Spotlight Biotehnology,Microtechnology & Nanotechnology


Cell Receptor Recycling Mechanism Discovery Opens up New Class of Therapeutic Targets


Temperature Controlled Microscopy Specialists Selected By The Mather Group to Aid Polymer Characterisation


Linkam Scientific Instruments announce the use of their temperature controlled tensile stage by the Mather Group at Syracuse University.


Patrick Mather is Professor of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering at Syracuse University. His research group focuses on functional materials: in particular, the development of polymeric and hybrid materials with prescribed functionality beyond traditionally passive mechanical roles. The applications range from medical to structural materials technology. Utilising the core experimental strengths of Syracuse Biomaterials Institute, such as polymer synthesis, rheology and processing, morphological analysis, quantitative thermal analysis and mechanical testing, the group pursues the development of these functional polymeric systems.


Professor Manojkumar Puthenveedu of Carnegie Mellon University studies the mechanisms by which membrane trafficking controls and co-ordinates the complex signalling pathways in the brain. Despite the fact that almost all diseases can be traced to a defect in how cells respond to signals, little is known about how signalling pathways are maintained in normal cells and the changes that occur in abnormal conditions.


Using the Andor Revolution XD Confocal Microscope for live cell studies, Professor Puthenveedu has led an international team of researchers to elucidate how signalling receptors are recycled to the cell membrane. The discovery of the mechanism by which signalling receptors travel back to the surface of the cell after activation and internalisation opens up a new class of therapeutic targets.


The team used live cell confocal fluorescence microscopy to label and image beta-2 adrenergic receptor (b2AR), the receptor for adrenaline and noradrenaline and one of a group of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) pivotal to the regulation of heart and lung function, mood, cognition and memory, digestion, and the inflammatory response. After internalisation, they found that b2AR was recycled via unique domains on the endosome, which they termed Actin-Stabilized Sequence-dependent Recycling Tubule (ASSERT) domains. Rapid turnover of endosomal actin was confirmed by FRAP (fluorescence recovery after photobleaching).


The ASSERT domains trap and slow down the release of receptors to provide a slower pathway compared to the faster bulk recycling pathway and could potentially be targeted by pharmaceutical agents to control diseases resulting from abnormal cell signalling. “Confocal fluorescence microscopy has been the driver for an explosion in the study of dynamic processes in living cells, but not all systems are created equal. We have created an instrument that optimises sensitivity, acquisition speed and specimen viability,” said Mark Browne, Director of Systems at Andor. “The high optical efficiency of the Revolution XD spinning disk system allows the use of reduced laser power and, therefore, lowers the risk of phototoxicity to the specimen during long term experiments while Andor’s IQ software ensures precise synchronisation of illumination, detection and scanning for unparalleled image quality and acquisition rates.”


Circle no. 583


Professor Mather selected the Linkam TST350 tensile stage for his micro/nanoscale mechanical property studies because it provided accurate temperature and torque control while having open architecture for modification for more advanced measurements. With graduate students Erika Rodriguez and Xiaofan Luo, protocols for the evaluation of self-healing polymeric films were developed. Typically, the stage is used with a 200N load cell to uniaxially stretch samples to a displacement of 10 mm (corresponding to a strain of 60% at a displacement rate of 0.1 mm/s (0.6%/s) at RT. The study is repeated after thermal annealing of the sample, which causes the sample to fully recover its original shape. This is to analyse whether the mechanical properties of the sample were compromised from the first stretch. Further custom experiments are also performed using a double edge notch punch.


The Linkam TST350 enables the study of the tensile properties of samples relative to their temperature. Mounted on an optical microscope or Linkam Imaging Station, it is possible to capture high-resolution images of the structural changes. The TST350 is built with two precision ground stainless steel lead screws to maintain perfect uniform vertical and horizontal alignment. Sample jaws move in opposite directions to maintain sample in both reflected or transmitted microscope fields of view. This also means other transmitted techniques such as x-ray, needed for internal observation of sample structure can be used. Importantly for environmental control, the sample chamber is gas sealed and can be controlled with various gases via the gas valves built onto sides of the stage.


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Strong Demand for Dynamic Light Scattering Products


Avid Nano has announced strong international sales for its Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) products.


Ken Cunningham, Managing Director, commented: "In the last year researchers in a growing number of major pharmaceutical companies and leading academic institutions have appreciated the high performance, reliability and outstanding ease of use of our W130i and have invested in the system." He added: "Customers have been particularly impressed at the amount and quality of data that they can quickly produce with an Avid Nano W130i system.


Before trying the W130i and our patent pending BladeCell 5µl disposable cuvettes many researchers were unsure if dynamic light scattering could be easily used as a routine analytical technique."


Dynamic light scattering is a non-invasive technique that enables quick and accurate measurement of hydrodynamic radius, size distribution, estimated molecular weight and aggregate content of biomolecules and nanoparticles in solution or suspension. Avid Nano DLS systems find particular utility in applications including crystal screening, buffer optimisation, solubility screening, aggregate detection, micelle formulation, formulation engineered nanoparticles and formulation development.


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Raising the Bar in Microwave Synthesis Biotage®


announced a new microwave synthesiser with state of the art user interface and industry leading operating range. The Biotage Initiator+ sets a new standard by delivering new opportunities for


chemistry professionals needing to enable difficult reactions or to improve yields on critical reaction steps. The new system which boasts very simple and intuitive software, an integrated computer control system and the largest touch screen interface available, allows the user to drive reactions to as high as 300°C and up to 30 bar pressure. The new Initiator+ also offers an option for the use of a fibre optic temperature measurement device for in-situ reaction monitoring. The expanded pressure range of up to 30 bars, allows for increased flexibility in the choice of solvents. Low boiling point solvents can now be utilised at higher temperatures and reactions performed at maximum speed to achieve best possible yield with higher pressure.


The Initiator+ was developed as an upgradeable platform with automation options readily available. Connect the SP Wave peptide synthesis module and the Robot Eight kit to perform microwave assisted peptide synthesis with vortex mixing. All Initiator+ users will benefit from a versatile instrument which can perform both traditional Organic Synthesis but also enable new discoveries in Peptide and Peptidomimetics research. “Biotage is acknowledged as a leader in microwave synthesis thanks in part to the top selling Initiator synthesiser. The new Initiator+ is a major engineering achievement of function and capabilities for global professionals,” said Toshiyuki Yachi, Vice President of Marketing. “Our goal was to collaborate with professionals to deliver a new platform of outstanding performance, flexibility and value. With the Initiator+, we have achieved this goal and believe we will set a new standard for microwave synthesis platforms.”


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