Highly Specific Protein Identification by Immunoprecipitation-Mass Spectrometry Using Antifouling Microbeads.

A common method to study protein complexes is immunoprecipitation (IP), followed by mass spectrometry (thus labeled: IP-MS). IP-MS has been shown to be a powerful tool to identify protein-protein interactions. It is, however, often challenging to discriminate true protein interactors from contaminating ones.

Simultaneous Silicon Oxide Growth and Electrophoretic Deposition of Graphene Oxide.

During electrophoretic deposition of graphene oxide (GO) sheets on silicon substrates, not only deposition but also simultaneous anodic oxidation of the silicon substrate takes place, leading to a three-layered material. Scanning electron microscopy images reveal the presence of GO sheets on the silicon substrate, and this is also confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), albeit that the carbon portion increases with increasing emission angle, hinting at a thin carbon layer. With increasing applied potential and increasing conductivity of the GO solution, the carbon signal decreases, whereas the overall thickness of the added layer formed on top of the silicon substrate increases.

Systematic Comparison of Zwitterionic and Non-Zwitterionic Antifouling Polymer Brushes on a Bead-Based Platform.

Nonspecific adsorption of biomolecules to solid surfaces, a process called biofouling, is a major concern in many biomedical applications. Great effort has been made in the development of antifouling polymer coatings that are capable of repelling the nonspecific adsorption of proteins, cells, and micro-organisms. In this respect, we herein contribute to understanding the factors that determine which polymer brush results in the best antifouling coating.

Efficient and Tunable Three-Dimensional Functionalization of Fully Zwitterionic Antifouling Surface Coatings.

To enhance the sensitivity and selectivity of surface-based (bio)sensors, it is of crucial importance to diminish background signals that arise from the nonspecific binding of biomolecules, so-called biofouling. Zwitterionic polymer brushes have been shown to be excellent antifouling materials. However, for sensing purposes, antifouling does not suffice but needs to be combined with the possibility to efficiently modify the brush with recognition units.

Local Light-Induced Modification of the Inside of Microfluidic Glass Chips.

The ability to locally functionalize the surface of glass allows for myriad biomedical and chemical applications. This would be the case if the surface functionalization can be induced using light with wavelengths for which standard glass is almost transparent. To this aim, we present the first example of a photochemical modification of hydrogen-terminated glass (H-glass) with terminal alkenes.

pH response and molecular recognition in a low molecular weight peptide hydrogel.

In this article we report the preparation and characterization of a peptide-based hydrogel, which possesses characteristic rheological properties, is pH responsive and can be functionalized at its thiol function. The tripeptide N-(fluorenyl-9-methoxycarbonyl)-L-Cys(acetamidomethyl)-L-His-L-Cys-OH 1 forms stable supramolecular aggregates in water leading to hydrogels above 1.5 wt%.