Current Proteomics - Volume 11, Issue 2, 2014

Nano and microfluids displaying biomedical properties open new perspectives for the development of new alternatives to traditional therapies, to destroy malign cells and microbes or to modulate their activity. Despite the relevance of this field, until now, very few reports highlight the potential of nano and microfluids in antimicrobial tactics, for handling microbial resistance and for the prevention and eradication of microbial biofilms. This motivates the purpose of this special issue of Current Proteomics to summarize current research involving bio-active molecules in the fabrication of nanofluids and microfluids as novel tools to tackle the current challenges in preventing, treating and controlling infectious diseases. Wang et al., give an overview for researchers focusing on optical-related microfluidic research. The review discuss about the most recent advances in optical technology integrated into microfluidic systems so that the functions or efficiency of these devices can be improved. This paper concludes the latest advances in continuous and digital light-actuated microfluidic systems, as well as in optical sensors integrated into microfluidic chips. In the paper of Wang et al., the ways in which the metal enhanced fluorescence technology improves the applications of traditional fluorescence spectroscopy for biomedicine use are addresses. Except for the commonly used gold and silver nanostructures, other metals such as aluminum, platinum and copper nanostructures are discussed. Intrinsic emission of biomolecules through metallic plasmonic technology is also presented. In their paper Yang et al., summarize currently developed droplet-based microfluidic technologies used for preparing polymers, such as chitosan, alginate, poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid, and liposomes. Chifiriuc et al., report a comprehensive review about synthetic data concerning the structure, mechanisms of action and resistance of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), as well as the contribution of nanotechnology to the development of new and efficient antimicrobial strategies based on AMPs efficiently delivered to targets. Gheorghe et al., give an overview about the contribution of proteomics and nanotechnology to the development of novel and accurate diagnosis tool of ESBL-producing Gram-negative, non-fermentative bacilli. Lin et al. summarize studies published after 2013 related to pathogen detection using microfluidics and focuses on integrating microfluidics with optics, electrochemistry, acoustics, or cantilevers to detect pathogens. In the work of Ditu et al., is presented the molecular structure of the most important, first two classes of bacteriocins, i.e. lantibiotics and non-lantibiotics, their biosynthesis stages and regulation, as well as the contribution of nanotechnology to the optimisation of the antimicrobial activity of bacteriocins, concerning their protection from proteolysis and controlled release, to extend the range of applications for food industry and for the medical field. The paper of Popescu et al., report various biomedical applications that use Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles, as diagnostic or/and therapeutic tools. Also, this manuscript summarizes the most common synthesis methods for Fe3O4 nanoparticles, encountered in the last period research articles as well as the use of Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles in the cancer treatment, emphasizing the tumor targeting possibilities for such systems, the magnetic hyperthermia and controlled delivery of anti-tumor molecules (focusing on Fe3O4-based systems for osteosarcoma treatment using Doxorubicin as chemotherapeutic agent). Novel approaches based on metal oxide nanoparticles are revealed by Ficai et al. Authors highlight that this new class of important materials are increasingly being adapted for use in biomedical research and health-related applications. Their review aims to highlight the latest knowledge about potential uses of such oxide nanoparticles in biomedical application.

In this paper, we address the most recent advances in optical technology integrated into microfluidic systems so that the functions or efficiency of these devices can be improved. In addition, we presented valuable applications for these devices. This paper includes following sections: the latest advances in continuous and digital light-actuated microfluidic systems, optical sensors integrated into microfluidic chips, and the latest advances in Taiwan. This is a comprehensive summary for researchers focusing on optical-related microfluidic research.

Although fluorescence spectroscopy has been shown to be an effective tool for the biomedical field, however, the applications are limited due to the inadequate quantum yield, samples auto-fluorescence, and the shortage of photo stability during the measurement process. Metal enhanced fluorescence technology is an emerging science that could compensate these limits. This review addresses the ways in which the metal enhanced fluorescence technology improves the applications of traditional fluorescence spectroscopy for biomedicine. Except for the commonly used gold and silver nanostructures, other metals such as aluminum, platinum and copper nanostructures are discussed. Intrinsic emission of biomolecules through metallic plasmonic technology are also mentioned. Metal enhanced fluorescence assisted singlet oxygen production that increases the efficiency of photodynamic therapy for cancer, skin disorder and antibacterial activity are reviewed. Finally, to emphasize the contributions of Taiwan’s researchers, we addressed some important works of fluorescence spectroscopy and metal enhanced fluorescence technology in Taiwan.

Microfluidics is a multidisciplinary science integrating engineering, physics, chemistry, and biotechnology. An emerging application area for microfluidic chips is droplet generation and manipulation (e.g., droplet motion, merging, splitting, sorting, trapping, and breakup). Based on controlled diffusion, rapid mixing, and high throughput, droplet-based microfluidic technology is a novel research topic in numerous fields, including chemical synthesis, extraction, drug screening or encapsulation, and polymerase chain reaction. We summarize currently developed droplet-based microfluidic technologies used for preparing polymers, such as chitosan, alginate, poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid, and liposomes.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent promising candidates for the design of novel microbicidal agents, effective both on planktonic, but especially on antibiotic resistant bacteria, biofilms, and persisters. In addition to their antimicrobial activity, AMPs also possess other biological activities, such as signalling molecules, immune modulators, drug delivery vehicles, which could act synergically during the anti-infectious therapy. However, for the clinical development of peptide-based therapeutics, several challenges including low specificity, susceptibility to proteolytic degradation and half-lives, potential toxicity to animal cells, need for appropriate carriers are still to be solved. The purpose of this review is to present synthetic data concerning the structure, mechanisms of action and resistance, as well as the contribution of nanotechnology and AMPs for the development of new and efficient antimicrobial strategies.

The aim of this paper was to review the current state of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics mediated by the production of extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii strains. The majority of ESBLs belong to SHV, TEM, and CTX-M and less often to BES, GES, VEB, and PER families, while sometimes the ESBLs cannot be included in any defined family. The review is focusing on the main ESBL types circulating in Romanian hospitals and their association with multi-drug resistance phenotypes. The contribution of proteomics and nanotechnology to the development of novel and accurate diagnosis tools of ESBL-producing Gram-negative, non- fermentative bacilli is highlighted.

This review summarizes studies published after 2013 related to pathogen detection using microfluidics and focuses on integrating microfluidics with optics, electrochemistry, acoustics, or cantilevers to detect pathogens. This review is divided into five sections. Section 1 introduces the presence of global health concerns and outbreaks caused by pathogens. Section 2 reviews conventional tools for pathogen detection and their disadvantages. Section 3 describes four microfluidic methods used for pathogen detection. Section 4 presents the challenges and future developments in microfluidics. Finally, Section 5 offers concluding remarks regarding microfluidics and suggestions for solving current challenges.

The increasing emergence of antibiotic resistant pathogens has led to the search for new antimicrobials that can be used in the clinical settings. One such example is represented by bacteriocins which are a heterogenous group of antimicrobial peptides. They are classified into four groups based on their structure, molecular mass, thermostability, enzymatic susceptibility and mechanism of action. Administered alone or in combination with antibiotics, bacteriocins may represent a promising strategy to control infections and also to reduce the risk of food contamination. However, their use for such applications is still limited by the lack of appropriate delivery systems. This review summarizes aspects regarding the molecular structure of the first two classes of bacteriocins, i.e. lantibiotics and non-lantibiotics and their biosynthesis stages and regulation. Furthermore, we highlight the contribution of nanotechnology for optimising bacteriocins in regards to their antimicrobial activity, controlled release and protection from proteolysis.

Various biomedical applications that use Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles, both for diagnostic or/and therapy have been described. This review summarizes the most common synthesis methods for Fe3O4 nanoparticles, recently used for developing applications which improve the cancer treatment. We emphasize the tumor targeting possibilities for such systems, the magnetic hyperthermia and controlled delivery of anti-tumor, focusing on Fe3O4-based systems for osteosarcoma treatment using Doxorubicin as chemotherapeutic agent.

Metal oxide nanoparticles are becoming increasingly important as one of the newest class of materials used in drugs industry and other health related applications. Both ZnO and Fe3O4 nanoparticles are non-toxic, highly biocompatible and are currently under intense investigation. Antibacterial activity of ZnO makes it suitable for external use as it is in topical applications such as wound dressings and coatings for various medical devices to prevent biofilms formation. The antibacterial activity of ZnO is strongly influenced by size, dispersibility or presence of light. On the other hand the magnetic nature of Fe3O4 makes it suitable for a broader range of application such as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents, hyperthermia therapy of tumors, bioseparation or targeted drug delivery. In addition, coated Fe3O4 can be loaded with various drugs and find its way into antibacterial and antifungal applications. The current review aims to highlight the latest knowledge about potential uses of such oxide nanoparticles in biomedical application.