Developing a self-assembled monolayer microarray to study stem cell differentiation

We have developed a novel strategy to generate self-assembled monolayer microarray (SAMs-Array) of alkanethiolates on gold surfaces for the study of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) differentiation. Electroactive alkanethiols were microarray-printed in varying densities to probe the chemical effects on stem cell differentiation. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used for the precise determination of the amount of alkanethiol molecules transferred and SAMs formed on the microarray. We can also control the oxidative and reductive state of each molecule displayed to cells by CV. Based on this SAMs-Array technology, we generated a platform for potential high-throughput screening of various surface chemistry effects on cell behaviors for future applications in biomaterials and tissue engineering.     

Improvement of Power Conversion Efficiency of P3HT/PCBM Polymer Solar Cell Systems by Optimization of the Process Steps

In this work, different steps involved in the fabrication of polymer solar cells were optimized using P3HT/PCBM heterojunction. Steps included spinning speed for coating of the PEDOT:PSS layer, use of filter for the PEDOT:PSS layer, spinning speed for coating of the active layer, sequence of annealing of the active layer either before or after electrode deposition, and modification of the cooling mechanism (either by cooling rapidly or slowly after heating of the active layer). Investigation of these steps led to an improvement of the power-conversion efficiency (PCE) of the polymer solar cells, especially the last step involving the change of cooling mechanism, which improved PCE by 25%.     

pH Induced Partitioning and Interactions of Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride with Anionic Surfactant Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Using Ultraviolet and Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy Study

Ultraviolet (UV) and Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectra of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (Cpf) were studied under different pH conditions. The effect of aqueous, strong acidic, (pH 0.5–1.0) and a basic (pH 9.2) conditions on spectral behavior of Cpf was investigated in aqueous as well as in micellar environment of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Cpf shows partitioning from aqueous to micellar phase in a strong acidic as well as in a basic environment. Cpf shows no partitioning or binding to micelle in aqueous phase. Conductivity studies show that critical micelle concentration of SDS is increased with increasing concentration of Cpf. Different sites are responsible for binding under different pH conditions.     

Photophysical Investigations of Carmoisine Interacting with Conventional Cationic Surfactants Under Different pH Conditions

The present study describes the extent of interactions of an efficient food dye, Carmoisine (CAR), with conventional cationic surfactants, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, and ethylhexadecyldimethylammonium bromide (EHDAB). The study was carried out by quantifying the spectral changes of CAR as a function of premicellar to postmicellar surfactant concentrations at various pH conditions. The quantification of CAR molecules entrapped by cationic micellar systems has been estimated with the help of mathematical models. Binding parameters of each surfactant were calculated using differential spectroscopic method. The enhanced solubilization of dye by switching the pH was observed. In support of the electrostatic forces, the larger and more hydrophobic head group favors the promising solubilization of CAR in the outer region of the micellar interior. These findings extend the proficiency of dye molecule as a reporter for sensing electrostatic environment in lipidic membranes and related organized assemblies.     

Non-superimposable mirror image crystals of enantiomers by spontaneous resolution and the chiral discrimination mechanism

Non-superimposable mirror image crystals of both enantiomers(S/R) of cyclicγ-alkenyl alcohol(2) have been recognized and remarkably identified by the naked eye.More interestingly,both crystals are an outcome of most astonishingly H-bond and intermolecularσ/π-πinteractions.They accounted for the relatively rare and less predictable spontaneous resolution with optical purity >99%ee from the racemic mixture.The chiral discrimination mechanism of this spontaneous resolution has also been proposed.     

Polynuclear Fe(n) complexes (n = 1, 2, 4, 5) of polytopic hydrazone ligands with Fe(II), Fe(III) and mixed oxidation state combinations

The iron coordination chemistry of some polytopic hydrazone based ligands is examined. The complexes derive from a general self-assembly strategy, where ligand design can be used to devise specific polymetallic [n × n] grid architectures. However, as part of any complex equilibrium process, oligomeric entities can also occur, particularly when ligand tautomeric flexibility is considered, and examples of mononuclear, dinuclear, tetranuclear, and pentanuclear complexes have been observed within a related class of ligands. In addition, ligand site donor composition can lead to coordination spheres that stabilize both high spin Fe(II) and Fe(III) sites, with evidence for Fe(II) spin crossover. Structural and magnetic properties are examined, which reveal the presence of antiferromagnetic exchange in the polynuclear systems.     

Historical variations of Bera Lake (Malaysia) sediments geochemistry using radioisotopes and sediment quality indices

The Bera Lake basin is a lacustrine mire system and the largest natural lake in Peninsular Malaysia. Three cores were collected from the lake sediments in order to assess sediment quality and ecological risks for aquatic life and human health. An index analysis approach (C _f , C _d , E _r , and IR) and fallout ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs radioisotopes were applied to assess the impacts of environmental evolutionary changes. Sediment chronology was determined using the Constant Rate of Supply model with the resultant ages verified by ¹³⁷Cs horizons. Although the general contamination factors indicate low risk conditions in Bera Lake the risks associated with individual layers ranged from moderate to considerable. Five deforestation phases can be identified in the dated sediment cores with distinct variations in heavy metal influxes since 1972. These phases are in excellent agreement with the dates of land clearance and development projects undertaken over the past four decades. This study has highlighted the capability of contamination factors and chronological methods in environmental evolutionary studies where catchments have experienced extensive land use changes. The destiny of heavy metal influxes into a lake can also be revealed using this methodology.     

Formation of layered titania and zirconia catalysed by surface-bound silicatein

Silicatein immobilised on self-assembled polymer layers using a histidine-tag chelating anchor group retains its hydrolytical activity for the formation of biosilica, and catalyses the formation of layered arrangements of biotitania and biozirconia.     

Functionalized diamond nanopowder for phosphopeptides enrichment from complex biological fluids

Diamond is known for its high affinity and biocompatibility towards biomolecules and is used exclusively in separation sciences and life science research. In present study, diamond nanopowder is derivatized as Immobilized Metal Ion Affinity Chromatographic (IMAC) material for the phosphopeptides enrichment and as Reversed Phase (C-18) media for the desalting of complex mixtures and human serum profiling through MALDI-TOF-MS. Functionalized diamond nanopowder is characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. Diamond-IMAC is applied to the standard protein (β-casein), spiked human serum, egg yolk and non-fat milk for the phosphopeptides enrichment. Results show the selectivity of synthesized IMAC-diamond immobilized with Fe³⁺ and La³⁺ ions. To comprehend the elaborated use, diamond-IMAC is also applied to the serum samples from gall bladder carcinoma for the potential biomarkers. Database search is carried out by the Mascot program (www.matrixscience.com) for the assignment of phosphorylation sites. Diamond nanopowder is thus a separation media with multifunctional use and can be applied to cancer protein profiling for the diagnosis and biomarker identification.