Electrochemically-responsive magnetic nanoparticles for reversible protein adsorption.

Electrochemical stimulus is a clean and simple choice of stimulating source in the field of stimuli-responsive materials. Herein, we report an electrochemically-responsive hybrid assembly of magnetic nanoparticles (FeO@SiO-PGMA-CD) and polyethylene glycol-Fc (PEG-Fc) based on the host-guest interaction between β-cyclodextrin and ferrocene groups. Through electrochemical control, the hydrophilic polymer chains can be reversibly linked to or dropped off from the surface of the magnetic nanoparticles.

Interfacing microsampling droplets and mass spectrometry by paper spray ionization for online chemical monitoring of cell culture.

In this work, the establishment of a microdialysis-paper spray ionization-mass spectrometry (MS) system was described. A homemade microdialysis module was employed for sampling, and microdroplets were generated at the outlet of the capillary conducting the dialysate. Online MS analysis of each microdroplet was immediately accomplished, interfacing by paper spray ionization.

Hybrid nanoparticles with CO-responsive shells and fluorescence-labelled magnetic cores.

CO-responsive polymer poly(N,N-diethylaminoethylmethacrylate)-modified magnetic nanoparticles (FeO@dye/SiO-PDEAEMA) were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization from the surfaces of silica coated, dye-labelled iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO@dye/SiO). TEM, FT-IR, and TGA confirmed and quantified the grafted polymer brushes. The prepared magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were fluorescence labelled, as shown by the fluorescence spectra and fluorescence microscopy images.

Evaluation of the absorption of methotrexate on cells and its cytotoxicity assay by using an integrated microfluidic device coupled to a mass spectrometer.

An integrated microfluidic device was developed for high-throughput drug screening with an online electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ESI-Q-TOF MS). The multiple gradient generator followed by an array of microscale cell culture chambers and on-chip solid-phase extraction (SPE) columns for sample pretreatment prior to mass analysis was integrated in the device which was fabricated in one single step. By using the combination system, the process for characterization of drug absorption and evaluation of cytotoxicity could be simultaneously realized.

Djrho2 is involved in regeneration of visual nerves in Dugesia japonica.

The freshwater planarian is a powerful animal model for studying regeneration and stem cell activity in vivo. During regeneration, stem cells (neoblasts in planarian) migrated to the wounding edge to re-build missing parts of the body. However, proteins involved in regulating cell migration during planarian regeneration have not been studied extensively.