The n-type Ge photodetectors with gold nanoparticles deposited to enhance the responsivity

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been deposited on n-type Ge photodetectors to improve the responsivity. Two different coverage ratios, including 10.5 and 30.3% of AuNPs have been prepared, and the fabricated photodetectors are compared with the control sample. The 1,310-nm responsivities at -2 V of the control, 10.5% AuNPs, and 30.3% AuNPs samples are 465, 556, and 623 mA/W, respectively. The AuNPs could increase the responsivities due to the plasmon resonance. The reflectance spectra of these samples have been measured to verify that plasmon resonance contributes to the forward scattering of incident light. The reflectance decreases with AuNP deposition, and a denser coverage results in a smaller reflectance. The smaller reflectance indicates more light could penetrate into the Ge active layer, and it results in a larger responsivity.     

Disabling partners in crime: Gold nanoparticles disrupt multicellular communications within the tumor microenvironment to inhibit ovarian tumor aggressiveness

The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a key role in the poor prognosis of many cancers. However, there is a knowledge gap concerning how multicellular communication among the critical players within the TME contributes to such poor outcomes. Using epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) as a model, we show how crosstalk among cancer cells (CC), cancer associated fibroblasts (CAF), and endothelial cells (EC) promotes EOC growth. We demonstrate here that co-culturing CC with CAF and EC promotes CC proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro and that co-implantation of the three cell types facilitates tumor growth in vivo. We further demonstrate that disruption of this multicellular crosstalk using gold nanoparticles (GNP) inhibits these pro-tumorigenic phenotypes in vitro as well as tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, GNP treatment reduces expression of several tumor-promoting cytokines and growth factors, resulting in inhibition of MAPK and PI3K-AKT activation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition - three key oncogenic signaling pathways responsible for the aggressiveness of EOC. The current work highlights the importance of multicellular crosstalk within the TME and its role for the aggressive nature of EOC, and demonstrates the disruption of these multicellular communications by self-therapeutic GNP, thus providing new avenues to interrogate the crosstalk and identify key perpetrators responsible for poor prognosis of this intractable malignancy.     

Synthesis of β-cyclodextrin functionalized gold nanoparticles for the selective detection of Pb2+ ions from aqueous solution

In the present study we carried out the synthesis of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using a microwave assisted heating method in alkaline media. Stable dispersion of β-CD stabilized AuNPs was obtained at an optimized pH of 10.5. At this pH value the deprotonated secondary hydroxyl group of β-CD shows the highest chelating affinity toward Pb²⁺ ions thereby inducing AuNP aggregation. The Pb²⁺ induced aggregation in β-CD-AuNP solution is monitored by both colorimetric response and UV-Vis spectroscopy. TEM, DLS and FTIR analyses were carried out to confirm the Pb²⁺ ion induced aggregation behaviour of β-CD-AuNPs under alkaline conditions. Furthermore at the experimental pH the response of the β-CD-AuNP system towards Pb²⁺ ions is selective when compared with other interfering metal cations.     

纳米技术在生物传感器中的应用研究进展

纳米材料因其特殊物理结构和电化学性质在生物传感器中有着广泛的应用,以纳米技术为基础的生物传感器的研究为生命科学及其相关领域的研究提供了许多新的方法。介绍了生物传感器的研究进展,分析了固定化酶时引入纳米颗粒的作用,探讨了金纳米粒子和碳纳米管的结构、特性、功能,评述了纳米粒子在生物传感器中的具体应用,展望了纳米技术的介入对生物传感器的发展所带来的美好前景。     

Nanoscopic observation of a gold nanoparticle-conjugated protein using near-field scanning optical microscopy

This study describes a single gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based observation of biomolecular interaction using a near-field scanning microscope (NSOM) in transmission mode. To observe streptavidin molecules, a glass surface was first patterned with a micro-scale line of (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APTMS) by micro-contact printing (μCP) with a subsequent reaction of N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS)-biotin. The AuNP-conjugated streptavidin was then applied to the biotin-modified glass surface and NSOM was employed to detect the resulting specific interaction between streptavidin and biotin on the glass surface. Using the optical and topological images generated from the NSOM analysis, the interaction could be observed at the nanoscopic scale. This study demonstrates that the NSOM is a powerful tool for the detection of protein interactions at the nanoscopic level when the protein is conjugated with AuNPs.     

Complexing the Oncolytic Adenoviruses Ad∆∆ and Ad-3∆-A20T with Cationic Nanoparticles Enhances Viral Infection and Spread in Prostate and Pancreatic Cancer Models

Oncolytic adenoviruses (OAd) can be employed to efficiently eliminate cancer cells through multiple mechanisms of action including cell lysis and immune activation. Our OAds, AdΔΔ and Ad-3∆-A20T, selectively infect, replicate in, and kill adenocarcinoma cells with the added benefit of re-sensitising drug-resistant cells in preclinical models. Further modifications are required to enable systemic delivery in patients due to the rapid hepatic elimination and neutralisation by blood factors and antibodies. Here, we show data that support the use of coating OAds with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as a possible new method of virus modification to help augment tumour uptake. The pre-incubation of cationic AuNPs with AdΔΔ, Ad-3∆-A20T and wild type adenovirus (Ad5wt) was performed prior to infection of prostate/pancreatic cancer cell lines (22Rv, PC3, Panc04.03, PT45) and a pancreatic stellate cell line (PS1). Levels of viral infection, replication and cell viability were quantified 24–72 h post-infection in the presence and absence of AuNPs. Viral spread was assessed in organotypic cultures. The presence of AuNPs significantly increased the uptake of Ad∆∆, Ad-3∆-A20T and Ad5wt in all the cell lines tested (ranging from 1.5-fold to 40-fold), compared to virus alone, with the greatest uptake observed in PS1, a usually adenovirus-resistant cell line. Pre-coating the AdΔΔ and Ad-3∆-A20T with AuNPs also increased viral replication, leading to enhanced cell killing, with maximal effect in the most virus-insensitive cells (from 1.4-fold to 5-fold). To conclude, the electrostatic association of virus with cationic agents provides a new avenue to increase the dose in tumour lesions and potentially protect the virus from detrimental blood factor binding. Such an approach warrants further investigation for clinical translation.     

Graphene-DNA hybrid materials: Assembly, applications, and prospects

Among the carbon-based nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, graphene and nanodiamonds, graphene received recently widespread attention owing to its exceptional structural, electronic and mechanical properties and potential applications in various domains. However, all currently known forms of graphene materials are not well dispersible or soluble in most common solvents. This limitation deters to explore the chemistry of graphene at the molecular level and its nanobio device applications. One well known solution to this problem is the use of dispersing agents such as polymers, biopolymers, or surfactants in conjunction with the appropriate experimental conditions. Among the various biomolecules, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) has emerged as an appealing biomacromolecule for functional materials due to its biocompatibility and renewability in addition to its very interesting double helix structure, which guarantees a range of unique properties that are difficult to detect in other molecules and polymers. Hence, the combination of graphene (a carbon-based nanomaterial), showing exceptional electronic properties, and DNA (a nanostructured biomolecule), having extraordinary recognition properties, demonstrates a new type of nanobio hybrid material. This, in turn, leads to a successful incorporation of the properties of the two different components in new hybrid materials that present important features for potential applications that range from advanced biomedical systems by means of very sensitive electrochemical sensors and biosensors to highly efficient electronics- and optics-based biochips. This article will focus on the recent advancement of the methods available for the chemical functionalization of graphene using DNA by different interactions (covalent or non-covalent and insertion of DNA through graphene nanopore or nanogap), various types of assemblies, and future prospects. Furthermore, the various potential applications of the resulting new nanobio hybrid materials are also highlighted.     

有序Ag_(NW)@Au_(NP)复合纳米线的制备及其对聚(3-己基噻吩)荧光效应的影响

采用三相界面法及置换反应法,以氯金酸-乙醇溶液和无序Ag纳米线为原材料,在空白Si基底上成功制备出有序Ag纳米线(Ag_(NW))@Au纳米颗粒(Au_(NP))复合纳米线。采用场发射扫描电子显微镜(FESEM)和高分辨透射电子显微镜(HRTEM)对有序Ag_(NW)@Au_(NP)复合纳米线形貌进行了表征与分析,研究了氯金酸-乙醇溶液浓度和置换反应的反应时间对制备Ag_(NW)@Au_(NP)复合纳米线的影响,并且结合荧光光谱及激光拉曼光谱进一步研究了一系列有序Ag_(NW)@Au_(NP)复合纳米线对共轭聚合物聚(3-己基噻吩)(P3HT)荧光效应的影响。实验结果表明,有序Ag_(NW)@Au_(NP)复合纳米线上Au_(NP)的粒径随着置换反应时间的延长或氯金酸-乙醇溶液浓度的增加而增大,该复合纳米线对P3HT的荧光效应有增强作用,但其增强效应会随置换反应进行而减弱。     

用于重金属离子电化学传感器的TiO2NT/AuNP纳米复合材料

采用水热合成法将金纳米颗粒(AuNP)修饰到TiO₂纳米管(TiO₂NT)表面。用X射线衍射仪(XRD)和场发射扫描电子显微镜(FESEM)对制备的纳米复合材料进行表征。采用电化学阻抗谱(EIS)和循环伏安法分析了TiO₂NT/AuNP纳米复合材料修饰的玻碳电极(GCE)。通过方波阳极溶出伏安法(SWASV)分析了纳米复合材料检测重金属离子的可行性。纳米复合材料对Pb(Ⅱ)、Cd(Ⅱ)、Hg(Ⅱ)和Cu(Ⅱ)具有较高的电分析活性和灵敏度,对Pb(Ⅱ)、Cd(Ⅱ)、Hg(Ⅱ)和Cu(Ⅱ)的灵敏度分别为15.63、213.19、287.86和72.75μA·μM^-1(1 M=1 mol/L),检出限分别为0.052、0.004、0.003和0.011μmol/L。采用TiO₂NT/AuNP纳米复合材料对多种重金属离子进行了检测。此外,TiO₂NT/AuNP/GCE具有抗干扰性能和稳定性。因此,TiO₂NT/AuNP纳米复合材料可适用于电化学传感器来检测多种重金属离子。     

“Turn on” Fluorescence Sensor of Glutathione Based on Inner Filter Effect of Co-Doped Carbon Dot/Gold Nanoparticle Composites

Glutathione (GSH) is a thiol that plays a significant role in nutrient metabolism, antioxidant defense and the regulation of cellular events. GSH deficiency is related to variety of diseases, so it is useful to develop novel approaches for GSH evaluation and detection. In this study we used nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped carbon dot-gold nanoparticle (NPCD–AuNP) composites to fabricate a simple and selective fluorescence sensor for GSH detection. We employed the reductant potential of the nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped carbon dots (NPCDs) themselves to form AuNPs, and subsequently NPCD–AuNP composites from Au³⁺. The composites were characterized by using a range of spectroscopic and electron microscopic techniques, including electrophoretic light scattering and X-ray diffraction. The overlap of the fluorescence emission spectrum of NPCDs and the absorption spectrum of AuNPs resulted in an effective inner filter effect (IFE) in the composite material, leading to a quenching of the fluorescence intensity. In the presence of GSH, the fluorescence intensity of the composite was recovered, which increased proportionally to increasing the GSH concentration. In addition, our GSH sensing method showed good selectivity and sensing potential in human serum with a limit of detection of 0.1 µM and acceptable results.