POSTEROVÁ SEKCE C

Rapid and reliable point-of-care molecular diagnostics require innovative technologies enabling fully integrated and portable testing. Our long-term goal is the development of a microfluidic diagnostic platform combining magnetic particle-based nucleic acid isolation, LAMP amplification, and on-chip detection. Since successful integration of LAMP into such a platform requires a robust and stable reaction mixture, the aim of this study was to optimize and stabilize a LAMP mastermix through the systematic evaluation of reaction additives.
Initially, seven reaction additives were evaluated individually to assess their effect on LAMP performance. Each additive was tested at five different concentrations across a temperature gradient. Based on the screening results, the additives were classified as amplification enhancers or protective/stabilizing additives. Subsequently, the combination of the two most effective enhancers, betaine and formamide, was optimized, and sugar-based stabilizers were incorporated into the optimized formulation to improve mastermix stability while maintaining its performance.
Betaine exhibited the strongest enhancing effect, and its combination with formamide further improved the amplification efficiency of the LAMP assay. The incorporation of trehalose and sucrose increased mastermix stability, while both sugars demonstrated quantification performance. The combination of amplification enhancers and sugar-based stabilizers resulted in a LAMP formulation with improved amplification efficiency and stability.
The optimized LAMP mastermix represents an important component for the future implementation of integrated microfluidic point-of-care diagnostic systems.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: This work was supported by the NaCeBiVet project (No. TN02000017) and the Internal Grant Agency of Mendel University in Brno (IGA26-AF-IP-045).

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a naturally occurring, biodegradable polyester with potential use as a scaffold material in bone tissue engineering. Here, we used electrospun nanofibrous PHB (3% w/v) scaffolds with incorporated 1, 3, 10, or 30% (w/t) Mg-Whitlockite (w/t), a magnesium-substituted calcium phosphate mineral that may enhance bone regeneration properties of the scaffolds by promoting cell proliferation and adhesion. SaOS-2 osteoblast-like cells were grown on the tested materials or exposed to 24-h material extracts for 1, 3, and 7 days to evaluate potential toxicity of direct material-cell contact as well as of material leachates. Cell metabolic activity and proliferation were assessed by MTS and PicoGreen assays, cell morphology and viability were evaluated by light microscopy and Live/Dead staining using fluorescence and confocal microscopes. Cells exposed to extracts of all PHB-Mg materials maintained metabolic activity and proliferation, with no observed cytotoxic effects. Although 10% Mg-Whitlockite caused a statistically significant decrease in metabolic activity, cell viability remained ≥80%, which is above the ISO 10993-5 cytotoxicity threshold. Direct cultivation on scaffolds resulted in lower initial cell attachment in comparison to tissue culture plastic, however cell numbers increased during cultivation, indicating continued proliferation. Overall PHB scaffolds containing 0-30% Mg-Whitlockite demonstrated good biocompatibility, supporting their potential as biodegradable materials for bone tissue engineering. The study was funded by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic, programme Johannes Amos Comenius (Reg. No. CZ.02.01.01/00/22_008/0004562) and by the Czech Science Foundation (GAČR Weave programme, Project No 26-23142L).

The rapid development of nanotechnology is bringing nanomaterials, such as nanodiamonds (NDs) and silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs), closer to everyday applications in biomedicine and industry. However, their increasing integration into everyday products raises crucial questions about their safety, toxicity, and precise effects on the human body. Since nanoparticle internalization in cells often triggers cytoskeletal reorganization, cellular nano-mechanics and morphology serve as highly sensitive indicators of cellular responses to these materials.
In this work, we study alterations in outer NHDF cell membrane topography and elasticity following exposure to NDs and SiO2 NPs using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Quantitative force spectroscopy is used to map the local Young's modulus of the cell membrane. To efficiently process extensive multi-point force-indentation datasets, we utilize specialized data analysis software that calculates Young's modulus via Hertz/Sneddon mechanics fitting and other parameters, such as adhesion.

Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are important biomolecules with board applications in biomedicine, particularly in the development of novel therapeutic and diagnostic approaches. However, due to their low stability in biological environments they are rapidly degraded by nucleases. One effective strategy to protect these biomolecules is their encapsulation into nanocarriers, such as liposomes [1; 2].
The aim of this study was to optimize the preparation method of liposomal particles encapsulating plasmid DNA and synthetic oligonucleotides and subsequently evaluate their encapsulation efficiency and stability. The experimental part deals with preparation of liposomes with different lecithin-to-cholesterol rations, followed by the encapsulation of nucleic acids. Prepared particles were characterized using dynamic light scattering and encapsulation efficiency was evaluated by agarose gel electrophoresis. We successfully optimized liposome preparation at reduced reaction volume and achieved high encapsulation efficiency, more than 95,38 ± 3,94 %, for commercially available synthetic oligonucleotides. On the other hand, plasmid DNA exhibited lower encapsulation efficiency, particularly at higher concentrations. These findings provide a solid foundation for further optimization of liposomal delivery systems and their future application in biomedical research and therapeutic development.
REFERENCES: [1] Cullis, P. R., & Hope, M. J. (2017). Lipid nanoparticle systems for enabling gene therapies. Molecular Therapy, 25(7), 1467-1475;
[2] Kulkarni, J.A., Witzigmann, D., Thomson, S.B. et al. The current landscape of nucleic acid therapeutics. Nat. Nanotechnol. 16, 630-643 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-021-00898-0.

This study reports the development and characterization of manganese-substituted maghemite nanoflowers (MnxFe2−xO3) engineered as a multifunctional platform for synergistic cancer treatment combining magnetic hyperthermia and nanobrachytherapy. Synthesized via a controlled polyol route, nanoparticles with varying manganese content maintained a spinel-type lattice, while structural analysis confirmed successful Mn2+ incorporation. Surface functionalization with 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) ensured colloidal stability and enabled high-yield radiolabeling (>98%) using therapeutic radionuclide 177Lu. Calorimetric measurements showed enhanced magnetic heat generation at moderate manganese substitution levels. The radiolabeled nanoconstructs demonstrated excellent stability in human serum, high protein-binding affinity, and favorable pharmacokinetic profiles in animal models. Following intratumoral administration in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice, 177Lu-labeled nanoflowers exhibited strong localized tumor retention with minimal leakage into healthy tissues. Combined thermo-radiation therapy resulted in significant tumor growth inhibition, showing the highest efficacy in smaller initial tumor volumes. These findings demonstrate the strong potential of manganese-substituted iron oxide nanoflowers as an effective bimodal agent for localized oncological interventions.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: This research was supported by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, Grant No. 7282, Project title "Design of radioactive magnetic nanoconstructs for tumour therapy by synergy of nanobrachytherapy and magnetic hyperthermia" - RADIOMAG.

Cancer remains the leading cause of global mortality, making early diagnosis and effective localized treatment essential for improving survival. MRI is a cornerstone diagnostic tool for its non-invasive, high-resolution soft-tissue contrast, though its performance relies on contrast agents that enhance tumor differentiation. Manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4) nanoparticles are especially promising in this role, offering tunable magnetism, strong biocompatibility, and multimodal imaging-therapy capability in a single platform offering distinct advantages over conventional Gd-based or pure iron oxide contrast agents. Our study aims to establish a structure-property-functional relationship by investigating how Mn substitution/doping in both through compositional tuning (MnxFe3-xO4) and Mn-based core-shell architectures in iron oxide with the role of interfacial layer as a versatile platform strategy for tailoring magnetic properties, MRI relaxometric properties and hyperthermia, for integrated cancer diagnosis and treatment. In MnxFe3-xO4 increasing Mn content shifted particle morphology from faceted octahedra to larger, irregular structures. The MRI relaxivity showed dependence on Mn substitution. Increasing Mn content clearly showed a transition from T2 dominant (r2/r1 ~ 430) contrast behaviour to T1 dominant (r2/r1 ~ 9) contrast behaviour. While the hyperthermia showed dependence on size of the particles with showing a highest SAR (673.73 W g⁻¹), for Fe rich particles having the smallest size. The particles showed a good biocompatibity along with ROS based therapy in cancer cells. While the Fe3O4@MnO2 core shell particle showed changes in dual T1/T2 behaviour with MnO2 coating acting as a pH responsive layer. Mn substitution offers a practical, single-parameter route to tune a single ferrite platform for divergent theranostic applications, supporting its potential as an MRI-guided, multifunctional nanoplatform for cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide, characterized by poor prognosis, chemoresistance, and limited durable therapeutic options. Phytochemical-metal nanoconjugates offer an emerging strategy by combining distinct cytotoxic mechanisms within a single nanoplatform. We report the green synthesis, physicochemical characterization, and mechanistic anticancer evaluation of quercetin-functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs-Que), designed to combine the cytotoxicity of silver with the oncosuppressive activity of quercetin.
AgNPs-Que were synthesized via a solvent-based single-step method using quercetin as the reducing and stabilizing agent, with NaOH-facilitated deprotonation driving Ag⁺ reduction, followed by purification through a 2 kDa dialysis membrane. Characterization by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, FTIR, SEM, DLS, and zeta potential analysis confirmed nanoparticle formation, surface functionalization, and colloidal stability. Cytotoxicity against A549 NSCLC cells assessed by MTT assay yielded a mean IC₅₀ of 16.80 ± 3.31 μg/mL, demonstrating superior potency over free quercetin and bare AgNPs. Live/dead fluorescence and cell cycle analyses revealed dose-dependent G1 phase arrest linked to p53/p21 axis activation and CDK inhibition. DCFH-DA fluorometry demonstrated intracellular ROS generation, while MitoTracker Red staining showed mitochondrial membrane depolarization, indicating activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, further supported by caspase-3 immunofluorescence imaging.
Collectively, AgNPs-Que demonstrate promising anticancer activity through enhanced oxidative stress, cell-cycle arrest, and apoptosis, supporting their potential as a green-synthesized nanotherapeutic strategy for NSCLC and warranting further in vivo investigation.

MXenes are 2D titanium carbide nanomaterials with high conductivity, large surface area, and biocompatibility, making them suitable for (bio)sensing applications. Herein, we present the development of miniaturized electrochemical biosensors based on functionalized MXene nanomaterials as conductive supports for peptide receptors, for fast, sensitive and non-invasive detection of the lung cancer biomarkers, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in saliva.
Titanium carbide MXenes were synthesized by selective etching of MAX phase precursors with LiF/HCl, followed by DMSO-assisted delamination, and then functionalization with amino groups using APTES. The functionalized conductive MXene flakes were deposited on screen-printed electrodes (SPEs), providing enhanced conductivity and support for covalent binding of ferrocenyl-labeled peptide receptors.
Successful synthesis and delamination were confirmed by SEM, revealing characteristic accordion morphology and 5-20 µm flake dimensions, alongside TGA and Raman spectroscopy, while FTIR confirmed functionalization through characteristic amino and silanization bands. The electrocatalytic performance of the MXene-modified electrodes was evaluated using voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. CV studies showed that MXene deposition increased the electroactive surface area from 0.1256 cm2 (bare SPE) to 0.159±0.012 cm2, and to 0.223±0.019 cm2 upon amino-functionalization. Ferrocenyl-labeled peptide receptors were immobilized on MXene-NH2/SPE via sulfo-SMCC assisted covalent binding, and comparisons with adsorption and glutaraldehyde crosslinking confirmed more homogeneous surface coverage for covalent methods. Further work focuses on optimizing peptide immobilization and evaluating biosensor response towards biomarker detection.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: This work was supported by the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization, CNCS/CCCDI-UEFISCDI, through projects PN-IV-P2-2.1-TE-2023-1281, MXEPEPMIN and by Core Program PN 23.06.01.01. AQUAMAT.

Surface-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are promising materials for nucleic acid separation due to their tunable surface properties and magnetic responsiveness. In this study, silica-coated MNPs were functionalized with polycations, including chitosan and poly-L-lysine, to enhance their interaction with nucleic acids. The physicochemical, surface, and magnetic properties of the modified nanoparticles were investigated and related to their nucleic acid binding and separation performance. The functionalized nanoparticles demonstrated significantly improved RNA extraction compared with unmodified silica-coated MNPs, with chitosan modification providing the highest separation efficiency. The results demonstrate the potential of polycation-functionalized MNPs for efficient nucleic acid separation and their further application in biomedical and diagnostic technologies [1, 2].
REFERENCES:[1] Bednarikova, Z. et al. Silica-magnetite nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization and nucleic acid separation potential. Surfaces and Interfaces 39, 102942 (2023); [2] Antal, I. et al. Chitosan- or Poly-L-lysine-modified nanoparticles for nucleic acid separation. Next Materials 13, 103154 (2026).
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: This work was funded by the Science Grant Agency VEGA (grant number 2/0049/23, 2/0141/25 and 2/0080/26). This work was supported by research grants the Slovak Research and Development Agency under Contract no. APVV 24-0448 and APVV 22-0598. This work was co-financed by the European Union under the Slovakia Programme within the project NFP401101C479.

Microscopic techniques using bright-field and polarized light can be suitable for the analysis of crystal structures and nanomaterials. Moreover, suitable markers for the selective and sensitive diagnosis of serious diseases are still being sought. In addition, these procedures are applied in clinical laboratory medicine. The aim of this work was to analyze samples of solid biominerals and nanomaterials using microscopic and spectroscopic methods. Biological samples were evaluated by microscopic analysis combined with image analysis. Furthermore, individual types of solid calculi were identified by advanced FTIR spectroscopic analysis. Using automated microscopic analysis followed by image analysis, an average of 55,474 microscopic analyses per year were performed between 2015 and 2026. The main groups of identified crystals were oxalates (on average 1,772 per year), uric acid (on average 522 per year), phosphates (on average 364 per year), and urates (on average 17 per year). In addition, approximately 250-350 highly specialized spectroscopic examinations of calculi are carried out each year. Within this group, various forms of oxalates predominate. Modern spectroscopic methods allow minimal sample preparation. The obtained data are mathematically processed and can serve as a very important basis for establishing a diagnosis.

Anaemia affects approximately 9 % of adults aged 20-59 years, 12.5 % of those aged 60 and older, and more than 20 % of the population above 85 years. Treatment of sideropenic anaemia requires elimination of the underlying cause together with iron substitution sufficient to restore both haemoglobin and ferritin. Oral Fe²⁺ salts remain the first-line treatment, and although their uptake is further enhanced by concomitant ascorbic acid, their use is frequently limited by gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, epigastric fullness, diarrhoea and constipation. Additionally, in malabsorption, intolerance, severe losses or when rapid correction is required, parenteral Fe³⁺-carbohydrate complexes are employed to bypass both intestinal absorption and hepcidin-mediated blockade of ferroportin. Microencapsulated preparations have therefore been proposed to circumvent these limitations, but human data are scarce. In this study, serum iron kinetics were characterised over 600 min after a single oral dose (60 mg/d) of a microencapsulated iron formulation in three non-anaemic volunteers aged 25 to 59 years spanning a wide range of iron stores (ferritin 9.3 to 136.2 µg/l). Serum was sampled at 0, 60, 120, 240, 360, 480 and 600 min and analysed in triplicate by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry alongside automated clinical chemistry. The magnitude of the response was inversely related to baseline iron status. The iron-depleted subject (ferritin 9.3 µg/l, transferrin saturation 8.5 %, sTfR 0.92 mg/l) showed a 4.4-fold rise from 6.8 to 29.8 µmol/l peaking at 240 min and remaining 2.7-fold above baseline at 600 min. The intermediate subject a 1.9-fold rise peaking at 480 min, whereas the iron-replete subject showed no net absorption. Ferritin rose from 9.3 to 13.2 µg/l in the iron-depleted subject, while transferrin remained unchanged throughout. Thus, such microencapsulated preparations can improve bioavailability.

The extensive crosstalk among pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis limits the efficacy of therapies targeting only one pathway. Here, we show that Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles act as multi-target PANoptosis inhibitors by binding key PANoptosome components including RIPK1, ZBP1, and AIM2 through multimodal interactions, thereby concurrently suppressing pyroptosis,
apoptosis, and necroptosis in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). Platelet membranecoated PB nanoparticles (PB@PM) exhibit enhanced cardiac targeting and efficiently alleviate MIRI-induced cardiac dysfunction, adverse ventricular remodeling, and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Mechanistically, PB@PM disrupt PANoptosome assembly, scavenge reactive oxygen
species, improve mitochondrial function, and restore immune-inflammatory homeostasis. By integrating single nucleus transcriptomics of human heart samples, molecular dynamics simulations, transcriptomics, medical imaging, and molecular validation, we systematically decipher the therapeutic mechanisms of PB-based PANoptosis inhibition. This study establishes
an integrative multi-omics framework for exploring PANoptosis in cardiovascular diseases and provides a promising nanotherapeutic strategy for MIRI treatment.

The work deals with the study of nanofibrous membranes as alternative protein carriers in the lateral flow test (LFA), which is based on the immunochromatographic principle. The topic of the work has significant application potential, especially in the field of rapid diagnostics. Today, LFA is used not only in medical diagnostics but also in food safety testing and environmental analysis. Despite the many advantages they offer, their weakness remains limited sensitivity, which often does not allow reliable detection of very low concentrations of analytes. Currently, research in this field focuses on increasing the sensitivity of tests, both by modifying the labelling of detection molecules and by modifying the carrier membrane.
The aim of the work is to compare the binding of model proteins on a conventional membrane (nitrocellulose) and several types of nanofibrous membrane (e.g., polyvinylidene difluoride, PVDF) and to verify the influence of the nanofibrous material on the sensitivity of detection of the bound protein. For comparison of membranes, the conditions of protein immobilisation were optimised and the functionality of the designed model system was experimentally verified. The results include the binding efficiency of albumin and ovalbumin proteins and their binding capacity to membranes using analytical methods and instrumental techniques (BCA test, dot blotting, AFM and FTIR). The results also allow us to assess the influence of the material structure on the binding capacity and detection sensitivity. The detection limit achieved for the bound protein was in the order of nanogrammes per microlitre, thus reducing the detection limit for nanofibrous membranes compared to the standard NC membrane. The results confirmed the potential of the nanofibrous PVDF materials in increasing the sensitivity of LFA tests.

TiO2 surfaces, especially TiO2 nanotube (TNT) layers with 15 nm diameters grown by anodization [1] on Ti foils and frequently used TiAlV, are excellent biocompatible materials [2,3]. We demonstrate that ultrathin ALD coatings of TiO2 [2-4], ZrO2, V2O5 [5], and TiN significantly affect cell adhesion and proliferation on TNT layers, Ti foils, and Ti alloys.
For osteoblasts on amorphous and crystalline TNTs, crystalline 5c ZrO2 TNT15 exhibited the most favorable effect on cell growth and cytoskeleton development after 48 h. In contrast, 5c V2O5 coatings showed cell growth comparable to uncoated TNT15, with expected cytotoxicity on larger TNT30 and TNT100. In parallel, an overall decrease in surface roughness was observed with increasing nanotube diameter and added coatings.
TiN ALD coatings showed that when TiN layers were deposited with a sufficient thickness to remain chemically stable, their unique surface chemistry and high mechanical stability provided improved surfaces for osteoblast growth. Overall, ultrathin ALD coatings hold strong promise for enhancing biocompatibility in biomedical applications.
REFERENCES: [1] Park et al. Small, 6, 666 -671, 2009; [2] Capek et al. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 16, no. 5, 5627-5636, 2024; [3] Sepúlveda et al. Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol. 12:1515810, 2024; [4] Motola et al. ACS Appl. Bio Mater., 3, 6447−6456, 2020; [5] Baishya and Bacova et al. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 17, 1, 739-749, 2025.

Functional nanofibrous yarns combine the high surface area and flexibility of electrospun materials with the processability of continuous fibrous assemblies, making them promising candidates for biomedical constructs and flexible electronic devices. However, practical use requires sufficient mechanical integrity while preserving a formulation suitable for functional additives. This work investigates the effect of thermal stabilization on the tensile behavior of AC-electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanoyarns containing PEDOT and graphene.
Five 10 wt% PVA formulations were evaluated: neat PVA, PVA with PEDOT, PVA with graphene, and two PVA formulations containing both functional additives. Stabilization was performed by heating the yarns from 85 to 125 °C over 4 h. Tensile testing assessed the changes in strength, stiffness, and elongation at break induced by the treatment.
The results demonstrate that thermal stabilization does not produce a universal improvement in mechanical properties; instead, its effect depends strongly on composition. PEDOT yarns generally exhibited greater strength and stiffness than neat PVA or graphene-only formulations, although this reinforcement was commonly accompanied by reduced elongation. Graphene alone did not consistently improve tensile performance. Importantly, the combined PEDOT-graphene formulations showed a composition-dependent interaction with thermal stabilization: one mixed formulation lost strength and stiffness after treatment, whereas the formulation with higher functional-additive contents displayed clear post-stabilization strengthening and stiffening. This favorable response was accompanied by lower extensibility, indicating a controllable shift in the strength-ductility balance.
These findings show that thermal stabilization can be used as a formulation-sensitive tool to tailor functional PVA nanoyarns. Such control is relevant for biomedical fibrous structures requiring reliable handling and structural integrity, as well as for conductive yarn-based components in flexible or wearable electronics.

The increasing need for safety in healthcare, water resources, and the food supply chain represents a major public health challenge. Excessive antibiotic use in animal husbandry contributes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) causing an estimated 4.95 million deaths annually worldwide, and to residues in meat products exceeding regulatory limits, while waterborne pathogens and chemical contaminants continue to threaten public health.
Electrochemical aptasensors offer a compelling alternative to conventional analytical methods by combining aptamer selectivity with nanomaterial-based signal amplification. In this paper, we present the development of two independent aptasensor platforms based on innovative nanomaterials, Fullerenol (Apt-FL/SPE) for tetracycline detection, and MXene (Apt-MXene-AuNP/SPE) for penicillin detection fabricated on screen-printed electrodes (SPE) and evaluated in meat (pork, chicken, and beef) matrices. The sensing interfaces exploit the hydroxyl-rich functionalization of Fullerenol and the high conductivity of MXene to enable stable covalent immobilization of specific aptamers.
Analytical performances were evaluated using EIS, SWV, and DPV. The Apt-FL-Glu/SPE achieved a sensitivity of 299.4 Ω dec⁻¹ (range 0.05-45 nM, LOD 0.01 nM) for tetracycline detection, while Apt-MXene-AuNP/SPE reached 390.35 Ω dec⁻¹ (R² = 0.9864) (range 3 nM-15 μM, LOD 8.6 nM) for penicillin. Overall, the systems we have developed provide versatile platforms capable of detecting drug residues for food safety monitoring, and their portability, sensitivity, and adaptability make them strong candidates for real-time applications that can contribute to improving quality of life and public health.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: This work was supported by the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization, CCCDI - UEFISCDI, through projects PN-IV-P7-7.1-PED-2024-1277-SafeBioChain.

The development of highly sensitive and selective sensing materials for the detection of biologically active molecules remains one of the key challenges in modern nanomaterials science and sensor electronics. Among various semiconductor materials, zinc oxide (ZnO) has attracted considerable attention due to its wide band gap, high chemical stability, large specific surface area, and biocompatibility [1]. These properties make ZnO a promising platform for the design of next-generation electrochemical sensors [2]. In the present study, the sensitivity of nanostructured ZnO toward ascorbic acid (AA) in a neutral medium has been investigated. Ascorbic acid plays a crucial role in biological processes as a powerful antioxidant and participates in numerous metabolic reactions. Accurate monitoring of its concentration is essential for medical diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and the food industry. ZnO nanostructures were synthesized via thermal decomposition of a zinc acetate solution in ethanol, followed by the formation of a fine-dispersed powder. The synthesis was carried out at 250 °C, after which a portion of the samples was subjected to additional annealing at 450 °C. This approach enabled control over the degree of crystallinity and the concentration of defect states, which are critical factors governing the sensing properties of the material.
Morphological characterization using scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the synthesized structures consist of dense ensembles of one-dimensional nanorods with lengths of approximately 200-500 nm and diameters of about 20-40 nm. Such morphology provides a high specific surface area and a large number of active adsorption sites, thereby enhancing the electrochemical response. The structural properties of the samples were confirmed by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The material was found to crystallize in the hexagonal wurtzite structure. After thermal treatment, a significant narrowing of diffraction peaks and an increase in their intensity were observed, indicating improved crystallinity and a reduced concentration of structural defects. The electrochemical properties of ZnO were investigated by cyclic voltammetry in a phosphate buffer solution at pH = 7.0. A ZnO nanoparticle-modified glassy carbon electrode was used as the working electrode. It was established that increasing the scan rate leads to a rise in both anodic and cathodic currents, indicating a diffusion-controlled electrochemical process. The obtained results demonstrate that nanostructured ZnO exhibits high electrocatalytic activity toward ascorbic acid. A significant role is played by the developed porous morphology and the presence of surface defect states, which act as active adsorption sites and facilitate charge transfer at the electrode-electrolyte interface.
Thus, the proposed synthesis approach enables the fabrication of an efficient material for non-enzymatic electrochemical sensors. High sensitivity, stability, and the ability to operate in a physiologically neutral medium make the developed system promising for biomedical analysis and the monitoring of antioxidants in real samples.
REFERENCES: [1] I.M. Maafa, Biosensors 15, 61 (2025); [2] D.B.Tolubayeva, L.V. Gritsenko, Y.Y. Kedruk, M.B. Aitzhanov, R.R. Nemkayeva, K.A.Abdullin, Biosensors 13, 793 (2023).

Biosensing devices play a crucial role in diverse fields such as disease diagnosis, pharmaceutical research, and the identification of pathogens and contaminants in biological samples. Notably, electrochemical biosensors dominate the market due to their broad applicability in healthcare and environmental monitoring. Combining the nanomaterials, characterized by high surface area, excellent conductivity, and tunable properties, further improves sensor performance by enhancing sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility.
In this study, carbon dots derived from citrus peel biowaste (BWCDs) are integrated with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) where BWCDs provide rich surface functionality, while MOFs contribute highly porous and adjustable architectures that facilitate effective antibody immobilization. The resulting BWCD-MOF heterostructures are structurally and compositionally characterized and optimized to be formulated into a printable ink for biosensor fabrication. Finally, in order to enhance the performance of the biosensors a technique, wiz scanning electrochemical microscopy is explored to lower the limits of detection for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), an important pro-inflammatory cytokine linked to early diagnosis and progression of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, sepsis, and cancer.

Early detection of cancer is a key prerequisite for successful treatment and improved patient prognosis within the framework of personalized medicine. Conventional laboratory methods tend to be time-consuming and costly, which opens the door to the development of highly sensitive, rapid, and selective biosensors. This work focuses on the development and testing of an immunosensor designed for the in vitro detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in model fluids.
The active layer of the biosensor was fabricated from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers prepared by electrostatic spinning. The nanofiber support was subsequently reduced and functionalized by covalently binding an anti-CEA monoclonal antibody. Successful immobilization of the protein on the nanofiber surface was verified by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy through the identification of a characteristic peptide bond.
The interaction of the functionalized carrier with the CEA antigen in a buffered solution was evaluated using two methods: by fluorescence following excitation with UV light (254 nm) on a transilluminator, and spectrophotometrically by measuring absorbance at 280 nm. The results demonstrated an inverse relationship between the carrier’s luminescence intensity and the CEA concentration, as well as an increase in absorbance with increasing amounts of bound antigen. The prepared bionanosensor reliably detected CEA over a wide concentration range from 0.025 to 25 ng/ml. The proposed system represents a promising platform for use in laboratory immunodiagnostics, oncological screening, and monitoring the efficacy of anticancer therapy.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: This work was carried out with the expert support of RNDr. Taťána Jarošíková, CSc., RNDr. Bruno Sopko, Ph.D., and the Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials at UCEEB, CTU.

Nanoliposomes are nano-sized vesicles used as carriers into the tissue in many clinical studies. Liposomes can be prepared in large quantities, with customizable payloads, and at relatively low cost. However, the effective targeted diffusion of liposomes into a specific environment remains an unresolved challenge. Therefore, our team has developed a microfluidic testing system designed to simulate capillaries and adjacent soft tissues. The permeabilization of capillaries and soft tissues via physical factors (ultrasound force, negative pressure pulses, electromagnetic pulses) is precisely controlled, allowing for the highly accurate quantification of the diffusive flux of nanoliposomes by digital microscope.
Microfluidic devices allow us to mimic the circulation of fluid and mechanical properties of the membrane and surrounding extracellular matrix. A more accurate imitation of the in vivo environment is implemented using a sandwich structure of collagen combined with nanofibers. Liposomes were prepared by method based on hydration of lipid film, fluorescence marker was integrated inside. Following the application of liposomes to a microfluidic phantom, the rate of diffusion into the collagen block was monitored. The application of pressure and electromagnetic stimuli correlated with increased permeability of the phantom tissue and faster transport of liposomes.
Acknowledgement: This work was supported by TACR project FW10010267 - Research and development of intermittent negative pressure therapy medical technology.