Sensing of Alzheimer’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis Using Nano-Bio Interfaces

It is well understood that patients with different diseases may have a variety of specific proteins (e.g., type, amount, and configuration) in their plasmas. When nanoparticles (NPs) are exposed to these plasmas, the resulting coronas may incorporate some of the disease-specific proteins. Using gold (Au) NPs with different surface properties and corona composition, we have developed a technology for the discrimination and detection of two neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Applying a variety of techniques, including UV-visible spectra, colorimetric response analyses and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, we found the corona-NP complexes, obtained from different human serums, had distinct protein composition, including some specific proteins that are known as AD and MS biomarkers. The colorimetric responses, analyzed by chemometrics and statistical methods, demonstrate promising capabilities of the technology to unambiguously identify and discriminate AD and MS. The developed colorimetric technology might enable a simple, inexpensive and rapid detection/discrimination of neurodegenerative diseases. KEYWORDS: Alzheimer’s disease; colorimetric technology; disease-specific protein corona; gold nanoparticles; multiple sclerosi

Sensing of Alzheimer's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis Using Nano-Bio Interfaces.

Abstract A simple and green method for the determination of cyanide ions (CN-) has been developed which is based on copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) acting as a fluorescent probe in aqueous solutions. In this study, fluorescent CuNPs have been synthesized in the presence of ascorbic acid which acts both as a reducing and protecting agent. The preparation of CuNPs by this method is very simple, low cost, high yield, and reproducible. The prepared CuNPs have the small average diameter of 10nm and show a blue emission at 440nm. However, upon the addition of CN- into the CuNPs sensing system, its fluorescence was quenched considerably as a result of the strong interaction between cyanide and copper. Under optimized conditions, a good relationship was observed between the fluorescence quenching of the system and the concentration of CN- in the range of 0.5-18µmolL-1 with a detection limit of 0.37µmolL-1. In addition, the developed sensor has a high selectivity and simple operations. Furthermore, as a cost-effective and selective fluorescent probe, the CuNPs sensor was successfully employed for the detection of CN- ions in water samples