Tag Archive for: QCMD

Publication on AWSensors technology

Acoustic Array Biochip Combined with Allele-Specific PCR for Multiple Cancer Mutation Analysis in Tissue and Liquid Biopsy

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Authors: Nikoletta Naoumi, Kleita Michaelidou, George Papadakis, Agapi E. Simaiaki, Román Fernández, Maria Calero, Antonio Arnau, Achilleas Tsortos, Sofia Agelaki, and Electra Gizeli

Journal: ACS Sens. (2022)

Abstract

Regular screening of point mutations is of importance to cancer management and treatment selection. Although techniques like next-generation sequencing and digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are available, these are lacking in speed, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness. The development of alternative methods that can detect the extremely low concentrations of the target mutation in a fast and cost-effective way presents an analytical and technological challenge. Here, an approach is presented where for the first time an allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR) is combined with a newly developed high fundamental frequency quartz crystal microbalance array as biosensor for the amplification and detection, respectively, of cancer point mutations. Increased sensitivity, compared to fluorescence detection of the AS-PCR amplicons, is achieved through energy dissipation measurement of acoustically “lossy” liposomes binding to surface-anchored dsDNA targets. The method, applied to the screening of BRAF V600E and KRAS G12D mutations in spiked-in samples, was shown to be able to detect 1 mutant copy of genomic DNA in an excess of 104 wild-type molecules, that is, with a mutant allele frequency (MAF) of 0.01%. Moreover, validation of tissue and plasma samples obtained from melanoma, colorectal, and lung cancer patients showed excellent agreement with Sanger sequencing and ddPCR; remarkably, the efficiency of this AS-PCR/acoustic methodology to detect mutations in real samples was demonstrated to be below 1% MAF. The combined high sensitivity and technology-readiness level of the methodology, together with the ability for multiple sample analysis (24 array biochip), cost-effectiveness, and compatibility with routine workflow, make this approach a promising tool for implementation in clinical oncology labs for tissue and liquid biopsy.

 

You may read the full paper here.

Publication on AWSensors technology

V. cholerae MakA is a cholesterol-binding pore-forming toxin that induces non-canonical autophagy

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Authors: Xiaotong Jia, Anastasia Knyazeva, Yu Zhang, Sergio Castro-Gonzalez, Shuhei Nakamura, Lars-Anders Carlson, Tamotsu Yoshimori, Dale P. Corkery, Yao-Wen Wu

Journal: J Cell Biol (2022)

 

Abstract

Pore-forming toxins (PFTs) are important virulence factors produced by many pathogenic bacteria. Here, we show that the Vibrio cholerae toxin MakA is a novel cholesterol-binding PFT that induces non-canonical autophagy in a pH-dependent manner. MakA specifically binds to cholesterol on the membrane at pH < 7. Cholesterol-binding leads to oligomerization of MakA on the membrane and pore formation at pH 5.5. Unlike other cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs) which bind cholesterol through a conserved cholesterol-binding motif (Thr-Leu pair), MakA contains an Ile-Ile pair that is essential for MakA-cholesterol interaction. Following internalization, endosomal acidification triggers MakA pore-assembly followed by ESCRT-mediated membrane repair and V-ATPase-dependent unconventional LC3 lipidation on the damaged endolysosomal membranes. These findings characterize a new cholesterol-binding toxin that forms pores in a pH-dependent manner and reveals the molecular mechanism of host autophagy manipulation.

You may read the full paper here.

Publication on AWSensors technology

Aerosol Jet Printing of the Ultramicroporous Calcium Squarate Metal–Organic Framework

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Authors: Dmitry E. Kravchenko, Aleksander Matavž, Víctor Rubio-Giménez, Hanne Vanduffel, Margot Verstreken, Rob Ameloot

Journal: Chem. Mater. (2022)

 

Abstract

Efficient methods to deposit thin layers of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are needed to integrate these microporous materials into microelectronics, sensing devices, and membranes. Herein, we report for the first time the direct aerosol jet printing of a MOF material. The ultramicroporous MOF [Ca(C4O4) (H2O)] (UTSA-280) was deposited from an aqueous precursor solution. In addition to blanket coatings, aerosol jet printing provides direct access to patterned coatings with a resolution of 100 μm via a digital, maskless approach. Moreover, by enabling spatial control over the layer thickness via the number of passes of the nozzle, this direct-write approach presents a more accessible alternative to advanced patterning techniques such as grayscale lithography.

 

You may read the full paper here.

AWSensors participa en el programa Industria 4.0

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ADVANCED WAVE SENSORS, S.L. (AWSensors) ha sido beneficiario del Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional cuyo objetivo es mejorar el uso y la calidad de las tecnologías de la información y de las comunicaciones y el acceso a las mismas y gracias al que ha desarrollado los proyectos de “Gestión integral (ERP)” y “Sistemas de diseño asistido por computador e impresión 3D para prototipo rápido“, para la mejora de competitividad y productividad de la empresa. (30/06/2022). Para ello ha contado con el apoyo del programa Industria 4.0 de la Cámara de Comercio de Valencia. Una manera de hacer Europa


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Publication on AWSensors technology

High Fundamental Frequency (HFF) Monolithic Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation Array for the Simultaneous Detection of Pesticides and Antibiotics in Complex Food

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Authors: María Calero, Román Fernández, María García, Marisol Juan-Borrás, Isabel Escriche, Antonio Arnau, Ángel Montoya and Yolanda Jiménez.

Journal: Biosensors (2022)

 

Abstract

As in the case of the food industry in general, there is a global concern about safety and quality in complex food matrices, such as honey, which is driving the demand for fast, sensitive and affordable analytical techniques across the honey-packaging industry. Although excellent techniques such as liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) are available, these are located in centralized laboratories and are still lacking in speed, simplicity and cost-effectiveness. Here, a new approach is presented where a competitive immunoassay is combined with a novel High Fundamental Frequency Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation (HFF-QCMD) array biosensor for the simultaneous detection of antibiotics and pesticides in honey. Concretely, thiabendazole and sulfathiazole residues were monitored in spiked honey samples. Results revealed that HFF-QCMD arrays provide a complementary and reliable tool to LC-MS/MS for the analysis of contaminants in these kinds of complex matrices, while avoiding elaborate sample pre-treatment. The good sensitivity achieved (I50 values in the 70–720 µg/kg range) and the short analysis time (60 min for 24 individual assays), together with the ability for multiple analyte detection (24 sensor array) and its cost-effectiveness, pave the way for the implementation of a fast on-line, in situ routine control of potentially hazardous chemical residues in honey.

QCMD array cartridge microfluidics

You may read the full paper here.

Publication on AWSensors technology

Membrane insertion mechanism of the caveola coat protein Cavin1

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Authors: Liu, K.-C., Pace, H., Larsson, E., Hossain, S., Kabedev, A., Shukla, A., Jerschabek, V., Mohan, J., Bergström, C. A. S., Bally, M., Schwieger, C., Hubert, M., & Lundmark, R.

Journal: PNAS (2022)

 

Abstract

Caveolae are small plasma membrane invaginations, important for control of membrane tension, signaling cascades, and lipid sorting. The caveola coat protein Cavin1 is essential for shaping such high curvature membrane structures. Yet, a mechanistic understanding of how Cavin1 assembles at the membrane interface is lacking. Here, we used model membranes combined with biophysical dissection and computational modeling to show that Cavin1 inserts into membranes. We establish that initial phosphatidylinositol (4, 5) bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2]–dependent membrane adsorption of the trimeric helical region 1 (HR1) of Cavin1 mediates the subsequent partial separation and membrane insertion of the individual helices. Insertion kinetics of HR1 is further enhanced by the presence of flanking negatively charged disordered regions, which was found important for the coassembly of Cavin1 with Caveolin1 in living cells. We propose that this intricate mechanism potentiates membrane curvature generation and facilitates dynamic rounds of assembly and disassembly of Cavin1 at the membrane.

You may read the full paper here.

Scientific publication

High Frequency (100, 150 MHz) Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) Piezoelectric Genosensor for the Determination of the Escherichia coli O157 rfbE Gene

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Authors: Kaory Barrientos, María Isabel Rocha, Marisol Jaramillo and Neil Aldrín Vásquez.
Journal: Analytical Letters (2022)

 

Abstract

Escherichia coli O157 (E. coli O157) is responsible for outbreaks of high morbidity in food-borne infections. The development of sensitive, reliable, and selective detection systems is of great importance in food safety. In this work, two high fundamental frequency (HFF) piezoelectric genosensors (100 and 150 MHz) were designed and validated for the rfbE gene detection, which encodes O-antigen in E. coli O157. HFF resonators offer improved sensitivity, small sample volumes, and the possibility of integration into lab-on-a-chip devices, but their sensing capabilities have not yet been fully explored. This HFF-QCM genosensor uses the method of physisorption based on the union between the streptavidin and the biotin to immobilize the genetic bioreceptor on the surface and detect its hybridization with the target sequence. Parameters such as molecular coating, specificity, and variability were tested to enhance its performance. Although both genosensors evaluated are able to determine the target, the 100 MHz device has a higher response to the analyte than the 150 MHz platform. This is the first step in the development of an HFF-QCM genosensor that may be used as a trial test of E. coli O157 in large batches of samples.

 

You may read the full paper here.

AWSensors, participante en el Programa Xpande 2022

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30/03/2022. Advanced Wave Sensors S.L. (AWSensors) continúa trabajando en su estrategia de internacionalización. Durante los próximos meses, contaremos con el apoyo de un asesor especializado de la Cámara de Comercio de Valencia, en el marco del Programa Xpande 2022, para la elaboración de un Plan de Internacionalización encaminado a abrir nuevos mercados donde comercializar nuestros equipos de instrumentación de sensores acústicos (Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation monitoring, QCMD, de sus siglas en inglés), así como mejorar la competitividad global.

AWSensors ha sido beneficiaria del Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional cuyo objetivo es mejorar la competitividad de las Pymes y gracias al cual ha puesto en marcha un Plan de Internacionalización con el objetivo de mejorar su posicionamiento competitivo en el exterior durante el año 2022. Para ello ha contado con el apoyo del Programa XPANDE de la Cámara de Comercio de Valencia.

Una manera de hacer Europa

 

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The difference the “D” makes in QCMD

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AWSensors presents a new Technology Note on the importance of dissipation measuring when working with QCMD: “The difference the “D” makes in QCMD”.

Dissipation

What is dissipation, and why it is useful?

Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation, or QCMD, is having a tremendous impact on research in the soft and biological interfaces fields because of its versatility and the wealth of information it provides. In this Technology Note, we discuss the origins of dissipation in the different systems studied by QCMD, from complex fluids and polymer films to biomolecular and particle assemblies, and the information dissipation can provide, from characterizing viscoelasticity to studying molecular conformation.

In this Technical Note we discuss the origins of dissipation, how it can be used to verify the applicability of the Sauerbrey relationship and their interaction with the viscoelasticity and in the biological sensing.

 

Download the Full Technology Note

You can read and download the full Technology Note in pdf file from this link. A list of our Technology Notes can be found on our Technology Web Page..

 

 

AWSensors participa en el programa Becas E+E de IVACE

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Siguiendo con la estrategia de internacionalización de AWSensors, la empresa incorpora a Nuria Portolés Cervera al equipo de Ventas y Marketing dentro del marco de su participación en el programa de Becas E+E – Exportación y Empleo 2021 del Instituto Valenciano de Competitividad Empresarial (IVACE). Durante 8 meses, Nuria cumplirá con un plan formativo en Comercio Exterior y contribuirá con su trabajo en la internacionalización y promoción de la marca y productos QCMD de AWSensors a nivel internacional.

El pasado 28 de diciembre de 2021 se otorgaron los destinos donde las personas becadas en este programa, como Nuria, realizan su formación práctica. Este acto institucional, que estuvo presidido por el Molt Honorable Sr. Ximo Puig, Presidente de la Generalitat Valenciana, y por el Conseller de Economía Sostenible, Sectores Productivos, Comercio y Trabajo, el Sr. Rafael Climent, tuvo lugar en el Palau de la Generalitat.

Nuria Portolés

El programa de Becas E+E está gestionado por IVACE y financiado por el Fondo Social Europeo, dentro de la Iniciativa de empleo juvenil. El programa tiene por objetivo proporcionar una formación profesional en Comercio Exterior a las personas participantes, así como de dotar de más herramientas a las entidades y empresas participantes que sirvan de apoyo en su internacionalización.

 

 

Fuente: https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1OdKrBMzpneKX