Automated solid phase synthesis of teichoic acids

This communication describes the first automated solid phase synthesis of teichoic acids (TAs) and the preparation by this method of a number of well-defined TA structures, which were probed for their antigenicity. An opsonophagocytic killing assay revealed a clear TA-length-activity relationship and indicated a promising candidate for future vaccine development.     

Automated amplification and sequencing of human mitochondrial DNA

Part of the human mitochondrial D-loop region was amplified by two successive rounds of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. In the second PCR reaction, nested primers were used, of which one contained the M13-21 universal primer sequence. By using nonequal concentrations of primers in the second amplification, single-stranded DNA was generated. This was then sequenced directly by the diodeoxy chain termination method using dye-labelled universal sequencing primers in conjunction with a fluorescence-based DNA sequencer. This enabled a 403-base-pair hypervariable segment of the D-loop region to be readily sequenced in a single reaction. This paper describes a protocol which enables mitochondrial sequence information to be generated rapidly and automatically. It is likely to be of importance in forensic analysis where the DNA is too degraded or of insufficient quantity to be analysed by other techniques.     

Automated post-collection concentration for purified preparative fractions via solid phase extraction

Recent advancements in preparative HPLC have improved and streamlined compound purification. However, fraction evaporation remains a bottleneck within the process. An alternative to fraction evaporation is to remove the water and reduce the overall volume of the collection by trapping the fraction onto a solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridge. This method (as opposed to analytical applications involving SPE) works by collecting and then diluting the fraction(s), passing the fraction(s) through a SPE, drying the SPE with nitrogen and ultimately eluting the concentrated fraction(s) in a small amount of 100% organic solvent. An appreciable breakthrough is not observed using this method. In addition, recovery from the SPE for the tested compounds rosmarinic acid and carvacrol, two naturally occurring antioxidants in oregano, was found to be 95-98% for a 100mg injection via preparative HPLC purification at 50mg/compound.     

Improved procedure for the preparation of DNA restriction fragments suitable for sequencing

A rapid and integrated procedure was developed for the preparation of small DNA restriction fragments ( ≤ 1000 bp) starting from a large cosmid (35,000 bp) containing exogenous DNA. The process is based on restriction enzymatic digestion followed by HPLC separation and fractions collection. All DNA fragments are separated in a single run, detected “on-line” by UV absorption, and straightforward collected with very high recovery. Small fragments can be directly subjected to the sequence procedure, whereas those larger than 1000 bp are redigested with a second enzyme, the fractionated subfragments are separated, ligated to plas-mid vector, and sequenced. A human genomic cosmid of 35,000 bp (26H7) has been chosen as a model.     

Efficient solid phase strategy for preparation of modified xanthene dyes for biolabelling

An efficient solid phase strategy for the versatile functionalisation of xanthene dyes for conjugation and labelling of biomolecules is presented. The low cost, high purity and excellent spectral properties of the obtained materials provide an attractive alternative for the labelling of a wide range of molecules.     

Phenols-useful templates for the synthesis of bi-functional orthogonally protected dendron building blocks via solid phase Mitsunobu reaction

Bi-functional dendritic building blocks for convergent dendrimer growth were successfully synthesized from phenolic templates in the solid phase via a Mitsunobu reaction. Each arm of the dendron building block carries an orthogonally protected secondary amine along the arm, and a peripheral primary amine or phenol group (building block type 1) or a tertiary amine junction with orthogonally protected peripheral primary amine or carboxyl groups (building block type 2). The synthetic routes reported in this work are general and applicable for the preparation of diverse building blocks, controlling protection, arm length, and peripheral moieties. These novel dendron units can form unusual dendritic architectures by solid-phase chemistry, which may be incorporated into specific complex structures expanding the scope of dendrimer science.     

Fluorescence chemistries for automated primer-directed DNA sequencing.

A major limitation in the applicability of automated DNA sequencing instruments has been the difficulty in using user-defined oligonucleotide primers which allow sequencing reactions to start at any specific point in a region of interest. Recently, new chemistries have become available for fluorescent labeling which will begin to facilitate the use of any oligonucleotide primer with automated DNA sequencers. In this report, we describe several methods for automated primer-directed DNA sequencing, and compare and discuss the relative merits and limitations of these methods.     

Automated solid phase dynamic extraction--extraction of organics using a wall coated syringe needle

Extractions of liquid samples were carried out using wall coated needles prepared from stainless steel capillary columns instead of syringe needles. This micro extraction technique was applied to the analysis of pesticides in water. Important parameters influencing the extraction such as sample velocity, extraction time and also the desorption parameters were investigated and optimized. Automation of this technique was realized using a conventional automatic sampler. Limits of detection were improved using the multiple extraction/desorption technique. Chromatographic data and limits of detection were compared with those obtained by solid phase micro extraction (SPME). Using a needle with a 7 microns film yielded limits of detection varying from 0.001-0.1 microgram/L and were in the same range as those resulting from the extraction using a 100 microns polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) SPME fiber. The main advantages of the needle extraction technique were the significantly higher extraction speed and the practical aspects of a stable steel needle compared to those of a fragile fiber. The extraction speed using a needle with a 7 microns film was up to five times higher than the speed of SPME using a 100 microns PDMS fiber. The steel needle could be stressed mechanically in a higher extent than a SPME fiber. Sample volumes and aliquots of liquid media could be handled and moved from one bottle to another using the automatic sampler.     

Multiple-primer DNA sequencing method.

A multiple-primer DNA sequencing approach suitable for genotyping, detection and identification of microorganisms and viruses has been developed. In this new method two or more sequencing primers, combined in a pool, are added to a DNA sample of interest. The oligonucleotide that hybridizes to the DNA sample will function as a primer during the subsequent DNA sequencing procedure. This strategy is suited for selective detection and genotyping of relevant microorganisms and samples harboring different DNA targets such as multiple variant/infected samples as well as unspecific amplification products. This method is used here in a model system for detection and typing of high-risk oncogenic human papilloma viruses (HPVs) in samples containing multiple infections/variants or unspecific amplification products. Type-specific sequencing primers were designed for four of the most oncogenic (high-risk) HPV types (HPV-16, HPV-18, HPV-33, and HPV-45). The primers were combined and added to a sample containing a mixture of one high-risk (16, 18, 33, or 45) and one or two low-risk types. The DNA samples were sequenced by the Pyrosequencing technology and the Sanger dideoxy sequencing method. Correct genotyping was achieved in all tested combinations. This multiple-sequencing primer approach also improved the sequence data quality for samples containing unspecific amplification products. The new strategy is highly suitable for diagnostic typing of relevant species/genotypes of microorganisms.     

固相萃取法纯化制备水飞蓟宾和异水飞蓟宾

水飞蓟宾和异水飞蓟宾是水飞蓟素中的主要有效成分,其纯化制备主要借助柱色谱法,制备量大,纯化效果好,但过程非常费时。该研究的主要目的是利用更为快速高效的固相萃取(SPE)法从水飞蓟粗提物中分离纯化水飞蓟宾和异水飞蓟宾。建立了用于分析水飞蓟宾和异水飞蓟宾的高相液相色谱法,通过优化洗脱梯度,实现了水飞蓟宾、异水飞蓟宾与其他组分的分离。试用了3种保留机理不同的SPE填料,包括亲水亲脂(HLB)填料、亲水色谱(HILIC)填料及反相C18硅胶填料。通过对比发现C18硅胶对目标化合物的选择性最佳。进一步控制SPE的淋洗及洗脱条件,收集相应的洗脱液,经氮吹干燥后得到纯化的样品。提纯后的水飞蓟宾和异水飞蓟宾混合物的纯度可达94%以上。水飞蓟宾和异水飞蓟宾的平均回收率分别为70.5%~81.7%和66.7%~81.8%,相对标准偏差分别为2.7%~9.4%和1.5%~6.1%。该方法简单、高效,免去传统分离纯化过程中长时间的柱色谱分离过程,适合制备纯度较高的水飞蓟宾和异水飞蓟宾的二元混合标准样品。     

The use of solid phase synthesis for the preparation of monoadducts of fullerene C60

The method of solid phase synthesis was proposed for the preparation of monoadducts of fullerene C₆₀ using 3′H-cyclopropa[1,9](C₆₀-I _h )[5,6]fullerene-3′-carboxylic acid as an example.     

Automated in-tube solid phase microextraction coupled with HPLC-ES-MS for the determination of catechins and caffeine in tea

A polypyrrole (PPY) coated capillary and several commercially available capillaries (capillary GC columns) were used to evaluate their extraction efficiencies for catechins and caffeine. Compared with commercial capillaries that were currently used for in-tube solid phase microextraction (SPME), the PPY coated capillary showed better extraction efficiency for all of the compounds studied. Electrospray mass spectrometric (ES-MS) detection conditions were also investigated. After optimization of the extraction and detection conditions, a method for the sensitive and selective determination of catechins and caffeine was developed by coupling the PPY coated capillary in-tube SPME with HPLC-ES-MS. Catechins could be determined in both positive and negative ion detection modes. The detection limit (S/N = 3) for each of the studied catechins was < 0.5 ng mL-1. Caffeine could only be determined under positive ES-MS detection conditions and its detection limit was 0.01 ng mL-1. Caffeine and the five catechins in several tea samples were determined using the developed method. Small amounts of catechins were also detected in grape juice and wine samples.     

磁性固相萃取在检测抗抑郁药中的应用进展

作为治疗抑郁、焦虑、强迫等精神障碍疾病的主要药物,抗抑郁药的消耗量逐年增大.针对涉及抗抑郁药滥用的各类案件,物证鉴定人员需对药物的种类及含量进行分析.为准确、灵敏地检测实际检材中的抗抑郁药,样品前处理过程必不可少.磁性固相萃取采用比表面积大、分散性能好、可重复使用的各类功能化磁性材料作为吸附剂,因操作简单快速、萃取效率...     

Automated capture and on-column detection of biotinylated DNA on a disposable solid support

This work comprises the development of a technique for the capture of single-stranded DNA on a solid support combined with in situ quantification. The capture is based on the strong and selective interaction between biotinylated DNA and streptavidin-coated agarose beads. Sequential Injection in the lab-on-valve format allows for automated manipulation of all components including the building and disposal of bead columns. Detection was accomplished using the OliGreen fluorescent dye and optimization of the assay achieved a limit of detection of 111 pg ssDNA, with a total assay time of roughly 2.5 min per sample.     

Cobalt and magnesium ferrite nanoparticles: preparation using liquid foams as templates and their magnetic characteristics

An easy and convenient method for the synthesis of cobalt and magnesium ferrite nanoparticles is demonstrated using liquid foams as templates. The foam is formed from an aqueous mixture of an anionic surfactant and the desired metal ions, where the metal ions are electrostatically entrapped by the surfactant at the thin borders between the foam bubbles and their junctions. The hydrolysis is carried out using alkali resulting in the formation of desired nanoparticles, with the foam playing the role of a template. However, in the formation of ferrites with the formula MFe(2)O(4), where the metal ion and iron possess oxidation states of +2 and +3, respectively, forming a foam from a 1:2 mixture of the desired ionic solutions would lead to a foam composition at variance with the original solution mixture because of greater electrostatic binding of ions possessing a greater charge with the surfactant. In our procedure, we circumvent this problem by preparing the foam from a 1:2 mixture of M(2+) and Fe(2+) ions and then utilizing the in situ conversion of Fe(2+) to Fe(3+) under basic conditions inside the foam matrix to get the desired composition of the metal ions with the required oxidation states. The fact that we could prepare both CoFe(2)O(4) and MgFe(2)O(4) particles shows the vast scope of this method for making even multicomponent oxides. The magnetic nanoparticles thus obtained exhibit a good crystalline nature and are characterized by superparamagnetic properties. The magnetic features observed for CoFe(2)O(4) and MgFe(2)O(4) nanoparticles are well in accordance with the expected behaviors, with CoFe(2)O(4) particles showing higher blocking temperatures and larger coercivities. These features can easily be explained by the contribution of Co(2+) sites to the magnetocrystalline anisotropy and the absence of the same from the Mg(2+) ions.     

Development of solid phase radioimmunoassay system using new polymeric magnetic micro-spheres

Magnetic particles were locally prepared by co-precipitation of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ in an ammonia solution. The prepared microsphere were grafted with polyacrylamide acrylic acid by using gamma irradiation polymerization in presence of MBA as a cross linker. AFP antibody was immobilized on these beads and used as a solid phase in radioimmunoassay technique. The immunoreactivity of the developed assay was found to be influenced by different factors such as solid phase volume, incubation time, incubation temperature and storage period. A comparative study was performed between the developed assay system and others two ones. The maximum binding percent attained the value of 19.5% while the sensitivity was observed to be 1.3 IU/mL. The developed assay displayed acceptable precision estimated by repeated analysis of the quality control samples and the clinical samples analyzed by this assay showed a good correlation with that commercial kit (r = 0.998).     

Automated multiple solid phase micro extraction. An approach to enhance the limit of detection for the determination of pesticides in water

A method was developed to decrease the limit of detection (LOD) for pesticide residue analysis in water using multiple SPME. To enhance the absolute amount transferred to the GC column an enrichment step is integrated in the SPME/GC-analysis. A series of several extraction and desorption steps are performed and the analytes are trapped at the front of the cold GC column before the GC analysis is started. The parameters mainly influencing this enrichment are the equilibrium time, the slope of the adsorption time/peak area profile at its start, the number and the duration of the extraction steps. The role of these parameters was investigated.     

Automated multiple solid phase micro extraction. An approach to enhance the limit of detection for the determination of pesticides in water

A method was developed to decrease the limit of detection (LOD) for pesticide residue analysis in water using multiple SPME. To enhance the absolute amount transferred to the GC column an enrichment step is integrated in the SPME/GC-analysis. A series of several extraction and desorption steps are performed and the analytes are trapped at the front of the cold GC column before the GC analysis is started. The parameters mainly influencing this enrichment are the equilibrium time, the slope of the adsorption time/peak area profile at its start, the number and the duration of the extraction steps. The role of these parameters was investigated.