There is a strong interest in the use of biopolymers in the electronic and biomedical industries, mainly towards low-cost applications. The possibility of developing entirely new kinds of products based on cellulose is of current interest, in order to enhance and to add new functionalities to conventional paper-based products. We present our results towards the development of paper-based microfluidics for molecular diagnostic testing. Paper properties were evaluated and compared to nitrocellulose, the most commonly used material in lateral flow and other rapid tests. Focusing on the use of paper as a substrate for microfluidic applications, through an eco-friendly wax-printing technology, we present three main and distinct colorimetric approaches: (i) enzymatic reactions (glucose detection); (ii) immunoassays (antibodies anti-Leishmania detection); (iii) nucleic acid sequence identification (Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex detection). Colorimetric glucose quantification was achieved through enzymatic reactions performed within specific zones of the paper-based device. The colouration achieved increased with growing glucose concentration and was highly homogeneous, covering all the surface of the paper reaction zones in a 3D sensor format. These devices showed a major advantage when compared to the 2D lateral flow glucose sensors, where some carryover of the coloured products usually occurs. The detection of anti-Leishmania antibodies in canine sera was conceptually achieved using a paper-based 96-well enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay format. However, optimization is still needed for this test, regarding the efficiency of the immobilization of antigens on the cellulose fibres. The detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis nucleic acids integrated with a non-cross-linking gold nanoprobe detection scheme was also achieved in a wax-printed 384-well paper-based microplate, by the hybridization with a species-specific probe. The obtained results with the above-mentioned proof-of-concept sensors are thus promising towards the future development of simple and cost-effective paper-based diagnostic devices.

A new and never before reported hetero?arylidene?9(10H)?anthrone structure (4) was unexpectedly isolated on reaction of 1,2?dimethyl?3?ethylimidazolium iodide (2) and 9?anthracenecarboxaldehyde (3) under basic conditions. Its structure was unequivocally confirmed by X?ray crystallography. No cytotoxicity in human healthy fibroblasts and in two different cancer cell lines was observed, indicating its applicability in biological systems. Compound 4 interacts with CT?DNA by intercalation between the adjacent base pairs of DNA with a high binding affinity [Kb = 2.0?(±0.20)???105 m?1], which is 10?? higher than that described for doxorubicin [Kb = 3.2?(±0.23)???104 m?1]. Furthermore, compound 4 quenches the fluorescence emission of a GelRed?CT?DNA system with a quenching constant (KSV) of 3.3?(±0.3)???103 m?1 calculated by the Stern?Volmer equation.

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Nanotechnology has emerged as a "disruptive technology" that may provide researchers with new and innovative ways to diagnose, treat and monitor cancer. In fact, nanomedicine approaches have delivered several strategies, such as new imaging agents, real-time assessments of therapeutic and surgical efficacy, multifunctional, targeted devices capable of bypassing biological barriers to target and silence specific pathways in tumours. Of particular interest, has been the increased capability to deliver multiple therapeutic agents directly to bulk cancer cells and cancer stem cells that play a critical role in cancer growth and metastasis. These multifunctional targeted nanoconjugates are also capable of avoiding cancer resistance and monitor predictive molecular changes that open the path for preventive action against pre-cancerous cells, minimizing costs and incidence of relapses. A myriad of nanoconjugates with effective silencing and site-targeting moieties can be developed by incorporating a diverse selection of targeting, diagnostic, and therapeutic components. A discussion of the integrative effort of nanotechnology systems with recent developments of biomolecular interactions in cancer progression is clearly required. Here, we will update the state of the art related to the development and applications of nanoscale platforms and novel biomolecular players in cancer diagnosis, imaging and treatment.

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The remarkable physicochemical properties of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have prompted development
in exploring biomolecular interactions with AuNPs-containing systems, pursuing biomedical applications
in diagnostics. Among these applications, AuNPs have been remarkably useful for the development of
DNA/RNA detection and characterization systems for diagnostics, including systems suitable for point of
need. Here, emphasis will be on available molecular detection schemes of relevant pathogens and their
molecular characterization, genomic sequences associated with medical conditions (including cancer),
mutation and polymorphism identification, and the quantification of gene expression.

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