The most common bulk acoustic wave device used in biosensing applications is the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), in which a resonant pure shear acoustic wave is excited via electrodes on both major faces of a thin AT-cut quartz plate. For biosensing, the QCM is used to detect the capture of a target by a target-capture film. The sensitivity of the QCM is typically based solely on the detection of

In cell–material interactions, the formation and functioning of filopodia have been demonstrated to be very sensitive to topographic cues. However, substrate-exploring functions of filopodia in a 3D microenvironment remain elusive. In this study, the silk fibroin film with a micropillar structure was prepared to reveal a filopodial-mediated cell response to 3D topographic cues. The micropillars provided

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men and the second leading cause of male cancer deaths. The current blood test for detecting prostate cancers measures prostate-specific antigen. It has many limitations including a very high rate of false positives. Herein, prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) based immunocapture and hexaminolevulinate (HAL) based photodetection are integrated

Ice nucleation (IN) active bacteria such as Pseudomonas syringae promote the growth of ice crystals more effectively than any material known. Using the specialized ice nucleation protein (INP) InaZ, P. syringae—the well studied epiphytic plant pathogen—attacks plants by frost damage and, likewise fascinating, drives ice nucleation within clouds when airborne in the atmosphere by linkage to the Earth’s

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) affects the inner ear compartment and can be caused by different factors. Usually, the lack, death, or malfunction of sensory cells deputed to transduction of mechanic-into-electric signals leads to SNHL. To date, the therapeutic option for patients impaired by severe or profound SNHL is the cochlear implant (CI), a high-tech electronic device replacing the entire

The present work focuses on the application of time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) in osteoporotic bone research. In order to demonstrate the benefit, the authors present concrete application examples of ToF-SIMS in three different areas of bone research. ToF-SIMS as a mass spectrometric imaging technique allows simultaneous visualization of mineralized and nonmineralized bone

In the present work, three types of grafted brush coatings [P4VP, POEGMA246, and P(4VP-co-POEGMA246)] were successfully fabricated using graft polymerization of monomers “from the surface.” The composition, thickness, and morphology of the grafted brush coatings were analyzed by TOF-SIMS, ellipsometry, and AFM, respectively. The chemical nature of the polymer surface plays a crucial role in the growth

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are attractive as biomaterial coatings because they have broad spectrum activity against different microbes, with a low likelihood of incurring antimicrobial resistance. Direct action against the bacterial membrane is the most common mechanism of action (MOA) of AMPs, with specific MOAs dependent on membrane composition, peptide concentration, and environmental factors

Nanoparticles (NPs) are substances between 1 and 100 nm in size. They have been the subject of numerous studies because of their potential applications in a wide range of fields such as cosmetics, electronics, medicine, and food. For biological applications of nanoparticles, they are usually coated with a substance capable of preventing agglomeration of the nanoparticles and nonspecific binding and

The overall success of nanocarriers in biomedical applications depends on their interaction with different proteins in blood. Immunoglobulins as a major protein class of the blood proteome may considerably influence the identity of the nanocarriers in blood. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the specific details of the interaction mechanism between different immunoglobulins and nanocarriers

Amyloid fibrillation is known to contribute in a variety of diseases including neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease) and type II diabetes. The inhibition of fibrillation has been suggested as a possible therapeutic strategy to prevent neuronal and pancreatic β-cell death associated with amyloid diseases. To this end, strong hydrophobic and π-π interactions between

Protein adsorption to biomaterial surfaces is important for the function of such materials with anchorage-dependent cell adhesion requiring the presence of adsorbed proteins. The current study evaluated five solid surfaces with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) grafted from the surface of a poly(tetrafluoroethylene) membrane with respect to the adsorption of serum albumin (SA), lactoferrin (Lf), and lysozyme

Thin film coatings prepared from commercially available glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPS) modified silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) (Bindzil® CC301 and Bindzil® CC302) have previously shown excellent antifouling performance against a broad range of microbes [Molino et al., “Hydration layer structure of biofouling-resistant nanoparticles,” ACS Nano 12, 11610 (2018)]. In this work, single cell force

In this study, the authors evaluated the distribution of low-abundance beauty ingredients in human skin tissues. The distribution of collagen tripeptide, a beauty ingredient, in the human skin was evaluated by applying multivariate curve resolution (MCR) to the time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry mapping data, including reference information. The intensity of the secondary ion peaks was

Testing the adhesion of marine biofilm formers on bioresistant coatings is important to determine their fouling-release and antifouling properties. A dynamic attachment assay for the marine bacterium Cobetia marina (C. marina) was developed to test the adhesion on coatings and bioresistant surfaces. With well-defined culture conditions, the reproducibility of the microfluidic accumulation experiments

The stable nitroxide radical TEMPO [(2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl] has a multitude of applications in fields ranging from energy storage to biomedical applications and many more. However, to date, the processes of incorporating nitroxide radicals into thin-film coatings are laborious and not cost-effective, which hinders their wider use in many applications. In contrast, the authors have

In order to address the complexity of chemical analysis of biological systems, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and x-ray photoemission electron microscopy (XPEEM) were used for combined surface imaging of a biological tissue formed around a surface neural device after implantation on a nonhuman primate brain. Results show patterns on

Many individuals perform cell viability assays as a measure of biocompatibility whether the focus of their research is on novel drug discovery, development of novel biomedical devices, or the study of biointerfacial phenomena. In this tutorial paper, the most commonly used methods available to users to perform biocompatibility testing are discussed. This includes a brief introduction into the benefits

Single protein imaging and understanding their interactions are of paramount importance to understand the life phenomena. Recently reported multiplex protein SIMS imaging methodology using metal-oxide nanoparticle conjugated antibodies can be extended to a single protein imaging methodology using He ion microscopy (HIM). It is proposed here that single protein can be imaged in the microscale and the

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) is extensively employed for the structural analysis of the outermost surfaces of organic materials, including biological materials, because it provides detailed compositional information and enables high-spatial-resolution chemical mapping. In this study, a combination of TOF-SIMS and data analysis was employed to evaluate biological materials

Since Ar-gas cluster ion beams (Ar-GCIBs) have been introduced into time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), there have been various attempts to analyze organic materials and biomolecules that require low-damage analysis and high sensitivity, because Ar-GCIBs allow soft ionization of large molecules such as peptides and proteins due to the low energy per atom. Here, the authors adopted

Opportunities arising from the use of the rheometric quartz crystal microbalance (RheoQCM) as a fixed frequency rheometer operating at 15 MHz are discussed. The technique requires the use of films in a specified thickness range that depends on the mechanical properties of the material of interest. A regime map quantifying the appropriate thicknesses is developed, based on the properties of a highly

With regard to life sciences, it is important to understand biological functions such as metabolic reactions at the cellular level. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) that can provide chemical mappings at 100 nm lateral resolutions is useful for obtaining three-dimensional maps of biological molecules in cells and tissues. TOF-SIMS spectra generally contain several hundred to

This work examines the antifouling effect of quaternary ammonium silane (QAS) grafted from coatings of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs), independently and in combination with a zwitterionic sulfobetaine (SB) silane. The binding of QAS to the SiNP coatings was monitored using quartz crystal microgravimetry with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) under varied pH and solution concentrations. Adsorption of bovine

Matrix effects, which cause a change in ion intensity, occur in mass spectrometry methods including time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). Matrix effects often cause large issues in quantitative analysis because secondary ions related to a particular molecule could be dramatically enhanced or suppressed regardless of the concentration. To investigate matrix effects in biological

Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) are being developed for numerous biomedical applications. There is a limited understanding of ELP biocompatibility, with conflicting results in the literature. Protein adsorption is the fate determining event for blood-contacting biomaterials. The aim of this study is to elucidate the biocompatibility of ELP-based nanoparticles by examining the adsorbed proteome from

This paper presents the use of a commercial quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) to investigate live-cell activity in water-based toxic solutions. The QCM used in this research has a resonant frequency of 10 MHz and consists of an AT-cut quartz crystal with gold electrodes on both sides. This QCM was transformed into a functional biosensor by integrating with polydimethylsiloxane culturing chambers. Rainbow

Nowadays, high-resolution imaging techniques are extensively applied in a complementary way to gain insights into complex phenomena. For a truly complementary analytical approach, a common sample carrier is required that is suitable for the different preparation methods necessary for each analytical technique. This sample carrier should be capable of accommodating diverse analytes and maintaining their

An electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance is described, which achieves a time resolution down to 100 μs. Accumulation and averaging over a few hours bring the noise down to about 30 mHz. The application examples are pH-driven viscosity changes in albumin solutions. The pH was switched with the electrode potential. The characteristic response time is in the millisecond range. The focus is on experimental

Functional surface coatings are a key option for biomedical applications, from polymeric supports for tissue engineering to smart matrices for controlled drug delivery. Therefore, the synthesis of new materials for biological applications and developments is promising. Hence, biocompatible and stimuli-responsive polymers are interesting materials, especially when they present conductive properties

Controlling how proteins are immobilized (e.g., controlling their orientation and conformation) is essential for developing and optimizing the performance of in vitro protein-binding devices, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Characterizing the identity, orientation, etc., of proteins in complex mixtures of immobilized proteins requires a multitechnique approach. The focus of this work was

Desorption/ionization induced by neutral clusters (DINeC) is used as an ultrasoft desorption/ionization method for the analysis of fragile biomolecules by means of mass spectrometry (MS). As a test molecule, the glycopeptide vancomycin was measured with DINeC-MS, and resulting mass spectra were compared to the results obtained with electrospray ionization (ESI), matrix assisted laser desorption ionization

In recent decades, single particle tracking (SPT) has been developed into a sophisticated analytical approach involving complex instruments and data analysis schemes to extract information from time-resolved particle trajectories. Very often, mobility-related properties are extracted from these particle trajectories, as they often contain information about local interactions experienced by the particles

Polymer surface grafting is widely used in the field of bone regeneration to increase calcium phosphate (CaP) adhesion, with the intent of improving mechanical properties of CaP-polymer composite cements. Reinforcement can be achieved using multiple combined functional groups and/or complex surface geometries that, however, concurrently influence multiple effects such as wetting, roughness, and interfacial

Antimicrobial properties of solid copper (Cu) surfaces against various microorganisms have been demonstrated, but little is known about the durability and relative antimicrobial efficacy of different Cu formulations currently used in healthcare. The aim of this study was to assess whether three different formulations of copper-bearing alloys (integral, spray-on and Cu-impregnated surfaces) and a stainless

Many studies have shown that urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) is causally involved in promoting cancer invasion and metastasis. Thus, monitoring uPA levels could be very useful in cancer diagnosis, identification of initial metastasis, and guiding cancer treatment. Here, the authors developed a novel and scalable uPA sensor based on a graphene-gold nanoparticle platform that uses fluorescence

Polystyrene-block-polyethylene oxide (PS-b-PEO) coated surfaces have been explored as cell culture substrates in the past decade. However, their cytocompatibility has not been extensively assessed. In this study, the in vitro cytocompatibility of PS-b-PEO was investigated. Cellular morphology, metabolic activity, and viability were evaluated at 1, 3, and 5 days after cell seeding. Viability was greater

The implementation of self-assembled biomolecules on solid materials, in particular, sensor and electrode surfaces, gains increasing importance for the design of stable functional platforms, bioinspired materials, and biosensors. The present study reports on the formation of a planar hybrid lipid/polymer membrane on a crystalline surface layer protein (SLP) lattice. The latter acts as a connecting

The reliability and stability of array slides are a big concern for array vendors and end users. Herein, we report on a new type of array slide with high reactivity toward DNA probes and low side reaction. A one-step surface reaction via the Michael addition involved in preparing array slides was developed and characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, contact angle, and fluorescence labeling

Surface interactions largely control how biomaterials interact with biology and how many other types of materials function in industrial applications. ToF-SIMS analysis is extremely useful for interrogating the surfaces of complex materials and shows great promise in analyzing biological samples. Previously, the authors demonstrated that segmentation (between 1 and 0.005 m/z mass bins) of the mass

Engineered scaffolds simultaneously exhibiting multiple cues are highly desirable for neural tissue regeneration. Silk fibroin is a promising natural protein material for nerve repair. However, the lack of specific bioactive cues significantly hinders its application. In this study, the electrospun silk fibroin nanofibers with both biochemical and topographical cues were prepared. The alignment of

Stents are cardiovascular implants deployed on atherosclerotic arteries that aid in reopening, sustaining, and avoiding their collapse. Nevertheless, postimplantation complications exist, and the risk of the renewal of the plaque subsists. Therefore, enhanced properties are mandatory requirements for clinics. For that purpose, a novel approach allowing the direct-grafting of bioactive molecules on

Ti-6Al-4V alloy, as a widely used orthopedic and dental implant, has excellent biocompatibility and machinability. However, its poor corrosion resistance and antibacterial property may lead to tissue inflammation and postoperative infection, which hinders its further development. In this paper, to solve the above problems, copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) ions were coimplanted into a titanium nitride (TiN)

Extrusion bioprinting, the most affordable and convenient bioprinting modality, is also associated with high process-induced cell deaths. Mechanical stresses on the cells during pneumatic or piston extrusion generate excessive reactive oxygen species and activate apoptosis, inflammatory pathways in the cells. In this study, a bioink formulation is augmented with an antioxidant, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)

Biotemplating presents a promising approach to improve the performance of inorganic materials via specific control over morphology, crystal structure, and the size of particles during synthesis and assembly. Among other biotemplates, solid binding polypeptides (SBPs) isolated for the material of interest provide high binding affinity and selectivity due to distinct combinations of functional groups

Performance and safety of materials in contact with living matter are determined by sequential and competitive protein adsorption. However, cause and consequences of these processes remain hard to be generalized and predicted. In a new attempt to address that challenge, the authors compared and analyzed the protein adsorption and displacement on various thoroughly characterized polymer substrates using

In situ liquid time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) is a powerful technique to study surface characterization of living biofilms in hydrated conditions. However, ToF-SIMS data analysis is still a great challenge in complicated bacterial biofilms, because many interference peaks from the medium may result in inaccurate interpretation. In this study, two syntrophic Geobacter populations

The need for direct biomaterial-based delivery of growth factors to wound surfaces to aid in wound healing emphasizes the importance of interfacial interactions between the biomaterial and the wound surface. These interactions include the spatial localization of growth factor, the surface intensity of growth factor in contact with the wound, and the release profile of growth factor to the wound surface

Polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) consisting of hyaluronic acid (HA) and chitosan (Ch) are extensively studied for biomedical applications and suppress bacterial and protein attachment. Here, we prepared and tested HA/Ch PEMs as marine fouling-release coatings. PEMs were constructed by layer-by-layer assembly using spin coating. The multilayers were crosslinked for enhanced stability in the sea water

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) is a powerful tool to obtain both chemical information and spatial distribution of specific molecules of interest on a specimen surface. However, since the focused ion beam requires ultrahigh vacuum conditions for desorption and ionization of analytes, proper specimen preparation, such as drying, freeze-drying, and frozen dehydration, is required

New surface initiators for ARGET ATRP (activators regenerated by electron transfer atomic transfer radical polymerization) have been prepared by the plasma deposition of haloester monomers. Specifically, methyl 3-bromopropionate (M3BP), methyl 2-chloropropionate, and ethyl 2-fluoropropionate (E2FP) were plasma deposited onto glass discs using RF glow discharge plasma. This technique creates surface

Point-of-care (POC) detection and diagnostic platforms provide critical information about health and safety conditions in austere and resource-limited settings in which medical, military, and disaster relief operations are conducted. In this work, low-cost paper materials commonly used in POC devices are coated with liquid-infused polymer surfaces and folded to produce geometries that precisely localize

In this systematic review, the authors explored the surface aspects of various titanium (Ti) or Ti alloy medical implants, examining the interface formed between the implant and surrounding nonkeratinized soft tissues (periosteum, muscles, tendons, fat, cicatrix, or dura mater). A comprehensive search undertaken in July 2019 used strict keywords in relevant electronic databases to identify relevant

With the growing number of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures and the increased interest for regenerative medicine procedures, many studies are now concentrated on developing bioactive and biodegradable synthetic ligaments. For this application, the choice of raw materials with appropriate physicochemical characteristics and long-term degradation features is essential. Polycaprolactone (PCL)

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) have made unbelievable progress in the field of nanotechnology and biomedical research. The proper toxicological assessment of TiO2 NPs and the reduction of its cytotoxicity need to be addressed. Fe doping in TiO2 has been investigated to reduce the toxic effects of TiO2 NPs. Fe doped TiO2 powder samples were synthesized by sol-gel methods. The prepared samples

The aim of this study is to evaluate the predominant material property that enhances the biocompatibility of an anodized titanium (Ti) implant. A Ti surface was anodized in an H3PO4 electrolyte with various voltages. Then, the cell responses involving attachment, proliferation, and differentiation were evaluated. Anodization using various voltages formed TiO2 layers with various surface morphologies

When a tissue slice pretreated with gold nanoparticles is irradiated with a focused 532-nm continuous wave laser, desorption is observed to be uniform and stable, and its shape is sharp and steep. However, since the desorbed molecules are still electrically neutral particles in atmospheric pressure (AP), additional procedure of ionizing them is necessary for AP mass spectrometry (AP-MS) analysis. Therefore

Networks of amyloid-like nanofibrils assembled from short peptide sequences have the ability to form scaffolds that can encapsulate clinically relevant stem cells encouraging their attachment, growth, and differentiation into various lineages which can be used in tissue engineering applications to treat a range of diseases and traumas. In this review, the author highlights a selection of important

Polymeric tissue engineering scaffolds have shown promise to aid in regeneration and repair of damaged tissue. In particular, nonfouling polymers have been proposed for eliminating biomaterial-induced concerns such as infection, scarring, and rejection by the immune system. Polyampholyte polymers are one class of nonfouling polymers that are composed of an equimolar mixture of positively and negatively