Analyst Blog

Filik et al., Analyst, 2012, 137, 5723

Some wonderful covers in this latest issue of Analyst. The colourful outside front cover comes from Jacob Filik at Diamond Light Source Ltd., UK, who together with colleagues from the UK have prepared a study that demonstrates the use of standard morphological image processing techniques to reduce the hyperspectral image data of samples, containing discrete particles or domains, to a single average spectrum per particle.

Morphological analysis of vibrational hyperspectral imaging data
Jacob Filik, Abigail V. Rutter, Josep Sulé-Suso and Gianfelice Cinque
Analyst, 2012, 137, 5723-5729
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN35914F

Miyazaki et al., Analyst, 2012, 137, 5730

The informative inside front cover comes from a team of scientists from Japan. Masaya Miyazaki from the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology and colleagues has been imaging protein crystals deposited on a nanodroplet through the use of Raman spectroscopy. Acquiring a high quality protein crystal is  important to be able to determine its structure. This is often the first step in novel drug design.

Three-dimensional Raman spectroscopic imaging of protein crystals deposited on a nanodroplet
Satoshi Nitahara, Masatoshi Maeki, Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Kenichi Yamashita, Masaya Miyazaki and Hideaki Maeda
Analyst, 2012, 137, 5730-5735
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN35942A

Kim et al., Analyst, 2012, 137, 5757

On the back cover we are showcasing research of the analysis of small molecules including drugs and their metabolites by MALDI imaging mass spectrometry from the laboratory of Kwang Pyo Kim at the Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea

A new combination MALDI matrix for small molecule analysis: application to imaging mass spectrometry for drugs and metabolites
Selina Rahman Shanta, Tae Young Kim, Ji Hye Hong, Jeong Hwa Lee, Chan Young Shin, Kyun-Hwan Kim, Young Hwan Kim, Sang Kyung Kim and Kwang Pyo Kim
Analyst, 2012, 137, 5757-5762
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN35782H

These papers will be free to read for 6 weeks.

Zenhausern et al., Analyst, 2012, 137, 5510

We enter the world of forensics for the outside front cover for this most recent issue of Analyst. Frederic Zenhausern and colleagues from the University of Arizona, USA, report on a prototype of a PCR on a plastic mircofluidic device.

Optimization of multiplexed PCR on an integrated microfluidic forensic platform for rapid DNA analysis
Matthew D. Estes, Jianing Yang, Brett Duane, Stan Smith, Carla Brooks, Alan Nordquist and Frederic Zenhausern
Analyst, 2012, 137, 5510-5519
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN35768B

Ghafari & Hanley, Analyst, 2012, 137, 5520

From Homanaz Ghafari and Quentin S. Hanley at Nottingham Trent University, UK, comes our inside front cover. This paper reports on optically sectioned planar format assays detected using quantum dot (QD) reporters arrayed along the optical z-axis on mica or glass substrates to form volume encoded arrays.

Analysis of layered assays and volume microarrays in stratified media
Homanaz Ghafari and Quentin S. Hanley
Analyst, 2012, 137, 5520-5526
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN35767D

These papers will be free to read for 6 weeks.

The latest issue of Analyst has now gone online, so take a look at the wonderful covers and the work that inspired them!

Kranz et al., Analyst, 2012, 137, 5208

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

Wong et al., Analyst, 2012, 137, 5215

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

El-Safty et al., Analyst, 2012, 137, 5278

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.

The latest issue of Analyst is online with three cover articles for you to enjoy.

Chung et al., Analyst, 2012, 137, 4921

The very informative front cover comes from Yu-Chang Tyan and Tze-Wen Chung from the National Yunlin University of Science and Technology and Kaohsiung Medical University, respectively, and colleagues from Taiwan. In their study they proposed a new approach for the detection of proteins to assess the response of fibroblasts to a material surface. Biomaterials play an important role in regenerative medicine and drug delivery, therefore the interactions between biomaterial surfaces and cells are important to characterize cell proliferation, differentiation and regeneration of tissues.

Assessing the responses of cellular proteins induced by hyaluronic acid-modified surfaces utilizing a mass spectrometry-based profiling system: Over-expression of CD36, CD44, CDK9, and PP2A
Ming-Hui Yang, Shiang-Bin Jong, Chi-Yu Lu, Yu-Fen Lin, Pei-Wen Chiang, Yu-Chang Tyan and Tze-Wen Chung
Analyst, 2012, 137, 4921-4933
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN35368G

Kaminskyj et al., Analyst, 2012, 137, 4934

We head to Canada for our inside front cover. Kathleen M. Gough and Susan G. W. Kaminskyj from the University of Manitoba and the University of Saskatchewan, together with colleagues have been studying the filamentous fungi Aspergillus. This fungi can can affect humans through their roles in biotechnology and recycling, and can also be responsible for disease.

What they have discovered is that Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) can provide chemical information on materials that are in close contact with appropriate metal substrates, in this case nanopatterned gold surfaces and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). They have created conditions for AuNP formation within and on the surface of Aspergillus nidulans hyphae in order to explore their potential for SERS analysis.

Proof-of-principle for SERS imaging of Aspergillus nidulans hyphae using in vivo synthesis of gold nanoparticles
Martin A. Prusinkiewicz, Fatemeh Farazkhorasani, James J. Dynes, Jian Wang, Kathleen M. Gough and Susan G. W. Kaminskyj
Analyst, 2012, 137, 4934-4942
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN35620A

Zhang et al., Analyst, 2012, 137, 4917

On the back cover of this month’s issue we showcase the work contributed by Weidong He, and Xiao Lin at the Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Technology, and the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences who together with colleagues have studied the analytical expression of Coulombic interaction between a nanorod and a nanoparticle.

The evaluation of Coulombic interaction in the oriented-attachment growth of colloidal nanorods
Weidong He, Junhao Lin, Xiao Lin, Ning Lu, Ming Zhou and Kelvin H. L. Zhang
Analyst, 2012, 137, 4917-4920
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN35950B

All of these papers will be free to access for 6 weeks. So why not click through and have a read.

Front cover: Konorov et al., Analyst, 2012, 137, 4662-4668

The latest issue of Analyst is online, with three cover articles for you to enjoy.

Our stunning front cover comes from the groups of Professor Robin Turner and Professor Michael Blades at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Their study establishes the utility of Raman spectroscopy to non-invasively detect biologically relevant changes in live cells exposed to conditions known to trigger autophagy.

The centre image is a differential interference contrast image of two MCF-7 cells, a human breast cancer cell line, after being starved of glutamine for two days.

The surrounding four images are chemical maps based on Raman microspectroscopy of the same two cells rendered from chemically-selective band intensities that indicate the spatial distributions of DNA and RNA (upper-left); RNA only (upper-right); phospholipid (lower-left) mapped relative to nucleic acid; and hydroxyapatite (lower-right), which is a common marker for breast cancers and strongly associated with malignancy.

In each image, the red intensity indicates the highest concentration, blue the lowest.  The advantage of this type of chemical imaging, according to the authors, is that it is non-destructive and label-free.

Raman microspectroscopy of live cells under autophagy-inducing conditions
Stanislav O. Konorov, Mario A. Jardon, James M. Piret, Michael W. Blades and Robin F. B. Turner
Analyst , 2012, 137, 4662-4668
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN35477B

Inside front cover, Salter et al., Analyst, 2012, 137, 4669-4676

On the inside front cover, Dr Michael Hippler and colleagues from Sheffield University, UK, introduce a variant of cavity-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (CERS) in which diode laser radiation at 635 nm is coupled into an external linear optical cavity composed of two highly reflective mirrors. Using optical feedback stabilisation, build-up of circulating laser power by three orders of magnitude occurs. Strong Raman signals are collected in forward scattering geometry.

The authors say CERS has the potential to become a new standard method to monitor Raman active species, in particular important homonuclear gases like nitrogen, oxygen or hydrogen that can not be easily detected by alternative spectroscopic techniques.

Cavity-enhanced Raman spectroscopy with optical feedback cw diode lasers for gas phase analysis and spectroscopy
Robert Salter, Johnny Chu and Michael Hippler
Analyst , 2012, 137, 4669-4676
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN35722D

The image on the back cover is from Mridul Kanti Mandal and Kenzo Hiraoka of University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Japan, and their co-workers. They have developed a method to perform remote and direct sampling for mass spectrometry.

Back cover: Mandal et al., Analyst, 2012, 137, 4658-4661

They say that the method is easy to operate and versatile allowing any biological specimen to be sampled away from the instrument in a minimally invasive manner.

Solid probe assisted nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry for biological tissue diagnostics
Mridul Kanti Mandal, Kentaro Yoshimura, Subhrakanti Saha, Satoshi Ninomiya, Md. Obaidur Rahman, Zhan Yu, Lee Chuin Chen, Yasuo Shida, Sen Takeda, Hiroshi Nonami and Kenzo Hiraoka
Analyst , 2012, 137, 4658-4661
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36006C

All these cover articles will be free to access until the end of October, and don’t forget to also take a look at this issue’s HOT articles.

Front cover: Hopkins et al., Analyst, 2012, 137, 4408-4410

The latest issue of Analyst has landed, and as usual there are some interesting cover images and articles for you to enjoy.

On the front cover is a Communication from Rebecca Hopkins and colleagues from DSTL Porton Down, UK. They demonstrate spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) using 1064 nm excitation to detect chemicals through a physical barrier such as a container. This excitation wavelength overcomes the issue of fluorescence from the target chemical, whilst retaining the benefits of the SORS technique for through-barrier detection. The authors say these advantages have a wide range of applications in both civilian and military environments.

Communication: Short-wave infrared excited spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) for through-barrier detection
Rebecca J. Hopkins, Suzanne H. Pelfrey and Neil C. Shand
Analyst , 2012, 137, 4408-4410
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN35681C

The inside front cover features a Critical Review from Guido Verbeck and colleagues from the University of North Texas. Their review concentrates on the apparatus and techniques associated with deposition processes, and covers the hyperthermal and thermal energetic regimes which allow for species to be landed intact.

Verbeck et al., Analyst, 2012, 137, 4393-4407

Critical Review: Soft-landing preparative mass spectrometry
Guido Verbeck, William Hoffmann and Barbara Walton
Analyst , 2012, 137, 4393-4407
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN35550G

Both these cover articles will be free to access for 6 weeks, and don’t forget to take a look at the HOT Articles featured in Issue 19 too.

Front cover: Hong et al., Analyst, 2012, 137, 4140-4149

Our latest issue is now available, so do take a look.

Featured on the front cover, Qingdong Zheng from the Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Fuzhou, China, and co-workers, report on the synthesis and characterization of two silylated BODIPY dyes and their use in dye-encapsulated silica nanoparticles with switchable emitting wavelengths for cellular imaging. In order to realise multiplexed imaging, they doped two different dyes into the same nanoparticle, which is able to emit light with different colors based on a change in excitation wavelengths.

Silylated BODIPY dyes and their use in dye-encapsulated silica nanoparticles with switchable emitting wavelengths for cellular imaging
Xuehua Hong, Zhuyuan Wang, Jing Yang, Qingdong Zheng, Shenfei Zong, Yu Sheng, Deqin Zhu, Changquan Tang and Yiping Cui
Analyst, 2012, 137, 4140-4149
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN35389J

On the inside front cover, Natalie Cann and colleagues from Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada present full-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations for nano electrospray ionization (ESI) with various emitter designs as a step towards an integrated approach to emitter design and characterization.

Inside front cover: Wu et al., Analyst, 2012, 137, 4150-4161

Characterization of microstructured fibre emitters: in pursuit of improved nano electrospray ionization performance
Xinyun Wu, Richard D. Oleschuk and Natalie M. Cann
Analyst, 2012, 137, 4150-4161
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN35249D

Both these articles will be free to access for 6 weeks.

Don’t forget to see which HOT articles also feature in this issue.

Front cover: Branagan & Bohn, Analyst, 2012, 137, 3932-3939

Take a look at the latest issue of Analyst, with two great covers and host of HOT articles for you to enjoy.

The front cover features a HOT paper from our Editorial Board Chair, Paul Bohn, and his post-doc Sean Branagan. Paul and Sean demonstrate electrochemical imaging using enhanced optical transmission (EC-EOT) by applying it to several categories of electrochemical processes, using a spectral mapping technique that can be miniaturized. They say that in future applications, the enhanced spectral information offered by EOT may be useful for separating faradaic- and non-faradaic electrochemical signals as well as spatially resolving phenomena occurring at different locations relative to the electrified interface.

Plasmonic response of electrified metal–liquid interfaces during faradaic and non-faradaic reactions by enhanced optical transmission
Sean P. Branagan and Paul W. Bohn
Analyst, 2012,137, 3932-3939
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN35488H

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In this issue of Analyst we have two lovely covers for you to admire. On the outside we have an image from Sangmin Jeon and colleagues from Pohang University of Science and Technology, Korea. In their paper they report a new way of detecting Salmonella bacteria, a common cause of food poisoning. This simple, rapid, and cost-effective method used magnetic (superparamagnetic) nanoparticles and TiO₂ nanocrystals.

A facile and sensitive detection of pathogenic bacteria using magnetic nanoparticles and optical nanocrystal probes
Jinmyoung Joo, Changyong Yim, Donghoon Kwon, Jaejin Lee, Hwa Hui Shin, Hyung Joon Cha and Sangmin Jeon
Analyst, 2012, 137, 3609
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN35369E

From Zhong-Ping Yao at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China, comes the inside front cover. Together with a team from around China, they have been analyzing biological tissue at the molecular level. They have been able to directly ionize and analyze both plant and animal tissue by mass spectrometry under ambient conditions.

Direct ionization of biological tissue for mass spectrometric analysis
Bin Hu, Ying-Han Lai, Pui-Kin So, Huanwen Chen and Zhong-Ping Yao
Analyst, 2012, 137, 3613
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN16223G

These cover articles will be free to access for 6 weeks, so click through and have a read.

Front cover: Nagatani et al., Analyst, 2012, 137, 3422-3426

In the latest issue of Analyst, the front cover features work from Eiichi Tamiya of Osaka University, Japan, and co-workers. They have detected the influenza virus using an amplified DNA detection lateral flow immunoassay (ADLFIA).

The sensitivity of their method is comparable to agarose gel electrophoresis but can be observed by the naked eye. The authors say this work is a step forward in their efforts towards a battery powered portable PCR chip, and a battery powered portable PCR chip with ADLFIA has the potential to give the portable system a diagnostic test.

Detection of influenza virus using a lateral flow immunoassay for amplified DNA by a microfluidic RT-PCR chip
Naoki Nagatani, Keiichiro Yamanaka, Hiromi Ushijima, Ritsuko Koketsu, Tadahiro Sasaki, Kazuyoshi Ikuta, Masato Saito, Toshiro Miyahara and Eiichi Tamiya
Analyst, 2012, 137, 3422-3426
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN16294F

On the inside front cover Christopher Szakal and colleagues at NIST, USA who present a novel method for correlating and classifying ion-specific time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) images within a multispectral dataset by grouping images with similar pixel intensity distributions.

Konicek et al., Analyst, 2012, 137, 3479-3487

They say that this algorithm should extend well into three-dimensional datasets, allowing for classification of chemical species as a function of depth into a sample.

Automated correlation and classification of secondary ion mass spectrometry images using a k-means cluster method
Andrew R. Konicek, Jonathan Lefman and Christopher Szakal
Analyst, 2012, 137, 3479-3487
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN16122B

Both these cover articles are free to access for 6 weeks.

Don’t forget to take a look at this issue’s HOT articles too, featuring the use of ligand–receptor interactions in ¹³C MRI, metal–organic framework MIL-101(Cr) microcrystals for rapid magnetic solid-phase extraction, odorant biosensors, SR-FTIR micro-imaging of latent fingerprints, a new fluorescent and colorimetric Cu²⁺ probe, and an efficient fluorescent probe mimicking multiple logic gates and a molecular-keypad lock.