Biomedical subjects

Maureen A Dyer

Publications and source records attributed to Maureen A Dyer.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

The array biosensor: portable, automated systems.

With recent advances in surface chemistry, microfluidics, and data analysis, there are ever increasing reports of array-based methods for detecting and quantifying multiple targets. However, only a few systems have been described that require minimal preparation of complex samples and possess a means of quantitatively assessing matrix effects. The NRL Array Biosensor has been developed with the goal of rapid and sensitive detection of multiple targets from multiple samples analyzed simultaneously. A key characteristic of this system is its two-dimensional configuration, which allows controls and standards to be analyzed in parallel with unknowns. Although the majority of our work has focused on instrument automation and immunoassay development, we have recently initiated efforts to utilize alternative recognition molecules, such as peptides and sugars, for detection of a wider variety of targets. The array biosensor has demonstrated utility for a variety of applications, including food safety, disease diagnosis, monitoring immune response, and homeland security, and is presently being transitioned to the commercial sector for manufacturing.

Automation↗

PubMed2006

Disruption of lipid rafts enhances activity of botulinum neurotoxin serotype A.

Botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNT/A), one of seven serotypes of botulinum neurotoxin, is taken up by neurons of the peripheral nervous system. Within the neurons it catalyzes cleavage of the synaptosomal-associated protein having a mass of 25kDa, SNAP-25, thereby blocking neurotransmission. BoNT/A has been shown to interact with SV2, as well as gangliosides that are often found in lipid rafts. Lipid rafts are microdomains that can be found on the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane and are enriched in cholesterol and glycosphingolipids. To determine whether lipid rafts are needed for BoNT/A activity, those associated with the plasma membranes of murine N2a neuroblastoma cells were disrupted using either methyl-beta-cyclodextrin or filipin. Disruption of cholesterol-containing lipid rafts by either reagent did not prevent the action of BoNT/A on N2a cells, in fact activity was enhanced. While our results indicate that disruption of lipid rafts enhances BoNT/A activity, disruption of clathrin-dependent endocytosis appeared to be inhibitory.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Attenuation of protein adsorption on static and oscillating magnetostrictive nanowires.

The research described here investigates the hypothesis that nanoarchitecture contained in a nanowire array is capable of attenuating the adverse host response generated when medical devices are implanted in the body. This adverse host response, or biofouling, generates an avascular fibrous mass transfer barrier between the device and the analyte of interest, disabling the implant if it is a sensor. Numerous studies have indicated that surface chemistry and architecture modulate the host response. These findings led us to hypothesize that nanostructured surfaces will inhibit the formation of an avascular fibrous capsule significantly. We are investigating whether arrays of oscillating magnetostrictive nanowires can prevent protein adsorption. Magnetostrictive nanowires were fabricated by electroplating a ferromagnetic metal alloy into the pores of a nanoporous alumina template. The ferromagnetic nanowires are made to oscillate by oscillating the magnetic field surrounding the wires. Radiolabeled bovine serum albumin, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and other protein assays were used to study protein adhesion on the nanowire arrays. These results display a reduced protein adsorption per surface area of static nanowires. Comparing the surfaces, 14-30% of the protein that absorbed on the flat surface adsorbed on the nanowires. Our contact angle measurements indicate that the attenuation of protein on the nanowire surface might be due to the increased hydrophilicity of the nanostructured surface compared to a flat surface of the same material. We oscillated the magnetostrictive wires by placing them in a 38 G 10 Hz oscillating magnetic field. The oscillating nanowires show a further reduction in protein adhesion where only 7-67% of the protein on the static wires was measured on the oscillating nanowires. By varying the viscosity of the fluid the nanowires are oscillated in, we determined that protein detachment is shear-stress modulated. We created a high shearing fluid with dextran, which reduced protein adsorption on the oscillating nanowires by 70% over nanowires oscillating in baseline viscosity fluid. Our preliminary studies strongly suggest that the architecture in the static nanowire arrays and the shear created by oscillating the nanowire arrays would attenuate the biofouling response in vivo.

Adsorption↗