Influencing the selectivity of grafted anion exchangers utilizing the solubility of the radical initiator during the graft process.

A previously published radical graft-functionalization method for the synthesis of high performance anion exchangers was further investigated to control the capacity and selectivity of the exchangers. Using a hydrophobic radical initiator instead of a hydrophilic one diminished the influence of rivaling homopolymerization of monomer during the functionalization step. Instead of only generating monomer radicals in free solution the radicals are ideally generated on top of the PS/DVB surface.

Investigations on the selectivity of grafted high performance anion exchangers and the underlying graft mechanism.

Macroporous, monodisperse PS/DVB particles with diameters of 4.0-4.6 μm were functionalized via free radical graft polymerization to create high performance anion exchangers.

Determination of urinary nucleosides via borate complexation capillary electrophoresis combined with dynamic pH junction-sweeping-large volume sample stacking as three sequential steps for their on-line enrichment.

The combination of dynamic pH junction, sweeping (using borate complexation), and large volume sample stacking (LVSS) is investigated as three consecutive steps for on-line focusing in the sensitive quantitation of urinary nucleosides by CE-UVD. A low conductivity aqueous sample matrix free from borate and a high conductivity BGE (containing borate, pH 9.25) are needed to fulfill the required conditions for dynamic pH junction, LVSS, and sweeping.

Endocytotic uptake of iron oxide nanoparticles by cultured brain microglial cells.

Microglia are the phagocytotic cells of the brain that respond rapidly to alterations in brain homeostasis. Since iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are used for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in the brain, the consequences of an exposure of microglial cells to IONPs are of particular interest. To address this topic we have synthesized and characterized fluorescent BODIPY®-labelled IONPs (BP-IONPs).