Imaging the cell wall of living single yeast cells using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

The surface of a living yeast cell (Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain W303-1A) has been labeled with silver (Ag) nanoparticles that can form nanoaggregates which have been shown to have surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity. The cell wall of a single living yeast cell has been imaged by use of a Raman microspectroscope. The SERS spectra measured from different Ag nanoaggregates were found to be different. This can be explained on the basis of detailed spectral interpretation. The SERS spectral response originates from mannoproteins which cover the outermost regions of the yeast cell wall. Analysis of SERS spectra from the cell wall and the extracted mannoproteins from the yeast has been performed for the clarification of variation in SERS spectra.     

Analysis of biosensors by chemically specific optical techniques. Chemiluminescence-imaging and infrared spectroscopic mapping ellipsometry

The standard methods currently used to read out microarrays are fluorescent and chemiluminesent imaging techniques. These methods require labeling of a component with a marker and, usually, only the concentration of the marker molecule is detected. A label-free imaging method that also enables quantitative spectroscopic analysis of the composition and component interaction would be of great advantage. In this article it is shown for the first time that IR mapping ellipsometry enables label-free imaging of a biochip before and after incubation with peptide solution. The measurements prove that IR ellipsometry is a sensitive tool for laterally resolved identification of the different materials and determination of the composition of a biochip. The lateral resolution required was achieved by using radiation from an infrared synchrotron beamline.      

Imaging and Analysis of Surfaces with a Scanning Electron Microscope and Electron Spectrometer

The topography and the composition of a surface are in many cases of equal importance (catalysis, electroplating, pretreatment of foils and sheet metal, corrosion, passivation, adsorption, coating of fibers, etc.), and this explains the great interest in methods of investigation that reveal both. If the demands on the resolving power, the analytical possibilities, and the thickness of the surface layer are not too exacting, combined devices like the scanning electron microscope and its analytical accessories can be used. When it is necessary to avoid the compromises involved in simultaneous imaging and analysis, the investigations must be carried out with separate equipment. As an example of a method for the analysis of surfaces we consider briefly photo- and Auger electron spectroscopy (ESCA).     

微胶囊膜表面化学组成的XPS分析

采用XPS表面表征技术对生物微胶囊膜表面化学组成进行了分析。结果表明,海藻酸钠_壳聚糖_海藻酸钠(ACA)微胶囊表面带负电荷的含C基团与带正电荷的含N基团的相对百分含量分别为30·6%与60·4%,而海藻酸钠_聚赖氨酸_海藻酸钠(APA)微胶囊分别为42·3%与30·0%,因此ACA微胶囊表面比APA微胶囊带更多的正电荷,更有利于蛋白质吸附与细胞粘附。为深入了解生物微胶囊表面引起的机体反应过程、改进微胶囊性能,提供了理论依据。     

Non-invasive detection of superimposed latent fingerprints and inter-ridge trace evidence by infrared spectroscopic imaging

Current latent print and trace evidence collecting technologies are usually invasive and can be destructive to the original deposits. We describe a non-invasive vibrational spectroscopic approach that yields latent fingerprints that are overlaid on top of one another or that may contain trace evidence that needs to be distinguished from the print. Because of the variation in the chemical composition distribution within the fingerprint, we demonstrate that linear unmixing applied to the spectral content of the data can be used to provide images that reveal superimposed fingerprints. In addition, we demonstrate that the chemical composition of the trace evidence located in the region of the print can potentially be identified by its infrared spectrum. Thus, trace evidence found at a crime scene that previously could not be directly related to an individual, now has the potential to be directly related by its presence in the individual-identifying fingerprints. A portion of this work was presented at the 16th Meeting of the International Association of Forensic Sciences, Montpellier, France September 2–7, 2002.     

Microscopic and electron spectroscopic characterization of dental enamel surfaces

 The effects of surface pretreatment on the topography and composition of dental enamel surfaces of extracted bovine teeth have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Surface pretreatment with a solution of benzoic acid in acetone does not change the topography of the surface; it leads to enrichment of calcium and, to a lesser extent, phosphorus at the enamel surface. The higher adhesion strength reported between enamel surfaces pretreated with benzoic acid in acetone and glass ionomer cement might be explained in terms of a greater number of chemical bonding sites due to the enrichment of calcium and phosphorus at the surface. Received: 6 November 1998 Accepted in revised form: 3 December 1998     

Force microscopy analysis using chemometric tools

In this paper we report the first application of multivariate data analysis techniques to force spectrometry measurement sets to enable the physicochemical assignment of spatially ordered multi-component systems. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering techniques were used to reveal hidden chemical information within force-distance curves generated by high spatial resolution force microscopy. Two experimental samples were analyzed: (i) a two-component system of cytochrome c proteins on a mica surface, and (ii) a three-component system of avidin protein islands positioned on a gold and glass surface. PCA and hierarchical clustering techniques were used to discriminate the different components of the two-component system, whereas hierarchical clustering was found to be superior for the three-component system. Results were in good agreement with the topography and prior knowledge of the surface patterns. This research represents a formative step towards the combination of force spectrometry with chemometric tools for the high resolution physicochemical investigation of complex biochemical systems.     

Correlated Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry-Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy Imaging for Single Cell-Principles and Applications

Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) as a powerful surface analysis technique has been widely applied in semiconductor industry and geology research. Recently, with the development of instrumental technology, SIMS is attracting more and more attention in life sciences. SIMS can provide surface MS spectra, 2D/3D chemical images and depth profiling of substances simultaneously. The minimal lateral resolution of 2D SIMS imaging is 80–100 nm, and the longitudinal resolution of 3D SIMS imaging is about 1–5 nm. However, owing to lack of specific ions to render the structures of organelles, SIMS imaging for single cells still have great challenges. Optical microscopy, in particular laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM), has been emerged to be an indispensable technique for single cell imaging and can obtain high spatial 2D/3D imaging to visualize the structures of organelles. Thus, the combinational use of SIMS and LSCM, which takes advantages of SIMS for molecular imaging and LSCM for morphological imaging, has greatly extended the application of SIMS imaging and ensured its accuracy at single cells level, providing novel insights into better understanding of the biological events inside cells. In this review, we focus on the development and application of SIMS imaging and the correlated SIMS and LSCM imaging in the research of cell biology and drug discovery. We anticipate that the combinational use of SIMS and LSCM imaging has promising future in biomedicine and life sciences.     

The effect of the chemical,biological, and physical environment on quorum sensing in structured microbial communities

As researchers attempt to study quorum sensing in relevant clinical or environmental settings, it is apparent that many factors have the potential to affect signaling. These factors span a range of physical, chemical, and biological variables that can impact signal production, stability and distribution. Optimizing experimental systems to natural or clinical environments may be crucial for defining when and where quorum sensing occurs. These points are illustrated in our case study of S. aureus signaling in biofilms, where signal stability may be affected by the host environment. The basic signaling schemes have been worked out at the molecular level for a few of the major quorum-sensing systems. As these studies continue to refine our understanding of these mechanisms, an emerging challenge is to identify if and when the local environment can affect signaling.     

Bioimaging of cells and tissues using accelerator-based sources

A variety of techniques exist that provide chemical information in the form of a spatially resolved image: electron microprobe analysis, nuclear microprobe analysis, synchrotron radiation microprobe analysis, secondary ion mass spectrometry, and confocal fluorescence microscopy. Linear (LINAC) and circular (synchrotrons) particle accelerators have been constructed worldwide to provide to the scientific community unprecedented analytical performances. Now, these facilities match at least one of the three analytical features required for the biological field: (1) a sufficient spatial resolution for single cell (< 1 μm) or tissue (<1 mm) analyses, (2) a temporal resolution to follow molecular dynamics, and (3) a sensitivity in the micromolar to nanomolar range, thus allowing true investigations on biological dynamics. Third-generation synchrotrons now offer the opportunity of bioanalytical measurements at nanometer resolutions with incredible sensitivity. Linear accelerators are more specialized in their physical features but may exceed synchrotron performances. All these techniques have become irreplaceable tools for developing knowledge in biology. This review highlights the pros and cons of the most popular techniques that have been implemented on accelerator-based sources to address analytical issues on biological specimens. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

A review of recent trends in polymer characterization using non-destructive vibrational spectroscopic modalities and chemical imaging

This review focuses on the recent developments in vibrational spectroscopy and chemical imaging (i.e. Raman, Near Infrared, Mid Infrared) to characterize polymers in diverse forms, their behaviour and transient phenomenon. First, important polymeric properties and traditional methods of their characterization are outlined. Then relative advantages & disadvantages have been presented of different characterization methods are presented. This is followed by a detailed review of applications of chemical imaging and spectroscopic techniques in polymer characterization, including the limitations encountered. The article ends with a discussion on the future of chemical imaging with regards to polymer characterization.     

细胞膜上信号转导蛋白的单分子成像与分析

结合本课题组的研究工作,介绍了单分子荧光成像原理、荧光标记方法及数据分析方法,并进一步综述了单分子荧光成像在几种重要的膜蛋白信号转导分子机制和相关药物研究中的进展.     

Determination of immunomodulatory effects: focus on functional analysis of phagocytes as representatives of the innate immune system

The evaluation of the effects of drugs or chemicals on the functions of the immune system is an increasingly important task. Due to the accessibility of primary cells and cell lines, in vitro cellular functional tests are frequently being performed with cells representing the innate immune system, in particular those with phagocytotic activities, such as neutrophils and macrophages. Suitable functional parameters are the efficiency of phagocytosis, the efficiency with which viable pathogens are killed, the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) and that of cytokines. Corresponding analytical procedures are available, but standardization is required, as varying the procedure may influence the outcomes of the assays.     

单个等离子体纳米颗粒在生化分析和生物成像中的应用

等离子体纳米颗粒（PNPs）因其独特的物理、化学、光学和生物学特性而被广泛地应用于材料科学、生物学和医药学等研究领域。PNPs的光学性质是可以通过改变其组成、形状和大小来进行调控的,所以利用可控合成的方式能够筛选出适合的光散射探针。在单分子水平上实时研究PNPs的动态行为对于理解细胞及活体组织的生命活动机制、制备功能型纳米材料和开发新型化学生物传感器等有着重要的意义。基于传统的暗场显微镜（DFM）,通过对光源、检测器及其它光学元件的择优组装和调试,我们开发出了一系列具有高灵敏度、高时空分辨率和高通量的等离子体光散射成像技术,并将其应用于单分子检测、多颗粒传感、单细胞成像以及生物过程示踪等领域。基于具有光学各向异性的PNPs,我们还研制出了活细胞三维扫描成像系统和超连续激光光片成像与高速毛细管电泳联用系统,推进了单分子光谱方面的研究。本文将总结近十年来本课题组在PNP单颗粒分析及成像中的工作,并为该领域未来的发展提出一些新的思路。     

Apertureless near-field vibrational imaging of block-copolymer nanostructures with ultrahigh spatial resolution.

Nanodomains formed by microphase separation in thin films of the diblock copolymers poly(styrene-b-2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) and poly(styrene-b-ethyleneoxide) (PS-b-PEO) were imaged by means of infrared scattering-type near-field microscopy. When probing at 3.39 mum (2950 cm(-1)), contrast is obtained due to spectral differences between the C--H stretching vibrational resonances of the respective polymer constituents. An all-optical spatial resolution better than 10 nm was achieved, which corresponds to a sensitivity of just several thousand C--H groups facilitated by the local-field enhancement at the sharp metallic probe tips. The results demonstrate that infrared spectroscopy with access to intramolecular dimensions is within reach.     

Preparation of Excitation‐Independent Photoluminescent Graphene Quantum Dots with Visible‐Light Excitation/Emission for Cell Imaging

We report the first pyrrole‐ring surface‐functionalized graphene quantum dots (p‐GQDs) prepared by a two‐step hydrothermal approach under microwave irradiation in an ammonia medium. The most distinct feature of the functionalized GQDs is that both the excitation and emission wavelengths fall into the visible‐light region. The p‐GQDs are excited by visible light at λ_ex 490 nm (2.53 eV) to emit excitation‐independent photoluminescence at a maximum wavelength of λ_em 550 nm. This is thus far the longest emission wavelength reported for GQDs. Stable photoluminescence is achieved at pH 4–10 with an ionic strength of 1.2 mol L^?1 KCl. These features make the p‐GQDs excellent probes for bio‐imaging and bio‐labeling, which is demonstrated by imaging live HeLa cells.     

Quasi in situ XPS investigations on intercalation mechanisms in Li-ion battery materials

New concepts for Li-ion batteries are of growing interest for high-performance applications. One aim is the search for new electrode materials with superior properties and their detailed characterization. We demonstrate the application of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to investigate electrode materials (LiCoO₂, LiCrMnO₄) during electrochemical cycling. The optimization of a “quasi in situ” analysis, by transferring the samples with a transport chamber from the glove box to the XPS chamber, and the reliability of the experiments performed are shown. The behavior of characteristic chemical species at the electrodes and the changes in oxidation states of LiCrMnO₄ during cycling is discussed. The formation of Cr⁶⁺ is suspected as a possible reason for irreversible capacity loss during charging up to complete Li deintercalation (approximately 5.2 V). Figure Scheme of a quasi in situ XPS experiment on Li-ion battery electrode material     

Investigations of new binary phosphate K4Ce2P4O15

The new potassium cerium(III) phosphate of formula K₄Ce₂P₄O₁₅ in the system Ce₂O₃-K₂O-P₂O₅ was prepared by solid state reactions and characterized by thermal analysis (DTA, TG, DSC), powder X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. This compound exists only in the solid state (below 880 °C) and exhibits a polymorphic transition at 527 °C. The low-temperature form β-K₄Ce₂P₄O₁₅ of this compound crystallizes as a triclinic phase (space group P) with unit cell parameters: a=9.319(7), b=12.129(3), c=9.252(1) Å, α=106.875, β=100.086, γ=107.202°, V=916.276 Å³.     

The asymmetric ONNO complexes of dioxouranium(VI) with N,N-diarylidene-S-propyl-thiosemicarbazones derived from 3,5-dichlorosalicylaldehyde: Synthesis, spectroscopic and structural studies

Two uranyl complexes having the composition [UO₂(L)DMSO] were synthesized using salicyl- and 3,5-dichlorosalicylaldehyde-S-propyl-thiosemicarbazones as starting materials. The S-propyl-thiosemicarbazidato structures in the complexes are N¹-3,5-dichlorosalicylidene-N⁴-salicylidene and N¹-salicylidene-N⁴-3,5-dichlorosalicylidene. The stable solid complexes were characterized by means of elemental analysis, IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopies, and the single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The two complexes, with the same formula, crystallize in different space groups. In the title complexes, the uranium atom is seven-coordinated in a distorted pentagonal-bipyramidal geometry involving an ONNO donor set of the thiosemicarbazidato ligand and an oxygen atom of a DMSO molecule. The two apical positions of the pentagonal bipyramid are occupied by the two oxygen atoms of the trans-dioxouranium group. The relative orientations of the DMSO and S-propyl groups in both complexes are somewhat different due to different crystal packing.     

交流阻抗法在细胞分析应用中的研究进展

交流阻抗法作为一种新型的无标记、全程动态、实时分析方法已在细胞研究中得到了广泛应用。本文综述了基于交流阻抗法进行细胞分析的研究新进展,重点对非法拉第阻抗谱法和法拉第阻抗谱法用于细胞分析的原理及应用进行了总结,主要包括交流阻抗法在细胞形态、细胞生长、细胞增殖、细胞凋亡以及作用于细胞的药效和毒性研究中的应用,并对其发展趋势进行了展望。