Biomaterials – Page 113 – TechConnect Briefs

Imaging Bio-electro-mechanics with Scanning Probe Microscopy: Unveiling Nature’s Nanoscale Form and Function

Jesse S., Baddorf A.P., Rodriguez B.J., Gruverman A., Kalinin S.V., Oak Ridge National Laboratory, US

A novel scanning probe technique for studying the physiological structure and electro-mechanical properties of nanoscale biological systems is discussed. The almost universal presence of piezo response in biological material makes this method applicable to a [...]

Loss of Elasticity of Ageing Epithelial Cells, and Its Possible Reversal

Sokolov I., Woodworth C.D., Clarkson University, US

We investigated human epithelial cells of different age in-vitro by means of the atomic force microscopy. We found that older cells are considerably (~2-10 times) more rigid that younger cells. This helps to explain why [...]

Conical Tomograph: A Method for the Study of Macromolecular Assemblies

Zampighi G.A., Zampighi L., Fain N., Lanvazecchia S., Zampighi G.A., Zampighi L., University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, US

We have developed conical tomography to study the structure of macromolecular assemblies and organelles in their native cellular environment. Unlike the other related types of tomography, conical tomography has a higher throughput and more importantly, [...]

Combinatorial Selection of Cell-Specific Peptides by Phage Display Experiments

Veleva A.N., Patterson C., Cooper S.L., North Carolina State University, US

We report for the first time the selection of novel peptides that are highly specific for endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) by screening phage display libraries. Our strategy for isolation of ligand peptides for cell surface [...]

Smart Bandage – A Hydrogel Supported Optical Microcavity Sensor

DeLouise L.A., University of Rochester, US

Developing new medical diagnostic technologies that can be used in the home for early detection and disease prevention is a central focus at the University of Rochester Center for Future Health. This paper is concerned [...]

Peptide Based Nanoparticles as a Platform for Vaccine Design

Raman S.K., Kao D.J., Tropel D., Graff A., Machaidze G., Hodges R.S., Burkhard P., Biozentrum, CH

To-date vaccines for many of the dreadful diseases such as Tuberculosis, Malaria, AIDS and Hepatitis are still ineffective or unavailable. Peptide based vaccines have been developed but because of their poor immunogenic response and the [...]

Medical Applications

Electronic Sensing of Antibodies using Carbon Nanotube Devices

Teker K., Sivakumar K., Wickstrom E., Panchapakesan B., University of Delaware, US

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are remarkable solid state nanomaterials due to their unique properties such as high surface area, hollow cavities, and excellent mechanical and electrical properties. Interfacing carbon nanotubes with biological materials could enable significant [...]

Optimal Design of Laser Surgery for Cancer Treatment Through Nanoshell-Mediated Hyperthermia Therapy

Feng Y., Rylander N., Bass J., Oden J.T., Diller K., The University of Texas at Austin, US

Recent development of nanoparticle technology and its application in hyperthermia therapies makes it possible to consider optimal control of the temperature field and thermal energy delivered to the tumor region with minimal destruction of surrounding [...]

Photo-Enhanced Luminescence in Bio-conjugated Quantum Dots for Ovarian Cancer Biomarkers

Dybiec M., Korsunska N.E., Zhukov P., Zhukov T., Ostapenko S., Sellers T., Zajac A., Zhukov P., Zhukov T., University of South Florida, US

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. This largely reflects the fact that approximately 75% of cases are detected at advanced stages of disease, when cure is unlikely. In contrast, 5-year survival for patients [...]