Attachment of motile bacterial cells to prealigned holed microarrays

Construction of biomotors is an exciting area of scientific research that holds great promise for the development of new technologies with broad potential applications in areas such as the energy industry and medicine. Herein, we demonstrate the fabrication of prealigned microarrays of motile Escherichia coli bacterial cells on SiOx substrates. To prepare these arrays, holed surfaces with a gold layer on the bottom of the holes were utilized. The attachment of bacteria to the holes was achieved via nonspecific interactions using poly-l-lysine hydrobromide (PLL). Our data suggest that a single motile bacterial cell can be selectively attached to an individual hole on a surface and bacterial cell binding can be controlled by altering the pH, with the greatest occupancy occurring at pH 7.8. Cells attached to hole arrays remained motile for at least 4 h. These data indicate that holed surface structures provide a promising footprint for the attachment of motile bacterial cells to form high-density site-specific functional bacterial microarrays.     

pH triggered self-assembly of core cross-linked star polymers possessing thermoresponsive cores

Core cross-linked star polymers possessing responsiveness to pH and temperature stimuli have been prepared, and we demonstrate how changes to pH and temperature can be used to trigger the release and uptake of a hydrophobic dye.     

Quantitative detection of dye labelled DNA using surface enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) from silver nanoparticles

The detection of dye labelled DNA by surface enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) is reported. The dye labels used are commercially available and have not previously been used as SERRS dyes. Detection limits using two excitation frequencies were determined for each label. This expands the range of labels which can be used for surface enhanced resonance Raman scattering with silver nanoparticles.     

Influence of ionic strength and pH on the first 60 min of Pseudomonas aeruginosa attachment to ZnSe and to TiO2 monitored by ATR-IR spectroscopy

Establishing the factors which influence the attachment of bacteria to surfaces is important in both preventing and enhancing biofilm formation. The initial hour of attachment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to ZnSe and to TiO₂ from solutions of different ionic strength and pH was studied using in situ attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy. The TiO₂ surface was prepared by dip-coating a ZnSe internal reflection element, which produced a 50 nm thick, continuous flat film. At pH 6.3 attachment was found to increase with ionic strength up to 0.03 mol l⁻¹ but to decrease at 0.15 mol l⁻¹. At an ionic strength of 0.003 mol l⁻¹ attachment increased with pH from 4 to 6.3 to 10, but at ionic strength of 0.03 mol l⁻¹ attachment was greater at pH 6.3 than at pH 10. The influence of ionic strength appears to be due to charge factors and/or related changes in the degree of extension of bacterial surface polymers. The complex trends in the influence of pH on attachment can not be explained solely in terms of bacterial and substrate charge, bacterial surface polymer extension or bacterial metabolic activity.     

Targeted particulate adhesion to cellulose surfaces mediated by bifunctional fusion proteins

The adhesion of particles to surfaces is an integral element in many commercial and biological applications. In this article, we report on the direct measurements of protein-mediated deposition and binding of particles to model cellulose surfaces. This system involves a family of heterobifunctional fusion proteins that bind specifically to both a red dye and cellulose. Amine-coated particles were labeled with a red dye, and a fusion protein was attached to these particles at various number densities. The strength of adhesion of a single particle to a cellulose fiber was measured using micropipette manipulation as a function of the specificity of the protein and its surface density and contact time. The frequency and force of adhesion were seen to increase with contact time in fiber experiments. The dynamics of adhesion of the functionalized particles to cellulose-coated glass slides under controlled hydrodynamic flow was explored using a flow chamber for two scenarios: detachment of bound particles and attachment of particles in suspension as a function of the shear rate and surface density of protein. Highly specific adhesion was observed. The critical shear rate for particle detachment was an increasing function of cellulose binding domain (CBD) density on particle surface. A rapid irreversible attachment of particles to cellulose was observed under flow. Using a family of proteins that were divalent for binding either the red dye or cellulose, we found that particle detachment occurred because of the failure of the cellulose-CBD bond. A comparison of fiber binding and particle detachment results suggests that forces of adhesion of particles to cellulose of up to 2 nN can be obtained with this molecular system through multiple interactions. This study, along with the adhesion simulations currently under development, forms the basis of particulate design for specific adhesion applications.     

Solute- and temperature-responsive "smart" grafts and supported membranes formed by covalent layer-by-layer assembly

Polymers like poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) exhibit lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior. A variety of reports have shown that brush grafts of PNIPAM on surfaces exhibit similar temperature responsiveness. We recently described an alternative synthetic approach to such surfaces that affords surfaces with similar LCST-like behavior. We also noted how such surfaces' wettability can change in response to the identity and concentration of solutes. Here we show that this synthetic procedure can be extended to glass surfaces and to more complex surfaces present in porous glass frits. Functionalized glass surfaces exhibit solute-dependent wetting behavior analogous to that previously reported. We further show that the resulting responsive nanocomposite grafts on such frits exhibit "smart" responsive permeability with a greater than 1000-fold difference in permeability to water versus aqueous solutions of sodium sulfate. This "smart" permeability is ascribed to the solute-dependent wettability behavior of the responsive PNIPAM component of the nanocomposite graft, which is sensitive both to the identity and concentration of the solute anion and to temperature.     

Clustering of catalytic nanocompartments for enhancing an extracellular non-native cascade reaction

Compartmentalization is fundamental in nature, where the spatial segregation of biochemical reactions within and between cells ensures optimal conditions for the regulation of cascade reactions. While the distance between compartments or their interaction are essential parameters supporting the efficiency of bio-reactions, so far they have not been exploited to regulate cascade reactions between bioinspired catalytic nanocompartments. Here, we generate individual catalytic nanocompartments (CNCs) by encapsulating within polymersomes or attaching to their surface enzymes involved in a cascade reaction and then, tether the polymersomes together into clusters. By conjugating complementary DNA strands to the polymersomes'' surface, DNA hybridization drove the clusterization process of enzyme-loaded polymersomes and controlled the distance between the respective catalytic nanocompartments. Owing to the close proximity of CNCs within clusters and the overall stability of the cluster architecture, the cascade reaction between spatially segregated enzymes was significantly more efficient than when the catalytic nanocompartments were not linked together by DNA duplexes. Additionally, residual DNA single strands that were not engaged in clustering, allowed for an interaction of the clusters with the cell surface as evidenced by A549 cells, where clusters decorating the surface endowed the cells with a non-native enzymatic cascade. The self-organization into clusters of catalytic nanocompartments confining different enzymes of a cascade reaction allows for a distance control of the reaction spaces which opens new avenues for highly efficient applications in domains such as catalysis or nanomedicine.

Compartmentalization is fundamental in nature, where the spatial segregation of biochemical reactions within and between cells ensures optimal conditions for the regulation of cascade reactions.     

Multiphase thermoplastic hybrid for controlled release of antimicrobial essential oils in active packaging film

Active packaging, a new technology concept in the field of food packaging, has been introduced in recent years in order to provide quality and safety, as well as extend the shelf life of food products. Antimicrobial (AM) agents can be incorporated directly into the active packaging and migrate in a controlled manner to the headspace between the food and the package, inhibiting bacteria growth on the food surface. Naturally derived AM agent, such as essential oils (EOs), has received considerable attention for food preservation purposes, because of their effective AM activity against various bacteria and fungi. In the present study, AM active film systems based on polypropylene/polyamide blends, montmorillonite nanoclays, and thymol EO were produced to investigate the feasibility of controlling the release rate of thymol from food packaging systems. Selective localization of thymol in a specific phase in the system that derives from thermodynamic affinity was assumed to be useful in controlling its migration rate from the film to the headspace. EO retention in the film under two different time conditions was measured by spectroscopic analysis. The release rate of EO was determined using Gas chromatography technique and analyzed by diffusion model approach. Inhibition of bacterial growth was periodically tested for Listeria and Escherichia coli bacteria. This study confirms the thermodynamic affinity of polyamide phase with thymol that has a positive effect in retaining the EO. Results show controlled AM behavior of the active packaging films, based on various blend compositions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intelligent control of surface hydrophobicity.

Switchable surfaces are highly useful materials with surface properties that change in response to external stimuli. These surfaces can be employed in both research and industrial applications, where the ability to actively control surface properties can be used to develop smart materials and intelligent surfaces. Herein, we review a range of surfaces in which hydrophobicity can be controlled. We present the principal ideas of surface switching, discuss recent developments, explore experimental issues and examine factors that influence surface switching, including the nature of the stimuli, the underlying material, the morphology of the surface and the surrounding environment. We have categorised switchable surfaces according to the stimuli that trigger changes in surface hydrophobicity. These are electrically, electrochemically, thermally, mechanically, photo- and environmentally inducible surfaces. In addition, we review the use of chemical reactions to modify the properties of switchable surfaces and produce changes in the molecular structure and nanoscale features of the surface.     

Constructing Hybrid Protein Zymogens through Protective Dendritic Assembly

The modulation of protein uptake and activity in response to physiological changes forms an integral part of smart protein therapeutics. We describe herein the self‐assembly of a pH‐responsive dendrimer shell onto the surface of active enzymes (trypsin, papain, DNase I) as a supramolecular protecting group to form a hybrid dendrimer–enzyme complex. The attachment is based on the interaction between boronic acid and salicyl hydroxamate, thus allowing the macromolecular assembly to respond to changes in pH between 5.0 and 7.4 in a highly reversible fashion. Catalytic activity is efficiently blocked in the presence of the dendrimer shell but is quantitatively restored upon shell degradation under acidic conditions. Unlike the native proteases, the hybrid constructs are shown to be efficiently taken up by A549 cells and colocalized in the acidic compartments. The programmed intracellular release of the proteases induced cytotoxicity, thereby uncovering a new avenue for precision biotherapeutics.     

Photoinduced release of active proteins from TiO2 surfaces

The present work reports on enzyme attachment on and photoinduced release from TiO₂ surfaces. TiO₂ layers (amorphous and anatase) were modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), followed by attachment of vitamin C and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Using step by step XPS characterization and vis-spectroscopy we show that upon UV illumination the linker chain to the protein can be cut, releasing active HRP into the environment. The head silane group remains attached to the TiO₂ surface. The kinetics of this photoinduced release is significantly faster for the anatase form of TiO₂ compared with amorphous material. The results indicate that UV induced chain scission represents a very versatile tool for payload release from TiO₂ surfaces.     

Smart Multiple Wetting Control on ZnO Coated Shape Memory Polymer Arrays

Recently, surfaces with intelligent wetting controllability have aroused increased attention. Endowing the surface with stimuli-responsive surface chemistry and tunable surface microstructure can achieve a surface with smart wetting performances. However, almost all existing surfaces only focused on single surface chemistry or micromorphology, thus to achieve smart multiple wetting regulation is still difficult. Herein, we report a ZnO coated shape memory polymer(SMP) surface, and the surface chemistry and micromorphology can be synergistically regulated. ZnO can provide adjustable surface chemistry under UV irradiation, and SMP can offer tunable micromorphology due to its shape memory effect(SME). Based on the combined effect between the above two features, surface wetting performance can be smartly regulated among multiple states. Moreover, due to the excellent controllability of the surface, the application in directional droplet transportation was also demonstrated. This paper offers a new surface with tunability in both surface chemistry and micromorphology, and given the excellent wetting controllability, the surface is believed to be applied in a lot of fields, such as droplet manipulation, fluidic devices and selective catalysis.     

Surfaces designed for charge reversal

We have created surfaces which switch from cationic at pH < 3 to anionic at pH > 5, by attaching aminodicarboxylic acid units to silica and gold substrates. Charge reversal was demonstrated by monitoring the adsorption of cationic dyes (methylene blue and a tetracationic porphyrin) and an anionic sulfonated porphyrin, at a range of pH using UV-vis absorption and reflection spectroscopy. The cationic dyes bind under neutral conditions (pH 5-7) and are released at pH 1-4, whereas the anionic dye binds under acidic conditions (pH 1-4) and is released at pH 5-7. Gold surfaces were functionalized with two different amphoteric disulfides with short (CH(2))(2) and long (CH(2))(10)CONH(CH(2))(6) linkers; the longer disulfide gave surfaces exhibiting charge reversal in a narrower pH range. Adsorption is much faster on the functionalized gold (t(1/2) = 62 s) than on functionalized silica (t(1/2) = 6900 s), but the final extents of coverage on both surface are similar, for a given dye at a given pH, with maximal coverages of around 2 molecules nm(-)(2). These charge-reversal processes are reversible and can be repeatedly cycled by changing the pH. We have also created surfaces which undergo irreversible proton-triggered charge switching, using a carbamate-linked thiol carboxylic acid which cleaves in acid. These surfaces are versatile new tools for controlling electrostatic self-assembly at surfaces.     

Neue Verpackungen für Lebensmittel: Gut verpackt?

The development of new food packaging is still quite a challenge. Generally, one has to distinguish between (a) passive packaging, (b) active and intelligent packaging, and (c) new techniques for the design and the presentation of a package. In the first case new materials, which are often composite materials, are created. The advantage of composite materials is that they combine properties that cannot be obtained with simple single materials. The pros and cons of composite are discussed in connection with the brown PET‐bottles in which beer has been sold for some years. The new generation of packaging, however, is active and intelligent packaging. Active packaging reacts to the internal atmosphere by initiating a change that is beneficial to the product shelf life. A well‐known example is the use of oxygen scavengers. In addition, intelligent packaging is becoming increasingly important. Here the packaging incorporates a sensor that reacts to the external atmosphere, thus monitoring the circumstances under which the product was stored. In other words, the respective labels inform the user about the freshness of the product he wants to consume. Last but not least, three examples are given, where the package can be activated by the consumer in order to get a hot coffee or a cold drink, respectively. The principle of self‐heating and self‐cooling cans is explained.     

A rapid and reversible colorimetric assay for the characterization of aminated solid surfaces

The covalent immobilization of synthetic or natural macromolecular compounds containing amino groups onto polystyrene (PS) solid surfaces is of great interest in diagnostic applications. A sensitive assay allowing the determination of reactive end groups is therefore a powerful tool for predicting the performance of the active surface. Recently, we reported the use of the Coomassie brilliant blue (CBB) colorimetric reagent to quantify protonated groups (N⁺) in linear and dendritic structures in solution (Coussot et al., Polym Int 58(5):511–518, 2009). In this work, a simple method using CBB dye for the characterization of PS aminated solid surfaces is developed. The proposed amino density estimation by colorimetric assay (ADECA) method is based on the reversible complexation of the dye with the N⁺ groups on solid surfaces. The assay measures the released dye thanks to the use of a unique sodium carbonate–methanol buffer. Thereby, for the first time, the same surface can be used for characterization and for further coupling applications. A surface density of four N⁺ groups per square nanometer can be measured in PS microwell format, the whole characterization being done within 30 min. Performances of this new colorimetric-based method are detailed. The ADECA method is further demonstrated to be useful for the characterization of aminated polypropylene and glass materials with various sizes and shapes.     

Indium tin oxide electrodes modified with tris(2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid) iron(II) and the catalytic oxidation of tris(4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine) cobalt(II)

Indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes modified by attachment of tris(2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid) iron(II) are examined. The mode of attachment is believed to be via the COOH functions in a manner similar to attachment of similar carboxylate-containing compounds to TiO2 surfaces. On the surface the complex resides as a stable electrochemically active monolayer. These modified electrodes can efficiently catalyze the oxidation of certain cobalt complexes, specifically, tris(4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine) cobalt(II). On the unmodified ITO surfaces this cobalt complex is essentially electrochemically inert. The catalytic process approaches diffusional control at very slow scan speeds. Also, the electro-catalysis is sufficiently efficient that the peak oxidation current for Co2+, under certain conditions, exceeds the i(p) for the surface oxidation of the adsorbed Fe2+ by >x100 and the current for the uncatalyzed oxidation of Co2+ by considerably more than that.     

The impact of ultraviolet light on bacterial adhesion to glass and metal oxide-coated surface

Biofouling of glass and quartz surfaces can be reduced when the surface is coated with photocatalytically active metal oxides, such as TiO2 (anatase form) or SnO2. We measured the attachment of eight strains of bacteria to these two metal oxides (TiO2 and SnO2), and to an uncoated glass (control; designated Si-m) before and after exposure to UV light at wavelengths of 254 nm (UVC) or 340 nm UV (UVA). TiO2-coated surfaces were photocatalytically active at both 254 and 340 nm as evidenced by a decrease in the water contact angle of the surface from 59 degrees +/-2 to <5 degrees. The water contact angle of the SnO2 surface was reduced only at 254 nm, while contact angle of the Si-m glass surface was not altered by light of either wavelength. Bacterial adhesion decreased by 10-50% to photocatalyzed glass surfaces. In all cases, bacteria exposed to the UV light were completely killed due to a combination of exposure to UV light and the photocatalytic activity of the glass surfaces. These results show that UV light irradiation of TiO2-coated surfaces can be an effective method of reducing bacterial adhesion.     

Interactions between protein coated particles and polymer surfaces studied with the rotating particles probe

Nonspecific interactions between proteins and polymer surfaces have to be minimized in order to control the performance of biosensors based on immunoassays with particle labels. In this paper we investigate these nonspecific interactions by analyzing the response of protein coated magnetic particles to a rotating magnetic field while the particles are in nanometer vicinity to a polymer surface. We use the fraction of nonrotating (bound) particles as a probe for the interaction between the particles and the surface. As a model system, we study the interaction of myoglobin coated particles with oxidized polystyrene surfaces. We measure the interaction as a function of the ionic strength of the solution, varying the oxidation time of the polystyrene and the pH of the solution. To describe the data we propose a model in which particles bind to the polymer by crossing an energy barrier. The height of this barrier depends on the ionic strength of the solution and two interaction parameters. The fraction of nonrotating particles as a function of ionic strength shows a characteristic shape that can be explained with a normal distribution of energy barrier heights. This method to determine interaction parameters paves the way for further studies to quantify the roles of protein coated particles and polymers in their mutual nonspecific interactions in different matrixes.     

界面超分子化学与响应性功能表面

超分子化学和界面的结合有效地促进了超分子化学和胶体与界面科学的发展。刺激响应性超分子界面,因在外界刺激作用下能够引起界面物理化学性质的改变并带来新的界面功能,而受到广泛的关注。近年来,溶液中基于偶氮苯 环糊精主客体相互作用的超分子组装体已经得到了广泛的研究。我们将溶液中基于偶氮苯环糊精主客体作用的可控可逆超分子组装体转移到界面上,构筑了具有刺激响应性的功能化超分子界面,并实现了表面浸润性的可逆调控、生物大分子的可控吸附与脱附、光可控的生物电化学催化等功能。我们期待类似的概念可以拓展到其他超分子体系,构筑具有特定结构的功能界面。     

Gold Nanoparticle‐Catalyzed Silver Electrodeposition on an Indium Tin Oxide Electrode and Its Application in DNA Hybridization Transduction

In this work, we report a simple, rapid and sensitive approach for the electrochemical gold nanoparticle‐based DNA detection with an electrocatalytic silver deposition process. The catalytic and preferential silver electrodeposition on gold nanoparticle surfaces using an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode at certain potentials, without any chemical pretreatments of the electrode, is demonstrated. More importantly, the application of this methodology for hybridization transduction is explored. The ITO electrode surface is first coated with an electroconductive polymer, poly(2‐aminobenzoic acid), to enable the chemical attachment of avidin molecules for the subsequent probe immobilization. The hybridization of the target with the probe in turn permits the binding of the gold nanoparticle labels to the transducer surface via biotin‐streptavidin interaction. The amount of bound gold labels, which is proportional to the amount of the target, is determined by the electrocatalytic silver deposition process. A significant improvement of the signal‐to‐background ratio is achieved with this scheme compared to the conventional chemical hydroquinone‐based silver deposition process.