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Recent Publications

Recent Publications (selected):

MUltiplexed detection of pathogen DNA with DNA-based fluorescence nanobarcodes
Nature Biotechnology 23, Pg. 885-889 (2005)

from Nature Biotechnology "In this Issue"
Pathogen barcoding branches out
" Luo and colleagues have developed a fluorescence nanobarcode-based DNA detection method to analyze samples containing pathogenic microorganisms such as the anthrax bacterium, Ebola virus or the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus. The approach consists of fabricating Y-shaped, dendrimer- like DNA scaffolds that can form highly branched structures. Subsequently, the authors attached a pathogen-specific probe to one arm of the structure and green and red fluorescent particles in predetermined ratios (e.g., 1:1, 1:3, 4:1 or 3:2) to the other arms of the structure, effectively creating a specific ‘barcode’ for each target that could be identified based on fluorescence color (different mixes of red and green) and intensity (depending on the number of fluorescent tags used to create the independent barcodes). These fluorescent nanobarcodes were then applied to detect DNA from several pathogens at very low concentrations (attomole) using conventional fluorescence detection devices, such as fluorescence microscopy, dot blots and flow cytometry. This technological platform has the potential of being applied to the detection of many different types of DNA targets in complex biological samples. [Letters, p. 885] GTO" Download Paper

Diffusion of Single Star-Branched Dendrimer-like DNA
J. Phys. Chem. B, 16, pg S314-S323 (2005)

A collaborative paper with Prof. P.C. Ke (Clemenson U. Dept. of Physics) on single DL-DNA diffusion. Download Paper

Detection and identification of nucleic acid engineered fluorescent labels in submicrometre fluidic channels
Nanotechnology, 16, pg S314-S323 (2005)

A collaborative paper with Prof. Harold Craighead (Cornell, Dept. of Appl. and Eng. Physics) on single nanobarcode detection. Download Paper

Invited Book Chapter Contribution:

Handbook Of Nanostructured Biomaterials And Their Applications In Nanobiotechnology

Nucleic Acid Engineered Nanobiomaterials and Their Applications
Handbook Of Nanostructured Biomaterials And Their Applications In Nanobiotechnology, 2005
Edited by Hari Singh Nalwa
A comprehensive review of nucleic acid engineering and nucleic acid engineered materials. A total 23 pages. Download the first 4 pages of the chapter

Charge-Reversal Amphiphiles for Gene Delivery
J. Am. Chem. Soc. (JACS), 2004

A collaborative paper with Prof. Mark Grinstaff (Boston University) on novel lipids (charge reversal lipids) for gene delivery. Download Paper

Controlled Assembly of Dendrimer-like DNA
Nature Materials, 2004

Our paper on dendrimer-like DNA was published online in December and in the January 2004 print edition. Download Paper.

The Road from Biology to Materials
Materials Today, November 2003

This article is intended to serve as a roadmap, linking basic molecular biology to materials science and engineering (MSE), so that more and more engineers can begin to integrate molecular biology into their work. Download Paper.

Poly(ethylene glycol)-Conjugated PAMAM Dendrimer for Biocompatible, High-Efficiency DNA Delivery
Macromolecules, March 2002

We demonstrate a simple and successful synthetic approach to devise a highly efficient DNA delivery system with low cytotoxicity and low cost. Download Paper.

Enhancement of transfection by physical concentration of DNA at the cell surface

Nature Biotechnology, August 2000

Efficient DNA transfection is critical for biological research and new clinical therapies, but the mechanisms responsible for DNA uptake are unknown. Current nonviral transfection methods, empirically designed to maximize DNA complexation and/or membrane fusion, are amenable to enhancement by a variety of chemicals. These chemicals include particulates, lipids, and polymer complexes. Download Paper.

Synthetic DNA delivery systems

Nature Biotechnology, January 2000

The ability to safely and efficiently transfer foreign DNA into cells is a fundamental goal in biotechnology. Toward this end, rapid advances have recently been made in our understanding of mechanisms for DNA stability and transport within cells. Download Paper.

Controlled DNA Delivery Systems
Pharmaceutical Research, 1999

Genes are of increasing interest as pharmaceuticals, but current methods for long-term gene delivery are inadequate. Controlled release systems using biocompatible and/or biodegradeable polymers offer many advantages over conventional gene delivery approaches. Download Paper.

Prof. Luo's Rrepresented Publications:

1. Nature Materials, in press, (2006)
2. Nature Protocols, 1, 995-1000 (2006)
3. Nature Biotechnology, 23, 885-889 (2005)
4 . Nature Materials, 3, 38-42 (2004)
5 . Nature Biotechnology, 18, 33-37 (2000)
6 . Nature Biotechnology, 18, 893-895 (2002)
7 . JACS, 126, 12196-7, (2004)
8 . MRS bulletin, Sept. 2005
9 . Materials Today, 6, 38-43, (2003)

Recent Publications

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Note: Papers available for download are for educational purposes only.