Durham University

10 ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN JoVE

Bioengineering

Cell Labeling and Targeting with Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Brandon J. Tefft¹, Susheil Uthamaraj², J. Jonathan Harburn³, Martin Klabusay⁴, Dan Dragomir-Daescu^2,5, Gurpreet S. Sandhu¹

¹Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, ²Division of Engineering, Mayo Clinic, ³School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health, Durham University, ⁴Regional Center for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, ⁵Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic

Targeted cell delivery is useful in a variety of biomedical applications. The goal of this protocol is to use superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) to label cells and thereby enable magnetic cell targeting approaches for a high degree of control over cell delivery and localization.

Biochemistry

An Efficient Method for the Synthesis of Peptoids with Mixed Lysine-type/Arginine-type Monomers and Evaluation of Their Anti-leishmanial Activity

Hannah L. Bolt¹, Paul W. Denny², Steven L. Cobb¹

¹Department of Chemistry, Durham University, ²School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health, Durham University

A protocol to synthesize peptoids with mixed cationic functionality in the same sequence is presented (lysine- and arginine-type monomers). Subsequent testing of these compounds against Leishmania mexicana, the protozoan parasites that cause cutaneous leishmaniasis, is also described.

Engineering

Sub-nanometer Resolution Imaging with Amplitude-modulation Atomic Force Microscopy in Liquid

Ethan J. Miller^*1, William Trewby^*1, Amir Farokh Payam¹, Luca Piantanida¹, Clodomiro Cafolla¹, Kislon Voïtchovsky¹

¹Physics Department, Durham University

We present a method for achieving sub-nanometer resolution images with amplitude-modulation (tapping mode) atomic force microscopy in liquid. The method is demonstrated on commercial atomic force microscopes. We explain the rationale behind our choices of parameters and suggest strategies for resolution optimization.

JoVE Core

Production and Characterization of Vacuum Deposited Organic Light Emitting Diodes

Daniel de Sa Pereira¹, Andrew P. Monkman¹, Przemyslaw Data^1,2,3

¹Physics Department, Durham University, ²Faculty of Chemistry, Silesian University of Technology, ³Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Science

A protocol for the production of simple structured organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) is presented.

Chemistry

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy as a Tool for Electrochemical Rate Constant Estimation

Pavel Chulkin¹, Przemyslaw Data^1,2,3

¹Factulty of Chemistry, Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Silesian University of Technology, ²Department of Physics, Durham University, ³Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials of the Polish Academy of Sciences

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of species that undergo reversible oxidation or reduction in solution was used for determination of rate constants of oxidation or reduction.

Chemistry

Time-resolved Photophysical Characterization of Triplet-harvesting Organic Compounds at an Oxygen-free Environment Using an iCCD Camera

Piotr Pander¹, Przemyslaw Data^1,2,3, Fernando B. Dias¹

¹Department of Physics, University of Durham, ²Faculty of Chemistry, Silesian University of Technology, ³Center of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences

Here, we present a method of the spectroscopic characterization of organic molecules by means of time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy on the nanosecond-to-millisecond timescale in oxygen-free conditions. Methods to efficiently remove oxygen from the samples and, thus, limit luminescence quenching are also described.

Chemistry

Raman and IR Spectroelectrochemical Methods as Tools to Analyze Conjugated Organic Compounds

Agata Blacha-Grzechnik¹, Krzysztof Karon¹, Przemyslaw Data^1,2,3

¹Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Silesian University of Technology, ²Department of Physics, Durham University, ³Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials of the Polish Academy of Sciences

A protocol of step-by-step Raman and IR spectroelectrochemical analysis is presented.

JoVE Journal

Using Cyclic Voltammetry, UV-Vis-NIR, and EPR Spectroelectrochemistry to Analyze Organic Compounds

Sandra Pluczyk¹, Marharyta Vasylieva¹, Przemyslaw Data^1,2,3

¹Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Silesian University of Technology, ²Department of Physics, Durham University, ³Center of Polymer and Carbon Materials of the Polish Academy of Sciences

In this article, we describe electrochemical, electron paramagnetic resonance, and ultraviolet-visible and near-infrared spectroelectrochemical methods to analyze organic compounds for application in organic electronics.

Biochemistry

How to Stabilize Protein: Stability Screens for Thermal Shift Assays and Nano Differential Scanning Fluorimetry in the Virus-X Project

Daniel Bruce¹, Emily Cardew¹, Stefanie Freitag-Pohl², Ehmke Pohl^1,2

¹Department of Biosciences, Durham University, ²Department of Chemistry, Durham University

A protocol is presented to rapidly test the thermal stability of proteins in a variety of conditions through thermal shift assays and nano differential scanning fluorimetry. Buffer systems, salts and additives, together comprising three unique stability screens, are assayed with proteins to identify suitable buffers for functional and structural studies.

Behavior

Sampling and Analysis of Animal Scent Signals

David Walker^*1, Stefano Vaglio^*1,2

¹Department of Biology, Chemistry and Forensic Science, University of Wolverhampton, ²Department of Anthropology & Behavior, Ecology and Evolution Research Centre, Durham University

We have developed an effective methodology for sampling and analysis of odor signals in order to understand how they may be used in animal communication. Particularly, we use headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze the volatile components of animal odors and scent-markings.