Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Modified with Galloylated DNA for Magnetically Enhanced DNA-Directed Assembly.

A straightforward, one-step method is presented for DNA functionalization of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONP) using galloylated DNA through multidentate metal-phenol interactions. The DNA-modified IONPs exhibit excellent stability under diverse buffer conditions and display intriguing DNA binding properties, influenced by the superparamagnetic property of IONPs. The DNA denaturation behavior can be categorized into two regimes: the magnetic-dominant regime and the DNA-dominant regime.

Shape-Dependent Locomotion of DNA-Linked Magnetic Nanoparticle Films.

The shape-dependent aero- and hydro-dynamics found in nature have been adopted in a wide range of areas spanning from daily transportation to forefront biomedical research. Here, we report DNA-linked nanoparticle films exhibiting shape-dependent magnetic locomotion, controlled by DNA sequences. Fabricated through a DNA-directed layer-by-layer assembly of iron oxide and gold nanoparticles, the multifunctional films exhibit rotational and translational motions under magnetic fields, along with reversible shape morphing via DNA strand exchange reactions.

Genetically encoded biosensors for the detection of rapamycin: toward the screening of agonists and antagonists.

Biosensors are valuable tools for the rapid screening of biological targets with high sensitivity and specificity. It is important to screen biological events in their native context for pharmacological and toxicological applications. However, in vitro biosensors often require purified probes and targets for screening, thus providing limited information on the biological activities of targets in their native environment.

Molecular origin of AuNPs-induced cytotoxicity and mechanistic study.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with diverse physicochemical properties are reported to affect biological systems differently, but the relationship between the physicochemical properties of AuNPs and their biological effects is not clearly understood. Here, we aimed to elucidate the molecular origins of AuNP-induced cytotoxicity and their mechanisms, focusing on the surface charge and structural properties of modified AuNPs. We prepared a library of well-tailored AuNPs exhibiting various functional groups and surface charges.

Cell-Based Biosensors Based on Intein-Mediated Protein Engineering for Detection of Biologically Active Signaling Molecules.

Live-cell-based biosensors have emerged as a useful tool for biotechnology and chemical biology. Genetically encoded sensor cells often use bimolecular fluorescence complementation or fluorescence resonance energy transfer to build a reporter unit that suffers from nonspecific signal activation at high concentrations. Here, we designed genetically encoded sensor cells that can report the presence of biologically active molecules via fluorescence-translocation based on split intein-mediated conditional protein trans-splicing (PTS) and conditional protein trans-cleavage (PTC) reactions.

Detection of Metallothionein in Javanese Medaka (Oryzias javanicus), Using a scFv-Immobilized Protein Chip.

Environmental pollution by various industrial chemicals and biological agents poses serious risks to human health. Especially, marine contamination by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) has become a global concern in recent years. Many efforts have been undertaken to monitor the PTE contamination of the aquatic environment.

Allergen Microarrays for In Vitro Diagnostics of Allergies: Comparison with ImmunoCAP and AdvanSure.

Background: In vitro detection of the allergen-specific IgE antibody (sIgE) is a useful tool for the diagnosis and treatment of allergies. Although multiple simultaneous allergen tests offer simple and low-cost screening methods, these platforms also have limitations with respect to multiplexibility and analytical performance. As an alternative assay platform, we developed and validated a microarray using allergen extracts that we termed "GOLD" chip.

Inhibitory Effects of Novel SphK2 Inhibitors on Migration of Cancer Cells.

Background: Cell migration is an essential process for survival and differentiation of mammalian cells. Numerous diseases are induced or influenced by inappropriate regulation of cell migration, which plays a key role in cancer cell metastasis. In fact, very few anti-metastasis drugs are available on the market.

Curcumin extends life span, improves health span, and modulates the expression of age-associated aging genes in Drosophila melanogaster.

Background: Curcumin, an extract from the rhizome of the plant Curcuma longa (turmeric), has been widely used as a spice and herbal medicine in Asia. It has been suggested to have many biological activities, such as antioxidative, antiinflammatory, anticancer, chemopreventive, and antineurodegenerative properties. We evaluated the impact of curcumin on life span, fecundity, feeding rate, oxidative stress, locomotion, and gene expression in two different wild-type Drosophila melanogaster strains, Canton-S and Ives, under two different experimental conditions.