A review on immobilised aptamers for high throughput biomolecular detection and screening

The discovery of Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) assay has led to the generation of aptamers from libraries of nucleic acids. Concomitantly, aptamer-target recognition and its potential biomedical applications have become a major research endeavour. Aptamers possess unique properties that make them superior biological receptors to antibodies with a plethora of target molecules. Some specific areas of opportunities explored for aptamer-target interactions include biochemical analysis, cell signalling and targeting, biomolecular purification processes, pathogen detection and, clinical diagnosis and therapy. Most of these potential applications rely on the effective immobilisation of aptamers on support systems to probe target species. Hence, recent research focus is geared towards immobilising aptamers as oligosorbents for biodetection and bioscreening. This article seeks to review advances in immobilised aptameric binding with associated successful milestones and respective limitations. A proposal for high throughput bioscreening using continuous polymeric adsorbents is also presented.     

Lactic acid‐ and carbonate‐based crosslinked polymeric micelles for drug delivery

Our objective was to synthesize and evaluate lactic acid‐ and carbonate‐based biodegradable core‐ and core‐corona crosslinkable copolymers for anticancer drug delivery. Methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(carbonate‐co‐lactide‐co‐5‐methyl‐5‐allyloxycarbonyl‐1,3‐dioxane‐2‐one) [mPEG‐b‐P(CB‐co‐LA‐co‐MAC)] and methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(acryloyl carbonate)‐b‐poly(carbonate‐co‐lactide) [mPEG‐b‐PMAC‐b‐P(CB‐co‐LA)] copolymers were synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization of LA, CB, and MAC using mPEG as an macroinitiator and 1,8‐diazabicycloundec‐7‐ene as a catalyst. These amphiphilic copolymers which exhibited low polydispersity and critical micelle concentration values (0.8–1 mg/L) were used to prepare micelles with or without drug and stabilized by crosslinking via radical polymerization of double bonds introduced in the core and interface to improve stability. mPEG₁₁₄‐b‐P(CB₈‐co‐LA₃₅‐co‐MAC_2.5) had a higher drug encapsulation efficiency (78.72% ± 0.15%) compared to mPEG₁₁₄‐b‐PMAC_2.5‐b‐P(CB₉‐co‐LA₃₉) (20.29% ± 0.11%).¹H NMR and IR spectroscopy confirmed successful crosslinking (～70%) while light scattering and transmission electron microscopy were used to determine micelle size and morphology. Crosslinked micelles demonstrated enhanced stability against extensive dilution with aqueous solvents and in the presence of physiological simulating serum concentration. Furthermore, bicalutamide‐loaded crosslinked micelles were more potent compared to non‐crosslinked micelles in inhibiting LNCaP cell proliferation irrespective of polymer type. Finally, these results suggest crosslinked micelles to be promising drug delivery vehicles for chemotherapy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Sandwich-type germanotungstates: structure and magnetic properties of the dimeric polyoxoanions [M4(H2O)2(GeW9O34)2]12 - (M = Mn2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+)

The novel dimeric germanotungstates [M(4)(H(2)O)(2)(GeW(9)O(34))(2)](12)(-) (M = Mn(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+)) have been synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, magnetic measurements, and (183)W-NMR spectroscopy. X-ray single-crystal analyses were carried out on Na(12)[Mn(4)(H(2)O)(2)(GeW(9)O(34))(2)].38H(2)O (Na(12)()-1), which crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n, with a = 13.0419(8) A, b = 17.8422(10) A, c = 21.1626(12) A, beta = 93.3120(10) degrees, and Z = 2; Na(11)Cs(2)[Cu(4)(H(2)O)(2)(GeW(9)O(34))(2)]Cl.31H(2)O (Na(11)()Cs-2) crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P, with a = 12.2338(17) A, b = 12.3833(17) A, c = 15.449(2) A, alpha = 100.041(2) degrees, beta = 97.034(2) degrees, gamma = 101.153(2) degrees, and Z = 1; Na(12)[Zn(4)(H(2)O)(2)(GeW(9)O(34))(2)].32H(2)O (Na(12)()-3) crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P, with a = 11.589(3) A, b = 12.811(3) A, c = 17.221(4) A, alpha = 97.828(6) degrees, beta = 106.169(6) degrees, gamma = 112.113(5) degrees, and Z = 1; Na(12)[Cd(4)(H(2)O)(2)(GeW(9)O(34))(2)].32.2H(2)O (Na(12)()-4) crystallizes also in the triclinic system, space group P, with a = 11.6923(17) A, b = 12.8464(18) A, c = 17.616(2) A, alpha = 98.149(3) degrees, beta = 105.677(3) degrees, gamma = 112.233(2) degrees, and Z = 1. The polyanions consist of two lacunary B-alpha-[GeW(9)O(34)](10)(-) Keggin moieties linked via a rhomblike M(4)O(16) (M = Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd) group leading to a sandwich-type structure. (183)W-NMR studies of the diamagnetic Zn and Cd derivatives indicate that the solid-state polyoxoanion structures are preserved in solution. EPR measurements on Na(12)()-1 at frequencies up to 188 GHz and temperatures down to 4 K yield a single, exchange-narrowed peak, at g(iso) = 1.9949, typical of Mn systems, and an upper limit of |D| = 20.0 mT; its magnetization studies still await further theoretical treatment. Detailed EPR studies on Na(11)()Cs-2 over temperatures down to 2 K and variable frequencies yield g( parallel ) = 2.4303 and g( perpendicular ) = 2.0567 and A( parallel ) = 4.4 mT (delocalized over the Cu(4) framework), with |D| = 12.1 mT. Magnetization studies in addition yield the exchange parameters J(1) = -11 and J(2) = -82 cm(-)(1), in agreement with the EPR studies.     

Performance of R-N(R')-R' functionalised poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) monolithic sorbent for plasmid DNA adsorption

High-throughput plasmid DNA (pDNA) manufacture is obstructed predominantly by the performance of conventional stationary phases. For this reason, the search for new materials for fast chromatographic separation of pDNA is ongoing. A poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) (GMA-EGDMA) monolithic material was synthesised via a thermal-free radical reaction, functionalised with different amino groups from urea, 2-chloro-N,N-diethylethylamine hydrochloride (DEAE-Cl) and ammonia in order to investigate their plasmid adsorption capacities. Physical characterisation of the monolithic polymer showed a macroporous polymer having a unimodal pore size distribution pivoted at 600 nm. Chromatographic characterisation of the functionalised polymers using pUC19 plasmid isolated from E. coli DH5alpha-pUC19 showed a maximum plasmid adsorption capacity of 18.73 mg pDNA/mL with a dissociation constant (KD) of 0.11 mg/mL for GMA-EGDMA/DEAE-Cl polymer. Studies on ligand leaching and degradation demonstrated the stability of GMA-EGDMA/DEAE-Cl after the functionalised polymers were contacted with 1.0 M NaOH, which is a model reagent for most 'cleaning in place' (CIP) systems. However, it is the economic advantage of an adsorbent material that makes it so attractive for commercial purification purposes. Economic evaluation of the performance of the functionalised polymers on the grounds of polymer cost (PC)/mg pDNA retained endorsed the suitability of GMA-EGDMA/DEAE-Cl polymer.     

The Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Tulbaghia,Allium, Crinum and Cyrtanthus: ‘Talented’ Taxa from the Amaryllidaceae

Amaryllidaceae is a significant source of bioactive phytochemicals with a strong propensity to develop new drugs. The genera Allium, Tulbaghia, Cyrtanthus and Crinum biosynthesize novel alkaloids and other phytochemicals with traditional and pharmacological uses. Amaryllidaceae biomolecules exhibit multiple pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory effects. Traditionally, natural products from Amaryllidaceae are utilized to treat non-communicable and infectious human diseases. Galanthamine, a drug from this family, is clinically relevant in treating the neurocognitive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, which underscores the importance of the Amaryllidaceae alkaloids. Although Amaryllidaceae provide a plethora of biologically active compounds, there is tardiness in their development into clinically pliable medicines. Other genera, including Cyrtanthus and Tulbaghia, have received little attention as potential sources of promising drug candidates. Given the reciprocal relationship of the increasing burden of human diseases and limited availability of medicinal therapies, more rapid drug discovery and development are desirable. To expedite clinically relevant drug development, we present here evidence on bioactive compounds from the genera Allium, Tulgbaghia, Cyrtanthus and Crinum and describe their traditional and pharmacological applications.     

Surface cationization of cellulose to enhance durable antibacterial finish in phytosynthesized silver nanoparticle treated cotton fabric

Cellulose - Elimination of disease-causing bacteria from cotton fabrics is critically important to control several bacteria-mediated infections in humans. Antibacterial nanoparticles, particularly...     

Antimicrobial pentacyclic triterpenes and glycosides from the stem bark of Cussonia bancoensis

Abstract

The stem bark of Cussonia bancoensis is used traditionally for the treatment of different types of infection and pain. A bioassay guided fractionation of the methanol stem bark extract led to the isolation of five pentacyclic triterpenes and glycosides identified based on spectroscopic data as 23-hydroxyursolic acid (CB1), hederagenin (CB2), 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-echinocystic acid (CB3), 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl- oleanolic acid (CB4) and 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-ursolic acid (CB5). CB2 - CB5 are being reported for the first time from this species. The compounds were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against ten microorganisms using the HT-SPOTi method. CB3 demonstrated remarkable antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, S. pyogens, E. faecalis, S. typhi and C. albicans at MICs between 3.12 and 12.5?µg/mL. Among the studied compounds, it was observed that hydroxylation of position C-16 of the oleanane skeleton may enhance antimicrobial activity. This study gives insight into the anti-infective constituents of the stem bark of C. bancoensis and justifies its use in ethnomedicine.     

Optimisation of Batch Culture Conditions for Cell-Envelope-Associated Proteinase Production from Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis ATCC? 7830?

Using a combination of conventional sequential techniques, the batch growth conditions for the production of cell-envelope-associated proteinases have for the first time been studied and optimised in Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis 313 (ATCC 7830; LDL 313). Concentrations of inoculum (0.1?<?X?<?10?% vol/vol), agitation speed (0?<?S?<?200?rpm), varying incubation temperature (30?<?T?<?50?°C), starting pH (4.5?<?pH?<?7) and carbon/nitrogen ratio of production medium (0.2?<?r?<?5) had an individual effect on proteinase yield (p?<?0.01). Optimal conditions for proteinase production included an initial pH of 6.0, 45?°C incubation temperature, 2?% (v/v) inoculum size of OD₅₆₀?=?1, 150?rpm agitation speed, and growth medium carbon/nitrogen ratio of 1.0. Maximum proteinase activity obtained for whole cells was 0.99 U/ml after 8?h of incubation. The variables studied are very relevant due to their significance in improving the productivity of proteinase synthesis from LDL 313, under process and, likely, economic optimum conditions.     

Large-volume methacrylate monolith for plasmid purification. Process engineering approach to synthesis and application

The extent of exothermicity associated with the construction of large-volume methacrylate monolithic columns has somewhat obstructed the realisation of large-scale rapid biomolecule purification especially for plasmid-based products which have proven to herald future trends in biotechnology. A novel synthesis technique via a heat expulsion mechanism was employed to prepare a 40 mL methacrylate monolith with a homogeneous radial pore structure along its thickness. Radial temperature gradient was recorded to be only 1.8 degrees C. Maximum radial temperature recorded at the centre of the monolith was 62.3 degrees C, which was only 2.3 degrees C higher than the actual polymerisation temperature. Pore characterisation of the monolithic polymer showed unimodal pore size distributions at different radial positions with an identical modal pore size of 400 nm. Chromatographic characterisation of the polymer after functionalisation with amino groups displayed a persistent dynamic binding capacity of 15.5 mg of plasmid DNA/mL. The maximum pressure drop recorded was only 0.12 MPa at a flow rate of 10 mL/min. The polymer demonstrated rapid separation ability by fractionating Escherichia coli DH5alpha-pUC19 clarified lysate in only 3 min after loading. The plasmid sample collected after the fast purification process was tested to be a homogeneous supercoiled plasmid with DNA electrophoresis and restriction analysis.