Analyst Blog

Take a look at our recent HOT Analyst articles, these are now free to access for the next few weeks!

A label-free activatable aptamer probe for colorimetric detection of cancer cells based on binding-triggered in situ catalysis of split DNAzyme
Hui Shi, Duo Li, Fengzhou Xu, Xiaoxiao He, Kemin Wang, Xiaosheng Ye, Jinlu Tang and Chunmei He  
Analyst, 2014,139, 4181-4184
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00561A, Communication

A three-dimensional interpenetrating electrode of reduced graphene oxide for selective detection of dopamine
Xiaowen Yu, Kaixuan Sheng and Gaoquan Shi  
Analyst, 2014,139, 4525-4531
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00604F, Paper

Fine structural features of nanoscale zero-valent iron characterized by spherical aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (Cs-STEM)
Airong Liu and Wei-xian Zhang  
Analyst, 2014,139, 4512-4518
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00679H, Paper

On-chip monitoring of skeletal myoblast transplantation for the treatment of hypoxia-induced myocardial injury
Juan He, Chao Ma, Wenming Liu and Jinyi Wang  
Analyst, 2014,139, 4482-4490
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00697F, Paper

Global in vivo terminal amino acid labeling for exploring differential expressed proteins induced by dialyzed serum cultivation
Li-Qi Xie, Ai-Ying Nie, Shu-Jun Yang, Chao Zhao, Lei Zhang, Peng-Yuan Yang and Hao-Jie Lu  
Analyst, 2014,139, 4497-4504
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00728J, Paper

A novel variable selection approach that iteratively optimizes variable space using weighted binary matrix sampling
Bai-chuan Deng, Yong-huan Yun, Yi-zeng Liang and Lun-zhao Yi  
Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00730A, Paper

Using electron paramagnetic resonance to map N@C60 during high throughput processing
Simon R. Plant and Kyriakos Porfyrakis  
Analyst, 2014,139, 4519-4524
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00734D, Paper

Affinity-based precipitation via a bivalent peptidic hapten for the purification of monoclonal antibodies
Michael W. Handlogten, Jared F. Stefanick, Peter E. Deak and Basar Bilgicer  
Analyst, 2014,139, 4247-4255
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00780H, Paper

Real-time detection of metal ions using conjugated polymer composite papers
Ji Eun Lee, Hyeon Woo Shim, Oh Seok Kwon, Yang-Il Huh and Hyeonseok Yoon  
Analyst, 2014,139, 4466-4475
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00804A, Paper

Identification and discrimination of binding sites of an organoruthenium anticancer complex to single-stranded oligonucleotides by mass spectrometry
Suyan Liu, Kui Wu, Wei Zheng, Yao Zhao, Qun Luo, Shaoxiang Xiong and Fuyi Wang  
Analyst, 2014,139, 4491-4496
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00807C, Paper

Simultaneous analysis of nanoparticles and small molecules by high-performance liquid chromatography using a silica monolithic column
Naoki Itoh, Akira Sano, Tomofumi Santa and Masaru Kato  
Analyst, 2014,139, 4453-4457
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00819G, Communication

Parameters affecting ion intensities in transmission-mode direct analysis in real-time mass spectrometry
Lindsay P. Harding, Gareth M. B. Parkes and James D. Townend  
Analyst, 2014,139, 4176-4180
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00859F, Communication

Simultaneous multiplexed quantification of nicotine and its metabolites using surface enhanced Raman scattering
Omar Alharbi, Yun Xu and Royston Goodacre  
Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00879K, Paper

A graphene oxide-based enzyme-free signal amplification platform for homogeneous DNA detection
Zhen Zhang, Yufei Liu, Xinghu Ji, Xia Xiang and Zhike He  
Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00933A, Paper

A spatiotemporally defined in vitro microenvironment for controllable signal delivery and drug screening
Ching-Te Kuo, Hao-Kai Liu, Guan-Syuan Huang, Chi-Hao Chang, Chen-Lin Chen, Ken-Chao Chen, Ruby Yun-Ju Huang, Ching-Hung Lin, Hsinyu Lee, Chiun-Sheng Huang and Andrew M. Wo  
Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00936C, Paper

Detection of strep throat causing bacterium directly from medical swabs by touch spray-mass spectrometry
Alan K. Jarmusch, Valentina Pirro, Kevin S. Kerian and R. Graham Cooks  
Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00959B, Communication

A rapid method to estimate the concentration of citrate capped silver nanoparticles from UV-visible light spectra
D. Paramelle, A. Sadovoy, S. Gorelik, P. Free, J. Hobley and D. G. Fernig  
Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00978A, Paper

Diagnosing malaria infected cells at the single cell level using focal plane array Fourier transform infrared imaging spectroscopy
Bayden R. Wood, Keith. R. Bambery, Matthew W. A. Dixon, Leann Tilley, Michael J. Nasse, Eric Mattson and Carol J. Hirschmugl  
Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00989D, Communication

A napthelene–pyrazol conjugate: Al(III) ion-selective blue shifting chemosensor applicable as biomarker in aqueous solution
Manjira Mukherjee, Siddhartha Pal, Somenath Lohar, Buddhadeb Sen, Supriti Sen, Samya Banerjee, Snehasis Banerjee and Pabitra Chattopadhyay  
 Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN01039F, Paper

Microfluidic device with tunable post arrays and integrated electrodes for studying cellular release
Asmira Selimovic, Jayda L. Erkal, Dana M. Spence and R. Scott Martin  
 Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN01062K, Paper

High efficiency tandem mass spectrometry analysis using dual linear ion traps
Linfan Li, Xiaoyu Zhou, James W. Hager and Zheng Ouyang  
 Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN01070A, Communication

Detection of counterfeit electronic components through ambient mass spectrometry and chemometrics
Kevin P. Pfeuffer, Jack Caldwell, Jake T. Shelley, Steven J. Ray and Gary M. Hieftje  
 Analyst, 2014,139, 4505-4511
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN01071J, Paper

Hydroxylated near-infrared BODIPY fluorophores as intracellular pH sensors
Mohamed M. Salim, Eric A. Owens, Tielong Gao, Jeong Heon Lee, Hoon Hyun, Hak Soo Choi and Maged Henary  
 Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN01104J, Paper

An inkjet-printed bioactive paper sensor that reports ATP through odour generation
Zhuyuan Zhang, Jingyun Wang, Robin Ng, Yingfu Li, Zaisheng Wu, Vincent Leung, Spencer Imbrogno, Robert Pelton, John D. Brennan and Carlos D. M. Filipe  
 Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN01113A, Communication

An Overview of Biomarker Discovery

A disease biomarker is a key indicator that when detected from the body can help determine whether an individual is at risk to develop a certain disease. Thus, the discovery of suitable biomarkers is very important to enable earlier diagnosis of disease, better treatment options, and lower overall healthcare costs. Over the years, substantial progress has been made in the field of proteomics to study proteins as disease biomarkers. However, while most effort has been made towards identifying new biomarkers, less focus has been made towards understanding and optimizing the methodologies, which is required in order to find effective biomarkers.

Nina Bergman and Jonas Bergquist from Uppsala University in Sweden have written a review article to outline the proteomic methods that are currently used for biomarker identification and analysis, assess some of the advantages and disadvantages of each method and provide insight into what the future may hold for biomarker discovery. Click on the link below to learn more (free access until September 6th):

Recent developments in proteomic methods and disease biomarkers
Nina Bergman and Jonas Bergquist
Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00627E

Differentiating quadruplexes from duplexes using silver nanoparticles and SERS

A promising drug target and ligand-binding site, G-quadruplexes form via Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding in guanine bases. These quartets are rich in guanine and are stabilized through π-π stacking interactions and a cation such as potassium or sodium. As researchers explore new compounds to target this region to treat diseases such as cancer, the structure of these quadruplexes and their response to ligands compared to standard DNA remains understudied. 

Researchers at the University of Strathclyde have used the sensitivity of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to detect the formation of G-quadruplexes in the presence of stabilizing ligands and silver nanoparticles. They successfully differentiated the quadruplex DNA structure from the duplex based on the SERS signal, and demonstrated the capability of SERS in identifying higher order DNA structures. To read more about the qualitative detection of these structures, click the link below. It will be free to read until June 30. 

Graphene-polyfuran hybrids for Hg sensing

Commonly associated with dental fillings, mercury has a wide range of industrial and domestic applications. However, it can be toxic to humans and the environment even in small concentrations, and has been linked to a number of fatal diseases including pulmonary edema and cyanosis.

Previously developed methods of mercury detection include photochemical, colorimetric and oligonucleotide-based approaches. However, these methods can be slow, expensive and associated with low sensitivity and selectivity for the analyte. Graphene composite materials, with their unusual and enhanced conductivity properties, are an attractive prospect for metal ion analysis.

Researchers led by Professor Jyongsik Jang at the Seoul National University, Korea, have developed a new class of graphene oxide-polyfuran nanotube hybrids. In this “HOT” Analyst paper, the authors test the potential of their graphene-based materials as high performance sensors for mercury ion detection. This method has proved to be highly selective for Hg²⁺ over other metal ions and has excellent sensitivity even at low mercury concentrations.

This article will be free to read until 30th June.

High-performance Hg²⁺ FET-type sensors based on reduced graphene oxide–polyfuran nanohybrids
Jin Wook Park, Seon Joo Park, Oh Seok Kwon, Choonghyen Lee and Jyongsik Jang
Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00403E

Take a look at our new HOT articles just published in Analyst and free for you for the next couple of weeks:

Two-dimensional MoS₂ nanosheets as a capillary GC stationary phase for highly effective molecular screening
Jia Jia, Fujian Xu, Shanling Wang, Xue Jiang, Zhou Long and Xiandeng Hou 
Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00332B, Communication

On the optimization of operating conditions for Taylor dispersion analysis of mixtures
Hervé Cottet, Jean-Philippe Biron and Michel Martin  
Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00192C, Paper

Capillary electrophoresis based on the nucleic acid detection in the application of cancer diagnosis and therapy
Dong-Sheng Lian and Shu-Jin Zhao  
Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00400K, Minireview

Micropatterning neuronal networks
Heike Hardelauf, Sarah Waide, Julia Sisnaiske, Peter Jacob, Vanessa Hausherr, Nicole Schöbel, Dirk Janasek, Christoph van Thriel and Jonathan West  
Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00608A, Paper

BRET-linked ATP assay with luciferase
Golnaz Borghei and Elizabeth A. H. Hall  
Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00436A, Paper

An ultra-high-throughput spiral microfluidic biochip for the enrichment of circulating tumor cells
Majid Ebrahimi Warkiani, Bee Luan Khoo, Daniel Shao-Weng Tan, Ali Asgar S. Bhagat, Wan-Teck Lim, Yoon Sim Yap, Soo Chin Lee, Ross A. Soo, Jongyoon Han and Chwee Teck Lim  
Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00355A, Paper

A purge and trap integrated microGC platform for chemical identification in aqueous samples
Muhammad Akbar, Shree Narayanan, Michael Restaino and Masoud Agah  
Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00254G, Paper

Hybridization chain reaction-based fluorescence immunoassay using DNA intercalating dye for signal readout
Yan Deng, Ji Nie, Xiao-hui Zhang, Ming-Zhe Zhao, Ying-Lin Zhou and Xin-Xiang Zhang  
Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00190G, Paper

Evaluating the sensitivity of hybridization-based epigenotyping using a methyl binding domain protein
Brandon W. Heimer, Tatyana A. Shatova, Jungkyu K. Lee, Kaja Kaastrup and Hadley D. Sikes  
Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00667D, Communication

Qualitative SERS analysis of G-quadruplex DNAs using selective stabilising ligands
K. Gracie, V. Dhamodharan, P. I. Pradeepkumar, K. Faulds and D. Graham 
Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00551A, Paper

A water-soluble sulfonate-BODIPY based fluorescent probe for selective detection of HOCl/OCl in aqueous media
Jiyoung Kim and Youngmi Kim 
Analyst, 2014,139, 2986-2989
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00466C, Communication

A coumarin-based fluorescent probe for differential identification of sulfide and sulfite in CTAB micelle solution
Haiyu Tian, Junhong Qian, Qian Sun, Chenjia Jiang, Runsheng Zhang and Weibing Zhang 
Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00478G, Paper

Upconversion nanoparticles for ratiometric fluorescence detection of nitrite
Junfen Han, Cheng Zhang, Fei Liu, Bianhua Liu, Mingyong Han, Wensheng Zou, Liang Yang and Zhongping Zhang 
Analyst, 2014,139, 3032-3038
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00402G, Paper

Split aptazyme-based catalytic molecular beacons for amplified detection of adenosine
Jin Huang, Yong He, Xiaohai Yang, Kemin Wang, Ke Quan and Xiaoping Lin 
Analyst, 2014,139, 2994-2997
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00454J, Communication

High-performance Hg²⁺ FET-type sensors based on reduced graphene oxide–polyfuran nanohybrids
Jin Wook Park, Seon Joo Park, Oh Seok Kwon, Choonghyen Lee and Jyongsik Jang 
Analyst, 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00403E, Communication

One-step prepared fluorescent copper nanoclusters for reversible pH-sensing
Wei Wang, Fei Leng, Lei Zhan, Yong Chang, Xiao Xi Yang, Jing Lan and Cheng Zhi Huang  
Analyst, 2014,139, 2990-2993
DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00113C, Communication

When a drop is applied to a surface and dries, a number of factors control the formation of the dried drop. Essentially as the fluid or solvent evaporates, capillary flow transports molecules to the contact line of the drop with the surface and the drop dries as a ring with components coarsely separated, like a coffee ring.

Drop deposition of biofluids is being investigated worldwide as a possible diagnostic tool. However, the parameters that affect the formation of the biofluids coffee ring are not fully understood and this is a barrier that needs to be overcome in order to realise the clinical potential of drop deposited biofluids. Drop deposition is particularly well suited for examining low abundance biofluids such as tears and synovial fluids but is also widely investigated for blood plasma and serum.

A team of US researchers, based at the University of Michigan, have recently published a HOT article characterising biofluids prepared by drop deposition. The researchers studied two model biofluids, blood plasma and synovial fluid, when deposited onto slightly hydrophilic substrates with a contact angle of 50 – 90 degrees. The researchers showed that under most circumstances the model biofluids followed the piling model, as suggested by Deegan et al. and that an increased understanding of the time-dependent rheology and intermolecular forces that occur during evaporation would provide a better approximation. Importantly, from molecular analysis of the drop via Raman spectroscopy, that whilst the morphology of the dried drop changed the chemical composition and molecular structure of the dried proteins within the outer ring were unaffected.