Biomedical subjects

Denis Boudreau

Publications and source records attributed to Denis Boudreau.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Characterization of superlighting polymer-DNA aggregates: a fluorescence and light scattering study.

The massive amplification of fluorescence signal observed upon hybridization of as few as five DNA molecules into self-assembled structures formed between a cationic polymer and DNA oligonucleotides is investigated. These superlighting polymer-DNA aggregates were studied by fluorescence spectroscopy, static and dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential measurements in order to characterize the aggregation behavior and to understand the processes involved during DNA detection. Multi-angle laser light scattering was also used to obtain the weight-average aggregate mass (AM), the aggregation number (Nagg), the radius of gyration (Rg), and the dissymmetry ratio (z). These results have been used, together with TEM imaging, to propose a suitable physical model for the aggregates.

DNA↗

PubMed2006

Reagentless ultrasensitive specific DNA array detection based on responsive polymeric biochips.

Self-assembled molecular structures immobilized on solid substrates and composed of fluorophore-tagged oligonucleotide probes and an optical polymeric transducer were investigated for the trace level detection of DNA target molecules. Rapid and efficient energy transfer between the polymeric transducer and fluorophores within the molecular aggregates leads to a massive intrinsic amplification of the fluorescence signal and to the label-free detection of as little as 300 DNA molecules, with the specificity required for the detection of single-nucleotide mismatches. This capacity for attomolar detection levels while the sensing structures are attached onto solid supports could lead to the development of biochip platforms for fast and simple PCR-free multitarget DNA detection.

Base Pair Mismatch↗

PubMed2006

PCR-free DNA detection using a magnetic bead-supported polymeric transducer and microelectromagnetic traps.

A fluorescent polymeric hybridization transducer supported on magnetic microbeads was investigated for the rapid, ultrasensitive, and sequence-specific detection of DNA. We show that the polymer derivative can be used to detect target DNA directly on magnetic particles by preparing "target-ready" microbeads grafted with the polymer and suitable DNA probes. A detection limit of approximately 200 target copies in a probed volume of 150 muL (1.4 copies/muL) was obtained for a DNA sequence specific to Candida albicans This detection scheme does not require the release of the hybridized target DNA prior to its detection or the labeling or amplification of the nucleic acids. Furthermore, we show that the fluorescence from these biosensing magnetic beads can be read while magnetically confined in a small volume by a microelectromagnetic trap, which offers the possibility of performing both the preconcentration and detection steps simultaneously on the same support. The combination of the fluorescent polymer biosensor with magnetic particle-assisted DNA preconcentration extends the application of this ultrasensitive biosensor to biological samples with complex matrixes and to integrated lab-on-a-chip platforms, where it could be used for fast multitarget DNA detection in point-of-care diagnostics and field analysis.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2006

Investigation of a fluorescence signal amplification mechanism used for the direct molecular detection of nucleic acids.

A fluorescence signal amplification mechanism allowing detection limits for DNA in the zeptomolar range was investigated. Photophysical properties of the molecular system were studied in order to better explain the signal amplification that is observed. We show that the confinement of a fluorescent DNA hybridization transducer in aggregates improves its quantum yield and photostability. Furthermore, we show that the combination of the resonance energy transfer occurring within the aggregates with the use of a conjugated polymer as the hybridization transducer and donor allows ultrafast and efficient energy coupling to the aggregates and can lead to the excitation of a large number of acceptors by only one donor.

DNA↗

PubMed2005

Direct molecular detection of nucleic acids by fluorescence signal amplification.

An integrated PCR-free DNA sensor, which combines a sequence-specific receptor, an optical polymeric transducer, and an intrinsic fluorescence amplification mechanism, is reported. This sensor is based on the different conformations adopted by a cationic polythiophene when electrostatically bound to ss-DNA or ds-DNA, and on the efficient and fast energy transfer between the resulting fluorescent polythiophene/ds-DNA complex and neighboring fluorophores attached to ss-DNA probes. This molecular system allows the detection of only five molecules in 3 mL of an aqueous solution, or 3 zM, in 5 min. Moreover, this work demonstrates, for the first time, the direct detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from clinical samples in only a few minutes, without the need for nucleic acid amplification.

Biosensing Techniques↗

PubMed2005

Use of sol-gels as solid matrixes for trace analysis by UV laser ablation and laser-enhanced ionization detection.

Zirconium and silicon sol-gels were investigated as solid materials for trace elemental analysis of pelletized solid samples by laser ablation and laser-enhanced ionization. The highly homogeneous dispersion of an internal standard spiked in the solid material obtained with the sol-gel formation process leads to a significant improvement in signal repeatability and to an increase in the precision of measurements through better correction of variations in the laser ablation rate. Signal repeatability values of 5-8% RSD were obtained for Pb in NIST 1632c Bituminous Coal sample pellets prepared using both sol-gels, as compared to 9-21% for graphite-based sample pellets. Furthermore, the zirconium sol-gel was shown to offer better resilience to signal bias due to preferential ablation and a more accurate correction of ablation rate using the internal standardization method.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Fluorescent polymeric transducer for the rapid, simple, and specific detection of nucleic acids at the zeptomole level.

We report the specific detection of a few hundred molecules of genetic material using a fluorescent polythiophene biosensor. Such recognition is based on simple electrostatic interactions between a cationic polymeric optical transducer and the negatively charged nucleic acid target and can be done in less than 1 h, simply and affordably, and without any chemical reaction. This simple system is versatile enough to detect nucleic acids of various lengths, including a segment from the RNA genome of the Influenza virus.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Trace level determination of lead in solid samples by UV laser ablation and laser-enhanced ionization detection.

Laser-enhanced ionization was investigated as a detection technique for trace elemental analysis of solid samples by laser ablation. Laser ablation of aluminum samples was performed in an ablation cell, and the ablated material was carried by a flow of gas to a miniature LEI flame where Pb was detected. This decoupling of ablation cell and detector allowed the independent optimization of vaporization and detection processes. We have investigated the different excitation schemes for Pb and uncovered five new LEI-active transitions in the visible range. We have demonstrated that the use of an argon-oxygen/acetylene flame sheathed with argon resulted in the elimination of background interference from the two-photon ionization of nitric oxide. We have shown that the use of helium as a carrier gas results in a higher ablation yield and lower pulse-to-pulse variations in LEI signal and in better analytical figures of merit. We have characterized the performance of the technique in terms of detection limits and dynamic range, and we have obtained a detection limit of 60 ng/g for the determination of Pb in high purity aluminum.

Journal Article↗