SPR imaging biosensor for the 20S proteasome: sensor development and application to measurement of proteasomes in human blood plasma

The 20S proteasome is a multicatalytic enzyme complex responsible for intracellular protein degradation in mammalian cells. Its antigen level or enzymatic activity in blood plasma are potentially useful markers for various malignant and nonmalignant diseases. We have developed a method for highly selective determination of the 20S proteasome using a Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging (SPRI) technique. It is based on the highly selective interaction between the proteasome’s catalytic β5 subunit and immobilized inhibitors (the synthetic peptide PSI and epoxomicin). Inhibitor concentration and pH were optimized. Analytical responses, linear ranges, accuracy, precision and interferences were investigated. Biosensors based on either PSI and epoxomicin were found to be suitable for quantitative determination of the proteasome, with a precision of ±10% for each, and recoveries of 102% and 113%, respectively, and with little interference by albumin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, cathepsin B and papain. The proteasome also was determined in plasma of healthy subjects and of patients suffering from acute leukemia. Both biosensors gave comparable results (2860 ng·mL-1 on average for control, and 42300 ng·mL-1 on average for leukemia patients)

A photoanode with hierarchical nanoforest TiO 2 structure and silver plasmonic nanoparticles for flexible dye sensitized solar cell

Due to unique photovoltaic properties, the nanostructured morphologies of TiO2 on flexible substrate have been studied extensively in the recent years for applications in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Microstructured electrode materials with high surface area can facilitate rapid charge transport and thus improve the light-to-current conversion efficiency. Herein we present an improved photoanode with forest like photoactive TiO2 hierarchical microstructure using a simple and facile hydrothermal route. To utilize the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and hence increase the photon conversion efficiency, a plasmonic nanoparticle Ag has also been deposited using a very feasible photoreduction method. The branched structure of the photoanode increases the dye loading by filling the space between the nanowires, whereas Ag nanoparticles play the multiple roles of dye absorption and light scattering to increase the light-to-current conversion efficiency of the device. The branched structure provides a suitable matrix for the subsequent Ag deposition. They improve the charge collection efficiency by providing the preferential electron pathways. The high-density Ag nanoparticles deposited on the forest like structure also decrease the charge recombination and therefore improve the photovoltaic efficiency of the cells. As a result, the DSSC based on this novel photoanode shows remarkably higher photon conversion efficiency (ηmax = 4.0% and ηopt = 3.15%) compared to the device based on pristine nanowire or forest-like TiO2 structure. The flexibility of the device showed sustainable and efficient performance of the microcells

Synthesis and characterization of copper nanoparticles using different concentration of rice straw

New copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) have been synthesized via chemical reduction method in the presence of rice straw as supports and seaweed as a stabilizer. Characterizations of the CuNPs were carried out using UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX). The UV-vis adsorption spectra confirm the formation of CuNPs through the peaks of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) bands around 500 to 600 nm. Morphological characterization showed the formation of a spherical structure of the CuNPs. Similarly, EDX spectra showed that the nanoparticles produced are copper based. The size of nanoparticles formed by this method was controlled easily by using different concentration of rice straw.Keywords: Chemical Reduction, Copper Nanoparticle, Rice Straw; Seawee

Influence of Molecular Organization on the Electrical Characteristics of {\pi}-conjugated Self-assembled Monolayers

Two new thiol compounds with {\sigma}-{\pi}-{\sigma} structure were synthesized and self-assembled on gold substrates. The morphology and the structural characterization of SAMs assessed by infrared spectroscopy, contact angle, XPS, electrochemistry and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) show the formation of monolayers. SAMs with a terthiophene (3TSH) core as conjugated system are much better organized compared to those with a naphthalene carbodiimide (NaphSH) core as demonstrated by the cyclic voltammetry and STM studies. The surface concentration of 3TSH and NaphSH is respectively three and six times lower than ordered SAMs of pure alkyl chains. A large number of I/V characteristics have been studied either by STS measurements on gold substrates or by C-AFM on gold nanodots. Transition Voltage Spectroscopy (TVS) was used to clearly identify the transport in these partially organized monolayers. The chemical nature of the conjugated system, donor for 3TSH and acceptor for NaphSH, involves an opposite rectification associated to the asymmetrical coupling of the molecular orbitals and the electrodes. The conductance histograms show that the 3TSH junctions are less dispersed than those of NaphSH junctions. This is explained by a better control of the molecular organization in the molecular junctions.Comment: Full paper with supporting informatio

A unifying mathematical framework for experimental TCR-pMHC kinetic constants

Receptor binding and triggering are central in Immunology as T cells activated through their T cell receptors (TCR) by protein antigens orchestrate immune responses. In order to understand receptor-ligand interactions, many groups working with different experimental techniques and assays have generated a vast body of knowledge during the last decades. However, in recent years a type of assays, referred to as two-dimensional or membrane-to-membrane, has questioned our current understanding of the role of different kinetic constants (for instance, on- versus off-rate constants) on TCR-ligand interaction and subsequent T cell activation. Here we present a general mathematical framework that provides a unifying umbrella to relate fundamental and effective (or experimentally determined) kinetic constants, as well as describe and compare state-of-the-art experimental methods. Our framework is able to predict the correlations between functional output, such as 1/EC50, and effective kinetic constants for a range of different experimental assays (in two and three dimensions). Furthermore, our approach can be applied beyond Immunology, and serve as a “translation method” for the biochemical characterization of receptor-ligand interactions

Shape-controlled continuous synthesis of metal nanostructures

A segmented flow-based microreactor is used for the continuous production of faceted nanocrystals. Flow segmentation is proposed as a versatile tool to manipulate the reduction kinetics and control the growth of faceted nanostructures; tuning the size and shape. Switching the gas from oxygen to carbon monoxide permits the adjustment in nanostructure growth from 1D (nanorods) to 2D (nanosheets). CO is a key factor in the formation of Pd nanosheets and Pt nanocubes; operating as a second phase, a reductant, and a capping agent. This combination confines the growth to specific structures. In addition, the segmented flow microfluidic reactor inherently has the ability to operate in a reproducible manner at elevated temperatures and pressures whilst confining potentially toxic reactants, such as CO, in nanoliter slugs. This continuous system successfully synthesised Pd nanorods with an aspect ratio of 6; thin palladium nanosheets with a thickness of 1.5 nm; and Pt nanocubes with a 5.6 nm edge length, all in a synthesis time as low as 150 s

IN VITRO CYTOTOXICITY AND ANTIOXIDANT EVALUATION OF BIOGENIC SYNTHESIZED GOLD NANOPARTICLES FROM MARSILEA QUADRIFOLIA ON LUNG AND OVARIAN CANCER CELLS

Objective: The biogenic gold nanoparticles are considered to be extremely impressive for its wide range of applications in pharmaceutics and therapeutics. The present study was aimed at the biogenic synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) from Marsilea quadrifolia aqueous extract and to investigate its antioxidant property and cytotoxic effect on human ovarian teratocarcinoma (PA-1) and lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cell lines.Methods: The biogenic AuNPs was synthesized using an aqueous extract of Marsilea quadrifolia. The synthesized biogenic AuNPs were characterized by ultraviolet (UV) visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The biogenic AuNPs was assessed for its stability over a period of time and antioxidant activity. The cytotoxicity of biogenic AuNPs against PA-1 and A549 cell lines was studied using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.Results: The synthesized biogenic AuNPs showed peculiar ruby red color and a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 544 nm in the UV-Vis spectrum. The characterization of biogenic AuNPs by TEM, EDX and XRD revealed well dispersed spherical particles ranging from 10-40 nm and the presence of elemental gold and its crystalline nature, respectively. The AuNPs showed good stability and the scavenging activity at 50 μg/ml. The in vitro cytotoxicity of biogenic AuNPs against PA-1 and A549 cell lines recorded half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 45.88 μg/ml and 52.015 μg/ml, respectively.Conclusion: The biogenic AuNPs demonstrated superior antioxidant and antiproliferative activities against cancer cell lines

Flexible Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: a Study of Photoanode and Counter Electrode Materials

Compare to flat devices based on rigid substrates, fiber-shaped dye sensitized solar cells hold advantages of smaller size, light weight, facile fabrication, flexibility, and low cost, thus a promising direction for applications such as wearable electronic devices. Due to their unique photovoltaic properties, nanostructured morphologies of TiO2 on flexible substrate have been studied extensively in the recent years for applications in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Micro-structured electrode materials with high surface area can facilitate rapid charge transport and thus improve the light-to-current conversion efficiency. In the first part of this work the nano-tree morphology of the TiO2 photoanode material on Ti wire has been investigated. To utilize the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and hence increase the photon conversion efficiency, a plasmonic nanoparticle Ag has also been deposited using a very feasible photoreduction method. In the second part the micro-flower morphology of TiO2 on Ti wire has been synthesized and structural and photoelectric performance has been evaluated. In the third part, a non-platinum catalyst for the counter electrode has been synthesized and a detailed study of the performance has been conducted