Article
Chemistry, Physical
Susav Pradhan, Catherine P. Whitby, Martin A. K. Williams, Jack L. Y. Chen, Ebubekir Avci
Summary: The study systematically explored the assembly dynamics of colloidal particles at an air-water interface and found that factors such as surface charge, solution pH, wettability, and surface tension play critical roles in determining the assembly behavior.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Petr Shendrik, Gonen Golani, Raviv Dharan, Ulrich S. Schwarz, Raya Sorkin
Summary: Fusion of biological membranes plays a fundamental role in various physiological events. The energy barriers of fusion stages are tightly dependent on the mechanical and physical properties of the system, including membrane tension. This study reveals that membrane tension inhibits lipid mixing and increases the energy barrier of hemifusion stalk formation, leading to a delay in lipid mixing time.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiufeng Li, Jasper van der Gucht, Philipp Erni, Renko de Vries
Summary: Protein condensates resulting from liquid-liquid phase separation have been studied as bioadhesives and coating materials, and more recently as models for membraneless organelles in cells. This study demonstrates how colloidal probe atomic force microscopy can be used to investigate the interfacial mechanics and dynamic rheological properties of micro-scale protein condensates. The research findings reveal three characteristic frequency domains for the mechanics of micro-scale protein condensates, providing insight into their behavior in biology and technological applications.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Chia-Ling Hung, Ying-Chuan Kao, Jia-Yang Juang
Summary: Through studying two-sphere particles, it was found that the crossover frequency of a two-sphere particle is lower than that of a single sphere due to the competing effect of volume and surface area. Additionally, a relationship formula was discovered between the crossover frequency of an n-sphere chain and that of a single sphere, which is independent of sphere size, medium conductivity, and functional group.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2021)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
John A. C. Albay, Zhi-Yi Zhou, Chia-Hao Chang, Hsuan-Yi Chen, Jae Sung Lee, Cheng-Hung Chang, Yonggun Jun
Summary: A recent experiment showed that a colloidal heat engine immersed in an active bath can outperform those in equilibrium or passive baths. This study used an optical feedback trap to mimic a colloidal heat engine in various active baths and analyzed the impact of noise properties on real systems. The experiment and theoretical calculations revealed that adjusting the magnitude of active-bath noise with a nonzero correlation time can greatly enhance the efficiency of the heat engine in the quasistatic limit.
PHYSICAL REVIEW RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
Maho Tanaka, Itsuki Kuramichi, Yasuyuki Tsuboi, Ken-ichi Yuyama
Summary: There is currently great interest in applying colloidal assemblies to photonic and plasmonic devices. In this study, we demonstrate a method for collecting and assembling colloidal particles in areas beyond the irradiation area by using optical tweezing. The particles are taken into a microdroplet formed by optical tweezing in a thermo-responsive ionic liquid/water mixture, and the confined particles aggregate as the droplet shrinks. The mechanism of confinement and aggregation of colloidal particles is discussed in relation to the surface charge of the particles.
JAPANESE JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ivo Buttinoni, Roel P. A. Dullens
Summary: The study investigates the local mechanical properties of two-dimensional colloidal crystals with hexagonal symmetry assembled at the flat interface between oil and water. It reveals the conditions under which the material behaves isotropically compared to when the microstructure plays a major role. The stiffness of the lattice under the continuum approximation and the mechanical resistance of the lattice at larger displacements are found to depend on the area fraction and the direction of the applied force.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Frederic Catala-Castro, Estela Martin-Badosa
Summary: Holographic optical tweezers are commonly used for providing nanometer-level positioning accuracy in optical trapping, but the digital structure of SLMs may affect this accuracy; positioning errors at the nanometer scale can be as high as 2 nm, but implementing a correction strategy can reduce errors to 0.3 nm.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Carmelita Roda, Pieter Geiregat, Alessio Di Giacomo, Iwan Moreels, Zeger Hens
Summary: In this study, we used cross-polarized pump-probe spectroscopy to measure the absorption coefficient spectrum of the exciton-biexciton transition in colloidal CdSe nanoplatelets (NPLs) and determined the biexciton oscillator strength (fBX). We found that fBX is independent of the NPL area and agrees with predictions of a short-range interaction model.
News Item
Optics
Xiaohe Zhang, Bing Gu, Cheng-Wei Qiu
Summary: Researchers have proposed a new method that can measure the weak force of a single microscopic particle.
LIGHT-SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Diptabrata Paul, Rahul Chand, G. V. Pavan Kumar
Summary: In this study, the thermophoretic behavior of active colloids was investigated through optothermal interaction, and a re-configurable dynamic assembly was formed using the optical gradient-enabled attraction and short-range repulsion between the colloids. The assembly also exhibited self-evolution as a new colloid joined the structure. Additionally, the structural orientation of the colloids could be modulated by the incident polarization state of the optical field.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qiang Zheng, Mingzeng Peng, Zhuo Liu, Shuyu Li, Rongcheng Han, Han Ouyang, Yubo Fan, Caofeng Pan, Weiguo Hu, Junyi Zhai, Zhou Li, Zhong Lin Wang
Summary: This study developed a force mapping method based on a light nano-antenna array with the use of piezo-phototronic effect, achieving high-resolution dynamic mapping of cell-generated force. The methodology can be applied for fundamental study of cardiomyocyte behavior and provide valuable information for heart-related research.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chunzhou Pan, Mohammadamin Mahmoudabadbozchelou, Xiaoli Duan, James C. Benneyan, Safa Jamali, Randall M. Erb
Summary: This paper applies recent advances in science-based machine learning algorithms to model the magnetic interaction between magnetic particles. By using physics informed neural networks and other machine learning systems, simulation times are reduced while maintaining accuracy. However, challenges remain in applying machine learning to complex systems like colloidal systems.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yingwei Wang, Yijun Cao, Shanshan Hu, Junchao Wang, Fayang Guo, Shulei Li
Summary: This study investigated the interaction forces between molybdenite and gangue minerals under different conditions using atomic force microscopy. The results showed that adding 1-2 ppm of PEO in pH 6 solution was effective in improving the flocculation of molybdenite particles and inhibiting the adhesion of gangue minerals. Additionally, adsorption kinetics experiments and energy calculations demonstrated the high adsorption performance of PEO on the molybdenite surface due to sulfur and hydrogen interactions.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Bei Zheng, Cheng-Yu Li, Sha Huang, Zhi-Ling Zhang, Qiong-Shui Wu, Dai-Wen Pang, Hong-Wu Tang
Summary: A special fluorescence activated cell sorting platform assisted by optical tweezers (FACS-OT) in a microfluidic chip is developed to achieve stable and accurate analysis and sorting of single cells, offering a special strategy for studying heterogeneity in single cell.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ewelina Lipiec, Janina Kaderli, Jan Kobierski, Roland Riek, Katarzyna Skirlinska-Nosek, Kamila Sofinska, Marek Szymonski, Renato Zenobi
Summary: Abnormal aggregation of amyloid-beta is a complex and heterogeneous process, and a new approach using TERS has provided detailed molecular structure information of single amyloid-beta aggregates, revealing a beta-sheet rearrangement. This study will contribute to a better understanding of the etiology of Alzheimer's disease.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Agnieszka Kurek, Estera Klosowicz, Kamila Sofinska, Robert Jach, Jakub Barbasz
Summary: The endometrium is crucial for embryo implantation and development, with its mechanical properties playing a key role in proper functioning. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) shows potential in studying endometrial properties, providing deeper insight by combining information on cell mechanics with morphological and genetic changes. The determination of cell elasticity, such as in cancer states, has been proven useful in diagnostics.
Article
Polymer Science
Kamila Sofinska, Jakub Barbasz, Michal Ciesla, Agata Wawrzkiewicz-Jalowiecka, Ewa Gudowska-Nowak
Summary: Dynamic force spectroscopy is used to study the structure and dynamics of interacting molecules or surfaces at a molecular level by applying mechanical forces in a controlled manner. Experimental data on the rupture force spectra of a poly(ethyleneimine) model system on a silica surface show discrepancies with models, and the results are analyzed statistically.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kamila Sofinska, Dawid Lupa, Anna Chachaj-Brekiesz, Michal Czaja, Jan Kobierski, Sara Seweryn, Katarzyna Skirlinska-Nosek, Marek Szymonski, Natalia Wilkosz, Anita Wnetrzak, Ewelina Lipiec
Summary: Lipid membranes are essential for the existence of life, playing complex functions such as separation of biological environments and participation in regulatory processes. However, the reasons behind the variability within lipid membranes and its biochemical significance are still not well understood. Simplifying the studied systems and utilizing analytical methods are important for understanding phenomena occurring in natural, complex membranes. This review discusses the structural complexity of lipid membranes and focuses on the analytical studies of artificial systems at various interfaces. It summarizes experimental and theoretical approaches providing information about the molecular structure, composition, and organization of lipid membranes, as well as the real-time visualization of the influence of various molecules on their integrity. The review also highlights the latest achievements in the field of lipid layer-based biosensors.
ADVANCES IN COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michal Czaja, Katarzyna Skirlinska-Nosek, Olga Adamczyk, Kamila Sofinska, Natalia Wilkosz, Zenon Rajfur, Marek Szymonski, Ewelina Lipiec
Summary: This study used Raman micro-spectroscopy to track the conformational changes of DNA in cells and discovered the cellular response to DNA damage and increased protein expression during DNA repair processes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Kamila Sofi, Michal Ciesla, Jakub Barbasz, Natalia Wilkosz, Ewelina Lipiec, Marek Szymonski, Piotr Bialas
Summary: DNA is susceptible to various damaging factors, which can cause single- or double-strand breaks. Atomic force microscopy is used to determine the length of DNA fragments deposited on surfaces and quantify double-strand breaks. To overcome the underestimation caused by image resolution, a new methodology based on statistics of DNA fragment length is proposed, along with software for automatic calculation of double-strand breaks. The method is applied to characterize DNA plasmid fragmentation caused by the anticancer chemotherapeutic drug bleomycin.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sara Seweryn, Katarzyna Skirlinska-Nosek, Natalia Wilkosz, Kamila Sofinska, David Perez-Guaita, Magdalena Ocwieja, Jakub Barbasz, Marek Szymonski, Ewelina Lipiec
Summary: This study investigated the repair process of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) induced by the anticancer antibiotic bleomycin (BLM) using a multimodal approach. By analyzing the SERS results, spectral bands associated with DSBs were identified, indicating conformational modifications and strand ruptures. A model was established to predict the number of DSBs and detect spectroscopic markers of DNA damage and conformational changes.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Spectroscopy
Sara Seweryn, Katarzyna Skirlinska-Nosek, Kamila Sofinska, Konrad Szajna, Jan Kobierski, Kamil Awsiuk, Marek Szymonski, Ewelina Lipiec
Summary: This work focuses on optimizing the TERS technique for efficient DNA measurements by preparing atomically-flat gold substrates, depositing DNA without fixatives, and optimizing TERS probe preparation. Through comprehensive comparison of different probes, reliable and reproducible TER spectra of DNA are obtained, providing a foundation for further research on DNA and its interaction with other biomolecules.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2022)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Krzysztof Szymonski, Ewelina Lipiec, Kamila Sofinska, Katarzyna Skirlinska-Nosek, Michal Czaja, Sara Seweryn, Natalia Wilkosz, Giovanni Birarda, Federica Piccirilli, Lisa Vaccari, Lukasz Chmura, Joanna Szpor, Dariusz Adamek, Marek Szymonski
Summary: Knowledge about the biology of pancreatic cancer has been growing, but the survival rate of patients has not greatly improved. This study used molecular imaging techniques and a convolutional neural network (CNN) to investigate the biochemical composition of pancreatic cancer tissue and successfully differentiate different groups of pancreatic tumors.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE AND MOLECULAR IMAGING
(2023)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Kinga Kaminska, Kasun Godakumara, Bianka Swiderska, Agata Malinowska, Getnet Midekessa, Kamila Sofinska, Jakub Barbasz, Alireza Fazeli, Malgorzata Grzesiak
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound nanoparticles released by different cell types, playing a crucial role in intercellular communication by carrying various biomolecular compounds. This study assessed the use of size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) for effectively isolating EVs from porcine ovarian follicular fluid. The characterization of EVs was performed using multiple techniques, and the results showed that SEC is an effective method for isolating and studying EVs from porcine follicular fluid, providing opportunities for further functional analyses such as proteomics.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kamila Sofinska, Piotr Batys, Adrian Cernescu, Dhiman Ghosh, Katarzyna Skirlinska-Nosek, Jakub Barbasz, Sara Seweryn, Natalia Wilkosz, Roland Riek, Marek Szymonski, Ewelina Lipiec
Summary: Through experimental and theoretical studies, we have revealed the influence of the anti-aggregation drug bexarotene on the secondary structure and primary aggregation of amyloid-beta aggregates. We observed that bexarotene limits the formation of parallel beta-sheets in the aggregates and slows down the aggregation process. Molecular dynamics simulations also provided insights into the interaction mechanism between bexarotene and the protein.
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Bartlomiej Dybiec, Karol Capala, Jakub Barbasz
Summary: The theory of stochastic processes and first-passage time theory are used to analyze noise-induced escape kinetics. The study finds that there is a set of favorable rope lengths for the shortest climbing times, and experienced climbers can decrease their climbing time by using longer ropes.
