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In this project, a sensitive fluorescent aptasensor was fabricated to detect lead ions (Pb 2+ ) by applying hollow gold nanoparticles (HGNPs) as a nano-carrier and rhodamine B (RDB) fluorescent dye as the signal agent. In the aptasensor that was created, the specific attachment of the aptamers to Pb 2+ ions led to the release of aptamer from the chitosan (CTS) coated-HGNPs loaded with RDB, causing an increase in fluorescence intensity due to the leakage of RDB. The method demonstrated specific detection of the target analyte, achieving a detection limit (LOD) of 1 ppb and a broad linear dynamic range spanning from 2 to 1000 ppb. The aptasensor was able to accurately measure the concentration of Pb 2+ in human serum, low-fat milk, and mineral water samples. The suggested biosensor, which offers the benefits of simplicity, user-friendliness, affordability, and high sensitivity, is well-suited for use with complex samples such as environmental and clinical samples., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

A facile method was designed that can specifically deliver CRISPR/Cas9 into target cells nuclei and reduce the off-target effects. A multifunctional delivery vector for FOXM1 knockout was composed by integration of cell targeting polymer (hyaluronic acid) and cell and nuclear targeting group (AS1411 aptamer) on the surface of nanoparticles formed by genome editing plasmid and chitosan (CS) as the core (Apt-HA-CS-CRISPR/Cas9). The data of cytotoxicity experiment and western blot confirmed this issue. The results of flow cytometry analysis and fluorescence imaging demonstrated that Apt-HA-CS-CRISPR/Cas9 was significantly internalized into target cells (MCF-7, SK-MES-1, HeLa) but not into nontarget cells (HEK293). Furthermore, the in vivo studies displayed that the Apt-HA-CS-CRISPR/Cas9 was strongly rendered tumor inhibitory effect and delivered efficiently CRISPR/Cas9 into the tumor with no detectable distribution in other organs compared with naked plasmid. This approach provides an avenue for specific in vivo gene editing therapeutics with the lowest side effect., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Herein, a label-free aptasensor was designed through forming a double-stranded DNA skeleton on the glass substrate for ultrasensitive quantification of ochratoxin A (OTA) as a case study. The function fundament of the dual-responsive aptasensor was the perturbation of the vertical alignment of the liquid crystals (LCs) and intercalation of the SYBR Green I (SGI) dye molecules between the base pairs of the double-stranded DNA structure. The presence of OTA decomposed the double-stranded structure of DNA by releasing the OTA-specific aptamer from the sensing platform that induced an apparent alteration of the optical and fluorescent responses. The aptasensor specifically detected the ultra-low levels of OTA as 47.0E-9 pM (0.047 aM) and 34.0E-3 pM (34 fM) based on the polarized and fluorescent responses, respectively. The aptasensor monitored OTA in the coffee and grape drink samples. The aptasensor provides promising insight for manufacturing real-time, cost-effective, and portable sensing devices for food control usage., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Herein, a nanotherapeutic delivery method was presented for co-delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) and aptamer against Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1 Apt) to cancer cells. Firstly, the vehicle composed of chitosan (CS)-Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) conjugate was prepared. Nucleolin aptamer (AS1411) and FOXM1 Apt were loaded onto the CS-AuNPs and formed Aptamers (Apts)-CS-AuNPs. Subsequently, DOX was added to the Apts-CS-AuNPs to obtain the DOX-Apts-CS-AuNPs complex for synergistic treatment of tumor. The data of flow cytometry analysis and fluorescence imaging displayed that the complex was effectively internalized into target cells (A549 and 4T1 cells, nucleolin + ) but not into CHO cells as nontarget cells. The results of the MTT assay showed that the complex significantly increased cell mortality in 4T1 and A549 cells compared to CHO cells treated with the complex. The in vivo studies demonstrated that the DOX-Apts-CS-AuNPs complex exhibited more tumor inhibitory effect and less distribution in other organs compared to free DOX., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

To efficiently deliver the chemotherapeutics to the tumor tissue and minimize the associated adverse effects, nucleolin targeted hybrid nanostructure based on hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (HMSNs) were fabricated. To provide the controlled, sustained drug release and enhance blood circulation, the surface of doxorubicin-encapsulated HMSNs were coated with acetylated carboxymethyl cellulose (Ac-CMC) and then covalently conjugated to AS1411 aptamer for guided drug delivery to nucleolin overexpressed cancerous cells. In vitro cellular uptake and cytotoxicity studies confirmed that AS1411 aptamer specifically targets nucleolin overexpressing MCF-7 and C26 cells. Moreover, the in vivo tumor inhibitory effect of AS1411 aptamer conjugated formulation demonstrated a superior therapeutic efficiency over non-targeted formulation and free doxorubicin. The current study might open a new insight to the development of targeted intelligent hybrid materials based on AcCMC-coated HMSNs with high loading capacity, smart characteristics and desirable anticancer potential., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In the current study, dextran (DEX) was covalently conjugated to the surface of nano-GO sheets, making stable biocompatible dextran coated GO (GO-DEX). The prepared GO-DEX was nontoxic to 4T1 mammary carcinoma cell line at concentrations up to 300μg/mL. AS1411 aptamer, a ssDNA aptamer which can improve the intracellular uptake by nucleolin recognition, also has been introduced to hydroxyl groups of DEX in GO-DEX to produce GO-DEX-Apt. Moreover, curcumin (CUR), a natural polyphenol, found in the rhizomes of Curcuma longa (turmeric) which shows antineoplastic effects, was loaded onto the GO-DEX and GO-DEX-Apt via π-π stacking interactions with a high loading capacity (∼29wt%). The GO-DEX-Apt-CUR could efficiently enter into 4T1 and MCF-7 nucleolin over-expressed cancer cells confirmed by fluorescence microscope and flowcytometry, and it also showed significantly higher cytotoxicity. These types of targeted nanoscale drug delivery vehicles on the basis of DEX coated GO may find potential application in cancer chemotherapy., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)