Analyst Blog

Take a look at this great list of selected HOT articles we’ve recently published in Analyst! They cover a wide range of topics including adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of antidepressants, FRET-based sensors for ratiometric detection of iron, and direct monitoring of chemical transformations by thin layer chromatography combined to nanoparticle-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

Impact of charge state on gas-phase behaviors of noncovalent protein complexes in collision induced dissociation and surface induced dissociation
Mowei Zhou ,  Shai Dagan and Vicki H. Wysocki
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36525A

Amide I vibrational mode suppression in surface (SERS) and tip (TERS) enhanced Raman spectra of protein specimens
Dmitry Kurouski ,  Thomas Postiglione ,  Tanja Deckert-Gaudig ,  Volker Deckert and Igor K. Lednev
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36478F

Adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of imipramine, trimipramine and desipramine employing titanium dioxide nanoparticles and an Amberlite XAD-2 modified glassy carbon paste electrode
Bankim J. Sanghavi and Ashwini K. Srivastava
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36330E

Direct monitoring of chemical transformations by combining thin layer chromatography with nanoparticle-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry
Chun-Chi Chen ,  Yung-Lin Yang ,  Chun-Lin Ou ,  Chih-Hung Chou ,  Chih-Chuang Liaw and Po-Chiao Lin
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36423A

A highly selective and efficient single molecular FRET based sensor for ratiometric detection of Fe3+ ions
Narendra Reddy Chereddy ,  Sathiah Thennarasu and Asit Baran Mandal
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3AN36577H

Antibody orientation on biosensor surfaces.

We also have an interesting minireview on antibody orientation on biosensor surfaces. Han Zuilhof and colleagues from The Netherlands discuss the most recent approaches for immobilzation of antibodies on surfaces and review protein modification methods applicable for oriented antibody immobilization. To read the full article, please access the link below:

Antibody orientation on biosensor surfaces: a minireview
Anke K. Trilling ,  Jules Beekwilder and Han Zuilhof
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36787D

For cancer patients, the course of treatment is a critical factor that determines their rate of survival. The use of imatinib-mesylate (IMA) for instance, has successfully induced remission in most patients suffering from chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). The IMA drug and its derivatives effectively inhibit abnormal tyrosine kinase activity of key oncoproteins. However, many of these patients develop resistance to IMA-based drugs due to mutations that arise in the oncoproteins. While new drug development is currently underway, methods that can predict drug response are invaluable in order to determine the degree of drug-resistance.

Giuseppe Bellisola and colleagues from the University of Verona, Italy, combined the ability of Fourier Transform Infrared microspectroscopy (microFTIR) and unsupervised Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) to assess drug-resistance in cancer cells.

Overview of microFTIR and HCA

To find out more about this study, check out the link below:

Rapid recognition of drug-resistance/sensitivity in leukemic cells by Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy and unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis
Giuseppe Bellisola ,  Gianfelice Cinque ,  Marzia Vezzalini ,  Elisabetta Moratti ,  Giovannino Silvestri ,  Sara Redaelli ,  Carlo Gambacorti Passerini ,  Katia Wehbe and Claudio Sorio
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36393C

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the so called “superbug”, can now be identified in a single disposable fluidic cartridge, say scientists at the Louisiana State University.

Microfluidic system for MRSA detection: air-embedded waveguide, coupling prism and DNA universal array

MRSA is one of the major causes of hospital-acquired infections and is considered a “superbug” because of its resistance to several antibiotics.
In this article, Stephen Soper and his team introduce an integrated modular-based microfluidic system for MRSA identification. This would enable differentiation of community-acquired MRSA from hospital-acquired MRSA based on the presence of specific genes for Staphylococci. The modular microfluidic cartridge screens 5 genes simultaneously performing multiplexed PCRs in a continuous flow format.
MSRA detection usually uses culture techniques which require 2-3 days for identification. According to the authors, this system can now identify MRSA strains in less than 40 minutes and detect the “superbug” directly from a mixture of Staphylococci.
MRSA is the most out of control antimicrobial resistant pathogen in US hospitals. The rapid and reliable detection of the superbug is crucial not only for infection control, but also for effective treatment of patients, conclude the authors.

Identification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus using an integrated and modular microfluidic system
Yi-Wen Chen ,  Hong Wang ,  Mateusz Hupert and Steven A. Soper
Analyst, 2013,138, 1075-1083
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36430A

Here are some more HOT articles for you to enjoy!

Take a look at the recent research published in Analyst. Topics include electrical biosensing for aminosalycilic acid, new spectral biomarkers to distinguish different stages of cancer and rapid detection of ketamine in urine and oral fluid samples. To know all about the latest discoveries, click on the links below. These papers will be free to read until February 8th.

Biosensing of 5-ASA based on a peroxidase-immobilized graphene sensor on a microfluidic paper

Accounting for misalignments and thermal fluctuations in Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy experiments on membranes
Luigi Sanguigno ,  Chiara Cosenza ,  Filippo Causa and Paolo Netti
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36681A

Electrical, enzymatic graphene biosensing of 5-aminosalicylic acid
Pratima Labroo and Yue Cui
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3AN36660J

Biospectroscopy insights into the multi-stage process of cervical cancer development: probing for spectral biomarkers in cytology to distinguish grades
Nikhil C Purandare ,  Imran I Patel ,  Julio Trevisan ,  Noel Bolger ,  Ronan Kellehan ,  Gunther von Bunau ,  Pierre L Martin-Hirsch ,  Walter Prendiville and Francis L Martin
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3AN36527A

Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to distinguish grades of dysplasia

Rapid detection and quantitation of ketamine and norketamine in urine and oral fluid by wooden-tip electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Pui-Kin So ,  Tsz-Tsun Ng ,  Haixing Wang ,  Bin Hu and Zhong-Ping Yao
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3AN36641C

Highly Efficient Ionization of Phosphopeptides at Low pH by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Ning Pan ,  Pengyuan Liu ,  Weidong Cui ,  Bo Tang ,  Jing-Min Shi and Hao Chen
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3AN36737A

Yu and White, Analyst, 2013, 138, 1020-1-25

With Analyst Issue 4, here is a list of our selected HOT articles free for you to read until February 8th.

Chemosensors for detection of CO2, microarray-based fluorescence assays, microRNA biosensors using Pb nanoparticles and forensic electrochemistry for atropine detection are among the topics highlighted in these articles. To know more about the latest studies published in Analyst, click on the links below:

Amidine-based fluorescent chemosensor with high applicability for detection of CO2: A facile way to “see” CO2
Tong Tian ,  Xi Chen ,  Hong Li ,  Yao Wang ,  Lin Guo and Lei Jiang
Analyst, 2013,138, 991-994
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36401H

Suitability of GaP nanoparticles as a surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectroscopy inorganic matrix and their soft ionization ability
Tetsu Yonezawa ,  Hiroki Tsukamoto ,  Shinji Hayashi ,  Yuki Myojin ,  Hideya Kawasaki and Ryuichi Arakawa
Analyst, 2013,138, 995-999
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36738F

Microarray-based fluorescence assay of endonuclease functionality and inhibition
Lan Ma ,  Min Su ,  Tao Li and Zhenxin Wang
Analyst, 2013,138, 1048-1052
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36638J

Electroanalytical sensing of atropine using disposable screen printed graphite sensors

Forensic electrochemistry: sensing the molecule of murder atropine
Ouissam Ramdani ,  Jonathan P. Metters ,  Luiz Carlos S. Figueiredo-Filho ,  Orlando Fatibello-Filho and Craig E. Banks
Analyst, 2013,138, 1053-1059
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36450F

A novel label-free electrochemical microRNA biosensor using Pd nanoparticles as enhancer and linker
Xiaoyan Wu ,  Yaqin Chai ,  Ruo Yuan ,  Huilan Su and Jing Han
Analyst, 2013,138, 1060-1066
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36506E

Conjugated self-doped polyaniline–DNA hybrid as trigger for highly sensitive reagentless and electrochemical self-signal amplifying DNA hybridization sensing
Yuwei Hu ,  Tao Yang ,  Qianhe Li ,  Qian Guan and Kui Jiao
Analyst, 2013,138, 1067-1074
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36620G

Mesoporous phosphonate–TiO2 nanoparticles for simultaneous bioresponsive sensing and controlled drug release
Hui Li ,  Tian-Yi Ma ,  De-Ming Kong and Zhong-Yong Yuan
Analyst, 2013,138, 1084-1090
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36631B

A functional graphene oxide-ionic liquid composites–gold nanoparticle sensing platform for ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of Hg2+
Na Zhou ,  Jinhua Li ,  Hao Chen ,  Chunyang Liao and Lingxin Chen
Analyst, 2013,138, 1091-1097
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36405K

Take a look below at some wonderful HOT articles we’ve recently published in Analyst.
There are papers covering a variety of fields, including an ultrasensitive graphene-based system to detect mercury and the use of Raman spectroscopy to discriminate between malignancies in lymph nodes. These HOT papers will be free to read until February 8th.

Conjugated self-doped polyaniline–DNA hybrid as trigger for highly sensitive reagentless and electrochemical self-signal amplifying DNA hybridization sensing
Yuwei Hu ,  Tao Yang ,  Qianhe Li ,  Qian Guan and Kui Jiao
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36620G

A functional graphene oxide-ionic liquid composites–gold nanoparticle sensing platform for ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of Hg2+
Na Zhou ,  Jinhua Li ,  Hao Chen ,  Chunyang Liao and Lingxin Chen
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36405K

Discrimination between benign, primary and secondary malignancies in lymph nodes from the head and neck utilising Raman spectroscopy and multivariate analysis
Gavin Rhys Lloyd ,  Linda E. Orr ,  Jonathan Christie-Brown ,  Keith McCarthy ,  Simon Rose ,  Michael Thomas and Nicholas Stone
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36579K

Suitability of GaP nanoparticles as a surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectroscopy inorganic matrix and their soft ionization ability
Tetsu Yonezawa ,  Hiroki Tsukamoto ,  Shinji Hayashi ,  Yuki Myojin ,  Hideya Kawasaki and Ryuichi Arakawa
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36738F

Identification of lipids in mouse brain by mass spectrometry

Mass spectrometry sequencing of transfer ribonucleic acids by the comparative analysis of RNA digests (CARD) approach
Siwei Li and Patrick A. Limbach
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36515D

In addition, David Gode and Dietrich Volmer present an interesting review on lipid imaging by mass spectrometry. They provide a comprehensive overview of lipid imaging techniques using already established or more recent methodologies.

Lipid imaging by mass spectrometry – a review
David Gode and Dietrich A. Volmer
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36337B

Schematic steps for biosensor detecting mRNAs

Short non-coding single stranded nucleotides known as microRNA (miRNA) have become important biomarkers due to their up- and down-regulated expression in certain cancers.

Jing Han and colleagues at Southwest University, China, targeted miRNAs using an electrochemical-based biological sensor containing palladium nanoparticles. A multilayer film coated the glass electrodes in order to bind the palladium particles, and then catalyzed hydrogen peroxide to enhance the signal of the miRNA binding. Using a model of miRNA overexpressed in several diseases, miRNA-155, they detected even low concentrations in blood serum samples previously prepared and demonstrated the high reproducibility and adaptability of this assay for a variety of other biomarkers.

To read more about this study, access to the link below. This paper will be free to read until January 24th.

A novel label-free electrochemical microRNA biosensor using Pd nanoparticles as enhancer and linker
Xiaoyan Wu ,  Yaqin Chai ,  Ruo Yuan ,  Huilan Su and Jing Han
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36506E

Glycosylation, the ubiquitous biological process of adding sugars to protein or lipids, serves a critical role in diverse cell signaling and communication events. Furthermore, anomalies in glycosylation can often lead to various diseases including diabetes, cancer, and inflammation. Consequently, accurate characterization of glycan composition is important for therapeutic and diagnostic development. Mass spectrometry (MS) is a widely used analysis tool that can help find the answers. In a comprehensive review, Heather Desaire and colleagues from the University of Kansas, USA, discuss the current MS methods of analysis, as well as their respective advantages and limitations.

Learn more by accessing the link below:

MS analysis of glycans and glycopeptides

Software for automated interpretation of mass spectrometry data from glycans and glycopeptides Carrie L. Woodin ,  Morgan Maxon and Heather Desaire
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36042J

Enzymatic activity by dsDNA-based microarray

A new double strand (ds) DNA microarray-based fluorescence assay has been developed to measure the activity of endonuclease enzymes.
Given their ability to cleave DNA, endonucleases are known as “molecular scalpels”and they play a crucial role in DNA recombination, replication and repair. They have been used in the laboratory for PCR assays, gene mapping, medicinal chemistry and are also considered important targets for antimicrobial and antiviral drugs.
Zhenxin Wang and colleagues from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, developed a dsDNA microarray by hybridizing Cy5-labeled oligonucleotides with immobilized complementary oligonucleotide probes on glass slides. In this microarray, when endonucleases “cut” the DNA backbone, the fluorescence is reduced. The researchers demonstrated that more than one enzyme can be detected simultaneously and also detected the activity of specific enzyme inhibitors commonly used.
According to this research, dsDNA microarrays will soon be used for drug discovery and screening of DNA inhibitors.

To know more about this research, this article is free to read until January 24th. Click on the link below:

Microarray-based fluorescence assay of endonuclease functionality and inhibition
Lan Ma ,  Min Su ,  Tao Li and Zhenxin Wang
Analyst, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2AN36638J