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Functional Materials for Bio-Sensing, Bio-Imaging, and Controlled Release

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2015) | Viewed by 44528

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
Interests: biosensor; polymer materials; stimuli-sensitive materials; LbL films
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on functional materials for applications in bio-sensing, bio-imaging, and controlled release. The functional materials include enzymes, antibodies, DNA, synthetic and biological polymers, host-guest systems, carbon nanomaterials, such as nanotubes and graphene, as well as metal or semiconductor nanoparticles. Papers dealing with bio-sensing or bio-imaging systems, constructed by using functional materials, coupled with enzymes and antibodies, are welcome. The development of self-assembled architectures and thin films for drug delivery, and their in vivo or in vitro evaluation, is also within the scope of this Special Issue. The submission of papers on the construction of high-performance electrochemical and optical bio-sensing systems is particularly encouraged.

This Special Issue aims to promote the exchange of ideas, and the knowledge of scientists and engineers working in the communities of bio-sensing, bio-imaging, and controlled release.

Prof. Dr. Jun-ichi Anzai
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • electrochemical and optical biosensors
  • stimuli-sensitive materials for bio-imaging
  • controlled release and drug delivery systems
  • carbon and metal nano-materials
  • polymer thin films and gels

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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1025 KiB  
Communication
Fast Blue RR—Siloxane Derivatized Materials Indicate Wound Infection Due to a Deep Blue Color Development
by Doris Schiffer, Gregor Tegl, Robert Vielnascher, Hansjoerg Weber, Rainer Schoeftner, Herfried Wiesbauer, Eva Sigl, Andrea Heinzle and Georg M. Guebitz
Materials 2015, 8(10), 6633-6639; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8105329 - 25 Sep 2015
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 6059
Abstract
There is a strong need for simple and fast methods for wound infection determination. Myeloperoxidase, an immune system-derived enzyme was found to be a suitable biomarker for wound infection. Hence, alkoxysilane-derivatized Fast Blue RR was immobilized via simple hydrolytic polymerization. The resulting enzyme-responsive [...] Read more.
There is a strong need for simple and fast methods for wound infection determination. Myeloperoxidase, an immune system-derived enzyme was found to be a suitable biomarker for wound infection. Hence, alkoxysilane-derivatized Fast Blue RR was immobilized via simple hydrolytic polymerization. The resulting enzyme-responsive siloxane layers were incubated with myeloperoxidase, wound fluid or hemoglobin. The reaction was monitored via HPLC measurements and the color development quantified spectrophotometrically. Myeloperoxidase was indeed able to oxidize immobilized Fast Blue RR leading to a blue colored product. No conversion was detected in non-infected wound fluids. The visible color changes of these novel materials towards blue enable an easy distinction between infected and non-infected wound fluids. Full article
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4909 KiB  
Article
Nanocarbon-Coated Porous Anodic Alumina for Bionic Devices
by Morteza Aramesh, Wei Tong, Kate Fox, Ann Turnley, Dong Han Seo, Steven Prawer and Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov
Materials 2015, 8(8), 4992-5006; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8084992 - 5 Aug 2015
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 7607
Abstract
A highly-stable and biocompatible nanoporous electrode is demonstrated herein. The electrode is based on a porous anodic alumina which is conformally coated with an ultra-thin layer of diamond-like carbon. The nanocarbon coating plays an essential role for the chemical stability and biocompatibility of [...] Read more.
A highly-stable and biocompatible nanoporous electrode is demonstrated herein. The electrode is based on a porous anodic alumina which is conformally coated with an ultra-thin layer of diamond-like carbon. The nanocarbon coating plays an essential role for the chemical stability and biocompatibility of the electrodes; thus, the coated electrodes are ideally suited for biomedical applications. The corrosion resistance of the proposed electrodes was tested under extreme chemical conditions, such as in boiling acidic/alkali environments. The nanostructured morphology and the surface chemistry of the electrodes were maintained after wet/dry chemical corrosion tests. The non-cytotoxicity of the electrodes was tested by standard toxicity tests using mouse fibroblasts and cortical neurons. Furthermore, the cell–electrode interaction of cortical neurons with nanocarbon coated nanoporous anodic alumina was studied in vitro. Cortical neurons were found to attach and spread to the nanocarbon coated electrodes without using additional biomolecules, whilst no cell attachment was observed on the surface of the bare anodic alumina. Neurite growth appeared to be sensitive to nanotopographical features of the electrodes. The proposed electrodes show a great promise for practical applications such as retinal prostheses and bionic implants in general. Full article
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433 KiB  
Article
Study on Electrochemical Insulin Sensing Utilizing a DNA Aptamer-Immobilized Gold Electrode
by Izumi Kubo and Taiga Eguchi
Materials 2015, 8(8), 4710-4719; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8084710 - 24 Jul 2015
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 5609
Abstract
We investigated an insulin-sensing method by utilizing an insulin-binding aptamer IGA3, which forms an anti-parallel G-quadruplex with folded single strands. Spectroscopic observation indicates that some anti-parallel G-quadruplex bind hemin and show peroxidase activity. In this study, the peroxidase activity of IGA3 with hemin [...] Read more.
We investigated an insulin-sensing method by utilizing an insulin-binding aptamer IGA3, which forms an anti-parallel G-quadruplex with folded single strands. Spectroscopic observation indicates that some anti-parallel G-quadruplex bind hemin and show peroxidase activity. In this study, the peroxidase activity of IGA3 with hemin was confirmed by spectrophotometric measurements, i.e., the activity was three-times higher than hemin itself. IGA3 was then immobilized onto a gold electrode to determine its electrochemical activity. The peroxidase activity of the immobilized IGA3-hemin complex was determined by cyclic voltammetry, and a cathodic peak current of the electrode showed a dependence on the concentration of H2O2. The cathodic peak current of the IGA3-hemin complex decreased by binding it to insulin, and this decrease depended on the concentration of insulin. Full article
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415 KiB  
Communication
Sugar-Responsive Pseudopolyrotaxane Composed of Phenylboronic Acid-Modified Polyethylene Glycol and γ-Cyclodextrin
by Tomohiro Seki, Misato Namiki, Yuya Egawa, Ryotaro Miki, Kazuhiko Juni and Toshinobu Seki
Materials 2015, 8(3), 1341-1349; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8031341 - 20 Mar 2015
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 7553
Abstract
We have designed a sugar-responsive pseudopolyrotaxane (PPRX) by combining phenylboronic acid-modified polyethylene glycol (PBA–PEG) and γ-cyclodextrin. Phenylboronic acid (PBA) was used as a sugar-recognition motif in the PPRX because PBA reacts with a diol portion of the sugar molecule and forms a cyclic [...] Read more.
We have designed a sugar-responsive pseudopolyrotaxane (PPRX) by combining phenylboronic acid-modified polyethylene glycol (PBA–PEG) and γ-cyclodextrin. Phenylboronic acid (PBA) was used as a sugar-recognition motif in the PPRX because PBA reacts with a diol portion of the sugar molecule and forms a cyclic ester. When D-fructose or D-glucose was added to a suspension of PPRX, PPRX disintegrated, depending on the concentration of the sugars. Interestingly, catechol does not show a response although catechol has a high affinity for PBA. We analyzed the response mechanism of PPRX by considering equilibria. Full article
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Review

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3916 KiB  
Review
Nanomaterials-Based Fluorimetric Methods for MicroRNAs Detection
by Ming La, Lin Liu and Bin-Bin Zhou
Materials 2015, 8(5), 2809-2829; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8052809 - 22 May 2015
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 7955
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous non-coding RNAs of ~22 nucleotides that play important functions in the regulation of many biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and death. Since their expression has been in close association with the development of many diseases, recently, miRNAs [...] Read more.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous non-coding RNAs of ~22 nucleotides that play important functions in the regulation of many biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and death. Since their expression has been in close association with the development of many diseases, recently, miRNAs have been regarded as clinically important biomarkers and drug discovery targets. However, because of the short length, high sequence similarity and low abundance of miRNAs in vivo, it is difficult to realize the sensitive and selective detection of miRNAs with conventional methods. In line with the rapid development of nanotechnology, nanomaterials have attracted great attention and have been intensively studied in biological analysis due to their unique chemical, physical and size properties. In particular, fluorimetric methodologies in combination with nanotechnology are especially rapid, sensitive and efficient. The aim of this review is to provide insight into nanomaterials-based fluorimetric methods for the detection of miRNAs, including metal nanomaterials, quantum dots (QDs), graphene oxide (GO) and silicon nanoparticles. Full article
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828 KiB  
Review
Recent Progress in Electrochemical HbA1c Sensors: A Review
by Baozhen Wang and Jun-ichi Anzai
Materials 2015, 8(3), 1187-1203; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma8031187 - 17 Mar 2015
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 9136
Abstract
This article reviews recent progress made in the development of electrochemical glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) sensors for the diagnosis and management of diabetes mellitus. Electrochemical HbA1c sensors are divided into two categories based on the detection protocol of the sensors. The first type of [...] Read more.
This article reviews recent progress made in the development of electrochemical glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) sensors for the diagnosis and management of diabetes mellitus. Electrochemical HbA1c sensors are divided into two categories based on the detection protocol of the sensors. The first type of sensor directly detects HbA1c by binding HbA1c on the surface of an electrode through bio-affinity of antibody and boronic acids, followed by an appropriate mode of signal transduction. In the second type of sensor, HbA1c is indirectly determined by detecting a digestion product of HbA1c, fructosyl valine (FV). Thus, the former sensors rely on the selective binding of HbA1c to the surface of the electrodes followed by electrochemical signaling in amperometric, voltammetric, impedometric, or potentiometric mode. Redox active markers, such as ferrocene derivatives and ferricyanide/ferrocyanide ions, are often used for electrochemical signaling. For the latter sensors, HbA1c must be digested in advance by proteolytic enzymes to produce the FV fragment. FV is electrochemically detected through catalytic oxidation by fructosyl amine oxidase or by selective binding to imprinted polymers. The performance characteristics of HbA1c sensors are discussed in relation to their use in the diagnosis and control of diabetic mellitus. Full article
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