Two-component protein adsorption to the cation exchanger S Sepharose FF

A model system, consisting of bovine serum albumin, lysozyme and the cation exchanger S Sepharose FF, was used to investigate multicomponent protein adsorption to ion exchangers. Two models, one based on a complete absence of competition between adsorbing molecules and the other a competitive model, based on the assumption that all adsorption sites are available to both proteins, have been compared to experimental results. Evidence for competitive adsorption was seen in experiments in which breakthrough curves and the profiles of adsorbed proteins in packed beds were determined. However, although the results for packed-bed experiments were more closely predicted by the fully competitive model, some discrepancies were found suggesting that when considering multicomponent protein adsorption to ion exchangers it may also be necessary to take account of factors such as the molecular size of the adsorbing proteins and any potential inter-protein interactions, factors which may hinder the development of a general model of multicomponent protein adsorption to ion exchangers.     

Substituent effects on the amination of racemic allyl carbonates using commercially available chiral rhodium catalysts

In the presence of commercially available chiral rhodium catalysts, a competitive benzylamination of racemic allyl carbonates, substituted with p-X-Ph groups, shows that the reaction proceeds faster with substituents (X) that are more electron-withdrawing. Mechanistic implications of these results are discussed.     

Dynamic micro-Hall detection of superparamagnetic beads in a microfluidic channel

We report integration of an InAs quantum well micro-Hall magnetic sensor with microfluidics and real-time detection of moving superparamagnetic beads. Beads moving within and around the Hall cross area result in positive and negative Hall voltage signals, respectively. Relative magnitudes and polarities of the signals measured for a random distribution of immobilized beads over the sensor are in good agreement with calculated values and explain consistently the shape of the dynamic signal.     

Radical 1,4-aryl transfer in arylcarboxamides leading to phthalimides, biaryls and enantiomerically enriched β-arylethylamines

5-exo Cyclisation of vinyl-, aryl- and alkyl-radicals onto the aryl group of arylcarboxamides is followed by β-scission of the resulting spirocyclohexadienyl radicals with ejection of a carbamoyl radical. The fate of this radical depends on the substrate but, in the cases studied, either 5-endo cyclisation or direct reduction follows to give phthalimides, biaryls or β-arylethylamines.     

Double-pulse standoff laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for versatile hazardous materials detection

We have developed a double-pulse standoff laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (ST-LIBS) system capable of detecting a variety of hazardous materials at tens of meters. The use of a double-pulse laser improves the sensitivity and selectivity of ST-LIBS, especially for the detection of energetic materials. In addition to various metallic and plastic materials, the system has been used to detect bulk explosives RDX and Composition-B, explosive residues, biological species such as the anthrax surrogate Bacillus subtilis, and chemical warfare simulants at 20 m. We have also demonstrated the discrimination of explosive residues from various interferents on an aluminum substrate.