Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS): A Promising Tool for Biological Research

Abstract

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is an important biophysical technique. FCS is currently being used in many areas of biology to solve several scientific problems. Its properties such as detection at the single molecular level, higher sensitivity, and use of lower sample volume make FCS a promising molecular diagnostic tool. The promising applications of FCS extend from DNA kinetics/dynamics studies to the comprehensive understanding of receptor–ligand interactions. In this article, we review various promising biological applications of FCS.     

X-ray absorption study of Cu,Zn SOD under high pressure

Abstract

We have investigated Cu, Zn Superoxide Dismutase (Cu, Zn SOD) metal sites at high pressure using X-ray absorption. XAS (X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy) gives information on local structure and it is particularly suited to metal site investigation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that protein conformational states have been investigated using the high pressure XAS technique. Cu, Zn SOD catalyses the dismutation of toxic oxygen radicals produced in cells; this reaction occurs at the copper metal site. Structural changes around the copper, induced by pressure, can be directly related to protein substates. Their characterisation is thus important in the understanding of protein activity.

The high-pressure device was a Paris-Edinburgh large volume cell.

Experiments were performed on lyophilised Cu, Zn SOD between 0 and 48 kbar at the copper and zinc K-edges. The two metal local atomic environments have a different behaviour as pressure increases: copper exhibits a more flexible environment; on the contrary, zinc shows small structural modifications. We have identified a state, formed between 3 and 8 kbar, which is stable up to 48 kbar.     

A one step synthesis of novel 4-alkoxy-β-lactams by high pressure promoted [2 + 21 cycloadditions of enol ethers and isocyanates derived from amino acids

Abstract

Novel moni-β-lactams derived from esters of amino acids have been prepared in one step by the high pressure promoted [2 + 2] cycloaddition of enol ethers with isocyanates derived from esters of amino acids. The effect of substituents in the enol ether and in the isocyanate on the scope of the synthesis has been demonstrated.     

Generation of hard X-ray radiation using the triboelectric effect by peeling adhesive tape

The triboelectric effect describes electrical charging when bringing different materials into contact. We report on the generation of hard X-ray radiation by peeling various adhesive tapes under medium vacuum conditions. Beside vacuum housing and pumps as instrumentation only an electric motor, two rolls and a metal foil as target material are necessary. The spectral distribution of generated X-rays was analyzed using an energy-dispersive detector. Depending on peeling speed, pressure and choice of material combination, electrons with energies sufficient to excite emission in the hard X-ray region are produced. The results are discussed in terms of triboelectric separation of charge carriers.     

Pyrolysis study of poplar biomass by tunable synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectrometry

Pyrolysis is one of the most important methods to convert biomass into biofuel, which is a potential substitute for fossil fuel. The pyrolysis process of poplar biomass, a potential biofuel feedstock, has been studied with tunable synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet (SVUV) photoionization mass spectrometry (PIMS). The mass spectra at different photon energies, temperatures, and time-evolved profiles of selected species during poplar pyrolysis process were measured. Our results reveal that poplar is typical of hardwood according to its relative contents of three lignin monomeric precursors. As temperature increases from 300 to 700 °C, the overall intensities of pyrolysis products decrease due to the gas-phase cracking. Observed intensities of syringyl and guaiacyl subunits of lignin in poplar at low temperature present different trends: the intensities of syringyl subunits of lignin undergo an increase firstly and then a decrease, whereas those of guaiacyl subunits of lignin show decrease continuously. Time-dependent data demonstrate that hemicellulose pyrolysis is faster than lignin in poplar. This work reports a new application of SVUV PIMS in biomass pyrolysis, which performs very well in products analysis.     

Zur Methodik der Autoradiographie im Elektronenmikroskop

Die elektronenmikroskopische Autoradiographie erlaubt unter Ausmutzung des hohen Auflösungsvermögens des Elektronenmikroskops eine exakte Lokalisierung radioaktiver Verbindungen in Präparaten. Voraussetzung dafür ist die Herstellung einer Einkornschicht des Silberhalogenids aus einer vorgegebenen Filmemulsion. Diese Einkornschicht mit möglichst gleichmäßiger Silberhalogenidverteilung muß dann auf das radioaktive Objekt aufgebracht werden. Nach einer Übersicht über die Versuchsmethode werden Untersuchungen zur Präparation von Silberhalogenid-Einkornschichten aus den Emulsionen ORWO K 2, K 5, K 6, Ilford L 4 und Gevaert Nuc 7.15 für die elektronenmikroskopische Autoradiographie dargestellt.     

Gastrennung mit Hilfe des Zirkulations-Diffusions-Verfahrens Teil I : Hochanreicherung von Gasen in Trennrohren mit natürlicher Zirkulation

Auf der Grundlage des Zirkulations-Diffusions-Prinzips wurden zwei Trennrohre für die Hochanreicherung von Gasen enytwickelt. Als Modellgasmischungen dienten H₂-N₂ Kr-CH₄ und Luft. Neben Wasserdampf wurden Methanol- und Äthaanoldämpfe als Treibmittel benutzt. Gute Trennungen wurden in einem nur 20 cm langen Rohr erzielt, dessen Trennspalt horizontal durch Lamellen in kleine Sektionen und durch ein Drahtdiaphragma vertikal in zwei Ringkammern geteilt wird. Drei Rohre dieses Typs wurden in einer rechteckigen Kaskadenanordnung getestet. Die Theorie des Transportes im Trennrohr sowie die Behandlung des hydrodynamischen Problems werden angegeben. Eine Anwendung des beschriebenen Trennrohres zur Isotopentrennung und zur Gashochanreicherung erscheint aussichtsreich.     

18O/16O and 13C/12C Fractionation During the Reaction of Carbonates with Phosphoric Acid: Effects of Cationic Substitution and Reaction Temperature

Abstract

The factors for ¹⁸O/¹⁶O fractionation between carbonates and CO₂ gas produced by the dissolution of the carbonates in phosphoric acid (sealed vessel method) have been investigated as a function of reaction temperature (20–90°C) and cationic substitution in the solid. Synthetic CaCO₃, Ca_0.75 Mn_0.25 CO₃, MnCO₃, BaCO₃ and SrCO₃ powders, and a natural kutnahorite sample were used as solids. The δ¹⁸O values of the gaseous CO₂ liberated by the reaction with phosphoric acid decrease with increasing temperature and seem to be a linear function of T(°K)^?2. The slopes are specific for different carbonates. No temperature-depended ¹³C/¹²C fractionation seems to exist.