Multiplexed Detection of Analytes on Single Test Strips with Antibody-Gated Indicator-Releasing Mesoporous Nanoparticles

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Climent, E., Biyikal, M., Gröninger, D., Weller, M. G., Martínez¿Máñez, R., & Rurack, K. (2020). Multiplexed Detection of Analytes on Single Test Strips with Antibody-Gated Indicator-Releasing Mesoporous Nanoparticles. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 59(52), 23862-23869, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202009000. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving."[EN] Rapid testing methods for the use directly at a point of need are expected to unfold their true potential especially when offering adequate capabilities for the simultaneous measurement of multiple analytes of interest. Considering the unique modularity, high sensitivity, and selectivity of antibody-gated indicator delivery (gAID) systems, a multiplexed assay for three small-molecule explosives (TATP, TNT, PETN) was thus developed, allowing to detect the analytes simultaneously with a single test strip at lower ppb concentrations in the liquid phase in 2 adsorption/desorption measurements, Y. Salinas and L. E. Santos for support on the materials screening, A. Walter, S. Ramin and A. Hesse for obtaining the sera and R. Gotor and J. Bell for their help in the fabrication of the home-made smartphone periphery. Open access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.Climent Terol, E.; Biyikal, M.; Gröninger, D.; Weller, MG.; Martínez-Máñez, R.; Rurack, K. (2020). Multiplexed Detection of Analytes on Single Test Strips with Antibody-Gated Indicator-Releasing Mesoporous Nanoparticles. Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 59(52):23862-23869. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.2020090002386223869595

Gas flow sputtering for manufacture of high quality hard magnetic films

Sputter deposition of magnetic material provides some challenges. In the case of soft magnetic materials, usually thin targets and strong magnetic arrays of the sputtering cathode are used for an effective magnetron sputtering. In the case of hard magnetic material, the situation is different. The magnetic field lines are closed in the target and the magnetron is effectively acting as a diode sputtering system. Hollow cathode processes in contrast require no magnets at all to enhance the ionization. Therefore, high rate deposition of hard magnetic films becomes possible. In this paper results of gas flow sputtering (GFS), a modification of hollow cathode processes, for deposition of hard magnetic CoSm films are presented. Especially for the deposition of thick films (10 μm and more) gas flow sputtering is an economic process. Using GFS high dynamic deposition rates of several 10 μm per hour are achievable. The influence of the deposition parameters on the magnetic properties coercivity and magnetic remanence are discussed

Catalyst and Process Design for the Continuous Manufacture of Rare Sugar Alcohols by Epimerization– Hydrogenation of Aldoses

Sugar alcohols are applied in the food, pharmaceutical, poly- mer, and fuel industries and are commonly obtained by reduc- tion of the corresponding saccharides. In view of the rarity of some sugar substrates, epimerization of a readily available monosaccharide has been proposed as a solution, but an effi- cient catalytic system has not yet been identified. Herein, a mo- lybdenum heteropolyacid-based catalyst is developed to trans- form glucose, arabinose, and xylose into less-abundant man- nose, ribose, and lyxose, respectively. Adsorption of molybdic acid onto activated carbon followed by ion exchange to the cesium form limits leaching of the active phase, which greatly improves the catalyst stability over 24 h on stream. The hydro- genation of mixtures of epimers is studied over ruthenium cat- alysts, and it is found that the precursor to the desired polyol is advantageously converted with faster kinetics. This is ex- plained by density functional theory on the basis of its more favorable adsorption on the metal surface and the lower energy barrier for the addition of a hydrogen atom to the pri- mary carbon atom. Finally, different designs for a continuous process for the conversion of glucose into mannitol are stud- ied, and it is uncovered that two reactors in series with one containing the epimerization catalyst and the other containing a mixture of the epimerization and hydrogenation catalysts in- creases the mannitol/sorbitol ratio to 1.5 from 1 for a single mixed-bed reactor. This opens a prospective route to the effi- cient valorization of renewables to added-value chemicals

Methanol-essential growth of Escherichia coli

Methanol represents an attractive substrate for biotechnological applications. Utilization of reduced one-carbon compounds for growth is currently limited to methylotrophic organisms, and engineering synthetic methylotrophy remains a major challenge. Here we apply an in silico-guided multiple knockout approach to engineer a methanol-essential Escherichia coli strain, which contains the ribulose monophosphate cycle for methanol assimilation. Methanol conversion to biomass was stoichiometrically coupled to the metabolization of gluconate and the designed strain was subjected to laboratory evolution experiments. Evolved strains incorporate up to 24% methanol into core metabolites under a co-consumption regime and utilize methanol at rates comparable to natural methylotrophs. Genome sequencing reveals mutations in genes coding for glutathione-dependent formaldehyde oxidation (frmA), NAD(H) homeostasis/biosynthesis (nadR), phosphopentomutase (deoB), and gluconate metabolism (gntR). This study demonstrates a successful metabolic re-routing linked to a heterologous pathway to achieve methanol-dependent growth and represents a crucial step in generating a fully synthetic methylotrophic organism.ISSN:2041-172

Knowledge Transfer in Support of the Development of Oxygen Concentrators in Emergency Settings During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic simultaneously disrupted supply chains and generated an urgent demand in medical infrastructure. Among personal protective equipment and ventilators, there was also an urgent demand for chemical oxygen. As devices to purify oxygen could not be manufactured and shipped rapidly enough, a simple and accessible oxygen concentrator based on pressure swing adsorption was developed at ETH Zurich in spring 2020. Instead of building devices locally and shipping them, it was decided to educate others in need of oxygen. The implementation encompassed education on process chemistry, material choice, and assembly and optimization of the concentrator and was realized using synchronous teaching tools, such as video call, and asynchronous ones, such as a website and video streaming. The project gained traction and interaction with engineering teams from universities and non-Governmental Organizations (Red Cross and the UN Development Program) in developing countries and emerging market economies, including Ecuador, Mexico, Somalia, and Peru. At the end of the project, the teams were surveyed regarding their experience in the educative knowledge transfer. It was reported that the learning experience prepared these groups well to build the device and to teach others as well. Major challenges were accessing some parts of the device and optimizing its performance. While synchronous communication is expected to be a very effective teaching method, the survey results showed that explanations via a website and video streaming have contributed the most to the implementation of the oxygen concentrator and thereby provide autonomous and sustainable education tools.ISSN:0021-9584ISSN:1938-132