Low-Fouling and Antibacterial Polymer Brushes via Surface-Initiated Polymerization of a Mixed Zwitterionic and Cationic Monomer.

The use of surface-grafted polymer brushes with combined low-fouling and antibacterial functionality is an attractive strategy to fight biofilm formation. This report describes a new styrene derivative combining a quaternary ammonium group with a sulfobetaine group in one monomer. Surface-initiated polymerization of this monomer on titanium and a polyethylene (PE) base material gave bifunctional polymer brush layers.

Different activation of MAPKs and Akt/GSK3β after preload vs. afterload elevation.

Aims: Pressure overload (PO) and volume overload (VO) lead to concentric or eccentric hypertrophy. Previously, we could show that activation of signalling cascades differ in in vivo mouse models. Activation of these signal cascades could either be induced by intrinsic load sensing or neuro-endocrine substances like catecholamines or the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

The Bacteroidetes sp. and Produce Promiscuous Esterases With PET-Hydrolyzing Activity.

Certain members of the Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria are known to degrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Here, we describe the first functional PET-active enzymes from the Bacteroidetes phylum. Using a PETase-specific Hidden-Markov-Model- (HMM-) based search algorithm, we identified several PETase candidates from Flavobacteriaceae and Porphyromonadaceae.

Optimized production strategy of the major capsid protein HPV 16L1 non-assembly variant in E. coli.

The capsid of human papillomavirus (HPV) consists of two capsid proteins - the major capsid protein L1 and the minor capsid protein L2. Assembled virus-like particles, which only consist of L1 proteins, are successfully applied as prophylactic vaccines against HPV infections. The capsid subunits are L1-pentamers, which are also reported to protect efficiently against HPV infections in animals.