Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Laura von Lueders, Rita Tilmann, Kangho Lee, Cian Bartlam, Tanja Stimpel-Lindner, Tarja K. Nevanen, Kristiina Iljin, Kathrin C. Knirsch, Andreas Hirsch, Georg S. Duesberg
Summary: We present a controllable and specific functionalisation approach for graphene field-effect transistors (GFETs) in order to detect small physiologically active molecules. The key step involves the noncovalent functionalisation of graphene with perylene bisimide (PBI) molecules directly on the growth substrate. This method allows for the homogeneous self-assembly of PBI molecules on graphene, followed by the immobilization of antibodies. The functionalised GFET devices showed excellent performance in terms of atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and electrical measurements compared to conventional functionalisation methods. Specific sensing of small molecules such as methamphetamine and cortisol was achieved by monitoring the electrical changes of the functionalised GFET devices. The sensors were able to detect methamphetamine down to a concentration of 300 ng ml(-1).
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Abigail R. Hanby, Stephen J. Walsh, Andrew J. Counsell, Nicola Ashman, Kim T. Mortensen, Jason S. Carroll, David R. Spring
Summary: In this study, a methodology for the dual-functionalisation of IgG antibodies is developed using disulfide rebridging divinylpyrimidine technology combined with bicyclononyne and methylcyclopropene handles for sequential SPAAC and IEDDA reactions. This strategy is advantageous as it does not require metal catalysis and avoids the need for purification between functionalisation steps.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Maura J. Donohue, Maily Pham, Stephanie Brown, Kaveri M. Easwaran, Stephen Vesper, Jatin H. Mistry
Summary: This study investigated the detection methods of Legionella pneumophila in tap water samples in buildings across the United States and their performance under different water quality conditions. The results showed variations in method performance when using three culture methods and one molecular method. Water quality influenced the detection results of L. pneumophila, especially the total organic carbon and heterotrophic bacterial counts were positively correlated with its detection frequency. Therefore, water quality should be considered when selecting L. pneumophila detection methods.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jessie A. Gleason, Robert Newby, John J. Gaynor, Lee H. Lee, Tinchun Chu, Alorah D. Bliese, Calvin W. Taylor, Paul Yoon, Suzanne DeLorenzo, David Pranitis, Joe Bella
Summary: Legionella is a concern for water utilities like PVWC, as it was found to be present in some locations and time periods. The detection of Legionella DNA was higher in the summer than in the winter, and it was associated with the treatment of phosphate. Total organic carbon, copper, and nitrate were also found to be related to Legionella DNA detection.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Lucas Paladines, Walid M. Hassen, Juliana Chawich, Stefan Duebel, Simon Levesque, Jan J. Dubowski, Eric H. Frost
Summary: This study evaluated the capture of live Legionella pneumophila using polyclonal antibodies (pAb) and recombinant antibodies (recAb) and found that recAb captured one third fewer bacteria but with a lower standard deviation compared to pAb. The presence of other bacteria did not interfere with the capture process. RecAb, despite being slightly less sensitive than pAb, was found to be a better choice for immune adhesion in biosensors.
Article
Microbiology
Olga Valcina, Daina Pule, Juris Kibilds, Andzela Lazdane, Julija Trofimova, Svetlana Makarova, Genadijs Konvisers, Laima Kimse, Angelika Krumina, Aivars Berzins
Summary: This study assessed the prevalence and genetic diversity of Legionella spp. in hotel water supply systems in Latvia. The results showed that 58.8% of the hotels had at least one positive sample, with an overall positivity rate of 28.2%. The most common serogroup found was SG3.
Article
Microbiology
William J. Rhoads, Meril Sindelar, Celine Margot, Nadine Graf, Frederik Hammes
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the decrease in building occupancy and water demand raised concerns about the increased occurrence of Legionella and Legionnaires' disease. Many people flushed their water systems as a preventative measure, but the impact of low water demand on Legionella growth was found to be more complex than previously assumed. Flushing practices, particularly in boiler systems, may inadvertently mobilize Legionella present in biofilms and sediment.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elaheh Allahyari, Federica Carraturo, Arianna De Risi, Antonio Nappo, Michela Morelli, Alessia Cajora, Marco Guida
Summary: This study explores the inactivation of two Legionella species, L. pneumophila and L. dumoffii, using a UV-A LED system. The results show that a UV-A dose of 1700 mJ/cm(2) can achieve 99.9% inactivation of L. pneumophila and 99.1% inactivation of L. dumoffii. The UV-A LED system is more economic and efficient compared to UV-C and UV-B LEDs.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Styliani Dimitra Papagianeli, Zafeiro Aspridou, Spyros Didos, Dimosthenis Chochlakis, Anna Psaroulaki, Konstantinos Koutsoumanis
Summary: A predictive mathematical model was developed to describe the effect of temperature on the inactivation of Legionella pneumophila in water. The model was validated under dynamic temperature conditions and shown to effectively predict pathogen inactivation and translate water temperature profiles to cell number reduction. This model, used in combination with temperature monitoring, can provide an integrated preventive approach for effective control of Legionella pneumophila in plumbing systems.
Article
Microbiology
Anita Rakic, Darija Vukic Lusic, Anamarija Jurcev Savicevic
Summary: This study evaluated Legionella colonization in hotel hot water systems and found that metal concentrations and piping materials were related to Legionella proliferation. Higher concentrations of calcium and magnesium ions increased the risk of Legionella colonization.
Article
Microbiology
David Otto Schwake, Absar Alum, Morteza Abbaszadegan
Summary: Legionella, an environmental pathogen causing respiratory diseases, can be transmitted from various sources due to its ability to survive in different environments. While most research focuses on cooling towers and premise plumbing, less common environments where Legionella occurs are often neglected. By summarizing studies on Legionella in different environments, this review aims to provide a resource for future researchers to investigate these pathogens in relevant sources.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
D. Eble, V Gehrig, P. Schubert-Ullrich, R. Koeppel, H. P. Fuechslin
Summary: This study proposes the use of multiplex PCR to confirm Legionella colonies, allowing for faster detection of positive colonies with higher specificity. Analysis from two laboratories showed that the PCR technique has higher specificity.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sebastien P. Faucher, Sara Matthews, Arvin Nickzad, Passoret Vounba, Deeksha Shetty, Emilie Bedard, Michele Prevost, Eric Deziel, Kiran Paranjape
Summary: Pseudomonas species in cooling towers, specifically P. alcaliphila, can inhibit the growth of Legionella pneumophila by producing toxoflavin.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bryan A. Wee, Joana Alves, Diane S. J. Lindsay, Ann-Brit Klatt, Fiona A. Sargison, Ross L. Cameron, Amy Pickering, Jamie Gorzynski, Jukka Corander, Pekka Marttinen, Bastian Opitz, Andrew J. Smith, J. Ross Fitzgerald
Summary: The authors analyzed the genomes of 902 clinical and environmental isolates of Legionella pneumophila, and identified a bacterial gene strongly associated with human infection and resistance to complement-mediated killing.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Richard N. L. Terrett, George Tsekouras, Takuya Tsuzuki, Gerhard F. Swiegers, Ronald J. Pace, Robert Stranger
Summary: Graphenic carbon as a support material in catalytic electrodes shows excellent electrical properties and flexibility, allowing for diverse routes for the covalent attachment of candidate catalytic species. Research has found that the flexibility of graphene sheets and the conformational degrees of freedom of candidate edge functionalization permit a wide variety of realistic attachment geometries for manganese oxide particles. Simplified models of graphene attachment offer a good compromise between computational efficiency, tractability, and accuracy.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Long Yang, Siyu Chen, Tieliang Shang, Rui Zhao, Bo Yuan, Xiangdong Zhu, Maria Grazia Raucci, Xiao Yang, Xingdong Zhang, Matteo Santin, Luigi Ambrosio
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shafq Al-azzawi, Dhafir Masheta, Anna Guildford, Gary Phillips, Matteo Santin
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Daire Cantillon, Justyna Wroblewska, Ian Cooper, Melanie J. Newport, Simon J. Waddell
Summary: This study investigates the formation of mycobacteria biofilms in low-shear detergent-free liquid suspension, revealing that the biofilm-derived planktonic bacilli are tolerant to isoniazid and streptomycin, but not rifampicin. Transcriptional profiling shows induction of key genes in these biofilms, offering new pathways for drug discovery in tuberculosis.
NPJ BIOFILMS AND MICROBIOMES
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
B. Halamoda-Kenzaoui, R. J. Vandebriel, A. Howarth, M. Siccardi, C. A. W. David, N. J. Liptrott, M. Santin, S. E. Borgos, S. Bremer-Hoffmann, F. Caputo
Summary: Nanotechnology-based health products are providing innovative solutions to unmet clinical needs, but standardized methods are needed for quality and safety assessments before clinical translation. This study identifies methodological gaps in the preclinical characterization of nanotechnology-based medicinal products and medical devices, highlighting the need for further research and development in areas such as interaction with complex biological media.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Valeria Perugini, Matteo Santin
Summary: PhenoDrive-Y, a new ECM-derived substrate, shows superior ability in driving MSCs to form 3D spheroids with high pluripotency marker expression and paracrine activity. Compared to Matrigel, PhenoDrive-Y leads to a more consolidated tubular network of endothelial cells and the formation of MSCs spheroids resembling perivascular stem cell niche histological features. The biomimicking properties of PhenoDrive-Y enhance stemness, renewal potential, migration predisposition, and paracrine activities of MSCs, as shown by relevant marker expressions.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Valeria Perugini, Ruth Schmid, Yrr Morch, Isabelle Texier, Martin Brodde, Matteo Santin
Summary: The development of drug nanocarriers has enabled precision medicine, but a specific regulatory framework is needed to ensure safety and reliability. This study proposes a multistep protocol to evaluate the hemocompatibility of nanocarriers, demonstrating sensitivity and reproducibility.
DRUG DELIVERY AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Orode U. Aniejurengho, Steve T. Meikle, Matteo Santin
Summary: This paper presents the development of synthetic nanostructured carriers that can form complexes with bacteriophage DNA and penetrate bacterial cells. The study demonstrates that Gen3K can effectively complex with bacteriophage DNA, maintain its replicative ability, and potentially serve as a reliable alternative to antibiotics. The carriers also show low cytotoxicity.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS PART N-JOURNAL OF NANOMATERIALS NANOENGINEERING AND NANOSYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Angelo Santoro, Manuela Grimaldi, Michela Buonocore, Ilaria Stillitano, Antonio Gloria, Matteo Santin, Fabrizio Bobba, Matilde Sublimi Saponetti, Elena Ciaglia, Anna Maria D'Ursi
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaques. Many molecules targeting A beta peptides and anti-A beta monoclonal antibodies have been screened as potential drug candidates. In this study, short peptide sequences were designed based on the binding sites of A beta(1-42)/antibodies, and two peptides, WAibH and SYSTPGK, were identified as mimics of solanezumab and aducanumab, respectively. These antibody-derived peptides were found to interact with soluble A beta(1-42) and control its aggregation.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Melania Maglio, Maria Sartori, Alessandro Gambardella, Tatiana Shelyakova, Valentin Alek Dediu, Matteo Santin, Yolanda Pineiro, Manuel Banobre Lopez, Jose Rivas, Anna Tampieri, Simone Sprio, Lucia Martini, Alessandro Gatti, Alessandro Russo, Gianluca Giavaresi, Milena Fini
Summary: The use of functionalized scaffolds incorporated with superparamagnetic nanoparticles and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection into a magnetic scaffold resulted in increased bone regeneration in a large bone defect in sheep metatarsus. The magnetic field generated by implanted magnets allowed the capture of the injected nanoparticles, forming a VEGF gradient in the scaffold's porosity. Histomorphometric measurements showed improved bone growth and bone-to-implant contact, while atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis revealed similar nanomechanical behavior of the regenerated tissue to the magnetic field distribution. This study demonstrates the potential of magnetic technologies combined with functionalized scaffolds to enhance bone formation and improve bone/scaffold interaction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Valeria Perugini, Matteo Santin
Summary: In this study, hyperbranched poly-L-lysine dendrons presenting the KLVFF peptide sequence were designed to improve its stability and inhibitory effect on A beta(1-42) fibril formation. These branched KLVFF peptides were used to functionalise the surface of an optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy sensor, enabling more specific, accurate, and rapid measurement of A beta(1-42) compared to linear KLVFF peptides.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michela Buonocore, Angelo Santoro, Manuela Grimaldi, Verdiana Covelli, Mohammad Firoznezhad, Manuela Rodriquez, Matteo Santin, Anna Maria D'Ursi
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus that constantly evolves through mutations, leading to the emergence of variants with enhanced transmissibility and pathogenicity. This study presents a simplified system to study the effects of mutations on the binding between SARS-CoV-2 S protein and ACE2 receptor. By synthesizing and studying short amino acid sequences, the researchers found that a single amino acid mutation can predictably affect the binding between S protein and ACE2 receptor.
Editorial Material
Engineering, Biomedical
Shirin Saberianpour, Gianluca Melotto, Rachel Forss, Lucy Redhead, Jacqueline Elsom, Nadia Terrazzini, Susan Sandeman, Dipak Sarker, Giselda Bucca, Andrew Hesketh, Cyril Crua, Matteo Santin
EXPERT REVIEW OF MEDICAL DEVICES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michela Buonocore, Manuela Grimaldi, Angelo Santoro, Verdiana Covelli, Carmen Marino, Enza Napolitano, Sara Novi, Mario Felice Tecce, Elena Ciaglia, Francesco Montella, Valentina Lopardo, Valeria Perugini, Matteo Santin, Anna Maria D'Ursi
Summary: Antibodies are highly specific in recognizing biomarkers, but they are expensive to produce and have limited tissue penetration. Peptides, on the other hand, offer advantages such as ease of synthesis and modification, and can be tagged for detection. This study presents a strategy to design peptide sequences that can recognize the CD44 hyaluronic acid receptor, and identifies two peptide sequences that can bind to the receptor with sensitivity and selectivity. This peptide has the potential to be used as an alternative to antibodies in conventional immunostaining, and can be applied in regenerative medicine and biomedical applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Alessandro Surpi, Mauro Murgia, Sonia Lopez-Amoedo, Manuel A. Gonzalez-Gomez, Yolanda Pineiro, Jose Rivas, Valeria Perugini, Matteo Santin, Tomas Sobrino, Pierpaolo Greco, Francisco Campos, Valentin Alek Dediu
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly, and there is an urgent need to develop diagnostic methods for early detection. This study introduces a novel technology for extracting molecular biomarkers of AD from clinical samples, improving diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity.
JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Valeria Perugini, Samuel M. Flaherty, Matteo Santin
Summary: This study demonstrates the formation of bioengineered pancreatic islets through cell anchoring to a gelatine-based biomaterial, which can serve as a model and alternative method for diabetes research and treatment.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN MEDICINE
(2022)