Mapping of possible prion protein self-interaction domains using peptide arrays

Background  

The common event in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases is the conversion of host-encoded protease sensitive cellular prion protein (PrP^C) into strain dependent isoforms of scrapie associated protease resistant isoform (PrP^Sc) of prion protein (PrP). These processes are determined by similarities as well as strain dependent variations in the PrP structure. Selective self-interaction between PrP molecules is the most probable basis for initiation of these processes, potentially influenced by chaperone molecules, however the mechanisms behind these processes are far from understood. We previously determined that polymorphisms do not affect initial PrP^C to PrP^Sc binding but rather modulate a subsequent step in the conversion process. Determining possible sites of self-interaction could elucidate which amino acid(s) or amino acid sequences contribute to binding and further conversion into other isoforms. To this end, ovine – and bovine PrP peptide-arrays consisting of 15-mer overlapping peptides were probed with recombinant sheep PrP^C fused to maltose binding protein (MBP-PrP).     

Studies on photoinduced effects in pulse-electrodeposited Ag/Hg-1212/CdSe hetero-nanostructures

Metal/superconductor/semiconductor (Ag/Hg-1212/CdSe) hetero-nanostructures have been fabricated using pulse-electrodeposition technique and are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. The junction capacitance of Ag/Hg-1212, Hg-1212/CdSe and Ag/Hg-1212/CdSe heterojunctions is measured in dark and under laser irradiation at room temperature. The nature of the junction formed and built-in-junction potentials were determined. The increase in carrier concentration across the junction due to photo-irradiation has been observed.     

Effect of laser irradiation of C-V characteristics of electrodeposited Ag/Tl-2223/CdSe hetero-nanostructures

One of the innovative technological directions for the high-temperature superconductors has been persued by fabricating the heteroepitaxial multilayer structures such as superconductor-semiconductor heterostructures. In the present investigation, metal/superconductor/semiconductor (Ag/Tl-2223/CdSe) hetero-nanostructures have successfully been fabricated using dc electrodeposition technique and were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. The measurement of junction capacitance as a function of biasing voltage was used for the estimation of junction built-in-potential (V _D) and to study the charge distribution in a heterojunction. The Mott-Schottky plots were measured for each junction in dark and under the photo-irradiation. The effect of laser irradiation on C-V characteristics of hetero-nanostructure has been studied.     

Polaronic aspects of spin polarized hydrogen of films of liquid He

We have studied the interaction of a collection of 2-D spin polarized hydrogen (H↓) atoms with the ripplon modes of a superfluid liquid helium film. From the deformation correction to the effective H↓He potential we derive the H↓-ripplon interaction Hamiltonian. We find that a weak coupling polaron state can form and we make specific predictions for the change in H↓ energy and effective mass which arise as a consequence. We also make a direct comparison (in coordinate space) of the ripplon mediated ↓-H↓ interaction, V_R(r), with the usual H↓H↓ interaction V(r).     

Shift in cyclotron resonance of electrons on liquid helium surfaces

We calculate the increase in cyclotron resonance frequency for electrons trapped within dimples on a liquid helium surface, when a vertical electric field is applied in addition to the strong vertical magnetic field.     

Inelastic electron scattering in nickel

Using a 200 keV electron spectrometer, with an energy resolution of ～0.25 eV and a momentum resolution of ～0.2 A^-1, we have measured the energy loss spectra for transmission of electrons through thin (～600 Å) Ni films. These results address the general question of the validity of momentum transfer estimates in electron loss scattering.Using low-energy electron backscattering, we have observed the dipole forbidden M₁ transition at 112 eV. For high-energy scattering, we have observed this transition only at high momentum transfer (q? 2 A^-1). These results indicates sizable contributions from high momentum transfer collisions in the low-energy experiments.