Neste trabalho relata-se pela primeira vez a determinação de adenosina por um biossensor baseado em tirosinase. O biossensor foi desenvolvido mediante a modificação de um eletrodo de carbono impresso (SPE) com nanopartículas de ouro (AuNPs), tirosinase (Tyr) e Nafion, denominado biossensor Nafion/Tyr/AuNPs/SPE. As AuNPs sintetizadas possuem diâmetro médio de 15,0 ± 1,1 nm e sua função é melhorar a via de condução de elétrons entre a enzima e o eletrodo. Utilizou-se o aprisionamento com filme Nafion® para evitar a lixiviação enzimática da superfície do eletrodo. A tirosinase imobilizada apresentou boa atividade frente ao substrato catecol. Verificou-se que a adenosina atua como um inibidor do tipo não-competitivo. O biossensor é estável durante pelo menos 45 dias. Além disso, foi realizada a eletro-oxidação da adenosina para sua determinação. O biossensor apresenta sensibilidade superior em comparação com SPE, AuNPs/SPE e Nafion/AuNPs/SPE. As curvas de calibração revelaram duas faixas lineares para as concentrações de adenosina, de 1,0 × 10-5 mol L-1 até 5,0 × 10-5 mol L-1 e entre 6,0 × 10-5 mol L-1 e 1,2 × 10-4 mol L -1. O limite de detecção (3 × (desvio padrão + média dos brancos)/coeficiente angular da curva) foi de 7,0 × 10-7 mol L-1. / In this work we report for the first time the determination of adenosine by a biosensor based on tyrosinase. The biosensor was developed by modifying a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPE) with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), tyrosinase (Tyr) and Nafion, denoted as Nafion/Tyr/AuNPs/SPE biosensor. The synthesized AuNPs have a mean diameter of 15.0 ± 1.1 nm and their function is to improve the electron conduction pathway between the enzyme and the electrode. The entrapment with Nafion® film was selected to prevent the enzyme lixiviation from the electrode surface. Immobilized tyrosinase showed good activity with the catechol substrate. It was found that adenosine acts as a non-competitive type inhibitor. The biosensor is stable for at least 45 days. In addition, the electro-oxidation of adenosine was performed for its determination. The biosensor has superior sensitivity compared to SPE, AuNPs/SPE and Nafion/AuNPs/SPE. Calibration curves revealed two linear ranges for adenosine concentrations of 1,010-5 mol L-1 up to 5,010-5 mol L-1 and from 6,010-5 mol L-1 to 1,210-4 mol L-1. The detection limit (3 × (standard deviation + mean of blanks)/slope of the curve) was 7,010-7 mol L-1.

Ce travail s’est focalisé sur l’apport des nanoparticules d’or (GNPs) dans la construction d’immunocapteurs piézoélectriques et plasmoniques. Deux stratégies ont été mises en œuvre, mettant à profit les propriétés physico-chimiques uniques des GNPs La première approche a consisté à nanostructurer la surface de capteurs piézoélectriques par des GNPs en exploitant leur haut rapport volume / surface. La deuxième stratégie a consisté à employer les GNPs comme transducteur de biocapteurs colorimétriques en exploitant leurs propriétés optiques. Dans une première partie, la nanostructuration de matériaux plans recouverts d'or ou de silicium par des GNPs (14 nm) a été réalisée. Chaque étape d'élaboration des films fins de nanoparticules a été vérifiée par différentes techniques de caractérisation de surface comme la mesure d’angle de contact, la spectroscopie IR, XPS et MEB. Ces surfaces ont été ensuite employées au développement d’immunocapteurs piézoélectriques pour la détection de diclofénac, un polluant pharmaceutique et d’entérotoxine A (SEA), une toxine bactérienne produite par la bactérie S. aureus.L’apport des GNPs a été mis en évidence par comparaison des performances des immunocapteurs plans et nanostructurés. Dans une deuxième partie, la construction d’un immunocapteur colorimétrique opérant en phase homogène a été réalisée en mettant à profit le changement de la position de la bande de résonance localisée de plasmon de surface (LSPR) résultant du changement d'indice de réfraction local induit par la réaction immunologique entre la SEA et un bioconjugué GNP-anti-SEA. Ces études constituent une alternative séduisante pour la détection rapide dans la gamme du ng/mL. / This project focussed on the asset of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in the build up of piezoelectric and plasmonic immunosensors. Two strategies were implemented, taking advantage of the unique physico-chemical features of GNPs. The first approach consisted in nanostructuring the surface of piezoelectric sensors by GNPs, to exploit their high surface / volume ratio. The second approach consisted in employing the GNPs as transducer in colorimetric biosensors, by making use of their optical properties. In a first part, nanostructuration of planar materials covered with gold or silicon by GNPs (14 nm) was achieved. Each step of the construction of thin films of GNPs was checked by various surface characterization techniques, including contact angle measurements, IR spectroscopy, XPS and SEM. These surfaces were then employed in the development of piezoelectric immunosensors for the detection of the pharmaceutical pollutant diclofenac and staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA), a bacterial toxin produced by S. aureus. The input of GNPs was evidenced by comparison with the performances of planar immunosensors. In a second part, the build up of a colorimetric immunosensor operating in the homogeneous phase was achieved by making use of the shift of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) band resulting from the change of local refraction index induced by the immunological reaction between SEA and GNP-anti-SEA bioconjugate. These studies establish a model for the development of immunosensor for a rapid detection in the ng/mL range.

This dissertation of master s degree presents the results and discussions related to the synthesis, characterization, and stability of a new colloidal system containing gold nanoparticles (AuNP) dispersed in castor oil. In parallel, the stability of the system against agglomeration, after addition of other organic solvents in the medium was evaluated. In collaboration with the Laboratory of Optics and Materials of the Institute of Physics of the Federal University of Alagoas, the non linear optical properties of the new colloidal system were evaluated. The colloids were synthesized via wet chemistry, using a two-phase method, which consists of a mixture of an aqueous solution of HAuCl4, castor oil, ethanol, and an aqueous solution of KOH. Several colloid syntheses had been carried out, using ratios of Au/OH⎯/castor oil, in order to establish the convenient concentration ratio of the components to lead the formation of relative stable colloids. The AuNPs had been characterized by Transmission Electronic Microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), and the quantification of gold content in the colloid was done by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). The new colloidal system of nanoparticles of gold dispersed in castor oil presented interesting non linear optical properties. These properties had been evaluated via z-scan technique / Neste trabalho de dissertação de mestrado são apresentados e discutidos os resultados obtidos com relação à síntese, caracterização e estabilidade de novos sistemas coloidais contendo nanopartículas de ouro (AuNP) dispersas em óleo de mamona. Em paralelo, foi avaliada a estabilidade desse novo sistema frente à aglomeração das nanopartículas presentes, quando adicionados outros solventes orgânicos no meio. Além disso, foram avaliadas algumas propriedades ópticas não lineares desse novo sistema, em colaboração com o Grupo de Óptica e Materiais do Instituto de Física da Universidade Federal de Alagoas. Os colóides foram preparados por via úmida, através de um processo bifásico, que consiste de mistura da solução aquosa de HAuCl4 , óleo de mamona, etanol e, por fim, uma solução aquosa de KOH. Foram realizadas diversas sínteses, com diferentes razões Au/OH⎯/óleo de mamona, para estabelecer a faixa de razões de concentração dos componentes capazes de conduzir a formação de coloides relativamente estáveis. As AuNP foram caracterizadas por Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão (TEM), Espectroscopia eletrônica no Ultravioleta-vísivel (UV-Vis) e a quantificação de ouro presente no colóide por Espectrometria de Emissão Atômica com Plasma Acoplado Indutivamente (ICP-AES). O novo sistema coloidal de nanopartículas de ouro dispersas em óleo de mamona apresentou propriedades ópticas não lineares interessantes. Essas propriedades foram avaliadas via técnicas de Z-Scan

xviii, 192 p. / Gold nanoparticles in the 1-2 mn core diameter size regime have generated a great deal of interest due to their size-dependent electronic, optical, and catalytic properties. A number of proof-of-concept experiments have demonstrated that small metal nanoparticles can be integrated into single electron transistors and optical waveguides. Still, reliable incorporation of gold nanoparticles into devices requires practical methods for their assembly on surfaces. Additionally, surface modification methods must be developed in order to control interparticle interactions and nanoparticle-environment interactions for use in sensing and catalysis. In this research, nanoparticle-substrate interactions were utilized to assemble surface-bound gold nanoparticle monolayers with interesting electronic and catalytic properties. Gold nanoparticles (1.5 nm diameter) with a thiol ligand shell containing phosphonic acid terminal functionality were synthesized and assembled selectively onto hafnium-modified silicon dioxide substrates through bonding of the terminal phosphonate to Hf(IV) surface groups. By increasing the surface coverage of Hf, it was possible to assemble monolayers of gold nanoparticles dense enough to exhibit nonlinear current-voltage properties across a 5-μm electrode gap at room temperature. Moreover, by taking advantage of the selectivity of this ligand shell for ZnO over SiO 2 , small gold nanoparticles were utilized as catalysts for selective growth of patterned, vertical ZnO nanowire arrays. In addition to engineering nanoparticle-substrate interactions, new surface modification methods were introduced to manipulate the interaction of the as-deposited gold nanoparticle monolayers with the environment. For example, thiol-thiol ligand exchange reactions were carried out on the surface-bound nanoparticle monolayers by immersion in dilute thiol solutions. Contact angle and XPS measurements indicate that the upper, surface-exposed phosphonic acid ligands are replaced by incoming thiol ligands. TEM measurements indicate that nanoparticle monolayers remain surface-bound and are stable to this exchange process, as the average particle size and surface coverage are preserved. As another example, the ligand shell can be partially removed by UV/ozone treatment to expose bare gold cores to the surrounding environment. On metal oxide substrates, this approach activates the particles for room temperature oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. This dissertation includes both my previously published and my co-authored materials. / Adviser: James E. Hutchison

xx, 242 p. : ill. (some col.) / Applications of ligand-protected nanoparticles have increased markedly in recent years, yet their controlled synthesis remains an under-developed field. Nanoparticle syntheses are highly specialized in their execution and often possess significant limitations. For example, the synthesis of thiol-stabilized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with core diameters greater than 5.0 nm is difficult to achieve using existing methods. This dissertation describes the development of a synthetic strategy for thiolate-stabilized AuNPs over a wide range of core sizes using alkyl thiosulfates (Bunte salts) as ligand precursors. The use of Bunte salts permits the synthesis of larger AuNPs than can be achieved using thiols by allowing the AuNP cores to grow to larger diameters before the formation of the thiolate ligand shell. Chapter II details the development of a direct synthesis strategy using Bunte salts as ligand precursors that produces AuNPs with diameters up to 20 nm. Chapter III describes an investigation of the ligand shell formation that occurs during these syntheses. The ligand shell formation involves the adsorption of the Bunte salt to the AuNP surface, where it is converted to the thiolate. This conversion requires an excess of sodium borohydride in the synthesis of >5 nm AuNPs, but not for the synthesis of smaller AuNPs. This synthetic strategy was adapted for use in flow reactors to attain simultaneous AuNP synthesis and characterization. Chapter IV demonstrates that thiol-stabilized AuNPs can be synthesized in a microfluidic device with product monitoring provided by UV-vis absorbance spectroscopy. The development of a capillary flow reactor that permits the incorporation of new monitoring techniques is presented in Chapter V. The incorporation of Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) analysis provides quantitative <italic>in situ</italic> determinations of AuNP diameter. The combination of synthetic control and monitoring makes capillary flow reactors powerful tools for optimization of NP syntheses and monitoring NP growth. In Chapter VI, the capillary flow reactor is used in an investigation of AuNP core growth. We also review AuNP growth mechanisms and show how to differentiate these using SAXS and UV-vis analysis. In these studies, AuNP growth is unexpectedly shown to involve a coalescence mechanism. This dissertation includes previously published and co-authored material. / Committee in charge: Victoria De Rose Chairperson; James E. Hutchison, Advisor; Catherine Page, Member; Darren W. Johnson, Member; Miriam Deutsch, Outside Member

abstract: Accurate virus detection is important for diagnosis in a timely manner to facilitate rapid interventions and treatments. RNA viruses affect an extensive amount of the world’s population, particularly in tropical countries where emerging infectious agents often arise. Current diagnostic methods have three main problems: they are time consuming, typically not field-portable, and expensive. My research goal is to develop rapid, field-portable and cost sensitive diagnostic methods for RNA viruses. Herein, two different approaches to detect RNA viruses were proposed: Conjugated gold nanoparticles for detection of viral particles or virus-specific antibodies by monitoring changes in their optical properties, and Tentacle Probes coupled with qPCR for detection and differentiation of closely-related viral strains. The first approach was divided into two projects: the study and characterization of the gold nanoparticle-antibody system for detection of virus particles using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and development of a detection method for antibodies using static light scattering (SLS) and antigen-conjugated gold nanoparticles. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugated gold nanoparticles could successfully detect BSA-specific antibodies in vitro, and protein E from Dengue Virus serotype 2 conjugated gold nanoparticles could detect Dengue-specific antibodies, both in vitro and in serum samples. This method is more accurate than currently used detection methods such as dot blots. The second approach uses Tentacle Probes, which are modified molecular beacons, to detect with high specificity two different strains of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV), Armstrong and Clone-13, which differ in only one nucleotide at the target sequence. We successfully designed and use Tentacle Probes for detection of both strains of LCMV, in vitro and in serum from infected mice. Moreover, detection of as little as 10% of Clone-13 strain was possible when diluted in 90% Armstrong strain. This approach enables the detection of different strains of virus even within a mixed quasispecies and may be important for improving intervention strategies for reducing disease. The detection methods provide rapid detection of viruses, including viral strains within mixed populations, and should enhance our ability in providing early responses to emerging infectious diseases due to RNA viruses including Zika or Dengue virus. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Biochemistry 2016

Esse trabalho teve como objetivo a produção e a caracterização elétrica de filmes finos de telureto com nanopartículas de ouro, depositados pela técnica sputtering, para aplicação em dispositivos de memória. Os filmes finos foram produzidos a partir de alvos cerâmicos de telureto (TeO2-ZnO) e foram nucleadas nanopartículas de ouro para observar sua influência no comportamento de memória. Foi desenvolvida metodologia adequada para a nucleação das nanopartículas por meio de tratamento térmico. Foram produzidos filmes com diferentes concentrações e tamanhos de nanopartículas e diferentes fluxos de oxigênio durante a deposição. Os filmes foram caracterizados por técnicas como Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão (TEM), Perfilometria, Espectrometria por Retroespalhamento de Rutherford (RBS) e extração de curvas de Corrente x Tensão (I-V). Por meio das medidas I-V foi possível identificar as melhores condições para aplicações em memória e correlacioná-las com as variáveis de processo estudadas. Resultados obtidos mostraram que a melhor condição para aplicações em memória não volátil foi encontrada em filmes com 100 nm de espessura e depositados com fluxo de oxigênio de 1 sccm, abertura do shutter em 50 e tratados termicamente por 10 ou 20 horas à 325 ºC. Nesses casos, foi observado um abrupto aumento na corrente (4 ordens de grandeza) em aproximadamente 6,5 V para 10 horas de tratamento térmico e 3,5 V para 20 horas de tratamento térmico, indicando a transição do estado inicial de baixa condutividade para outro de alta condutividade. As nanopartículas de ouro proporcionam maior capacidade de armazenamento de elétrons e não favorecem o transporte de corrente através do isolante; elas atuam como armadilhas para as cargas elétricas, o que reduz a corrente de fuga para níveis mais baixos. Foi estudada a influência do diâmetro e da concentração volumétrica das nanopartículas de ouro no valor da tensão elétrica associada à transição abrupta da corrente. Este parâmetro desempenha um papel importante no efeito de memória, pois determina a facilidade/dificuldade em se preencher e saturar as armadilhas (nanopartículas de ouro) com elétrons. Os materiais estudados neste trabalho mostraram-se promissores para aplicações em dispositivos de memória não volátil e possuem características semelhantes aos materiais orgânicos usados para o referido fim. / This work has the objective to fabricate and characterize electrically tellurite thin films containing gold nanoparticles, deposited by the sputtering technique, for application in memory devices. Thin films were produced from ceramic tellurite targets and gold nanoparticles were nucleated in order to observe their influence on memory behavior. An appropriate method was developed for the nucleation of the nanoparticles by means of heat treatment. Films with different nanoparticles sizes and concentration and different oxygen fluxes during the deposition, were produced. The films were characterized by techniques such as Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Profilometry, Rutherford Backscatter Spectrometry (RBS) and current x voltage (I-V) curves. Using I-V measurements, it was possible to identify the best conditions for memory applications and correlate them with the process variables studied. The results showed that the best condition for memory applications was found in films with 100 nm thickness and deposited with oxygen flow of 1 sccm, opening shutter in 50 and heat treated for 10 or 20 hours at 325 ºC. In these cases, current abrupt increase (4 orders of magnitude) was observed at about 6.5 V for 10 hours of heat treatment and 3.5 V for 20 hours of heat treatment, indicating the transition from high impedance state to low impedance state. Gold nanoparticles provide a larger electron storage capability, and do not favor the electric transport through the insulator; they act as traps for electrical charges, which reduces the leak current to lower levels. It was studied the influence of the gold nanoparticles diameter and volumetric concentration on the voltage associated to the abrupt current. These parameters played an important role in the memory effect, as they determined the facility/difficulty to fill and saturate the traps (Au nanoparticles) with electrons. The materials studied in the present work, based on TeO2-ZnO thin films with Au nanoparticles, are promising for applications in nonvolatile memory device with similar characteristics to organic materials used for the same purpose.

Submitted by Raquel Bester Liszbinski (raquelb.biomed@gmail.com) on 2018-06-12T15:27:51Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Raquel Bester Liszbinski 04.2018 .pdf: 2684297 bytes, checksum: 39e14fcba58d472dfe21ab816c211c29 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by ROSANGELA APARECIDA LOBO null (rosangelalobo@btu.unesp.br) on 2018-06-13T16:59:06Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 liszbinski_rb_me_bot.pdf: 2684297 bytes, checksum: 39e14fcba58d472dfe21ab816c211c29 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-13T16:59:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 liszbinski_rb_me_bot.pdf: 2684297 bytes, checksum: 39e14fcba58d472dfe21ab816c211c29 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-04-26 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O câncer colorretal (CCR) é o terceiro tipo mais prevalente de câncer no mundo, com frequentes complicações metastáticas muitas vezes associadas ao desenvolvimento de resistência adquirida aos fármacos. Uma das estratégias terapêuticas utilizadas no tratamento de pacientes que não respondem bem à quimioterapia convencional é a imunoterapia baseada na aplicação de anticorpos monoclonais cetuximab ou panitumumab, ambos dirigidos ao receptor do fator de crescimento epidérmico (EGFR). Em alguns casos observa-se associação da resistência aos anticorpos com a superexpressão de HER2, outro membro da família do EGFR. Assim, esta dissertação foi elaborada para testar a hipótese de que o uso conjunto de anticorpos anti-EGFR e anti-HER será capaz de reduzir o escape das células tumorais e que a associação com fármacos antitumorais tornará mais efetiva sua eliminação. Com esse propósito, nosso objetivo foi utilizar nanopartículas ouro (AuNP) para o transporte de 5-fluorouracil (5FU), endereçando esses nanocarreadores para as células de câncer colorretal recobrindo-os com anticorpos contra os receptores para fator de crescimento epidérmico EGFR (ErbB-1) e HER2 (ErbB-2). Os nanocarreadores foram testados in vitro quanto a sua interação por células de câncer colorretal HCT-116 e Caco-2 por citometria de fluxo, sua capacidade de induzir apoptose/necrose e seu efeito sobre a atividade proliferativa das células testadas. Nossos dados indicam que as AuNP produzidas e funcionalizadas com as moléculas de interesse possuem estrutura esférica, no entanto, algumas formulações apresentaram aglomeração devido a incorporação das moléculas orgânicas. Os ensaios biológicos mostraram que a AuNP 5FU EGFR teve efeito significativo na atividade citotóxica pela via apoptótica recente quando as células foram expostas à maior concentração testada, independentemente do tempo de exposição. Consequentemente, a proliferação celular foi cessada neste mesmo tratamentos e ambos os fenômenos foram observados de forma mais evidente na linhagem Caco-2, inclusive demonstrando efeito superior ao quimioterápico na forma livre. / Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent type of cancer in worldwide and is frequently associated with metastatic complications. Therapeutic strategies to treat those patients who do not respond to conventional chemotherapy is based on the application of monoclonal antibodies cetuximab or panitumumab, both directed targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). However, in some cases resistance is associated with an overexpression of HER2, another receptor belonging to the EGFR family. Therefore, this dissertation was designed to test the hypothesis that the combination of anti-EGFR and anti-HER antibodies will be able to reduce the escape of tumor cells, and that their association with antitumor drugs could improve the elimination of tumor cells. Then, our goal was to use gold nanoparticles (AuNP) for transporting 5-fluorouracil (5FU), addressing them to colorectal cancer cells by coating them with antibodies against the receptors of epidermal growth factor EGFR (ErbB-1) and HER2 (ErbB-2). Nanocarriers were tested in vitro by flow cytometry for their interaction and internalization by the colorectal cancer cell line HCT-116 and Caco-2, their ability to induce apoptosis/necrosis and stop cell proliferation. Our results show that AuNP produced and functionalized with the molecules of interest have spherical structure, however, some formulations showed agglomeration due to the incorporation of organic molecules. Biological assays showed that AuNP 5FU EGFR had a significant effect on cytotoxic activity by the recent apoptotic pathway when cells were exposed to the highest concentration tested independently of the time of exposure. As a result, cell proliferation was stopped at this same treatment and both phenomena were observed most clearly in the Caco-2 cell line, including demonstrating superior effect to chemotherapy in free form. / FAPESP: 2015/26729-2.

Neste trabalho relata-se pela primeira vez a determinação de adenosina por um biossensor baseado em tirosinase. O biossensor foi desenvolvido mediante a modificação de um eletrodo de carbono impresso (SPE) com nanopartículas de ouro (AuNPs), tirosinase (Tyr) e Nafion, denominado biossensor Nafion/Tyr/AuNPs/SPE. As AuNPs sintetizadas possuem diâmetro médio de 15,0 ± 1,1 nm e sua função é melhorar a via de condução de elétrons entre a enzima e o eletrodo. Utilizou-se o aprisionamento com filme Nafion® para evitar a lixiviação enzimática da superfície do eletrodo. A tirosinase imobilizada apresentou boa atividade frente ao substrato catecol. Verificou-se que a adenosina atua como um inibidor do tipo não-competitivo. O biossensor é estável durante pelo menos 45 dias. Além disso, foi realizada a eletro-oxidação da adenosina para sua determinação. O biossensor apresenta sensibilidade superior em comparação com SPE, AuNPs/SPE e Nafion/AuNPs/SPE. As curvas de calibração revelaram duas faixas lineares para as concentrações de adenosina, de 1,0 × 10-5 mol L-1 até 5,0 × 10-5 mol L-1 e entre 6,0 × 10-5 mol L-1 e 1,2 × 10-4 mol L -1. O limite de detecção (3 × (desvio padrão + média dos brancos)/coeficiente angular da curva) foi de 7,0 × 10-7 mol L-1. / In this work we report for the first time the determination of adenosine by a biosensor based on tyrosinase. The biosensor was developed by modifying a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPE) with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), tyrosinase (Tyr) and Nafion, denoted as Nafion/Tyr/AuNPs/SPE biosensor. The synthesized AuNPs have a mean diameter of 15.0 ± 1.1 nm and their function is to improve the electron conduction pathway between the enzyme and the electrode. The entrapment with Nafion® film was selected to prevent the enzyme lixiviation from the electrode surface. Immobilized tyrosinase showed good activity with the catechol substrate. It was found that adenosine acts as a non-competitive type inhibitor. The biosensor is stable for at least 45 days. In addition, the electro-oxidation of adenosine was performed for its determination. The biosensor has superior sensitivity compared to SPE, AuNPs/SPE and Nafion/AuNPs/SPE. Calibration curves revealed two linear ranges for adenosine concentrations of 1,010-5 mol L-1 up to 5,010-5 mol L-1 and from 6,010-5 mol L-1 to 1,210-4 mol L-1. The detection limit (3 × (standard deviation + mean of blanks)/slope of the curve) was 7,010-7 mol L-1.

abstract: Gold nanoparticles have emerged as promising nanomaterials for biosensing, imaging, photothermal treatment and therapeutic delivery for several diseases, including cancer. We have generated poly(amino ether)-functionalized gold nanorods (PAE-GNRs) using a layer-by-layer deposition approach. Sub-toxic concentrations of PAE-GNRs were employed to deliver plasmid DNA to prostate cancer cells in vitro. PAE-GNRs generated using 1,4C-1,4Bis, a cationic polymer from our laboratory demonstrated significantly higher transgene expression and exhibited lower cytotoxicities when compared to similar assemblies generated using 25 kDa poly(ethylene imine) (PEI25k-GNRs), a current standard for polymer-mediated gene delivery. Additionally, sub-toxic concentrations of 1,4C-1,4Bis-GNR nanoassemblies were employed to deliver expression vectors that express shRNA ('shRNA plasmid') against firefly luciferase gene in order to knock down expression of the protein constitutively expressed in prostate cancer cells. The roles of poly(amino ether) chemistry and zeta-potential in determining transgene expression efficacies of PAE-GNR assemblies were investigated. The theranostic potential of 1,4C-1,4Bis-GNR nanoassemblies was demonstrated using live cell two-photon induced luminescence bioimaging. The PAE class of polymers was also investigated for the one pot synthesis of both gold and silver nanoparticles using a small library poly(amino ethers) derived from linear-like polyamines. Efficient nanoparticle synthesis dependent on concentration of polymers as well as polymer chemical composition is demonstrated. Additionally, the application of poly(amino ether)-gold nanoparticles for transgene delivery is demonstrated in 22Rv1 and MB49 cancer cell lines. Base polymer, 1,4C-1,4Bis and 1,4C-1,4Bis templated and modified gold nanoparticles were compared for transgene delivery efficacies. Differences in morphology and physiochemical properties were investigated as they relate to differences in transgene delivery efficacy. There were found to be minimal differences suggestion that 1,4C-1,4Bis efficacy is not lost following use for nanoparticle modification. These results indicate that poly(amino ether)-gold nanoassemblies are a promising theranostic platform for delivery of therapeutic payloads capable of simultaneous gene silencing and bioimaging. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Bioengineering 2014