Coating of titanium implant materials with thin polymeric films for binding the signaling protein BMP2

A fast and simple approach for immobilization using copolymers as interlayers is reported. The synthesized copolymers form stable self-assembled layers on implant materials like, e.g., titanium in a simple coating/drying/washing sequence and have functional groups which can bind proteins from an aqueous solution. The copolymer films have been characterized via ellipsometry and contact angle measurements and were tested for biocompatibility. An immunoassay was used to determine the amount of BMP2 and demonstrated an approximately 10-fold increase as compared to previously used self-assembled monolayers. A BMP2-responsive cell line with luciferase detection was used to determine the biological activity of the bound signaling protein.     

DKxanthene biosynthesis--understanding the basis for diversity-oriented synthesis in myxobacterial secondary metabolism

The DKxanthenes are a family of yellow pigments which play a critical role in myxobacterial development. Thirteen unique structures from Myxococcus xanthus DK1622 differ in the length of their characteristic polyene functionality, as well as the extent of methyl branching. We aimed to understand the mechanistic basis for this "molecular promiscuity" by analyzing the gene cluster in DK1622, and comparing it to the DKxanthene biosynthetic locus in a second myxobacterium, Stigmatella aurantiaca DW4/3-1, which produces a more limited range of compounds. While the core biosynthetic machinery is highly conserved, M. xanthus contains a putative asparagine hydroxylase function which is not present in S. aurantiaca. This observation accounts, in part, for the significantly larger metabolite family in M. xanthus. Detailed analysis of the encoded hybrid polyketide synthase (PKS)-nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) assembly line provides direct evidence for the mechanism underlying the variable polyene length and the observed pattern of methyl functionalities.     

Decoherence due to elastic Rayleigh scattering

We present theoretical and experimental studies of the decoherence of hyperfine ground-state superpositions due to elastic Rayleigh scattering of light off resonant with higher lying excited states. We demonstrate that under appropriate conditions, elastic Rayleigh scattering can be the dominant source of decoherence, contrary to previous discussions in the literature. We show that the elastic-scattering decoherence rate of a two-level system is given by the square of the difference between the elastic-scattering amplitudes for the two levels, and that for certain detunings of the light, the amplitudes can interfere constructively even when the elastic-scattering rates from the two levels are equal. We confirm this prediction through calculations and measurements of the total decoherence rate for a superposition of the valence electron spin levels in the ground state of 9Be+ in a 4.5?T magnetic field.     

Tunable, passively Q-switched single-longitudinal-mode Nd:YVO4 laser using a chirped volume Bragg grating

A Nd:YVO₄ laser was locked with a chirped volume Bragg grating to achieve single-longitudinal-mode output. Tuning was performed from 1,063 to 1,065?nm by translating the grating and a maximum output power of 4?W was obtained. With a Cr⁴⁺:YAG saturable absorber, Q-switched pulses with 4?ns and a pulse energy of 5.7???J were achieved which could be frequency doubled in PPKTP with a conversion efficiency exceeding 50?%.     

Single cell manipulation, analytics, and label-free protein detection in microfluidic devices for systems nanobiology

Single cell analytics for proteomic analysis is considered a key method in the framework of systems nanobiology which allows a novel proteomics without being subjected to ensemble-averaging, cell-cycle, or cell-population effects. We are currently developing a single cell analytical method for protein fingerprinting combining a structured microfluidic device with latest optical laser technology for single cell manipulation (trapping and steering), free-solution electrophoretical protein separation, and (label-free) protein detection. In this paper we report on first results of this novel analytical device focusing on three main issues. First, single biological cells were trapped, injected, steered, and deposited by means of optical tweezers in a poly(dimethylsiloxane) microfluidic device and consecutively lysed with SDS at a predefined position. Second, separation and detection of fluorescent dyes, amino acids, and proteins were achieved with LIF detection in the visible (VIS) (488 nm) as well as in the deep UV (266 nm) spectral range for label-free, native protein detection. Minute concentrations of 100 fM injected fluorescein could be detected in the VIS and a first protein separation and label-free detection could be achieved in the UV spectral range. Third, first analytical experiments with single Sf9 insect cells (Spodoptera frugiperda) in a tailored microfluidic device exhibiting distinct electropherograms of a green fluorescent protein-construct proved the validity of the concept. Thus, the presented microfluidic concept allows novel and fascinating single cell experiments for systems nanobiology in the future.     

Characteristics of supercontinuum generationin tapered fibers using femtosecond laser pulses

Drawing single mode fibers over a flame generates tapered fibers with waist diameters of approximately 1–3 micrometers and waist lengths of up to 90?mm. We demonstrate how the profile of such tapered fibers can be determined. We then characterize the white light that is generated in a variety of such fibers, showing its dependence on waist length and waist diameter and demonstrating its dependence on pulse parameters such as pulse duration, spectral position, and pulse power. A comparison with theoretical calculations using a nonlinear Schrödinger equation model including Kerr nonlinearities is given. Furthermore, we show XFROG spectrograms of the pulses propagating through tapered fibers, confirming the model of soliton splitting in the anomalous dispersion regime.     

Characterization of Chlorine‐, Amine‐ and Acrylate‐Functionalized TEMPO‐Capped and Bis‐TEMPO‐Capped Polystyrenes Using MALDI‐TOF MS

Chlorine‐functionalized TEMPO‐capped polystyrenes were investigated using the matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) technique. Amine‐ and acrylate‐functionalized agents and bifunctional TEMPO‐capped polystyrene were also analyzed to demonstrate the applicability of this method. Using this technique allowed to analyze the conversion of the chlorine function to an acrylate function, which was previously difficult to detect with other methods.

MALDI‐TOF mass spectrum of a polystyrene described in this article, as obtained with DHB as the matrix.     

Enantiospecific formal total syntheses of (-)-salicylihalamides A and B from D-glucose and L-rhamnose

[reaction: see text] Two formal chiral pool syntheses of the (-)-salicylihalamides A and B were achieved from commercially available 1,2,5,6-diacetone-d-glucose and l-rhamnose.