Synthesis of D-Sorbose and D-Psicose by Recombinant <i>Escherichia coli</i>

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Underwater Bubble Manipulation on Surfaces with Patterned Regions with Infused Lubricants

The flexible manipulation of underwater gas bubbles on solid substrates has attracted considerable research interest from scientists in the fields of water electrolysis, bubble microreactions, drug delivery, and heat transfer. Inspired by the oxygen-binding mechanisms of aquatic organisms, scientists have designed a series of interfacial materials for use in collecting gases, detecting and grading bubbles, and conducting microbubble reactions. Aerophilic surfaces are commonly used in underwater bubble manipulation platforms due to their excellent gas-trapping properties. However, during bubble transport, some of the bubbles are retained in the rough structure of the aerophilic surface and cause gas loss, which in the long run reduces the gas transport function. In addition, the aerophilic surface is prone to failure in high-humidity and high-pressure underwater environments. The lubricant-infused surface features an oil layer that remains stable on a rough substrate and is immiscible with water. Additionally, the bubbles are transported over the oil layer without causing losses other than those dissolved in water. These attributes make it more favorable than the aerophilic surface. Inspired by the unique properties of Nepenthes and cactus spines, we developed a patterned slippery surface [patterned lubricant-infused surface (PLIS)] through laser etching and ammonia etching that facilitates the coexistence of superaerophobic and aerophilic surfaces. The PLIS executes bubble capture utilizing a difference in wettability measuring 78°, transports bubbles through Laplace force and buoyancy, and regulates bubble release by restricting the contact area on the PLIS. The PLIS can be prepared rapidly and affordably in just about an hour, and its potential for large-scale production is high. Following tests for shear, acid and alkali resistance, and corrosion resistance, the PLIS exhibited impressive weathering resistance and appears to have potential for application in some extreme environments

Transforming Flask Reaction into Cell-Based Synthesis: Production of Polyhydroxylated Molecules via Engineered Escherichia coli

Dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP)-dependent aldolases have been intensively studied and widely used in the synthesis of carbohydrates and complex polyhydroxylated molecules. However, strict specificity toward donor substrate DHAP greatly hampers their synthetic utility. Here, we transformed DHAP-dependent aldolases-mediated by in vitro reactions into bioengineered Escherichia coli (E. coli). Such flask-to-cell transformation addressed several key issues plaguing in vitro enzymatic synthesis: (1) it solves the problem of DHAP availability by in vivo-hijacking DHAP from the glycolysis pathway of the bacterial system, (2) it circumvents purification of recombinant aldolases and phosphatase, and (3) it dephosphorylates the resultant aldol adducts in vivo, thus eliminating the additional step for phosphate removal and achieving in vivo phosphate recycling. The engineered E. coli strains tolerate a wide variety of aldehydes as acceptor and provide a set of biologically relevant polyhydroxylated molecules in gram scale

Measurement of the Md³⁺/Md²⁺ Reduction Potential Studied with Flow Electrolytic Chromatography

The reduction behavior of mendelevium (Md) was studied using a flow electrolytic chromatography apparatus. By application of the appropriate potentials on the chromatography column, the more stable Md³⁺ is reduced to Md²⁺. The reduction potential of the Md³⁺ + e^– → Md²⁺ couple was determined to be −0.16 ± 0.05 V versus a normal hydrogen electrode