US – Page 308 – TechConnect Briefs

Quantum Dots as Replacements for Tandem Dyes in Flow Cytometry

Buller G.M., Zhang Y.Z., Godfrey W.L., Invitrogen, US

Qdot® nanocrystals provide fluorescent labels that can be excited with UV or violet light sources, but can also be used with longer wavelength excitation. In flow cytometry, investigators achieve greater multiplexing of cellular markers by [...]

Identifying Nanoscale Molecular Binding Events With SPM/AFM

Johnson W.T., Agilent Technologies, US

PicoTRECTM is a chemical/biological detection accessory for the Agilent SPM/AFM (scanning probe microscopy/atomic force microscopy) that combines molecular scale imaging with nanoscale, molecular recognition mapping. It is being used to map interactions between antibodies/antigens and [...]

Development of SERS Spectroscopy for Routine and Rapid Identification of Escherichia Coli and Listeria Monocytogenes on Ag Colloidal Nanoparticles

Chen Y-R, Liu Y., Nou X., Chao K., USDA/ARS Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, US

Rapid, accurate, and preferably routine methods for the identification of foodborne bacteria are increasingly important, because of bio- /agro-terrorism threats, public health concerns, and economic loss. Conventional detection of bacteria is time-consuming, requiring 5-7 days, [...]

Investigation of the Conductance of Silicon Nanowire Biosensors Using the 2D Drift-diffusion Model

Damodaran S., Vadivelmurugan S., Do Q.T., Heitzinger C., Liu Y., Klimeck G., Purdue University, US

DNA-FETs are DNA sensors consisting of a semiconductor transducer and a functionalized surface. Their device structure is similar to a MOSFET, but the gate has been replaced by the functionalized surface. Since DNA-FETs allow direct [...]

Encapsulation of Streptavidin labeled with Alexa Fluor 750 into Erythrocytes

Dweik M., Grant S.A., University of Missouri-Columbia, US

Erythrocytes, Red Blood Cells (RBCs), have been utilized as biocompatible bioreactors and drug delivery vehicles. RBCs are also used as biological carriers for drugs, enzymes, and peptides. Hypo-osmotic dialysis technique is the most commonly employed [...]

Quantitative measurements of the strength of adhesion of human neutrophils to a substratum in a microfludic device: A novel inflammation diagnostic tool

Gutierrez E., Groisman A., University of California San Diego, US

We describe a quantitative assay of the strength of adhesion of activated and non-activated human neutrophils to a substratum, which is carried out in a custom-made microfluidic device. The strength of adhesion is quantified by [...]

A Non-Oxidative Sensor Based on a Self-Doped Polyaniline/Carbon Nanotube Composite for Highly Sensitive and Selective Detection of the Neurotransmitter Dopamine

Ali S.R., Ma Y., Parajuli R.R., Balogan Y., Lai W.Y-C., He H., Rutgers University, US

The ability to measure the concentration of dopamine sensitively and selectively could potentially be used for molecular diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. The ability to monitor its concentration in-vivo also benefits in design therapies and evaluating [...]

Simultaneous Detection of Salmonella typhimurium and Bacillus anthracis Spores Using Phage-Based Magnetoelastic Biosensors

Huang S., Yang H., Johnson M., Chen I., Petrenko V.A., Chin B.A., Auburn University, US

Deliberate contamination of the food supply has become a concern, Salmonella typhimurium and Bacillus anthracis spores being primary pathogens of interest. The objective of this research was to investigate simultaneous detection of these two biological [...]

Biosensor for heavy metals using hydrothermally grown ZnO nanorod/nanotube and metal-binding peptides

Jia W., Reitz E.T., Lei Y., University of Connecticut, US

Certain heavy metals can pose potential health risks when consumed by humans due to their high toxicity. Specifically, the heavy metals mercury, lead and cadmium can be released into the environment through industrial use and [...]

Development of micro-lateral flow strips compatible with micro-volume samples for immunochemical assays

Sharma N.S., Lukyanov A., Bardell R.L., Shen M., Weigl B.H., MicroPlumbers Microsciences, LLC, US

The benefits of the lateral flow strip immunochromatographic test format are well known. However, currently available lateral flow strip assays are not compatible with sub-microliter sample volumes. The authors believe that assays compatible with micro-volume [...]