962 PMCID: PMC6687718 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48012-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Layered double hydroxides show intriguing physical and chemical properties arising by their intrinsic self-assembled stacking of molecular-thick 2D nanosheets, enhanced active surface area, hosting of guest species by intercalation and anion exchanging capabilities. Here, we report on the unprecedented emerging intense ultraviolet photoluminescence in Zn/Al layered double hydroxide high-aspect-ratio nanoplatelets, which we discovered to be fully activated by drying under vacuum condition and thermal desorption as well. Photoluminescence and its quenching were reproducibly switched by a dehydration–hydration process. Photoluminescence properties were comprehensively evaluated, such as temperature dependence of photoluminescence features and lifetime measurements. The role of 2D morphology and arrangement of hydroxide layers was demonstrated by evaluating the photoluminescence before and after exfoliation of a bulk phase synthetized by a coprecipitation method.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Prestopino
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università di Roma 'Tor Vergata', Via del Politecnico 1, I-00133, Roma, Italy
| | - G Arrabito
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Ed.17, V.le delle Scienze, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - A Generosi
- Istituto di Struttura della Materia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (ISM-CNR), Area di Ricerca di Tor Vergata, Via del Fosso del Cavaliere, 100, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - A Mattoccia
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università di Roma 'Tor Vergata', Via del Politecnico 1, I-00133, Roma, Italy
| | - B Paci
- Istituto di Struttura della Materia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (ISM-CNR), Area di Ricerca di Tor Vergata, Via del Fosso del Cavaliere, 100, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - G Perez
- Istituto di Struttura della Materia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (ISM-CNR), Via Salaria km 29.300, Roma, Monterotondo Scalo, 00015, Italy
| | - G Verona-Rinati
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università di Roma 'Tor Vergata', Via del Politecnico 1, I-00133, Roma, Italy
| | - P G Medaglia
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università di Roma 'Tor Vergata', Via del Politecnico 1, I-00133, Roma, Italy.
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Arrabito G, Cavaleri F, Porchetta A, Ricci F, Vetri V, Leone M, Pignataro B. Sub-Cellular Scale Compartments: Printing Life-Inspired Subcellular Scale Compartments with Autonomous Molecularly Crowded Confinement (Adv. Biosys. 7/2019). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201970074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Arrabito
- Department of Physics and Chemistry; University of Palermo; Viale delle Scienze, Parco d'Orleans II 90128 Palermo Italy
| | - Felicia Cavaleri
- Department of Physics and Chemistry; University of Palermo; Viale delle Scienze, Parco d'Orleans II 90128 Palermo Italy
| | - Alessandro Porchetta
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies; University of Rome; Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Francesco Ricci
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies; University of Rome; Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Valeria Vetri
- Department of Physics and Chemistry; University of Palermo; Viale delle Scienze, Parco d'Orleans II 90128 Palermo Italy
| | - Maurizio Leone
- Department of Physics and Chemistry; University of Palermo; Viale delle Scienze, Parco d'Orleans II 90128 Palermo Italy
| | - Bruno Pignataro
- Department of Physics and Chemistry; University of Palermo; Viale delle Scienze, Parco d'Orleans II 90128 Palermo Italy
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Arrabito G, Cavaleri F, Porchetta A, Ricci F, Vetri V, Leone M, Pignataro B. Printing Life-Inspired Subcellular Scale Compartments with Autonomous Molecularly Crowded Confinement. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 3:e1900023. [PMID: 32648672 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201900023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
A simple, rapid, and highly controlled platform to prepare life-inspired subcellular scale compartments by inkjet printing has been developed. These compartments consist of fL-scale aqueous droplets (few µm in diameter) incorporating biologically relevant molecular entities with programmed composition and concentration. These droplets are ink-jetted in nL mineral oil drop arrays allowing for lab-on-chip studies by fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence life time imaging. Once formed, fL-droplets are stable for several hours, thus giving the possibility of readily analyze molecular reactions and their kinetics and to verify molecular behavior and intermolecular interactions. Here, this platform is exploited to unravel the behavior of different molecular probes and biomolecular systems (DNA hairpins, enzymatic cascades, protein-ligand couples) within the compartments. The fL-scale size induces the formation of molecularly crowded confined shell structures (hundreds of nanometers in thickness) at the droplet surface, allowing discovery of specific features (e.g., heterogeneity, responsivity to molecular triggers) that are mediated by the intermolecular interactions in these peculiar environments. The presented results indicate the possibility of using this platform for designing nature-inspired confined reactors allowing for a deepened understanding of molecular confinement effects in living subcellular compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Arrabito
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Parco d'Orleans II, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Felicia Cavaleri
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Parco d'Orleans II, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandro Porchetta
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome, Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Ricci
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome, Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Vetri
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Parco d'Orleans II, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maurizio Leone
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Parco d'Orleans II, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Bruno Pignataro
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Parco d'Orleans II, 90128, Palermo, Italy
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Arrabito G, Errico V, De Ninno A, Cavaleri F, Ferrara V, Pignataro B, Caselli F. Oil-in-Water fL Droplets by Interfacial Spontaneous Fragmentation and Their Electrical Characterization. Langmuir 2019; 35:4936-4945. [PMID: 30875226 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b04316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Inkjet printing is here employed for the first time as a method to produce femtoliter-scale oil droplets dispersed in water. In particular, picoliter-scale fluorinated oil (FC40) droplets are printed in the presence of perfluoro-1-octanol surfactant at a velocity higher than 5 m/s. Femtoliter-scale oil droplets in water are spontaneously formed through a fragmentation process at the water/air interface using minute amounts of nonionic surfactant (down to 0.003% v/v of Tween 80). This fragmentation occurs by a Plateau-Rayleigh mechanism at a moderately high Weber number (101). A microfluidic chip with integrated microelectrodes allows droplets characterization in terms of number and diameter distribution (peaked at about 3 μm) by means of electrical impedance measurements. These results show an unprecedented possibility to scale oil droplets down to the femtoliter scale, which opens up several perspectives for a tailored oil-in-water emulsion fabrication for drug encapsulation, pharmaceutic preparations, and cellular biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Arrabito
- Department of Physics and Chemistry , University of Palermo , Palermo 90128 , Italy
| | | | - Adele De Ninno
- Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies , Italian National Research Council , Roma 00185 , Italy
| | - Felicia Cavaleri
- Department of Physics and Chemistry , University of Palermo , Palermo 90128 , Italy
| | - Vittorio Ferrara
- Department of Chemical Sciences , University of Catania , Catania 95125 , Italy
| | - Bruno Pignataro
- Department of Physics and Chemistry , University of Palermo , Palermo 90128 , Italy
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Errico V, Arrabito G, Fornetti E, Fuoco C, Testa S, Saggio G, Rufini S, Cannata S, Desideri A, Falconi C, Gargioli C. High-Density ZnO Nanowires as a Reversible Myogenic-Differentiation Switch. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2018; 10:14097-14107. [PMID: 29619824 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b19758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Mesoangioblasts are outstanding candidates for stem-cell therapy and are already being explored in clinical trials. However, a crucial challenge in regenerative medicine is the limited availability of undifferentiated myogenic progenitor cells because growth is typically accompanied by differentiation. Here reversible myogenic-differentiation switching during proliferation is achieved by functionalizing the glass substrate with high-density ZnO nanowires (NWs). Specifically, mesoangioblasts grown on ZnO NWs present a spherical viable undifferentiated cell state without lamellopodia formation during the entire observation time (8 days). Consistently, the myosin heavy chain, typically expressed in skeletal muscle tissue and differentiated myogenic progenitors, is completely absent. Remarkably, NWs do not induce any damage while they reversibly block differentiation, so that the differentiation capabilities are completely recovered upon cell removal from the NW-functionalized substrate and replating on standard culture glass. This is the first evidence of a reversible myogenic-differentiation switch that does not affect the viability. These results can be the first step toward for the in vitro growth of a large number of undifferentiated stem/progenitor cells and therefore can represent a breakthrough for cell-based therapy and tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Errico
- Department of Electronic Engineering , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via del Politecnico 1 , 00133 Rome , Italy
| | - Giuseppe Arrabito
- Department of Electronic Engineering , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via del Politecnico 1 , 00133 Rome , Italy
| | - Ersilia Fornetti
- Department of Biology , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1 , 00133 Rome , Italy
| | - Claudia Fuoco
- Department of Biology , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1 , 00133 Rome , Italy
| | - Stefano Testa
- Department of Biology , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1 , 00133 Rome , Italy
| | - Giovanni Saggio
- Department of Electronic Engineering , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via del Politecnico 1 , 00133 Rome , Italy
| | - Stefano Rufini
- Department of Biology , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1 , 00133 Rome , Italy
| | - Stefano Cannata
- Department of Biology , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1 , 00133 Rome , Italy
| | - Alessandro Desideri
- Department of Biology , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1 , 00133 Rome , Italy
| | - Christian Falconi
- Department of Electronic Engineering , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via del Politecnico 1 , 00133 Rome , Italy
| | - Cesare Gargioli
- Department of Biology , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1 , 00133 Rome , Italy
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Arrabito G, Cavaleri F, Montalbano V, Vetri V, Leone M, Pignataro B. Monitoring few molecular binding events in scalable confined aqueous compartments by raster image correlation spectroscopy (CADRICS). Lab Chip 2016; 16:4666-4676. [PMID: 27812580 DOI: 10.1039/c6lc01072e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The assembly of scalable liquid compartments for binding assays in array formats constitutes a topic of fundamental importance in life sciences. This challenge can be addressed by mimicking the structure of cellular compartments with biological native conditions. Here, inkjet printing is employed to develop up to hundreds of picoliter aqueous droplet arrays stabilized by oil-confinement with mild surfactants (Tween-20). The aqueous environments constitute specialized compartments in which biomolecules may exploit their function and a wide range of molecular interactions can be quantitatively investigated. Raster Image Correlation Spectroscopy (RICS) is employed to monitor in each compartment a restricted range of dynamic intermolecular events demonstrated through protein-binding assays involving the biotin/streptavidin model system.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Arrabito
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Ed. 17, V.le delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
| | - F Cavaleri
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Ed. 17, V.le delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
| | - V Montalbano
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Ed. 17, V.le delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
| | - V Vetri
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Ed. 17, V.le delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy. and Aten Center, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Ed. 18, V.le delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - M Leone
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Ed. 17, V.le delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy. and Aten Center, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Ed. 18, V.le delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - B Pignataro
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Ed. 17, V.le delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy. and Aten Center, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Ed. 18, V.le delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy
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Abstract
DNA nanotechnology allows for the realization of novel multiplexed assays in bioanalytical sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Wang
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies & NAST Center
- University of Rome Tor Vergata
- 00133 Rome
- Italy
| | - G. Arrabito
- Department of Electronic Engineering
- University of Rome Tor Vergata
- Rome
- Italy
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Arrabito G, Schroeder H, Schröder K, Filips C, Marggraf U, Dopp C, Venkatachalapathy M, Dehmelt L, Bastiaens PIH, Neyer A, Niemeyer CM. Configurable low-cost plotter device for fabrication of multi-color sub-cellular scale microarrays. Small 2014; 10:2870-2876. [PMID: 24678019 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201303390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The construction and operation of a low-cost plotter for fabrication of microarrays for multiplexed single-cell analyses is reported. The printing head consists of polymeric pyramidal pens mounted on a rotation stage installed on an aluminium frame. This construction enables printing of microarrays onto glass substrates mounted on a tilt stage, controlled by a Lab-View operated user interface. The plotter can be assembled by typical academic workshops from components of less than 15,000 Euro. The functionality of the instrument is demonstrated by printing DNA microarrays on the area of 0.5 cm2 using up to three different oligonucleotides. Typical feature sizes are 5 μm diameter with a pitch of 15 μm, leading to densities of up to 10(4)-10(5) spots/mm2. The fabricated DNA microarrays are used to produce sub-cellular scale arrays of bioactive epidermal growth factor peptides by means of DNA-directed immobilization. The suitability of these biochips for cell biological studies is demonstrated by specific recruitment, concentration, and activation of EGF receptors within the plasma membrane of adherent living cells. This work illustrates that the presented plotter gives access to bio-functionalized arrays usable for fundamental research in cell biology, such as the manipulation of signal pathways in living cells at subcellular resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Arrabito
- TU Dortmund, Fakultät für Chemie und Chemische Biologie, Biologisch-Chemische Mikrostrukturtechnik, Otto-Hahn Str. 6, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
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Arrabito G, Reisewitz S, Dehmelt L, Bastiaens PI, Pignataro B, Schroeder H, Niemeyer CM. Biochips for cell biology by combined dip-pen nanolithography and DNA-directed protein immobilization. Small 2013; 9:4243-4249. [PMID: 23881817 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201300941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A general methodology for patterning of multiple protein ligands with lateral dimensions below those of single cells is described. It employs dip pen nanolithography (DPN) patterning of DNA oligonucleotides which are then used as capture strands for DNA-directed immobilization (DDI) of oligonucleotide-tagged proteins. This study reports the development and optimization of PEG-based liquid ink, used as carrier for the immobilization of alkylamino-labeled DNA oligomers on chemically activated glass surfaces. The resulting DNA arrays have typical spot sizes of 4-5 μm with a pitch of 12 μm micrometer. It is demonstrated that the arrays can be further functionalized with covalent DNA-streptavidin (DNA-STV) conjugates bearing ligands recognized by cells. To this end, biotinylated epidermal growth factor (EGF) is coupled to the DNA-STV conjugates, the resulting constructs are hybridized with the DNA arrays and the resulting surfaces used for the culturing of MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma) cells. Owing to the lateral diffusion of transmembrane proteins in the cell's plasma membrane, specific recruitment and concentration of EGF receptor can be induced specifically at the sites where the ligands are bound on the solid substrate. This is a clear demonstration that this method is suitable for precise functional manipulations of subcellular areas within living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Arrabito
- Technische Universität Dortmund, Fakultät Chemie, Biologisch-Chemische Mikrostrukturtechnik, Otto Hahn Str. 6, 44227 Dortmund, Germany; Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Biological Interfaces (IBG 1), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany; Scuola Superiore di Catania, Via Valdisavoia 9, 95123 Catania, Italy
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Gandor S, Reisewitz S, Venkatachalapathy M, Arrabito G, Reibner M, Schröder H, Ruf K, Niemeyer CM, Bastiaens PIH, Dehmelt L. A protein-interaction array inside a living cell. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2013; 52:4790-4. [PMID: 23460583 PMCID: PMC3652028 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201209127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Silke Gandor
- Department of Systemic Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Straße 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
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Gandor S, Reisewitz S, Venkatachalapathy M, Arrabito G, Reibner M, Schröder H, Ruf K, Niemeyer CM, Bastiaens PIH, Dehmelt L. A Protein-Interaction Array Inside a Living Cell. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2013. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201209127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Arrabito G, Galati C, Castellano S, Pignataro B. Luminometric sub-nanoliter droplet-to-droplet array (LUMDA) and its application to drug screening by phase I metabolism enzymes. Lab Chip 2013; 13:68-72. [PMID: 23132304 DOI: 10.1039/c2lc40948h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Here we show the fabrication of the Luminometric Sub-nanoliter Droplet-to-droplet Array (LUMDA chip) by inkjet printing. The chip is easy to be implemented and allows for a multiplexed multi-step biochemical assay in sub-nanoliter liquid spots. This concept is here applied to the integral membrane enzyme CYP3A4, i.e. the most relevant enzymatic target for phase I drug metabolism, and to some structurally-related inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Arrabito
- Scuola Superiore di Catania, Via Valdisavoia, 9 95123 Catania, Italy
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Arrabito
- Scuola Superiore di Catania, Via Valdisavoia 9, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Bruno Pignataro
- Dipartimento di Chimica “S. Cannizzaro”, Università degli Studi di Palermo, V. le delle
Scienze, Parco d’Orleans II, 90128, Palermo, Italy
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Arrabito
- Scuola Superiore di Catania, Via San Nullo, 5/i, 95123, Catania, Italy, and Dipartimento di Chimica Fisica, “F. Accascina”, Università di Palermo, V. le Delle Scienze, Parco D’Orleans II, Ed. 17-90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Bruno Pignataro
- Scuola Superiore di Catania, Via San Nullo, 5/i, 95123, Catania, Italy, and Dipartimento di Chimica Fisica, “F. Accascina”, Università di Palermo, V. le Delle Scienze, Parco D’Orleans II, Ed. 17-90128, Palermo, Italy
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Arrabito G, Musumeci C, Aiello V, Libertino S, Compagnini G, Pignataro B. On the relationship between jetted inks and printed biopatterns: molecular-thin functional microarrays of glucose oxidase. Langmuir 2009; 25:6312-6318. [PMID: 19317422 DOI: 10.1021/la900071z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Arrays of circular spots of glucose oxidase have been obtained on functionalized silicon oxide by piezoelectric inkjet printing and the enzymatic activity toward glucose recognition has been monitored. The addition of glycerol to the molecular ink allows to obtain high spot definition and resolution (tens of micrometers wide; one molecule tall), but in spite of its well-known structural stabilizing properties, in dynamic conditions it may lead to increased protein stresses. The jetting voltage and pulse length have been found to be critical factors for both activity retention and pattern definition. High voltages and pulse lengths results in stress effects along with the loss of activity, which, at least in our experimental conditions, has been found to be recovered in time.
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Giuliani A, Arrabito G, Giangiordano R, Sterpi F, Fulvio S, Saitta R, Cialone P, Picardi C. [Study of the stomach operated on for peptic ulcer]. Riv Med Aeronaut Spaz 1984; 50:149-58. [PMID: 6571545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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