Themed collection Emerging Investigators
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Introduction to the 2016 Emerging Investigators themed issue
Guest Editors W. Andy Tao, Jill Venton and Chaoyong James Yang provide an overview of this Emerging Investigators themed issue.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3463-3463
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN90039A
Contributors to the emerging investigators issue
Analyst profiles the emerging investigators featuring work in this themed issue.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3464-3472
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN90047J
Understanding ligand effects in gold clusters using mass spectrometry
This review summarizes recent research on the influence of phosphine ligands on the size, stability, and reactivity of gold clusters synthesized in solution.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3573-3589
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00263C
Janus particles for biological imaging and sensing
Janus particles with anisotropic surface makeup or compartments enable novel imaging and sensing in biological systems.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3526-3539
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00325G
Visualizing surface plasmons with photons, photoelectrons, and electrons
Multidimensional imaging of surface plasmons via hyperspectral dark field optical microscopy, tip-enhanced Raman scattering, nonlinear photoemission electron microscopy, and electron energy loss spectroscopy.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3562-3572
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00308G
Deposition, patterning, and utility of conductive materials for the rapid prototyping of chemical and bioanalytical devices
Rapid prototyping is a critical step in the product development cycle of miniaturized chemical and bioanalytical devices, often categorized as lab-on-a-chip devices, biosensors, and micro-total analysis systems.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3511-3525
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00210B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Recent advancements in ion concentration polarization
Advancements in ion concentration polarization made over the past three years are highlighted.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3496-3510
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00194G
Vertically ordered silica mesochannel films: electrochemistry and analytical applications
Vertically-aligned mesoporous silica films were used for electrochemical sensing and molecular separation in terms of molecular size, charge and lipophilicity.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3482-3495
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00146G
Emerging techniques for ultrasensitive protein analysis
This Minireview highlights the recent advances in developing novel techniques for ultrasensitive protein analysis.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3473-3481
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00059B
Advancements of molecularly imprinted polymers in the food safety field
Molecularly imprinted technology (MIT) has been widely employed to produce stable, robust and cheap molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) materials that possess selective binding sites for recognition of target analytes in food, such as pesticides, veterinary drugs, mycotoxins, illegal drugs and so on.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3540-3553
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5AN01993A
Ion collision cross section measurements in Fourier transform-based mass analyzers
High-vacuum ion collision cross section (CCS) measurements in Fourier transform mass analyzers.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3554-3561
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5AN02164B
Bioapplications and biotechnologies of upconversion nanoparticle-based nanosensors
Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), which can emit ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) light under near-infrared (NIR) excitation, are regarded as a new generation of nanoprobes because of their unique optical properties, including a virtually zero auto-fluorescence background for the improved signal-to-noise ratio, narrow emission bandwidths and high resistance to photo-bleaching.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3601-3620
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00150E
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Raman spectroscopy: an evolving technique for live cell studies
This review highlights some of the most recent advances in the development of Raman spectroscopy for live cell studies.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3590-3600
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00152A
Quantitative online sheath-flow surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy detection for liquid chromatography
Sheath-flow surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was used for online detection and quantification of small molecules separated by liquid chromatography.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3630-3635
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00155F
Sensitive Zn2+ sensor based on biofunctionalized nanopores via combination of DNAzyme and DNA supersandwich structures
Isothermal amplification of Zn2+ detection is achieved by using a DNA supersandwich structure and Zn2+-requiring DNAzymes in nanopores.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3626-3629
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00171H
Ex vivo expansion of circulating lung tumor cells based on one-step microfluidics-based immunomagnetic isolation
This paper reports a method to preserve the high viability of CTCs and enrich isolated CTCs in a small volume of culture medium for successful ex vivo expansion.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3621-3625
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5AN02554K
Fast voltammetry of metals at carbon-fiber microelectrodes: rapid determination of solution formation constants
FSCV can be utilized to predict solution formation constants.
Analyst, 2016,141, 6025-6030
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN01401A
Electrochemical detection of PCR amplicons of Escherichia coli genome based on DNA nanostructural probes and polyHRP enzyme
Fast, portable and sensitive analysis of E. coli is becoming an important challenge in many critical fields (e.g., food safety, environmental monitoring and clinical diagnosis).
Analyst, 2016,141, 5304-5310
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN01435F
High-throughput endogenous measurement of S-nitrosylation in Alzheimer's disease using oxidized cysteine-selective cPILOT
Combined precursor isotopic labeling and isobaric tagging (cPILOT) technique enables enhanced multiplexing quantification of S-nitrosylation in biological tissues from animal models of disease.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3904-3915
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00417B
Investigating the effect of Ag nanocube polydispersity on gap-mode SERS enhancement factors
Colloidal polydispersity has a significant impact on the high Raman enhancement factors (EFs) for nanoparticle-based surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3916-3924
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00212A
Oxygen as a chemoattractant: confirming cellular hypoxia in paper-based invasion assays
Low oxygen tension, or hypoxia, is a common occurrence in poorly vascularized solid tumors. We demonstrate our paper-based models contain regions of decreased oxygen tension, suggesting their usefulness as a model system for studying tumor biology.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3874-3882
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00630B
A one-step colorimetric acid–base titration sensor using a complementary color changing coordination system
A colorimetric acid–base titration sensor allowing one-step quantitative detection of acid content by naked eyes.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3890-3897
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00744A
Automated sample preparation in a microfluidic culture device for cellular metabolomics
The microfluidic device for integrated cell culture and sample preparation reported here resulted in a ∼10-fold improvement over conventional lysis methods and enabled the detection of energy metabolites.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3858-3865
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00237D
A fully battery-powered inexpensive spectrophotometric system for high-sensitivity point-of-care analysis on a microfluidic chip
A low-cost ttery-powered
pectrophotometric
ystem (BASS) was developed for high-sensitivity point-of-care analysis in low-resource settings on a microfluidic chip without relying on external power supplies.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3898-3903
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00370B
A fluorescence-based method to directly quantify antibodies immobilized on gold nanoparticles
The ability to evaluate antibody immobilization onto gold nanoparticles is critical for assessing coupling chemistry and optimizing the sensitivity of nanoparticle-enabled biosensors.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3851-3857
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00193A
Cost-effective and sensitive colorimetric immunosensing using an iron oxide-to-Prussian blue nanoparticle conversion strategy
A novel iron oxide-to-Prussian blue nanoparticle conversion strategy has been developed and applied to a sensitive, cost-effective and user-friendly colorimetric immunoassay without the aid of any complex signal amplification processes.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3883-3889
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00254D
2D wax-printed paper substrates with extended solvent supply capabilities allow enhanced ion signal in paper spray ionization
Paper-based microfluidic channels were created from solid wax printing, and the resultant 2D wax-printed paper substrates were used for paper spray (PS) mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of small organic compounds.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3866-3873
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00168H
Non-destructive characterisation of mesenchymal stem cell differentiation using LC-MS-based metabolite footprinting
This non-invasive LC-MS-based metabolite footprinting revealed significant metabolic changes during mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3776-3787
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00170J
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Development of a gas phase source for perfluoroalkyl acids to examine atmospheric sampling methods
A continuous perfluoroalkyl acid gas phase source was constructed to improve current atmospheric sampling techniques.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3765-3775
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00313C
A long-wavelength quantum dot-concentric FRET configuration: characterization and application in a multiplexed hybridization assay
Quantum dot-based concentric Förster resonance energy transfer (cFRET) is a promising modality for the development of multifunctional fluorescent probes for bioanalysis and bioimaging. A new long-wavelength configuration and multiplexed hybridization assay format expands the scope of cFRET.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3636-3647
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00492J
Application of fast-scan cyclic voltammetry for the in vivo characterization of optically evoked dopamine in the olfactory tubercle of the rat brain
Dopamine regulation in the rat brain olfactory tubercle was characterized by fast-scan cyclic voltammetry coupled with carbon–fiber microelectrodes and optogenetics.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3746-3755
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00196C
Impact of electrolyte composition on the reactivity of a redox active polymer studied through surface interrogation and ion-sensitive scanning electrochemical microscopy
Elucidating optimal ionic interactions for improving the reactivity of redox polymers.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3842-3850
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00203J
More from less: high-throughput dual polarity lipid imaging of biological tissues
Here, we reveal the increased biochemical and spatial information acquired using high-speed MALDI-MSI and sequential acquisitions of positive and negative lipid-MSI data from single tissue sections.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3832-3841
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00169F
Raman spectroscopy as a tool for label-free lymphocyte cell line discrimination
Raman spectroscopy can be used to discriminate between morphologically similar lymphocyte cell classes and cell lines.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3756-3764
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00181E
Single-cell mass spectrometry with multi-solvent extraction identifies metabolic differences between left and right blastomeres in the 8-cell frog (Xenopus) embryo
Single-cell metabolic mass spectrometry enables the discovery (untargeted) analysis of small molecules in individual cells.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3648-3656
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00200E
Quantification of tunicamycin-induced protein expression and N-glycosylation changes in yeast
Protein expression and glycosylation changes as a result of tunicamycin treatment were systematically and quantitatively investigated.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3737-3745
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00144K
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Novel application of X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) for the non-destructive micro-elemental analysis of natural mineral pigments on Aboriginal Australian objects
This manuscript presents the first comprehensive non-destructive micro elemental characterisation of mineral pigments used on Aboriginal Australian objects.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3657-3667
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5AN02065D
Digital PCR using micropatterned superporous absorbent array chips
A low-cost micropatterned superabsorbent array chip enables spontaneous fluid partitioning for digital PCR and sequencing without sophisticated microfluidic equipment.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3821-3831
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00164E
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Solid-phase microextraction low temperature plasma mass spectrometry for the direct and rapid analysis of chemical warfare simulants in complex mixtures
Sensitive, rapid, and direct detection of chemical-warfare agent simulants in urine by solid-phase microextraction low temperature plasma ionisation mass spectrometry.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3714-3721
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00178E
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy study of the adsorption behaviour of DNA bases on Au(111) electrode surfaces
In situ EC-SHINERS is used to investigate the adsorption behaviour of DNA bases on atomically flat Au(111) electrode surfaces.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3731-3736
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00180G
Towards universal ambient ionization: direct elemental analysis of solid substrates using microwave plasma ionization
A microwave plasma was used for direct ambient ionization mass spectrometry of solid substrates, rapidly yielding atomic spectra without sample digestion or pre-treatment.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3811-3820
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00176A
On the structural denaturation of biological analytes in trapped ion mobility spectrometry – mass spectrometry
Trapped ion mobility spectra recorded for ubiquitin are consistent with structures reported for the native state by NMR.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3722-3730
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5AN02399H
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Low-cost microarray thin-film electrodes with ionic liquid gel-polymer electrolytes for miniaturised oxygen sensing
The use of a platinum microarray thin-film electrode together with a gellified ionic-liquid has shown to be highly favourable for long-term oxygen gas sensing.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3705-3713
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00281A
A method of coupling the Paternò–Büchi reaction with direct infusion ESI-MS/MS for locating the C
C bond in glycerophospholipids
Conducting the Paternò–Büchi reaction in a microflow photo-reactor enables its coupling with ESI-MS/MS and CC location determination for shotgun lipid analysis.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3696-3704
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00015K
Biosensing using plasmonic nanohole arrays with small, homogenous and tunable aperture diameters
Plasmonic nanohole arrays are widely used for optical label-free molecular detection.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3803-3810
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN00046K
Quantitative mass spectrometry imaging of small-molecule neurotransmitters in rat brain tissue sections using nanospray desorption electrospray ionization
Nano-DESI mass spectrometry imaging enables quantitative imaging of small-molecule neurotransmitters which are essential to the function of the nervous system.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3686-3695
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5AN02620B
Combining random forest and 2D correlation analysis to identify serum spectral signatures for neuro-oncology
Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy has long been established as an analytical technique for the measurement of vibrational modes of molecular systems.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3668-3678
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5AN02452H
Factors influencing polyelectrolyte-aptamer multilayered films with target-controlled permeability for sensing applications
We present target-controlled permeability change in polyelectrolyte-aptamer multilayered film as a universal basis for sensing. The enhanced diffusion of ions across the film upon target binding was employed to derive colorimetric or electrochemical response.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3794-3802
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5AN02198G
Hg2+ detection using a phosphorothioate RNA probe adsorbed on graphene oxide and a comparison with thymine-rich DNA
Using phosphorothioate modified RNA probes adsorbed by graphene oxide, Hg2+ is detected sensitively with less interference.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3788-3793
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5AN02031J
A membrane-activatable near-infrared fluorescent probe with ultra-photostability for mitochondrial membrane potentials
Dark for light: A fluorescence quencher was turned into a near-infrared probe for mitochondrial membrane potential in living cells and mice.
Analyst, 2016,141, 3679-3685
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5AN01860A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Correction: Shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy study of the adsorption behaviour of DNA bases on Au(111) electrode surfaces
Analyst, 2016,141, 3925-3925
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AN90033J
About this collection
This is a collection of papers consisting of invited contributions including perspectives, reviews, and original research articles from emerging investigators in the analytical sciences. Contributions from academia, industry and government institutions working in all areas of analytical science will highlight today’s emerging investigators and showcase the excellent work being carried out by leading analytical scientists at an early stage of their career. Guest Edited by Jill Venton, W. Andy Tao and Chaoyang James Yang. New articles will be added to this collection as they are published.