Yuling Wang

Controlled Synthesis of Large-Area and Patterned Electrochemically Reduced Graphene Oxide Films

Have you seen the film? Coupling a spray-coating technique with a facile, low-cost, efficient and environmentally friendly electrochemical method may realize the controllable synthesis of large-area and patterned electrochemically reduced graphene oxide films on various conductive and insulating substrates with thicknesses ranging from a single monolayer to several microns (see figure).

Nuclear targeting dynamics of gold nanoclusters for enhanced therapy of HER2+ breast cancer.

Recent advances in fluorescent metal nanoclusters have spurred tremendous interest in nanomedicine due to the ease of fabrication, excellent biocompatibility, and, more importantly, excellent wavelength-dependent tunability. Herein, we report our findings on fluorescent BSA-protected gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), ∼2 nm in size conjugated with Herceptin (AuNCs-Her), for specific targeting and nuclear localization in ErbB2 over-expressing breast cancer cells and tumor tissue as a novel fluorescent agent for simultaneous imaging and cancer therapy. More interestingly, we found that AuNCs-Her could escape the endolysosomal pathway and enter the nucleus of cancer cells to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of Herceptin. We elucidate the diffusion characteristics (diffusion time and number of diffusers) and concentration of the fluorescing clusters in the nucleus of live cells. Our findings also suggest that the nuclear localization effect of AuNCs-Her enhances the anticancer therapeutic efficacy of Herceptin as evidenced by the induction of DNA damage. This study not only discusses a new nanomaterial platform for nuclear delivery of drugs but also provides important insights on nuclear targeting for enhanced therapy.

Biocompatibility and Biodistribution of Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Nanoprobes in Zebrafish Embryos: In vivo and Multiplex Imaging

Nanoparticles are increasingly being used to investigate biological processes in various animal models due to their versatile chemical, unique optical, and multifunctional properties. In this report we address the biocompatibility and biodistribution of nanoparticle sensors used for Raman chemical imaging in live zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanoprobes (NPs) comprising gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as enhancing substrate and nonfluorescent Raman labels were synthesized and microinjected into zebrafish embryos at the one-cell stage. Raman mapping was performed to assess their distribution in various cell-types and tissues of developing embryo at five different stages between 6 and 96 hpf (hours post-fertilization). Biocompatibility and toxicity studies indicate that the NPs are not toxic and the embryos were found to exhibit normal morphological and gene expression in addition to the proper form and function of major organs such as the heart and vasculature (of 7 day old NPs injected zebrafish embryos). A multiplex in vivo detection protocol was developed by SERS imaging to demonstrate that multiple labels can be detected by Raman mapping in undifferentiated cells as they develop into distinct cell- and tissue-types. The present work is the first to report on multiplex Raman imaging of zebrafish embryos with potential implications in tracking tissue development and biological processes at single molecule sensitivity using appropriate target molecules in vivo.

A SERS DNAzyme biosensor for lead ion detection

SERS biosensor for sensitive and selective detection of lead ions (Pb(2+)) based on DNAzyme was developed by taking advantage of the specific catalytic reaction of DNAzyme upon binding to Pb(2+) ions. Detection was accomplished by SERS nanoprobe labeled with DNA and Raman reporters for signal amplification.

Ultrasensitive colorimetric detection of protein by aptamer–Au nanoparticles conjugates based on a dot-blot assay

A simple, rapid and ultrasensitive colorimetric detection of protein using aptamer-Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) conjugates based on a dot-blot array has been developed, which was combined with the unique optical properties of AuNPs, enabling the visual detection of protein within minutes without any instrument.

Diversity of Lanthanide(III)-Organic Extended Frameworks with a 4,8-Disulfonyl-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic Acid Ligand: Syntheses, Structures, and Magnetic and Luminescent Properties

A sulfonate-carboxylate ligand, 4,8-disulfonyl-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (H(4)-DSNDA), and eight new lanthanide coordination polymers {[Pr(4)(OH)(4)(DSNDA)(2)(H(2)O)(12)](H(2)O)(10)}(n) (1), [Ln(H(2)-DSNDA)(0.5)(DSNDA)(0.5)(H(2)O)(5)](n) (Ln = La(2), Nd(3), Sm(4), Eu(5), Gd(6), and Dy(7)), and {[Er(H-DSNDA)(H(2)O)(4)](H(2)O)}(n) (8) have been synthesized. Detailed crystal structures of these compounds have been investigated. Compound 1 has a 3D framework featuring the unique cubane-shaped [Pr(4)(μ(3)-OH)(4)] clusters and is a binodal 4,8-connected network with (4(16)·6(12))(4(4)·6(2))(2) topology. Compounds 2-7 are isostructural and have 2D layered structures. Compound 8 is also a 2D layer but belongs to different structural types. The luminescence behavior of compound Eu(5) shows that the π-rich aromatic organic ligands efficiently transfer the absorbed light energy to the Eu(III) ions, thus enhancing the overall luminescent properties of compound Eu(5). The magnetic properties of all compounds except for the diamagnetic La(2) compound have been investigated. In addition, elemental analysis, IR spectra, and thermogravimetric analysis of these compounds are also described.

SERS aptasensor from nanorod–nanoparticle junction for protein detection

A multicomponent nanostructure comprising of gold nanorod-nanoparticle (AuNR-AuNP) composites was fabricated to detect thrombin at subnanomolar concentrations in diluted human blood serum. Simulation and experiments revealed that the strong electromagnetic coupling resonance at the nanorod-nanoparticle junction of these probes can be used to construct highly sensitive SERS aptasensors.

Surface enhanced Raman scattering of p-aminothiophenol self-assembled monolayers in sandwich structure fabricated on glass

A sandwich structure consisting of Ag nanoparticles (NPs), p-aminothiophenol (p-ATP) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), and Ag NPs was fabricated on glass and characterized by surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The SERS spectrum of a p-ATP SAM in such sandwich structure shows that the electromagnetic enhancement is greater than that on Ag NPs assembled on glass. The obtained enhancement factors (EF) on solely one sandwich structure were as large as 6.0 +/- 0.62 x 10(4) and 1.2 +/- 0.62 x 10(7) for the 7a and 3b(b(2)) vibration modes, respectively. The large enhancement effect of p-ATP SAMs is likely a result of plasmon coupling between the two layers of Ag NP (localized surface plasmon) resonance, creating a large localized electromagnetic field at their interface, where p-ATP resides. Moreover, the fact that large EF values (approximately 1.9 +/- 0.7 x 10(4) and 9.4 +/- 0.7 x 10(6) for the 7a- and b(2)-type vibration modes, respectively) were also obtained on a single sandwich structure of Au NPsp-ATP SAMsAg NPs in the visible demonstrates that the electromagnetic coupling does not exist only between Ag NPs but also between Au and Ag NPs. The lower EF values on Au-to-Ag NPs compared to those on Ag-to-Ag NPs demonstrate that the Au-to-Ag coupling must be less effective than the Ag-to-Ag coupling for the induction of SERS in the visible.

Rational design and synthesis of SERS labels

SERS labels are a new class of nanotags for optical detection based on Raman scattering. Central advantages include their spectral multiplexing capacity due to the small line width of vibrational Raman bands, quantification based on spectral intensities, high photostability, minimization of autofluorescence from biological specimens via red to near-infrared (NIR) excitation, and the need for only a single laser excitation line. Current concepts for the rational design and synthesis of SERS labels are summarized in this review. Chemical constituents of SERS labels are the plasmonically active metal colloids for signal enhancement upon resonant laser excitation, organic Raman reporter molecules for adsorption onto the metal surface for identification, and an optional protective shell. Different chemical approaches towards the synthesis of rationally designed SERS labels are highlighted, including also their subsequent bioconjugation.

Analysis of the combustion driven linear generator for electric gun applications

Based on the studies of the combustion driven linear generator for the electric gun application, this paper presents a model that can describe the interdependence of the pressure in the combustion chamber and the output current. A computer code is finished and then the results of calculations and analysis are given, which provide guidelines to the design of generators.