Publications

Nanostructured CaCO3-PEI microparticles for phenol sensing in fluidic microsystem

Carmen C. Mayorga-Martinez, Lenka Hlavata, Sandrine Miserere, Adaris López- Marzo, Jan Labuda, Josefina Pons and Arben Merkoçi. ELECTROPHORESIS, June 2013, Volume 34, Issue 14, pages 2011–2016
A new and simple strategy based on nanostructured CaCO3-PEI MPs for phenol sensing using PDMS/glass fluidic microchip is developed. This fluidic microsystem including integrated screen-printed-electrodes (SPE) modified with CaCO3-PEI MPs and tyrosinase (Tyr) through cross-linking with glutaraldehyde, represents a low cost platform...

Paper-Based Electrodes for Nanoparticle Detection

Claudio Parolo , Mariana Medina-Sánchez , Helena Montón , Alfredo de la Escosura-Muñiz , and Arben Merkoçi. Particle & Particle Systems Characterization, 2013, 30(8), 662–666
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...

Assembly of Gold Nanorods for Highly Sensitive Detection of Mercury Ions

Tiziana Placido, Roberto Comparelli, Marinella Striccoli, Angela Agostiano, Arben Merkoçi, M. Lucia Curri. 2013 IEEE Sensors Journal, On-line publication
A simple and cost-effective strategy for mercury ion sensing based on an easy and reliable colorimetric approach has been investigated by using L-cysteine functionalized gold nanorods (Au NRs). Detection tests have been performed on several ions, namely Hg2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Cu2+, Pb2+ and As3+ and monitored by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy,...

Keith R. Fox and Tom Brown (Eds.): DNA conjugates and sensors

Prof. Merkoçi revises this new book. Read more at Anal Bioanal Chem, 2013, DOI 10.1007/s00216-013-6928-8. RSC Publishing, 2012, ISBN: 978-1-84973-427-1 Hardcover, 250, Published online 27 April 2013
The book DNA conjugates and sensors is part of the RSC Biomolecular Sciences series. It concerns the very interesting topic of DNA sensors. DNA sensing technology is in a constant state of development, and the latest achievements in the field always deserve special attention. This book, written by experienced scientists in the field,...

High sensitive gold-nanoparticle based lateral flow immunodevice for Cd2+ detection in drinking waters

Adaris M. López Marzo, Josefina Pons, Diane A. Blake, Arben Merkoci. Biosensors and Bioelectronics. Volume 47, 15 September 2013, Pages 190–198
In this work for first time a lateral flow immunosensor device (LFID) for Cd2+ determination in drinking and tap waters using the Cd-EDTA-BSA-AuNP conjugate as signal producer tool is introduced. The principle of working is based on competitive reaction between the Cd-EDTA-BSA-AuNP conjugate deposited on the conjugation pad strip...

All-integrated and highly sensitive paper-based device with sample treatment platform for Cd2+ immunodetection in drinking waters

Adaris María López Marzo , Josefina Pons , Diane A Blake , and Arben Merkoçi. Analytical Chemistry, 85 (7), 3532-3538 (2013)
Nowadays the development of systems, devices or methods that integrate several process steps in one multifunctional step for clinic, environmental or industrial proposal constitutes a challenge for many ongoing researches. Here we present a new integrated paper based cadmium (Cd2+) immunosensing system in lateral flow format, which...

Micromotor-Based Lab-on-Chip Immunoassays

Miguel García, Jahir Orozco, Maria Guix , Wei Gao, Sirilak Sattayasamitsathit, Alberto Escarpa, Arben Merkoçi, Joseph Wang. Nanoscale, 2013,5, 1325-1331
Here we describe the first example of using self-propelled antibody-functionalized synthetic catalytic microengines for capturing and transporting target proteins between the different reservoirs of a lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device. A new catalytic polymer/Ni/Pt microtube engine, containing carboxy moieties on its mixed poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)...

Nanoparticles Based Electroanalysis in Diagnostics Applications

Arben Merkoçi. Review article, Electroanalysis, Volume 25, Issue 1, pages 15–27, January 2013
Nanoparticles with electrochemical properties such as red-ox changes easy to be followed by stripping analysis or electrocatalysis to be followed by simple amperometric detection represent interesting building blocks in the design and fabrication of novel biosensors with interest for diagnostics applications. Various examples related...

Simple paper architecture modifications lead to enhanced sensitivity in nanoparticle based lateral flow immunoassay

Claudio Parolo, Mariana Medina-Sánchez, Alfredo de la Escosura-Muñiz, Arben Merkoçi. Lab Chip, 2013,13, 386-390
Lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) are ideal biosensors to detect proteins, but their lack of sensitivity avoids their extensive use. We report a strategy that yields up to an 8-fold improvement in a gold nanoparticles-based LFIA, changing the sizes of the pads. Theoretical flow simulations of the developed LFIA architectures are in...

Paper-based nanobiosensors for diagnostics

Claudio Parolo, Arben Merkoçi. Chem. Soc. Rev., 2013, 42, 450 - 457
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...