Metal‐Mediated Self‐Assembly of a β‐Sandwich Protein

The β‐sandwich cupredoxin Plastocyanin (Pc) was found to self‐assemble in the presence of Zn²⁺, a known mediator of protein–protein interfaces. Diffraction‐quality crystals of Pc grew from solutions containing zinc acetate as the sole precipitant. Di‐ and trinuclear zinc sites contribute to the crystal contacts in this structure. A different crystal form, also involving numerous zinc bridging ions, was obtained in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) 8 000. Comparison of the two crystal forms reveals the effect of macromolecular crowding on self‐assembly. Solution‐state structural characterisation of the Zn²⁺‐mediated Pc oligomers was performed by using a combination of chemical shift perturbation mapping and small‐angle X‐ray scattering. The data indicate the formation of dimers in solution. The implications for metal‐mediated assembly and crystallisation are discussed.     

Determination of ephedra alkaloids by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

In conjunction with an AOAC Task Group on dietary supplements, a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was validated for measurement of 6 major alkaloids in raw ephedra sinica herb, ephedra extracts, ephedra tablets, complex dietary supplements containing ephedra, and a high-protein drink mix containing ephedra. The amount of ephedrine-type alkaloids present was determined by LC with mass selective detection. Six replicates of each matrix were analyzed on 3 separate occasions. The presence of 6 ephedrine-type alkaloids was detected at a level > 0.5 microg/g based on a 0.5 g sample. The standard curve range for this assay is from 0.02 to 1.0 microg/mL. Appropriate dilutions covered a wide range of specific alkaloid concentrations. The calibration curves for all 6 analytes had correlation coefficients > 0.995.     

Isolation of plasma from whole blood using planar microfilters for lab-on-a-chip applications

Researchers are actively developing devices for the microanalysis of complex fluids, such as blood. These devices have the potential to revolutionize biological analysis in a manner parallel to the computer chip by providing very high throughput screening of complex samples and massively parallel bioanalytical capabilities. A necessary step performed in clinical chemistry is the isolation of plasma from whole blood, and effective sample preparation techniques are needed for the development of miniaturized clinical diagnostic devices. This study demonstrates the use of passive, operating entirely on capillary action, transverse-flow microfilter devices for the microfluidic isolation of plasma from whole blood. Using these planar microfilters, blood can be controllably fractionated with minimal cell lysis. A characterization of the device performance reveals that plasma filter flux is dependent upon the wall shear rate of blood in the filtration channel, and this result is consistent with macroscale blood filtration using microporous membranes. Also, an innovative microfluidic layout is demonstrated that extends device operation time via capillary action from seconds to minutes. Efficiency of these microfilters is approximately three times higher than the separation efficiencies predicted for microporous membranes under similar conditions. As such, the application of the microscale blood filtration designs used in this study may have broad implications in the design of lab-on-a-chip devices, as well as the field of separation science.     

Self-Assembly of a Redox Active,Metallosupramolecular [Pd3L6]6+ Complex Using a Rotationally Flexible Ferrocene Ligand

A new ferrocene-containing [Pd₃( L_4EFc )₆]⁶⁺(X⁻)₆ ( C ⋅ BF₄ and C ⋅ SbF₆ where X=BF₄⁻ or SbF₆⁻) self-assembled double-walled triangle has been synthesized from the known, rotationally flexible, 1,1′-bis(4-pyridylethynyl)ferrocene ligand ( L_4EFc ), and characterized by ¹H, ¹³C and diffusion ordered (DOSY) NMR spectroscopies, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR−ESI−MS), X-ray crystallography and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The molecular structures confirmed that double-walled triangle cage systems ( C ⋅ BF₄ and C ⋅ SbF₆ ) were generated. C ⋅ BF₄ was shown to interact with the anionic guest, p-toluenesulfonate. CV experiments revealed that the triangles were redox active, however addition of the guest did not influence the redox potentials.