Analyst Blog

Bi et al., Analyst, 2013, Advance Article

Interlocking molecular structures known as rotaxanes have been expanded to DNA to create a new class of nanomachines for studying biological systems. Li Li and researchers at Qingdao University used DNA psuedorotaxnes as an alternative method for detecting low concentrations of mRNA in cancerous cell lines. Instead of the traditional polymerase chain reaction, a cross-rolling circular amplification synthesizes and links two DNA psuedorotaxnes into a single DNA rotaxane, which contains a biotinylated primer detected by a streptavidin coated magnetic nanoparticle. To read more about the zeptomole sensitivity and high selectivity accomplished by this assay, check out the article below.

Ultrasensitive detection of mRNA extracted from cancerous cells achieved by DNA rotaxane-based cross-rolling circle amplification
Sai Bi, Yangyang Cui and Li Li
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36118C

Sulé-Suso et al., Analyst, 2013, Advance Article

By Jennifer A. Dougan, Imperial College London, Web Writer

Lung cancer has a poor survival rate worldwide and research to better diagnose and manage the disease is of paramount importance.  Recent work by Josep Sulé-Suso’s group from the Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, based at Keele University attempts to improve our understanding of the behaviour of lung cancer.  The approach taken by the group and a collaborator from the J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry in the Czech Republic, was to analyse the volatile components (VCs) excreted from lung cancer cells and compare those to healthy lung cells using Selected Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry, SIFT-MS.  However, rather than analysing the headspace produced from a 2D growth of cells, the researchers aimed to mimic more closely the in vivo conditions by hosting the cells in a 3D hydrogel scaffold.  They found that moving from a 2D to 3D system did, indeed, have an effect on the levels of VCs for both cancerous and non-cancerous cells and that they were able to discriminate between the two cell types at some concentrations.  Although there is a way to go before SIFT-MS analysis reaches its ultimate aim; the analysis, diagnosis and management of lung cancer from patient exhalations, its ability to analyse multiple compounds simultaneously in humid air samples makes it an attractive technique for further studies.  To read more about this HOT new Analyst article click below, it will be free to read until Dec 6th.

Quantification by SIFT-MS of acetaldehyde released by lung cells in a 3D model
Abigail V. Rutter, Thomas W. E. Chippendale, Ying Yang, Patrik Španěl, David Smith and Josep Sulé-Suso
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36185J

Take a look below at some wonderful HOT articles we’ve recently published this month in Analyst. There are papers covering a variety of fields, including point of care devices, microfluidics and biosensors. These HOT papers will be free to read until Dec 5th.

Gravitational field-flow fractionation integrated with chemiluminescence detection for a self-standing point-of-care compact device in bioanalysis
S. Casolari ,  B. Roda ,  M. Mirasoli ,  M. Zangheri ,  D. Patrono ,  P. Reschiglian and A. Roda
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36041A 
 
Integration of multiple components in polystyrene-based microfluidic devices part I: fabrication and characterization
Alicia S. Johnson ,  Kari B. Anderson ,  Stephen T. Halpin ,  Douglas C. Kirkpatrick ,  Dana M. Spence and R. Scott Martin
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36168J 
 
Integration of multiple components in polystyrene-based microfluidic devices part II: cellular analysis
Kari B. Anderson ,  Stephen T. Halpin ,  Alicia S. Johnson ,  R. Scott Martin and Dana M. Spence
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36171J 
 
A biosensor fabricated by incorporation of a redox mediator into a carbon nanotube/nafion composite for tyrosinase immobilization: detection of matairesinol, an endocrine disruptor
Jahangir Ahmad Rather ,  Sanaz Pilehvar and Karolien De Wael
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN35959F

As well as our two front covers, we have a number of additional HOT papers in this issue of Analyst. Take a look at some of the hot science that we have published in this latest issue.

These papers will be free to read until Nov 30th.

Highlighting a need to distinguish cell cycle signatures from cellular responses to chemotherapeutics in SR-FTIR spectroscopy
C. Hughes, M. D. Brown, F. J. Ball, G. Monjardez, N. W. Clarke, K. R. Flower and P. Gardner
Analyst, 2012, 137, 5736-5742
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN35633C

A simplified electrospray ionization source based on electrostatic field induction for mass spectrometric analysis of droplet samples
Xiaohui Lu, Hong Chen, Xiang Li, Jianmin Chen and Xin Yang
Analyst, 2012, 137, 5743-5748
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN35909J

A bacteriophage endolysin-based electrochemical impedance biosensor for the rapid detection of Listeria cells
Mona Tolba, Minhaz Uddin Ahmed, Chaker Tlili, Fritz Eichenseher, Martin J. Loessner and Mohammed Zourob
Analyst, 2012, 137, 5749-5756
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN35988J

In situ noninvasive Raman microspectroscopic investigation of polychrome plasterworks in the Alhambra
Ana Dominguez-Vidal, Maria Jose de la Torre-Lopez, Ramon Rubio-Domene and Maria Jose Ayora-Cañada
Analyst, 2012, 137, 5763-5769
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36027F

Wang et al., Analyst, 2013, Advance Article

Detection for the real world demands simplicity, cost-effectiveness, accuracy, durability, and high performance. The latest advancement in electrochemical sensing is looking very optimistic (quite literally, see picture). Joseph Wang from the University of California San Diego, USA and his colleagues have developed new tattoo-based solid-contact ion-selective electrodes (ISE) for monitoring pH of the skin. This technology makes use of commercially available temporary transfer tattoo paper, standard screen printing and solid contact polymer ISE methods. Find out more about this discovery by accessing the link below, it will be free to read until Nov 28th:

Tattoo-based potentiometric ion-selective sensors for epidermal pH monitoring
Amay J. Bandodkar, Vinci W. S. Hung, Wenzhao Jia, Gabriela Valdés-Ramírez, Joshua R. Windmiller, Alexandra G. Martinez, Julian Ramírez, Garrett Chan, Kagan Kerman and Joseph Wang
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36422K