Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-01-28DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2026.139562
Zhidong Jin , Jinbo Zhao , Lin Liu , Fei Liu , Shiqiang Li , Jiurong Liu , Lili Wu
This study presents the synthesis of In2O3-Co3O4 flower-like microspheres via a two-step method, where the In2O3 matrix, composed of ultra-thin nanosheets, serves as a scaffold for the surface dispersion of Co3O4. By modulating the Co3O4 concentration, two sensors (ICO-1 and ICO-10) were fabricated, demonstrating excellent and distinct selectivity at a low optimal temperature of 100 ℃. Among them, ICO-1 exhibited a high response of 1600–10 ppm NO2, while ICO-10 showed a response of 124.32–100 ppm triethylamine (TEA) with tunable selectivity. The sensors as well achieved low theoretical detection limits of 100 ppb for NO2 and 2.5 ppm for TEA, respectively. Systematic characterizations revealed that the switching of selectivity originates from the synergistic effects of heterojunction formation, electron depletion layer modulation, and the tailored concentrations of surface chemisorbed oxygen and oxygen vacancies. This work elucidates a feasible pathway for designing highly sensitive and selectivity tunable gas sensors by engineering heterojunction composition in metal-oxide semiconductors.
{"title":"Tunable selectivity: High-performance detection of NO2 and triethylamine enabled by In2O3-Co3O4 heterojunction nanoflowers","authors":"Zhidong Jin , Jinbo Zhao , Lin Liu , Fei Liu , Shiqiang Li , Jiurong Liu , Lili Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.snb.2026.139562","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snb.2026.139562","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents the synthesis of In<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> flower-like microspheres via a two-step method, where the In<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> matrix, composed of ultra-thin nanosheets, serves as a scaffold for the surface dispersion of Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>. By modulating the Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> concentration, two sensors (ICO-1 and ICO-10) were fabricated, demonstrating excellent and distinct selectivity at a low optimal temperature of 100 ℃. Among them, ICO-1 exhibited a high response of 1600–10 ppm NO<sub>2</sub>, while ICO-10 showed a response of 124.32–100 ppm triethylamine (TEA) with tunable selectivity. The sensors as well achieved low theoretical detection limits of 100 ppb for NO<sub>2</sub> and 2.5 ppm for TEA, respectively. Systematic characterizations revealed that the switching of selectivity originates from the synergistic effects of heterojunction formation, electron depletion layer modulation, and the tailored concentrations of surface chemisorbed oxygen and oxygen vacancies. This work elucidates a feasible pathway for designing highly sensitive and selectivity tunable gas sensors by engineering heterojunction composition in metal-oxide semiconductors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":425,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical","volume":"454 ","pages":"Article 139562"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146098194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-01-30DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2026.139552
Amal Rabti , Sami Hamzaoui , Ouassim Ghodbane , Noureddine Raouafi
Food security is essential for protecting human health; however, the contamination of food and dairy products with antibiotics remains a significant issue. In this study, we developed an innovative capacitance-based aptasensor for kanamycin (KAN) detection by modifying screen-printed electrodes with polyaniline/reduced graphene oxide (PANI/rGO). Electrochemical capacitance spectroscopy (ECS), derived from electrochemical impedance measurements, was successfully used to detect KAN with remarkable sensitivity. Cyclic voltammetry revealed an 85 % decrease in the specific capacitance upon KAN binding, achieving a detection limit of 1.19 fg·mL−1. Further analysis of the ECS data allowed the capacitance response to be deconvoluted into double-layer and redox capacitance components, revealing complex interfacial changes and enabling an even lower detection limit of 0.13 fg·mL−1. Fitting the ECS data to a Langmuir–Freundlich isotherm indicated heterogeneous binding dynamics between the aptamer and KAN. Across a dynamic range of 1 fg·mL−1 to 1 ng·mL−1, this dual-technique approach provided both highly sensitive detection and a detailed mechanistic understanding of the aptamer–KAN interactions. The combination of ultrasensitive performance and mechanistic insight marks a significant step forward in antibiotic monitoring technologies, with direct implications for food safety applications.
{"title":"Electrochemical capacitance as a Next-Gen tool for kanamycin detection","authors":"Amal Rabti , Sami Hamzaoui , Ouassim Ghodbane , Noureddine Raouafi","doi":"10.1016/j.snb.2026.139552","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snb.2026.139552","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Food security is essential for protecting human health; however, the contamination of food and dairy products with antibiotics remains a significant issue. In this study, we developed an innovative capacitance-based aptasensor for kanamycin (KAN) detection by modifying screen-printed electrodes with polyaniline/reduced graphene oxide (PANI/rGO). Electrochemical capacitance spectroscopy (ECS), derived from electrochemical impedance measurements, was successfully used to detect KAN with remarkable sensitivity. Cyclic voltammetry revealed an 85 % decrease in the specific capacitance upon KAN binding, achieving a detection limit of 1.19 fg·mL<sup>−1</sup>. Further analysis of the ECS data allowed the capacitance response to be deconvoluted into double-layer and redox capacitance components, revealing complex interfacial changes and enabling an even lower detection limit of 0.13 fg·mL<sup>−1</sup>. Fitting the ECS data to a Langmuir–Freundlich isotherm indicated heterogeneous binding dynamics between the aptamer and KAN. Across a dynamic range of 1 fg·mL<sup>−1</sup> to 1 ng·mL<sup>−1</sup>, this dual-technique approach provided both highly sensitive detection and a detailed mechanistic understanding of the aptamer–KAN interactions. The combination of ultrasensitive performance and mechanistic insight marks a significant step forward in antibiotic monitoring technologies, with direct implications for food safety applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":425,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical","volume":"454 ","pages":"Article 139552"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146089645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-02-04DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2026.139584
Reyila Maimaiti , Weifei Zhang , Jia Liu , Xuanlin Feng , Wei Li , Ling Wang , Nan Li
Lipid packing has been considered to play an important role in modulating cell behaviors. However, despite an increasing accumulation of knowledge, applications of lipid-packing manipulation as part of cancer therapy are lagging. In this study, to investigate the effect of lipid-packing defects on A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell metastasis, we established a three-dimensional (3D) microfluidic model of tumor-vascular interface to recreate the endothelial barrier. Two parameters of biological membranes, lipid composition and membrane curvature, were modulated to form lipid-packing defects. Lipid composition was regulated by cholesterol depletion using methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD), and membrane curvature was induced by an amphipathic helical peptide. Lipid packing was assessed via a molecular-scale probe, whose emission spectrum was dependent on the molecular order of the immediate membrane environment. Our results suggested that these two distinct modulation ways for lipid-packing defects have a different effect on tumor cellular behaviors. The extravasation and migration of tumor cells were hampered in cholesterol depletion-caused lipid-packing defects, while facilitated in local curvature-induced lipid-packing defects. Therefore, we proposed that lipid-packing defects might serve as an interesting regulation in tumor metastasis, providing a new insight for anticancer therapy.
{"title":"On-a-chip analysis of lipid-packing defects modulating lung cancer cell metastasis at a tumor-vascular interface","authors":"Reyila Maimaiti , Weifei Zhang , Jia Liu , Xuanlin Feng , Wei Li , Ling Wang , Nan Li","doi":"10.1016/j.snb.2026.139584","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snb.2026.139584","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lipid packing has been considered to play an important role in modulating cell behaviors. However, despite an increasing accumulation of knowledge, applications of lipid-packing manipulation as part of cancer therapy are lagging. In this study, to investigate the effect of lipid-packing defects on A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell metastasis, we established a three-dimensional (3D) microfluidic model of tumor-vascular interface to recreate the endothelial barrier. Two parameters of biological membranes, lipid composition and membrane curvature, were modulated to form lipid-packing defects. Lipid composition was regulated by cholesterol depletion using methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD), and membrane curvature was induced by an amphipathic helical peptide. Lipid packing was assessed via a molecular-scale probe, whose emission spectrum was dependent on the molecular order of the immediate membrane environment. Our results suggested that these two distinct modulation ways for lipid-packing defects have a different effect on tumor cellular behaviors. The extravasation and migration of tumor cells were hampered in cholesterol depletion-caused lipid-packing defects, while facilitated in local curvature-induced lipid-packing defects. Therefore, we proposed that lipid-packing defects might serve as an interesting regulation in tumor metastasis, providing a new insight for anticancer therapy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":425,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical","volume":"454 ","pages":"Article 139584"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146186691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-01-29DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2026.139573
Weiwei Liu , Yao Song , Hui Xu , Chen Wang , Qianyu Wang , Huanyu Cheng , Po Wang , Guofang Chen
Detecting amyloid-β oligomer (AβO) in a sensitive and reliable manner is crucial for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, a ratiometric electrochemical/electrochemiluminescent (EC/ECL) biosensor sensitized with a cascade DNA system was designed for AβO assay, an AD biomarker. Benefited from the strong binding of aptamer to target AβO, this system not only exhibited excellent identification to AβO in interfering substrates, but also achieved the signal transduction from AβO to nucleic acid (M). The releasing M strands triggered the upstream entropy-driven DNA circuit (EDC), which could directly initiate the downstream hybridization chain reaction (HCR). The continuous programmability of cascade DNA system achieved a one-to-multiple amplification effect, enhancing the assembly amount of ferrocene (Fc). The electron transfer and energy transfer between Ru(bpy)32+-conjugated silica nanoparticles (RuSi NPs) and Fc improved the sensitivity for AβO detection. The reverse change of signals between EC (Fc) and ECL (Ru) introduced intrinsic self-calibration and ensured the reliability of the biosensor. Taking the above advantages, the proposed method exhibited a high sensitivity for AβO quantification in the range of 50 fM to 10 nM and a detection limit of 14 fM. The proposed sensing strategy was also validated using real serum samples, offering a sensitive and efficient approach for AD diagnosis.
{"title":"Cascade DNA system-based ratiometric electrochemical/electrochemiluminescent biosensor for Alzheimer’s disease biomarker","authors":"Weiwei Liu , Yao Song , Hui Xu , Chen Wang , Qianyu Wang , Huanyu Cheng , Po Wang , Guofang Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.snb.2026.139573","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snb.2026.139573","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Detecting amyloid-<em>β</em> oligomer (A<em>β</em>O) in a sensitive and reliable manner is crucial for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, a ratiometric electrochemical/electrochemiluminescent (EC/ECL) biosensor sensitized with a cascade DNA system was designed for A<em>β</em>O assay, an AD biomarker. Benefited from the strong binding of aptamer to target A<em>β</em>O, this system not only exhibited excellent identification to A<em>β</em>O in interfering substrates, but also achieved the signal transduction from A<em>β</em>O to nucleic acid (M). The releasing M strands triggered the upstream entropy-driven DNA circuit (EDC), which could directly initiate the downstream hybridization chain reaction (HCR). The continuous programmability of cascade DNA system achieved a one-to-multiple amplification effect, enhancing the assembly amount of ferrocene (Fc). The electron transfer and energy transfer between Ru(bpy)<sub>3</sub><sup>2+</sup>-conjugated silica nanoparticles (RuSi NPs) and Fc improved the sensitivity for A<em>β</em>O detection. The reverse change of signals between EC (Fc) and ECL (Ru) introduced intrinsic self-calibration and ensured the reliability of the biosensor. Taking the above advantages, the proposed method exhibited a high sensitivity for A<em>β</em>O quantification in the range of 50 fM to 10 nM and a detection limit of 14 fM. The proposed sensing strategy was also validated using real serum samples, offering a sensitive and efficient approach for AD diagnosis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":425,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical","volume":"454 ","pages":"Article 139573"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146072870","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-01-29DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2026.139570
Minsu Park , Geeyoon Kang , Jinseock Kong , Hyeri Moon , Junyeong Lee , Ju-Hyun Bae , Moon-Chang Baek , Seungha Kim , Hyowoong Noh , Hongsik Park
The size and surface charge density of extracellular vesicles (EVs) are physical properties correlated with the biological properties of their parent cells. Particle size is typically determined from Brownian motion, while surface charge density is calculated based on both size and zeta potential. However, accurately measuring both size and surface charge density of individual particles in liquids remains challenging because the underlying measurement principles differ and zeta potential analysis is complicated by the difficulty in quantifying the electric field applied to each particle. In this study, we developed a method for determining the precise size and surface charge density of individual EVs by integrating van der Pauw (vdP) and light scattering techniques. Size was determined by monitoring Brownian motion, while surface charge density was derived from the zeta potential, which was calculated using electrophoretic velocity and the applied electric field. The electric field was accurately measured using the vdP method based on the generalized Ohm’s law. The method’s accuracy was validated by measuring the size and zeta potential of standard nanoparticles. This method was further applied to evaluate the size and surface charge density of individual EVs derived from normal and cancerous breast and colon cells. The results revealed that these EV properties correlated with the malignancy level of the parent cells, achieving a classification accuracy of 94.69%. The proposed approach for determining multiple physical properties of individual nanoparticles in liquids may serve as a useful tool for exploring correlations between the physical and biological properties of EVs.
{"title":"Determination of extracellular vesicle size and surface charge density via precise measurements of Brownian motion, electrophoretic velocity, and applied electric field in a single platform","authors":"Minsu Park , Geeyoon Kang , Jinseock Kong , Hyeri Moon , Junyeong Lee , Ju-Hyun Bae , Moon-Chang Baek , Seungha Kim , Hyowoong Noh , Hongsik Park","doi":"10.1016/j.snb.2026.139570","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snb.2026.139570","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The size and surface charge density of extracellular vesicles (EVs) are physical properties correlated with the biological properties of their parent cells. Particle size is typically determined from Brownian motion, while surface charge density is calculated based on both size and zeta potential. However, accurately measuring both size and surface charge density of individual particles in liquids remains challenging because the underlying measurement principles differ and zeta potential analysis is complicated by the difficulty in quantifying the electric field applied to each particle. In this study, we developed a method for determining the precise size and surface charge density of individual EVs by integrating van der Pauw (vdP) and light scattering techniques. Size was determined by monitoring Brownian motion, while surface charge density was derived from the zeta potential, which was calculated using electrophoretic velocity and the applied electric field. The electric field was accurately measured using the vdP method based on the generalized Ohm’s law. The method’s accuracy was validated by measuring the size and zeta potential of standard nanoparticles. This method was further applied to evaluate the size and surface charge density of individual EVs derived from normal and cancerous breast and colon cells. The results revealed that these EV properties correlated with the malignancy level of the parent cells, achieving a classification accuracy of 94.69%. The proposed approach for determining multiple physical properties of individual nanoparticles in liquids may serve as a useful tool for exploring correlations between the physical and biological properties of EVs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":425,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical","volume":"454 ","pages":"Article 139570"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146072872","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-02-05DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2026.139611
Ruxia Zhang, Xiaoye Wen, Yongfei Huang, Zhefeng Fan
Currently, novel tumor diagnosis and treatment strategies mediated by the exceptional enzyme-like activities of nanozymes demonstrate significant potential in the field of cancer theranostic. However, constrained by the potent antioxidant system of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the inadequate catalytic activity of nanozymes, endowing nanozymes with high abundance of enzyme-mimicking activities to promote reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst, as well as detecting tumor environmental markers and designing multi-pathway strategies to disrupt TME redox homeostasis, remains a considerable challenge. Herein, a multifunctional PB@L-Arg CeO2 nanozymes with triple enzyme-mimicking activities (peroxidase, oxidase, and phosphatase-like properties) and remarkable photothermal conversion efficiency was reasonably constructed via an in-situ self-assembly strategy, achieving dual applications of colorimetric detection of glutathione (GSH) and multimodal synergistic therapy for tumors. Notably, the phosphatase-like activity mimicked by PB@L-Arg CeO2 nanozymes can directly hydrolyze nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) via a non-redox pathway and effectively inhibit intracellular GSH supply. Combined with GSH deprivation ability, it substantially disrupts the TME redox balance system and promotes the lipid peroxides (LPO) accumulation, further enhancing the ferroptosis effect, thereby significantly inhibiting tumor growth both in vivo and in vitro. In summary, this work provides a new paradigm for the design of nanozyme platforms for cancer diagnosis and multimodal therapeutic based on GSH levels.
{"title":"A GSH-detection and tumor therapeutic nanoplatform: Dual regulation through non-redox inhibition of NADPH-driven GSH regeneration and depletion for potentiating oxidative stress and ferroptosis","authors":"Ruxia Zhang, Xiaoye Wen, Yongfei Huang, Zhefeng Fan","doi":"10.1016/j.snb.2026.139611","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snb.2026.139611","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Currently, novel tumor diagnosis and treatment strategies mediated by the exceptional enzyme-like activities of nanozymes demonstrate significant potential in the field of cancer theranostic. However, constrained by the potent antioxidant system of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the inadequate catalytic activity of nanozymes, endowing nanozymes with high abundance of enzyme-mimicking activities to promote reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst, as well as detecting tumor environmental markers and designing multi-pathway strategies to disrupt TME redox homeostasis, remains a considerable challenge. Herein, a multifunctional PB@<span>L</span>-Arg CeO<sub>2</sub> nanozymes with triple enzyme-mimicking activities (peroxidase, oxidase, and phosphatase-like properties) and remarkable photothermal conversion efficiency was reasonably constructed via an in-situ self-assembly strategy, achieving dual applications of colorimetric detection of glutathione (GSH) and multimodal synergistic therapy for tumors. Notably, the phosphatase-like activity mimicked by PB@<span>L</span>-Arg CeO<sub>2</sub> nanozymes can directly hydrolyze nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) via a non-redox pathway and effectively inhibit intracellular GSH supply. Combined with GSH deprivation ability, it substantially disrupts the TME redox balance system and promotes the lipid peroxides (LPO) accumulation, further enhancing the ferroptosis effect, thereby significantly inhibiting tumor growth both in vivo and in vitro. In summary, this work provides a new paradigm for the design of nanozyme platforms for cancer diagnosis and multimodal therapeutic based on GSH levels.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":425,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical","volume":"454 ","pages":"Article 139611"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146122353","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-02-07DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2026.139620
Xinyue Li , Mengmeng Dou , Mengqi Yan , Yuezhi Cui , Feifei Sun , Lin Gao , Xuechen Li , Xianhao Shao
Dysregulated lipid droplets (LDs) metabolism is implicated in cancer progression, yet its role in giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) remains obscure due to the lack of suitable imaging tools for the dense tumor microenvironment. Here, we rationally designed an electroneutral molecular rotor as LDs probe based on twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) mechanism. LD-B1 exhibits 13-fold fluorescence enhancement with increasing viscosity (1–1410 cP), high photostability, and excellent specificity for LDs in live cells. Using this probe, we visualized dynamic LDs fusion and mapped spatial heterogeneity in LDs viscosity within patient-derived GCTB tissues. Notably, tumor cells exhibited significantly higher LDs viscosity than myeloid-derived cells. Single-cell/nucleus RNA sequencing revealed the upregulation of lipid metabolic genes (e.g., NNMT and GPX8) in tumor cells. Furthermore, knockdown of these lipid-associated factors led to a decrease in LDs viscosity, while a lipid tracer assay provided direct evidence of intercellular lipid trafficking from myeloid-derived cells to tumor cells. Together, the findings of this work provide a powerful chemical tool for imaging LDs heterogeneity, and reveal LDs viscosity as a potential metabolic hallmark and therapeutic target in musculoskeletal oncology.
{"title":"An electroneutral fluorescent probe for revealing lipid droplet viscosity heterogeneity in giant cell tumor of bone","authors":"Xinyue Li , Mengmeng Dou , Mengqi Yan , Yuezhi Cui , Feifei Sun , Lin Gao , Xuechen Li , Xianhao Shao","doi":"10.1016/j.snb.2026.139620","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snb.2026.139620","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dysregulated lipid droplets (LDs) metabolism is implicated in cancer progression, yet its role in giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) remains obscure due to the lack of suitable imaging tools for the dense tumor microenvironment. Here, we rationally designed an electroneutral molecular rotor as LDs probe based on twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) mechanism. LD-B1 exhibits 13-fold fluorescence enhancement with increasing viscosity (1–1410 cP), high photostability, and excellent specificity for LDs in live cells. Using this probe, we visualized dynamic LDs fusion and mapped spatial heterogeneity in LDs viscosity within patient-derived GCTB tissues. Notably, tumor cells exhibited significantly higher LDs viscosity than myeloid-derived cells. Single-cell/nucleus RNA sequencing revealed the upregulation of lipid metabolic genes (e.g., NNMT and GPX8) in tumor cells. Furthermore, knockdown of these lipid-associated factors led to a decrease in LDs viscosity, while a lipid tracer assay provided direct evidence of intercellular lipid trafficking from myeloid-derived cells to tumor cells. Together, the findings of this work provide a powerful chemical tool for imaging LDs heterogeneity, and reveal LDs viscosity as a potential metabolic hallmark and therapeutic target in musculoskeletal oncology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":425,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical","volume":"454 ","pages":"Article 139620"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146135284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-01-31DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2026.139586
Lin Hua , Xiaoling Wei , Jianxin Wu , Xiao Fang , Guoqiang Chen , Mengqi Zhan , Jinshen Chu , Can Wang , Qingxin Jiang , Huo Xu , Guohui Xue
Single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) are critical biomarkers for precision oncology, yet their reliable detection remains challenging due to low variant allele frequencies, extensive wild-type backgrounds, and the need for absolute single-base resolution. Current methods such as next-generation sequencing, digital PCR, isothermal amplification, and CRISPR-based assays offer important advances but remain constrained by cost, complexity, or limited robustness in clinical samples. Here we report a functionalized dumbbell-shaped DNA probe (DSP) that unifies nuclease resistance, low-background signaling, and primer-free amplification within a single nanoscale architecture. The DSP adopts a self-folding conformation that protects terminal ends against degradation, incorporates an intramolecular fluorophore–quencher hairpin for stable and sensitive fluorescence output, and leverages polymerase-assisted recycling to enable intrinsic amplification without external primers. Using KRAS G12D in colorectal cancer as a representative demonstration, the DSP achieved femtomolar sensitivity with a detection limit down to 10 fM, exhibited dual linear ranges spanning femtomolar to nanomolar concentrations, and provided precise single-nucleotide discrimination against wild-type and closely related variants. Importantly, the DSP maintained robust stability and sensitivity not only in buffer and serum but also in real clinical serum samples, where it accurately identified KRAS G12D mutations with results fully consistent with sequencing validation. By consolidating stability, specificity, and amplification in one compact DNA nanostructure, the DSP establishes a new design paradigm for probe-based mutation analysis. Beyond KRAS G12D, its modularity enables straightforward adaptation to other SNVs, offering a generalizable and translational platform for liquid biopsy, multiplex mutation profiling, and point-of-care diagnostics.
{"title":"A stable dumbbell-shaped DNA nanostructure enabling primer-free amplification for sensitive and specific single-nucleotide variant detection","authors":"Lin Hua , Xiaoling Wei , Jianxin Wu , Xiao Fang , Guoqiang Chen , Mengqi Zhan , Jinshen Chu , Can Wang , Qingxin Jiang , Huo Xu , Guohui Xue","doi":"10.1016/j.snb.2026.139586","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snb.2026.139586","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) are critical biomarkers for precision oncology, yet their reliable detection remains challenging due to low variant allele frequencies, extensive wild-type backgrounds, and the need for absolute single-base resolution. Current methods such as next-generation sequencing, digital PCR, isothermal amplification, and CRISPR-based assays offer important advances but remain constrained by cost, complexity, or limited robustness in clinical samples. Here we report a functionalized dumbbell-shaped DNA probe (DSP) that unifies nuclease resistance, low-background signaling, and primer-free amplification within a single nanoscale architecture. The DSP adopts a self-folding conformation that protects terminal ends against degradation, incorporates an intramolecular fluorophore–quencher hairpin for stable and sensitive fluorescence output, and leverages polymerase-assisted recycling to enable intrinsic amplification without external primers. Using KRAS G12D in colorectal cancer as a representative demonstration, the DSP achieved femtomolar sensitivity with a detection limit down to 10 fM, exhibited dual linear ranges spanning femtomolar to nanomolar concentrations, and provided precise single-nucleotide discrimination against wild-type and closely related variants. Importantly, the DSP maintained robust stability and sensitivity not only in buffer and serum but also in real clinical serum samples, where it accurately identified KRAS G12D mutations with results fully consistent with sequencing validation. By consolidating stability, specificity, and amplification in one compact DNA nanostructure, the DSP establishes a new design paradigm for probe-based mutation analysis. Beyond KRAS G12D, its modularity enables straightforward adaptation to other SNVs, offering a generalizable and translational platform for liquid biopsy, multiplex mutation profiling, and point-of-care diagnostics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":425,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical","volume":"454 ","pages":"Article 139586"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146095756","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-02-02DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2026.139595
Shahrooz Motahari , Alireza Zabihihesari , Vincent Sieben
Autonomous, high-resolution, and long-term monitoring in dynamic marine environments is advantageous to characterize the ocean carbon cycle. Here, we report an autonomous droplet Lab-on-Chip (LoC) sensor enabling high-resolution total alkalinity (TA) measurements with reduced reagent requirements validated in the laboratory. The droplet LoC sensor integrates on-chip droplet absorbance detection to perform multi-point spectrophotometric titrations, where each droplet in a set is an individual titration point. To facilitate droplet stability under varying pH titration conditions, a three-step silica nanoparticle coating method was adapted to render the PMMA channels superhydrophobic while maintaining compatibility with the titration chemistry. The droplet-based approach enables significant reductions in sample and reagent consumption, attaining 15 µL per titration point, which represents a ∼67-fold improvement compared to previous designs. Further measurement time was also decreased, with a complete TA measurement taking 190 s that is ∼6-fold faster than earlier stop-flow analyzers. Multiple certified reference material (CRM) measurements demonstrated a precision of 9.08 µmol kg⁻¹ , which is comparable to previous stop-flow microfluidic systems. Once calibrated against CRMs, the device showed a strong correlation between sensor measured TA values and prepared standards across a range of alkalinities from to 1500–2500 µmol kg⁻¹ , and an accuracy of –3.3 ± 22.9 µmol kg⁻¹ . Droplet-based microfluidics for carbonate measurements, such as TA, demonstrate the potential for long-term, and high spatiotemporal resolution observations in marine environments.
{"title":"Investigating a droplet microfluidic system for measuring total alkalinity","authors":"Shahrooz Motahari , Alireza Zabihihesari , Vincent Sieben","doi":"10.1016/j.snb.2026.139595","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snb.2026.139595","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Autonomous, high-resolution, and long-term monitoring in dynamic marine environments is advantageous to characterize the ocean carbon cycle. Here, we report an autonomous droplet Lab-on-Chip (LoC) sensor enabling high-resolution total alkalinity (TA) measurements with reduced reagent requirements validated in the laboratory. The droplet LoC sensor integrates on-chip droplet absorbance detection to perform multi-point spectrophotometric titrations, where each droplet in a set is an individual titration point. To facilitate droplet stability under varying pH titration conditions, a three-step silica nanoparticle coating method was adapted to render the PMMA channels superhydrophobic while maintaining compatibility with the titration chemistry. The droplet-based approach enables significant reductions in sample and reagent consumption, attaining 15 µL per titration point, which represents a ∼67-fold improvement compared to previous designs. Further measurement time was also decreased, with a complete TA measurement taking 190 s that is ∼6-fold faster than earlier stop-flow analyzers. Multiple certified reference material (CRM) measurements demonstrated a precision of 9.08 µmol kg⁻¹ , which is comparable to previous stop-flow microfluidic systems. Once calibrated against CRMs, the device showed a strong correlation between sensor measured TA values and prepared standards across a range of alkalinities from to 1500–2500 µmol kg⁻¹ , and an accuracy of –3.3 ± 22.9 µmol kg⁻¹ . Droplet-based microfluidics for carbonate measurements, such as TA, demonstrate the potential for long-term, and high spatiotemporal resolution observations in marine environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":425,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical","volume":"454 ","pages":"Article 139595"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146098193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-02-05DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2026.139607
Ze Fan, Xiaoyun Yin, Bin Du, Zhiwei Liu, Jiwei Xu, Xihui Mu, Bing Liu, Jianjie Xu, Zhaoyang Tong
CRISPR-Cas12 technology has revolutionized the field of nucleic acid detection. Although aerosols are a critical transmission route for epidemic viruses, most current CRISPR-based detection technologies focus on liquid samples. Direct detection of viruses in aerosols remains uncommon. In this study, we designed a novel photo-controlled CRISPR-Cas12a detection system based on split crRNA and integrated it with reverse transcription-recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) technology to develop a “one-pot” detection protocol for viruses in aerosols. By integrating the processes of viral aerosol capture and nucleic acid enrichment, the system can enable the process from aerosol sample input to detection signal output within 1 h. The modular photo-activated CRISPR-Cas12a system constructed in this study, based on split crRNA, addresses the issues in traditional photo-controlled strategies, such as the need to customize blocking sequences for different targets and the cumbersome system optimization process. It provides a universal molecular tool for the detection of various viruses, significantly reducing design costs and enables the simultaneous detection and early warning of H7N9 influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 in aerosols. This study marks the first application of photo-controlled CRISPR technology in the field of viral aerosol detection. It establishes an integrated platform for viral aerosol detection, enabling both fluorescent detection and LFA-based visual detection of low-abundance viruses in aerosols. The platform provides an accurate, sensitive, rapid, and easy-to-operate universal technical solution for diverse detection needs, and holds practical value for the prevention and control of viral transmission.
{"title":"A novel photo-controlled CRISPR-Cas12a system based on split crRNA for one-pot detection of multiple viral aerosols","authors":"Ze Fan, Xiaoyun Yin, Bin Du, Zhiwei Liu, Jiwei Xu, Xihui Mu, Bing Liu, Jianjie Xu, Zhaoyang Tong","doi":"10.1016/j.snb.2026.139607","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snb.2026.139607","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>CRISPR-Cas12 technology has revolutionized the field of nucleic acid detection. Although aerosols are a critical transmission route for epidemic viruses, most current CRISPR-based detection technologies focus on liquid samples. Direct detection of viruses in aerosols remains uncommon. In this study, we designed a novel photo-controlled CRISPR-Cas12a detection system based on split crRNA and integrated it with reverse transcription-recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) technology to develop a “one-pot” detection protocol for viruses in aerosols. By integrating the processes of viral aerosol capture and nucleic acid enrichment, the system can enable the process from aerosol sample input to detection signal output within 1 h. The modular photo-activated CRISPR-Cas12a system constructed in this study, based on split crRNA, addresses the issues in traditional photo-controlled strategies, such as the need to customize blocking sequences for different targets and the cumbersome system optimization process. It provides a universal molecular tool for the detection of various viruses, significantly reducing design costs and enables the simultaneous detection and early warning of H7N9 influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 in aerosols. This study marks the first application of photo-controlled CRISPR technology in the field of viral aerosol detection. It establishes an integrated platform for viral aerosol detection, enabling both fluorescent detection and LFA-based visual detection of low-abundance viruses in aerosols. The platform provides an accurate, sensitive, rapid, and easy-to-operate universal technical solution for diverse detection needs, and holds practical value for the prevention and control of viral transmission.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":425,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical","volume":"454 ","pages":"Article 139607"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146146206","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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