Analytical Methods Blog

Selection of quadruplex-binding ligand based on the structure switching of GDNA

Yan Jin and colleagues from Shaanxi Normal University have designed a G-quadruplex-binding ligand screening strategy that utilises an electrochemical method to select natural G-quadruplex-binding ligands based on structure-switching of telomeric DNA.

Ligands that bind and stabilize G-quadruplex DNA structures are of significant interest because of their potential to inhibit telomerase and halt tumour cell proliferation.

The results demonstrated that daidzein, berberine, emodin, aloe-emodin, rhein and chrysophanol could induce the human telomeric DNA G-quadruplex architecture.

The paper will be free to access to until 3rd May.

Electrochemical selection of G-quadruplex-binding ligands based on structure-switching of telomeric DNA
Xiao-Qin Liu, Yan Jin, Yuexia Wang and Yunxia Qiao
Anal. Methods
DOI: 10.1039/C1AY05046J

Malgorzata Grabarczyk and Anna Koper from Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Poland, report a simple and sensitive stripping voltammertric method to determine trace amounts of uranium in natural water samples in this communication. They used an Amberlite XAD-7 or XAD-16 resin to eliminate interference from the surfactants that are often present in environmental samples.

The procedure is based on the adsorptive accumulation of the U(VI)–cupferron complex onto a hanging mercury drop electrode, followed by a reduction of the adsorbed species by a voltammetric scan using differential pulse modulation.

The paper will be free until 13th May.

Adsorptive stripping voltammetry of uranium: elimination of interferences from surface active substances and application to the determination in natural water samples
Malgorzata Grabarczyk and Anna Koper
Anal. Methods
DOI: 10.1039/C1AY05043E

In this Critical Review, José M. Pingarrón, María Pedrero and Susana Campuzano from the University Complutense of Madrid review the use of DNA electrochemical sensors combined with PCR-amplification strategies for the detection of microorganisms.  They show that PCR-amplified DNA hybridization electrochemical sensors exhibit a high sensitivity which is attributable not only to PCR-amplification but also to the detection approaches used.

Interested in knowing more?  Read the full article here; free until 8th April!

Electrochemical genosensors based on PCR strategies for microorganisms detection and quantification
María Pedrero, Susana Campuzano and José M. Pingarrón
Anal. Methods, 2011, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C0AY00755B

Jonathan C. Burley and co-workers from the UK demonstrate, for the first time, the application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to the analysis of time-resolved energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction data. Such a new strategy for the analysis of large sets of diffraction data is needed with the increasing use of in situ diffraction for following a variety of chemical processes. PCA is shown to offer significant advantages over traditional curve-fitting methods in terms of speed and lack of potential user bias.

Interested in knowing more? Read for free until April 4th.

The application of statistical methodology to the analysis of time-resolved X-ray diffraction data
Jonathan C. Burley, Dermot O’Hare and Gareth R. Williams
Anal. Methods, 2011, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C0AY00772B

The authors explain how the challenge test works, its historical context and interpret the results using pharmacopoeia criterion.

The challenge test predicts the antimicrobial abilities of cosmetic preservatives over a prolonger period of time. Salgado and colleagues critique the efficacy of the challenge test for analysisng preservative effectiveness in this critical review.

Read it for free until the 1^st April.

The use of the challenge test to analyse preservative efficiency in non-sterile cosmetic and health products: applications and critical points
F. A. M. Fiorentino, M. Chorilli and H. R. N. Salgado
Anal. Methods, 2011
DOI: 10.1039/C0AY00597E