title: Dual core quantum dots for highly quantitative ratiometric detection of trypsin activity in cystic fibrosis patients.
abstract: We present herein two colour encoded silica nanospheres (2nanoSi) for the fluorescence quantitative ratiometric determination of trypsin in humans. Current detection methods for cystic fibrosis diagnosis are slow, costly and suffer from false positives. The 2nanoSi proved to be a highly sensitive, fast (minutes), and single-step approach nanosensor for the screening and diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, allowing the quantification of trypsin concentrations in a wide range relevant for clinical applications (25-350 μg L(-1)). Furthermore, as trypsin is directly related to the development of cystic fibrosis (CF), different human genotypes, i.e. CF homozygotic, CF heterozygotic, and unaffected, respectively, can be determined using our 2nanoSi nanospheres. We anticipate the 2nanoSi system to be a starting point for non-invasive, easy-to-use and cost effective ratiometric fluorescent biomarkers for recessive genetic diseases like human cystic fibrosis. In a screening program in which the goal is to detect disease and also the carrier status, early diagnosis could be of great help.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Avinguda del Països Catalans 16, 43007 Tarragona, Spain. gstoica@iciq.es epalomares@iciq.es.
authors.forename: Iván Castelló
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Serrano
authors.forename: Georgiana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stoica
authors.forename: Alba Matas
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Palomares
mesh_terms: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005190:Family; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D054118:Nanospheres; D045663:Quantum Dots / Q000737:chemistry; D012235:Rhodamines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D014357:Trypsin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C114557:5-carboxytetramethylrhodamine succinimidyl ester; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D012235:Rhodamines; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D014357:Trypsin