(371c) Invited - DNA Encapsulated within Silica Nanoparticles for Environmental Monitoring and Tracing

From an analytical chemistry perspective short DNA sequences are unique as they can not only be detected at extremely low concentrations (1 molecule by PCR), but that they can carry identifying information (barcodes). In order to make DNA more resilient to application in environmental monitoring and tracing, we have developed a method to encapsulate DNA into amorphous silica nanoparticles by a sol-gel method.(1,2) Within the particles the DNA is protected from hydrolysis and can withstand increased temperatures and prolonged exposure in oxidizing conditions. 

Within this presentation we will discuss how such encapsulated DNA barcodes can be utilized to a) monitor the faith of silica nanoparticles in the environment, and b) to monitor the flow/distribution of liquids, foodstuff and commodity products within the environment and throughout a product life cycle. Examples include the use of the particles in understanding nanoparticle clearance in waste water treatment plants (3), the tracing of pesticides in the environment (4) and the tracking of milk and gasoline(5,6). 

We will also show how the concept of DNA tracers can be utilized for the remote and distributed sensing of optical irradiation and temperature (7,8) and discuss future possibilities of combining bio analytics and inorganic chemistry for applications in the field of chemical engineering.

(1) D Paunescu, R Fuhrer, RN Grass, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed 52, 4269 (2013)

(2) D Paunescu, M Puddu, JOB Soellner, PR Stoessel, RN Grass, Nat. Protoc. 8 , 2440 (2013)

(3) RN Grass, J Schälchli, D Paunescu, JOB Soellner, R Kaegi, WJ Stark, ES&T Lett. 1, 484 (2014)

(4) CA Mora, HJ Scharer, T Oberhänsli, M Ludwig, R Stettler, PR Stoessel, RN Grass, WJ Stark, ES&T Lett. 3, 19 (2016)

(5) MS Bloch, D Paunescu, PR Stoessel, CA Mora, WJ Stark, RN Grass, J.  Agr. Food Chem. 62 , 10615 (2014)

(6) M Puddu, D Paunescu, WJ Stark, RN Grass, ACS nano 8 , 2677 (2014)

(7) G Mikutis, CA Mora, M Puddu, D Paunescu, RN Grass, WJ Stark, Adv. Mater. 28, 2765 (2016)

(8) M Puddu, G Mikutis, WJ Stark, RN Grass, Small, 12, 452 (2016)