The latest issue of Analyst has now gone online, so take a look at the wonderful covers and the work that inspired them!
On the front cover we have an image from Editorial Board member Boris Mizaikoff, Christine Kranz and colleagues from the University of Ulm. Their group designed a miniaturized cell stretching device for mechanically stimulating living cells at physiologically relevant levels applicable to a wide variety of adherent cell types. Click on the link below to read more.
Combining atomic force-fluorescence microscopy with a stretching device for analyzing mechanotransduction processes in living cells
E. Hecht, P. Knittel, E. Felder, P. Dietl, B. Mizaikoff and C. Kranz
Analyst, 2012, 137, 5208-5214
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36001B
Our inside front cover comes from Pak Kin Wong, The University of Arizona, USA, who together with colleagues reports on a hybrid electrokinetic technique that can manipulate mammalian cells in physiological fluids. Cells can be adjusted for separation and focusing applications. Click below to find out more.
Electrokinetic focusing and separation of mammalian cells in conductive biological fluids
Jian Gao, Reza Riahi, Mandy L. Y. Sin, Shufeng Zhang and Pak Kin Wong
Analyst, 2012, 137, 5215-5221
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN35707K
On the back cover, we showcase research feature from the Sherif A. El-Safty Laboratory, National Institute for Materials Science, Japan. Uniform, 3D mesopore, ordered monoliths lead to tailored mesocaptor design of heavy metals. A multi-capture system enabled optical separation, and detection of ultra-trace level of ions in drinking water. This captor would develop a simple technique for wastewater treatment and management.
Optical mesosensors for monitoring and removal of ultra-trace concentration of Zn(II) and Cu(II) ions from water
Sherif A. El-Safty, M. A. Shenashen, M. Ismael, M. Khairy and Md. R. Awual
Analyst, 2012, 137, 5278-5290
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN35484E
All of these cover articles will be free to read for 6 weeks.