Emerging Trends of Nanotechnology towards Picotechnology: Energy and Biomolecules R. Sharma*, A. Sharma** *Center of Nanomagnetics and Biotechnology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310 USA, [email protected] **Department of Electrical Engineering, MP A&T University, Udaipur, Rajasthan India ABSTRACT (sodium sulphate), ferrum ox (iron oxide), In nature, metal oxide particles display their arsenica(arsenic oxide) known in Homeopathy existance of picomolecules in solution state at based on the physical principle of administration the picoscale and bioactive states in the body. of similar metal ions ‘amplify’ the bioreaction of We put evidence of picomolar behavior of same metals in physiological conditions (more 8 picoscale molecules different than nanomolar than 10 times) in the inverse order upon behavior of particles using decreased metal administered concentration. If PICOTECHNOLOGY devices. PICOTECHNO- picomoles of metal is administered in the body LOGY means picomolar measurement of will cause high magnitude of physiological picoscale molecule physical properties measured reaction activation than metal is administered in by pico-devices or picoscopes. The picoscale nanomoles. In keeping this view in mind, particles can be encapsulated more precisely reactions requiring calcium, iron, magnesium, within polymers and can be functionalized with zinc etc cofactors in picomole concentration is protein, nucleotides, and drugs at picoscale to becoming area of interest to understand the develop as smart intracellular targeting/ potentials of ‘extremely low metal monitoring pico-carrier devices. The preparation administration’ to trigger the battery of technique and physiological conditions at intracellular and physiological milieu due to less picoscale decide the size and functionality of known or unknown proteins and protein these pico-carrier devices. Their usable success regulatory factors. The protein and metal rate, feasibility and potentials are yet to be cofactor interaction in biomolecules is extremely proven or we donot know. The major difference important and its picomolar range needs new between nanodevices and pico-devices is their technical development. We focus on role of intermolecular and intramolecular sodium in neurofilament proteins, calcium in thermodynamics in medium and their molecular actin-myosin proteins and microtubule proteins. conformational interaction with molecular However, ultra small concentration of ions is less assembly in cytoarchitecture of the likely to trigger at molecular conformation level neurofilament, actin-myosin, microtubule but more likely triggers thermodynamics and proteins. In future, picoscale-carrier device can energy activation by increasing enthalpy and Nature Precedings : doi:10.1038/npre.2010.4525.1 Posted 9 Jun 2010 be presumed as potential spears without entropy. interacting with host signal transduction and immunoprotection. Present time, picoscopes, 1.1 Picodevices picoscale physical instruments are in use for In biochemical analysis and physical analysis, monitoring purposes. In conclusion, ultrafine electrothermal atomic absorption size of newer picotechnology products may be spectrophotometry (EAAS) was studied using a better suited and easy to functionalize them for Perkin-Elmer-Zeeman 3030 spectrophotometer design of particle based picodrug, picochemicals, is routine technique [1]. Other example is thyroid pico-targeting molecules. hormones measurement by ELISA or Keywords: Picoscale,Picotechnology, chemiluminescence to measure the TSH, T3 (9- Molecules, Energy, Dimensionality 26 picomoles/L) and T4 (0.60-1.5 picomoles/L). The art of measuring picomolar concentrations of nucleotide phosphates or energy molecules is 1 INTRODUCTION age old [2]. In the electronics field, picodevices Several metal solutions are known to act with such as picomole concentration of Cl- by high activity as their concentration in solution is picoelectrometeric titration, sodium ion decreased towards picomoles. Best examples are monitoring device of quadrupole electron impact calcaria phos(calcium phosphate), natrum mur mass spectrometry, picobio-inspired can be sensed by biotinilated glass slip: environmental biosensors have made streptavidin, first biotinilated antibody against advancement. bacteria, and antigen in the form of cell A biosensor named “Picoscope” was suspension at the concentration of 107 cells/ml. developed for real-time simultaneous detection The change of the antigen layer thickness of several biological agents by measuring averaged over the sensor's surface can be picometer-range changes of the thickness of detectable. The picochip technology has different biorecognition spots on the biochip tremendous advantage in picoparticles based on surface. The Picoscope technology seems antibody-biotin-streptavidin-metal compounds to significantly increase the power of research generate bio-response [2]. instruments for bio-, nano- and pico- technologies. Fig. 4. Sensogram of detection of L. monocytogenes at concentration 107 cell/ml. Source:NSTI2008Proc.Vol2p539-42. To increase the sensor's response depends on the surface density of the immobilized antibody was varied by changing the density of the biotin Fig. 1. Scheme of the Picoscope: 1, molecules during the biochip preparation stage superluminescent laser diode; 2, scanned Fabry– and streptavidin concentration to optimize Perot interferometer; 3, semi-transparent mirror; capturing the remaining cells and soluble 4, glass slip; 5, optics; 6, CCD camera; 7, fluidic proteins. system; 8, recognition spots or wells; 9, computer.Source:NSTI2008Proc.Vol2p539-542. Nature Precedings : doi:10.1038/npre.2010.4525.1 Posted 9 Jun 2010 Fig. 2. (a) Scheme of the interference pattern formation: 1, air; 2, glass slip with a biomolecular layer; 3, biological solution; 4 and 5, reflected beams. (b) Reflection spectrum of a glass slip of 50 μm thick. Fig. 5. Sensogram of detection of L. monocytogenes at concentration 104 cell/ml by 1.2 Pico-biochip second antibody. NSTI2008Proc.Vol2p539-542. The Picoscope used immobilization of one Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) “BIAcore antibody on the biochip surface via the biotin– 2000” and Picoscope can be useful for streptavidin bridge. Bacteria by the Picoscope biosensors based on fluorescent labels. Other attractive applications of the Picoscope based on 2.1 PICOSCOPE AS DATA CCD camera and multi-spot biochip are high throughput screening and multi-agent analysis of LOGGER liquids, e.g. for food pathogen detection.The picochip production is in progress based on A data logger is an electronic device that is used immobilization of antibodies and the biotin– to record measurements over time. Pico data streptavidin bridge such as measuring binding loggers require no power supply and simply plug kinetics using the two-channel Picoscope. into a parallel, serial or USB port on your PC. By connecting suitable sensors, Pico data acquisition products can be used to measure temperature, pressure, relative humidity, light, resistance, current, power, speed, vibration... in fact, anything that you need to measure. Pico data loggers are supplied complete with PicoLog — this powerful but flexible data acquisition software allows you to collect, analyze and display data. With PicoLog the data is viewable both during and after data collection, Fig. 7. Experimental setup for multi spot biochip in both spreadsheet and graphical format. You preparation. NSTI2008Proc.Vol2p539-542. can also export the data for use in other applications. Why picoscopes are better measurement instruments? • The low-cost, educational DrDAQ data logger is used throughout the world by both educational institutions and individuals alike • For measuring temperature and humidity Fig. 8. Image with visualized spots of antibody loggers such as the TC-08 thermocouple data on the biochip. NSTI2008Proc.Vol2p539-542. logger and RH-02 temperature and humidity data logger offer an accurate solution to your An image of several antibody spots of 280 μm measurement needs in diameter visualized by Picoscope is shown in Fig. 8. For the visualization, the sandwich assay • The pH Measuring Kit features Automatic was realized on a biochip similar to that used for Temperature Compensation, and allows you to L. monocytogenes detection. The size, shape and accurately measure and record the acidity or alkalinity of a solution Nature Precedings : doi:10.1038/npre.2010.4525.1 Posted 9 Jun 2010 position of the antibody spots had the required regularity for multi-agent analysis by the • Ideal for use over large areas, the widely used Picoscope[2]. EnviroMon data logging and alarm system is a network based system capable of 2 PICOSCOPE AS automatically measuring and recording readings from up to forty sensors, and OSCILLOSCOPES providing warnings when readings go out of range Designed specifically for the complex task of 2.2 PICOSCOPE IN analysing high-speed electrical signals, PicoScope 9000 Sampling Oscilloscopes are AUTOMOTIVE DIAGNOSTICS ideal for many advanced applications including: signal analysis, timing analysis, testing and Pico Automotive Diagnostics Kits turn your PC design of high-speed digital communication into a powerful automotive diagnostic tool. systems, network analysis, semiconductor Suitable for use with any modern vehicle, and testing, and research and development. available in both 2 and 4 channel versions, the multi-award-winning Automotive Diagnostics Kits can be used to measure and test virtually all the electrical and electronic components