Pharmacophore modeling as an efficient tool in the discovery of novel noncompetitive AMPA receptor antagonists

A three-dimensional pharmacophore model for the binding of noncompetitive AMPA receptor antagonists was developed in order to map common structural features of highly active compounds. This hypothesis, which consists of two hydrophobic regions, one hydrogen bond acceptor and one aromatic region, was successfully used as framework for the design of a new class of allosteric modulators containing a tetrahydroisoquinoline skeleton and for in silico screening. The promising biological results suggested that the identified molecules might be useful "lead compounds" for future drug development.     

PECVD SiC optical waveguide loss and mode characteristics

We report the fabrication of single mode SiC (silicon carbide) waveguides and the measurement of their propagation loss. By studying the effect of sidewalls scattering loss due to surface roughness and by reducing it, minimal propagation loss of 2.3 dB/cm for the TM polarization is measured in the visible at 0.633 μm. This loss can be used as a benchmark for further development of SiC microphotonic components and circuit for sensor systems in harsh environment.     

Enzymatic Oxygen Microsensor Based on Bilirubin Oxidase Applied to Microbial Fuel Cells Analysis

A selective oxygen biosensor based on bilirubin oxidase (BOx) was developed. The sensor was used for determining oxygen profiles in a membraneless, single‐chamber microbial fuel cell (SCMFC), fed with raw wastewater. The linear response of the sensor was optimized by a diffusion layer of silica gel. A computer‐controlled stage was used to obtain accurate and precise measurements. Oxygen concentration in biofilms covering electrodes was measured, showing 3 mg L^?1 of O₂ in the bulk solution, decreasing to 0 mg L^?1 in the cathodic biofilm. The MFC generated power in the range of 0–0.08 mW, associated to the oxygen content.     

Solution-phase parallel synthesis of novel 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-1-ones as anticonvulsant agents

Following our previous studies in the field of anticonvulsant agents, we planned a one-pot solution-phase parallel synthesis (SPPS) of a small library of new 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives. The activity against audiogenic seizures in DBA/2 mice of the newly synthesized compounds has also been evaluated.     

Implementation and Characterization of a femto-Farad Capacitive Sensor for pico-Liter Liquid Monitoring

An fF-level capacitive sensor, intended for pL liquid measurements, has been fabricated with MEMS technology and successfully characterized. The sensor measures liquid level variations in a microfluidic channel. The sensor’s capacitance varies from 1.5 fF (channel empty) to 12.8fF (channel filled with 63 pL of water). To reliably detect such small capacitance changes, a low noise measurement system, based on a lock-in amplifier, was implemented. The measured sensitivity of the system is 14.1 mV/fF, and the capacitance detection limit is 0.057 aF/Hz^1/2, which corresponds to a volumetric resolution of about 0.22 fL/Hz^1/2.     

Prion protein self-peptides modulate prion interactions and conversion

Background  

Molecular mechanisms underlying prion agent replication, converting host-encoded cellular prion protein (PrP^C) into the scrapie associated isoform (PrP^Sc), are poorly understood. Selective self-interaction between PrP molecules forms a basis underlying the observed differences of the PrP^C into PrP^Sc conversion process (agent replication). The importance of previously peptide-scanning mapped ovine PrP self-interaction domains on this conversion was investigated by studying the ability of six of these ovine PrP based peptides to modulate two processes; PrP self-interaction and conversion.     

Deterministic Ratchets for Particle Separation Fabricated With Si MEMS Technology

This paper presents the design, fabrication and testing of deterministic ratchets which are used for fractionation purpose. Ratchets with different configuration are prepared to determine particle trajectories with different sizes. Silicon based MEMS technology is used to fabricate devices containing arrays of obstacles with varying size, spacing and number. The arrays of high aspect ratio, 7-20μm wide, silicon pillars are defined and etched in 60 to 80μm deep microchannels using Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE). The working modes of the ratchets are demonstrated using colloidal suspensions of latex particles which have an average diameter ranging between 2 and 6μm.