Magnetically Enhanced Fluorescence: Signal Amplification by Magnetic Force on Polydiacetylene Supramolecules for Detection of Prostate Cancer (Small 2/2012)

The cover picture shows a method for enhanced detection of prostate cancer on polydiacetylene (PDA) vesicle chips. External stimuli, including heat, solvents, mechanical force, pH, and ligand–receptor interactions, induce the perturbation of the PDA liposome backbone, which generates red fluorescence emission. Magnetic beads (shown as black) and a permanent magnet (under the chip) are used on the PDA vesicle chip to further enhance the red fluorescence. This strategy involves amplification of the fluorescent signal by combining the primary immune reaction of the antigen–antibody, the sandwich method of the polyclonal antibody-conjugated magnetic beads, and the amplification of the fluorescent signal due to the increased external mechanical pressure due to the magnetic attraction between the magnetic beads and permanent magnet. This strategy can be applied to general antibody-based PDA vesicle chips to detect clinically important biomarkers for disease diagnosis. For further information, please read the Communication “Signal Amplification by Magnetic Force on Polydiacetylene Supramolecules for Detection of Prostate Cancer” by S. J. Sim and co-workers, beginning on page 209.