Computational and experimental studies of size and shape related physical properties of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles

In this work, the properties of hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanoparticles (NPs) have been studied both theoretically and experimentally focusing on computational analysis. HAP is widely used to fabricate implants, for drug delivery, etc. The physical properties of the nanosized HAP particles play an important role in the interaction with cells in the human body and are of great interest. Computer simulation was employed to understand the properties of HAP clusters (Ca(5)(PO(4))(3)OH) including formation energies, dipole moments and polarization (surface charges) by molecular mechanics (MM + , OPLS) and mostly by quantum semi-empirical Hartree-Fock (PM3) methods. The size of the simulated cluster i…

Self — Assembled System: Semiconductor and Virus Like Particles

Virus like nanoparticles (VLP) are in use to be absorbed by cells to cause biological effects. To increase a local concentration of VLP, nanoparticles-carriers bringing the latter to the target cell could be employed. N-type and p-type Si semiconductor nanoparticles, to control adhesion of VLP were applied. Optical absorbance spectra and electron microscopy evidenced that VLP became connected to Si nanoparticles. Moreover, a density of the adhered VLP depended on the type of both semiconductor and VLP.

Self-Assembled System of Semiconductor and Virus Like Nanoparticles

Virus like nanoparticles (VLP) are in use to be absorbed by cells to cause biological effects. To increase a local concentration of VLP, nanoparticles-carriers bringing the latter to the target cell could be employed. N-type and p-type Si semiconductor nanoparticles, to control adhesion of VLP were applied. Optical absorbance spectra and electron microscopy evidenced that VLP became connected to Si nanoparticles. Moreover, a density of the adhered VLP depended on the type of both semiconductor and VLP.

Atomic Force Microscopy Study of Yeast Cells Influenced by High Voltage Electrical Discharge

Human cells are the eukaryotic ones. Simulation of wide-spectrum electromagnetic radiation influence on eukaryotic cells was performed with yeast which is usually used now in molecular biological and medical biological investigations as the ideal model of eukaryotic system. The aim of the research was to observe possible induced alterations of the cell morphology. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electron scanning microscopy (ESM) have been applied to image the surface of cells exposed to electromagnetic radiation.

Microscopic Studies of YBCO-Based Polycrystalline Materials

Microscopy studies of the surface of high-temperature superconductor films

The surface morphology is studied by use of optical and electron microscopes with respect to production regime (rate and temperature of crystallization) of the 50 - 125 micrometer thick doped YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 films obtained by Stokes sedimentation on SrTiO 3 ceramic substrate (size 20 mm by 5 mm by 0.5 mm) and firing in air or oxygen following the MTG procedure, performed in the gradient tube furnace. Evolution of thick film structure with regard to temperature and cooling rate is studied.

Inorganic Nanoparticle as a Carrier for Hepatitis B Viral Capsids

Virus like particles (VLP) are used to transport immune response-modulating agents to target cells to treat them. In order to deliver a high concentration of VLP to the cell, a number of VLP can be attached to a nanoparticle to be used as a nanolorry. In this study, SiO2 nanoparticles were attached to Hepatitis B VLP. Spectrophotometry measurements, electron, and fluorescent microscopy evidence showed that the SiO2 – Hepatitis B VLP complexes were formed.

Immobilisation of yeast cells on the surface of hydroxyapatite ceramics

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) ceramics was tested for the first time for the possibility of being used as a new carrier for the immobilisation of yeast cells that are both model organisms for eukaryotic cell investigations and producers, which is important in classical and modern biotechnological processes. It was shown that under typical immobilisation conditions yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) has no affinity to HAP ceramics. A novel method for yeast immobilisation was developed. This new method includes the joint incubation of a carrier with the cells, the sedimentation and adhesion of cells on the carrier and the dehydration of obtained preparations. It was shown that the sedimentation and adhe…

Effects of yeast immobilization on bioethanol production

The current study evaluated a newer method, which includes a dehydration step, of immobilizing Saccharomyces cerevisiae L-77 and S. cerevisiae L-73 onto hydroxylapatite and chamotte ceramic supports. The efficiency of cell immobilization on chamotte was significantly higher than hydroxylapatite. Immobilized yeast preparations were investigated for their ethanol-producing capabilities. The glucose concentration in a fermentation medium was 100 mg/mL. Immobilized preparations produced the same amount of ethanol (48 ± 0.5 mg/mL) as free cells after 36 H of fermentation. During the early stages of fermentation, immobilized yeast cells produced ethanol at a higher rate than free cells. Yeast pre…

Interrelations of the yeast Candida utilis and Cr(VI): metal reduction and its distribution in the cell and medium

Abstract An effect of chromium(VI) ions on the growth and bioaccumulation properties of growing cells of Candida Utilis was studied. Molasses media for yeast growth containing 20 g glucose l −1 and 50+500 mg Cr(VI) l −1 were used in batch cultivation. Addition of 100 mg Cr(VI) l −1 resulted in a threefold decrease in the cell concentration, as compared with the culture grown without metal. Cr(VI) inhibited culture growth in a concentration-dependent manner, this dependence was not linear. Glucose consumption by growing cells depended on the initial Cr(VI) concentration in the medium and correlated with growth activity. No inhibitory effect of high Cr(VI) concentrations on the activity of so…

Optimization of Nitrification Process by a Bacterial Consortium in the Submerged Biofiltration System with Ceramic Bead Carrier

Laboratory-scale solid phase submerged system was developed to study the process of ammonium biodegradation. Ceramic beads were found to be an appropriate carrier material for the attachment of thePNN bacterial consortium (Pseudomonas sp., Nitrosomonas sp., Nitrobacter sp.) exhibiting nitrification/denitrification activity. This consortium was previously isolated from a biological activated sludge process at a fish factory wastewater treatment plant. Three organic amendments - molasses, humic acid extract, and malt extract - were used for the ceramic bead pretreatment. Molasses significantly enhanced (p<0.05) the process of bacteria attachment onto the ceramic carrier and further ammonium r…