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Theme Issue in Honor of Professor Ana Maria Oliveira Brett: Bioelectrochemical Sensing and DNA Electrochemical Biosensors

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A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Analytical Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 October 2023) | Viewed by 8440

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Antonella Curulli

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Guest Editor

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati (ISMN), 00161 Rome, Italy
Interests: organic electrochemistry and electrosynthesis; sensors and biosensors fabrication; built heritage
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue will honor Prof. Ana Maria Oliveira Brett for her outstanding contributions in the areas of bioelectrochemistry and bioelectroanalysis. Prof. Oliveira Brett is a chemist; she obtained her BSc in Chemistry at the University of Coimbra in 1973, and then her PhD in Electrochemistry at the University of London, Imperial College, in 1980. She is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry of the University of Coimbra.

She is also a member of the Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes (CEMMPRE), Research Unit 285 of Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT), and director of the Laboratory of Electroanalysis and Corrosion (IPN-LEC), Instituto Pedro Nunes in Coimbra.

She was the President of the International Bioelectrochemical Society (BES) in 2007–2015, and Past-President in 2016–2017. She was Associate Editor of the Journal Bioelectrochemistry from 2000 to 2016.

She is a Member of the Editorial Board of the international journals Bioelectrochemistry, Analytical Letters, Current Opinion in Electrochemistry, the International Journal of Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, and the Journal of Research in Pharmacy.

She is a member of various Scientific Societies and has been an active member collaborating during different periods as a Division Officer of Analytical Electrochemistry and of Bioelectrochemistry, in the International Society of Electrochemistry (ISE).

She is an IUPAC Fellow, Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), and Chartered Chemist (CChem) (UK).

Her research activity is centered on fundamental aspects in the areas of bioelectrochemistry, the study of electron transfer reactions of compounds of biological interest, bioelectroanalysis, and the development of enzymes and DNA biosensors. Current efforts include studies of the morphology of DNA adsorbed at solid charged interfaces, electrochemical detection of the mechanisms of DNA–drug interactions, and evaluation of oxidative damage caused to DNA by health hazardous compounds. Related research is concerned with the study of electron transfer reactions of antioxidants and understanding the free-radical-induced damaging aspects of the chemistry of disease processes.

Research activity and collaboration with national and international groups are documented by Prof. Oliveira Brett’s projects and publications: she has published more than 230 papers, and is the co-author of 2 undergraduate/graduate textbooks, both published by Oxford University Press (one also translated into Portuguese), 16 chapters in multi-author books, has attended and presented research work in research conferences, and has been invited to present more than 90 lectures, including plenary lectures in international conferences and invited seminars.

All her remarkable scientific contributions cannot be contained in the limited space of a journal, but the least I can do, as a friend and colleague who has had the opportunity to know and appreciate her, is to produce a Special Issue dedicated to her.

It is my great pleasure to invite you to submit a manuscript to this Special Issue; regular articles, communications, as well as reviews concerning the general theme of “Bioelectrochemical Sensing and DNA Electrochemical Biosensors” are all welcome.

Prof. Dr. Antonella Curulli
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

bioelectrochemistry
bioelectrochemical sensing
electrochemical biosensors
DNA biosensors

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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8 pages, 1130 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Bode Phase Angle Signaling of a TB Disease Biomarker

by Unathi Sidwaba, Kaylin Cleo Januarie, Sixolile Mini, Kefilwe Vanessa Mokwebo, Emmanuel Iwuoha and Usisipho Feleni

Molecules 2023, 28(24), 8100; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28248100 - 15 Dec 2023

Viewed by 661

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a worldwide burden whose total control and eradication remains a challenge due to factors including false positive/negative diagnoses associated with the poor sensitivity of the current diagnostics in immune-compromised and post-vaccinated individuals. As these factors complicate both diagnosis and treatment, the early diagnosis of TB is of pivotal importance towards reaching the universal vision of a TB-free world. Here, an aptasensor for signaling an interferon gamma (IFN-γ) TB biomarker at low levels is reported. The aptasensor was assembled through gold–thiol interactions between poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene), gold nanoparticles, and a thiol-modified DNA aptamer specific to IFN-γ. The aptasensor sensitively detected IFN-γ in spiked pleural fluid samples with a detection limit of 0.09 pg/mL within a linear range from 0.2 pg/mL to 1.2 pg/mL. The good performance of the reported aptasensor indicates that it holds the potential for application in the early diagnosis of, in addition to TB, various diseases associated with IFN-γ release in clinical samples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Theme Issue in Honor of Professor Ana Maria Oliveira Brett: Bioelectrochemical Sensing and DNA Electrochemical Biosensors)

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15 pages, 5155 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Smartphone-Based Electrochemical Biosensor for On-Site Nutritional Quality Assessment of Coffee Blends

by Cristine D’Agostino, Claudia Chillocci, Francesca Polli, Luca Surace, Federica Simonetti, Marco Agostini, Sergio Brutti, Franco Mazzei, Gabriele Favero and Rosaceleste Zumpano

Molecules 2023, 28(14), 5425; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28145425 - 15 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1069

Abstract

This work aimed to develop an easy-to-use smartphone-based electrochemical biosensor to quickly assess a coffee blend’s total polyphenols (Phs) content at the industrial and individual levels. The device is based on a commercial carbon-based screen-printed electrode (SPE) modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and gold nanoparticles (GNPs). At the same time, the biological recognition element, Laccase from Trametes versicolor, TvLac, was immobilized on the sensor surface by using glutaraldehyde (GA) as a cross-linking agent. The platform was electrochemically characterized to ascertain the influence of the SPE surface modification on its performance. The working electrode (WE) surface morphology characterization was obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) imaging. All the measurements were carried out with a micro-potentiostat, the Sensit Smart by PalmSens, connected to a smartphone. The developed biosensor provided a sensitivity of 0.12 μA/μM, a linear response ranging from 5 to 70 μM, and a lower detection limit (LOD) of 2.99 μM. Afterward, the biosensor was tested for quantifying the total Phs content in coffee blends, evaluating the influence of both the variety and the roasting degree. The smartphone-based electrochemical biosensor’s performance was validated through the Folin–Ciocâlteu standard method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Theme Issue in Honor of Professor Ana Maria Oliveira Brett: Bioelectrochemical Sensing and DNA Electrochemical Biosensors)

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11 pages, 2751 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Docking Insight into the Label-Free Fluorescence Aptasensor for Ochratoxin A Detection

by Hua Ye, Mengyuan Wang, Xi Yu, Pengfei Ma, Ping Zhu, Jianjun Zhong, Kuo He and Yuanxin Guo

Molecules 2023, 28(12), 4841; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28124841 - 18 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1250

Abstract

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is the most common mycotoxin and can be found in wheat, corn and other grain products. As OTA pollution in these grain products is gaining prominence as a global issue, the demand to develop OTA detection technology has attracted increasing attention. Recently, a variety of label-free fluorescence biosensors based on aptamer have been established. However, the binding mechanisms of some aptasensors are still unclear. Herein, a label-free fluorescent aptasensor employing Thioflavin T (ThT) as donor for OTA detection was constructed based on the G-quadruplex aptamer of the OTA aptamer itself. The key binding region of aptamer was revealed by using molecular docking technology. In the absence of the OTA target, ThT fluorescent dye binds with the OTA aptamer to form an aptamer/ThT complex, and results in the fluorescence intensity being obviously enhanced. In the presence of OTA, the OTA aptamer binds to OTA because of its high affinity and specificity to form an aptamer/OTA complex, and the ThT fluorescent dye is released from the OTA aptamer into the solution. Therefore, the fluorescence intensity is significantly decreased. Molecular docking results revealed that OTA is binding to the pocket-like structure and surrounded by the A29-T3 base pair and C4, T30, G6 and G7 of the aptamer. Meanwhile, this aptasensor shows good selectivity, sensitivity and an excellent recovery rate of the wheat flour spiked experiment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Theme Issue in Honor of Professor Ana Maria Oliveira Brett: Bioelectrochemical Sensing and DNA Electrochemical Biosensors)

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14 pages, 3507 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In situ Electrochemical Evaluation of the Interaction of dsDNA with the Proteasome Inhibitor Anticancer Drug Bortezomib

by Mihaela-Cristina Bunea, Teodor Adrian Enache and Victor Constantin Diculescu

Molecules 2023, 28(7), 3277; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28073277 - 06 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1161

Abstract

Bortezomib is an inhibitor of proteasomes and an anti-cancer drug. Although bortezomib is considered a safe drug, as confirmed by cytotoxicity assays, recent reports highlighted the possibility of interaction between bortezomib and cellular components, with detrimental long-term effects. The evaluation of the interaction between bortezomib and dsDNA was investigated in bulk solution and using a dsDNA electrochemical biosensor. The binding of bortezomib to dsDNA involved its electroactive centers and led to small morphological modifications in the dsDNA double helix, which were electrochemically identified through changes in the guanine and adenine residue oxidation peaks and confirmed by electrophoretic and spectrophotometric measurements. The redox product of bortezomib amino group oxidation was electrochemically generated in situ on the surface of the dsDNA electrochemical biosensor. The redox product of bortezomib was shown to interact primarily with guanine residues, preventing their oxidation and leading to the formation of bortezomib–guanine adducts, which was confirmed by control experiments with polyhomonucleotides electrochemical biosensors and mass spectrometry. An interaction mechanism between dsDNA and bortezomib is proposed, and the formation of the bortezomib redox product–guanine adduct explained. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Theme Issue in Honor of Professor Ana Maria Oliveira Brett: Bioelectrochemical Sensing and DNA Electrochemical Biosensors)

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13 pages, 2973 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a New Route for the Immobilization of Unmodified Single-Stranded DNA on Chitosan Beads and Detection of Released Guanine after Hydrolysis

by Ikram Chahri, Abdelhafid Karrat, Hasna Mohammadi and Aziz Amine

Molecules 2023, 28(5), 2088; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28052088 - 23 Feb 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1467

Abstract

In this work, chitosan beads were used as a cost-effective platform for the covalent immobilization of unmodified single-stranded DNA, using glutaraldehyde as a cross-linking agent. The immobilized DNA capture probe was hybridized in the presence of miRNA-222 as a complementary sequence. The target was evaluated based on the electrochemical response of the released guanine, using hydrochloride acid as a hydrolysis agent. Differential pulse voltammetry technique and screen-printed electrodes modified with COOH-functionalized carbon black were used to monitor the released guanine response before and after hybridization. The functionalized carbon black provided an important signal amplification of guanine compared to the other studied nanomaterials. Under optimal conditions (6 M HCl at 65 °C for 90 min), an electrochemical-based label-free genosensor assay exhibited a linear range between 1 nM and 1 µM of miRNA-222, with a detection limit of 0.2 nM of miRNA-222. The developed sensor was successfully used to quantify miRNA-222 in a human serum sample. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Theme Issue in Honor of Professor Ana Maria Oliveira Brett: Bioelectrochemical Sensing and DNA Electrochemical Biosensors)

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Review

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24 pages, 6473 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Advances in Two-Dimensional MXene-Based Electrochemical Biosensors for Sweat Analysis

by Selvaganapathy Ganesan, Kalaipriya Ramajayam, Thangavelu Kokulnathan and Arunkumar Palaniappan

Molecules 2023, 28(12), 4617; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28124617 - 07 Jun 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2211

Abstract

Sweat, a biofluid secreted naturally from the eccrine glands of the human body, is rich in several electrolytes, metabolites, biomolecules, and even xenobiotics that enter the body through other means. Recent studies indicate a high correlation between the analytes’ concentrations in the sweat and the blood, opening up sweat as a medium for disease diagnosis and other general health monitoring applications. However, low concentration of analytes in sweat is a significant limitation, requiring high-performing sensors for this application. Electrochemical sensors, due to their high sensitivity, low cost, and miniaturization, play a crucial role in realizing the potential of sweat as a key sensing medium. MXenes, recently developed anisotropic two-dimensional atomic-layered nanomaterials composed of early transition metal carbides or nitrides, are currently being explored as a material of choice for electrochemical sensors. Their large surface area, tunable electrical properties, excellent mechanical strength, good dispersibility, and biocompatibility make them attractive for bio-electrochemical sensing platforms. This review presents the recent progress made in MXene-based bio-electrochemical sensors such as wearable, implantable, and microfluidic sensors and their applications in disease diagnosis and developing point-of-care sensing platforms. Finally, the paper discusses the challenges and limitations of MXenes as a material of choice in bio-electrochemical sensors and future perspectives on this exciting material for sweat-sensing applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Theme Issue in Honor of Professor Ana Maria Oliveira Brett: Bioelectrochemical Sensing and DNA Electrochemical Biosensors)

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