Interfacing multicellular organisms with polyelectrolyte shells and nanoparticles: A caenorhabtidis elegans study

We report the surface modification of microscopic live multicellular nematodes Caenorhabtidis elegans with polyelectrolyte multilayers (pure and doped with 20 nm gold nanoparticles) and the direct magnetic functionalization of nematodes with biocompatible magnetic nanoparticles. Magnetically functionalized "ironoxideclad" nematodes can be effectively separated and moved using an external magnetic field. The surface-functionalized nematodes preserve their viability and reproduction. © 2011 American Chemical Society

A direct technique for magnetic functionalization of living human cells

Functionalized living cells are regarded as effective tools in directed cell delivery and tissue engineering. Here we report the facile functionalization of viable isolated HeLa cells with superparamagnetic cationic nanoparticles via a single-step biocompatible process. Nanoparticles are localized on the cellular membranes and do not penetrate into the cytoplasm. The magnetically responsive cells are viable and able to colonize and grow on substrates. Magnetically facilitated microorganization of functionalized cells into viable living clusters is demonstrated. We believe that the technique described here may find a number of potential applications in cell-based therapies and in development of whole-cell biosensors. © 2011 American Chemical Society

A whole-cell amperometric herbicide biosensor based on magnetically functionalised microalgae and screen-printed electrodes

We report the fabrication of an amperometric whole-cell herbicide biosensor based on magnetic retention of living cells functionalised with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) on the surface of a screen-printed electrode. We demonstrate that Chlorella pyrenoidosa microalgae cells coated with biocompatible MNPs and retained on the electrode with a permanent magnet act as a sensing element for the fast detection of herbicides. The magnetic functionalisation does not affect the viability and photosynthesis activity-mediated triazine herbicide recognition in microalgae. The current of ferricyanide ion was recorded during alternating illumination periods and biosensor fabricated was used to detect atrazine (from 0.9 to 74 M) and propazine (from 0.6 to 120 M) (the limits of detection 0.7 and 0.4 M, respectively). We believe that the methodology presented here can be widely used in fabrication of a number of whole cell biosensors since it allows for efficient and reversible cells immobilisation and does not affect the cellular metabolism. © 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry

Quartz crystal microbalance immunosensor for the detection of antibodies to double-stranded DNA

We report the development of a novel quartz crystal microbalance immunosensor with the simultaneous measurement of resonance frequency and motional resistance for the detection of antibodies to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). The immobilization of poly(l-lysine) and subsequent complexation with DNA resulted in formation of a sensitive dsDNA-containing nanofilm on the surface of a gold electrode. Atomic force microscopy has been applied for the characterization of a poly(l-lysine)-DNA film. After the blocking with bovine serum albumin, the immunosensor in flow-injection mode was used to detect the antibodies to dsDNA in purified protein solutions of antibodies to dsDNA and to single-stranded DNA, monoclonal human immunoglobulin G, DNase I and in blood serum of patients with bronchial asthma and systemic lupus erythematosus. Experimental results indicate high sensitivity and selectivity of the immunosensor. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. © Springer-Verlag 2007

Interfacing multicellular organisms with polyelectrolyte shells and nanoparticles: A caenorhabtidis elegans study

We report the surface modification of microscopic live multicellular nematodes Caenorhabtidis elegans with polyelectrolyte multilayers (pure and doped with 20 nm gold nanoparticles) and the direct magnetic functionalization of nematodes with biocompatible magnetic nanoparticles. Magnetically functionalized "ironoxideclad" nematodes can be effectively separated and moved using an external magnetic field. The surface-functionalized nematodes preserve their viability and reproduction. © 2011 American Chemical Society

Interfacing multicellular organisms with polyelectrolyte shells and nanoparticles: A caenorhabtidis elegans study

We report the surface modification of microscopic live multicellular nematodes Caenorhabtidis elegans with polyelectrolyte multilayers (pure and doped with 20 nm gold nanoparticles) and the direct magnetic functionalization of nematodes with biocompatible magnetic nanoparticles. Magnetically functionalized "ironoxideclad" nematodes can be effectively separated and moved using an external magnetic field. The surface-functionalized nematodes preserve their viability and reproduction. © 2011 American Chemical Society

Interfacing multicellular organisms with polyelectrolyte shells and nanoparticles: A caenorhabtidis elegans study

We report the surface modification of microscopic live multicellular nematodes Caenorhabtidis elegans with polyelectrolyte multilayers (pure and doped with 20 nm gold nanoparticles) and the direct magnetic functionalization of nematodes with biocompatible magnetic nanoparticles. Magnetically functionalized "ironoxideclad" nematodes can be effectively separated and moved using an external magnetic field. The surface-functionalized nematodes preserve their viability and reproduction. © 2011 American Chemical Society

A direct technique for magnetic functionalization of living human cells

Functionalized living cells are regarded as effective tools in directed cell delivery and tissue engineering. Here we report the facile functionalization of viable isolated HeLa cells with superparamagnetic cationic nanoparticles via a single-step biocompatible process. Nanoparticles are localized on the cellular membranes and do not penetrate into the cytoplasm. The magnetically responsive cells are viable and able to colonize and grow on substrates. Magnetically facilitated microorganization of functionalized cells into viable living clusters is demonstrated. We believe that the technique described here may find a number of potential applications in cell-based therapies and in development of whole-cell biosensors. © 2011 American Chemical Society

A whole-cell amperometric herbicide biosensor based on magnetically functionalised microalgae and screen-printed electrodes

We report the fabrication of an amperometric whole-cell herbicide biosensor based on magnetic retention of living cells functionalised with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) on the surface of a screen-printed electrode. We demonstrate that Chlorella pyrenoidosa microalgae cells coated with biocompatible MNPs and retained on the electrode with a permanent magnet act as a sensing element for the fast detection of herbicides. The magnetic functionalisation does not affect the viability and photosynthesis activity-mediated triazine herbicide recognition in microalgae. The current of ferricyanide ion was recorded during alternating illumination periods and biosensor fabricated was used to detect atrazine (from 0.9 to 74 M) and propazine (from 0.6 to 120 M) (the limits of detection 0.7 and 0.4 M, respectively). We believe that the methodology presented here can be widely used in fabrication of a number of whole cell biosensors since it allows for efficient and reversible cells immobilisation and does not affect the cellular metabolism. © 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry

A direct technique for magnetic functionalization of living human cells

Functionalized living cells are regarded as effective tools in directed cell delivery and tissue engineering. Here we report the facile functionalization of viable isolated HeLa cells with superparamagnetic cationic nanoparticles via a single-step biocompatible process. Nanoparticles are localized on the cellular membranes and do not penetrate into the cytoplasm. The magnetically responsive cells are viable and able to colonize and grow on substrates. Magnetically facilitated microorganization of functionalized cells into viable living clusters is demonstrated. We believe that the technique described here may find a number of potential applications in cell-based therapies and in development of whole-cell biosensors. © 2011 American Chemical Society