Project description:Spiroindenoquinoxaline pyrrolizidines (SIQPs)-7-nitro-2'-phenyl-5',6',7',7a'-tetrahydrospiro[indeno[1,2-b]quinoxaline-11,3'-pyrrolizine]-1',1'(2'H)-dicarbonitrile (SIQP I), 2'-(4-cyanophenyl)-7-nitro-5',6',7',7a'-tetrahydrospiro[indeno[1,2-b]quinoxaline-11,3'-pyrrolizine]-1',1'(2'H)-dicarbonitrile (SIQP II), and 2'-(4-methoxyphenyl)-7-nitro-5',6',7',7a'-tetrahydrospiro[indeno[1,2-b]quinoxaline-11,3'-pyrrolizine]-1',1'(2'H)-dicarbonitrile (SIQP III)-have been synthesized through a one-pot cascade Knoevenagel condensation reaction in acetonitrile (ACN) with 91, 98, and 87% yields, respectively. Structures are characterized by 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy, nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (NOESY), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and UV-vis spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), high-resolution mass spectroscopy (HRTEM), fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive analysis by X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. SIQPs in ACN photocatalyzed methylene blue (MB) but not phenolphthalein (HIn). SIQPs distinguished the quaternary atoms and dipoles of the fluorescent dye (MB) contrary to the quinonoid HIn structure. In sunlight, SIQPs without electricity input acted as a photonic sensor to detect fluorescent dyes in waste effluents of textile, paper, dyes, and other industries. Activation energy (E a), enthalpy (ΔH), entropy (ΔS), and Gibbs free energy (ΔG) calculated from UV-vis absorption spectra show photocatalytic reduction (PCR) activities in the order SIQP II > III > I. The N-atom of pyrrolizidine and -NO2 of nitro-indenoquinoxaline (NIQ) induced the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) electrodynamics to enable the SIQPs to catalyze biochemical activities.
Project description:This contribution presents the biosynthesis, physiochemical properties, toxicity and photocatalytic activity of biogenic CeO2 NPs using, for the first time, marine oyster extract as an effective and rich source of bioreducing and capping/stabilizing agents in a one-pot recipe. CeO2 NPs formation was initially confirmed through the color change from light green to pale yellow and subsequently, their corresponding absorption peak was spectroscopically determined at 310 nm with an optical band-gap of 4.67 eV using the DR-UV technique. Further, XRD and Raman analyses indicated that nanoceria possessed face-centered cubic arrangements without any impurities, having an average crystallite size of 10 nm. TEM and SEM results revealed that biogenic CeO2 NPs was approximately spherical in shape with a median particle size of 15 ± 1 nm. The presence of various bioorganic substances on the surface of nanoparticles was deduced by FTIR and TGA results. It is found that marine-based nanoceria shows no cytotoxic effect on the normal cell, thus indicating their enhanced biocompatibility and biosafety to living organisms. Environmentally, due to energy band gap, visible light-activated CeO2 nanocatalyst revealed superior photocatalytic performance on degradation of methylene blue pollutant with removal rate of 99%. Owing to the simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and environmentally friendly nature, this novel marine biosynthetic route paves the way for prospective applications of nanoparticles in various areas.
Project description:The direct utilization of solar energy to convert CO2 into renewable chemicals remains a challenge. One essential difficulty is the development of efficient and inexpensive light-absorbers. Here we show a series of aminoanthraquinone organic dyes to promote the efficiency for visible light-driven CO2 reduction to CO when coupled with an Fe porphyrin catalyst. Importantly, high turnover numbers can be obtained for both the photosensitizer and the catalyst, which has not been achieved in current light-driven systems. Structure-function study performed with substituents having distinct electronic effects reveals that the built-in donor-acceptor property of the photosensitizer significantly promotes the photocatalytic activity. We anticipate this study gives insight into the continued development of advanced photocatalysts for solar energy conversion.
Project description:The degradation of organic pollutants in wastewaters assisted by oxide semiconductor nanostructures has been the focus of many research groups over the last decades, along with the synthesis of these nanomaterials by simple, eco-friendly, fast, and cost-effective processes. In this work, porous zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures were successfully synthesized via a microwave hydrothermal process. A layered zinc hydroxide carbonate (LZHC) precursor was obtained after 15 min of synthesis and submitted to different calcination temperatures to convert it into porous ZnO nanostructures. The influence of the calcination temperature (300, 500, and 700 °C) on the morphological, structural, and optical properties of the ZnO nanostructureswas investigated. All ZnO samples were tested as photocatalysts in the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under UV irradiation and natural sunlight. All samples showed enhanced photocatalytic activity under both light sources, with RhB being practically degraded within 60 min in both situations. The porous ZnO obtained at 700 °C showed the greatest photocatalytic activity due to its high crystallinity, with a degradation rate of 0.091 and 0.084 min-1 for UV light and sunlight, respectively. These results are a very important step towards the use of oxide semiconductors in the degradation of water pollutants mediated by natural sunlight.
Project description:Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) photocatalysts were synthesized via a one-step pyrolysis process using melamine, dicyandiamide, thiourea, and urea as precursors. The obtained g-C3N4 materials exhibited a significantly different performance for the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) under white light irradiation, which is attributed to the altered structure and occupancies surface groups. The urea-derived g-C3N4 with nanosheet morphology, large specific surface area, and high occupancies of surface amine groups exhibited superior photocatalytic activity. The nanosheet morphology and large surface area facilitated the separation and transmission of charge, while the high occupancies of surface amine groups promoted the formation of hydrogen adsorption atomic centers which were beneficial to Cr(VI) reduction. Moreover, the possible reduction pathway of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) over the urea-derived g-C3N4 was proposed and the reduction process was mainly initiated by a direct reduction of photogenerated electrons.
Project description:The simultaneous measurement of gene expression for thousands of genes in a single analysis by the microarray technology allows researchers to describe transcriptomes in various samples of interest. Problems with variation in data quality derived from microarray experiments are well known and might result from poor RNA quality, background problems, or sub optimal signal strength. To assess variation due to the fluorescent dye chosen, three different dye pairs were tested for labelling of cDNA in gene expression analysis experiments on a porcine immune focused oligonucleotide microarray (POM3). This in-house oligonucleotide microarray allowed a direct comparison of background fluorescence, Median signal intensities, numbers of spots detected, and resistance to photobleaching between different dye pairs. We tested Alexa Flour 546/647, Cy3/Cy5 as well as Oyster 550/650 all from Genisphere Inc., Hatfield, PA, USA. Keywords: Comparison of fluorescent dyes
Project description:Tracking a bug's life: Peptidoglycan (PG) of diverse bacteria is labeled by exploiting the tolerance of cells for incorporating different non-natural D-amino acids. These nontoxic D-amino acids preferably label the sites of active PG synthesis, thereby enabling fine spatiotemporal tracking of cell-wall dynamics in phylogenetically and morphologically diverse bacteria. HCC = 7-hydroxycoumarin, NBD = 7-nitrobenzofurazan, TAMRA = carboxytetramethylrhodamine.
Project description:The capability of semiconductor nanomaterials to convert solar energy to chemical energy has led to many promising applications, for instance, photocatalyzed H2 generation. Studying this important photocatalytic reaction at the single nanocatalyst level provides a great opportunity to understand the microscopic reaction kinetics and mechanism by overcoming the chemical and structural heterogeneity among individuals. Here we report a fluorescence (FL) labeling strategy to visualize individual H2 nanobubbles that are generated at single CdS nanoparticles during photocatalysis. In operando imaging of nanobubble growth kinetics allows for determination of the photocatalytic activity of single nanocatalysts, which was found to randomly alternate among high activity, low activity and inactive states. In addition to H2 nanobubbles, the present labeling strategy is also suitable for other types of gas nanobubbles. Since nanomaterial-catalyzed gas generation is widely involved in many important photochemical (water splitting), electrochemical (electrolysis) and chemical (nanomotors) reactions, the present work is promising for the general applicability of single nanoparticle catalysis in broad basic and industrial fields by lighting up nanobubbles under commercial and conventional FL microscopes.
Project description:The simultaneous measurement of gene expression for thousands of genes in a single analysis by the microarray technology allows researchers to describe transcriptomes in various samples of interest. Problems with variation in data quality derived from microarray experiments are well known and might result from poor RNA quality, background problems, or sub optimal signal strength. To assess variation due to the fluorescent dye chosen, three different dye pairs were tested for labelling of cDNA in gene expression analysis experiments on a porcine immune focused oligonucleotide microarray (POM3). This in-house oligonucleotide microarray allowed a direct comparison of background fluorescence, Median signal intensities, numbers of spots detected, and resistance to photobleaching between different dye pairs. We tested Alexa Flour 546/647, Cy3/Cy5 as well as Oyster 550/650 all from Genisphere Inc., Hatfield, PA, USA. Keywords: Comparison of fluorescent dyes Each dye pairs were hybridized on two slides. The same two samples were compared on all the slides used in the present study. The liver sample from a healthy animal was labeled with the high wavelength dyes (Oyster 650/Alexa 647/Cy5) and the liver sample from the sick animal was labeled with the low wavelength dyes (Oyster 550/Alexa 546/Cy3). Each slide was scanned 3 times, immediately after hybridization (first round), after 1 month of storage in darkness and after 24 hours on the bench (12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of artificial light). Total RNA from the infected and control liver samples were extracted using RNeasy midi kit (Qiagen, Denmark) and DNase treated using RNase-Free DNase Set (Qiagen). 3DNATM Array 900 expression array detection kits (Genisphere Inc.) were used for the labeling and cDNA synthesis reaction of the RNA in the present study. Three different pairs of fluorescent dyes Oyster 550/650 (Genisphere Inc.), Alexa 546/647 (Genisphere Inc.), and Cy3/Cy5 (Genisphere Inc.) were used in separate labeling reactions. Labeling was done according to the manufacturers protocol for large-scale cDNA synthesis. For the cDNA synthesis 9.2µg total RNA from each liver sample was used and mixed with 20U AmpliQ RTenzyme and 10x first strand buffer (Bie og Berntsen, Rødovre, Denmark). Hybridization and washing were performed according to the manufacturers instructions (Genisphere) using Corning hybridization chambers. For one cDNA hybridization reaction; 6.5µl cDNA from each synthesis, 0.5µl Salmon sperm (10µg/µl) and 13.5µl 2 x Formamide-Based Hybridization Buffer (3DNA Array 900, Genisphere) was used. A total hybridization mix of 29µl was applied under a 22I x 25 mm LifterSlip (Erie Scientific, Portsmouth, NH, USA) carefully avoiding air bubbles. Slides were incubated at 44oC in a water bath over night. Wash buffer 1 (3DNA Array 900, Genisphere) was preheated to 44oC for the post cDNA hybridization wash. For two 3DNA hybridization reaction mixes; 2.5µl of each Capture reagent and 26µl SDS-Based hybridization buffer was mixed to a final volume of 52µl. 26µl 3DNA hybridization mix was applied to each slide, and incubated in darkness in a water bath at 50oC for 4 hours. Wash buffer 1 was preheated to 60oC for the post 3DNA hybridization wash. Slides were scanned on a CCD ArrayWoRxe auto (Applied Precision, Issaquah, WA, USA) using different exposure times (0.3 for 595 nm and 1.2 for 685 nm).
Project description:Herein, we present a new synthetic route to cyanine-based heterobifunctional dyes and their application as fluorescent linkers between polymers and biomolecules. The synthesized compounds, designed in the visible spectral range, are equipped with two different reactive groups for highly selective conjugation under physiological conditions. By applying indolenine precursors with functionalized benzenes, we achieved water-soluble asymmetric cyanine dyes bearing maleimido and N-hydroxysuccinimidyl functionalities in a three-step synthesis. Spectroscopic characterization revealed good molar absorption coefficients and moderate fluorescence quantum yields. Further reaction with polyethylene glycol yielded dye-polymer conjugates that were subsequently coupled to the antibody cetuximab, often applied in cancer therapy. Successful coupling was confirmed by mass shifts detected by gel electrophoresis. Receptor-binding studies and live-cell imaging revealed that labeling did not alter the biological function. In sum, we provided a successful synthetic pathway to rigid heterobifunctional cyanine dyes that are applicable as fluorescent linkers, for example, for connecting antibodies with macromolecules. Our approach contributes to the field of bioconjugation chemistry, such as antibody-drug conjugates by combining diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.