Publications

Casein modified gold nanoparticles for future theranostic applications

Marisol Espinoza-Castañeda, Alfredo de la Escosura-Muñiz, Gemma González-Ortiz, Susana M. Martín-Orúe, José Francisco Pérez, Arben Merkoçi. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 2013, 40, 271–276
The synthesis and characterization of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs 20 nm sized) modified with k-casein derived peptides in order to monitor the peptide effect as bacterial adhesion inhibitor, thanks to the carrier/concentrator effect of the AuNPs is here presented. Some aspects related to the stability of AuNP/peptide conjugates for...

Electrochemical Detection of Salmonella using Gold Nanoparticles

André S. Afonso, Briza P. López, Ronaldo C. Faria, Luiz H.C. Mattoso, Maria M.H. Herrero, Artur X.R. Sagués, Marisa Maltez-da Costa, Arben Merkoçi. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 2013, 40, 121–126
A disposable immunosensor for Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium LT2 (S) detection using a magneto-immunoassay and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as label for electrochemical detection is developed. The immunosensor is based on the use of a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) that incorporates a permanent magnet...

Ion-Directed Assembly of Gold Nanorods: a Strategy for Mercury Detection

Tiziana Placido, Gemma Aragay, Josefina Pons, Roberto Comparelli, Maria Lucia Curri, Arben Merkoci. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2013, 5 (3), pp 1084–1092
Water soluble gold nanorods (Au NRs) have been functionalized with an N-alkylaminopyrazole ligand, 1-[2-(octylamino)ethyl]-3,5-diphenylpyrazole (PyL), that has been demonstrated able to coordinate heavy metal ions. The N-alkylaminopyrazole functionalized Au NRs have been characterized by electron microscopy and spectroscopic investigation...

Enhanced lateral flow immunoassay using gold nanoparticles loaded with enzymes

Claudio Parolo, Alfredo de la Escosura-Muñiz, Arben Merkoçi. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 2013, 40, 412–416
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 here presented. Briefly in a LFIA with an immune-sandwich format AuNPs are functionalized with a detection...

Bismuth nanoparticles for phenolic compounds biosensing application

Carmen C. Mayorga-Martinez, Miquel Cadevall, Maria Guix, Josep Ros, Arben Merkoçi. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 2013, 40, 57–62
The rapid determination of trace phenolic compounds is of great importance for evaluating the total toxicity of contaminated water samples. Nowadays, electrochemical tyrosinase (Tyr) based biosensors constitute a promising technology for the in situ monitoring of phenolic compounds because of their advantages such as high selectivity,...

Nanochannels for diagnostic of thrombin-related diseases in human blood

Alfredo de la Escosura-Muñiz, Wilanee Chunglok, Werasak Surareungchai, Arben Merkoçi. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 2013, 40, 24–31
A high sensitive voltammetric method for rapid determination of thrombin spiked in whole blood by taking advantage of both aptamer-based recognition and the use of a nanoporous membrane has been developed. The nanoporous membrane not only acts as platform for the thrombin recognition but also as filter of the micrometric components...

The use of quantum dots for immunochemistry applications

Helena Montón; Mónica Roldán; Arben Merkoçi; Emma Rossinyol; Onofre Castell; Carme Nogués. Methods in Molecular Biology 2012; 906, 185-192
Immunocytochemistry and histochemistry are two most valuable immunochemistry techniques routinely used in biological laboratories. These techniques rely on the use of antibodies to label epitopes of interest in cells. At present, there is a wide range of commercially available organic dyes for labeling antibodies. However, limited...

Nanomaterials Based Electrochemical Sensing Applications for Safety and Security

Sergio Marín, Arben Merkoçi. Electroanalysis 2012, 24 (3), 459-469
Nanomaterials based sensing systems provide a new class of rapid and low cost detection alternatives with interest in the field of safety and security applications. In this review we report the recent trends in the use of various nanomaterials such as  nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, nanowires and graphene to detect different...

Detection of Circulating Cancer Cells Using Electrocatalytic Gold Nanoparticles

Marisa Maltez-da Costa, Alfredo de la Escosura-Muñiz, Carme Nogués, Lleonard Barrios, Elena Ibáñez, Arben Merkoçi. Small 2012, 8, No. 23, 3605–3612
A rapid cancer cell detection and quantification assay, based on the electrocatalytic properties of gold nanoparticles towards the hydrogen evolution reaction, is described. The selective labeling of cancer cells is performed in suspension, allowing a fast interaction between the gold nanoparticle labels and the target proteins...

Nanomaterials for Sensing and Destroying Pesticides

Gemma Aragay, Flavio Pino, Arben Merkoçi. Chemical Reviews, 2012, 112, 5317–5338
This review presents novel advances in pesticide detection strategies that involve optical and/or electrochemical detection in tandem with nanomaterials, either as transducing platforms or as labels. It also covers different nanomaterials-based strategies for pesticide removal and/or destruction. [Link to the article] [Ask for...