From sensing interactions to controlling the interactions: a novel approach to obtain biological transistors for specific and label-free immunosensing.

Antibody-antigen interactions are shaped by the solution pH level, ionic strength, and electric fields, if present. In biological field-effect transistors (BioFETs), the interactions take place at the sensing area in which the pH level, ionic strength and electric fields are determined by the Poisson-Boltzmann equation and the boundary conditions at the solid-solution interface and the potential applied at the solution electrode. The present study demonstrates how a BioFET solution electrode potential affects the sensing area double layer pH level, ionic strength, and electric fields and in this way shapes the biological interactions at the sensing area.

Nickel-Iron-Modified 2D Metal-Organic Framework as a Tunable Precatalyst for Electrochemical Water Oxidation.

Mixed-metal metal-organic framework (MOF)-based water oxidation precatalysts have aroused a great deal of attention due to their remarkable catalytic performance. Yet, despite significant advancement in this field, there is still a need to design new MOF platforms that allow simple and systematic control over the final catalyst's metal composition. Here, we show that a Zr-BTB 2D-MOF could be used to construct a series of Ni-Fe-based oxide hydroxide water oxidation precatalysts with diverse Ni-Fe compositions.

Rational Formulation of targeted ABT-737 nanoparticles by self-assembled polypeptides and designed peptides.

Here we present the development of nanoparticles (NPs) formulations specifically designed for targeting the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins on the outer membrane of mitochondria with the drug agent ABT-737. The NPs which are self-assembled by the natural polypeptide poly gamma glutamic acid (ϒPGA) and a designed cationic and amphiphilic peptide (PFK) have been shown to target drugs toward mitochondria. In this study we systematically developed the formulation of such NPs loaded with the ABT-737 and demonstrated the cytotoxic effect of the best identified formulation on MDA-MB-231 cells.

A role of BPTF in viral oncogenicity delineated through studies of heritable Kaposi sarcoma.

Kaposi sarcoma (KS), caused by Herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8; KSHV), shows sporadic, endemic, and epidemic forms. While familial clustering of KS was previously recorded, the molecular basis of hereditary predilection to KS remains largely unknown. We demonstrate through genetic studies that a dominantly inherited missense mutation in BPTF segregates with a phenotype of classical KS in multiple immunocompetent individuals in two families.

Dynamic structure factor of undulating vesicles: finite-size and spherical geometry effects with application to neutron spin echo experiments.

We consider the dynamic structure factor (DSF) of quasi-spherical vesicles and present a generalization of an expression that was originally formulated by Zilman and Granek (ZG) for scattering from isotropically oriented quasi-flat membrane plaquettes. The expression is obtained in the form of a multi-dimensional integral over the undulating membrane surface. The new expression reduces to the original stretched exponential form in the limit of sufficiently large vesicles, i.

The Potential of PIP3 in Enhancing Wound Healing.

Given the role of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3) in modulating cellular processes such as proliferation, survival, and migration, we hypothesized its potential as a novel therapeutic agent for wound closure enhancement. In this study, PIP3 was examined in its free form or as a complex with cationic starch (Q-starch) as a carrier. The intracellular bioactivity and localization of free PIP3 and the Q-starch/PIP3 complexes were examined.

Electrochemical energy storage in an organic supercapacitor a non-electrochemical proton charge assembly.

Contrary to conventional beliefs, we show how a functional ligand that does not exhibit any redox activity elevates the charge storage capability of an electric double layer a proton charge assembly. Compared to an unsubstituted ligand, a non-redox active carboxy ligand demonstrated nearly a 4-fold increase in charge storage, impressive capacitive retention even at a rate of 900C, and approximately a 2-fold decrease in leakage currents with an enhancement in energy density up to approximately 70% a non-electrochemical route of proton charge assembly. Generalizability of these findings is presented with various non-redox active functional units that can undergo proton charge assembly in the ligand.

Self-assembled active actomyosin gels spontaneously curve and wrinkle similar to biological cells and tissues.

Living systems adopt a diversity of curved and highly dynamic shapes. These diverse morphologies appear on many length scales, from cells to tissues and organismal scales. The common driving force for these dynamic shape changes are contractile stresses generated by myosin motors in the cell cytoskeleton, that converts chemical energy into mechanical work.

Role of NMDA Receptor in High-Pressure Neurological Syndrome and Hyperbaric Oxygen Toxicity.

Professional divers exposed to pressures greater than 11 ATA (1.1 MPa) may suffer from high-pressure neurological syndrome (HPNS). Divers who use closed-circuit breathing apparatus and patients and medical attendants undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) face the risk of CNS hyperbaric oxygen toxicity (HBOTx) at oxygen pressure above 2 ATA (0.

Latency for All: Enabling Latency of Hoveyda-Grubbs Second-Generation Catalysts by Adding Phosphite Ligands.

The Hoveyda-Grubbs catalyst (, M720 Umicore) is among the most widely used catalysts in olefin metathesis reactions. Given the usefulness of and the great interest in developing latent olefin metathesis catalysts for numerous applications, we developed a method to introduce phosphite molecules as ancillary ligands into the precatalyst framework. This modification alters the geometry of the complex from an active -dichloro form to a latent -dichloro species.

Unconventional Synthesis of Metal (Ni, Co, Ag) Antimony Alloy Particles.

Bimetallic alloy materials attract interest owing to their properties and stability compared to pure metals, especially alloys with nanoscale dimensions. Metal antimony (MSb) alloys, specifically NiSb, are widely used for charge storage applications due to their high stability. Most synthetic approaches to form these materials require drastic conditions (e.

Enhanced Broadband Light Harvesting in Ultrathin Absorbers Enabled by Epitaxial Stabilization of Silver Thin Film Mirrors.

Silver thin film mirrors are attractive candidates for use as specular back reflectors to enhance broadband light absorption via strong optical interference in ultrathin film semiconductor photoabsorbers. However, deposition of metal-oxide absorbers often requires exposure to high temperature in an oxygen atmosphere, conditions that cause thermal etching and degrade the specular reflectance of silver films. Here, we overcome this challenge and demonstrate that epitaxial growth of silver mitigates thermal etching under the high-temperature oxygen-containing environments that cause polycrystalline films to degrade.

Potent inhibition of MMP-9 by a novel sustained-release platform attenuates left ventricular remodeling following myocardial infarction.

Sustained drug-release systems prolong the retention of therapeutic drugs within target tissues to alleviate the need for repeated drug administration. Two major caveats of the current systems are that the release rate and the timing cannot be predicted or fine-tuned because they rely on uncontrolled environmental conditions and that the system must be redesigned for each drug and treatment regime because the drug is bound via interactions that are specific to its structure and composition. We present a controlled and universal sustained drug-release system, which comprises minute spherical particles in which a therapeutic protein is affinity-bound to alginate sulfate (AlgS) through one or more short heparin-binding peptide (HBP) sequence repeats.

A newly identified ferritin L-subunit variant results in increased proteasomal subunit degradation, impaired complex assembly, and severe hypoferritinemia.

Ferritin is a hetero-oligomeric nanocage, composed of 24 subunits of two types, FTH1 and FTL. It protects the cell from excess reactive iron, by storing iron in its cavity. FTH1 is essential for the recruitment of iron into the ferritin nanocage and for cellular ferritin trafficking, whereas FTL contributes to nanocage stability and iron nucleation inside the cavity.

Nanoparticle Assembly: From Self-Organization to Controlled Micropatterning for Enhanced Functionalities.

Nanoparticles form long-range micropatterns via self-assembly or directed self-assembly with superior mechanical, electrical, optical, magnetic, chemical, and other functional properties for broad applications, such as structural supports, thermal exchangers, optoelectronics, microelectronics, and robotics. The precisely defined particle assembly at the nanoscale with simultaneously scalable patterning at the microscale is indispensable for enabling functionality and improving the performance of devices. This article provides a comprehensive review of nanoparticle assembly formed primarily via the balance of forces at the nanoscale (e.

Long-Term Characterization of Oxidation Processes in Graphitic Carbon Nitride Photocatalyst Materials via Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

Graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) materials have been shown to efficiently perform light-induced water splitting, carbon dioxide reduction, and environmental remediation in a cost-effective way. However, gCN suffers from rapid charge-carrier recombination, inefficient light absorption, and poor long-term stability which greatly hinders photocatalytic performance. To determine the underlying catalytic mechanisms and overall contributions that will improve performance, the electronic structure of gCN materials has been investigated using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy.

Modulating the optical properties of carbon dots by peptide condensates.

Here, we utilized designed condensates formed by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of cationic and aromatic peptide to sequester tyrosine-based carbon dots (C-dots). The C-dots fluorescence is quenched and retrieved upon partitioning and release from condensates, allowing a spatial regulation of C-dots fluorescence which can be utilized for biosensing applications.

The Mean Inner Potential of Hematite α-Fe2O3 Across the Morin Transition.

We measure the mean inner potential (MIP) of hematite, α-Fe2O3, using electron holography and transmission electron microscopy. Since the MIP is sensitive to valence electrons, we propose its use as a chemical bonding parameter for solids. Hematite can test the sensitivity of the MIP as a bonding parameter because of the Morin magnetic phase transition.

Visceral adipocyte size links obesity with dysmetabolism more than fibrosis, and both can be estimated by circulating miRNAs.

Objective: In obesity, adipocyte hypertrophy is detrimental to health, but its' interrelation with fibrosis in the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) depot remains unclear. Because VAT is less accessible via biopsy, biomarkers for VAT quality are needed. The authors hypothesized that VAT adipocyte size and fibrosis are interrelated and can be estimated by circulating microRNAs (circ-miRNAs), contributing to subphenotyping obesity.

Self-assembly at the interface of λ-carrageenan and amphiphilic and cationic peptides: More than meets the eye.

Self-assembly of macroscopic membranes at the interface between self-assembling peptides and aqueous polymer solutions of opposite charge has been explored mostly due to the membranes' unique hierarchical structure of three distinct regions, including a layer of perpendicular fibers. We report here on the formation and characterization of self-assembled membranes made with λ-carrageenan and the cationic β-sheet peptides, Pro-Lys-(Phe-Lys)-Pro (PFK). Using SAXS, SEM, ITC, and rheology, we compared these membranes' morphology and physical properties to membranes made with alginate.

Confined Heterojunction in Hollow-Structured TiO and Its Directed Effect in Photodriven Seawater Splitting.

The high salinity of seawater often strongly affects the activity and stability of photocatalysts utilized for photodriven seawater splitting. The current investigation is focused on the photocatalyst H-TiO/CuO, comprised of hydroxyl-enriched hollow mesoporous TiO microspheres containing incorporated CuO nanoparticles. The design of H-TiO/CuO is based on the hypothesis that the respective hollow and mesoporous structure and hydrophilic surfaces of TiO microspheres would stabilize CuO nanoparticles in seawater and provide efficient and selective proton adsorption.

A single filament biomechanical study of the enteropathogenic Type III secretion system reveals a high elastic aspect ratio.

Type III secretion systems (T3SSs) are syringe-like protein complexes used by some of the most harmful bacterial pathogens to infect host cells. While the T3SS filament, a long hollow conduit that bridges between bacteria and host cells, has been characterized structurally, very little is known about its physical properties. These filaments should endure shear and normal stresses imposed by the viscous mucosal flow during infection within the intestinal tract.

Carbon Nitrides from Supramolecular Crystals: From Single Atoms to Heterojunctions and Advanced Photoelectrodes.

Carbon nitride materials (CN) have become one of the most studied photocatalysts within the last 15 years. While CN absorbs visible light, its low porosity and fast electron-hole recombination hinder its photoelectric performance and have motivated the research in the modification of its physical and chemical properties (such as energy band structure, porosity, or chemical composition) by different means. In this Concept we review the utilization of supramolecular crystals as CN precursors to tailor its properties.

Polymeric Carbon Nitride with Chirality Inherited from Supramolecular Assemblies.

The facile synthesis of chiral materials is of paramount importance for various applications. Supramolecular preorganization of monomers for thermal polymerization has been proven as an effective tool to synthesize carbon and carbon nitride-based (CN) materials with ordered morphology and controlled properties. However, the transfer of an intrinsic chemical property, such as chirality from supramolecular assemblies to the final material after thermal condensation, was not shown.