Analyst Blog

Analyst, 2011, 136(20):4085-4368

Optical analysis features on both covers of our latest issue.

On the front cover, Kagan Kerman of the University of Toronto and colleagues used near-IR optical trapping to characterise the early stages of aggregation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides, an indicator of Alzheimer’s disease.  The work provides new insight into the first two hours of aggregation, and therefore our understanding of the role of Aβ oligomers in neuronal cell cytotoxicity and pathogenesis.

Optical trapping for the characterization of amyloid-beta aggregation kinetics
Anthony J. Veloso, Hiroyuki Yoshikawa, Xin R. Cheng, Eiichi Tamiya and Kagan Kerman
Analyst, 2011, 136, 4164-4167
DOI: 10.1039/C1AN15480J

On the back cover, Tarkeshwar Gupta and Anup Kumar demonstrate direct label free optical detection of parts-per-billion (ppb) levels of Fe(II) in an organic solvent.  Molecular recognition at solid–solution or solid–gas interfaces has received tremendous scientific interest to develop nanoscale molecular systems for chemical sensors, molecular switches and logic architectures.

Communication: A highly sensitive redox-active monolayer for “signal-on” optical detection of iron(II)
Tarkeshwar Gupta and Anup Kumar
Analyst, 2011, 136, 4127-4129
DOI: 10.1039/C1AN15519A

Both articles are free for 6 weeks, so do take a look!

Analyst, 2011, 136(19): 3817-4084

The latest issue of Analyst is now available online.

On the front cover is work from Xuefeng Yin of Zhejiang University and colleagues.  One of the major difficulties in microfluidic cell analysis for adherent cells is that the cells are prone to attaching to the channel surface.  Yin et al present a simple 3D hydrodynamic focusing microfluidic device integrated with continuous sampling, rapid dynamic lysis, capillary electrophoretic (CE) separation and detection of intracellular content, which aims to overcome this:

Three-dimensional (3D) hydrodynamic focusing for continuous sampling and analysis of adherent cells
Chunxiu Xu, Min Wang and Xuefeng Yin
Analyst, 2011, 136, 3877-3883
DOI: 10.1039/C1AN15019G

The inside front cover highlights research by Srinand Sreevatsan of the University of Minnesota and collaborators from the University of Guelph.  Short RNA and DNA sequences (aptamers) have properties that make them desirable as biosensors for bacterial contaminants in food.  This paper describes the selection and characterization of a single, dominant aptamer (SSRA1), against the B-chain of the toxin ricin.  The results indicate that SSRA1 could serve well as pre-analytical tool for processing of ricin from liquid foods to aid current diagnostics as well as a sensor for direct ricin detection:

A single DNA aptamer functions as a biosensor for ricin
Elise A. Lamont, Lili He, Keith Warriner, Theodore P. Labuza and Srinand Sreevatsan
Analyst, 2011, 136, 3884-3895
DOI: 10.1039/C1AN15352H

Both papers will be free to access for 6 weeks.

Analyst, 2011, 136(18): 3573-3816

Our latest issue is now available online.

Featured on the front cover is work from Huanwen Chen of East China Institute of Technology and colleagues, who present a straightforward method based on extractive electrospray ionization (EESI) was developed for fishing native proteins from a highly complex biological soup for mass spectrometric analysis without any sample pre-treatment.

Communication: Direct detection of native proteins in biological matrices using extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Bin Hu, Shuiping Yang, Ming Li, Haiwei Gu and Huanwen Chen
Analyst, 2011, 136, 3599-3601
DOI: 10.1039/C1AN15410A

The inside front cover highlights work from Brian Cunningham and colleagues from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.  They introduce photonic crystal enhanced microscopy as a label-free biosensor imaging technique capable of measuring cell surface attachment and attachment modulation.

Label-free imaging of cell attachment with photonic crystal enhanced microscopy
Erich A. Lidstone, Vikram Chaudhery, Anja Kohl, Vincent Chan, Tor Wolf-Jensen, Lawrence B. Schook, Rashid Bashir and Brian T. Cunningham
Analyst, 2011, 136, 3608-3615
DOI: 10.1039/C1AN15171A

Both these articles will be free to access for 6 weeks, so let your colleagues know!

On the back cover is research from the laboratories of Kyubong Jo and Han Bin Oh of Sogang University, Seoul.  They systematically studied DNA recognition by zinc-fingers using negative-ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

Zinc-finger motif noncovalent interactions with double-stranded DNA characterized by negative-ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Soojin Park, Kyubong Jo and Han Bin Oh
Analyst, 2011, 136, 3739-3746
DOI: 10.1039/C1AN15376E

Analyst, 2011, 136(16): 3205-3392

Just in case you missed them, click below to see the great cover articles from Issue 16.

The front cover features work from Taesung Kim, Sung Kuk Lee and co-workers, describing their microfluidic device that identifies the preferential chemotactic responses of bacterial cells toward carbon sources.

Microfluidic device for analyzing preferential chemotaxis and chemoreceptor sensitivity of bacterial cells toward carbon sources
Minseok Kim, Su Hyun Kim, Sung Kuk Lee and Taesung Kim
Analyst, 2011, 136, 3238-3243
DOI: 10.1039/C1AN15308K

Research by Hua Cui and co-workers on the development of an ultrasensitive ECL aptasensor for protein detection based on a functionalized gold nanoprobe is highlighted on the inside front cover.

A novel electrochemiluminescence aptasensor for protein based on a sensitive N-(aminobutyl)-N-ethylisoluminol-functionalized gold nanoprobe
Ying Chai, Dayong Tian, Jie Gu and Hua Cui
Analyst, 2011, 136, 3244-3251
DOI: 10.1039/C1AN15298J

Both these articles are free for the next 4 weeks, so do take a look and pass on to colleagues.

Analyst, 136(13):2657-2868

Japan features on both covers of Issue 13 – take a look:

On the front cover, work by Shingo Saito of Saitama University.  Saito and colleagues have developed novel fluorescent probes for the ultratrace detection of heavy metal ions by capillary electrophoresis using laser-induced fluorescence detection.

Ultrasensitive CE for heavy metal ions using the variations in the chemical structures formed from new octadentate fluorescent probes and cationic polymers
Shingo Saito, Yuta Nakano, Atsushi Hikichi, Ryouji Suzuki, Keitaro Yoshimoto, Mizuo Maeda, Masakazu Aoyama and Masami Shibukawa
Analyst, 2011, 136, 2697-2705
DOI: 10.1039/C0AN00777C

Research by H. Shinohara, M. Suzuki and co-workers describing the development of a 2D-SPR imager for living cell-based allergen sensing is highlighted on the inside front cover.

Living cell-based allergen sensing using a high resolution two-dimensional surface plasmon resonance imager
M. Horii, H. Shinohara, Y. Iribe and M. Suzuki
Analyst, 2011, 136, 2706-2711
DOI: 10.1039/C0AN00874E

Both articles are free to access until the beginning of July – enjoy!

Analyst, 2011, 136(13): 2657-2868

The cover of Issue 12 of 2011 features work by Paul S. Francis, Xavier A. Conlan and co-workers on the determination of intracellular glutathione and glutathione disulfide using high performance liquid chromatography with acidic potassium permanganate chemiluminescence detection.

Determination of intracellular glutathione and glutathione disulfide using high performance liquid chromatography with acidic potassium permanganate chemiluminescence detection
Geoffrey P. McDermott, Paul S. Francis, Kayla J. Holt, Kristen L. Scott, Sheree D. Martin, Nicole Stupka, Neil W. Barnett and Xavier A. Conlan
Analyst, 2011, 136, 2578-2585
DOI: 10.1039/C1AN00004G

Also in the issue is a Critical Review on dielectric barrier discharges (DBD) which we highlighted on the blog last month – so if you missed it then, take a look now:

Critical Review: Dielectric barrier discharges in analytical chemistry
C. Meyer, S. Müller, E. L. Gurevich and J. Franzke
Analyst, 2011, 136, 2427-2440
DOI: 10.1039/C0AN00994F

Analyst, 136(11): 2185-2412

Issue 11 of 2011 is now available online – and work from China is highlighted on both covers.

The front cover features the work of Dianping Tang, Guonan Chen and colleagues of Fuzhou University.  They report on a novel, enzyme-free amperometric immunoassay of biomarkers with sensitive enhancement which has been designed by using gold nanoflower-labeled detection antibodies.

A graphene-based Au(111) platform for electrochemical biosensing based catalytic recycling of products on gold nanoflowers
Bingqian Liu, Dianping Tang, Juan Tang, Biling Su, Qunfang Li and Guonan Chen
Analyst, 2011, 136, 2218-2220
DOI: 10.1039/C0AN00921K

On the inside front cover, work by Xiaohong Li and He Gong of Beijing Normal University on the use of Y-type, C-rich ds-DNA as a sensing probe for the detection of Ag by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Y-type, C-rich DNA probe for electrochemical detection of silver ion and cysteine
He Gong and Xiaohong Li
Analyst, 2011, 136, 2242-2246
DOI: 10.1039/C1AN15159B

Both these papers are free for the next 6 weeks so please do take a look.