22 research outputs found
HOIL-1-catalysed, ester-linked ubiquitylation restricts IL-18 signaling in cytotoxic T cells but promotes TLR signalling in macrophages
Probing the dynamics of an optically trapped particle by phase sensitive back focal plane interferometry
The dynamics of an optically trapped particle are often determined by
measuring intensity shifts of the back-scattered light from the particle using
position sensitive detectors. We present a technique which measures the phase
of the back-scattered light using balanced detection in an external Mach-Zender
interferometer scheme where we separate out and beat the scattered light from
the bead and that from the top surface of our trapping chamber. The technique
has improved axial motion resolution over intensity-based detection, and can
also be used to measure lateral motion of the trapped particle. In addition, we
are able to track the Brownian motion of trapped 1 and 3 m diameter beads
from the phase jitter and show that, similar to intensity-based measurements,
phase measurements can also be used to simultaneously determine displacements
of the trapped bead as well as the spring constant of the trap. For lateral
displacements, we have matched our experimental results with a simulation of
the overall phase contour of the back-scattered light for lateral displacements
by using plane wave decomposition in conjunction with Mie scattering theory.
The position resolution is limited by path drifts of the interferometer which
we have presently reduced to obtain a displacement resolution of around 2 nm
for 1.1 m diameter probes by locking the interferometer to a frequency
stabilized diode laser.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figure
Probing galaxy evolution through HI 21-cm emission and absorption: current status and prospects with the Square Kilometre Array
One of the major science goals of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is to
understand the role played by atomic hydrogen (HI) gas in the evolution of
galaxies throughout cosmic time. The hyperfine transition line of the hydrogen
atom at 21-cm is one of the best tools to detect and study the properties of HI
gas associated with galaxies. In this article, we review our current
understanding of HI gas and its relationship with galaxies through observations
of the 21-cm line both in emission and absorption. In addition, we provide an
overview of the HI science that will be possible with SKA and its pre-cursors
and pathfinders, i.e. HI 21-cm emission and absorption studies of galaxies from
nearby to high redshifts that will trace various processes governing galaxy
evolution.Comment: 31 pages, 7 figures, accepted on 27 May 2022 for publication in the
Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy (to appear in the special issue on
"Indian participation in the SKA"), figure 4 has been update
High-throughput screening and whole genome sequencing identifies an antimicrobially active inhibitor of Vibrio cholerae
BACKGROUND: Pathogenic serotypes of Vibrio cholerae cause the life-threatening diarrheal disease cholera. The increasing development of bacterial resistances against the known antibiotics necessitates the search for new antimicrobial compounds and targets for this pathogen. RESULTS: A high-throughput screening assay with a Vibrio cholerae reporter strain constitutively expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) was developed and applied in the investigation of the growth inhibitory effect of approximately 28,300 structurally diverse natural compounds and synthetic small molecules. Several compounds with activities in the low micromolar concentration range were identified. The most active structure, designated vz0825, displayed a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.6 μM and a minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 3.2 μM against several strains of V. cholerae and was specific for this pathogen. Mutants with reduced sensitivity against vz0825 were generated and whole genome sequencing of 15 pooled mutants was carried out. Comparison with the genome of the wild type strain identified the gene VC_A0531 (GenBank: AE003853.1) as the major site of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the resistant mutants. VC_A0531 is located on the small chromosome of V. cholerae and encodes the osmosensitive K(+)-channel sensor histidine kinase (KdpD). Nucleotide exchange of the major mutation site in the wild type strain confirmed the sensitive phenotype. CONCLUSION: The reporter strain MO10 pG13 was successfully used for the identification of new antibacterial compounds against V. cholerae. Generation of resistant mutants and whole genome sequencing was carried out to identify the histidine kinase KdpD as a novel antimicrobial target