Elastic properties of DNA linked flexible magnetic filaments.

Elastic properties of magnetic filaments linked by DNA in solutions of univalent and bivalent salts with different pH values are investigated through their deformation in an external field. A strong dependence of the bending modulus in bivalent salt solution on the pH is shown. Experimental results are interpreted on the basis of the magnetic elastica.

Detection of Escherichia coli in biofilms from pipe samples and coupons in drinking water distribution networks.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used for direct detection of Escherichia coli on pipe surfaces and coupons in drinking water distribution networks. Old cast iron main pipes were removed from water distribution networks in France, England, Portugal, and Latvia, and E. coli was analyzed in the biofilm.

Proteasomal degradation of core protein variants from chronic hepatitis B patients.

The accumulation of complex hepatitis B virus (HBV) variants with internal in-frame deletions in the C gene in immunosuppressed renal transplant recipients is associated with a severe course of the infection leading to end-stage liver disease (ESLD). A set of six HBV C genes with internal in-frame deletions corresponding to the pattern of HBV population in immunosuppressed patients has been expressed in two different eukaryotic cell lines. Synthesis and proteasomal degradation of HBV core (HBc) protein variants were compared with those of the wild-type HBc.

Dynamics of magnetotactic bacteria in a rotating magnetic field.

The dynamics of the motile magnetotactic bacterium Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense in a rotating magnetic field is investigated experimentally and analyzed by a theoretical model. These elongated bacteria are propelled by single flagella at each bacterial end and contain a magnetic filament formed by a linear assembly of approximately 40 ferromagnetic nanoparticles. The movements of the bacteria in suspension are analyzed by consideration of the orientation of their magnetic dipoles in the field, the hydrodynamic resistance of the bacteria, and the propulsive force of the flagella.

Site-specific labelling with a metal chelator for protein-structure refinement.

A single free Cys sidechain in the N-terminal domain of the E. coli arginine repressor was covalently derivatized with S-cysteaminyl-EDTA for site-specific attachment of paramagnetic metal ions. The effects of chelated metal ions were monitored with (15)N-HSQC spectra.