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David E Cliffel

Publications and source records attributed to David E Cliffel.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Scanning electrochemical microscopy determination of organic soluble MPC electron-transfer rates.

In this paper, we describe a novel method for measuring the forward heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constant (kf) through the thiol monolayer of gold monolayer protected clusters (MPCs) in solution using scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). Applying the equations for mixed mass-transfer and electron-transfer processes, we develop a new formula using only the diffusion coefficient and the tip radius and use it as part of a new method for evaluating SECM approach curves. This method is applied to determine the electron-transfer rates from a series of SECM approach curves for monodisperse hexanethiol MPCs and for polydisperse hexanethiol, octanethiol, decanethiol, dodecanethiol, and 2-phenyethylthiol gold MPCs. Our results show that as the alkanethiol length increases the rate of electron transfer decreases in a manner consistent with the previously proposed tunneling mechanism for the electron transfer in MPCs. However, the effective tunneling coefficient, Beta, is found to be only 0.41 A-1 for alkanethiol passivated MPCs compared to typical values of 1.1 A-1 for alkanethiols as self-assembled monolayers on two-dimensional gold substrates. Similar SECM approach curve results for Pt and Au MPCs indicate that the electron-transfer rate is dependent mostly on the composition of the thiol layer and not on differences in the core metal.

Electrochemistry↗

Entrapment of photosystem I within self-assembled films.

We have developed a process to incorporate an integral membrane protein, Photosystem I (PSI), into an organic thin film at an electrode surface and thereby insulate the protein complex on the surface while mimicking its natural environment. The PSI complex, which is primarily more hydrophobic on the exterior than interior, is hydrophobically confined in vivo within the thylakoid membrane. To mimic the thylakoid membrane and entrap PSI on an electrode, we have designed a series of steps using a thin self-assembled monolayer (SAM) to adsorb and orient PSI followed by exposures to longer-chained methyl-terminated alkanethiols that place exchange with components of the original SAM in the interprotein domains. In this process, PSI is first adsorbed onto a HOC(6)S/Au substrate through a short exposure to a dilute solution of the protein to achieve a protein coverage of approximately 25%. The PSI/HOC(6)S/Au substrate is then placed into a solution containing one of various longer-chained alkanethiols including C(22)SH or C(18)OC(19)SH. Changes in thickness, interfacial capacitance, infrared spectra, and surface wettability were used to assess the extent of backfilling by the long-chained thiols. The coverage of the protein layer and the solvent used for backfilling affected the rate and quality of the SAM formed in the interprotein regions. After exposure of the PSI layer to solvents containing alkanethiols, there was only minor loss of protein on the surface and no real change in protein secondary structure as evidenced by reflectance absorption infrared spectroscopy.

Adsorption↗

Detection of Ebola virus envelope using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies in ELISA, surface plasmon resonance and a quartz crystal microbalance immunosensor.

Ebola virus (EBOV) Zaire, Sudan, as well as Ivory Coast are virulent human EBOV species. Both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were developed against soluble EBOV envelope glycoprotein (GP) for the study of EBOV envelope diversity and development of diagnostic reagents. Three EBOV Sudan-Gulu GP peptides, from the N-terminus, mid-GP, and C-terminus regions were used to immunize rabbits for the generation of anti-EBOV polyclonal antibodies. Polyclonal antisera raised against the C-terminus peptide could detect both Sudan-Gulu as well as Zaire GPs, while anti-N and mid-region peptide polyclonal sera recognized only EBOV Sudan-Gulu GP. Of the three anti-EBOV GP mouse MAbs produced, MAb 15H10 recognized all human EBOV GP species tested (Zaire, Sudan and Ivory Coast), and as well as reacted with the Reston non-human primate EBOV GPs. In addition, MAb 15H10 bound virion-associated GP of all known EBOV species. MAb 17A3 recognized GPs of both EBOV Sudan-Gulu and Zaire, while MAb 6D11 recognized only EBOV Sudan-Gulu GP. To detect EBOV GP, these antibody reagents were used in ELISA, surface plasmon resonance and in a quartz crystal microbalance immunosensor. Thus, polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies can be used in combination to identify and differentiate both human and non-human primate EBOV GPs.

Animals↗

Imaging of voltage-gated alamethicin pores in a reconstituted bilayer lipid membrane via scanning electrochemical microscopy.

Voltage-gated biological ion channels were simulated by insertion of the peptaibol antibiotic alamethicin into reconstituted phosphatidylcholine bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs). Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) was utilized to probe initial BLM resistivity, the insertion of alamethicin pores, and mass transport across the membrane. Acquired SECM images show the spatial location of inserted pore bundles, the verification of voltage control over the pore conformational state (open/closed), and variations in passive mass transport corresponding to different topographical areas of the BLM. SECM images were also used to evaluate overall BLM integrity prior to insertion as well as transport (flux in open state) and leakage (flux in closed state) currents following insertion.

Alamethicin↗

Continuous free-flow electrophoresis of water-soluble monolayer-protected clusters.

There has recently been a surge of interest in the properties and applications of monolayer protected clusters (MPCs). MPCs are metal nanoparticles that have unique optical, chemical, and electrochemical properties resulting from their small size. Because the size defines their properties, MPC particle size fractionation is important for control of the MPC characteristics for use in many potential applications. This paper explores the use of continuous free-flow electrophoresis (CFE) for the size fractionation of N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)glycine (tiopronin) monolayer protected gold clusters into monodisperse nanoparticle samples. CFE is a fractionation technique that isolates monodisperse particle sizes into several different collection vials on the tens of milligrams scale. This allows the MPCs to be separated based on their electrophoretic mobilities into isolated, monodisperse particles across a wide range of sizes. CFE separation of water-soluble tiopronin MPCs yielded fractions that varied in color, UV-visible spectra, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) size histograms, and solubility, indicating narrow size dispersity in the isolated fractions. UV-visible spectrophotometry verified the separation of the tiopronin MPCs through the inspection of surface plasmon resonance peak sizes for the different fractions. TEM was also used to verify the narrowed dispersity of MPC samples. The ability to separate water-soluble nanoparticles into 30 or more fractions in a continuous flow process will enable future studies on their size dependent properties.

Journal Article↗

Photosystem I patterning imaged by scanning electrochemical microscopy.

We report the first directed adsorption of Photosystem I (PSI) on patterned surfaces containing discrete regions of methyl- and hydroxyl-terminated self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold. SAM and PSI patterns are characterized by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). The insulating protein complex layer blocks the electron transfer of the SECM mediator, thereby reducing the electrochemical current significantly. Uniformly and densely packed adsorbed protein layers are observed with SECM. Pattern images correlate with our previous studies where we showed that low-energy surfaces (e.g., CH3-terminated) inhibit PSI adsorption in the presence of Triton X-100, whereas high-energy surfaces (e.g., OH-terminated) enable adsorption. Therefore, a SAM pattern with alternating methyl and hydroxyl surface regions allows PSI adsorption only on the hydroxyl surface, and this is demonstrated in the resulting SECM images.

Journal Article↗

Quartz crystal microbalance detection of glutathione-protected nanoclusters using antibody recognition.

A quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) immunosensor was developed for the quantitative detection of glutathione-protected nanoclusters. Advantages intrinsic to QCM were employed to make it an attractive alternative to other immunosensing techniques. We have addressed challenges in the area of QCM mass sensing through experimental correlation between damping resistance and frequency change for a reliable mass measurement. Electrode functionalization was optimized with the use of protein A to immobilize and present polyclonal IgG for antigen binding. This method was developed for the detection of glutathione (antigen)-protected clusters of nanometer size with high surface area and thiolate valency. Quantitation of glutathione-nanocluster binding to immobilized polyclonal antibody provides equilibrium constants (K(a) = (3.6 +/- 0.2) x 10(5) M(-1)) and kinetic rate constants (k(f) = (5.4 +/- 0.7) x 10(1) M(-1) s(-1) and k(r) = (1.5 +/- 0.4) x10(-4) s(-1)) comparable to literature reports. These observations further imply that immunoreactive nanoparticles have potential in medical diagnostics and materials assembly.

Antibodies↗

Real-time cell dynamics with a multianalyte physiometer.

A technique for simultaneously measuring changes in extracellular glucose, lactate, and oxygen concentrations in conjunction with acidification rates on a Cytosensor Microphysiometer is described. Platinum electrodes are inserted into the standard Cytosensor plunger head and modified with enzymes and biocompatible polymeric films. The lactate and glucose oxidase enzymes catalyze the reaction of lactate and glucose. An end product of these catalyses, H2O2, is measured amperometrically. Extracellular oxygen is also measured amperometrically, while the acidification rate is measured potentiometrically by the Cytosensor. Useful information is obtained during the Cytosensor stop-flow cycles, which produce increasing or decreasing peaks, owing to the production of lactic and carbonic acid and consumption of glucose and oxygen by the cells. Fabrication of the modified sensor head and deposition of the electrode films is detailed, and the operation of the technique is described and illustrated by the simultaneous measurement of all four analytes during the addition of 20 mM fluoride to mouse fibro blast cells.

Animals↗

Synthesis and catalytic properties of soluble platinum nanoparticles protected by a thiol monolayer.

Several new platinum monolayer protected clusters (MPCs) have been synthesized and characterized. Two methods of platinum reduction were used depending on the solubility of the thiol: sodium borohydride for the water-soluble thiols and lithium triethylborohydride for the organic soluble thiols. In general, reactant solutions containing a 1:1 thiol/Pt ratio yielded the best particles in a single-phase reaction. Higher thiol/Pt ratios produced lower yields of MPCs, while much lower ratios produced gray-black precipitates. The Pt MPCs were used as catalysts to hydrogenate allyl alcohol to propanol by reducing the carbon-carbon double bond. The Pt-mercaptoammonium MPCs were also used as catalysts in the hydrogenation of maleic acid to succinic acid. Differences in the catalytic hydrogenation rates among the various monolayer coatings for MPCs are attributed to the variations in ligand chain length, branching, charged functional groups, packing density, and core size.

Catalysis↗

A microphysiometer for simultaneous measurement of changes in extracellular glucose, lactate, oxygen, and acidification rate.

A microphysiometer capable of measuring changes in extracellular glucose, lactate, oxygen, and acidification rate has been developed by incorporating modified electrodes into a standard Cytosensor Microphysiometer plunger. Glucose and lactate are measured indirectly at platinum electrodes by amperometric oxidation of hydrogen peroxide, which is produced from catalysis of glucose and lactate at films containing their respective entrapped oxidase. Oxygen is measured amperometrically at a platinum electrode coated with a Nafion film, while the acidification rate is measured potentiometrically by a Cytosensor Microphysiometer. Analytical information is obtained during the Cytosensor stop-flow cycles, where the electrodes measure changes in the extracellular medium corresponding to the consumption or production of the analyte by the cells. Modification of the Cytosensor plunger for multianalyte determination is described, and the operation of the technique is illustrated by the simultaneous measurement of all four analytes during the addition of fluoride and DNP to Chinese hamster ovary cells and fluoride and antimycin A to mouse fibroblast cells. Cell metabolic recovery and dynamics after exposure to agents can also be observed in specific cases.

Animals↗

Hemagglutinin linear epitope presentation on monolayer-protected clusters elicits strong antibody binding.

Immunoreactive, multicomponent nanoclusters were assembled through the controlled presentation of a known, synthetic peptide epitope. The epitope comes from the hemagglutanin protein of influenza and is known to bind to a monoclonal anti-HA antibody. Antibody affinity for the immunoreactive MPC was compared to the affinity for traditionally used peptide arrays using the quartz crystal microbalance. The two systems had comparable affinities (Ka), ranging from 0.41 x 10(7) M(-1) to 1.8 x 10(7) M(-1), though the nanocluster used a much lower density of peptide relative to that of the peptide array. These results suggest that functionalized nanoclusters have potential in nanostructure assembly and medical applications. Water-soluble nanoparticles that present known neutralizing peptide epitopes of protein antigens might be used in antiviral influenza vaccines.

Adsorption↗