A General Synthetic Approach for Designing Epitope Targeted Macrocyclic Peptide Ligands.

We describe a general synthetic strategy for developing high-affinity peptide binders against specific epitopes of challenging protein biomarkers. The epitope of interest is synthesized as a polypeptide, with a detection biotin tag and a strategically placed azide (or alkyne) presenting amino acid. This synthetic epitope (SynEp) is incubated with a library of complementary alkyne or azide presenting peptides.

A chemically synthesized capture agent enables the selective, sensitive, and robust electrochemical detection of anthrax protective antigen.

We report on a robust and sensitive approach for detecting protective antigen (PA) exotoxin from Bacillus anthracis in complex media. A peptide-based capture agent against PA was developed by improving a bacteria display-developed peptide into a highly selective biligand through in situ click screening against a large, chemically synthesized peptide library. This biligand was coupled with an electrochemical enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay utilizing nanostructured gold electrodes.

Genetically engineered peptides for inorganics: study of an unconstrained bacterial display technology and bulk aluminum alloy.

The first-ever peptide biomaterial discovery using an unconstrained engineered bacterial display technology is reported. Using this approach, we have developed genetically engineered peptide binders for a bulk aluminum alloy and use molecular dynamics simulation of peptide conformational fluctuations to demonstrate sequence-dependent, structure-function relationships for metal and metal oxide interactions.

Accumulation of the cyclobutane thymine dimer in defined sequences of free and nucleosomal DNA.

Photochemical cyclobutane dimerization of adjacent thymines generates the major lesion in DNA caused by exposure to sunlight. Not all nucleotide sequences and structures are equally susceptible to this reaction or its potential to create mutations. Photostationary levels of the cyclobutane thymine dimer have now been quantified in homogenous samples of DNA reconstituted into nucleosome core particles to examine the basis for previous observations that such structures could induce a periodicity in dimer yield when libraries of heterogeneous sequences were used.

Assembly of DNA Architectures in a Non-Aqueous Solution.

In the present work, the procedures for the creation of self-assembled DNA nanostructures in aqueous and non-aqueous media are described. DNA-Surfactant complex formation renders the DNA soluble in organic solvents offering an exciting way to bridge the transition of DNA origami materials electronics applications. The DNA retains its structural features, and these unique geometries provide an interesting candidate for future electronics and nanofabrication applications with potential for new properties.

Metabolite analysis of Clostridium acetobutylicum: fermentation in a microbial fuel cell.

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were used to monitor metabolism changes in Clostridium acetobutylicum fermentations. When MFCs were inoculated with C. acetobutylicum, they generated a unique voltage output pattern where two distinct voltage peaks occurred over a weeklong period.

Modulating the ground- and excited-state oxidation potentials of diaminonaphthalene by sequential N-methylation.

A series of 1,5-diaminonaphthalene derivatives were synthesized and characterized to provide ground- and excited-state electron donors of similar structure but varying potential. Electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of the series are reported and together illustrate two opposing consequences of alkyl substitution on the aryl amines. Inductive effects of methylation are evident from the decrease in ground-state oxidation potential for derivatives containing monomethylamino substituents.