Fabrication of quantum dot-lectin conjugates as novel fluorescent probes for microscopic and flow cytometric identification of leukemia cells from normal lymphocytes

The present study describes a synthesis of QD-lectin conjugates and their application for identification of leukaemia cells from normal lymphocytes using fluorescent confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. The results are compared with commercially available FITC-lectin.     

Recent developments in the field of bending rigidity measurements on membranes

This review gives a brief overview of experimental approaches used to assess the bending rigidity of membranes. Emphasis is placed on techniques based on the use of giant unilamellar vesicles. We summarize the effect on the bending rigidity of membranes as a function of membrane composition, presence of various inclusions in the bilayer and molecules and ions in the bathing solutions. Examples for the impact of temperature, cholesterol, some peptides and proteins, sugars and salts are provided and the literature data are discussed critically. Future directions, open questions and possible developments in this research field are also included.     

Tailor-made polymers and copolymers from aziridines and 1,3-oxacyclanes

Telechelic poly(tert-butylaziridine)s (polyTBA) and poly(1,3,6-trioxocane)s (polyTOC) and macromonomers were synthesized mainly by living cationic polymerization. Both, molecular weight and end-functionality distributions of polyTOC oligomers and polymers were studied using a combination of HPLC under “critical conditions”, gradient HPLC and SEC with double detection following a preparative HPLC fractionation. Monofunctional and bifunctional polyTBA with various end-groups were synthesized by the end-capping method. Several modification reactions were examined for terminal transformation of polyTBA and polyTOC hydroxy-telechelics into mono- and bifunctional vinyl ether macromonomers. Various tailor-made polymers based on uniform size telechelics and macromonomers were prepared using: 1. polymer-polymer coupling to produce block copolymers; 2. polyaddition of amino-functionalized telechelics to bisacrylamides; 3. addition of amino-polyTBA to polydienes; 4. synthesis of graft copolymers with well-defined graft component and networks.