Proteomics of snake venoms from Elapidae and Viperidae families by multidimensional chromatographic methods

Snake venoms contain a large number of biologically active substances and the venom components are very useful for pharmaceutical applications. Our goal is to separate and identify components of snake venoms in ten snake species from the Elapidae and Viperidae families using multidimensional chromatographic methods. The multidimensional chromatographic methods include reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), lab-on-a-chip, two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), and mass spectrometry. The venoms of eight snake species demonstrated major differences in hydrophobicity, molecular weight separations, and 2-DE protein distribution patterns. The 2-DE images showed major differences between families, within each family and even between the same species. Venoms of the Elapidae family showed many basic proteins with a wide range of molecular weights, while venoms of the Viperidae family showed wide ranges of pI and molecular weights, especially for Trimeresurus sp. The multidimensional chromatographic methods revealed specific differences in venom proteins intra-species as well as between species and families. We have isolated and identified proteins that may be unique for each species for further studies in the proteome of snake venoms and their potentially use in the pharmaceutical applications.     

Facile, alternative synthesis of lanthanum phosphate nanocrystals by ultrasonication

Highly luminescent, rhabdophane (Ce(0.33)La(0.66))PO4.nH2O nanorods and nanoparticles were prepared in aqueous solutions by ultrasonication, at pH 1 and pH 12, respectively. Both nanorods (5 to 9 nm wide and several tens to several hundreds nm long) and nanoparticles (elongated, connected 5 nm particles) were as small and as uniform as products obtained from methods that utilize complexing agents or surfactants, only with no complexing agent. This method of synthesis by ultrasonication is a fast and simple method and it is expected to be applicable for the synthesis of other nanocrystalline lanthanide phosphates.     

Scintillators for Alpha and Neutron Radiations Synthesized by Room Temperature Sol–Gel Processing

Solid-state scintillating materials were synthesized by the co-doping of sol–gel components with neutron absorbers [⁶Li and ¹⁰B], organic fluorescence sensitizers such as salicylic acid and 2,5-diphenyloxazole (PPO) and activator 1,4-bis-2-(5-phenyloxazolyl)-benzene (POPOP). The room-temperature sol–gel process through the addition of organic polymers is the key to the successful entrapment of the organic sensitizers and activator in inorganic matrixes. These transparent or translucent sol–gel scintillators were evaluated for alpha radiation and neutron detections.     

Aspartase-Catalyzed Preparative Scale Synthesis of 15N-Aspartic Acid

A preparative scale synthesis of ¹⁵N-aspartic acid from fumarate and ¹⁵NH₄OH catalyzed by immobilized aspartase has been developed. Immobilization of aspartase in membrane enclosed enzyme immobilization (MEEI) facilitates the separation of the enzyme from product and makes the enzyme stable and durable for multiple usage. A simple isolation procedure in total yield of 62% using perfusion ion exchange chromatography renders the procedure more practical.     

Electrochemical Detection of Human Interleukin-15 using a Graphene Oxide-Modified Screen-Printed Carbon Electrode

Biofunctionalizing a simple and disposable graphene oxide-modified screen-printed carbon electrode with anti-interleukin-15 antibodies has been successfully demonstrated for the first time for the label-free electrochemical detection of interleukin-15, a biomarker of early HIV infection. To improve the electrochemical reactivity and introduce carboxylic groups on the surface of screen-printed carbon electrode, high-quality graphene oxide was used for the modification of screen-printed carbon electrode. With simple modification of the screen-printed carbon electrode, the device exhibited satisfactory sensitivity, selectivity, stability, reproducibility, and regenerability. The immunosensor provided a detection limit of 3.51?ng?mL^?1 and a sensitivity of 0.5655?µA cm^?2?mL?ng^?1. The simply constructed immunosensor thus rendered promising device for immunoreactions on the surface of the electrode.