Abstract: A processing and detection system for detecting presence of at least one gluten protein in a food sample comprises a food processor including: a reservoir containing a process liquid for processing the food sample; a body that comprises a chamber configured to receive the food sample; and a pressing surface configured to press on the reservoir to cause the process liquid to exit the reservoir and mix with the food sample, thereby generating a processed food liquid; and an exit port configured to conduct the processed food liquid out of the food processor; and a cartridge including: at least one sensor configured to receive the processed food liquid and to generate an electrical signal in response to interaction with the at least one gluten protein in the processed food liquid, and an analyzer in electrical communication with the at least one sensor for detecting the electrical signal and determining the presence of the at least one gluten protein in the food sample based on the detected electrical signal.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of detecting tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in a sample is disclosed, which comprises bringing the sample into contact with a graphene layer functionalized with an antibody exhibiting specific binding to THC, applying a time-varying electric field to said antibody-functionalized graphene layer, monitoring electrical resistance of said graphene layer in response to interaction with said sample, and detecting presence of THC in the sample by detecting a change in said electrical resistance indicative of interaction of THC with said anti-body functionalized graphene layer.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present teachings provide a sensor for detecting troponin, e.g., cardiac troponin in a patient's blood, that relies on an electronic signature generated via interaction of troponin with an anti-troponin antibody. More specifically, as discussed in more detail below, such a sensor can include a graphene layer disposed on an underlying substrate, where the graphene layer has been functionalized with an anti-troponin antibody. The interaction of troponin in a sample, e.g., a patient's blood, with the anti-troponin antibody coupled, e.g., anchored, to the graphene substrate, can modulate an electronic property of the underlying graphene layer. The modulation of the electronic property of the graphene layer can be measured and used to identify, and in some embodiments quantify, troponin in the sample.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of detecting tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in a sample is disclosed, which comprises bringing the sample into contact with a graphene layer functionalized with an antibody exhibiting specific binding to THC, applying a time-varying electric field to said antibody-functionalized graphene layer, monitoring electrical resistance of said graphene layer in response to interaction with said sample, and detecting presence of THC in the sample by detecting a change in said electrical resistance indicative of interaction of THC with said anti-body functionalized graphene layer.

Abstract: A method of detecting a pathogen in a sample, comprising: mixing at least a portion of the sample with a plurality of capture particles functionalized with a molecular recognition element exhibiting specific binding to said pathogen to capture at least a portion of pathogen particles when present in the sample; exposing said captured pathogen particles to at least two fluorescent dyes, which emit fluorescent radiation at two different wavelengths in response to excitation, such that live pathogen particles among said captured pathogen particles are preferentially stained with one of the dyes and dead pathogen particles among said captured pathogen particles are preferentially stained with the other dye; irradiating the captured stained pathogen particles with excitation radiation to excite said fluorescent dyes; and detecting fluorescent radiation emitted by said excited fluorescent dyes; and distinguishing said live pathogen particles from said dead pathogen particles based on wavelengths of the detected flu

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of detecting a pathogen, e.g., Listeria bacterium, Chlamydia bacteria, gonorrhea bacteria and/or HPV, in a sample is disclosed, which comprises bringing a sample into contact with a graphene layer functionalized with an antibody exhibiting specific binding to the pathogen, monitoring electrical resistance of said antibody-functionalized graphene layer in response to interaction with said sample, and detecting presence of the pathogen in said sample by detecting a change in said electrical resistance indicative of interaction of the pathogen with said antibody-functionalized graphene layer. For example, a decrease of the electrical resistance of the graphene layer can indicate the presence of the pathogen in the sample under study. In some embodiments, a method according to the present teachings is capable of detecting pathogens, such as Listeria bacteria, Chlamydia bacteria, gonorrhea bacteria and HPV in a sample at a concentration as low as 4 cfu per 100 grams of a sample.

Abstract: The present teachings are generally directed to sensors that employ antibody-functionalized graphene nano-flakes (and/or a graphdiyne layer) for detecting a variety of analytes in a variety of samples. A plurality of graphene nano-flakes (and/or a graphdiyne layer) can be deposited on a underlying substrate, e.g., in the form of a single layer or multiple stacked layers, and functionalized with an antibody that specifically binds with an analyte of interest. A sample under investigation can be introduced onto the antibody-functionalized graphene nano-flakes (and/or a graphdiyne layer). The interaction of the analyte of interest, if present in the sample, with the antibody-functionalized graphene nano-flakes (and/or a graphdiyne layer) can mediate a change in at least one electrical property of the graphene nano-flakes, e.g., their DC electrical resistance. An analyzer can detect such a change and analyze it to determine whether the analyte is present in the sample.

Abstract: The present teachings are generally directed to sensors that employ antibody- and/or aptamer-functionalized graphene layer (or graphene flakes and/or graphdiyne layer) for detecting a prostate-specific biomarker in a sample. A graphene layer can be deposited on a underlying substrate and functionalized with an antibody and/or aptamer that specifically binds with an analyte of interest (e.g., a prostate-specific biomarker). A sample under investigation can be introduced onto the functionalized graphene layer. The interaction of the analyte of interest, if present in the sample, with the functionalized graphene layer can mediate a change in at least one electrical property of the graphene layer, e.g., their DC electrical resistance. An analyzer can detect such a change and analyze it to determine whether the analyte is present in the sample. In some embodiments, calibration methods can be employed to quantify the analyte present in the sample.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide methods and systems for creating ladder/standards as quality control tools for length-based separation of carbon nanotubes; determining the length purity; or measuring distribution of lengths of a collection of carbon nanotubes. Some embodiments further provide methods and systems for dispersing carbon nanotubes by conjugation of the carbon nanotubes with biomolecule moieties, specifically proteins. Further, some embodiments provide an indicator for length-based separation of carbon nanotubes via conjugation of one or more biomolecules onto the surfaces of the nanotubes. In some embodiments, such a method can include conjugating a biomolecule to the carbon nanotubes and subjecting the conjugated carbon nanotubes to silver-stained gel electrophoresis to separate the conjugated carbon nanotubes based on their lengths.

Abstract: Methods and devices for detecting a target agent of interest, e.g., a pathogen, in a sample are described herein. In some embodiments, a sensor is provided that can include a substrate, a graphene layer disposed on a surface of said substrate, and a protein bound to said graphene layer. The protein can be capable of binding to one or more target agents of interest, e.g., pathogens, etc. The binding of the protein to the one or more target agents of interest can generate a change in an electrical property of the graphene layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for separating carbon nanotubes on the basis of a specified parameter, such as length. The methods include labelling of the carbon nanotubes with a biological moiety, followed by SDS-PAGE and staining, to separate the carbon nanotubes on the basis of length and/or characterize their length. In some embodiments, egg-white lysozyme, conjugated covalently onto single-walled carbon nanotubes surfaces using carbodiimide method, followed by SDS-PAGE and visualization of the single-walled nanotubes using silver staining, provides high resolution characterization of length of the single-walled carbon nanotubes. This high precision, inexpensive, rapid and simple separation method obviates the need for centrifugation, additional chemical analyses, and expensive spectroscopic techniques such as Raman spectroscopy to visualize carbon nanotube bands. The disclosed methods find utility in quality-control in the manufacture of carbon nanotubes of specific lengths.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of detecting a pathogen, e.g., listeria bacterium, chlamydia bacteria, gonorrhea bacteria and/or HPV, in a sample is disclosed, which comprises bringing a sample into contact with a graphene layer functionalized with an antibody exhibiting specific binding to the pathogen, monitoring electrical resistance of said antibody-functionalized graphene layer in response to interaction with said sample, and detecting presence of the pathogen in said sample by detecting a change in said electrical resistance indicative of interaction of the pathogen with said antibody-functionalized graphene layer. For example, a decrease of the electrical resistance of the graphene layer can indicate the presence of the pathogen in the sample under study. In some embodiments, a method according to the present teachings is capable of detecting pathogens, such as listeria bacteria, chlamydia bacteria, gonorrhea bacteria and HPV in a sample at a concentration as low as 4 cfu per 100 grams of a sample.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is generally directed to methods for measuring distribution of lengths of a collection of carbon nanotubes. In particular, the present teachings provide an indicator for length-based separation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via conjugation of one or more biomolecules onto the surfaces of the nanotubes. As discussed in more detail below, in some embodiments, such a method can include conjugating a biomolecule to the carbon nanotubes and subject the conjugated carbon nanotubes to silver-stained gel electrophoresis to separate the conjugated carbon nanotubes based on their lengths.

Abstract: A processing and detection system for detecting presence of at least one gluten protein in a food sample comprises a food processor including: a reservoir containing a process liquid for processing the food sample; a body that comprises a chamber configured to receive the food sample; and a pressing surface configured to press on the reservoir to cause the process liquid to exit the reservoir and mix with the food sample, thereby generating a processed food liquid; and an exit port configured to conduct the processed food liquid out of the food processor; and a cartridge including: at least one sensor configured to receive the processed food liquid and to generate an electrical signal in response to interaction with the at least one gluten protein in the processed food liquid, and an analyzer in electrical communication with the at least one sensor for detecting the electrical signal and determining the presence of the at least one gluten protein in the food sample based on the detected electrical signal.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of detecting tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in a sample is disclosed, which comprises bringing the sample into contact with a graphene layer functionalized with an antibody exhibiting specific binding to THC, applying a time-varying electric field to said antibody-functionalized graphene layer, monitoring electrical resistance of said graphene layer in response to interaction with said sample, and detecting presence of THC in the sample by detecting a change in said electrical resistance indicative of interaction of THC with said anti-body functionalized graphene layer.

Abstract: A processing and detection system for detecting presence of at least one gluten protein in a food sample comprises a food processor including: a reservoir containing a process liquid for processing the food sample; a body that comprises a chamber configured to receive the food sample; and a pressing surface configured to press on the reservoir to cause the process liquid to exit the reservoir and mix with the food sample, thereby generating a processed food liquid; and an exit port configured to conduct the processed food liquid out of the food processor; and a cartridge including: at least one sensor configured to receive the processed food liquid and to generate an electrical signal in response to interaction with the at least one gluten protein in the processed food liquid, and an analyzer in electrical communication with the at least one sensor for detecting the electrical signal and determining the presence of the at least one gluten protein in the food sample based on the detected electrical signal.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide methods and systems for creating ladder/standards as quality control tools for length-based separation of carbon nanotubes; determining the length purity; or measuring distribution of lengths of a collection of carbon nanotubes. Some embodiments further provide methods and systems for dispersing carbon nanotubes by conjugation of the carbon nanotubes with biomolecule moieties, specifically proteins. Further, some embodiments provide an indicator for length-based separation of carbon nanotubes via conjugation of one or more biomolecules onto the surfaces of the nanotubes. In some embodiments, such a method can include conjugating a biomolecule to the carbon nanotubes and subjecting the conjugated carbon nanotubes to silver-stained gel electrophoresis to separate the conjugated carbon nanotubes based on their lengths.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present teachings provide a sensor for detecting troponin, e.g., cardiac troponin in a patient's blood, that relies on an electronic signature generated via interaction of troponin with an anti-troponin antibody. More specifically, as discussed in more detail below, such a sensor can include a graphene layer disposed on an underlying substrate, where the graphene layer has been functionalized with an anti-troponin antibody. The interaction of troponin in a sample, e.g., a patient's blood, with the anti-troponin antibody coupled, e.g., anchored, to the graphene substrate, can modulate an electronic property of the underlying graphene layer. The modulation of the electronic property of the graphene layer can be measured and used to identify, and in some embodiments quantify, troponin in the sample.

Abstract: A processing and detection system for detecting presence of at least one gluten protein in a food sample comprises a food processor including: a reservoir containing a process liquid for processing the food sample; a body that comprises a chamber configured to receive the food sample; and a pressing surface configured to press on the reservoir to cause the process liquid to exit the reservoir and mix with the food sample, thereby generating a processed food liquid; and an exit port configured to conduct the processed food liquid out of the food processor; and a cartridge including: at least one sensor configured to receive the processed food liquid and to generate an electrical signal in response to interaction with the at least one gluten protein in the processed food liquid, and an analyzer in electrical communication with the at least one sensor for detecting the electrical signal and determining the presence of the at least one gluten protein in the food sample based on the detected electrical signal.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is generally directed to methods for measuring distribution of lengths of a collection of carbon nanotubes. In particular, the present teachings provide an indicator for length-based separation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via conjugation of one or more biomolecules onto the surfaces of the nanotubes. As discussed in more detail below, in some embodiments, such a method can include conjugating a biomolecule to the carbon nanotubes and subject the conjugated carbon nanotubes to silver-stained gel electrophoresis to separate the conjugated carbon nanotubes based on their lengths.