Andrew Lang&rsquo;s assistance in the graphical representation of the data is appreciated. Thanks to Mettler-Toledo for providing equipment and materials to carry out the experimental work.

Introduction
The Ugi reaction has proved to be a convenient way to quickly create diverse libraries of compounds (1-3). It involves the reaction of an amine, an aldehyde, a carboxylic acid and an isonitrile typically in methanol at room temperature. The Ugi reaction has often been used as a tool in the synthesis of pharmacologically active molecules and we have exploited it to quickly access compounds in the search for new anti-malarial agents (4). It has been observed that Ugi products sometimes precipitate in pure form from the reaction mixture (1,5). This is a very fortunate outcome since the reaction can then be easily scaled up without requiring costly purification procedures such as chromatography. It would be most beneficial to optimize the Ugi product yield as obtained directly from filtering the reaction mixture without further treatment. To this end we utilized a 48-slot Mettler-Toledo MiniBlock (6) equipped with filtration tubes. A Mettler-Toledo MiniMapper (7) automated liquid handler was used to deliver the reagents and solvent. The parameters of interest were the concentration, the solvent composition and the excess of some of the reagents.
Experimental
The MiniMapper automated liquid handler was programmed to deliver liquids in the following sequence to empty filter tubes in a 48-position MiniBlock: additional solvent, furfurylamine (2M in methanol), benzaldehyde (2M in methanol), boc-glycine (2M in methanol) and t-butylisocyanide (2M in methanol). The default addition volume was 100 microliters. If a reagent is noted as being added in excess, 120 microliters were delivered. The MiniBlock was then placed on a shaker for 16 hours before being filtered using house vacuum. Two washes are performed by adding methanol (1 mL) to each tube followed by 15 min shaking before filtering off. The tubes were then dried under high vacuum in a dessicator for at least 30 min. The yield was calculated from the increase in weight of the filter tubes. The purity was assessed by H NMR for one sample from each solvent system and concentration. The reactions were run in triplicate (8-10) and the average yields are reported in Table 1.
Characterization of the Ugi product
<a href="http://www.chemspider.com/Chemical-Structure.21106059.html">tert-butyl (2-{[2-(tert-butylamino)-2-oxo-1-phenylethyl](furan-2-ylmethyl)amino}-2-oxoethyl)carbamate</a> : white solid; m.p.(11) 202-204 C; 1H NMR (12, <a href="http://showme.physics.drexel.edu/mirza/Software/JCAMP/Exp203A11-HNMR.html">spectrum</a>) (500MHz,&delta;ppm, CDCl3) 1.33 (s, 9H), 1.45 (s, 9H), 4.21 (m, 2H), 4.49 (d, J=18Hz, 1H), 4.50 (d, J=18Hz, 1H), 5.47 (s, 1H), 5.60 (s, 1H), 5.62 (s, 1H), 5.89 (s, 1H), 6.10 (s, 1H), 7.19 (s, 1H), phenyl 7.21-7.37 (m, 5H); 13C NMR (13, <a href="http://showme.physics.drexel.edu/mirza/Software/JCAMP/Exp02060822080933CNMR.html">spectrum</a>) (500MHz, &delta;ppm, CDCl3) 28.3, 28.6, 42.3, 42.8, 51.7, 62.9, 79.5, 107.7, 110.4, 128.5, 128.7, 129.6, 134.7, 141.9, 149.8, 155.7, 168.4 170.2; IR (14, <a href="http://showme.physics.drexel.edu/mirza/Software/JCAMP/ugiproductpaper03IR.html">spectrum</a>) (&#x01B2;max cm-1 ATR): 1645,1673,1699, 3331; FAB-HRMS (15, <a href="http://showme.physics.drexel.edu/mirza/Exp099Chighres.JPG">spectrum</a>) (calculated for C24H33N3O5 m/z 444.2498 [M+H], obtained 444.2517.)
Data Analysis
The precipitate yield data was analyzed using the single-factor or two-factor (with replicates) analysis of variance (ANOVA) tools available in Microsoft Excel. (16) For those variables found to be statistically significant in the ANOVA analysis, Fisher's Least Significant Difference (LSD) test was used to determine the specific experimental settings exhibiting significant differences in yield of the Ugi precipitate (17). All significance tests were performed at the 95% confidence level.
Results and Discussion
 Figure 1 summarizes the effect of solvent composition on the yield of the Ugi precipitate. A single factor ANOVA indicates a significant difference in average yield for the four solvents studied at a reagent concentration of 0.2M. Fisher's LSD test indicates that the precipitate yields obtained in methanol and ethanol are not statistically different at the 95% confidence level (signified by the bar over the names of solvents in the figure); the yield of Ugi precipitate is significantly greater in ethanol and methanol than in acetonitrile, which in turn is significantly greater than that in THF.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/old/942_2008_9_26_0/942_Figure-01.png" alt="Figure 1" />
Figure 1: Summary of the effect of solvent composition on the yield of Ugi precipitate at a reagent concentration of 0.2M. The listed solvents include 40% methanol at this concentration.
Considering the effect of reagent concentration, the data in Table 1 show a precipitous drop in yield was found when going from 0.2M to 0.07M using methanol, ethanol and acetonitrile as the solvent; the yields were comparable in methanol at the 0.2M and 0.4M concentrations. Note that Ugi reactions are generally run in the 0.5-2M range (2). However, when using an automated liquid handler, it may be difficult to start with reagent solutions much more concentrated than 2M, thus placing a practical upper limit on the final concentration at about 0.5M. The results of this optimization study suggest caution in interpreting the success or failure of Ugi reactions below 0.2M, since non-linear effects are apparently at play.
Figure 2 summarizes the effect of solvent composition and reagent excess on the yield of Ugi precipitate at a reagent concentration of 0.2M. The two-factor ANOVA results indicate a statistically significant solvent and reagent excess effect. In addition, there is a statistically significant interaction between the two variables. Details of the interaction are uncovered in figure 2 which shows that the yield of precipitate is affected by the solvent used. Again note that the bars over the factors in the figure indicate the yields are not statistically different at the 95% confidence level. For both ethanol and methanol the best yields are obtained with the imine or isonitrile in excess, while for acetonitrile, significantly improved results are obtained with the amine, aldehyde or isonitrile in excess. As noted above in the discussion of the results in Table 1, the overall yield of precipitate is low for THF as the solvent, and only an excess of imine leads to a statistically significant improvement in precipitate yield. These different patterns of improved yield for the four solvents is what leads to the statistically significant interaction effect, and may be an indicator of different interaction of the Ugi product with the different solvents. Although the numerical results in Table 1 show the best yield was obtained in 0.4M methanol with 1.2 equivalents of excess imine, 0.2M acetonitrile/methanol and 0.2M ethanol/methanol mixtures also provided significant yields. Note particularly that all of the THF/methanol mixtures at 0.2M gave very poor results. The Ugi reaction has been successfully carried out in a variety of solvents, including THF (2). Note that the low yields here do not imply that the Ugi reaction did not take place in THF mixtures, only that a precipitate was not formed.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/old/942_2008_10_13_5/942_Figure-02.png" alt="Figure 2" width="335" height="325" />
Figure 2: Summary of the effect of solvent composition and reagent excess on the yield of Ugi precipitate at a reagent concentration of 0.2M. The listed solvents include 40% methanol at this concentration.
Figure 3 summarizes the effect of reagent concentration and reagent excess on the yield of Ugi precipitate using methanol as the solvent. The two-factor ANOVA results indicate a statistically significant concentration and reagent excess effect. As described above, the yield of precipitate at reagent concentrations of of 0.2M and 0.4M are significantly greater than at 0.07M (but do not differ from each other). In addition, there is a statistically significant interaction between the two variables under study. Note that the pattern of the improvement in precipitate yield with identity of the excess reagent is generally the same at the higher reagent concentrations.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/old/942_2008_9_26_2/942_Figure-03.png" alt="Figure 3" width="384" height="255" />
Figure 3: Summary of the effect of concentration and reagent excess on the yield of Ugi precipitate in methanol solvent.
Overall, the results described in figures 2 and 3 demonstrate that there were interactions between the solvent choice, reagent concentration and identity of the reagent in excess, but overall these were more subtle than the straight solvent and concentration effects. Others have found similar results when optimizing a Ugi reaction (18).
 
Conclusion
The optimization experiment found the highest yield of the 48 runs to be 66% from 0.4 M methanol with 1.2 eq. of imine. This is significantly above the 49% yield obtained from the initial reaction under equimolar concentration at 0.4 M in methanol. Good reproducibility of the precipitate yields was obtained in these replicate experiments, allowing for subtle interaction effects to be positively identified.

<ol>
	<li>Marcaccini, S., Torroba, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+use+of+the+Ugi+four-component+condensation.">The use of the Ugi four-component condensation.</a> Nature Protocols. 2, 632-63 (2007).</li><li>Domling, A., Ugi, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multicomponent+reactions+with+isocyanides+Angew.">Multicomponent reactions with isocyanides Angew.</a> Chem. Int. Eng. Ed. 39, 3168-31 (2000).</li><li>Domling, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Recent+Developments+in+Isocyanide+Based+Multi-Component+Reactions+in.">Recent Developments in Isocyanide Based Multi-Component Reactions in.</a> Applied Chemistry, Chem. Rev.. 106, (2006).</li><li>Bradley, J. -. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> http://usefulchem.blogspot.com/2008/01/we-have-anti-malarial-activity.html. , .</li><li>Sanudo, M., Marcaccini, M., Basurto, S., Torroba, T. <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+3-Hydroxy-6-oxo[1,2,4]triazin-1-yl+Alaninamides,+a+New+Class+of+Cyclic+Dipeptidyl.">Synthesis of 3-Hydroxy-6-oxo[1,2,4]triazin-1-yl Alaninamides, a New Class of Cyclic Dipeptidyl.</a> Ureas J. Org. Chem.. 71, 4578-45 (2006).</li><li>Bradley, J. -. C., Mirza, K. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> UsefulChem EXP201 http://usefulchem.wikispaces.com/EXP201. , .</li><li>Bradley, J. -. C., Mirza, K. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> EXP202 http://usefulchem.wikispaces.com/EXP202. , .</li><li>Bradley, J. -. C., Mirza, K. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> EXP203 http://usefulchem.wikispaces.com/EXP203. , .</li><li>p, m. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> from compound UC-099C from EXP099 http://usefulchem.wikispaces.com/EXP099. , .</li><li>Bradley, J. -. C., NMR, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> spectrum 203A11 from UsefulChem EXP203 http://usefulchem.wikispaces.com/EXP203. , .</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> C NMR spectrum 206A from UsefulChem EXP206 http://usefulchem.wikispaces.com/EXP206. , .</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> IR spectrum from compound UC-099C from EXP099 http://usefulchem.wikispaces.com/EXP099. , .</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> FAB-MS from compound UC-099C from EXP099 http://usefulchem.wikispaces.com/EXP099. , .</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Analysis details available at http://usefulchem.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/EXP201-203_KO-A.xls. , .</li><li>Montgomery, D. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Design+and+Analysis+of+Experiments.">Design and Analysis of Experiments.</a> Nature Protocols. , (2005).</li><li>Tye, H., Whittaker, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Use+of+a+Design+of+Experiments+approach+for+the+optimisation+of+a+microwave+assisted+Ugi+reaction.">Use of a Design of Experiments approach for the optimisation of a microwave assisted Ugi reaction.</a> Org. Biomol. Chem.. 2, 813-813 (2004).</li></ol>

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		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
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		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
		<th>Comment</th>
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<td>Furfurylamine</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
<td>F20009</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Benzaldehyde</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
<td>12010</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Boc-glycine</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>TCI America</td>
<td>B1185</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>t-butylisocyanide</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
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optimization of the ugi reaction using parallel synthesis and automated liquid handling

The optimization of a Ugi reaction involving the mixing of furfurylamine, benzaldehyde, boc-glycine and t-butylisocyanide is described. Triplicate runs of 48 parallel experiments are reported, varying concentration, solvent and the excess of some of the reagents. The isolation of the product was achieved by a simple filtration and wash procedure. The highest yield obtained was 66% from 0.4 M methanol with 1.2 eq. of imine. This is significantly above the 49% yield obtained from the initial reaction under equimolar concentration at 0.4 M in methanol. Methanol solutions with reagent concentrations of 0.4M or 0.2M gave superior yields while all solvent systems at 0.07M performed poorly. At 0.2M, methanol and ethanol/methanol (60/40) mixtures were statistically equally good while THF/methanol (60/40) was poor and acetonitrile/methanol (60/40) was intermediate. Good reproducibility of the precipitate yields was obtained in these replicate experiments, allowing for subtle interaction effects to be positively identified.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Optimization of the Ugi Reaction Using Parallel Synthesis and Automated Liquid Handling at JoVE.com

Optimization of the Ugi Reaction Using Parallel Synthesis and Automated Liquid Handling

The Ugi reaction has proved to be a convenient way to quickly create diverse libraries of compounds. It involves the reaction of an amine, an aldehyde, a carboxylic acid and an isonitrile typically in methanol at room temperature. In this video, we utilize a 48-slot Mettler-Toledo MiniBlock equipped with filtration tubes and a Mettler-Toledo MiniMapper automated liquid handler was used to deliver the reagents and solvent. The parameters of interest were the concentration, the solvent composition and the excess of some of the reagents.

The optimization of a Ugi reaction involving the mixing of furfurylamine, benzaldehyde, boc-glycine and t-butylisocyanide is described.  Triplicate runs ...

optimization-ugi-reaction-using-parallel-synthesis-automated-liquid

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

16.2K Views.  Drexel University. The Ugi reaction has proved to be a convenient way to quickly create diverse libraries of compounds. It involves the reaction of an amine, an aldehyde, a carboxylic acid and an isonitrile typically in methanol at room temperature. In this video, we utilize a 48-slot Mettler-Toledo MiniBlock equipped with filtration tubes and a Mettler-Toledo MiniMapper automated liquid handler was used to deliver the reagents and solvent. The parameters of interest were the concentrati...

Video: Optimization of the Ugi Reaction Using Parallel Synthesis and Automated Liquid Handling

Semi-automated Optical Heartbeat Analysis of Small Hearts

We have developed a method for analyzing high speed optical recordings from Drosophila, zebrafish and embryonic mouse hearts (Fink, et. al., 2009). Our Semi-automatic Optical Heartbeat Analysis (SOHA) uses a novel movement detection algorithm that is able to detect cardiac movements associated with individual contractile and relaxation events. The program provides a host of physiologically relevant readouts including systolic and diastolic intervals, heart rate, as well as qualitative and quantitative measures of heartbeat arrhythmicity. The program also calculates heart diameter measurements during both diastole and systole from which fractional shortening and fractional area changes are calculated. Output is provided as a digital file compatible with most spreadsheet programs. Measurements are made for every heartbeat in a record increasing the statistical power of the output. We demonstrate each of the steps where user input is required and show the application of our methodology to the analysis of heart function in all three genetically tractable heart models.

We have developed a Semi-automated Optical Heartbeat Analysis method (SOHA) for analyzing high speed optical recordings from Drosophila, zebrafish and embryonic mouse hearts. We demonstrate the application of our methodology to the analysis of heart function in fruit fly and embryonic mouse hearts.

We have developed a method for analyzing high speed optical recordings from Drosophila, zebrafish and embryonic mouse hearts (Fink, et. al., 2009). Our ...

Using the GELFREE 8100 Fractionation System for Molecular Weight-Based Fractionation with Liquid Phase Recovery

The GELFREE 8100 Fractionation System is a novel protein fractionation system designed to maximize protein recovery during molecular weight based fractionation. The system is comprised of single-use, 8-sample capacity cartridges and a benchtop GELFREE Fractionation Instrument. During separation, a constant voltage is applied between the anode and cathode reservoirs, and each protein mixture is electrophoretically driven from a loading chamber into a specially designed gel column gel. Proteins are concentrated into a tight band in a stacking gel, and separated based on their respective electrophoretic mobilities in a resolving gel. As proteins elute from the column, they are trapped and concentrated in liquid phase in the collection chamber, free of the gel. The instrument is then paused at specific time intervals, and fractions are collected using a pipette. This process is repeated until all desired fractions have been collected. If fewer than 8 samples are run on a cartridge, any unused chambers can be used in subsequent separations.
This novel technology facilitates the quick and simple separation of up to 8 complex protein mixtures simultaneously, and offers several advantages when compared to previously available fractionation methods. This system is capable of fractionating up to 1mg of total protein per channel, for a total of 8mg per cartridge. Intact proteins over a broad mass range are separated on the basis of molecular weight, retaining important physiochemical properties of the analyte. The liquid phase entrapment provides for high recovery while eliminating the need for band or spot cutting, making the fractionation process highly reproducible1.

The accompanying video describes the use of the GELFREE 8100 Fractionation System, which partitions complex protein samples on the basis of molecular weight and recovers the fractions in liquid phase. The video describes how the technology works, how it is used, and provides resultant data, with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of fractionated bovine liver homogenate.

The GELFREE 8100 Fractionation System is a novel protein fractionation system designed to maximize protein recovery during molecular weight based ...

Polymerase Chain Reaction: Basic Protocol Plus Troubleshooting and Optimization Strategies

In the biological sciences there have been technological advances that catapult the discipline into golden ages of discovery. For example, the field of microbiology was transformed with the advent of Anton van Leeuwenhoek&#39;s microscope, which allowed scientists to visualize prokaryotes for the first time. The development of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is one of those innovations that changed the course of molecular science with its impact spanning countless subdisciplines in biology. The theoretical process was outlined by Keppe and coworkers in 1971; however, it was another 14 years until the complete PCR procedure was described and experimentally applied by Kary Mullis while at Cetus Corporation in 1985. Automation and refinement of this technique progressed with the introduction of a thermal stable DNA polymerase from the bacterium Thermus aquaticus, consequently the name Taq DNA polymerase.
PCR is a powerful amplification technique that can generate an ample supply of a specific segment of DNA (i.e., an amplicon) from only a small amount of starting material (i.e., DNA template or target sequence). While straightforward and generally trouble-free, there are pitfalls that complicate the reaction producing spurious results. When PCR fails it can lead to many non-specific DNA products of varying sizes that appear as a ladder or smear of bands on agarose gels. Sometimes no products form at all. Another potential problem occurs when mutations are unintentionally introduced in the amplicons, resulting in a heterogeneous population of PCR products. PCR failures can become frustrating unless patience and careful troubleshooting are employed to sort out and solve the problem(s). This protocol outlines the basic principles of PCR, provides a methodology that will result in amplification of most target sequences, and presents strategies for optimizing a reaction. By following this PCR guide, students should be able to: 
 
&#9679; Set up reactions and thermal cycling conditions for a conventional PCR experiment 
&#9679; Understand the function of various reaction components and their overall effect on a PCR experiment 
&#9679; Design and optimize a PCR experiment for any DNA template 
&#9679; Troubleshoot failed PCR experiments

PCR has emerged as a common technique in many molecular biology laboratories. Provided here is a quick guide to several conventional PCR protocols. Because each reaction is a unique experiment, optimal conditions required to generate a product vary. Understanding the variables in a reaction will greatly enhance troubleshooting efficiency, thereby increasing the chance to obtain the desired result.

In the biological sciences there have been technological advances that catapult the discipline into golden ages of discovery. For example, the field of ...

Spatial Multiobjective Optimization of Agricultural Conservation Practices using a SWAT Model and an Evolutionary Algorithm

Finding the cost-efficient (i.e., lowest-cost) ways of targeting conservation practice investments for the achievement of specific water quality goals across the landscape is of primary importance in watershed management. Traditional economics methods of finding the lowest-cost solution in the watershed context (e.g.,5,12,20) assume that off-site impacts can be accurately described as a proportion of on-site pollution generated. Such approaches are unlikely to be representative of the actual pollution process in a watershed, where the impacts of polluting sources are often determined by complex biophysical processes. The use of modern physically-based, spatially distributed hydrologic simulation models allows for a greater degree of realism in terms of process representation but requires a development of a simulation-optimization framework where the model becomes an integral part of optimization.
Evolutionary algorithms appear to be a particularly useful optimization tool, able to deal with the combinatorial nature of a watershed simulation-optimization problem and allowing the use of the full water quality model. Evolutionary algorithms treat a particular spatial allocation of conservation practices in a watershed as a candidate solution and utilize sets (populations) of candidate solutions iteratively applying stochastic operators of selection, recombination, and mutation to find improvements with respect to the optimization objectives. The optimization objectives in this case are to minimize nonpoint-source pollution in the watershed, simultaneously minimizing the cost of conservation practices. A recent and expanding set of research is attempting to use similar methods and integrates water quality models with broadly defined evolutionary optimization methods3,4,9,10,13-15,17-19,22,23,25. In this application, we demonstrate a program which follows Rabotyagov et al.'s approach and integrates a modern and commonly used SWAT water quality model7 with a multiobjective evolutionary algorithm SPEA226, and user-specified set of conservation practices and their costs to search for the complete tradeoff frontiers between costs of conservation practices and user-specified water quality objectives. The frontiers quantify the tradeoffs faced by the watershed managers by presenting the full range of costs associated with various water quality improvement goals. The program allows for a selection of watershed configurations achieving specified water quality improvement goals and a production of maps of optimized placement of conservation practices.

This work demonstrates an integration of a water quality model with an optimization component utilizing evolutionary algorithms to solve for optimal (lowest-cost) placement of agricultural conservation practices for a specified set of water quality improvement objectives. The solutions are generated using a multi-objective approach, allowing for explicit quantification of tradeoffs.

Finding the cost-efficient (i.e., lowest-cost) ways of targeting conservation practice investments for the achievement of specific water quality goals ...

Culturing of Human Nasal Epithelial Cells at the Air Liquid Interface

In vitro models using human primary epithelial cells are essential in understanding key functions of the respiratory epithelium in the context of microbial infections or inhaled agents. Direct comparisons of cells obtained from diseased populations allow us to characterize different phenotypes and dissect the underlying mechanisms mediating changes in epithelial cell function. Culturing epithelial cells from the human tracheobronchial region has been well documented, but is limited by the availability of human lung tissue or invasiveness associated with obtaining the bronchial brushes biopsies. Nasal epithelial cells are obtained through much less invasive superficial nasal scrape biopsies and subjects can be biopsied multiple times with no significant side effects. Additionally, the nose is the entry point to the respiratory system and therefore one of the first sites to be exposed to any kind of air-borne stressor, such as microbial agents, pollutants, or allergens. 
Briefly, nasal epithelial cells obtained from human volunteers are expanded on coated tissue culture plates, and then transferred onto cell culture inserts. Upon reaching confluency, cells continue to be cultured at the air-liquid interface (ALI), for several weeks, which creates more physiologically relevant conditions. The ALI culture condition uses defined media leading to a differentiated epithelium that exhibits morphological and functional characteristics similar to the human nasal epithelium, with both ciliated and mucus producing cells. Tissue culture inserts with differentiated nasal epithelial cells can be manipulated in a variety of ways depending on the research questions (treatment with pharmacological agents, transduction with lentiviral vectors, exposure to gases, or infection with microbial agents) and analyzed for numerous different endpoints ranging from cellular and molecular pathways, functional changes, morphology, etc. 
In vitro models of differentiated human nasal epithelial cells will enable investigators to address novel and important research questions by using organotypic experimental models that largely mimic the nasal epithelium in vivo.

Nasal epithelial cells, obtained through superficial scrape biopsy of human volunteers, are expanded and transferred onto tissue culture inserts. Upon reaching confluency, cells are grown at air liquid interface, yielding cultures of ciliated and non-ciliated cells. Differentiated nasal epithelial cell cultures provide viable experimental models for studying the respiratory mucosa.

In vitro models using human primary  epithelial cells are essential in understanding key functions of the respiratory  epithelium in the context of ...

Automated Quantification and Analysis of Cell Counting Procedures Using ImageJ Plugins

The National Institute of Health&#39;s ImageJ is a powerful, freely available image processing software suite. ImageJ has comprehensive particle analysis algorithms which can be used effectively to count various biological particles. When counting large numbers of cell samples, the hemocytometer presents a bottleneck with regards to time. Likewise, counting membranes from migration/invasion assays with the ImageJ plugin Cell Counter, although accurate, is exceptionally labor intensive, subjective, and infamous for causing wrist pain. To address this need, we developed two plugins within ImageJ for the sole task of automated hemocytometer (or known volume) and migration/invasion cell counting. Both plugins rely on the ability to acquire high quality micrographs with minimal background. They are easy to use and optimized for quick counting and analysis of large sample sizes with built-in analysis tools to help calibration of counts. By combining the core principles of Cell Counter with an automated counting algorithm and post-counting analysis, this greatly increases the ease with which migration assays can be processed without any loss of accuracy.

This paper describes the quantification of hemocytometer and migration/invasion micrographs through two new open-source ImageJ plugins Cell Concentration Calculator and migration assay Counter. Furthermore, it describes image acquisition and calibration protocols as well as discusses in detail the input requirements of the plugins.

The National Institute of Health&#39;s ImageJ is a powerful, freely available image processing software suite. ImageJ has comprehensive particle analysis ...

Procedure and Key Optimization Strategies for an Automated Capillary Electrophoretic-based Immunoassay Method

New technologies that utilize capillary-based immunoassays promise faster and more quantitative protein assessment compared to traditional immunoassays. However, similar to other antibody-based protein assays, optimization of capillary-based immunoassay parameters, such as protein concentration, antibody dilution, and exposure time is an important prerequisite to the generation of meaningful and reliable data. Measurements must fall within the linear range of the assay where changes in signal are directly proportional to changes in lysate concentration. The process of choosing appropriate lysate concentrations, antibody dilutions, and exposure times in the human bronchial epithelial cell line, BEAS-2B, is demonstrated here. Assay linearity is shown over a range of whole cell extract protein concentrations with p53 and &#945;-tubulin antibodies. An example of signal burnout is seen at the highest concentrations with long exposure times, and an &#945;-tubulin antibody dilution curve is shown demonstrating saturation. In addition, example experimental results are reported for doxorubicin-treated cells using optimized parameters.

A capillary-based immunoassay using a commercial platform to measure target proteins from total protein preparations is demonstrated. In addition, assay parameters of exposure time, protein concentration, and antibody dilution are optimized for a cell culture model system.

New technologies that utilize capillary-based immunoassays promise faster and more quantitative protein assessment compared to traditional immunoassays. ...

The Ingestion of Fluorescent, Magnetic Nanoparticles for Determining Fluid-uptake Abilities in Insects

Fluid-feeding insects ingest a variety of liquids, which are present in the environment as pools, films, or confined to small pores. Studies of liquid acquisition require assessing mouthpart structure and function relationships; however, fluid uptake mechanisms are historically inferred from observations of structural architecture, sometimes unaccompanied with experimental evidence. Here, we report a novel method for assessing fluid-uptake abilities with butterflies (Lepidoptera) and flies (Diptera) using small amounts of liquids. Insects are fed with a 20% sucrose solution mixed with fluorescent, magnetic nanoparticles from filter papers of specific pore sizes. The crop (internal structure used for storing fluids) is removed from the insect and placed on a confocal microscope. A magnet is waved by the crop to determine the presence of nanoparticles, which indicate if the insects are able to ingest fluids. This methodology is used to reveal a widespread feeding mechanism (capillary action and liquid bridge formation) that is potentially shared among Lepidoptera and Diptera when feeding from porous surfaces. In addition, this method can be used for studies of feeding mechanisms among a variety of fluid-feeding insects, including those important in disease transmission and biomimetics, and potentially other studies that involve nano- or micro-sized conduits where liquid transport requires verification.

Fluid-feeding insects have the ability to acquire minute quantities of liquids from porous surfaces. This protocol describes a method to directly determine the ability for insects to ingest liquids from porous surfaces using feeding solutions with fluorescent, magnetic nanoparticles.

Fluid-feeding insects ingest a variety of liquids, which are present in the environment as pools, films, or confined to small pores. Studies of liquid ...

Measuring the Confluence of iPSCs Using an Automated Imaging System

This study focuses on understanding how growing iPSCs on different ECM coating substrates can affect cell confluence. A protocol to assess iPSC confluence in real time has been established without the need to count cells in single cell suspension to avoid any growth perturbation. A high-content image analysis system was used to assess iPCS confluence on 4 different ECMs over time in an automated manner. Different analysis settings were used to assess cell confluence of adherent iPSCs and only a slight difference (at 24 and 48 hours with laminin) has been observed whether a 60, 80 or 100% mask was applied. We also show that laminin lead to the best confluence compared to Matrigel, vitronectin and fibronectin.

The goal of the protocol is to compare different extracellular matrix (ECM) coating conditions to assess how differential coating affects the growth rate of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). In particular, we aim to set up conditions to obtain optimal growth of iPSC cultures.

This study focuses on understanding how growing iPSCs on different ECM coating substrates can affect cell confluence. A protocol to assess iPSC confluence ...

Cryo-Electron Microscopic Grid Preparation for Time-Resolved Studies using a Novel Robotic System, Spotiton

The capture of short-lived molecular states triggered by the early encounter of two or more interacting particles continues to be an experimental challenge of great interest to the field of cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). A few methodological strategies have been developed that support these &#34;time-resolved&#34; studies, one of which, Spotiton-a novel robotic system-combines the dispensing of picoliter-sized sample droplets with precise temporal and spatial control. The time-resolved Spotiton workflow offers a uniquely efficient approach to interrogate early structural rearrangements from minimal sample volume. Fired from independently controlled piezoelectric dispensers, two samples land and rapidly mix on a nanowire EM grid as it plunges toward the cryogen. Potentially hundreds of grids can be prepared in rapid succession from only a few microliters of a sample. Here, a detailed step-by-step protocol of the operation of the Spotiton system is presented with a focus on troubleshooting specific problems that arise during grid preparation.

The protocol presented here describes the use of Spotiton, a novel robotic system, to deliver two samples of interest onto a self-wicking, nanowire grid that mix for a minimum of 90 ms prior to vitrification in liquid cryogen.