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 bio Read More

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 a Read More

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 Read More

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 field Read More

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-infectiou Read More

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 fo Read More

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 disad Read More

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 c Read More

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-t Read More

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 va Read More