Article
Environmental Sciences
Li Wang, Yun-Shan Liang, Zhi-Bin Wu, Yi-Song Liu, Yun-Hua Xiao, Teng Hu, Rong Gao, Jun Fang, Jiao Liu, Ai Ping Wu
Summary: In this study, the interactions between Cry1Ac protein and metal ions (Zn2+ and Cd2+) were investigated using spectroscopies and molecular docking methods. The results showed that both Zn2+ and Cd2+ quenched the fluorescence intensity of Cry1Ac protein through static quenching, indicating the existence of non-radiative energy transfer. This study is important for understanding the transport effect of heavy metals in the presence of Cry1Ac and the toxicity risk of metal ions-Cry1Ac binding interactions.
Article
Oncology
Hussein Mehidine, Bertrand Devaux, Pascale Varlet, Darine Abi Haidar
Summary: Surgical removal is currently the standard method for brain tumor treatment, but accurately delimitating tumor boundaries during surgery remains challenging. A team is developing an intraoperative multimodal imaging tool to help neurosurgeons improve the surgical act. Comparison of samples showed that the tool can accurately discriminate different types of brain tissues.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yijia Jia, Yishan Fu, Hui Man, Xinyue Yan, Yuyang Huang, Shiyan Sun, Baokun Qi, Yang Li
Summary: The mechanisms of interaction between different dietary flavonoids and soybean proteins were investigated, revealing that certain flavonoids can alter the conformation and functional properties of soybean proteins, leading to improved solubility, emulsifying properties, thermal stability, and antioxidant capacity.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Leigh A. Stoddart, Joelle Goulding, Stephen J. Briddon
Summary: Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is a quantitative spectroscopy technique that has the potential to study the function of membrane proteins, especially with the recent application of native extraction techniques. It can be routinely used in membrane protein drug discovery.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Ekaterina Lisitsyna, Alexander Efimov, Clementine Depresle, Pierre Cauchois, Elina Vuorimaa-Laukkanen, Timo Laaksonen, Nikita Durandin
Summary: This research utilized fluorescence properties to comprehensively characterize self-assembled materials, obtaining multiple key parameters using a single sensor, providing a unified method for studying the structure of supramolecular polymers and their self-assembly processes.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hongyan Zhang, Jiandong Yu, Lisha Ma, Yue Zhao, Shujun Xu, Jingbin Shi, Ke Qian, Mancang Gu, Hongsheng Tan, Li Xu, Yun Liu, Chaofeng Mu, Yang Xiong
Summary: The study successfully synthesized a simple and biocompatible polymer of metformin called PolyMet, which showed potential in reversing MDR. Combining PolyMet with DOX and coating them with a lipid membrane to form LPPD nanoparticles, it effectively treated drug-resistant breast cancer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jaroslaw Czubinski
Summary: gamma-Conglutin is a protein found in lupin seeds that has the ability to reduce glucose levels in the blood. Research on the insulin-binding ability of gamma-Conglutin has been limited, but recent studies have successfully determined the binding parameters of the insulin-gamma-Conglutin complex. This information can help explain the hypoglycemic activity of gamma-Conglutin.
Review
Polymer Science
Sascha Schmitt, Lutz Nuhn, Matthias Barz, Hans-Jurgen Butt, Kaloian Koynov
Summary: The use of nanoparticles as carriers for therapeutic agents is promising, and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy is a versatile tool for characterization of these carriers.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Linlin Deng, Lorenzo Albertazzi, Anja R. A. Palmans
Summary: The controlled folding of synthetic polymer chains into single-chain polymeric nanoparticles (SCPNs) in water is a viable method for creating compartmentalized, nanometer-sized structures for various biological applications. Understanding the relationship between polymer microstructure and folded structure stability is crucial. Through introducing a solvatochromic dye and using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques, the study found that the polymer's microstructure plays a vital role in ensuring nanoparticle stability in competitive environments.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Sarah E. Ochmann, Tim Schroeder, Clara M. Schulz, Philip Tinnefeld
Summary: This study presents a DNA origami-based sensor for detecting membrane surface charges and quantitatively measuring energy transfer between differently charged membranes. The sensor provides a high spatial resolution to investigate lipid membranes on the nanoscale and complements previously published genetically encoded sensors.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Steven Shave, Nhan T. Pham, Manfred Auer
Summary: Competition assays are commonly used experimental methods in drug screening. However, the simplistic assumption that low affinity ligands are more easily displaced than high affinity ligands can lead to misinterpretation of data. In this study, the researchers developed the CLAffinity tool to simulate competition experiments and determine the optimum affinity range for labeled ligands, improving the sensitivity and accuracy of primary screens.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND MODELING
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jesus Fernandez-Sainz, Pedro J. Pacheco-Linan, Consuelo Ripoll, Joaquin Gonzalez-Fuentes, Jose Albaladejo, Ivan Bravo, Andres Garzon-Ruiz
Summary: This study investigated the binding processes of two Polo-like kinase inhibitors, RO3280 and GSK461364, to the human serum albumin (HSA) protein and the protonation equilibria of both compounds. The charge states of RO3280 and GSK461364 were found to be +2 and +1, respectively, at physiological pH. The binding constants to site I of HSA were determined to be 2.23 x 10(6) M-1 and 8.80 x 10(4) M-1 for RO3280 and GSK461364, respectively. The binding processes of RO3280 and GSK461364 to HSA were driven by entropy and enthalpy, respectively. The positive enthalpy observed for the formation of the RO3280-HSA complex could be attributed to the proton pre-equilibrium of RO3280.
MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Satyajit Patra, Jean-Benoit Claude, Jean-Valere Naubron, Jerome Wenger
Summary: G-quadruplexes (GQs) are a non-canonical form of DNA that have potential applications in antiviral and anticancer drug treatments. The interaction between RGG and GQs is predominantly driven by electrostatics, but also maintains a specific affinity between the RGG sequence and the GQs structure.Single molecule experiments at micromolar concentration are key for understanding the function of GQs and developing therapeutic applications.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jie Yu, Yan Zhang, Yanping Zhao, Xuxiang Zhang, Hongqiang Ren
Summary: Accurate detection of phosphate in water is crucial for preventing water eutrophication and ensuring water quality. A bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)-based biosensor was developed in this study, which can detect phosphate in water quickly, sensitively, and selectively.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Katrin H. P. Vu, Ming-Che Lee, Gerhard H. Blankenburg, Yu-Jen Chang, Ming-Lee Chu, Andreas Erbe, Leonardo Lesser-Rojas, Yun-Ru Chen, Chia-Fu Chou
Summary: The study introduces a versatile platform using sub-10 nm nanogap electrodes for manipulating and sensing biomolecules in physiological conditions at a low copy number. This platform traps molecules via dielectrophoresis (DEP) across the nanogap, serving as a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy hotspot. The platform is demonstrated to be useful in studying the structural differences between A beta 40 and ZnA beta 40 peptides at different aggregation stages in physiologically relevant concentrations and in a solution phase.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Beatrix-Kamelia Seidlhofer, Bujar Jerliu, Marcus Trapp, Erwin Hueger, Sebastian Risse, Robert Cubitt, Harald Schmidt, Roland Steitz, Matthias Ballauff
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sebastian Risse, Natalia A. Canas, Norbert Wagner, Eneli Hark, Matthias Ballauff, K. Andreas Friedrich
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2016)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guang Yang, Xiang Zhang, Zdravko Kochovski, Yufei Zhang, Bin Dai, Fuji Sakai, Lin Jiang, Yan Lu, Matthias Ballauff, Xueming Li, Cong Liu, Guosong Chen, Ming Jiang
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2016)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Qidi Ran, Xiao Xu, Pradip Dey, Shun Yu, Yan Lu, Joachim Dzubiella, Rainer Haag, Matthias Ballauff
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2018)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Stefano Angioletti-Uberti, Matthias Ballauff, Joachim Dzubiella
Article
Polymer Science
Jacek Walkowiak, Yan Lu, Michael Gradzielski, Stefan Zauscher, Matthias Ballauff
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jacek Janusz Walkowiak, Matthias Ballauff, Ralf Zimmermann, Uwe Freudenberg, Carsten Werner
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Daniel Besold, Sebastian Risse, Yan Lu, Joachim Dzubiella, Matthias Ballauff
Summary: The kinetic study on the reduction of 4-nitrophenol with borohydride catalyzed by silver nanoparticles showed that the particles are immobilized deep inside a PNIPAM hydrogel shell. A kinetic model related to the analysis of the reaction catalyzed by gold was presented, with results fitting well and indicating the substantial influence of NH2 adsorption on the kinetics of silver. The study also revealed a non-Arrhenius dependency of the reaction rate at different temperatures, caused by the thermoresponsive PNIPAM hydrogel, and provided insights into the partitioning coefficients of reactants and products in PNIPAM-based catalysts.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Arne Ronneburg, Luca Silvi, Joshaniel Cooper, Karsten Harbauer, Matthias Ballauff, Sebastian Risse
Summary: The lithiation of crystalline silicon was studied using operando neutron reflectometry over six cycles, revealing the effects of an artificial aluminum oxide coating on suppressing the solid electrolyte interphase layer-related aging effects and increasing lithium trapping. Two distinct zones with high and low lithium concentrations were found in the silicon, separated by a broadening sharp interface. Neutron reflectometry, electrochemical analysis, and impedance spectroscopy were used to quantify lithium distribution and consumption within the silicon.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jacek J. Walkowiak, Matthias Ballauff
Summary: The theoretical model presented in this study accounts for the free energy Delta G(b) of complex formation between a highly charged polyelectrolyte and a protein, taking into consideration the effect of released counterions and the uptake or release of water molecules. The model can describe the dependence of Delta G(b) on temperature and salt concentration, with an increase in salt concentration making counterion release less effective for binding and leading to a more advantageous release of water molecules during complex formation. Experimental data on complex formation between synthetic and natural polyelectrolytes and proteins shows agreement with the theory.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chuanxiong Nie, Anil Kumar Sahoo, Roland R. Netz, Andreas Herrmann, Matthias Ballauff, Rainer Haag
Summary: The novel SARS-CoV-2 mutant Omicron, with its over 60 mutations, is likely to spread and dominate worldwide. The higher infection potential of Omicron may be attributed to the increased occurrence of positively charged amino acids in its spike protein, resulting in enhanced binding to cellular receptors.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Weronika Malicka, Rainer Haag, Matthias Ballauff
Summary: This study presents a thermodynamic investigation of the interaction between heparin and lysozyme in the presence of potassium glutamate (KGlu). The results show that increasing KGlu concentration decreases the binding free energy due to counterion release and changes in hydration. The characteristic temperature in the presence of KGlu is smaller than that in the presence of NaCl, and the change in specific heat becomes more negative with increasing salt concentration.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dusica Maysinger, Issan Zhang, Pei You Wu, Marten Kagelmacher, Haiming Daniel Luo, Jayachandran N. Kizhakkedathu, Jens Dernedde, Matthias Ballauf, Rainer Haag, Adeola Shobo, Gerhard Multhaup, R. Anne McKinney
Summary: The objective of this study was to investigate the interaction between polyglycerols with sulfate or sialic acid functional groups and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). The study aimed to determine if polyglycerols could prevent the loss of morphological plasticity in excitatory neurons in the hippocampus. The results suggest that dendritic and linear polyglycerols can interact with HMGB1 and prevent dendritic spine loss in excitatory neurons.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Uwe Freudenberg, Passant Atallah, Jens-Uwe Sommer, Carsten Werner, Matthias Ballauff
Summary: A model is proposed to explain the interaction between biological signaling proteins and highly charged polymer networks. The model takes into account the immobilization of counterions on highly charged chains and the Donnan equilibrium between the network and the aqueous solution. The model accurately compares with experimental data on biohybrid polymer networks interacting with signaling proteins.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Matthias Ballauff
Summary: This article investigates the transition of proteins in aqueous solution with various salts or uncharged solutes. A phenomenological model is presented to describe the effect of solute concentration on transition temperature, taking into account the change in the number of counterions and hydration. The results highlight the influence of ions and hydration on the free energy of transition, providing insights into the physical mechanisms underlying protein transitions.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yiping Yin, Zhe Wang, Hua Zou
Summary: This study presents a novel method for preparing dimpled polymer-silica nanocomposite particles using interfacial swelling-based seeded polymerization. The optimized conditions allow for a relatively high percentage of dimpled particles to be achieved.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Brenden D. Hoehn, Elizabeth A. Kellstedt, Marc A. Hillmyer
Summary: Porous materials with nanometer-scale pores have important applications as nanoporous membranes. In this study, ABA triblock copolymers were used as precursors to produce nanoporous polymeric membranes (NPMs) in thin film form by degrading the end blocks. Polycyclooctene (PCOE) NPMs with tunable pore sizes were successfully prepared using solvent casting technique. Oxygen plasma etching was employed to improve the surface porosity and hydrophilicity of the membranes. This study provides a straightforward method to produce tough NPMs with high porosity and hydrophilic surface properties.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Vladislav S. Petrovskii, Stepan I. Zholudev, Igor I. Potemkin
Summary: This article investigates the behavior of linear and ring polypeptide chains in aqueous solution and explores the properties of the complexes formed by these chains with oppositely charged surfactants. The results demonstrate that the complexes of linear supercharged unfolded polypeptides and the corresponding surfactants exhibit impressive adhesive properties.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Merve Cevik, Serkan Dikici
Summary: Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death globally, and vascular grafts are a promising treatment option. This study focuses on tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) using decellularized parsley stems as a potential biomaterial. The decellularized parsley stems showed suitable properties for TEVGs, providing a suitable environment for human endothelial cells to form a pseudo endothelium. This study showcases the potential of using parsley stems for TEVGs.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Gustavo A. Vasquez-Montoya, Tadej Emersic, Noe Atzin, Antonio Tavera-Vazquez, Ali Mozaffari, Rui Zhang, Orlando Guzman, Alexey Snezhko, Paul F. Nealey, Juan J. de Pablo
Summary: The optical properties of liquid crystals are typically controlled by electric fields. In this study, we investigate the effects of microfluidic flows and acoustic fields on the molecular orientation and optical response of nematic liquid crystals. We identify several previously unknown structures and explain them through calculations and simulations. These findings hold promise for the development of new systems combining sound, flow, and confinement.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xinjun Wu, Xin Guan, Shushu Chen, Jiangpeng Jia, Chongyi Chen, Jiawei Zhang, Chuanzhuang Zhao
Summary: This research presents a novel shape memory hydrogel with a remodelable permanent shape and programmable cold-induced shape recovery behavior. The hydrogel is prepared using specific treatment methods to achieve shape fixation by heating and shape recovery by cooling. Additionally, deformable devices can be obtained by assembling hydrogel blocks with different concentrations.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rebecca Hengsbach, Gerhard Fink, Ulrich Simon
Summary: This study examines the properties of DNA functionalized pNipmam microgels and pure pNipmam microgels at different concentrations of sodium chloride and in PBS solutions using temperature dependent H-1-NMR measurements. The results show that DNA modification affects the volume phase transition temperature and the addition of salt and PBS further enhances this effect.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ningyi Li, Junhong Li, Lijingting Qing, Shicheng Ma, Yao Li, Baohui Li
Summary: This paper investigates the self-assembly behavior of colloids with competing interactions under spherical confinement and finds that different ordered structures can be formed under different sized spherical confinements. Moreover, more perforated structures are formed in smaller spheres.