Article
Chemistry, Physical
Patricio Ramirez, Javier Cervera, Saima Nasir, Mubarak Ali, Wolfgang Ensinger, Salvador Mafe
Summary: Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a valuable tool in membrane science and technology that provides information on the structure and functionality of the membrane. By studying multipore asymmetric membranes with conical pores, it was found that the ionic conduction properties can be modulated by adjusting the electrical interaction between charges on the pore surface and the nanoconfined ionic solution. The membrane's electrical response was found to be influenced by the amplitude and frequency of the external voltage signal, the electrolyte type and concentration, and the solution pH.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Biophysics
Yonghwan Kim, Dongtak Lee, Youngjun Seo, Hyo Gi Jung, Jae Won Jang, Dongsung Park, Insu Kim, Jaeheung Kim, Gyudo Lee, Kyo Seon Hwang, Seung-Hyun Kim, Sang Won Lee, Jeong Hoon, Dae Sung Yoon
Summary: In this study, an electrochemical biosensor based on cell membrane was developed, inspired by the pathological process of cholera toxin. The biosensor exhibited excellent detection performance, selectivity, and long-term stability. Overall, it has great potential for clinical application and cost-effective detection of cholera toxin in developing countries.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zixuan Lu, Douglas van Niekerk, Achileas Savva, Konstantinos Kallitsis, Quentin Thiburce, Alberto Salleo, Anna-Maria Pappa, Roisin M. Owens
Summary: In this study, the relationship between changes in SLB quality and impedance output was explored using experimental data and numerical simulation. The impact of microelectrode area on sensor sensitivity to changes in SLB state was also investigated.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Vincent Ball, Maria Laura Alfieri, Kevin Ziegler, Youri Arntz, Marco d'Ischia
Summary: The deposition efficiency and electrochemical properties of coatings obtained from different benzenediols were compared. Resorcinol showed higher deposition efficiency compared to catechol, while hydroquinone did not form detectable coating. Catechol and hydroquinone exhibited reversible electrochemical properties, while resorcinol displayed an irreversible process. The results provide insights for future studies on coating design and tailoring.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Davood Peyrow Hedayati, Gita Singh, Michael Kucher, Tony D. Keene, Robert Boehm
Summary: This study aims to improve the performance of solid-state supercapacitors (SSCs) by simulating their impedance using a defined equivalent circuit (EC) model. Two models, a mathematical model and a physicochemical model, were used and the impedance was measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The physicochemical model showed higher approximation ability due to its more complex circuit design, but also required more modeling and optimization effort.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Marielle DuToit, Edgard Ngaboyamahina, Mark Wiesner
Summary: In this study, protein fouling within a polymeric microfiltration membrane was characterized in real time using nonFaradaic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. By modeling the electrochemical system with equivalent circuit components, both qualitative and quantitative monitoring of protein fouling was achieved, marking the first attempt to deploy a conductive polymeric membrane as an active electrode in an EIS setup.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Monika Naumowicz, Magdalena Kusaczuk, Marcin Zajac, Agata Jablonska-Trypuc, Agnieszka Miklosz, Miroslav Gal, Mateusz Worobiczuk, Joanna Kotynska
Summary: Caffeic acid, a phenolic compound synthesized by plants, has been found to have anticancer activity. The study reveals the biophysical interactions between caffeic acid and cancer cells or biomimetic membranes, suggesting its potential as a cytostatic agent in cancer treatment.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Sukanya Maity, Anjana Anandan Vannathan, Tatinaidu Kella, Debaprasad Shee, Partha Pratim Das, Sib Sankar Mal
Summary: By integrating polyoxomolybdates into activated carbon, a nanohybrid electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors has been developed. The composite materials exhibited improved capacitance and energy density, with symmetric supercapacitor cells showing high capacitance and excellent cycle stability. The potential application of this nanohybrid electrode material has been demonstrated.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiao Wang, Qinghua Liang, Wen-Jie Jiang, Peiyao Wang, Jinsha Liao, Zhiyuan Xiong, Dan Li
Summary: The emergence of electrically conductive nanoporous membranes based on graphene and other 2D materials provides new opportunities to study ion transport under electrification. This study investigates the ionic resistance in multilayered graphene membranes using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and demonstrates the influence of pore size on the ionic resistance.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Amit Das, Sunil Kumar, Biswajit Jana, Madireddy Buchi Suresh, Chalavadi Prashanthi, Shobit Omar
Summary: The electrochemical performance of porous composites of Gd0.1Ce0.9O2-delta/SrMg0.1Mo0.9O3-delta for the anode application in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) was investigated. The performance was improved by optimizing the microstructure, thickness, and composition of the composite electrode.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gustavo M. Hobold, Kyeong-Ho Kim, Betar M. Gallant
Summary: Despite its potential as a candidate for meeting energy targets of Li-ion batteries, the lithium metal anode has not achieved the necessary Coulombic efficiency for long cycle life. The limitations are due to the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), which stabilizes and protects the deposited lithium. The study quantifies the effect of Li+ exchange with the SEI on Coulombic efficiency and reveals a chemistry-dependent picture of SEI evolution. These findings have implications for high-CE electrolyte design targeting high rates.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yuanzhe Liang, Fei Gao, Li Wang, Shihong Lin
Summary: The novel approach based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) allows for in-situ monitoring of adsorption kinetics during the preparation of polyelectrolyte multilayer nanofiltration membranes. The method is non-destructive and applicable to various substrates, providing important parameters for probing the extent of polyelectrolyte deposition and membrane performance. The EIS-based approach enables convenient optimization of membrane fabrication using layer-by-layer deposition by identifying the minimum deposition time required for surface saturation.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lei Yao, Qisong Cheng, Ziyi Long, Zhe Chen, Zhidong Lin, Yong Li, Yuxiao Tian, Yuan Liao
Summary: This paper proposes a novel method to rapidly and accurately evaluate the organic mass transfer efficiency of extractive membranes. PDMS-coated nanofibrous composite membranes were prepared by electrospinning, and their mass transfer efficiency was characterized using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luana De Pasquale, Francesco Tavella, Victor Longo, Marco Favaro, Siglinda Perathoner, Gabriele Centi, Claudio Ampelli, Chiara Genovese
Summary: Highly ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays were prepared on Ti mesh and Ti foil by anodic oxidation, and their performance in water photo-electrolysis was tested. The photoactivity was correlated with the charge transfer resistances associated with the support's 3D or 2D geometry using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It was found that the unique structure of the nanotubes in the mesh significantly impacted the catalytic performances under illumination.
Article
Electrochemistry
Michalina Zaborowska, Damian Dziubak, Dorota Matyszewska, Renata Bilewicz
Summary: This study investigated the effects of cerivastatin on lipid membranes by using a model of the ER membrane. It was found that cerivastatin altered the properties of the membrane and filled defects, enhancing the barrier properties despite increasing fluidity.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Daniel Braganca Viana, Maria Mathieu-Gaedke, Nadia Miriceia Leao, Alexander Boeker, Daniel Cristian Ferreira Soares, Ulrich Glebe, Marli Luiza Tebaldi
Summary: This study successfully synthesized thermoresponsive protein-polymer conjugates, which can be used as novel drug delivery systems for targeted drug delivery to cancer tissue through the bloodstream. The copolymers of N-vinylcaprolactam and 2-(dimethy-lamino)ethyl methacrylate were grafted onto bovine serum albumin, with a cloud point observed at around 40 degrees Celsius. These conjugates exhibited high cisplatin loading capacity and significant cytotoxicity against human breast cancer cells, making them potential carriers for drug delivery or other biomedical applications.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Maria Mathieu-Gaedke, Alexander Boeker, Ulrich Glebe
Summary: Proteins, with their diverse properties developed over millions of years, have great potential for applications in biomedicine and industry. However, their stability is limited and exposure to certain conditions can cause denaturation or aggregation. Modification with synthetic polymers is a powerful approach to enhance protein stability. Various methods have been established to characterize protein-polymer conjugates, but determining the structural integrity of proteins in biohybrid materials and the arrangement of polymer chains around proteins remains challenging. This Perspective provides an overview of different analysis techniques, discusses their applicability and feasibility, and presents current literature examples. The focus is on techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography coupled with multi-angle laser light scattering, analytical ultracentrifugation, and small-angle scattering, which provide insights into protein structure and polymer conformation.
MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Liang Qiu, Xinyue Han, Chengfen Xing, Ulrich Glebe
Summary: The combination of biomolecules and synthetic polymers offers great potential for developing innovative materials and promoting the application of biomolecules in various fields. Polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA), as an efficient technique, allows for the fabrication of advanced polymer-based biohybrid nanostructures (PBBNs). This review presents current strategies for preparing PBBNs using the PISA technique, including grafting-from and grafting-through methods, as well as biomolecule encapsulation.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daniel F. Sauer, Ulrich Schwaneberg, Johannes Schiffels, Jun Okuda, Ulrich Schwaneberg
Summary: Protein engineering is a powerful method for tailoring protein properties, enabling the design of biohybrid catalysts and materials. The ferric hydroxamate uptake protein FhuA has been used as a versatile scaffold with a large cavity and stability towards temperature and organic solvents. Applications of FhuA have been explored in biocatalysis, materials science, and the construction of artificial metalloenzymes, showcasing its potential for creating hybrid catalysts and materials.
ACCOUNTS OF CHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lilin Feng, Liang Gao, Volkan Besirlioglu, Khalil Essani, Malte Wittwer, Tetiana Kurkina, Yu Ji, Ulrich Schwaneberg
Summary: In this study, a versatile and robust flow cytometry-based screening platform FlOxi was developed for directed oxidase evolution. FlOxi utilizes hydrogen peroxide produced by oxidases to oxidize Fe2+ and immobilize a His-tagged eGFP on the E. coli cell surface, allowing for the identification of beneficial oxidase variants. The platform was successfully validated with two oxidases and resulted in the discovery of improved variants with lower K-m values and higher k(cat) values.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Prachi Desai, Anshuman Dasgupta, Alexandros Marios Sofias, Quim Pena, Robert Goestl, Ioana Slabu, Ulrich Schwaneberg, Thomas Stiehl, Wolfgang Wagner, Stefan Jockenhoevel, Julia Stingl, Rafael Kramann, Christian Trautwein, Tim H. Bruemmendorf, Fabian Kiessling, Andreas Herrmann, Twan Lammers
Summary: Drug delivery systems (DDS) control drug availability and activity to achieve a balance between therapeutic efficacy and side effects. They overcome biological barriers encountered by drug molecules and are explored for modulating host-material interfaces. This article provides an overview of barriers and interfaces encountered by DDS in different administration routes and highlights material engineering advances for improved disease treatment.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Polymer Science
Alexander Boeker
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zohreh N. Pourhassan, Haiyang Cui, Neele Muckhoff, Mehdi D. Davari, Sander H. J. Smits, Ulrich Schwaneberg, Lutz Schmitt
Summary: Protein secretion is advantageous for recombinant protein production. Type 1 secretion systems (T1SS) have a simple architecture and are attractive for biotechnological applications. The hemolysin A type 1 secretion system (HlyA T1SS) from Escherichia coli has been used for secretion of heterologous proteins, but its commercial utility is limited by low secretion titers. To improve this, we engineered the inner membrane complex of the system using KnowVolution strategy, resulting in a novel HlyB variant with improved secretion for two hydrolases.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Coatings & Films
Rahel Heesemann, Isa Bettermann, Roshan Paul, Milena Rey, Thomas Gries, Lilin Feng, Ulrich Schwaneberg, Claus Hummelsheim
Summary: The fire protection of materials is crucial in everyday life, especially in public areas such as construction and transport, electronic devices, furnishings, and textiles. The use of harmful flame retardant additives based on bromides, chlorides, phosphates, or antimony is being restricted due to their environmental and health impact. Therefore, innovative and sustainable solutions are needed to reduce the use of these additives and replace them with safer alternatives.
JOURNAL OF VACUUM SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY A
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yi Lu, Kai-Wolfgang Hintzen, Tetiana Kurkina, Yu Ji, Ulrich Schwaneberg
Summary: In order to ensure a sustainable future, the responsible use of plastics in a climate-neutral and circular economy is crucial. This study focuses on developing a method to efficiently recycle bioplastic polymers, such as PLA, from petroleum-based plastics. Through the use of engineered material binding peptides, accelerated degradation of PLA in a mixed suspension of PLA and PS nanoparticles is achieved. The research identifies a specific peptide, Cg-Def, for PLA binding and develops a high-throughput screening system to enhance material-specific binding to PLA in the presence of PS. The results demonstrate improved PLA binding specificity and accelerated PLA depolymerization by fusing Cg-Def with a PLA degrading enzyme.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Minghui Wang, Haiyang Cui, Chenlei Gu, Anni Li, Jie Qiao, Ulrich Schwaneberg, Lihui Zhang, Junnan Wei, Xiujuan Li, He Huang
Summary: Producing bioethanol from biomass can reduce the consumption of crude oil and environmental damage. The Two-Gene Recombination Process (2GenReP) approach was used to improve the cellulase CBHI for better ethanol fermentation. The optimized CBHI variants (R2 and R4) showed enhanced ethanol resistance, solvent inhibitor tolerance, and enzymolysis stability, resulting in significantly improved ethanol yield.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hendrik Puetz, Christoph Janknecht, Francisca Contreras, Mariia Vorobii, Tetiana Kurkina, Ulrich Schwaneberg
Summary: A sensitive high-throughput screening system has been developed to improve the efficiency of polyamide and polyurethane recycling by tailoring polyamidases through directed depolymerase evolution. With global polymer production set to exceed 400 megatons annually, the development of recycling methods that enable a climate-neutral, circular polymer economy is crucial to address environmental pollution and climate change. This study presents the first validated high-throughput screening system for optimizing polyamidases in polyamide degradation, enabling the detection of degradation products in cell-free extract and resulting in a 1.9-fold increase in turnover frequency with just one round of random mutagenesis.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yi Lu, Kai-Wolfgang Hintzen, Tetiana Kurkina, Yu Ji, Ulrich Schwaneberg
Summary: Polylactic acid (PLA) is considered as a promising biopolymer to replace petrochemical-based polymers and is often blended with other polymers like polypropylene (PP) for improved properties. A technical challenge in recycling PLA/PP blends is the separation of PLA from PP. This study reports the development of a protein engineering approach to improve the material-specific binding of PLA by designing material binding peptides (MBPs) and successfully obtaining a variant with 2.3-fold improved PLA binding specificity compared to PP. The established screening platform provides a general methodology for designing material-specific MBPs for applications in PLA detection, sorting, and degradation in mixed plastics.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Nan Zhang, Jianhua Yang, Zhimin Li, Junaid Haider, Yingying Zhou, Yu Ji, Ulrich Schwaneberg, Leilei Zhu
Summary: This study systematically investigated the influence of four new carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) on the performance of starch-active AA13 lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs). The results showed that CBMs greatly enhanced the substrate binding, H2O2 production activity, and oxidative product yields of the AA13 LPMOs. These findings are important for understanding the role of CBMs in starch degradation.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)