@article{he_lou_woody_he_2019, title={Amplification-by-Polymerization in Biosensing for Human Genomic DNA Detection}, volume={4}, ISSN={["2379-3694"]}, DOI={10.1021/acssensors.9b00133}, abstractNote={A polymerization reaction was employed as a signal amplification method to realize direct visualization of gender-specific DNA extracted from human blood in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-free fashion. Clear distinction between X and Y chromosomes was observed by naked eyes for detector-free sensing purposes. The grown polymer films atop X and Y chromosomes were quantitatively measured by ellipsometry for thickness readings. Detection assays have been optimized for genomic DNA recognition to a maximum extent by varying the selection of the proper blocking reagents, the annealing temperature, and the annealing time. Traditional PCR and gel electrophoresis for amplicon identification were conducted in parallel for performance comparison. In the blind test for blood samples examined by the new approach, 25 out of 26 were correct and one was false negative, which was comparable to, if not better than, the PCR results. This is the first time our amplification-by-polymerization technique is being used for chromosome DNA analysis. The potential of adopting the described sensing technique without PCR was demonstrated, which could further promote the development of a portable, PCR-free DNA sensing device for point-of-need applications.}, number={4}, journal={ACS SENSORS}, author={He, Peng and Lou, Xinhui and Woody, Susan M. and He, Lin}, year={2019}, month={Apr}, pages={992–1000} }
 @article{he_tucker_gorman_he_2011, title={Chemical amplification for in-gel DNA detection}, volume={3}, ISSN={["1759-9679"]}, DOI={10.1039/c1ay05514c}, abstractNote={We report the use of reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization as a highly efficient chemical amplification means to direct visualization of DNA in porous polyacrylamide gel. It is the first time that a dynamic polymer growth on the surface of soft medium is used in signal amplification for DNA detection. In the proof-of-concept experiment, a thin acrylamide gel on a glass microscope slide formed a thin layer of uniformly crosslinked network with porous structures. Oligonucleotides of different sequences were entrapped within the gel at separate spots. Hybridization of complementary DNA detection probes introduced chain transfer agents (CTAs) into the gel via preconjugation to the probes. Surface-initiated polymer growth was prompted on the gel surface and the growth of polymer brushes at the spot where DNA hybridization occurred was monitored using infrared spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Visible change in the texture of the porous gel occurred after polymer growth, which offered an attractive detection alternative for in-gel DNA analysis. Compared to the results from traditional ethidium bromide staining, better detection sensitivity and specificity were achieved.}, number={11}, journal={ANALYTICAL METHODS}, author={He, Peng and Tucker, Eric Z. and Gorman, Christopher B. and He, Lin}, year={2011}, month={Nov}, pages={2463–2468} }
 @article{he_he_2009, title={Synthesis of Surface-Anchored DNA-Polymer Bioconjugates Using Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization}, volume={10}, ISSN={["1526-4602"]}, DOI={10.1021/bm9002283}, abstractNote={We report here an approach to grafting DNA-polymer bioconjugates on a planar solid support using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. In particular, a trithiocarbonate compound as the RAFT chain transfer agent (CTA) is attached to the distal point of a surface-immobilized oligonucleotide. Initiation of RAFT polymerization leads to controlled growth of polymers atop DNA molecules on the surface. Growth kinetics of poly(monomethoxy-capped oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) atop DNA molecules is investigated by monitoring the change of polymer film thickness as a function of reaction time. The reaction conditions, including the polymerization temperature, the initiator concentration, the CTA surface density, and the selection of monomers, are varied to examine their impacts on the grafting efficiency of DNA-polymer conjugates. Comparing to polymer growth atop small molecules, the experimental results suggest that DNA molecules significantly accelerate polymer growth, which is speculated as a result of the presence of highly charged DNA backbones and purine/pyrimidine moieties surrounding the reaction sites.}, number={7}, journal={BIOMACROMOLECULES}, author={He, Peng and He, Lin}, year={2009}, month={Jul}, pages={1804–1809} }
 @article{shi_he_zhu_2008, title={Photoluminescence-enhanced biocompatible quantum dots by phospholipid functionalization}, volume={43}, ISSN={["1873-4227"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.materresbull.2007.10.034}, abstractNote={A simple two-step strategy using phospholipid (PPL) to functionalize core/shell CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) has been described. The experimental data show that the use of S–H terminated PPL results not only in the high colloidal stability of core/shell CdSe/ZnS QDs in the aqueous phase, but also in the significant enhancement of photoluminescence. The degree of the enhancement is a function of the PPL–CdSe/ZnS QDs sample concentration. These results might be promising for future biological platform in new devices ranging from photovoltaic cells to biosensors and other devices.}, number={10}, journal={MATERIALS RESEARCH BULLETIN}, author={Shi, Yunfeng and He, Peng and Zhu, Xinyuan}, year={2008}, month={Oct}, pages={2626–2635} }
 @article{he_zheng_tucker_gorman_he_2008, title={Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization in DNA biosensing}, volume={80}, ISSN={["0003-2700"]}, DOI={10.1021/ac702608k}, abstractNote={Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization is employed here to allow detector-free visualization of specific DNA sequences for which dynamic polymer growth is used in signal amplification. In particular, surface-initiated polymer growth was regulated by the immobilization of chain transfer agents on the Au surface where DNA hybridization occurred. A linear polymer growth was observed as a function of the reaction time, characteristic of "living" polymer reactions. Significant improvement in assay sensitivity was realized in comparison to the previously reported polymerization-based sensing method by enhancing polymer growth rate and reducing background noises caused by nonspecific adsorption. Direct visualization of fewer than 2,000 copies of a short oligonucleotide sequence was demonstrated in a detector-free fashion.}, number={10}, journal={ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY}, author={He, Peng and Zheng, Weiming and Tucker, Eric Z. and Gorman, Christopher B. and He, Lin}, year={2008}, month={May}, pages={3633–3639} }
 @article{shi_tu_zhu_qian_ren_liu_zhu_yan_siu-waikong_he_2008, title={Self-assembly of CdTe nanocrystals at the water/oil interface by amphiphilic hyperbranched polymers}, volume={19}, number={44}, journal={Nanotechnology}, author={Shi, Y. F. and Tu, C. L. and Zhu, Q. and Qian, H. F. and Ren, J. C. and Liu, C. H. and Zhu, X. Y. and Yan, D. Y. and Siu-WaiKong, E. and He, P.}, year={2008} }
 @article{he_zhu_2008, title={Synthesis and characterization of phospholipid-functionalized silver nanoparticles}, volume={43}, ISSN={["1873-4227"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.materresbull.2007.04.014}, abstractNote={Functionalizations of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by phospholipids (PLs) have been manifested well by means of covalent connection between AgNPs with PLs. After functionalization, the attached PLs can self-assemble into bilayer structures on the surfaces of AgNPs. TEM displays the images of pure AgNPs and functionalized AgNPs with certain thickness of the phospholipid bilayers, as a result of chemical connection existing in AgNPs-PL conjugates. UV–vis and IR spectra confirm the strong Ag–S interaction between silver and sulfur produced during the reactions. This new modification method for AgNPs offers a good opportunity to functionalize nanoparticles with biological activity.}, number={3}, journal={MATERIALS RESEARCH BULLETIN}, author={He, Peng and Zhu, Xinyuan}, year={2008}, month={Mar}, pages={625–630} }
 @article{he_zhu_2008, title={Synthesis and characterization of phospholipid-modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes}, volume={43}, ISSN={["1873-4227"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.materresbull.2007.02.024}, abstractNote={A simple three-step strategy to functionalize multiwalled carbon nanotubes using 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine phospholipids has been described. The resulting phospholipid-modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes were analyzed by TEM, AFM, NMR, IR, UV–vis and TGA techniques. The experimental results show that the use of amine-terminated phospholipids not only improves the dispersity of multiwalled carbon nanotubes in both aqueous and organic solvents greatly, but also results in the significant enhancement of biocompatibility. These findings will serve as a future biological platform for new devices ranging from biosensors to nano-detectors.}, number={1}, journal={MATERIALS RESEARCH BULLETIN}, author={He, Peng and Zhu, Xinyuan}, year={2008}, month={Jan}, pages={141–148} }
 @article{he_zhu_2007, title={Phospholipid-assisted synthesis of size-controlled gold nanoparticles}, volume={42}, number={7}, journal={Materials Research Bulletin}, author={He, P. and Zhu, X. Y.}, year={2007}, pages={1310–1315} }
 @article{zhou_peng_chen_he_zhu_2007, title={Supramolecular selectivity of poly(ethylene oxide) in semi-crystalline polymer nanocomposites}, volume={56}, ISSN={["1097-0126"]}, DOI={10.1002/pi.2305}, abstractNote={Abstract}, number={12}, journal={POLYMER INTERNATIONAL}, author={Zhou, Li and Peng, Min and Chen, Qun and He, Peng and Zhu, Xinyuan}, year={2007}, month={Dec}, pages={1558–1562} }
 @misc{lou_he_okelo_he_2006, title={Radical polymerization in biosensing}, volume={386}, ISSN={["1618-2642"]}, DOI={10.1007/s00216-006-0576-1}, abstractNote={This review briefly summarizes recently published work on radical polymerization in biosensor-related applications. Advancements in surface modification aimed at improving sensor biocompatibility and reducing nonspecific background noises are discussed. Direct applications of polymers as one of the key sensing elements in which they are used either as detection probes for the biomolecular binding events or as signal transducers to amplify sensing signals are detailed. Initial applications of radical polymerization reactions in biosensing are evident and appear promising.}, number={3}, journal={ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY}, author={Lou, Xinhui and He, Peng and Okelo, Geoffrey O. and He, Lin}, year={2006}, month={Oct}, pages={525–531} }