An optical surface plasmon resonance biosensor for determination of tetanus toxin

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) has been successfully applied for the simple, rapid, and label-free assay of various biomolecules. This assay evaluates a novel wavelength modulation SPR biosensor for the detection of tetanus toxin. The wavelength modulation SPR biosensor is designed based on fixing the incident angle of light and measuring the reflected intensities in the resonance wavelength range spanning 400-800 nm simultaneously. Tetanus toxin (TeNT), one of the most potent toxins known, is synthesized as a 150 kDa single polypeptide chain. The SPR biosensor has been shown to be capable of directly detecting concentration of tetanus toxin as low as 0.028 Lf ml⁻¹. Under selected experimental conditions, the SPR biosensor has a good reproducibility, sensitivity and reversibility. The results illustrate how wavelength modulation SPR biosensor can be used to detect biomolecular interactions.     

Ferrocenoyl peptides with sulfur-containing side chains: synthesis, solid state and solution structures

The synthesis and full characterization of a number of amino acid and dipeptide derivatives with sulfur-containing side chains derived from ferrocene carboxylic acid and ferrocene-1,1′-dicarboxylic acid is presented. In particular, compounds Fc-CO-(Aaa)_n-OMe (4) and Fe[C₅H₄-CO-(Aaa)_n-OMe]₂ (3) with (Aaa)_n = Cys(Bzl) (a), Cys(Bzl)-Cys(Bzl) (b), Cys(p-OMe-Bzl) (c), Cys(p-OMe-Bzl)-Cys(p-OMe-Bzl) (d), Met (e), and Met-Met (f) were prepared. Also, the free acid derivatives Fe[C₅H₄-CO-Met-OH]₂ (6e) and Fc-CO-Met-OH (7e) were prepared and characterized. The solid state structures of 3a, 4b, and 4e were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 3a shows a 1,3′ substitution pattern on the Cp rings in the solid state. Structures in solution were determined by NMR, IR and CD spectroscopy, with particular emphasis on the question of hydrogen bonding and helical chirality of the metallocene. As an example, the full assignment for the Cp signals in the disubstituted derivative 3a was achieved by simulation of the ¹H NMR signals from the cyclopentadienyl ring in combination with 2D-NOESY spectra. In solution, 3a has the known 1,2′ substitution pattern, which is stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonds.     

Design,synthesis, and characterization of fullerene–peptide–steroid covalent hybrids

The present study reports the synthesis, spectral characterization, self-assembly properties, and preliminary in vitro study of antioxidant capacity of two triple covalent hybrids consisting of fullerene C₆₀, peptide, and steroidal moiety. Previously synthesized fulleropyrrolidinic acid and pregnenolone were connected by peptide linker using a multistep DCC/DMAP and/or EDC/HOBT esterification/amidation procedure. The hybrids were characterized by comparative analysis of spectroscopic data obtained from FTIR, UV–vis, HRMS, and extensive NMR experiments (¹H, ¹³C, COSY, HSQC, and HMBC). The self-assembling properties and morphology of triads samples prepared by drop-drying method were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Preliminary in vitro antioxidant activity was studied by Ferrous ion Oxidation-Xylenol orange (FOX) method.     

Surface characterization of a cross‐linked cytochrome c film on cysteamine‐modified gold electrodes

The aim of the present paper is to characterize a cross‐linked horse heart cytochrome c (HHC) film on cysteamine‐modified gold electrodes. The HHC film was deposited using 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)‐carbodiimide (EDC) as a coupling agent. Attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR‐IR) spectroscopic analyses were performed to characterize the newly formed surface on a qualitative and conformational level. The film thickness was measured using a noncontact optical surface profiler, while quantitative data and information on the heterogeneity of the film were obtained by means of synchrotron radiation X‐ray micro fluorescence (SR micro‐XRF). Results indicate that, in addition to electrochemical studies, spectroscopic analysis methods are essential to gain insight in the effect of immobilization strategies on protein conformations. The latter is of relevance in the development and optimization of biosensors. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural changes in β-lactoglobulin by conjugation with three different kinds of carboxymethyl cyclodextrins

β-Lactoglobulin-carboxymethyl cyclodextrin (β-LG-CMCyD) conjugates were prepared by using water soluble carbodiimide. Three kinds of CMCyDs differing in molecular mass were used to investigate the effects of different CMCyD contents, net charge and hydrophobicity on the structural changes in β-lactoglobulin. The effect of CMCyDs on the structure of β-lactoglobulin was utilized to investigate the contribution of hydrophobic interactions to the stability of the protein. Spectroscopic studies suggested that the conformation around had not changed in either conjugate but the α-helix content of β-LG-CMCyD conjugates had markedly increased as compared with that of β-lactoglobulin. The differential scanning calorimetry technique confirmed that the addition of one glucose unit in β-LG-CMCyD conjugates, enthalpy change of calorimetry decreased and the denaturation temperature of each conjugate was higher than that of native β-lactoglobulin. The heat contents agreed well with the conformational transition measured by molar ellipticity at 222 nm ([θ]₂₂₂) and Stoke's radius (R_S) values. Therefore, hydrophobic forces play an important role in stabilizing and shielding of the β-LG-CMCyD conjugates.     

Molecularly engineered graphene surfaces for sensing applications: A review

Graphene is scientifically and commercially important because of its unique molecular structure which is monoatomic in thickness, rigorously two-dimensional and highly conjugated. Consequently, graphene exhibits exceptional electrical, optical, thermal and mechanical properties. Herein, we critically discuss the surface modification of graphene, the specific advantages that graphene-based materials can provide over other materials in sensor research and their related chemical and electrochemical properties. Furthermore, we describe the latest developments in the use of these materials for sensing technology, including chemical sensors and biosensors and their applications in security, environmental safety and diseases detection and diagnosis.     

Generation of anti-trenbolone monoclonal antibody and establishment of an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of trenbolone in animal tissues, feed and urine

Trenbolone (TRE) is a steroid used by veterinarians on livestock to increase appetite and body weight. The use of TRE has been restricted because of its harmful side effect for consumers. To effectively control TRE residue in food and food product, a rapid and convenient immunoassay was developed by preparing an anti-TRE monoclonal antibody. The immunogen and coating antigen were prepared by coupling TRE hapten with carrier proteins via 1-ethyl-3-(dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) method. The optimized method gave an average IC₅₀ value of 0.323 ng mL⁻¹ towards TRE and an average detection limit (LOD) of 0.06 ng mL⁻¹, which is much lower than the maximum residue levels (2.0 ng g⁻¹) accepted by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). The specificity of the antibody was evaluated by measuring cross-reactivity of six structurally related compounds, including 19-nortestosterone (9.7%), testosterone (0.13%), methyltestosterone (<0.01%), methandrostenolone (<0.01%), (+)-dehydroisoandrosterone (<0.001%) and β-estradiol (<0.001%). The recovery rates of the test in detection of TRE-fortified animal tissue, urine and animal feed samples were in the range of 81.3-89.4%, while the intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were less than 12.0%.     

Blended-fuel based EDC combustion model and its application in heptane-ethanol fire simulation

The blended-fuel based eddy-dissipation-concept combustion model was newly developed in the FireFOAM framework, and applied to simulate 30 cm×30 cm heptane-ethanol pool fire. Comparison was made of fire height, centerline temperature against experimental measurements, which shows that they match very well with each other. However, further studies are needed to examine the validation of this model in fire simulations with various scales.