Name: preparation of chitosan-based injectable hydrogels and its application in 3d cell culture
Uploaded: 2017-09-29T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Preparation of Chitosan-based Injectable Hydrogels and Its Application in 3D Cell Culture at JoVE.com

This research was supported by the National Science Foundation of China (21474057 and 21604076).

CAUTION: Please consult all relevant material safety data sheets (MSDS) before use. Please use appropriate safety practices when performing chemistry experiments, including the use of a fume hood and personal protective equipment (safety glasses, protective gloves, lab coat, etc.). The protocol requires standard cell handling techniques (sterilizing, cell recovery, cell passaging, cell freezing, cell staining, etc.).
1. Preparation of Hydrogels
<ol>
	<li>Synthesis o...

<ol>
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B. 3 (7), 1268-1280 (2015).</li><li>Ding, F., 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=A+dynamic+and+self-crosslinked+polysaccharide+hydrogel+with+autonomous+self-healing+ability.">A dynamic and self-crosslinked polysaccharide hydrogel with autonomous self-healing ability.</a> Soft Matter. 11 (20), 3971-3976 (2015).</li><li>Wei, Z., 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=Self-healing+gels+based+on+constitutional+dynamic+chemistry+and+their+potential+applications.">Self-healing gels based on constitutional dynamic chemistry and their potential applications.</a> Chem. Soc. Rev. 43 (23), 8114-8131 (2014).</li><li>Li, Y., 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=Modulus-regulated+3D-cell+proliferation+in+an+injectable+self-healing+hydrogel.">Modulus-regulated 3D-cell proliferation in an injectable self-healing hydrogel.</a> Colloid. Surface. B. 149, 168-173 (2017).</li><li>Tseng, T. C., 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=An+Injectable,+Self&#8208;Healing+Hydrogel+to+Repair+the+Central+Nervous+System.">An Injectable, Self&#8208;Healing Hydrogel to Repair the Central Nervous System.</a> Adv. Mater. 27 (23), 3518-3524 (2015).</li><li>Yu, L., Ding, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Injectable+hydrogels+as+unique+biomedical+materials.">Injectable hydrogels as unique biomedical materials.</a> Chem. Soc. Rev. 37 (8), 1473-1481 (2008).</li><li>Yang, 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=Improving+Tumor+Chemotherapy+Effect+by+Using+an+Injectable+Self-healing+Hydrogel+as+Drug+Carrier.">Improving Tumor Chemotherapy Effect by Using an Injectable Self-healing Hydrogel as Drug Carrier.</a> Polym. Chem. , (2017).</li><li>Zhang, Y., 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=A+magnetic+self-healing+hydrogel.">A magnetic self-healing hydrogel.</a> Chem. Commun. 48 (74), 9305-9307 (2012).</li><li>Zhang, Y., 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+of+an+injectable,+self-healable+and+dual+responsive+hydrogel+for+drug+delivery+and+3D+cell+cultivation.">Synthesis of an injectable, self-healable and dual responsive hydrogel for drug delivery and 3D cell cultivation.</a> Polym. Chem. 8 (3), 537-534 (2017).</li><li>Yang, C., Tibbitt, M. W., Basta, L., Anseth, K. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mechanical+memory+and+dosing+influence+stem+cell+fate.">Mechanical memory and dosing influence stem cell fate.</a> Nat. Mater. 13 (6), 645-652 (2014).</li><li>Geerligs, M., Peters, G. W., Ackermans, P. A., Oomens, C. 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The hydrogel presented in this protocol (Figure 1) has two main components: the natural polymer glycol chitosan and a synthetic benzaldehyde terminated polymer gelator DF PEG, which are both biocompatible materials. Synthesis of DF PEG is presented using a one-step modification reaction. PEG of molecular weight 4,000 was chosen in this protocol in concerns of solubility, modification efficiency, as well as hydrogel stiffness. A series of hydrogels with different mechanical strengths were pre...

Hydrogels are crosslinked polymer materials with large amounts of water and soft mechanical properties, and they have been used in many bio-medical applications1,2. Hydrogels can offer a soft and wet environment, which is very similar to the physiological surroundings for cells in vivo. Therefore, hydrogels have become one of the most popular scaffolds for 3D cell culture3,4. Compared to 2D Petri dish cell culture, 3D cell culture has advanced quickly to offer an extracellular matrix (ECM) mimicked microenvironment for cells to contact and assemble for proliferation and differentiation purposes5. Additionally, hydrogels containing natural polymers could offer bio-compatible and promoting environments for cells to proliferate and differentiate3. Hydrogels derived from synthetic polymers are preferred for their simple and clear components, which exclude complex influences like animal-origin proteins or viruses. Among all the hydrogel candidates for 3D cell culture, hydrogels that are easily prepared and have a consistent property are always preferred. The facility to adjust the hydrogel&#39;s properties to fit different research requirements is important as well6.
Here we introduce a facile preparation of a glycol chitosan-based hydrogel using dynamic imine chemistry, which becomes a versatile hydrogel platform for 3D cell culture7. In this method, well-known bio-compatible glycol chitosan are used to establish frames of the hydrogel&#39;s networks. Its amino groups are reacted with a benzaldehyde terminated polyethylene glycol as the polymer gelator to form dynamic imine bonds as crosslinkages of hydrogels8. Dynamic imine bonds can form and decompose reversibly and responsively to surroundings, endowing the hydrogels with mechanically adjustable crosslinked networks9,10,11. Due to its high water contents, bio-compatible materials, and adjustable mechanical strengths, the hydrogel is successfully applied as a scaffold for L929 cells in 3D cell culture12,13. The protocol here details the procedures, including polymer gelator synthesis, hydrogel preparation, cell embedding, and 3D cell culturing.
The hydrogel also shows several other features due to its dynamic imine crosslinkages, including its multi-responsive to various bio-stimuli (acid/pH, vitamin B6 derivative pyridoxal, protein papain, etc.), indicating that the hydrogel could be induced to decompose under physiological conditions8. The hydrogel is also self-healable and injectable, which means the hydrogel could be administrated via a minimal invasive injection method and gain an advantage in drug and cell deliveries14,15. By adding functional additives or specific predesigned polymer gelators, the hydrogel is compatible to gaining specific properties like magnetic, temperature, pH responsive, etc.16,17, which could fulfill a wide range of research requirements. Those properties reveal the hydrogel&#39;s potential capacity to be an injectable multiple carriers for drugs and cells in both in vitro and in vivo bio-medical research and applications.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="1151">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:276px;">Glycol chitosan</td>
			<td style="width:360px;">Wako Pure Chemical Industries</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">39280-86-9</td>
			<td style="width:385px;">90% degree of deacetylation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">4-Carboxybenzaldehyde</td>
			<td>Shanghai Aladdin&#160;Bio-Chem Technology Co.,LTD</td>
			<td>619-66-9</td>
			<td>99%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">N, N&#39;-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide</td>
			<td>Shanghai Aladdin&#160;Bio-Chem Technology Co.,LTD</td>
			<td>538-75-0</td>
			<td>99%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Calcium chloride anhydrous</td>
			<td>Shanghai Aladdin&#160;Bio-Chem Technology Co.,LTD</td>
			<td>10043-52-4</td>
			<td>96%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">4-dimethylamiopryidine</td>
			<td>Shanghai Aladdin&#160;Bio-Chem Technology Co.,LTD</td>
			<td>1122-58</td>
			<td>99%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Polyethyleneglycol</td>
			<td>Sino-pharm Chemical Reagent</td>
			<td>5254-43-7</td>
			<td>99%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Tetrahydrofuran</td>
			<td>Sino-pharm Chemical Reagent</td>
			<td>109-99-9</td>
			<td>99%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Toluene</td>
			<td>Sino-pharm Chemical Reagent</td>
			<td>108-88-3</td>
			<td>99%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Ethyl ether</td>
			<td>Sino-pharm Chemical Reagent</td>
			<td>60-29-7</td>
			<td>99%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Acetic acid</td>
			<td>Sino-pharm Chemical Reagent</td>
			<td>64-19-7</td>
			<td>99%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Anhydrous CaCl2</td>
			<td>Sino-pharm Chemical Reagent</td>
			<td>10043-52-4</td>
			<td>99%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Fluorescein diacetate</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>596-09-8</td>
			<td>99%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Propidium iodide&#160;</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>25535-16-4</td>
			<td>94%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">RPMI-1640 culture media</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Fetal bovine serum</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Trypsin-EDTA</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>0.25%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">PBS</td>
			<td>Solarbio</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>0.01 M</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Penicillin streptomycin solution</td>
			<td>Hyclone</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>10,000 U/mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Rheometer</td>
			<td>TA Instrument</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>AR-G2</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Confocal microscope</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>710-3channel</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">L929 Cells</td>
			<td>ATCC</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>NCTC clone 929; L cell, L929, derivative of Strain L</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Evaporator</td>
			<td>EYELA</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>N-1100</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">48 guage needle</td>
			<td>ShanghaiZhiyu Medical Material Co., LTD</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>48-guage</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Microscope</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>DM3000 B</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Microscope software</td>
			<td>Imaris</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Heat gun</td>
			<td>Confu</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>KF-5843&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Petri dish</td>
			<td>NEST</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

preparation of chitosan-based injectable hydrogels and its application in 3d cell culture

The protocol presents a facile, efficient, and versatile method to prepare chitosan-based hydrogels using dynamic imine chemistry. The hydrogel is prepared by mixing solutions of glycol chitosan with a synthesized benzaldehyde terminated polymer gelator, and hydrogels are efficiently obtained in several minutes at room temperature. By varying ratios between glycol chitosan, polymer gelator, and water contents, versatile hydrogels with different gelation times and stiffness are obtained. When damaged, the hydrogel can recover its appearances and modulus, due to the reversibility of the dynamic imine bonds as crosslinkages. This self-healable property enables the hydrogel to be injectable since it can be self-healed from squeezed pieces to an integral bulk hydrogel after the injection process. The hydrogel is also multi-responsive to many bio-active stimuli due to different equilibration statuses of the dynamic imine bonds. This hydrogel was confirmed as bio-compatible, and L929 mouse fibroblast cells were embedded following standard procedures and the cell proliferation was easily assessed by a 3D cell cultivation process. The hydrogel can offer an adjustable platform for different research where a physiological mimic of a 3D environment for cells is profited. Along with its multi-responsive, self-healable, and injectable properties, the hydrogels can potentially be applied as multiple carriers for drugs and cells in future bio-medical applications.

A schematic presentation of this protocol on hydrogel preparation and its use as 3D cell culture is offered in Figure 1. Information of the hydrogel&#39;s contents and ratios prepared with different mechanical strengths is summarized in Table 1. The hydrogel&#39;s self-healable and rheology property presents the hydrogel&#39;s stiffness by storage modulus versus frequency test in Figure 2. The cell confocal images and cell numbers with days of c...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Preparation of Chitosan-based Injectable Hydrogels and Its Application in 3D Cell Culture at JoVE.com

Preparation of Chitosan-based Injectable Hydrogels and Its Application in 3D Cell Culture

Here we describe a facile preparation of chitosan-based injectable hydrogels using dynamic imine chemistry. Methods to adjust the hydrogel&#8217;s mechanical strength and its application in 3D cell culture are presented.

The protocol presents a facile, efficient, and versatile method to prepare chitosan-based hydrogels using dynamic imine chemistry. The hydrogel is ...

The overall goal of this protocol is to prepare an injectable chitosan hydrogel for three-dimensional cell culture to ultimately use in therapeutic treatments. This method can answer question in the field of self-healing hydrogel, such as how to make a self-healing hydrogel by immersing whole way and how to use it for 3D cell culture. The my advantage of this technique is, by compatible self-healing hydrogel can be prepared by a very simple way, and the use of a 3D cell culture.This hydrogel is also injectable, so it can be used as a carrier for cell therapy. Now Mr.Yongsan Li will show you how to make the hydrogel and how to do the 3D cell culture using this hydrogel. Yongsan Li is our graduate student of our lab.To make the hydrogels, first synthesize DF PEG. In a fume hood weigh out four grams of molecular-weight 4, 000 PEG into a round-bottom flask, and add 100 milliliters of toluene. Then, to dissolve the polymers, warm up the solution.After all the polymers dissolve, use an evaporator to remove all the solvents. Then, repeat the process of mixing in toluene and evaporating it twice more to prepare the dry PEG polymers. Next, using a magnetic stirrer and 100 milliliters of DHF, dissolve the polymers.Then, dissolve 0.9 grams of 4-Carboxybenzaldehyde into the solution. Next, dissolve 0.07 grams of dimethylaminopyrimide into the solution. Now add 1.25 grams of DCC in a drying tube filled with anhydrous calcium chloride.Now allow the reaction to stir at room temperature for around 12 hours. The next day, use 500 milliliters of cold diethyl ether to precipitate the white solids, and use vacuum filtration to collect the solids. Discard the solute, and dry the solids under good ventilation.Next, dissolve the white solids in 100 milliliters of THF. Any insoluble white solids must be filtered out before proceeding. Now precipitate the dissolved solids using fresh cold diethyl ether.Then use vacuum filtration to collect the solids, and let them dry out again. Repeat this process two to three times, and then place the white solids in a vacuum-drying oven to dry them completely. The resulting white powder is the final product:benzaldehyde-terminated DF PEG.To encapsulate the cells in the hydrogel for culturing, first dissolve 0.44 grams of DF PEG into two milliliters of cell-growth media in a four-milliliter tube. Vortex the mixture into a 20%solution by weight. Next, sterilize the solution.Load it into a 10-milliliter syringe, and press it through a 0.22-micron bacteria-retentive filter. Now mix 0.165 grams of the glycol-chitosan with four milliliters of cell-culture media, using a vortex to make a 4%by-weight chitosan solution. Then, sterilize the solution using another 0.22-micron bacteria-retentive filter.Next, harvest the cells, such as L929 cells using trypsin. Wash the collected cells, and resuspend them in media at 3.75 million cells per milliliter. In the following step the cells are planted into a 3D matrix.Following these steps precisely is critical to produce success. Now mix 0.4 milliliters of the cell suspension with 0.4 milliliters of chitosan solution using a vortex. Pipet this mixture into the center of a two-centimeter-diameter petri dish, and pipet 0.2 milliliters of the DF PEG solution into the dish.Then, use gentle pipeting to induce the formation of the hydrogel. Assess the hydrogel's formation by tilting the dish and observing the solution's viscosity. To test the injectability of the encapsulated cells, make the same preparation in a 10-milliliter syringe.Then, after the hydrogel forms, slowly expel the hydrogel through a 48-gauge needle into the petri dish. Next, add one milliliter of culture media to the hydrogel-cell mixture in the plate, and transfer the plate to an incubator for culturing. Every other day, change the media, overlaying the 3D hydrogel cell culture.To prepare the cells encapsulated in hydrogels for imaging, first rinse the hydrogels with one milliliter of PBS two times. Then, stain the hydrogels with fluorescein-diacetate solution and propidium iodide solution. Overlay 0.5 milliliters of both solutions onto the hydrogel, and incubate the hydrogel for 15 minutes at room temperature.After the brief incubation with the stain solutions, aspirate away all the solvents. Now observe the hydrogels using confocal microscopy, with excitation at 488 nanometers to view living cells, and excitation at 543 nanometers to view dead cells. Collect image stacks with two-micron slices to validate the distribution of cells in the hydrogel.L929 cells. A typical mouse-fiberglass cell line with an in-vivo environment tissue stiffness of about 5, 600 Pascals were encapsulated in a hydrogel. Their viability was extremely high throughout the culture process, and they achieved a remarkable cell density.After seven days of culture in the hydrogel, the cell number increased by 200%Hydrogels that were expelled onto their cell-culture dish through a 48-gauge needle could self-heal to reform an integrated hydrogel after about one hour. After seven days in culture, these cells also proliferated dramatically. Evidence could be found of cell-fission events in which some cells appeared divided into two.The live-dead assay showed very high viability, demonstrating the successful cell proliferation in the 3D hydrogel after injection. This cell-proliferation rate was about 3/4 that of uninjected cells after seven days of culturing. So, although the sheering force during injection has a measurable negative effect, the injected cells were still quite proliferative.After watching this video you should know how to prepare a self-healing hydrogel and how to use this hydrogel for 3D cell culture and how delivery the cell with this hydrogel. Once mastered, this technique can be done within one hour if performed properly. Following best procedure, other method, like in-vivo injection for cell therapy or drug delivery, can be performed.

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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 ...

Synthesis of Hypervalent Iodonium Alkynyl Triflates for the Application of Generating Cyanocarbenes

The procedures described in this article involve the synthesis and isolation of hypervalent iodonium alkynyl triflates (HIATs) and their subsequent reactions with azides to form cyanocarbene intermediates. The synthesis of hypervalent iodonium alkynyl triflates can be facile, but difficulties stem from their isolation and reactivity. In particular, the necessity to use filtration under inert atmosphere at -45 &deg;C for some HIATs requires special care and equipment. Once isolated, the compounds can be stored and used in reactions with azides to form cyanocarbene intermediates. 
The evidence for cyanocarbene generation is shown by visible extrusion of dinitrogen as well as the characterization of products that occur from O-H insertion, sulfoxide complexation, and cyclopropanation. A side reaction of the cyanocarbene formation is the generation of a vinylidene-carbene and the conditions to control this process are discussed. There is also potential to form a hypervalent iodonium alkenyl triflate and the means of isolation and control of its generation are provided. The O-H insertion reaction involves using a HIAT, sodium azide or tetrabutylammonium azide, and methanol as solvent/substrate. The sulfoxide complexation reaction uses a HIAT, sodium azide or tetrabutylammonium azide, and dimethyl sulfoxide as solvent. The cyclopropanations can be performed with or without the use of solvent. The azide source must be tetrabutylammonium azide and the substrate shown is styrene.

Herein is described the synthesis, isolation, and reactions of hypervalent iodonium alkynyl triflates (HIATs) with azides to generate cyanocarbenes. The procedures will involve air-sensitive and cryogen techniques, including cold filtration under an inert atmosphere. Handling and safety of the synthesized compounds will also be discussed.

The procedures described in this article involve the synthesis and isolation of hypervalent iodonium alkynyl triflates (HIATs) and their subsequent ...

Isolation and Preparation of Bacterial Cell Walls for Compositional Analysis by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography

The bacterial cell wall is critical for the determination of cell shape during growth and division, and maintains the mechanical integrity of cells in the face of turgor pressures several atmospheres in magnitude. Across the diverse shapes and sizes of the bacterial kingdom, the cell wall is composed of peptidoglycan, a macromolecular network of sugar strands crosslinked by short peptides. Peptidoglycan&#8217;s central importance to bacterial physiology underlies its use as an antibiotic target and has motivated genetic, structural, and cell biological studies of how it is robustly assembled during growth and division. Nonetheless, extensive investigations are still required to fully characterize the key enzymatic activities in peptidoglycan synthesis and the chemical composition of bacterial cell walls. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is a powerful analytical method for quantifying differences in the chemical composition of the walls of bacteria grown under a variety of environmental and genetic conditions, but its throughput is often limited. Here, we present a straightforward procedure for the isolation and preparation of bacterial cell walls for biological analyses of peptidoglycan via HPLC and Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC), an extension of HPLC that utilizes pumps to deliver ultra-high pressures of up to 15,000 psi, compared with 6,000 psi for HPLC. In combination with the preparation of bacterial cell walls presented here, the low-volume sample injectors, detectors with high sampling rates, smaller sample volumes, and shorter run times of UPLC will enable high resolution and throughput for novel discoveries of peptidoglycan composition and fundamental bacterial cell biology in most biological laboratories with access to an ultracentrifuge and UPLC.

The bacterial cell wall is composed of peptidoglycan, a macromolecular network of sugar strands crosslinked by peptides. Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography provides high resolution and throughput for novel discoveries of peptidoglycan composition. We present a procedure for the isolation of cell walls (sacculi) and their subsequent preparation for analysis via UPLC.

The bacterial cell wall is critical for the determination of cell shape during growth and division, and maintains the mechanical integrity of cells in the ...

Assessment of Boron Doped Diamond Electrode Quality and Application to In Situ Modification of Local pH by Water Electrolysis

Boron doped diamond (BDD) electrodes have shown considerable promise as an electrode material where many of their reported properties such as extended solvent window, low background currents, corrosion resistance, etc., arise from the catalytically inert nature of the surface. However, if during the growth process, non-diamond-carbon (NDC) becomes incorporated into the electrode matrix, the electrochemical properties will change as the surface becomes more catalytically active. As such it is important that the electrochemist is aware of the quality and resulting key electrochemical properties of the BDD electrode prior to use. This paper describes a series of characterization steps, including Raman microscopy, capacitance, solvent window and redox electrochemistry, to ascertain whether the BDD electrode contains negligible NDC i.e. negligible sp2 carbon. One application is highlighted which takes advantage of the catalytically inert and corrosion resistant nature of an NDC-free surface i.e. stable and quantifiable local proton and hydroxide production due to water electrolysis at a BDD electrode. An approach to measuring the local pH change induced by water electrolysis using iridium oxide coated BDD electrodes is also described in detail.

Assessment of Boron Doped Diamond Electrode Quality and Application to In Situ Modification of Local pH by Water Electrolysis

A protocol is described for the characterization of the key electrochemical parameters of a boron doped diamond (BDD) electrode and subsequent application for in situ pH generation experiments.

Boron doped diamond (BDD) electrodes have shown considerable promise as an electrode material where many of their reported properties such as extended ...

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 ...

Investigations on the Ga(III) Complex of EOB-DTPA and Its 68Ga Radiolabeled Analogue

We demonstrate a method for the isolation of EOB-DTPA (3,6,9-triaza-3,6,9-tris(carboxymethyl)-4-(ethoxybenzyl)-undecanedioic acid) from its Gd(III) complex and protocols for the preparation of its novel non-radioactive, i.e., natural Ga(III) as well as radioactive 68Ga complex. The ligand as well as the Ga(III) complex were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. 68Ga was obtained by a standard elution method from a 68Ge/68Ga generator. Experiments to evaluate the 68Ga-labeling efficiency of EOB-DTPA at pH 3.8&#8211;4.0 were performed. Established analysis techniques radio TLC (thin layer chromatography) and radio HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) were used to determine the radiochemical purity of the tracer. As a first investigation of the 68Ga tracers&#39; lipophilicity the n-octanol/water distribution coefficient of 68Ga species present in a pH 7.4 solution was determined by an extraction method. In vitro stability measurements of the tracer in various media at physiological pH were performed, revealing different rates of decomposition.

Investigations on the GaIII Complex of EOB-DTPA and Its 68Ga Radiolabeled Analogue

A procedure for the isolation of EOB-DTPA and subsequent complexation with natural Ga(III) and 68Ga is presented herein, as well as a thorough analysis of all compounds and investigations on labeling efficiency, in vitro stability and the n-octanol/water distribution coefficient of the radiolabeled complex.

We demonstrate a method for the isolation of EOB-DTPA (3,6,9-triaza-3,6,9-tris(carboxymethyl)-4-(ethoxybenzyl)-undecanedioic acid) from its Gd(III) ...

Bio-inspired Polydopamine Surface Modification of Nanodiamonds and Its Reduction of Silver Nanoparticles

Surface functionalization of nanodiamonds (NDs) is still challenging due to the diversity of functional groups on the ND surfaces. Here, we demonstrate a simple protocol for the multifunctional surface modification of NDs by using mussel-inspired polydopamine (PDA) coating. In addition, the functional layer of PDA on NDs could serve as a reducing agent to synthesize and stabilize metal nanoparticles. Dopamine (DA) can self-polymerize and spontaneously form PDA layers on ND surfaces if the NDs and dopamine are simply mixed together. The thickness of a PDA layer is controlled by varying the concentration of DA. A typical result shows that a thickness of ~5 to ~15 nm of the PDA layer can be reached by adding 50 to 100 &#181;g/mL of DA to 100 nm ND suspensions. Furthermore, the PDA-NDs are used as a substrate to reduce metal ions, such as Ag[(NH3)2]+, to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The sizes of the AgNPs rely on the initial concentrations of Ag[(NH3)2]+. Along with an increase in the concentration of Ag[(NH3)2]+, the number of NPs increases, as well as the diameters of the NPs. In summary, this study not only presents a facile method for modifying the surfaces of NDs with PDA, but also demonstrates the enhanced functionality of NDs by anchoring various species of interest (such as AgNPs) for advanced applications.

A facile protocol is presented to functionalize the surfaces of nanodiamonds with polydopamine.

Surface functionalization of nanodiamonds (NDs) is still challenging due to the diversity of functional groups on the ND surfaces. Here, we demonstrate a ...

Photogeneration of N-Heterocyclic Carbenes: Application in Photoinduced Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization

We report a method to generate the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) 1,3-dimesitylimidazol-2-ylidene (IMes) under UV-irradiation at 365 nm to characterize IMes and determine the corresponding photochemical mechanism. Then, we describe a protocol to perform ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) in solution and in miniemulsion using this NHC-photogenerating system. To photogenerate IMes, a system comprising 2-isopropylthioxanthone (ITX) as the sensitizer and 1,3-dimesitylimidazolium tetraphenylborate (IMesH+BPh4-) as the protected form of NHC is employed. IMesH+BPh4- can be obtained in a single step by anion exchange between 1,3-dimesitylimidazolium chloride and sodium tetraphenylborate. A real-time steady-state photolysis setup is described, which hints that the photochemical reaction proceeds in two consecutive steps: 1) ITX triplet is photo-reduced by the borate anion and 2) subsequent proton transfer takes place from the imidazolium cation to produce the expected NHC IMes. Two separate characterization protocols are implemented. Firstly, CS2 is added to the reaction media to evidence the photogeneration of NHC through formation of the IMes-CS2 adduct. Secondly, the amount of NHC released in situ is quantified using acid-base titration. The use of this NHC photo-generating system for the ROMP of norbornene is also discussed. In solution, a photopolymerization experiment is conducted by mixing ITX, IMesH+BPh4-, [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 and norbornene in CH2Cl2, then irradiating the solution in a UV reactor. In a dispersed medium, a monomer miniemulsion is first formed then irradiated inside an annular reactor to produce a stable poly(norbornene) latex.

We describe a protocol to photogenerate N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) by UV irradiation of a 2-isopropylthioxanthone/imidazolium tetraphenylborate salt system. Methods to characterize the photoreleased NHC and elucidate the photochemical mechanism are proposed. The protocols for ring-opening metathesis photopolymerization in solution and miniemulsion illustrate the potential of this 2-component NHC photogenerating system.

We report a method to generate the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) 1,3-dimesitylimidazol-2-ylidene (IMes) under UV-irradiation at 365 nm to characterize IMes ...

Synthesis of Soft Polysiloxane-urea Elastomers for Intraocular Lens Application

This study discusses a synthesis route for soft polysiloxane-based urea (PSU) elastomers for their applications as accommodating intraocular lenses (a-IOLs). Aminopropyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS) were previously prepared via the ring-chain equilibration of the cyclic siloxane octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) and 1,3-bis(3-aminopropyl)-tetramethyldisiloxane (APTMDS). Phenyl groups were introduced into the siloxane backbone via the copolymerization of D4 and 2,4,6,8-tetramethyl-2,4,6,8-tetraphenyl-cyclotetrasiloxane (D4Me,Ph). These polydimethyl-methyl-phenyl-siloxane-block copolymers were synthesized for increasing the refractive indices of polysiloxanes. For applications as an a-IOL, the refractive index of the polysiloxanes must be equivalent to that of a young human eye lens. The polysiloxane molecular weight is controlled by the ratio of the cyclic siloxane to the endblocker APTMDS. The transparency of the PSU elastomers is examined by the transmittance measurement of films between 200 and 750 nm, using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Transmittance values at 750 nm (upper end of the visible spectrum) are plotted against the PDMS molecular weight, and &#62; 90% of the transmittance is observed until a molecular weight of 18,000 g&#183;mol&#8722;1. Mechanical properties of the PSU elastomers are investigated using stress-strain tests on die-cut dog-bone-shaped specimens. For evaluating mechanical stability, mechanical hysteresis is measured by repeatedly stretching (10x) the specimens to 5% and 100% elongation. Hysteresis considerably decreases with the increase in the PDMS molecular weight. In vitro cytotoxicity of some selected PSU elastomers is evaluated using an MTS cell viability assay. The methods described herein permit the synthesis of a soft, transparent, and noncytotoxic PSU elastomer with a refractive index approximately equal to that of a young human eye lens.

This study describes synthetic routes for aminopropyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxanes and polydimethyl-methyl-phenyl-siloxane-block copolymers and for soft polysiloxane-based urea (PSU) elastomers. It presents the application of PSUs as accommodating an intraocular lens. An evaluation method for in vitro cytotoxicity is also described.

This study discusses a synthesis route for soft polysiloxane-based urea (PSU) elastomers for their applications as accommodating intraocular lenses ...

Preparation and Application of a New Bacterial Biosensor for the Presumptive Detection of Gunshot Residue

MicRoboCop is a biosensor that has been designed for a unique application in forensic chemistry. MicRoboCop is a system made up of three devices that, when used together, can indicate the presence of gunshot residue (GSR) by producing a fluorescence signal in the presence of three key analytes (antimony, lead, and organic components of GSR). The protocol describes the synthesis of the biosensors using Escherichia coli (E. coli), and the analytical chemistry methods used to evaluate the selectivity and sensitivity of the sensors. The functioning of the system is demonstrated by using GSR collected from the inside of a spent cartridge casing. Once prepared, the biosensors can be stored until needed and can be used as a test for these key analytes. A positive response from all three analytes provides a presumptive positive test for GSR, while each individual device has applications for detecting the analytes in other samples (e.g., a detector for lead contamination in drinking water). The main limitation of the system is the time required for a positive signal; future work may involve studying different organisms to optimize the response time.

A protocol is presented using synthetic biology techniques to synthesize a set of bacterial biosensors for the analysis of gunshot residue, and to test the functioning of the devices for their intended use using fluorescence spectroscopy.

MicRoboCop is a biosensor that has been designed for a unique application in forensic chemistry. MicRoboCop is a system made up of three devices that, ...