Name: preparation and in vitro characterization of dendrimer-based contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging
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The financial support of the Max-Planck Society, the Turkish Ministry of National Education (PhD fellowship to S. G.), and the German Exchange Academic Service (DAAD, PhD fellowship to T. S.) are gratefully acknowledged.

1. Preparation of DCA

<ol>
	<li>Synthesis of the monomeric unit 46.
	<ol>
		<li>Synthesis of 4-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-(4,7,10-tris-tert-butoxycarbonylmethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododec-1-yl)butyric acid tert-butyl ester (2).
		<ol>
			<li>Dissolve (4,7-bis-tert-butoxycarbonylmethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraaza-cyclododec-1-yl)-acetic acid tert-butyl ester 1 (1.00 g, 1.94 mmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DM...

<ol>
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L., Faulkner, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Synthesis+and+luminescence+properties+of+a+kinetically+stable+dinuclear+ytterbium+complex+with+differentiated+binding+sites.">Synthesis and luminescence properties of a kinetically stable dinuclear ytterbium complex with differentiated binding sites.</a> Chem. Commun. (13), 1550-1551 (2003).</li><li>Vibhute, S. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Synthesis+and+characterization+of+pH-sensitive,+biotinylated+MRI+contrast+agents+and+their+conjugates+with+avidin.">Synthesis and characterization of pH-sensitive, biotinylated MRI contrast agents and their conjugates with avidin.</a> Org. Biomol. Chem. 11 (8), 1294-1305 (2013).</li><li>Vogel, A. I., Furniss, B. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Vogel's textbook of practical organic chemistry. 5th ed. , (1989).</li><li>Lundanes, E., Reubsaet, L., Greibrokk, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Chromatography : basic principles, sample preparations and related methods. , (2013).</li><li>Barge, A., Cravotto, G., Gianolio, E., Fedeli, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=How+to+determine+free+Gd+and+free+ligand+in+solution+of+Gd+chelates.+A+technical+note.">How to determine free Gd and free ligand in solution of Gd chelates. A technical note.</a> Contrast Media Mol. Imaging. 1 (5), 184-188 (2006).</li><li>Keeler, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Understanding NMR spectroscopy. 2nd ed. , (2010).</li><li>Hillenkamp, F., Peter-Katalini&#263;, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> MALDI MS : a practical guide to instrumentation, methods and applications. , (2007).</li><li>Peters, J. A., Huskens, J., Raber, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lanthanide+induced+shifts+and+relaxation+rate+enhancements.">Lanthanide induced shifts and relaxation rate enhancements.</a> Prog. Nucl. Magn. Reson. Spectrosc. 28, 283-350 (1996).</li><li>Averill, D. J., Garcia, J., Siriwardena-Mahanama, B. N., Vithanarachchi, S. M., Allen, M. 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A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Synthesis,+characterization,+and+biological+evaluation+of+integrin+alpha(v)beta(3)-targeted+PAMAM+dendrimers.">Synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation of integrin alpha(v)beta(3)-targeted PAMAM dendrimers.</a> Mol. Pharmaceut. 5 (4), 527-539 (2008).</li><li>Sherry, A. D., Caravan, P., Lenkinski, R. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Primer+on+Gadolinium+Chemistry.">Primer on Gadolinium Chemistry.</a> J. Magn. Reson. Imaging. 30 (6), 1240-1248 (2009).</li><li>Caki&#263;, N., G&#252;nd&#252;z, S., Rengarasu, R., Angelovski, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Synthetic+strategies+for+preparation+of+cyclen-based+MRI+contrast+agents.">Synthetic strategies for preparation of cyclen-based MRI contrast agents.</a> Tetrahedron Lett. 56 (6), 759-765 (2015).</li><li>Polasek, M., Hermann, P., Peters, J. A., Geraldes, C. F. G. C., Lukes, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=PAMAM+Dendrimers+Conjugated+with+an+Uncharged+Gadolinium(III)+Chelate+with+a+Fast+Water+Exchange:+The+Influence+of+Chelate+Charge+on+Rotational+Dynamics.">PAMAM Dendrimers Conjugated with an Uncharged Gadolinium(III) Chelate with a Fast Water Exchange: The Influence of Chelate Charge on Rotational Dynamics.</a> Bioconjugate Chem. 20 (11), 2142-2153 (2009).</li><li>Ali, M. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Synthesis+and+relaxometric+studies+of+a+dendrimer-based+pH-responsive+MRI+contrast+agent.">Synthesis and relaxometric studies of a dendrimer-based pH-responsive MRI contrast agent.</a> Chem. Eur. J. 14 (24), 7250-7258 (2008).</li><li>Jackson, C. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Visualization+of+dendrimer+molecules+by+transmission+electron+microscopy+(TEM):+Staining+methods+and+Cryo-TEM+of+vitrified+solutions.">Visualization of dendrimer molecules by transmission electron microscopy (TEM): Staining methods and Cryo-TEM of vitrified solutions.</a> Macromolecules. 31 (18), 6259-6265 (1998).</li><li>Jain, K., Kesharwani, P., Gupta, U., Jain, N. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dendrimer+toxicity:+Let's+meet+the+challenge.">Dendrimer toxicity: Let's meet the challenge.</a> Int. J. Pharm. 394 (1-2), 122-142 (2010).</li><li>Rudovsky, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=PAMAM+dendrimeric+conjugates+with+a+Gd-DOTA+phosphinate+derivative+and+their+adducts+with+polyaminoacids:+The+interplay+of+global+motion,+internal+rotation,+and+fast+water+exchange.">PAMAM dendrimeric conjugates with a Gd-DOTA phosphinate derivative and their adducts with polyaminoacids: The interplay of global motion, internal rotation, and fast water exchange.</a> Bioconjugate Chem. 17 (4), 975-987 (2006).</li><li>Xu, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Toward+improved+syntheses+of+dendrimer-based+magnetic+resonance+imaging+contrast+agents:+New+bifunctional+diethylenetriaminepentaacetic+acid+ligands+and+nonaqueous+conjugation+chemistry.">Toward improved syntheses of dendrimer-based magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents: New bifunctional diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid ligands and nonaqueous conjugation chemistry.</a> J. Med. Chem. 50 (14), 3185-3193 (2007).</li><li>Nwe, K., Bryant, L. H., Brechbiel, M. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Poly(amidoamine)+Dendrimer+Based+MRI+Contrast+Agents+Exhibiting+Enhanced+Relaxivities+Derived+via+Metal+Preligation+Techniques.">Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimer Based MRI Contrast Agents Exhibiting Enhanced Relaxivities Derived via Metal Preligation Techniques.</a> Bioconjugate Chem. 21 (6), 1014-1017 (2010).</li><li>Livramento, J. B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=First+in+vivo+MRI+assessment+of+a+self-assembled+metallostar+compound+endowed+with+a+remarkable+high+field+relaxivity.">First in vivo MRI assessment of a self-assembled metallostar compound endowed with a remarkable high field relaxivity.</a> Contrast Media Mol. 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Preparation of the dendrimeric MRI contrast agent requires appropriate selection of the monomeric unit (i.e., the chelator for Gd(III)). They reduce the toxicity of this paramagnetic ion and, to date, a wide variety of acyclic and macrocyclic chelators serve this purpose1-3. Among these, macrocyclic DOTA-type chelators possess the highest thermodynamic stability and kinetic inertness and, hence, are the most preferred choice for the preparation of inert MRI contrast agents1,18. Furthermore,...

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful and non-ionizing imaging technique widely used in biomedical research and clinical diagnostics due to its noninvasive nature and excellent intrinsic soft-tissue contrast. The most commonly used MRI methods utilize the signal obtained from water protons, providing high-resolution images and detailed information within the tissues based on differences in the density of the water signals. The signal intensity and the specificity of the MRI experiments can be further improved using contrast agents (CAs). These are paramagnetic or superparamagnetic species that affect the longitudinal (T1) and transverse (T2) relaxation times, respectively1,2.
Complexes of the lanthanide ion gadolinium with polyamino polycarboxylic acid ligands are the most commonly used T1 CAs. Gadolinium(III) shortens the T1 relaxation time of water protons, thus increasing the signal contrast in MRI experiments3. However, ionic gadolinium is toxic; its size approximates that of calcium(II), and it seriously affects calcium-assisted signaling in cells. Therefore, acyclic and macrocyclic chelates are employed to neutralize this toxicity. Various multidentate ligands have been developed so far, resulting in gadolinium(III) complexes with high thermodynamic stability and kinetic inertness1. Those based on the 12-membered azamacrocycle cyclen, in particular its tetracarboxylic derivative DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetate) are the most investigated and applied complexes of this CA class.
Nevertheless, GdDOTA-type CAs are low molecular weight systems, displaying certain disadvantages such as low contrast efficiency and fast renal excretion. Macromolecular and multivalent CAs may be a good solution to these problems4. Since CA biodistribution is mainly determined by their size, macromolecular CAs display much longer retention times within tissues. Equally important, the multivalency of these agents results in an increased local concentration of the monomeric MR probe (e.g., GdDOTA complex), substantially improving the acquired MR signal and the measurement quality.
Dendrimers are amongst the most preferred scaffolds for the preparation of multivalent CAs for MRI4,5. These highly branched macromolecules with well-defined sizes are prone to various coupling reactions on their surface. In this work, we report the preparation, purification, and characterization of a dendrimeric CA for MRI consisting of a generation 4 (G4) poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer coupled to GdDOTA-like chelates (DCA). We describe the synthesis of the reactive DOTA derivative and its coupling to the PAMAM dendrimer. Upon complexation with Gd(III), the standard physicochemical characterization procedure of DCA was performed. Finally, MRI experiments were performed to demonstrate the ability of DCA to produce MR images with a stronger contrast than those obtained from low molecular weight CAs.

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	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Cyclen</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">CheMatech</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">C002</td>
			<td style="width:259px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">tert-Butyl bromoacetate&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Alfa Aesar</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">A14917</td>
			<td style="width:259px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">N,N-Dimethylformamide</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Fluka</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">40248</td>
			<td style="width:259px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Potassium carbonate</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">209619</td>
			<td style="width:259px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">4-(4-Nitrophenyl)butryic acid</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">335339</td>
			<td style="width:259px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:251px;">Thionyl chloride&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Acros Organics</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">382662500</td>
			<td style="width:259px;">Note: Corrosive substance; toxic if inhaled</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:251px;">Bromine</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Acros Organics</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">402841000</td>
			<td style="width:259px;">Note: causes severe skin burns, fatal if inhaled&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Diethyl ether</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">any source</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Sodium sulphate</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Acros Organics</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">196640010</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Chloroform&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">VWR Chemicals</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">22711.29</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:251px;">tert-Butyl 2,2,2-trichloroacetimidate</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">364789</td>
			<td style="width:259px;">Note: flammable substance; irritrant to skin and eyes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="67">
			<td height="67" style="height:67px;width:251px;">Boron trifluoride etherate</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Acros Organics</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">174560250</td>
			<td style="width:259px;">48 % BF3. Note: Flammable substance; causes skin burns, fatal if inhaled&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Sodium bicarbonate</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Acros Organics</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">424270010</td>
			<td style="width:259px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Ethyl-acetate</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">any source</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td>For column chromatography</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">n-Hexane</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">any source</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td>For column chromatography</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:251px;">Bulb-to-bulb (Kugelrohr) distillation apparatus</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">B&#252;chi</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td>Model type: Glass oven B-585</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Silicagel</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Carl Roth GmbH</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">P090.2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Methanol</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">any source</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td>For column chromatography</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Dichloromethane&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">any source</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td>For column chromatography</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Ethanol</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">VWR Chemicals</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">20821.296</td>
			<td style="width:259px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Ammonia</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Acros Organics</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">428381000</td>
			<td style="width:259px;">7N Solution in Methanol</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Palladium&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">643181</td>
			<td style="width:259px;">15 % wet</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Hydrogenation apparatus PARR</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">PARR Instrument Company</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Celite 503</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">22151</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Sintered glass funnel</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">any source</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Thiophosgen</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">115150</td>
			<td style="width:259px;">Note: irritrant to skin; toxic if inhaled</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Triethylamine</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Alfa Aesar</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">A12646</td>
			<td style="width:259px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Dichloromethane&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Acros Organics</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">348460010</td>
			<td style="width:259px;">Extra dry&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Magnetic stirrer</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">any source</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td style="width:259px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">PAMAM G4 Dendrimer</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Andrews ChemService</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">AuCS - 297</td>
			<td style="width:259px;">&#160;10 % wt. solution in MeOH</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Lipophylic Sephadex LH-20</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">LH20100</td>
			<td style="width:259px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Thin-layer chromatography plates</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Merck Millipore</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">1.05554.0001</td>
			<td style="width:259px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Formic acid</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">VWR Chemicals</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">20318.297</td>
			<td style="width:259px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Lophylizer&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">any source</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:251px;">Gadollinium(III) chloride hexahydrate</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">G7532</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Sodium hydroxide</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Acros Organics</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">134070010</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">pH meter</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">any source</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:251px;">Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt dihydrate</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">E5134</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Mass spectrometer (ESI)</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Agilent</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td>Ion trap SL 1100&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Acetate buffer</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">any source</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td>pH 5.8</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Xylenol orange</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">52097</td>
			<td>20 &#956;M in acetate buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Hydrophylic Sephadex G-15</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">GE Healthcare</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">17-0020-01</td>
			<td style="width:259px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:251px;">Amicon Ultra-15 Centrifugal Filter Unit</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Merck Millipore</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">UFC900324</td>
			<td style="width:259px;">Ultracel-3 membrane (MWCO 3000)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Centrifuge</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">any source</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td style="width:259px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">NMR spectrometer&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Bruker</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td style="width:259px;">Avance III 300 MHz</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Topspin</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Bruker</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td style="width:259px;">version 2.1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Combustion analysis instrument</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">EuroVector SpA</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td style="width:259px;">EuroEA 3000 Elemental Analyser&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">MALDI-ToF MS instrument</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Applied Biosystems</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td style="width:259px;">Voyager-STR</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Deuteriumoxid</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Carl Roth GmbH</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">6672.3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">tert-Butyl alcohol</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Carl Roth GmbH</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">AE16.1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Vortex mixer</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">any source</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td style="width:259px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Norell NMR tubes</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Deutero GmbH</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">507-HP-7</td>
			<td style="width:259px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">NMR coaxial tube</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Deutero GmbH</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">coaxialb-5-7</td>
			<td style="width:259px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">DLS instrument</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Malvern</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td style="width:259px;">Zetasizer Nano ZS</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">0.20 &#956;m PTFE filter&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Carl Roth GmbH</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">KC94.1</td>
			<td style="width:259px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">HEPES</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Fisher BioReagents</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">BP310</td>
			<td style="width:259px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Plastic tube vials</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">any source</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td style="width:259px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Dotarem</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Guerbet</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td style="width:259px;">NDC 67684-2000-1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="63">
			<td height="63" style="height:63px;width:251px;">MRI scanner</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Bruker</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td style="width:259px;">BioSpec 70/30 USR magnet (7 T). Note: potential hazards related to high magnetic fields</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:251px;">RF coil</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Bruker</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td style="width:259px;">dual frequency volume coil (RF RES 300 1H/19F 075/040 LIN/LIN TR)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:251px;">Paravision (software)</td>
			<td style="width:275px;">Bruker</td>
			<td style="width:136px;"></td>
			<td style="width:259px;">Version 5.1</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

preparation and in vitro characterization of dendrimer-based contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging

Paramagnetic complexes of gadolinium(III) with acyclic or macrocyclic chelates are the most commonly used contrast agents (CAs) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Their purpose is to enhance the relaxation rate of water protons in tissue, thus increasing the MR image contrast and the specificity of the MRI measurements. Current clinically approved contrast agents are low molecular weight molecules that are rapidly cleared from the body. The use of dendrimers as carriers of paramagnetic chelators can play an important role in the future development of more efficient MRI contrast agents. Specifically, the increase in local concentration of the paramagnetic species results in a higher signal contrast. Furthermore, this CA provides a longer tissue retention time due to its high molecular weight and size. Here, we demonstrate a convenient procedure for the preparation of macromolecular MRI contrast agents based on poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers with monomacrocyclic DOTA-type chelators (DOTA &#8211; 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetate). The chelating unit was appended by exploiting the reactivity of the isothiocyanate (NCS) group towards the amine surface groups of the PAMAM dendrimer to form thiourea bridges. Dendrimeric products were purified and analyzed by means of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. Finally, high resolution MR images were recorded and the signal contrasts obtained from the prepared dendrimeric and the commercially available monomeric agents were compared.

The preparation of DCA consisted of two stages: 1) synthesis of the monomeric DOTA-type chelator (Figure 1) and 2) coupling of the chelator with the G4 PAMAM dendrimer and subsequent preparation of the dendrimeric Gd(III) complex (Figure 2). In the first stage, a cyclen-based DOTA-type chelator containing four carboxylic acids and an orthogonal group suitable for further synthetic modifications was prepared. The preparation commenced from...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Preparation and In Vitro Characterization of Dendrimer-based Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging at JoVE.com

Preparation and In Vitro Characterization of Dendrimer-based Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

This protocol describes the preparation and characterization of a dendrimeric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent that carries cyclen-based macrocyclic chelates coordinating paramagnetic gadolinium ions. In a series of MRI experiments in vitro, this agent produced an amplified MRI signal when compared to the commercially available monomeric analogue.

Preparation and In Vitro Characterization of Dendrimer-based Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Paramagnetic complexes of gadolinium(III) with acyclic or macrocyclic chelates are the most commonly used contrast agents (CAs) for magnetic resonance ...

The overall goal of this procedure is to show the preparation and characterization of a dendrimeric paramagnetic chelating which can be used as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging and to demonstrate its performance in an imaging experiment. This method can help answer key questions in the field of MRI contrast agents such as the properties and the efficacy of dendrimeric contrast agents. The main advantage of this technique is convenient preparation of the efficient MRI contrast agent with high protein, thus ensuring its easy characterization.This method can extend towards further structural modifications and functional optimizations of dendrimeric MRI contrast agents which is of great relevance for potential in vivo applications. The implications extend towards biomedical research and diagnostic imaging as the high molecular rate of dendrimeric contrast agents causes longer tissue retention times and substantially enhance the MRI signal. First, dissolve one gram of the macrocyclic precursor DO3A tributyl ester in five milliliters of DMF.Add 0.67 grams of potassium carbonate and stir at room temperature for 45 minutes. Add 0.87 grams of tert-butyl-2-bromo-4 4-nitrophenyl butatnoate in portions over an hour and continue stirring the reaction mixture for 18 hours. Then, remove the DMF with bulb-to-bulb vacuum distillation at 40 to 60 degrees Celsius.Purify the residue with silica gel column chromatography to obtain a round solid. Dissolve one gram of the solid in a mixture of 10 milliliters ethanol and 150 microliters of a seven normal ammonia solution in methanol. Add 150 milligrams of palladium on activated carbon and set up the bottle reactor in the hydrogenator.Shake the mixture for 16 hours under a 2.5 bar hydrogen atmosphere. Pour a suspension of diatomaceous earth in ethanol into a sintered glass funnel Filter the reaction mixture through the diatomaceous earth to remove the palladium carbon catalyst. Remove solvent from the filtrate on a rotary evaporator.Dissolve the resulting solid in 15 milliliters of dichloromethane and four equivalents triethylamine. To this, add 1.3 equivalents of thiophosgene and stir the mixture at room temperature for 16 hours. Remove the solvent from the reaction mixture on a rotary evaporator and purify the residue with silica gel column chromatography to obtain the DOTA-type monomer as a light brown solid.Prepare 66.7 milligrams of G4 PAMAM dendrimer from a 10%solution in methanol by evaporating the solvent on a rotary evaporator at 40 degrees Celsius. Dissolve the dendrimer in four milliliters of DMF. Add 0.105 milliliters of triethylamine to the dendrimer solution and stir for 45 minutes at 60 degrees Celsius.Then add 354 milligrams of the monomer in portions over an hour. Continue stirring at 45 degrees Celsius for 48 hours. Remove the solvent with bulb-to-bulb vacuum distillation.Pack a size exclusion chromatography column by swirling lipophilic gel filtration medium in methanol for three hours at room temperature. Collect one milliliter fractions using methanol as the eluent. Analyze the fractions by TLC.Remove solvent from the fractions containing the protected dendrimeric chelator on a rotary evaporator. Acquire a proton NMR spectrum of the compound and integrate the aromatic and aliphatic regions. Using these values, determine the number of protected DOTA-type macrocycles coupled to the G4 PAMAM dendrimer.To de-protect the product, dissolve the solid in five milliliters formic acid and stir the mixture at 60 degrees Celsius for 36 hours. Remove the formic acid with a rotary evaporator. Freeze dry the residue removed from the rotary evaporator to obtain the dendrimeric chelator.Using proton NMR, determine the number of macrocyclic units coupled to the dendrimer. Dissolve the freeze dried chelator in water. Use 0.1 molar sodium hydroxide to adjust the solution pH to 7.0.Add a solution of 113 milligrams Gadolinium III chloride in one milliliter water drop-wise to the chelator solution over a four-hour period. Periodically adjust the pH to 7.0 with 0.05 molar sodium hydroxide. Stir the mixture at room temperature for 24 hours.Then, add 158 milligrams of EDTA in portions over a four-hour period correcting the pH back to 7.0 as needed. Stir for another 24 hours at room temperature. Pack a size exclusion chromatography column with hydrophilic gel filtration medium swollen in water.Concentrate the reaction mixture, load the mixture onto the column, and elute with deionized water. Centrifuge the purified sample in a three kilodalton centrifuge filter unit for 30 minutes at 1, 800 times g. Repeat the filtration about five times to remove excess Gadolinium and EDTA.Confirm the absence of free Gadolinium ions in the filtrate with a xylenol orange test. Remove volatiles from the filtered sample and freeze dry the residue to obtain the dendrimeric contrast agent. Prepare a stock solution of DCA in water with a concentration between five and 10 millimolar.To determine the precise DCA concentration, first combine 360 microliters of the stock solution with 60 microliters of a D2O and tert-butanol standard. Place 400 microliters of the sample in an outer NMR tube. Place a coaxial NMR insert tube containing a tert-butanol and water reference solution into the sample tube.Acquire a proton NMR spectrum and measure the frequency shift between the tert-butanol signals of the reference and sample solutions. Calculate the DCA concentration using the shown formula, correcting for the added tert-butanol in the sample. Determine the concentration of a commercially available GdDOTA solution in the same way.Place DCA and GdDOTA solutions in HEPES buffer and water controls in two sets of plastic vials. Close vials with caps ensuring that no air bubbles are present. Into a 60 milliliter syringe, horizontally load the 0.01 and 0.02 millimolar DCA samples, one of the 0.5 and the 1.0 millimolar GdDOTA samples and two of the water controls.Repeat this procedure by loading the second set of samples into a second 60 milliliter syringe. Fill each syringe with one millimolar GdDOTA solution and cap the syringe tips. Place one of the syringes horizontally in an MRI scanner so that the samples are vertical with respect to the scanner.Slide the syringes into the center of the scanner. Select the anatomical scan to position the syringe at the isocenter of the magnet. Then press the traffic light button to perform adjustments of initial scanning parameters and start the scan.Choose the fast/slow angle shot method to perform T1 weighted imaging or the rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement method to perform T2 weighted imaging. Use the localizer scan to select coronal slice for the vertically aligned samples. Optimize the contrast to noise acquisition parameters and acquire the image.Use a circular ROI to determine average signal amplitude and standard deviation for the background and for each sample. Calculate the signal-to-noise ratio. NMR, MALDI-TOF MS, and elemental analysis indicated that an average of 49 macrocyclic units were conjugated to the G4 PAMAM dendrimer.The concentrations and longitudinal and transverse relaxation times of DCA solutions were also determined with NMR. The obtained relaxivity values were compared to a commercially available and clinically used GdDOTA monomer. The DCA performance was also compared to the GdDOTA monomer.Two sets of solutions had similar Gadolinium concentrations as determined by the number of conjugated macrocyclic units and the other two sets had similar molecular concentrations. In a T1 weighted imaging experiment with similar Gadolinium concentrations, the signal-to-noise ratio was slightly higher for DCA than for GdDOTA. When the solutions had similar concentrations by molecule, the DCA signal-to-noise ratio was about three times greater than that of GdDOTA.In a T2 weighted imaging experiment, the signal-to-noise ratio of the DCA was significantly lower than that of the GdDOTA in both concentration pairs, particularly at higher DCA concentrations. After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of how to prepare purified and characterized dendrimer-based MRI contrast agent. Following this procedure, different types of dendrimeric and nano-sized MRI contrast agents can be prepared by modifying the units of the molecule and conveniently analyzed.After mastering this technique, the researchers in the field of MRI contrast agent development should be able to prepare a range of specific probes to execute various functional studies of critical importance for contemporary molecular imaging.

preparation-vitro-characterization-dendrimer-based-contrast-agents

Research

JoVE Journal

Chemistry

Synthesis, Cellular Delivery and In vivo Application of Dendrimer-based pH Sensors

The development of fluorescent indicators represented a revolution for life sciences. Genetically encoded and synthetic fluorophores with sensing abilities allowed the visualization of biologically relevant species with high spatial and temporal resolution. Synthetic dyes are of particular interest thanks to their high tunability and the wide range of measureable analytes. However, these molecules suffer several limitations related to small molecule behavior (poor solubility, difficulties in targeting, often no ratiometric imaging allowed). In this work we introduce the development of dendrimer-based sensors and present a procedure for pH measurement in vitro, in living cells and in vivo. We choose dendrimers as ideal platform for our sensors for their many desirable properties (monodispersity, tunable properties, multivalency) that made them a widely used scaffold for several biomedical devices. The conjugation of fluorescent pH indicators to the dendrimer scaffold led to an enhancement of their sensing performances. In particular dendrimers exhibit reduced cell leakage, improved intracellular targeting and allow ratiometric measurements. These novel sensors were successfully employed to measure pH in living HeLa cells and in vivo in mouse brain.

Synthesis, Cellular Delivery and In vivo Application of Dendrimer-based pH Sensors

Fluorescence sensors are powerful tools in life science. Here we describe a methodology to synthesize and use dendrimer-based fluorescent sensors to measure pH in living cells and in vivo. The dendritic scaffold enhances the properties of conjugated fluorescent dyes leading to improved sensing properties.

The development of  fluorescent indicators represented a revolution for life sciences. Genetically  encoded and synthetic fluorophores with sensing ...

Preparation and Characterization of SDF-1&#945;-Chitosan-Dextran Sulfate Nanoparticles

Chitosan (CS) and dextran sulfate (DS) are charged polysaccharides (glycans), which form polyelectrolyte complex-based nanoparticles when mixed under appropriate conditions. The glycan nanoparticles are useful carriers for protein factors, which facilitate the in vivo delivery of the proteins and sustain their retention in the targeted tissue. The glycan polyelectrolyte complexes are also ideal for protein delivery, as the incorporation is carried out in aqueous solution, which reduces the likelihood of inactivation of the proteins. Proteins with a heparin-binding site adhere to dextran sulfate readily, and are, in turn, stabilized by the binding. These particles are also less inflammatory and toxic when delivered in vivo. In the protocol described below, SDF-1&#945; (Stromal cell-derived factor-1&#945;), a stem cell homing factor, is first mixed and incubated with dextran sulfate. Chitosan is added to the mixture to form polyelectrolyte complexes, followed by zinc sulfate to stabilize the complexes with zinc bridges. The resultant SDF-1&#945;-DS-CS particles are measured for size (diameter) and surface charge (zeta potential). The amount of the incorporated SDF-1&#945; is determined, followed by measurements of its in vitro release rate and its chemotactic activity in a particle-bound form.

Preparation and Characterization of SDF-1&amp;#945;-Chitosan-Dextran Sulfate Nanoparticles

The objective of this protocol is to incorporate SDF-1&#945;, a stem cell homing factor, into dextran sulfate-chitosan nanoparticles. The resultant particles are measured for their size and zeta potential, as well as the content, activity, and in vitro release rate of SDF-1&#945; from the nanoparticles.

Chitosan (CS) and dextran sulfate (DS) are charged polysaccharides (glycans), which form polyelectrolyte complex-based nanoparticles when mixed under ...

Preparation and Characterization of Individual and Multi-drug Loaded Physically Entrapped Polymeric Micelles

Amphiphilic block copolymers like polyethyleneglycol-block-polylactic acid (PEG-b-PLA) can self-assemble into micelles above their critical micellar concentration forming hydrophobic cores surrounded by hydrophilic shells in aqueous environments. The core of these micelles can be utilized to load hydrophobic, poorly water soluble drugs like docetaxel (DTX) and everolimus (EVR). Systematic characterization of the micelle structure and drug loading capabilities are important before in vitro and in vivo studies can be conducted. The goal of the protocol described herein is to provide the necessary characterization steps to achieve standardized micellar products. DTX and EVR have intrinsic solubilities of 1.9 and 9.6 &#181;g/ml respectively Preparation of these micelles can be achieved through solvent casting which increases the aqueous solubility of DTX and EVR to 1.86 and 1.85 mg/ml, respectively. Drug stability in micelles evaluated at room temperature over 48 hr indicates that 97% or more of the drugs are retained in solution. Micelle size was assessed using dynamic light scattering and indicated that the size of these micelles was below 50 nm and depended on the molecular weight of the polymer. Drug release from the micelles was assessed using dialysis under sink conditions at pH 7.4 at 37 oC over 48 hr. Curve fitting results indicate that drug release is driven by a first order process indicating that it is diffusion driven.

The goal of this protocol is to describe the preparation and characterization of physically entrapped, poorly water soluble drugs in micellar drug delivery systems composed of amphiphilic block copolymers.

Amphiphilic block copolymers like polyethyleneglycol-block-polylactic acid (PEG-b-PLA) can self-assemble into micelles above their critical micellar ...

Sequencing of Plant Wall Heteroxylans Using Enzymic, Chemical (Methylation) and Physical (Mass Spectrometry, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) Techniques

This protocol describes the specific techniques used for the characterization of reducing end (RE) and internal region glycosyl sequence(s) of heteroxylans. De-starched wheat endosperm cell walls were isolated as an alcohol-insoluble residue (AIR)1 and sequentially extracted with water (W-sol Fr) and 1 M KOH containing 1% NaBH4 (KOH-sol Fr) as described by Ratnayake et al. (2014)2. Two different approaches (see summary in Figure 1) are adopted. In the first, intact W-sol AXs are treated with 2AB to tag the original RE backbone chain sugar residue and then treated with an endoxylanase to generate a mixture of 2AB-labelled RE and internal region reducing oligosaccharides, respectively. In a second approach, the KOH-sol Fr is hydrolyzed with endoxylanase to first generate a mixture of oligosaccharides which are subsequently labelled with 2AB. The enzymically released ((un)tagged) oligosaccharides from both W- and KOH-sol Frs are then methylated and the detailed structural analysis of both the native and methylated oligosaccharides is performed using a combination of MALDI-TOF-MS, RP-HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS and ESI-MSn. Endoxylanase digested KOH-sol AXs are also characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) that also provides information on the anomeric configuration. These techniques can be applied to other classes of polysaccharides using the appropriate endo-hydrolases.

Sequencing of Plant Wall Heteroxylans Using Enzymic, Chemical Methylation and Physical Mass Spectrometry, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Techniques

This protocol describes the specific techniques used for the structural characterization of reducing end (RE) and internal region glycosyl sequence(s) of heteroxylans by tagging the RE with 2 aminobenzamide prior to enzymatic (endoxylanase) hydrolysis and then analysis of the resultant oligosaccharides using mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).

This protocol describes the specific techniques used for the characterization of reducing end (RE) and internal region glycosyl sequence(s) of ...

In Situ Monitoring of Diffusion of Guest Molecules in Porous Media Using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Imaging

A method is demonstrated to monitor macroscopic translational diffusion using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) imaging. A host-guest system with nitroxide spin probe 3-(2-Iodoacetamido)-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-1-pyrrolidinyloxy (IPSL) as a guest inside the periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) aerogel UKON1-GEL as a host and ethanol as a solvent is used as an example to describe the protocol. Data is shown from a previous publication, where the protocol has been applied to both IPSL and Tris(8-carboxy-2,2,6,6-perdeutero-tetramethyl-benzo[1,2-d:4,5-d&#8242;]bis(1,3)dithiole) methyl (Trityl) as guest molecules and UKON1-GEL and SILICA-GEL as host systems. 
A method is shown to prepare aerogel samples that cannot be synthesized directly in the sample tube for measurement due to a size change during synthesis. The aerogel is attached to sample tubes using heat shrink tubing and a pressure cooker to reach the necessary temperature without evaporating the solvent in the process. The method does not assume a clearly defined initial distribution of guest molecules at the start of the measurement. Instead, it requires a reservoir on top of the aerogel and experimentally determines the influx rate during data analysis.
The diffusion is monitored continually over a period of 20 hr by recording the 1d spin density profile within the sample. The spectrometer settings for the imaging experiment are described quantitatively. Data analysis software is provided to take the resonator sensitivity profile into account and to numerically solve the diffusion equation. The software determines the macroscopic translational diffusion coefficient by least square minimization of the difference between the experiment and the numerical solution of the diffusion equation.

In Situ Monitoring of Diffusion of Guest Molecules in Porous Media Using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Imaging

A protocol for the in situ monitoring of the diffusion of guest molecules in porous media using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) imaging is presented.

A method is demonstrated to monitor macroscopic translational diffusion using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) imaging. A host-guest system with ...

DNA-magnetic Particle Binding Analysis by Dynamic and Electrophoretic Light Scattering

Isolation of DNA using magnetic particles is a field of high importance in biotechnology and molecular biology research. This protocol describes the evaluation of DNA-magnetic particles binding via dynamic light scattering (DLS) and electrophoretic light scattering (ELS). Analysis by DLS provides valuable information on the physicochemical properties of particles including particle size, polydispersity, and zeta potential. The latter describes the surface charge of the particle which plays major role in electrostatic binding of materials such as DNA. Here, a comparative analysis exploits three chemical modifications of nanoparticles and microparticles and their effects on DNA binding and elution. Chemical modifications by branched polyethylenimine, tetraethyl orthosilicate and (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane are investigated. Since DNA exhibits a negative charge, it is expected that zeta potential of particle surface will decrease upon binding of DNA. Forming of clusters should also affect particle size. In order to investigate the efficiency of these particles in isolation and elution of DNA, the particles are mixed with DNA in low pH (~6), high ionic strength and dehydration environment. Particles are washed on magnet and then DNA is eluted by Tris-HCl buffer (pH = 8). DNA copy number is estimated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Zeta potential, particle size, polydispersity and quantitative PCR data are evaluated and compared. DLS is an insightful and supporting method of analysis that adds a new perspective to the process of screening of particles for DNA isolation.

This protocol describes the synthesis of magnetic particles and evaluation of their DNA-binding properties via dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering. This method focuses on monitoring changes in particle size, their polydispersity and zeta potential of particle surface which play major role in binding of materials such as DNA.

Isolation of DNA using magnetic particles is a field of high importance in biotechnology and molecular biology research. This protocol describes the ...

Preparation and Characterization of C60/Graphene Hybrid Nanostructures

Physical thermal deposition in a high vacuum environment is a clean and controllable method for fabricating novel molecular nanostructures on graphene. We present methods for depositing and passively manipulating C60 molecules on rippled graphene that advance the pursuit of realizing applications involving 1D C60/graphene hybrid structures. The techniques applied in this exposition are geared towards high vacuum systems with preparation areas capable of supporting molecular deposition as well as thermal annealing of the samples. We focus on C60 deposition at low pressure using a homemade Knudsen cell connected to a scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) system. The number of molecules deposited is regulated by controlling the temperature of the Knudsen cell and the deposition time. One-dimensional (1D) C60 chain structures with widths of two to three molecules can be prepared via tuning of the experimental conditions. The surface mobility of the C60 molecules increases with annealing temperature allowing them to move within the periodic potential of the rippled graphene. Using this mechanism, it is possible to control the transition of 1D C60 chain structures to a hexagonal close packed quasi-1D stripe structure.

Preparation and Characterization of C60/Graphene Hybrid Nanostructures

Here we present a protocol for the fabrication of C60/graphene hybrid nanostructures by physical thermal evaporation. Particularly, the proper manipulation of deposition and annealing conditions allow the control over the creation of 1D and quasi 1D C60 structures on rippled graphene.

Physical thermal deposition in a high vacuum environment is a clean and controllable method for fabricating novel molecular nanostructures on graphene. We ...

Technical Aspect of the Automated Synthesis and Real-Time Kinetic Evaluation of [11C]SNAP-7941

Positron emission tomography (PET) is an essential molecular imaging technique providing insights into pathways and using specific targeted radioligands for in vivo investigations. Within this protocol, a robust and reliable remote-controlled radiosynthesis of [11C]SNAP-7941, an antagonist to the melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1, is described. The radiosynthesis starts with cyclotron produced [11C]CO2 that is subsequently further reacted via a gas-phase transition to [11C]CH3OTf. Then, this reactive intermediate is introduced to the precursor solution and forms the respective radiotracer. Chemical as well as the radiochemical purity are determined by means of RP-HPLC, routinely implemented in the radiopharmaceutical quality control process. Additionally, the molar activity is calculated as it is a necessity for the following real-time kinetic investigations. Furthermore, [11C]SNAP-7941 is applied to MDCKII-WT and MDCKII-hMDR1 cells for evaluating the impact of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression on cell accumulation. For this reason, the P-gp expressing cell line (MDCKII-hMDR1) is either used without or with blocking prior to experiments by means of the P-gp substrate (&#177;)-verapamil and the results are compared to the ones observed for the wildtype cells. The overall experimental approach demonstrates the importance of a precise time-management that is essential for every preclinical and clinical study using PET tracers radiolabelled with short-lived nuclides, such as carbon-11 (half-life: 20 min).

Technical Aspect of the Automated Synthesis and Real-Time Kinetic Evaluation of [11C]SNAP-7941

Here, we represent a protocol for the fully automated radiolabelling of [11C]SNAP-7941 and the analysis of the real-time kinetics of this PET-tracer on P-gp expressing and non-expressing cells.

Positron emission tomography (PET) is an essential molecular imaging technique providing insights into pathways and using specific targeted radioligands ...

High-Contrast and Fast Photorheological Switching of a Twist-Bend Nematic Liquid Crystal

Smart viscoelastic materials that respond to specific stimuli are one of the most attractive classes of materials important to future technologies, such as on-demand switchable adhesion technologies, actuators, molecular clutches, and nano-/microscopic mass transporters. Recently it was found that through a special solid-liquid transition, rheological properties can exhibit significant changes, thus providing suitable smart viscoelastic materials. However, designing materials with such a property is complex, and forward and backward switching times are usually long. Therefore, it is important to explore new working mechanisms to realize solid-liquid transitions, shorten the switching time, and enhance the contrast of rheological properties during switching. Here, a light-induced crystal-liquid phase transition is observed, which is characterized by means of polarizing light microscopy (POM), photorheometry, photo-differential scanning calorimetry (photo-DSC), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The light-induced crystal-liquid phase transition presents key features such as (1) fast switching of crystal-liquid phases for both forward and backward reactions and (2) a high contrast ratio of viscoelasticity. In the characterization, POM is advantageous in offering information on the spatial distribution of LC molecule orientations, determining the type of liquid crystalline phases appearing in the material, and studying the orientation of LCs. Photorheometry allows measurement of a material&#8217;s rheological properties under light stimuli and can reveal the photorheological switching properties of materials. Photo-DSC is a technique to investigate thermodynamic information of materials in darkness and under light irradiation. Lastly, XRD allows studying of microscopic structures of materials. The goal of this article is to clearly present how to prepare and measure the discussed properties of a photorheological material.

This protocol demonstrates the preparation of a photorheological material that exhibits a solid phase, various liquid crystalline phases, and an isotropic liquid phase by increasing temperature. Presented here are methods for measuring the structure-viscoelasticity relationship of the material.

Smart viscoelastic materials that respond to specific stimuli are one of the most attractive classes of materials important to future technologies, such ...

High-Temperature and High-Pressure In situ Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy represents an important technique to understand the structure and bonding environments of molecules. There exists a drive to characterize materials under conditions relevant to the chemical process of interest. To address this, in situ high-temperature, high-pressure MAS NMR methods have been developed to enable the observation of chemical interactions over a range of pressures (vacuum to several hundred bar) and temperatures (well below 0 &#176;C to 250 &#176;C). Further, the chemical identity of the samples can be comprised of solids, liquids, and gases or mixtures of the three. The method incorporates all-zirconia NMR rotors (sample holder for MAS NMR) which can be sealed using a threaded cap to compress an O-ring. This rotor exhibits great chemical resistance, temperature compatibility, low NMR background, and can withstand high pressures. These combined factors enable it to be utilized in a wide range of system combinations, which in turn permit its use in diverse fields as carbon sequestration, catalysis, material science, geochemistry, and biology. The flexibility of this technique makes it an attractive option for scientists from numerous disciplines.

The molecular structures and dynamics of solids, liquids, gases, and mixtures are of critical interest to diverse scientific fields. High-temperature, high-pressure in situ MAS NMR enables detection of the chemical environment of constituents in mixed phase systems under tightly controlled chemical environments.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy represents an important technique to understand the structure and bonding environments of molecules. There ...