Publications

@article{Menendez-Valladares2026,

title = {Smartphone-Enabled Point-of-Care Testing for Prehospital Stroke Diagnosis},

author = {Paloma Menéndez-Valladares and Rosa M. Delgado and David Núñez-Jurado and Lluis Sempere-Bordes and Anna Penalba and Leire Azurmendi and Claudio Parolo and Ana Barragán and Juan Antonio Cabezas and Carmen Jesús Gil and José Moreno and Rafael Canto Neguillo and Roberto Valverde de Moyano and José Luis García Garmendia and Mercedes García Murillo and Ismael Muñoz Martínez and Antonia Romero Hidalgo and Francisco Aranda Aguilar and Soledad Pérez Sánchez and Jean Charles Sánchez and Joan Montaner},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/10903127.2024.2437657},

doi = {10.1080/10903127.2024.2437657},

issn = {15450066},

year  = {2026},

date = {2026-01-01},

journal = {Prehospital Emergency Care},

volume = {30},

number = {1},

pages = {111–120},

publisher = {Taylor & Francis},

abstract = {Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of point-of-care testing (POCT) devices for N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) measurement in prehospital settings, with the aim of improving the speed and accuracy of stroke diagnosis, thereby facilitating quicker and more effective patient care. Methods: Prehospital blood samples were collected from suspected stroke patients, and NT-proBNP levels were measured using a POCT device in ambulances and hospitals. Results from the NT-proBNP POCT and smartphone images were analyzed. Plasma samples underwent Elecsys proBNP II immunoassay after storage at −80ºC. Results: A total of 121 suspected stroke patients were included in the study. The correlation between POCT measured by the POCT and immunoassay for NT-proBNP was strong (R = 0.926). Smartphone images also strongly correlated with POCT values at 10 min (R²=0.9716) and 15 min (R²=0.9405). Stability analysis of samples showed consistent NT-proBNP results and a high correlation (R = 0.907) was observed between plasma and whole blood samples for NT-proBNP POCT. Conclusions: This study highlights the potential of NT-proBNP POCT devices in ambulances to expedite stroke diagnosis and management within 10 min. Smartphone integration further enhances efficiency, adding advancement in prehospital stroke management.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Pedreira-Rincon2026,

title = {pLDH to identify severity in imported malaria: Implementing smartphone video analysis for rapid clinical decision-making},

author = {Julia Pedreira-Rincón and Leire Balerdi-Sarasola and Guillermo Villanueva and Pedro E. Fleitas and Alfons Jimenez and Alfredo Mayor and Jose Muñoz and Carme Subirà and Miriam J. Alvarez-Martinez and Paula Petrone and Daniel Camprubí-Ferrer and Claudio Parolo},

doi = {10.1016/j.bios.2025.118228},

issn = {0956-5663},

year  = {2026},

date = {2026-01-01},

journal = {Biosensors and Bioelectronics},

volume = {294},

pages = {118228},

abstract = {Malaria is the main parasitic disease-causing death in endemic and non-endemic regions. Imported malaria cases face an elevated risk of severe disease, but non-specific clinical presentations and limited clinician experience often delay diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Quantification of parasite biomarkers by lateral flow assays (LFAs) could address this challenge. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with imported Plasmodium falciparum malaria and non-malarial fevers. Using a bead-based multiplex immunoassay and commercial LFAs, we evaluated the diagnostic and severity assessment capabilities of two parasite biomarkers: Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein-2 ( Pf HRP2) and pan-specific lactate dehydrogenase (pan-pLDH). To improve the speed and objectivity of LFA interpretation, we used smartphone-based image- and video-analysis. The bead-based immunoassay showcased an excellent diagnostic performance for Pf HRP2 and pan-pLDH, while revealing Pf HRP2 and pan-pLDH as promising severity biomarkers. On LFAs, Pf HRP2 maintained perfect diagnostic accuracy, compared to pan-pLDH. Notably, pan-pLDH excelled in identifying severe malaria cases, outperforming Pf HRP2. Smartphone-based video-analysis reduced testing time to under 6 min and maintained pan-pLDH's performance in detecting severe malaria. Our study underscores the potential of pan-pLDH as a valuable biomarker for severity assessment in imported Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases, particularly in non-endemic settings where rapid clinical decisions are critical.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Chamorro-Garcia2025,

title = {Continuous monitoring of biomolecular targets in vivo using DNA-based electrochemical sensors},

author = {Alejandro Chamorro-Garcia and Myriam Alfonsini and Daniele Caprioli and Claudio Parolo and Andrea Idili},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coelec.2025.101765},

doi = {10.1016/j.coelec.2025.101765},

issn = {2451-9103},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

journal = {Current Opinion in Electrochemistry},

volume = {54},

pages = {101765},

publisher = {The Author(s)},

abstract = {Real-time, continuous in vivo molecular monitoring is crucial for advancing biomedical research and clinical healthcare, yet traditional methods face significant limitations. Electrochemical DNA-based (eDNA) biosensors are emerging as a powerful and highly versatile platform to address these needs. This review highlights key advancements within the last three years in eDNA biosensors tailored for in vivo continuous monitoring, emphasizing strategies to overcome challenges in stability, selectivity, and reversibility. Specifically, we delve into core eDNA biosensor designs and their in vivo applications, such as therapeutic drug monitoring, pharmacokinetic studies, real-time tracking of disease and neurochemical biomarkers, and feedback-controlled drug delivery. Furthermore, we critically examine significant progress in developing calibration-free operational strategies and ongoing efforts to tackle challenges related to long-term stability, receptor responsiveness, and target selectivity. The continued evolution of these platforms and their integration with artificial intelligence, positions eDNA biosensors as transformative tools for future biomedical breakthroughs and precision healthcare.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Yang2025,

title = {An aptamer-based electrochemical sensor for the quantification of the malaria biomarker lactate dehydrogenase},

author = {Qiuyue Yang and Julia Pedreira-Rincón and Leire Balerdi-Sarasola and Luis Baptista-Pires and Jose Muñoz and Daniel Camprubí-Ferrer and Andrea Idili and Claudio Parolo},

doi = {10.1016/j.bios.2025.117152},

issn = {0956-5663},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

journal = {Biosensors and Bioelectronics},

volume = {274},

pages = {117152},

abstract = {Malaria is one of the most deadly infectious diseases, causing the death of hundreds of thousands of patients each year. Global efforts to combat malaria necessitate the implementation of novel rapid diagnostic tests deployable at the point of care. Here, we present the development of an electrochemical aptamer-based (EAB) sensor for the quantification of the malaria biomarker Plasmodium falciparum lactate dehydrogenase (PfLDH). Specifically, we demonstrate how, through careful optical and electrochemical characterization, we re-engineered the aptamer sequence to maximize its binding-induced conformational change, the core principle of EAB sensors. We then demonstrated that our biosensor can quantify clinically relevant concentrations of PfLDH in blood in a single step and within a few minutes. Overall, we believe these results demonstrate the promising potential of EAB sensors for the diagnosis and prognosis of malaria at the point of care.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Pedreira-Rincon2025,

title = {A comprehensive review of competitive lateral flow assays over the past decade},

author = {Julia Pedreira-Rincón and Lourdes Rivas and Joan Comenge and Vasso Skouridou and Daniel Camprubí-Ferrer and Jose Muñoz and Ciara K. O'Sullivan and Alejandro Chamorro-Garcia and Claudio Parolo},

doi = {10.1039/d4lc01075b},

issn = {1473-0189},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

journal = {Lab on a Chip},

volume = {25},

number = {11},

pages = {2578–2608},

publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry},

abstract = {Competitive lateral flow assays (LFAs) provide a versatile and cost-effective platform for detecting a wide range of molecular targets across fields such as healthcare, food safety, and environmental monitoring, particularly for small analytes or single epitopes that lack suitable bioreceptor pairs. However, the interpretation of competitive LFAs can be challenging due to their counterintuitive output, where the absence of a test line signifies the presence of the target. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the fundamental strategies underlying competitive LFAs, explore the mathematical models that quantify assay performance, and outline the critical parameters involved in their design and optimization. We further highlight notable applications and discuss methods to enhance the user experience through improved result interpretation and user-centric design. By consolidating current knowledge and best practices, this work will serve as a valuable reference for researchers and developers seeking to refine the usability, reliability, and effectiveness of competitive LFAs.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Fuentes-Chust2025,

title = {Stability matters: evaluating the long-term performance of AuNP-DNA conjugates in lateral flow assays through varied conjugation methods and storage buffers},

author = {Celia Fuentes-Chust and Claudio Parolo and Andrew Piper and Arben Merkoçi},

doi = {10.1039/d4nr05328a},

issn = {2040-3372},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

journal = {Nanoscale},

volume = {17},

number = {27},

pages = {16423–16431},

publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry},

abstract = {This study evaluates five distinct conjugation techniques for attaching DNA to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), focusing on their applicability in lateral flow assays (LFA). The selected methods include three salt-aging techniques, one polyT-adsorption method, and a rapid butanol dehydration (INDEBT) approach. These methods were chosen based on factors such as popularity, protocol duration, and ionic strength. Additionally, the study investigates the storage stability of DNA-AuNP conjugates in four different buffers: 100 mM Tris-MgCl2, 10 mM PBS-MgCl2, PBS, and deionized water. These buffers were selected to evaluate the effects of ionic strength and their compatibility with LFA materials on conjugate stability and performance. Results indicate that salt-aging methods, particularly with water or PBS, maintained LFA functionality up to 21 days. Adsorbed DNA and all samples stored in PBS-MgCl2 were not functional from the start and aggregated over time. INDEBT and Tris-MgCl2 conjugates demonstrated initial functionality but degraded due to butanol residues and aggregation. A complementary analysis using electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) provided essential insights into conjugate behavior. These results emphasize the importance of buffer selection and conjugation techniques for optimizing DNA-AuNP conjugates in LFAs, ensuring their reliability and effectiveness in diagnostic applications.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Cambra-Pelleja2025,

title = {Crucial role of biosensors in the detection of helminth biomarkers in public health programmes},

author = {Maria Cambra-Pellejà and Lisette Lieshout and Luis Baptista-Pires and Miguel Vilaplana and José Muñoz and Javier Gandasegui and Claudio Parolo},

doi = {10.1016/j.lanmic.2024.100964},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

journal = {The Lancet Microbe},

volume = {6},

number = {2},

pages = {100964},

publisher = {Elsevier Ltd},

abstract = {Helminthiases are highly prevalent but neglected infections that affect more than 1·5 billion people worldwide. Considering the worldwide prevalence of helminthiases, WHO has declared them a public health concern since 2001, necessitating rigorous control and elimination efforts. However, only a few reliable point-of-care diagnostic tests are available for assessing the effectiveness of public health interventions targeting helminthiases, thus increasing the risk of suboptimal outcomes, misallocation of resources, and emergence of drug-resistant helminths. This Review provides an introduction on helminthiases and strategies to achieve control, elimination, interruption in transmission, and eradication of these infections. The Review then comprehensively details the existent biosensors that can be used to detect these infections in human samples, focusing on their target biomarkers, the bioreceptors used, and the sensing readouts. The Review concludes with an in-depth discussion on the persistent challenges related to helminthiases, aiming to encourage the development of much-needed diagnostics specific to these neglected infections.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Hu2024,

title = {Harnessing Bioluminescent Bacteria to Develop an Enzymatic-free Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the Detection of Clinically Relevant Biomarkers},

author = {Liming Hu and Marianna Rossetti and José Francisco Bergua and Claudio Parolo and Ruslan Álvarez-Diduk and Lourdes Rivas and Andrea Idili and Arben Merkoçi},

doi = {10.1021/acsami.4c01744},

issn = {19448252},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces},

volume = {16},

number = {24},

pages = {30636–30647},

abstract = {Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is the gold standard technique for measuring protein biomarkers due to its high sensitivity, specificity, and throughput. Despite its success, continuous advancements in ELISA and immunoassay formats are crucial to meet evolving global challenges and to address new analytical needs in diverse applications. To expand the capabilities and applications of immunoassays, we introduce a novel ELISA-like assay that we call Bioluminescent-bacteria-linked immunosorbent assay (BBLISA). BBLISA is an enzyme-free assay that utilizes the inner filter effect between the bioluminescent bacteriaAllivibrio fischeriand metallic nanoparticles (gold nanoparticles and gold iridium oxide nanoflowers) as molecular absorbers. Functionalizing these nanoparticles with antibodies induces their accumulation in wells upon binding to molecular targets, forming the classical immune-sandwich complex. Thanks to their ability to adsorb the light emitted by the bacteria, the nanoparticles can suppress the bioluminescence signal, allowing the rapid quantification of the target. To demonstrate the bioanalytical properties of the novel immunoassay platform, as a proof of principle, we detected two clinically relevant biomarkers (human immunoglobulin G and SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein) in human serum, achieving the same sensitivity and precision as the classic ELISA. We believe that BBLISA can be a promising alternative to the standard ELISA techniques, offering potential advancements in biomarker detection and analysis by combining nanomaterials with a low-cost, portable bioluminescent platform.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Balerdi-Sarasola2024,

title = {Not all severe malaria cases are severe: Is it time to redefine severity criteria for malaria in non-endemic regions?},

author = {Leire Balerdi-Sarasola and Jose Muñoz and Pedro Fleitas and Natalia Rodriguez-Valero and Alex Almuedo-Riera and Alba Antequera and Carme Subirà and Ignacio Grafia-Perez and Maria Ortiz-Fernández and Tessa Alba and Miriam J. Álvarez-Martínez and M. Eugenia Valls and Claudio Parolo and Pedro Castro and Daniel Camprubí-Ferrer},

doi = {10.1016/j.tmaid.2024.102740},

issn = {1477-8939},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease},

volume = {60},

pages = {102740},

abstract = {Background: The current definition of severe malaria in non-endemic areas follows WHO criteria, which mainly target children in malaria-endemic areas, potentially misclassifying cases in non-endemic regions. We assessed the performance of a modified severe malaria classification criteria within our patient cohort. Methods: A cohort study of patients managed for malaria in a non-endemic setting (2005–2023) was analyzed. We classified patients into severe malaria (SM) using WHO 2013 criteria except for hyperparasitemia, where 2 % threshold was applied. Patients with SM were distinguished as very severe malaria (VSM) when presenting at least one of the following conditions: parasitemia >10 %, pulmonary edema, impaired consciousness, seizures, renal failure, metabolic acidosis or hyperlactatemia, shock or hypoglycemia. In patients with SM and no criteria for VSM, less severe malaria (LSM) was defined by: 2–10 % parasitemia, hyperbilirubinemia, prostration, anemia or minor bleeding. The primary composite outcome was death or the need for a life-saving intervention, as analyzed in the three comparative groups. Secondary outcome was the prevalence of co-infections. Results: Among 506 patients with malaria, 176 (34.8 %) presented with SM. A total of 37 (7.3 %) patients developed a life-threatening condition, namely death (n = 4) and/or the need for life-saving interventions (n = 34). All fatalities and 33 out of the 34 life-saving interventions occurred in the VSM group. Patients in LSM group did not develop any life-threatening conditions. As to co-infections, 28 (5.5 %) patients had a community-acquired co-infection, with no differences between groups (p = 0.763). Conclusions: Severity criteria definitions would benefit from a review when assessing patients with malaria in non-endemic areas. Within the spectrum of SM, patients reclassified as LSM have a low risk of developing a life-threatening condition and present low co-infection incidence and could benefit from management out of intensive care units and a restrictive use of empirical antibiotics.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Parolo2023,

title = {Conformational-switch biosensors as novel tools to support continuous, real-time molecular monitoring in lab-on-a-chip devices},

author = {Claudio Parolo and Andrea Idili and Jason Heikenfeld and Kevin W. Plaxco},

url = {https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2023/lc/d2lc00716a https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2023/lc/d2lc00716a},

doi = {10.1039/D2LC00716A},

issn = {14730189},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-03-01},

journal = {Lab on a Chip},

volume = {23},

number = {5},

pages = {1339–1348},

publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry},

abstract = {Recent years have seen continued expansion of the functionality of lab on a chip (LOC) devices. Indeed LOCs now provide scientists and developers with useful and versatile platforms across a myriad of chemical and biological applications. The field still fails, however, to integrate an often important element of bench-top analytics: real-time molecular measurements that can be used to “guide” a chemical response. Here we describe the analytical techniques that could provide LOCs with such real-time molecular monitoring capabilities. It appears to us that, among the approaches that are general (i.e., that are independent of the reactive or optical properties of their targets), sensing strategies relying on binding-induced conformational change of bioreceptors are most likely to succeed in such applications.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Rivas2023,

title = {Rational Approach to Tailor Au–IrO2 Nanoflowers as Colorimetric Labels for Lateral Flow Assays},

author = {Lourdes Rivas and Liming Hu and Claudio Parolo and Andrea Idili and Arben Merkoçi},

doi = {10.1021/acsanm.2c04915},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-03-01},

journal = {ACS Applied Nano Materials},

volume = {6},

number = {6},

pages = {4151–4161},

publisher = {American Chemical Society},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Scroccarello2023,

title = {One-Step Laser Nanostructuration of Reduced Graphene Oxide Films Embedding Metal Nanoparticles for Sensing Applications},

author = {Annalisa Scroccarello and Ruslan Álvarez-Diduk and Flavio Della Pelle and Cecilia Silva and Andrea Idili and Claudio Parolo and Dario Compagnone and Arben Merkoçi},

url = {https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acssensors.2c01782},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1021/acssensors.2c01782},

issn = {23793694},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-02-01},

journal = {ACS Sensors},

volume = {8},

number = {2},

pages = {598–609},

publisher = {American Chemical Society},

abstract = {The combination of two-dimensional materials and metal nanoparticles (MNPs) allows the fabrication of novel nanocomposites with unique physical/chemical properties exploitable in high-performance smart devices and biosensing strategies. Current methods to obtain graphene-based films decorated with noble MNPs are cumbersome, poorly reproducible, and difficult to scale up. Herein, we propose a straightforward, versatile, surfactant-free, and single-step technique to produce reduced graphene oxide (rGO) conductive films integrating “naked” noble MNPs. This method relies on the instantaneous laser-induced co-reduction of graphene oxide and metal cations, resulting in highly exfoliated rGO nanosheets embedding gold, silver, and platinum NPs. The production procedure has been optimized, and the obtained nanomaterials are fully characterized; the hybrid nanosheets have been easily transferred onto lab-made screen-printed electrodes preserving their nanoarchitecture. The Au@rGO-, Ag@rGO-, and Pt@rGO-based electrodes have been challenged to detect caffeic acid, nitrite, and hydrogen peroxide in model solutions and real samples. The sensors yielded quantitative responses (R2 ≥ 0.997) with sub-micromolar limits of detections (LODs ≤ 0.6 μM) for all the analytes, allowing accurate quantification in samples (recoveries ≥ 90%; RSD ≤ 14.8%},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Balerdi-Sarasola2023,

title = {Host biomarkers for early identification of severe imported Plasmodium falciparum malaria},

author = {L. Balerdi-Sarasola and C. Parolo and P. Fleitas and A. Cruz and C. Subirà and N. Rodríguez-Valero and A. Almuedo-Riera and L. Letona and M. J. Álvarez-Martínez and M. Eugenia Valls and I. Vera and A. Mayor and J. Muñoz and D. Camprubí-Ferrer},

doi = {10.1016/j.tmaid.2023.102608},

issn = {1477-8939},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease},

volume = {54},

pages = {102608},

abstract = {Background: Severe imported P. falciparum malaria is a source of morbi-mortality in non-endemic regions. WHO criteria don't accurately classify patients at risk of complications. There is a need to evaluate new tools such as biomarkers to better identify patients with severe imported malaria. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in Barcelona, from January 2011–January 2021. Adult patients with microbiologically confirmed P. falciparum malaria were classified according to WHO criteria. Patients with imported non-malarial fevers were included as controls. In each group, angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (sTREM-1), C-reactive protein (CRP) and platelets were measured and their concentrations were compared between groups. New groups were made with a modified WHO severity classification and biomarkers' performance was evaluated using multiple imputation models. Results: 131 participants were included: 52 severe malaria, 30 uncomplicated malaria and 49 non-malarial fever cases. All biomarkers except sTREM-1 showed significant differences between groups. Using the modified WHO severity classification, Ang-2 and CRP presented the best AUROC; 0.79 (95%CI 0.64–0.94) and 0.80(95%CI 0.67–0.93). A model combining CRP and Ang-2 showed the best AUROC, of 0.84(95%CI 0.68–0.99), with the highest sensitivity and specificity: 84.6%(95%CI 58.9–98.1) and 77.4% (95%CI 65.9–87.7), respectively. Conclusions: The combination of Ang-2 and CRP may be a reliable tool for the early identification of severe imported malaria. The use of a rapid prognostic test including the mentioned biomarkers could optimize imported malaria management, with the potential to decrease the rate of complications and hospitalizations in patients with imported malaria.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Sena-Torralba2022,

title = {Toward Next Generation Lateral Flow Assays: Integration of Nanomaterials},

author = {Amadeo Sena-Torralba and Ruslan Álvarez-Diduk and Claudio Parolo and Andrew Piper and Arben Merkoçi},

url = {https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c01012},

doi = {10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c01012},

issn = {15206890},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-09-01},

journal = {Chemical Reviews},

volume = {122},

number = {18},

pages = {14881–14910},

publisher = {American Chemical Society},

abstract = {Lateral flow assays (LFAs) are currently the most used point-of-care sensors for both diagnostic (e.g., pregnancy test, COVID-19 monitoring) and environmental (e.g., pesticides and bacterial monitoring) applications. Although the core of LFA technology was developed several decades ago, in recent years the integration of novel nanomaterials as signal transducers or receptor immobilization platforms has brought improved analytical capabilities. In this Review, we present how nanomaterial-based LFAs can address the inherent challenges of point-of-care (PoC) diagnostics such as sensitivity enhancement, lowering of detection limits, multiplexing, and quantification of analytes in complex samples. Specifically, we highlight the strategies that can synergistically solve the limitations of current LFAs and that have proven commercial feasibility. Finally, we discuss the barriers toward commercialization and the next generation of LFAs.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Pereira2022,

title = {Paper-based biosensors for cancer diagnostics},

author = {Claudia Pereira and Claudio Parolo and Andrea Idili and Roger R. Gomis and Lígia Rodrigues and Goreti Sales and Arben Merkoçi},

doi = {10.1016/J.TRECHM.2022.03.005},

issn = {2589-5974},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-06-01},

journal = {Trends in Chemistry},

volume = {4},

number = {6},

pages = {554–567},

publisher = {Cell Press},

abstract = {The implementation of a wide diagnostic campaign to diagnose cancer early could save millions of lives and billions of dollars every year. Unfortunately, cancer diagnosis is extremely complicated and current approaches rely on the use of expensive equipment and specialized personnel, which hamper their deployment in low- and middle-income settings. Here, we analyze the technical challenges that must be overcome to achieve precise cancer diagnostics and we describe how such hurdles have limited the development of point-of-care (PoC) sensors. Then, we explain why we believe recent achievements in the field of paper-based sensors could allow their use as widely available sensing platforms for cancer detection. Finally, we present our vision of what should be done in order to make paper-based sensors widely used diagnostics platforms for cancer.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Idili2022,

title = {A Programmable Electrochemical Y‐Shaped DNA Scaffold Sensor for the Single‐Step Detection of Antibodies and Proteins in Untreated Biological Fluids},

author = {Andrea Idili and Andrea Bonini and Claudio Parolo and Ruslán Alvarez‐Diduk and Fabio Di Francesco and Arben Merkoçi},

doi = {10.1002/ADFM.202201881},

issn = {1616-301X},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-06-01},

journal = {Advanced Functional Materials},

volume = {32},

number = {37},

pages = {2201881},

publisher = {Wiley},

abstract = {Proteins and antibodies are key biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring specific medical conditions. Currently, gold standard techniques used for their quantification require laborious multi-step procedures, involving high costs and slow response times. It is possible to overcome these limitations by exploiting the chemistry and programmability of DNA to design a reagentless electrochemical sensing platform. Specifically, three DNA single strands are engineered that can self-assemble into a Y-shaped DNA nanostructure that resembles one of the IgGs. In order to convert this DNA nanostructure into a responsive DNA-scaffold bioreceptor, it is modified including two recognition elements, two redox tag molecules, and a thiol group. In the absence of the target, the scaffold receptor can efficiently collide with the electrode surface and generate a strong electrochemical signal. The presence of the target induces its bivalent binding, which produces steric hindrance interactions that limit the receptor's collisional activity. In its bound state, the redox tags can therefore approach the surface at a slower rate, leading to a signal decrease that is quantitatively related to the target concentration. The Y-shape DNA scaffold sensor can detect nanomolar concentrations of antibodies and proteins in <15 min with a single-step procedure directly in untreated biological fluids.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Rosati2022,

title = {A plug, print & play inkjet printing and impedance-based biosensing technology operating through a smartphone for clinical diagnostics},

author = {Giulio Rosati and Massimo Urban and Lei Zhao and Qiuyue Yang and Cecilia Silva and Stefano Bonaldo and Claudio Parolo and Emily P. Nguyen and Gabriel Ortega and Paolo Fornasiero and Alessandro Paccagnella and Arben Merkoçi},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2021.113737},

doi = {10.1016/j.bios.2021.113737},

issn = {18734235},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

journal = {Biosensors and Bioelectronics},

volume = {196},

pages = {113737},

publisher = {Elsevier B.V.},

abstract = {Simplicity is one of the key feature for the spread of any successful technological product. Here, a method for rapid and low-cost fabrication of electrochemical biosensors is presented. This “plug, print & play” method involves inkjet-printing even in an office-like environment, without the need of highly specialized expertise or equipment, guaranteeing an ultra-fast idea to (scaled) prototype production time. The printed biosensors can be connected to a smartphone through its audio input for their impedance readout, demonstrating the validity of the system for point-of-care biosensing. Proper electrodes layout guarantees high sensitivity and is validated by finite element simulations. The introduction of a passivation method (wax printing) allowed to complete the devices fabrication process, increasing their sensitivity. Indeed, the wax allowed reducing the interference related to the parasitic currents flowing through the permeable coating of the employed substrates, which was used for the chemical sintering, thus avoiding the common thermal treatment after printing. As a case study, we used the devices to develop an electrochemical aptamer-based sensor for the rapid detection of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in urine – a clinically important marker of acute kidney injury. The aptasensor platform is capable of detecting clinically relevant concentrations of NGAL with a simple and rapid smartphone readout. The developed technology may be extended in the future to continuous monitoring, taking advantage of its flexibility to integrate it in tubes, or to other diagnostic applications where cost/efficiency and rapidity of the research, development and implementation of point of care devices is a must.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Chamorro-Garcia2022,

title = {The sequestration mechanism as a generalizable approach to improve the sensitivity of biosensors and bioassays},

author = {Alejandro Chamorro-Garcia and Claudio Parolo and Gabriel Ortega and Andrea Idili and Joshua Green and Francesco Ricci and Kevin W. Plaxco},

doi = {10.1039/d2sc03901j},

issn = {20416539},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

journal = {Chemical Science},

volume = {13},

number = {41},

pages = {12219–12228},

publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry},

abstract = {Biosensors and bioassays, both of which employ proteins and nucleic acids to detect specific molecular targets, have seen significant applications in both biomedical research and clinical practice. This success is largely due to the extraordinary versatility, affinity, and specificity of biomolecular recognition. Nevertheless, these receptors suffer from an inherent limitation: single, saturable binding sites exhibit a hyperbolic relationship (the “Langmuir isotherm”) between target concentration and receptor occupancy, which in turn limits the sensitivity of these technologies to small variations in target concentration. To overcome this and generate more responsive biosensors and bioassays, here we have used the sequestration mechanism to improve the steepness of the input/output curves of several bioanalytical methods. As our test bed for this we employed sensors and assays against neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), a kidney biomarker for which enhanced sensitivity will improve the monitoring of kidney injury. Specifically, by introducing sequestration we have improved the responsiveness of an electrochemical aptamer based (EAB) biosensor, and two bioassays, a paper-based “dipstick” assay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Doing so we have narrowed the dynamic range of these sensors and assays several-fold, thus enhancing their ability to measure small changes in target concentration. Given that introducing sequestration requires only the addition of the appropriate concentration of a high-affinity “depletant,” the mechanism appears simple and easily adaptable to tuning the binding properties of the receptors employed in a wide range of biosensors and bioassays.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Hu2022,

title = {Selection and characterisation of bioreceptors to develop nanoparticle-based lateral-flow immunoassays in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak},

author = {Liming Hu and Enric Calucho and Celia Fuentes-Chust and Claudio Parolo and Andrea Idili and Ruslan Álvarez-Diduk and Lourdes Rivas and Arben Merkoçi},

doi = {10.1039/d2lc00486k},

issn = {14730189},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

journal = {Lab on a Chip},

volume = {22},

number = {16},

pages = {2938–2943},

publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry},

abstract = {This manuscript aims at raising the attention of the scientific community to the need for better characterised bioreceptors for fast development of point-of-care diagnostic devices able to support mass frequency testing. Particularly, we present the difficulties encountered in finding suitable antibodies for the development of a lateral flow assay for detecting the nucleoprotein of SARS-CoV-2.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Sena-Torralba2022a,

title = {A Novel Ratiometric Fluorescent Approach for the Modulation of the Dynamic Range of Lateral Flow Immunoassays},

author = {Amadeo Sena-Torralba and Helena Torné-Morató and Claudio Parolo and Saba Ranjbar and Mohammad Amin Farahmand Nejad and Ruslan Álvarez-Diduk and Andrea Idili and Mohammad Reza Hormozi-Nezhad and Arben Merkoçi},

url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/admt.202101450 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/admt.202101450 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/admt.202101450},

doi = {10.1002/ADMT.202101450},

issn = {2365-709X},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

journal = {Advanced Materials Technologies},

volume = {7},

pages = {2101450},

publisher = {John Wiley & Sons, Ltd},

abstract = {The majority of lateral flow assays (LFAs) use single-color optical labels to provide a qualitative naked-eye detection, however this detection method displays two important limitations. First, the use of a single-color label makes the LFA prone to results misinterpretation. Second, it does not allow the precise modulation of the sensitivity and dynamic range of the test. To overcome these limitations, a ratiometric approach is developed. In particular, using anti-HIgG functionalized red-fluorescent quantum dots on the conjugate pad (as target dependent labels) and blue-fluorescent nanoparticles fixed on the test line (as target independent reporters), it is possible to generate a wide color palette (blue, purple, pink, red) on the test line. It is believed that this strategy will facilitate the development of LFAs by easily adjusting their analytical properties to the needs required by the specific application.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Bergua2022,

title = {Low-Cost, User-Friendly, All-Integrated Smartphone-Based Microplate Reader for Optical-Based Biological and Chemical Analyses},

author = {José Francisco Bergua and Ruslán Álvarez-Diduk and Andrea Idili and Claudio Parolo and Marc Maymó and Liming Hu and Arben Merkoçi},

doi = {10.1021/acs.analchem.1c04491},

issn = {15206882},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

journal = {Analytical Chemistry},

volume = {94},

number = {2},

pages = {1271–1285},

abstract = {The quantitative detection of different molecular targets is of utmost importance for a variety of human activities, ranging from healthcare to environmental studies. Bioanalytical methods have been developed to solve this and to achieve the quantification of multiple targets from small volume samples. Generally, they can be divided into two different classes: point of care (PoC) and laboratory-based approaches. The former is rapid, low-cost, and user-friendly; however, the majority of the tests are semiquantitative, lacking in specificity and sensitivity. On the contrary, laboratory-based approaches provide high sensitivity and specificity, but the bulkiness of experimental instruments and complicated protocols hamper their use in resource-limited settings. In response, here we propose a smartphone-based device able to support laboratory-based optical techniques directly at the point of care. Specifically, we designed and fabricated a portable microplate reader that supports colorimetric, fluorescence, luminescence, and turbidity analyses. To demonstrate the potential of the device, we characterized its analytical performance by detecting a variety of relevant molecular targets (ranging from antibodies, toxins, drugs, and classic fluorophore dyes) and we showed how the estimated results are comparable to those obtained from a commercial microplate reader. Thanks to its low cost (<$300), portability (27 cm [length] × 18 cm [width] × 7 cm [height]), commercially available components, and open-source-based system, we believe it represents a valid approach to bring high-precision laboratory-based analysis at the point of care.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Rosati2021,

title = {Nanodiagnostics to Face SARS-CoV-2 and Future Pandemics: From an Idea to the Market and Beyond},

author = {Giulio Rosati and Andrea Idili and Claudio Parolo and Celia Fuentes-Chust and Enric Calucho and Liming Hu and Cecilia De Carvalho Castro E Silva and Lourdes Rivas and Emily P. Nguyen and José F. Bergua and Ruslan Alvárez-Diduk and José Muñoz and Christophe Junot and Oriol Penon and Dominique Monferrer and Emmanuel Delamarche and Arben Merkoçi},

url = {https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsnano.1c06839},

doi = {10.1021/ACSNANO.1C06839},

issn = {1936086X},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-11-01},

journal = {ACS Nano},

volume = {15},

number = {11},

pages = {17137–17149},

publisher = {American Chemical Society},

abstract = {The COVID-19 pandemic made clear how our society requires quickly available tools to address emerging healthcare issues. Diagnostic assays and devices are used every day to screen for COVID-19 posi...},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Fuentes-Chust2021,

title = {The Microbiome Meets Nanotechnology: Opportunities and Challenges in Developing New Diagnostic Devices},

author = {Celia Fuentes-Chust and Claudio Parolo and Giulio Rosati and Lourdes Rivas and Karla Perez-Toralla and Stéphanie Simon and Itziar Lecuona and Christophe Junot and Jonel Trebicka and Arben Merkoçi},

url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adma.202006104 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/adma.202006104 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adma.202006104},

doi = {10.1002/ADMA.202006104},

issn = {1521-4095},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-05-01},

journal = {Advanced Materials},

volume = {33},

number = {18},

pages = {2006104},

publisher = {John Wiley & Sons, Ltd},

abstract = {Monitoring of the human microbiome is an emerging area of diagnostics for personalized medicine. Here, the potential of different nanomaterials and nanobiosensing technologies is reviewed for the development of novel diagnostic devices for the detection and measurement of microbiome-related biomarkers. Moreover, the current and future landscape of microbiome-based diagnostics is defined by exploring the advantages and disadvantages of current nanotechnology-based approaches, especially in the context of developing point-of-care (PoC) devices that would meet the international guidelines known as REASSURED (Real-time connectivity; Ease of specimen collection; Affordability; Sensitivity; Specificity; User-friendliness; Rapid & robust operation; Equipment-free; and Deliverability). Finally, the strategies of the latest international scientific consortia working in this field are analyzed, the current microbiome diagnostics market are reported and the principal ethical, legal, and societal issues related to microbiome R&D and innovation are discussed.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Sena-Torralba2021,

title = {Paper-Based Electrophoretic Bioassay: Biosensing in Whole Blood Operating via Smartphone},

author = {Amadeo Sena-Torralba and Ruslan Alvarez-Diduk and Claudio Parolo and Helena Torné-Morató and Alexander Müller and Arben Merkoçi},

url = {https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.analchem.0c04330},

doi = {10.1021/acs.analchem.0c04330},

issn = {0003-2700},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-02-01},

journal = {Analytical Chemistry},

volume = {93},

number = {6},

pages = {3112–3212},

publisher = {American Chemical Society},

abstract = {Point-of-care (PoC) tests are practical and effective diagnostic solutions for major clinical problems, ranging from the monitoring of a pandemic to recurrent or simple measurements. Although, in r...},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Bergua2021,

title = {Lateral flow device for water fecal pollution assessment: From troubleshooting of its microfluidics using bioluminescence to colorimetric monitoring of genericEscherichia coli},

author = {José Francisco Bergua and Liming Hu and Celia Fuentes-Chust and Ruslan Álvarez-Diduk and Abdelrahim H. A. Hassan and Claudio Parolo and Arben Merkoçi},

doi = {10.1039/d1lc00090j},

issn = {14730189},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-01-01},

journal = {Lab on a Chip},

volume = {21},

number = {12},

pages = {2417–2426},

publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry},

abstract = {Water is the most important ingredient of life. Water fecal pollution threatens water quality worldwide and has direct detrimental effects on human health and the global economy. Nowadays, assessment of water fecal pollution relies on time-consuming techniques that often require well-trained personnel and highly-equipped laboratories. Therefore, faster, cheaper, and easily-used systems are needed toin situmonitor water fecal pollution. Herein, we have developed colorimetric lateral flow strips (LFS) able to detect and quantifyEscherichia colispecies in tap, river, and sewage water samples as an indicator of fecal pollution. The combination of LFS with a simple water filtration unit and a commercially available colorimetric reader enhanced the assay sensitivity and enabled more accurate quantification of bacteria concentration down to 104CFU mL−1in 10 minutes, yielding recovery percentages between 80% and 90% for all water samples analyzed. Overall, this system allows for monitoring and assessing water quality based onE. colispecies as a standard microbiological indicator of fecal pollution. Furthermore, we have developed a novel bioluminescent, bacteria-based method to quickly characterize the performance of a great variety of LFS materials. This new method allows evaluating the flow rate of big analytes such as bacteria through the LFS materials, as a suggestive means for selecting the appropriate materials for fabricating LFS targeting big analytes (≈2 μm). As a whole, the proposed approach can accelerate and reduce the costs of water quality monitoring and pave the way for further improvement of fecal pollution detection systems.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Idili2021,

title = {Rapid and Efficient Detection of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Using an Electrochemical Aptamer-Based Sensor},

author = {Andrea Idili and Claudio Parolo and Ruslán Alvarez-Diduk and Arben Merkoçi},

doi = {10.1021/acssensors.1c01222},

issn = {23793694},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-01-01},

journal = {ACS Sensors},

volume = {6},

number = {8},

pages = {3093–3101},

abstract = {The availability of sensors able to rapidly detect SARS-CoV-2 directly in biological fluids in a single step would allow performing massive diagnostic testing to track in real time and contain the spread of COVID-19. Motivated by this, here, we developed an electrochemical aptamer-based (EAB) sensor able to achieve the rapid, reagentless, and quantitative measurement of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein. First, we demonstrated the ability of the selected aptamer to undergo a binding-induced conformational change in the presence of its target using fluorescence spectroscopy. Then, we engineered the aptamer to work as a bioreceptor in the EAB platform and we demonstrated its sensitivity and specificity. Finally, to demonstrate the clinical potential of the sensor, we tested it directly in biological fluids (serum and artificial saliva), achieving the rapid (minutes) and single-step detection of the S protein in its clinical range.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{FarahmandNejad2021,

title = {Electrochromism: An emerging and promising approach in (bio)sensing technology},

author = {Mohammad Amin Farahmand Nejad and Saba Ranjbar and Claudio Parolo and Emily P. Nguyen and Ruslan Álvarez-Diduk and Mohammad Reza Hormozi-Nezhad and Arben Merkoçi},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mattod.2021.06.015},

doi = {10.1016/j.mattod.2021.06.015},

issn = {18734103},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-01-01},

journal = {Materials Today},

volume = {50},

pages = {476–498},

publisher = {Elsevier Ltd},

abstract = {Electrochromism (EC) is a unique property of certain materials that undergo an electrochemical-induced change in colouration. During the last decades, electrochromic materials (ECMs) have been applied in a variety of technologies ranging from smart windows to information displays and energy storage devices. More recently, ECMs have attracted the attention of the (bio)sensing community thanks to their ability to combine the sensitivity of electrochemical methods with the intuitive readout of optical sensors. Although still a nascent technology, EC-based sensors are on the rise with several targets (e.g. cancer biomarkers, bacteria, metabolites and pesticides), which have already been detected by (bio)sensors using ECMs as transducers. In this review, we provide the reader with all the information to understand EC and its use in the development of EC-based biosensors.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Parolo2020a,

title = {E-DNA scaffold sensors and the reagentless, single-step, measurement of HIV-diagnostic antibodies in human serum},

author = {Claudio Parolo and Ava S. Greenwood and Nathan E. Ogden and Di Kang and Chase Hawes and Gabriel Ortega and Netzahualcóyotl Arroyo-Currás and Kevin W. Plaxco},

url = {http://www.nature.com/articles/s41378-019-0119-5},

doi = {10.1038/s41378-019-0119-5},

issn = {2055-7434},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-12-01},

journal = {Microsystems & Nanoengineering},

volume = {6},

number = {1},

pages = {13},

publisher = {Nature Publishing Group},

abstract = {The multiplexed, point-of-care measurement of specific antibodies could improve the speed with which diseases are diagnosed and their treatment initiated. To this end, we are developing E-DNA scaffold sensors, which consist of a rigid, nucleic acid “scaffold” attached on one end to an electrode and presenting both a redox reporter and an epitope on the other. In the absence of antibody, the reporter efficiently transfers electrons when interrogated electrochemically. Binding-induced steric hindrance limits movement, reducing electron transfer in a manner that is both easily measured and quantitatively related to target concentration. Previously we have used monoclonal antibodies to explore the analytical performance of E-DNA sensors, showing that they support the rapid, single-step, quantitative detection of multiple antibodies in small volume samples. Here, in contrast, we employ authentic human samples to better explore the platform's clinical potential. Specifically, we developed E-DNA sensors targeting three HIV-specific antibodies and then compared the analytical and clinical performance of these against those of gold standard serological techniques. Doing so we find that, although the multistep amplification of an ELISA leads to a lower detection limits, the clinical sensitivity of ELISAs, E-DNA sensors and lateral-flow dipsticks are indistinguishable across our test set. It thus appears that, by merging the quantitation and multiplexing of ELISAs with the convenience and speed of dipsticks, E-DNA scaffold sensors could significantly improve on current serological practice. A single-step, electrochemical-based device has the ability to detect and measure the amount of HIV antibodies in clinical samples. There is an ever-growing need for tools that can diagnose diseases accurately, quickly and at point-of-care. The group of Kevin Plaxco at University of California Santa Barbara has previously demonstrated an E-DNA scaffold sensor for quantifying antibodies, but it had not been tested on real clinical samples. Now, they demonstrate that it can detect several antibodies for the diagnosis of HIV in clinical samples, and benchmark it against traditional gold standard techniques. The E-DNA sensor achieves 90% sensitivity and 100% specificity for the tested antibodies, values identical to those obtained using standard ELISA and lateral flow immunoassays when challenged with the same sample set.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Parolo2020b,

title = {Real-Time Monitoring of a Protein Biomarker},

author = {Claudio Parolo and Andrea Idili and Gabriel Ortega and Andrew Csordas and Alex Hsu and Netzahualcóyotl Arroyo-Currás and Qin Yang and Brian Scott Ferguson and Jinpeng Wang and Kevin W. Plaxco},

url = {https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssensors.0c01085},

doi = {10.1021/acssensors.0c01085},

issn = {2379-3694},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-07-01},

journal = {ACS Sensors},

volume = {5},

number = {7},

pages = {1877–1881},

publisher = {American Chemical Society},

abstract = {The ability to monitor protein biomarkers continuously and in real-time would significantly advance the precision of medicine. Current protein-detection techniques, however, including ELISA and lat...},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Sena-Torralba2020,

title = {Lateral flow assay modified with time-delay wax barriers as a sensitivity and signal enhancement strategy},

author = {Amadeo Sena-Torralba and Duy Ba Ngo and Claudio Parolo and Liming Hu and Ruslan Álvarez-Diduk and José Francisco Bergua and Giulio Rosati and Werasak Surareungchai and Arben Merkoçi},

doi = {10.1016/j.bios.2020.112559},

issn = {18734235},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-01-01},

journal = {Biosensors and Bioelectronics},

volume = {168},

pages = {112559},

abstract = {The ease of use, low cost and quick operation of lateral flow assays (LFA) have made them some of the most common point of care biosensors in a variety of fields. However, their generally low sensitivity has limited their use for more challenging applications, where the detection of low analytic concentrations is required. Here we propose the use of soluble wax barriers to selectively and temporarily accumulate the target and label nanoparticles on top of the test line (TL). This extended internal incubation step promotes the formation of the immune-complex, generating a 51.7-fold sensitivity enhancement, considering the limit of quantification, and up to 96% signal enhancement compared to the conventional LFA for Human IgG (H-IgG) detection.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Parolo2020,

title = {Tutorial: design and fabrication of nanoparticle-based lateral-flow immunoassays},

author = {Claudio Parolo and Amadeo Sena-Torralba and J. F. José Francisco Bergua and Enric Calucho and Celia Fuentes-Chust and Liming Hu and Lourdes Rivas and Ruslan Álvarez-Diduk and Emily P. E. P. Nguyen and Stefano Cinti and Daniel Quesada-González and Arben Merkoçi},

doi = {10.1038/s41596-020-0357-x},

issn = {17502799},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-01-01},

journal = {Nature Protocols},

publisher = {Springer US},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Cinti2020,

title = {Experimental Comparison in Sensing Breast Cancer Mutations by Signal on and Signal off Paper-Based Electroanalytical Strips},

author = {Stefano Cinti and Giulia Cinotti and Claudio Parolo and Emily P. Nguyen and Veronica Caratelli and Danila Moscone and Fabiana Arduini and Arben Merkoci},

url = {https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.9b02560},

doi = {10.1021/acs.analchem.9b02560},

issn = {15206882},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-01-01},

journal = {Analytical Chemistry},

volume = {92},

number = {2},

pages = {1674–1679},

publisher = {American Chemical Society},

abstract = {The development of paper-based electroanalytical strips as powerful diagnostic tools has gained a lot of attention within the sensor community. In particular, the detection of nucleic acids in complex matrices represents a trending topic, especially when focused toward the development of emerging technologies, such as liquid biopsy. DNA-based biosensors have been largely applied in this direction, and currently, there are two main approaches based on target/probe hybridization reported in the literature, namely Signal ON and Signal OFF. In this technical note, the two approaches are evaluated in combination with paper-based electrodes, using a single strand DNA relative to H1047R (A3140G) missense mutation in exon 20 in breast cancer as the model target. A detailed comparison among the analytical performances, detection protocol, and cost associated with the two systems is provided, highlighting the advantages and drawbacks depending on the application. The present work is aimed to a wide audience, particularly for those in the field of point-of-care, and it is intended to provide the know-how to manage with the design and development stages, and to optimize the platform for the sensing of nucleic acids using a paper-based detection method.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Idili2019a,

title = {Calibration-Free Measurement of Phenylalanine Levels in the Blood Using an Electrochemical Aptamer-Based Sensor Suitable for Point-of-Care Applications},

author = {Andrea Idili and Claudio Parolo and Gabriel Ortega and Kevin W. Plaxco},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31789505/},

doi = {10.1021/acssensors.9b01703},

issn = {23793694},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-12-01},

journal = {ACS Sensors},

volume = {4},

number = {12},

pages = {3227–3233},

publisher = {American Chemical Society},

abstract = {By analogy to the revolution the "home glucose monitor" created in the treatment of diabetes, the availability of a modular, "platform" technology able to measure nearly any metabolite, biomarker, or drug "at-home" in unprocessed, finger-prick volumes of whole blood could revolutionize the monitoring and treatment of disease. Thus motivated, we have adapted here the electrochemical aptamer-based sensing platform to the problem of rapidly and conveniently measuring the level of phenylalanine in the blood, an ability that would aid the monitoring and management of phenylketonuria (PKU). To achieve this, we exploited a previously reported DNA aptamer that recognizes phenylalanine in complex with a rhodium-based "receptor" that improves affinity. We re-engineered this to undergo a large-scale, binding-induced conformational change before modifying it with a methylene blue redox reporter and attaching it to a gold electrode that supports the appropriate electrochemical interrogation. The resultant sensor achieves a useful dynamic range of 90 nM to 7 μM. When challenged with finger-prick-scale sample volumes of the whole blood (diluted 1000-fold to match the sensor's dynamic range), the device achieves the accurate (±20%), calibration-free measurement of blood phenylalanine levels in minutes.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Curtis2019,

title = {Open Source Software for the Real-Time Control, Processing, and Visualization of High-Volume Electrochemical Data},

author = {Samuel D. Curtis and Kyle L. Ploense and Martin Kurnik and Gabriel Ortega and Claudio Parolo and Tod E. Kippin and Kevin W. Plaxco and Netzahualcóyotl Arroyo-Currás},

url = {https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.analchem.9b02553},

doi = {10.1021/acs.analchem.9b02553},

issn = {0003-2700},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-10-01},

journal = {Analytical Chemistry},

volume = {91},

number = {19},

pages = {12321–12328},

publisher = {American Chemical Society},

abstract = {Electrochemical sensors are major players in the race for improved molecular diagnostics due to their convenience, temporal resolution, manufacturing scalability, and their ability to support real-time measurements. This is evident in the ever-increasing number of health-related electrochemical sensing platforms, ranging from single-measurement point-of-care devices to wearable devices supporting immediate and continuous monitoring. In support of the need for such systems to rapidly process large data volumes, we describe here an open-source, easily customizable, multiplatform compatible program for the real-time control, processing, and visualization of electrochemical data. The software's architecture is modular and fully documented, allowing the easy customization of the code to support the processing of voltammetric (e.g., square-wave and cyclic) and chronoamperometric data. The program, which we have called Software for the Analysis and Continuous Monitoring of Electrochemical Systems (SACMES), also ...},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Idili2019,

title = {An electrochemical aptamer-based sensor for the rapid and convenient measurement of l-tryptophan},

author = {Andrea Idili and Julian Gerson and Claudio Parolo and Tod Kippin and K. W. Kevin W. Plaxco},

url = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00216-019-01645-0},

doi = {10.1007/s00216-019-01645-0},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-07-01},

journal = {Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry},

volume = {411},

number = {19},

pages = {4629–4635},

publisher = {Springer Berlin Heidelberg},

abstract = {© 2019, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature. The field of precision medicine—the possibility to accurately tailor pharmacological treatments to each specific patient—would be significantly advanced by the ability to rapidly, conveniently, and cost-effectively measure biomarkers directly at the point of care. Electrochemical aptamer-based (E-AB) sensors appear a promising approach to this end due to their low cost, ease of use, and good analytical performance in complex clinical samples. Thus motivated, we present here the development of an E-AB sensor for the measurement of the amino acid l-tryptophan, a diagnostic marker indicative of a number of metabolic and mental health disorders, in urine. The sensor employs a previously reported DNA aptamer able to recognize the complex formed between tryptophan and a rhodium-based receptor. We adopted the aptamer to the E-AB sensing platform by truncating it, causing it to undergo a binding-induced conformational change, modifying it with a redox-reporting methylene blue, and attaching it to an interrogating electrode. The resulting sensor is able to measure tryptophan concentrations in the micromolar range in minutes and readily discriminates between its target and other aromatic and non-aromatic amino acids. Using it, we demonstrate the measurement of clinically relevant tryptophan levels in synthetic urine in a process requiring only a single dilution step. The speed and convenience with which this is achieved suggest that the E-AB platform could significantly improve the ease and frequency with which metabolic diseases are monitored. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ranjbar2019,

title = {Smart Chip for Visual Detection of Bacteria Using the Electrochromic Properties of Polyaniline},

author = {S. Ranjbar and M. A. F. Nejad and C. Parolo and S. Shahrokhian and A. Merkoçi},

doi = {10.1021/acs.analchem.9b03407},

issn = {15206882},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-01-01},

journal = {Analytical Chemistry},

volume = {91},

number = {23},

pages = {14960–14966},

abstract = {Copyright © 2019 American Chemical Society. Finding fast and reliable ways to detect pathogenic bacteria is crucial for addressing serious public health issues in clinical, environmental, and food settings. Here, we present a novel assay based on the conversion of an electrochemical signal into a more convenient optical readout for the visual detection of Escherichia coli. Electropolymerizing polyaniline (PANI) on an indium tin oxide screen-printed electrode (ITO SPE), we achieved not only the desired electrochromic behavior but also a convenient way to modify the electrode surface with antibodies (taking advantage of the many amine groups of PANI). Applying a constant potential to the PANI-modified ITO SPE induces a change in their oxidation state, which in turn generates a color change on the electrode surface. The presence of E. coli on the electrode surface increases the resistance in the circuit affecting the PANI oxidation states, producing a different electrochromic response. Using this electrochromic sensor, we could measure concentrations of E. coli spanning 4 orders of magnitude with a limit of detection of 102 colony forming unit per 1 mL (CFU mL-1) by the naked eye and 101 CFU mL-1 using ImageJ software. In this work we show that merging the sensitivity of electrochemistry with the user-friendliness of an optical readout can generate a new and powerful class of biosensors, with potentially unlimited applications in a variety of fields.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ogden2019,

title = {An electrochemical scaffold sensor for rapid syphilis diagnosis},

author = {N. E. Ogden and M. Kurnik and C. Parolo and K. W. Plaxco},

doi = {10.1039/c9an00455f},

issn = {13645528},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-01-01},

journal = {Analyst},

volume = {144},

number = {17},

pages = {5277–5283},

abstract = {© 2019 The Royal Society of Chemistry. The faster a disease can be diagnosed, the sooner effective treatment can be initiated, motivating a drive to replace standard laboratory techniques with point-of-care technologies that return answers in minutes rather than hours. Thus motivated, we describe the development of an E-DNA scaffold sensor for the rapid and convenient measurement of antibodies diagnostic of syphilis. To achieve this (and in contrast to previous sensors of this class, which relied on single, linear epitopes for detection), we utilized a near full-length antigen as the sensor's recognition element, allowing us to simultaneously display multiple epitopes. The resultant sensor is able to detect antibodies against Treponema pallidum pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, at clinically relevant concentrations in samples in less than 10 min. Preliminary results obtained using sero-positive and sero-negative human samples suggest the clinical sensitivity and specificity of the approach compare well to current gold-standard tests, while being simple and rapid enough to deploy at the point of care.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Miller2018,

title = {Quantifying Biomolecular Binding Constants using Video Paper Analytical Devices},

author = {Benjamin S. Miller and Claudio Parolo and Valérian Turbé and Candice E. Keane and Eleanor R. Gray and Rachel A. McKendry},

url = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/chem.201802394},

doi = {10.1002/chem.201802394},

issn = {09476539},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-07-01},

journal = {Chemistry - A European Journal},

volume = {24},

number = {39},

pages = {9783–9787},

publisher = {John Wiley & Sons, Ltd},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Kang2018,

title = {Expanding the Scope of Protein-Detecting Electrochemical DNA “Scaffold” Sensors},

author = {Di Kang and Claudio Parolo and Sheng Sun and Nathan E. Ogden and Frederick W. Dahlquist and Kevin W. Plaxco},

url = {http://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssensors.8b00311},

doi = {10.1021/acssensors.8b00311},

issn = {2379-3694},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-07-01},

journal = {ACS Sensors},

volume = {3},

number = {7},

pages = {1271–1275},

publisher = {American Chemical Society},

abstract = {The ability to measure the levels of diagnostically relevant proteins, such as antibodies, directly at the point of care could significantly impact healthcare. Thus motivated, we explore here the E-DNA “scaffold” sensing platform, a rapid, convenient, single-step means to this end. These sensors comprise a rigid nucleic acid “scaffold” attached via a flexible linker to an electrode and modified on its distal end with a redox reporter and a protein binding “recognition element”. The binding of a targeted protein reduces the efficiency with which the redox reporter approaches the electrode, resulting in an easily measured signal change when the sensor is interrogated voltammetrically. Previously we have demonstrated scaffold sensors employing a range of low molecular weight haptens and linear peptides as their recognition elements. Expanding on this here we have characterized sensors employing much larger recognition elements (up to and including full length proteins) in order to (1) define the range of rec...},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Brangel2018,

title = {A Serological Point-of-Care Test for the Detection of IgG Antibodies against Ebola Virus in Human Survivors},

author = {Polina Brangel and Ariel Sobarzo and Claudio Parolo and Benjamin S. Miller and Philip D. Howes and Sigal Gelkop and Julius J. Lutwama and John M. Dye and Rachel A. McKendry and Leslie Lobel and Molly M. Stevens},

doi = {10.1021/acsnano.7b07021},

issn = {1936086X},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-01-01},

journal = {ACS Nano},

volume = {12},

number = {1},

pages = {63–73},

abstract = {Ebola virus disease causes widespread and highly fatal epidemics in human populations. Today, there is still great need for point-of-care tests for diagnosis, patient management and surveillance, both during and post outbreaks. We present a point-of-care test comprising an immunochromatographic strip and a smartphone reader, which detects and semiquantifies Ebola-specific antibodies in human survivors. We developed a Sudan virus glycoprotein monoplex platform and validated it using sera from 90 human survivors and 31 local noninfected controls. The performance of the glycoprotein monoplex was 100% sensitivity and 98% specificity compared to standard whole antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and it was validated with freshly collected patient samples in Uganda. Moreover, we constructed a multiplex test for simultaneous detection of antibodies against three recombinant Sudan virus proteins. A pilot study comprising 15 survivors and 5 noninfected controls demonstrated sensitivity and specificity of 100% compared to standard ELISA. Finally, we developed a second multiplex subtype assay for the identification of exposure to three related EVD species: Sudan virus, Bundibugyo virus and Ebola virus (formerly Zaire) using recombinant viral glycoprotein. This multiplex test could distinguish between the host's immunity to specific viral species and identify cross-reactive immunity. These developed serological platforms consisted of capture ligands with high specificity and sensitivity, in-house developed strips and a compatible smartphone application. These platforms enabled rapid and portable testing, data storage and sharing as well as geographical tagging of the tested individuals in Uganda. This platform holds great potential as a field tool for diagnosis, vaccine development, and therapeutic evaluation.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ruiz-Sanchez2017,

title = {Tuneable plasmonic gold dendrimer nanochains for sensitive disease detection},

author = {Antonio J. Ruiz-Sanchez and Claudio Parolo and Benjamin S. Miller and Eleanor R. Gray and Kristina Schlegel and Rachel A. McKendry},

doi = {10.1039/c7tb01394a},

issn = {2050750X},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Materials Chemistry B},

volume = {5},

number = {35},

pages = {7262–7266},

publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry},

abstract = {We report the development of a tuneable plasmonic nanochain immunoassay with increased sensitivity over traditional monodisperse nanoparticle lateral flow tests. Our approach takes advantage of the unique self-assembling properties of polyamidoamine dendrimers with gold nanoparticles in aqueous media to create one-dimensional nanochains, with a distinct red to blue colour change, attributable to a longitudinal plasmon resonance, which can be readily detected by eye and a digital camera. We optimise and characterise nanochain formation and stability using UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. As a proof-of-principle we focus on the application of nanochains for point-of-care diagnostics for p24, an important biomarker of early HIV infections and successfully detect p24 with a limit of detection of 5 ng ml-1 in pseudo-serum, 4 fold more sensitive than comparable studies with gold nanoparticles. These findings and underlying concepts highlight the potential of advanced functional organic-inorganic composite nanomaterials to diagnose infections, with broad applicability to non-communicable diseases.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Zamora-Galvez2017,

title = {Magnetic nanoparticle-molecular imprinted polymer: A new impedimetric sensor for tributyltin detection},

author = {Alejandro Zamora-Gálvez and Carmen C. Mayorga-Matinez and Claudio Parolo and Josefina Pons and Arben Merkoçi},

doi = {10.1016/j.elecom.2017.07.007},

issn = {13882481},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {Electrochemistry Communications},

volume = {82},

pages = {6–11},

abstract = {Recently, molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) were extensively used for separation and identification of specific molecules, replacing expensive and unstable biological receptors. Nonetheless, their application in electrochemical sensors has not been sufficiently explored. Here we report the use of a MIP as a specific receptor in a new highly sensitive tributyltin (TBT) electrochemical sensor. The sensor combines the specificity, pre-concentration capability and robustness of molecular imprinted polymer attached onto magnetic nanoparticles with the quantitative outputs of impedimetric measurements. The proposed device detects TBT in a concentration range of 5 pM to 5 μM with a low limit of detection (5.37 pM), which is lower than the one recommended for TBT in sea water by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). We believe that this new electrochemical sensor can play an important role in the monitoring of the quality of sea and fresh waters worldwide.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Mars2016,

title = {Control of Electron-transfer in Immunonanosensors by Using Polyclonal and Monoclonal Antibodies},

author = {Abdelmoneim Mars and Claudio Parolo and Alfredo Escosura-Muñiz and Noureddine Raouafi and Arben Merkoçi},

doi = {10.1002/elan.201500646},

issn = {15214109},

year  = {2016},

date = {2016-01-01},

journal = {Electroanalysis},

volume = {28},

number = {8},

pages = {1795–1802},

abstract = {The design and operation of biosensors is not trivial. For instance, variation in the output signal during monitoring of analytes can not usually be controlled. Hence, if such control were possible, and could be triggered on demand, it would greatly facilitate system design and operation. Herein, we report the design of two types of voltamperometric immunosensors, in which the magnitude of the current output signal (differential pulse voltammetry [DPV]) can be increased or decreased as needed. The designed systems use monoclonal and polyclonal anti-human IgG antibodies, conjugated to monopodal ferrocene-modified gold nanoparticles that are casted onto screen-printed carbon electrodes (Ab/mFcL/AuNPs/SPCEs). Upon addition of human IgG as antigen, the systems exhibit opposite responses according to the Ab: the current decreases when monoclonal Ab is used, whereas it increases when polyclonal Ab is used. We attributed the former response to inhibition of electron-transfer (due to the formation of a protein layer), and the latter response, to a global increase in electron transfer (induced by the aggregation of gold nanoparticles). These effects were confirmed by studying a custom-made lipoic acid-based bipodal ligand, which confirmed that the increase in current is effectively induced by the aggregation of the modified nanoparticles (pAb/mFcL/AuNPs). Both sensors have large dynamic ranges, although the pAb-based one was found to be 3.3-times more sensitive. Tests of selectivity and specificity for ovalbumin, α-lactalbumin and serum bovine albumin showed that the immunosensors are highly selective and specific, even in the presence of up to 1000-fold levels of potentially competitive proteins. The limit of detection for human IgG using the pAb/mFcL/AuNP bioconjugate was estimated to be 0.85 ng/mL. The pAb/mFcL/AuNPs-based biosensor has used to determine amounts of human IgG in real sample.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Monton2015,

title = {Annexin-V/quantum dot probes for multimodal apoptosis monitoring in living cells: Improving bioanalysis using electrochemistry},

author = {Helena Montón and Claudio Parolo and Antonio Aranda-Ramos and Arben Merkoçi and Carme Nogués},

doi = {10.1039/c4nr07191c},

issn = {20403372},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-01-01},

journal = {Nanoscale},

volume = {7},

number = {9},

pages = {4097–4104},

publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry},

abstract = {There is a great demand to develop novel techniques that allow useful and complete monitoring of apoptosis, which is a key factor of several diseases and a target for drug development. Here, we present the use of a novel dual electrochemical/optical label for the detection and study of apoptosis. We combined the specificity of Annexin-V for phosphatidylserine, a phospholipid expressed in the outer membrane of apoptotic cells, with the optical and electrochemical properties of quantum dots to create a more efficient label. Using this conjugate we addressed three important issues: (i) we made the labeling of apoptotic cells faster (30 min) and easier; (ii) we fully characterized the samples by common cell biological techniques (confocal laser scanning microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and flow cytometry); and (III) we developed a fast, cheap and quantitative electrochemical detection method for apoptotic cells with results in full agreement with those obtained by flow cytometry. This journal is},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{NunesPauli2015,

title = {Lab-in-a-syringe using gold nanoparticles for rapid immunosensing of protein biomarkers},

author = {Gisele Elias Nunes Pauli and Alfredo De La Escosura-Muñiz and Claudio Parolo and Ivan Helmuth Bechtold and Arben Merkoçi},

doi = {10.1039/c4lc01123f},

issn = {14730189},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-01-01},

journal = {Lab on a Chip},

volume = {15},

number = {2},

pages = {399–405},

publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry},

abstract = {We have developed a paper and gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based lab-in-a-syringe (LIS) for immunosensing of biomarkers. This simple diagnostic device features simultaneous sampling and vertical-flow operation, which means that unlike typical immunosensors, it does not suffer from any delay between sampling and detection. It can handle large-volume, low-concentration samples for analysis in diverse applications (e.g. biomedical, environmental, food, etc.). Furthermore, its operating range for sample concentration can be tuned by simply changing the volume of the syringed sample, which enables on-demand limits of detection (LOD). The LIS contains two nitrocellulose pads: the conjugate pad (which captures the analyte) and the detection pad (which signals the presence of the captured analyte) both embedded into reusable plastic cartridges. We demonstrated its efficiency in detecting human IgG (HIgG) (LOD: 1.0 ng mL-1) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) (spiked urine samples; LOD: 1.9 ng mL-1). In the field, the LIS can be used for complete on-site analysis or to obtain partially analyzed samples (AuNPs with captured analyte) for subsequent detailed testing in specialized laboratories. This journal is},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Lan2014,

title = {Paper-based potentiometric ion sensing},

author = {Wen Jie Lan and Xu U. Zou and Mahiar M. Hamedi and Jinbo Hu and Claudio Parolo and E. Jane Maxwell and Philippe Bühlmann and George M. Whitesides},

doi = {10.1021/ac5018088},

issn = {15206882},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-01-01},

journal = {Analytical Chemistry},

volume = {86},

number = {19},

pages = {9548–9553},

abstract = {This paper describes the design and fabrication of ion-sensing electrochemical paper-based analytical devices (EPADs) in which a miniaturized paper reference electrode is integrated with a small ion-selective paper electrode (ISPE) for potentiometric measurements. Ion-sensing EPADs use printed wax barriers to define electrochemical sample and reference zones. Single-layer EPADs for sensing of chloride ions include wax-defined sample and reference zones that each incorporate a Ag/AgCl electrode. In EPADs developed for other electrolytes (potassium, sodium, and calcium ions), a PVC-based ion-selective membrane is added to separate the sample zone from a paper indicator electrode. After the addition of a small volume (less than 10 μL) of sample and reference solutions to different zones, ion-sensing EPADs exhibit a linear response, over 3 orders of magnitude, in ranges of electrolyte concentrations that are relevant to a variety of applications, with a slope close to the theoretical value (59.2/z mV). Ion-selective EPADs provide a portable, inexpensive, and disposable way of measuring concentrations of electrolyte ions in aqueous solutions.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Mars2013,

title = {Gold nanoparticles decorated with a ferrocene derivative as a potential shift-based transducing system of interest for sensitive immunosensing},

author = {Abdelmoneim Mars and Claudio Parolo and Noureddine Raouafi and Khaled Boujlel and Arben Merkoçi},

doi = {10.1039/c3tb20503g},

issn = {2050750X},

year  = {2013},

date = {2013-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Materials Chemistry B},

volume = {1},

number = {23},

pages = {2951–2955},

abstract = {The condensation of 1,1′-ferrocenedimethanol and lipoic acid yields a ferrocene derivative (FcD): 1,1′-ferrocenyl bis(methylene lipoic acid ester), a bipodant linker which was used to aggregate gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The FcD/AuNP aggregations displayed a very well-resolved signal related to the ferrocene oxidation to ferrocenium. The aggregates were found to form an efficient transducing system for a novel concept of immunosensing based on the shifting of the ferrocene oxidation potential. αHIgG/FcD/AuNP or chicken αGIgG/FcD/AuNP bioconjugates are used along with carbon SPEs as an immunosensing platform for the detection of HIgG or GIgG as model analytes. As shown by CV and DPV, the antigens addition triggers significant anodic potential shifts (up to 75 mV) of the ferrocene oxidation peak as an immunoresponse for the Ag-Ab recognition. The results from selectivity and specificity experiments using bovine serum albumin, ovalbumin and α-lactalbumin as potentially interfering proteins to HIgG Ag showed that these potential shifts would be solely due to the Ag-Ab recognition events with excellent selectivity and specificity in the presence of up to 1000-fold of the competitive proteins. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Lan2013,

title = {Paper-based electroanalytical devices with an integrated, stable reference electrode},

author = {Wen Jie Lan and E. Jane Maxwell and Claudio Parolo and David K. Bwambok and Anand Bala Subramaniam and George M. Whitesides},

doi = {10.1039/c3lc50771h},

issn = {14730189},

year  = {2013},

date = {2013-01-01},

journal = {Lab on a Chip},

volume = {13},

number = {20},

pages = {4103–4108},

abstract = {This paper describes the development of a referenced Electrochemical Paper-based Analytical Device (rEPAD) comprising a sample zone, a reference zone, and a connecting microfluidic channel that includes a central contact zone. We demonstrated that the rEPADs provide a simple system for direct and accurate voltammetric measurements that are referenced by an electrode with a constant, well-defined potential. The performance of the rEPADs is comparable to commercial electrochemical cells, and the layout can be easily integrated into systems that permit multiplexed analysis and pipette-free sampling. The cost of this portable device is sufficiently low that it could be for single-use, disposable applications, and its method of fabrication is compatible with that used for other paper-based systems. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2013.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Parolo2013c,

title = {Paper-based nanobiosensors for diagnostics},

author = {Claudio Parolo and Arben Merkoçi},

doi = {10.1039/c2cs35255a},

issn = {14604744},

year  = {2013},

date = {2013-01-01},

journal = {Chemical Society Reviews},

volume = {42},

number = {2},

pages = {450–457},

abstract = {In this review we discuss how nanomaterials can be integrated in diagnostic paper-based biosensors for the detection of proteins, nucleic acids and cells. In particular first the different types and properties of paper-based nanobiosensors and nanomaterials are briefly explained. Then several examples of their application in diagnostics of several biomarkers are reported. Finally our opinions regarding future trends in this field are discussed. © 2012 The Royal Society of Chemistry.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Parolo2013b,

title = {Paper-based electrodes for nanoparticles detection},

author = {Claudio Parolo and Mariana Medina-Sánchez and Helena Montõn and Alfredo De La Escosura-Muñiz and Arben Merkoçi},

doi = {10.1002/ppsc.201200124},

issn = {09340866},

year  = {2013},

date = {2013-01-01},

journal = {Particle and Particle Systems Characterization},

volume = {30},

number = {8},

pages = {662–666},

abstract = {The fabrication, characterization, and applications of paper-based screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCE) are discussed. In particular, microscopy images of the working electrode surface show a reproducible 3D pattern that enhances the performance of the device compared to that of a polyester-based SPCE. Gold nanoparticles and CdSe@ZnS quantum dots are detected using different electrochemical techniques. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Parolo2013d,

title = {Enhanced lateral flow immunoassay using gold nanoparticles loaded with enzymes},

author = {Claudio Parolo and Alfredo Escosura-Muñiz and Arben Merkoçi},

doi = {10.1016/j.bios.2012.06.049},

issn = {09565663},

year  = {2013},

date = {2013-01-01},

journal = {Biosensors and Bioelectronics},

volume = {40},

number = {1},

pages = {412–416},

abstract = {The use of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as labeling carriers in combination with the enzymatic activity of the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in order to achieve an improved optical lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) performance is presented here. Briefly in a LFIA with an immune-sandwich format AuNPs are functionalized with a detection antibody already modified with HRP, obtaining an 'enhanced' label. Two different detection strategies have been tested: the first one following just the red color of the AuNPs and the second one using a substrate for the HRP (3 different substrates are evaluated), which produces a darker color that enhances the intensity of the previous red color of the unmodified AuNPs. In such very simple way it is gaining sensitivity (up to 1 order of magnitude) without losing the simplicity of the LFIA format, opening the way to other LFIA applications including their on-demand performance tuning according to the analytical scenario. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Parolo2013,

title = {Design, preparation, and evaluation of a fixed-orientation antibody/gold-nanoparticle conjugate as an immunosensing label},

author = {Claudio Parolo and Alfredo De La Escosura-Muñiz and Ester Polo and Valeria Grazú and Jesús M. De La Fuente and Arben Merkoçi},

doi = {10.1021/am4029153},

issn = {19448244},

year  = {2013},

date = {2013-01-01},

journal = {ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces},

volume = {5},

number = {21},

pages = {10753–10759},

abstract = {Herein, we describe the development of a new, highly efficient label for immunosensing comprising an antibody/PEGylated gold-nanoparticle (AuNP) conjugate in which the antibody molecules are bound to the AuNP surface in a fixed orientation. Our method exploits the high density of positive charges on the major plane of antibodies that exists when the pH of the solution is lower than the isoelectric point of the antibody; the antibody molecules interact with the negatively charged AuNP surface through their major plane, enabling the antigen binding sites to move freely and therefore to reach maximum accessibility. This directed ionic interaction is reinforced by the formation of a peptide bond between the amino group of the Lys residues in the antibodies and the carboxylic groups of the PEGylated-AuNP surface via EDC chemistry. Electrochemical analyses revealed that the fixed-orientation conjugate offers a limit of detection that is 1 order of magnitude lower than that of a randomly oriented label. The performance of the new conjugate as an immunosensing label was assessed for the quantitative detection of IgG in human serum. © 2013 American Chemical Society.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Parolo2013a,

title = {Simple paper architecture modifications lead to enhanced sensitivity in nanoparticle based lateral flow immunoassays},

author = {Claudio Parolo and Mariana Medina-Sánchez and Alfredo De La Escosura-Muñiz and Arben Merkoçi},

doi = {10.1039/c2lc41144j},

issn = {14730189},

year  = {2013},

date = {2013-01-01},

journal = {Lab on a Chip},

volume = {13},

number = {3},

pages = {386–390},

abstract = {Lateral flow immunoassays (LFIA) are ideal biosensors to detect proteins, but their lack of sensitivity hinders their extensive use. We report a strategy that yields up to an 8-fold improvement in the sensitivity of a gold nanoparticles-based LFIA by changing the sizes of the pads. Theoretical flow simulations of the developed LFIA architectures are in accordance with the experimental results. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2013.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{DeLaEscosura-Muniz2011,

title = {Size-dependent direct electrochemical detection of gold nanoparticles: Application in magnetoimmunoassays},

author = {Alfredo De La Escosura-Muñiz and Claudio Parolo and Flavio Maran and Arben Mekoi},

doi = {10.1039/c1nr10377f},

issn = {20403372},

year  = {2011},

date = {2011-01-01},

journal = {Nanoscale},

volume = {3},

number = {8},

pages = {3350–3356},

abstract = {The effect of the AuNPs size, ranging from 5 nm to 80 nm, on the electrochemical response of screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) used as electrochemical transducers is investigated for the first time. A simple hydrodynamic modelling and calculation at the nanoscale level is applied so as to find the effect of the size of AuNP upon the electrochemical response. The results show that the best electrochemical response for AuNP suspension for the same concentration of total gold is obtained for the 20 nm sized nanoparticles. It is concluded that the Brownian motions avoid a better response for smaller AuNPs that should in fact be related with the best electrochemical signal due to their higher surface area. Finally, the size effect is studied for AuNPs acting as electroactive labels in an immunosensor that employs magnetic beads as platforms of the bioreactions. The best response for the 5 nm AuNPs in this case is due to the fact that in the immunosensing conditions the Brownian motions are minimized because the AuNPs contact with the electrotransducer surface is induced by the immunoreaction and the fast magnetic collection of the nanoparticles used as antibody labels upon application of a magnetic field. © 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{DelaEscosura-Muniz2010,

title = {Immunosensing using nanoparticles},

author = {Alfredo Escosura-Muñiz and Claudio Parolo and Arben Merkoçi},

url = {http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1369702110701255},

doi = {10.1016/S1369-7021(10)70125-5},

issn = {13697021},

year  = {2010},

date = {2010-07-01},

journal = {Materials Today},

volume = {13},

number = {7-8},

pages = {24–34},

abstract = {Immunosensing technology is taking advantage of the lastest developments in materials science and inparticular from the nanomaterials field. Because of their unprecedented optical tunability as well as electrical and electrochemical qualities, we are seeing significant developments in the design of novel immunoassays; various conventional optical and electrical platforms which allow for future applications in several fields are being used. Properties of nanoparticles such as light absorption and dispersion are bringing interesting immunosensing alternatives. Nanoparticles are improving the sensitivity of existing techniques used for protein detection in immunoassays based on Surface Plasmon Resonance, Quartz Crystal Microbalance, Fluorescence spectroscopy etc. Electrochemical techniques are also taking advantage of electrical properties of nanoparticles. Redox properties of metal based nanoparticles, surface impedance change and conductance changes once nanoparticles are present as labelling tags or modifiers of transducer surfaces are also improving the technology. In most of the examples nanoparticle based biosensing systems are being offered as excellent screening and superior alternatives to existing conventional strategies/assays with interest for fields in clinical analysis, food quality, safety and security.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}