Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Molecular Devices (molecular + device)
Selected AbstractsEthanol Alters Cell Fate of Fetal Human Brain-Derived Stem and Progenitor CellsALCOHOLISM, Issue 9 2010Sharada D. Vangipuram Background:, Prenatal ethanol (ETOH) exposure can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). We previously showed that ETOH alters cell adhesion molecule gene expression and increases neurosphere size in fetal brain-derived neural stem cells (NSC). Here, our aim was to determine the effect of ETOH on the cell fate of NSC, premature glial-committed precursor cells (GCP), and premature neuron-committed progenitor cells (NCP). Methods:, NSC, GCP, and NCP were isolated from normal second-trimester fetal human brains (n = 3) by positive selection using magnetic microbeads labeled with antibodies to CD133 (NSC), A2B5 (GCP), or PSA-NCAM (NCP). As a result of the small percentage in each brain, NSC were cultured in mitogenic media for 72 hours to produce neurospheres. The neurospheres from NSC and primary isolates of GCP and NCP were used for all experiments. Equal numbers of the 3 cell types were treated either with mitogenic media or with differentiating media, each containing 0 or 100 mM ETOH, for 120 hours. Expression of Map2a, GFAP, and O4 was determined by immunoflourescence microscopy and western blot analysis. Fluorescence intensities were quantified using Metamorph software by Molecular Devices, and the bands of western blots were quantified using densitometry. Results:, ETOH in mitogenic media promoted formation of neurospheres by NSC, GCP, and NCP. Under control conditions, GCP attached and differentiated, NSC and NCP formed neurospheres that were significantly smaller in size than those in ETOH. Under differentiating conditions, Map2a expression increased significantly in NSC and GCP and reduced significantly in NCP, and GFAP expression reduced significantly in GCP and NCP, and Gal-C expression reduced significantly in all 3 cell types in the presence of ETOH compared to controls. Conclusions:, This study shows that ETOH alters the cell fate of neuronal stem and progenitor cells. These alterations could contribute to the mechanism for the abnormal brain development in FASD. [source] Electrochemical Phenomena in the Nanoworld/Molecular Devices and Machines/Surface Science/Spectroscopic Advances/Chemistry at a Historic CrossroadsCHEMPHYSCHEM, Issue 1 2009Christian Amatore Prof. Dr. First page of article [source] All-Optical Integrated Logic Operations Based on Chemical Communication between Molecular SwitchesCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 1 2009Serena Silvi Dr. Abstract Molecular logic gates process physical or chemical "inputs" to generate "outputs" based on a set of logical operators. We report the design and operation of a chemical ensemble in solution that behaves as integrated AND, OR, and XNOR gates with optical input and output signals. The ensemble is composed of a reversible merocyanine-type photoacid and a ruthenium polypyridine complex that functions as a pH-controlled three-state luminescent switch. The light-triggered release of protons from the photoacid is used to control the state of the transition-metal complex. Therefore, the two molecular switching devices communicate with one another through the exchange of ionic signals. By means of such a double (optical,chemical,optical) signal-transduction mechanism, inputs of violet light modulate a luminescence output in the red/far-red region of the visible spectrum. Nondestructive reading is guaranteed because the green light used for excitation in the photoluminescence experiments does not affect the state of the gate. The reset is thermally driven and, thus, does not involve the addition of chemicals and accumulation of byproducts. Owing to its reversibility and stability, this molecular device can afford many cycles of digital operation. [source] High-Performance Photoresponsive Organic Nanotransistors with Single-Layer Graphenes as Two-Dimensional ElectrodesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 17 2009Yang Cao Abstract Graphene behaves as a robust semimetal with the high electrical conductivity stemming from its high-quality tight two-dimensional crystallographic lattice. It is therefore a promising electrode material. Here, a general methodology for making stable photoresponsive field effect transistors, whose device geometries are comparable to traditional macroscopic semiconducting devices at the nanometer scale, using cut graphene sheets as 2D contacts is detailed. These contacts are produced through oxidative cutting of individual 2D planar graphene by electron beam lithography and oxygen plasma etching. Nanoscale organic transistors based on graphene contacts show high-performance FET behavior with bulk-like carrier mobility, high on/off current ratio, and high reproducibility. Due to the presence of photoactive molecules, the devices display reversible changes in current when they are exposed to visible light. The calculated responsivity of the devices is found to be as high as ,8.3,A,W,1. This study forms the basis for making new types of ultrasensitive molecular devices, thus initiating broad research interest in the field of nanoscale/molecular electronics. [source] Fabrication of a Memory Chip by a Complete Self-Assembly Process Using State-of-the-Art Multilevel Cell (MLC) Technology,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 8 2008Anirban Bandyopadhyay Abstract Using a two bit molecular switch, an ultra-dense memory chip has been built following a fully automated fabrication process. Well-ordered templates are grown naturally using a well-defined protocol of temperature variation. This template is so designed that molecules are adsorbed selectively only into particular sites whenever they are bombarded on the template through an e-beam evaporator for a particular time. The technique is a generalized protocol that has been used to grow atomic-scale templates by proper tuning of basic global parameters like temperature and evaporation time. Tuning of the basic template parameters is also demonstrated here, and has been used to scale down parameter values following the same route. Tuning the junction profile should allow selective adsorption of more complicated multi-level switches in future. Therefore, a fairly simple technology has been established that addresses one of the most fundamental issues of continuous miniaturization, i.e., simultaneous automated growth of thousands of atomically precise single molecular devices. [source] Effects of substituents on molecular devicesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUANTUM CHEMISTRY, Issue 9 2008Roberto M. Tovar Abstract The current,voltage characteristics of small aliphatic chains of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and oligophenylene-ethylenes, with and without substituents and terminated in sulfur attached nanosized gold electrodes are determined using ab initio procedures for discrete and extended systems in a density functional theory-Green function's approach where most of the chemistry is considered. It is found that the current,voltage characteristics of small molecules can be tailored by the addition of substituents. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008 [source] Resonance Raman studies of photochemical molecular devices for multielectron storageJOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 5 2008Stefanie Tschierlei Abstract Resonance Raman spectroscopy was utilized for the first time to characterize the nature of the 1metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) state of a ruthenium complex containing the redoxactive tetraazatetrapyrido-pentacene (tatpp) ligand. The presented results show that the long-wavelength absorption is originating from transitions involving the terminal phenanthroline and the tatpp ligands. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Exploring prokaryotic diversity: there are other molecular worldsMOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2005Luis Angel Fernández Summary Prokaryotes are the major source of biological diversity on earth. This is not simply because of the large number of species present, or because of their diverse growth conditions and environmental niches populated by them, but because of the wealth of genes, metabolic pathways and molecular processes that are only found in prokaryotic cells. Therefore, Bacteria and Archaea (and their phages) cannot be considered any longer as miniaturized models of Eukaryotes, but as a genuine source of unique biological processes that are mediated by unique sets of genes and molecular devices. A true understanding of complex biological phenomena will require a deeper knowledge of this vast prokaryotic world. The second European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) conference on Molecular Microbiology entitled ,Exploring Prokaryotic Diversity' explored many aspects of this newly emerging interest in the prokaryotic world. [source] Accessory chemosignaling mechanisms in primatesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2006C.S. Evans Abstract Accessory olfaction is defined as the chemoreceptive system that employs the vomeronasal complex (VNC) and its distinct central projections to the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) and limbic/cortical systems. Comparisons of the structural and functional features of primate accessory olfaction can now be made at many levels. Advances in the understanding of molecular mechanisms of odorant transfer and detection, physiological analyses of signal processing, and appreciation of ontogenetic timetables have clarified the contribution of accessory chemoreception to the sensory map. Two principal functions dominate: the decoding of social information through the uptake of signals (often fluid-borne), and the provision of an essential pathway for the "migration" of presumptive neurocrine (GnRH) cells from the olfactory placode to the hypothalamus. VN "smelling" (vomerolfaction) is now seen to overlap with primary olfaction. Both systems detect signal compounds along the spectrum of volatility/molecular weight, and neither is an exclusive sensor. Both main and accessory chemoreception seem to require collaborative molecular devices to assist in odorant transfer (binding proteins) and (for the VNO) signal recognition (MHC1 proteins). Most adaptive-selective features of primate chemocommunication variously resemble those of other terrestrial mammals. VN function, along with its genome, has been maintained within the Strepsirrhines and tarsiers, reduced in Platyrrhines, and nearly extinguished at the Catarrhine up to hominin levels. It persists as an intriguing ancient sense that retains key features of past evolutionary events. Am. J. Primatol. 68:525,544, 2006.© 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | |||||||||||||