Anton Sadovoy

Highly Wrinkled Cross‐Linked Graphene Oxide Membranes for Biological and Charge‐Storage Applications

Inspired by the amphiphilicity of graphene oxide (GO), the surface of water is used as a template for the assembly of a GO film. Methacrylate-functionalized GO sheets can be cross-linked instantaneously at the water-air interface to form a highly wrinkled membrane spreading over an extended area. The multiple covalent linkages amongst the GO sheets enhances the in-plane stiffness of the film compared to noncovalently bonded GO films. The highly convoluted GO membrane can be used in two applications: the promoting of spontaneous stem-cell differentiation towards bone cell lineage without any chemical inducers, and for supercapacitor electrodes. Due to reduced van der Waals restacking, capacitance values up to 211 F g(-1) can be obtained. The scalable and inexpensive nature of this assembly route enables the engineering of membranes for applications in regenerative medicine and energy-storage devices where secondary structures like nanotopography and porosity are important performance enhancers.

Layer-by-layer assembled multilayer shells for encapsulation and release of fragrance.

Layer-by-layer assembled shells are prospective candidates for encapsulation, stabilization, storage, and release of fragrances. A shell comprising four alternative layers of a protein and a polyphenol is employed to encapsulate the dispersed phase of a fragrance-containing oil-in-water emulsion. The model fragrance used in this work consists of 10 ingredients, covering a range of typically employed aroma molecules, all premixed in equal mass and with sunflower oil acting as the base. The encapsulated emulsion is stable after 2 months of storage at 4 °C as revealed by static light scattering and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry data show that the encapsulation efficiency of 8 out of 10 fragrance ingredients depends on the water solubility: the less water-soluble an ingredient, the more of it is encapsulated. The amount of these fragrance ingredients remaining encapsulated decreases linearly upon emulsion incubation at 40 °C and the multilayer shell does not hinder their release. The other two fragrance ingredients having the lowest saturation vapor pressure demonstrate sustained release over 5 days of incubation at 40 °C. The composition of released fragrance remains almost constant over 3 days of incubation, upon further incubation it becomes enriched with these two ingredients when others start to be depleted.

Peculiarities of Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Assembly on Patterned Surfaces

The layer-by-layer assembly of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) is studied on templates with imprinted arrays of microwells ranging from 2 to 25 μm and different aspect ratios. The thickness and microstructure of polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) are measured using scanning electron microscopy. At 0.2 M ionic strength, the PEM film evenly coats the template both inside and outside the microwells. If the film is thinner than the critical value of about 400 nm, PEM microstructures collapse upon dissolving the template. Eulers model of critical stress is used to describe the collapse. At 2 M ionic strength, a substantially thinner PEM film is assembled inside the 25 μm wells than outside. If the well diameter is reduced to 7 and 2 μm, a much thicker PEM film is formed inside the microwells. These observations have been attributed to the changing of polyelectrolyte conformation in the solutions.

Liquid crystal-in-water emulsion stabilized by layer-by-layer adsorption of polyelectrolytes and magnetite nanoparticles

We propose a method for stabilizing and modifying the dispersed phase of a liquid crystal-in-water (LC/water) emulsion using the sequential adsorption of polyelectrolytes and magnetite nanoparticles, which leads to the formation of LC-filled nanocomposite microcapsules. The obtained samples were studied by optical microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. It is established that the LC-filled nanocomposite microcapsules can move under the action of an external magnetic field.

Parallel in vivo monitoring of pH in gill capillaries and muscles of fishes using microencapsulated biomarkers

ABSTRACT Tracking physiological parameters in different organs within the same organism simultaneously and in real time can provide an outstanding representation of the organisms physiological status. The state-of-the-art technique of using encapsulated fluorescent molecular probes (microencapsulated biomarkers) is a unique tool that can serve as a platform for the development of new methods to obtain in vivo physiological measurements and is applicable to a broad range of organisms. Here, we describe a novel technique to monitor the pH of blood inside the gill capillaries and interstitial fluid of muscles by using microencapsulated biomarkers in a zebrafish model. The functionality of the proposed technique is shown by the identification of acidification under anesthesia-induced coma and after death. The pH in muscles reacts to hypoxia faster than that in the gill bloodstream, which makes both parameters applicable as markers of either local or bodily reactions. Summary: An optical technique for the simultaneous in vivo monitoring of pH in the blood of gill capillaries and interstitial fluid of muscles developed and tested in zebrafish.

Photoconversion of Spiropyran to Merocyanine in a Monolayer Observed Using Nanosecond Pump-Probe Brewster Angle Reflectometry

A new apparatus for nanosecond-time-resolved Brewster angle reflectometry is described that can be used to measure transient angle-resolved reflectivity changes in thin films and monolayers in a single pulsed laser shot. In order to achieve this, a cylindrical lens is placed in the probe beam path replacing the goniometer that is usually used for angular scanning in other systems. Using two synchronized nanosecond pulsed lasers in pump-probe configuration it is possible to measure the kinetics of photoinduced conformational changes by altering the delay between pump and probe pulses. The system was used to observe nanosecond time-resolved photodynamics in a spiropyran monolayer at the air-water interface. After UV excitation the spiropyran converted to its merocyanine form in two stages. The first stage occurred with a timescale close to the instrument time resolution (tens of nanoseconds) whereas the second stage occurred over a few hundred nanoseconds.

Study of the electro-optical response of polymer dispersed liquid crystal doped with multi-wall carbon nanotubes

We have experimentally investigated for the first time the electro-optical response of polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC) doped with multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). Undoped PDLC and PDLC doped with MWCNT were studied. Principal transmittances of the films and angular distributions of scattered light were measured as the functions of applied voltage. Anomalous electro-optical response of PDLC doped with MWCN was observed with cross-polarized light. Carbon nanotubes influence on the droplet director orientation in PDLC was found. The obtained results are discussed in terms of the model which takes into account the partial orientation of liquid crystal droplets in PVA matrix together with the presence of carbon nanotubes.

Simple and Effective Administration and Visualization of Microparticles in the Circulatory System of Small Fishes Using Kidney Injection

The systemic administration of micro-size particles into a living organism can be applied for vasculature visualization, drug and vaccine delivery, implantation of transgenic cells and tiny optical sensors. However, intravenous microinjections into small animals, which are mostly used in biological and veterinary laboratories, are very difficult and require trained personnel. Herein, we demonstrate a robust and efficient method for the introduction of microparticles into the circulatory system of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) by injection into the fish kidney. To visualize the introduced microparticles in the vasculature, we propose a simple intravital imaging technique in fish gills. In vivo monitoring of the zebrafish blood pH was accomplished using an injected microencapsulated fluorescent probe, SNARF-1, to demonstrate one of the possible applications of the described technique. This article provides a detailed description of the encapsulation of pH-sensitive dye and demonstrates the principles of the quick injection and visualization of the obtained microcapsules for in vivo recording of the fluorescent signal. The proposed method of injection is characterized by a low mortality rate (0-20%) and high efficiency (70-90% success), and it is easy to institute using commonly available equipment. All described procedures can be performed on other small fish species, such as guppies and medaka.

Microencapsulated fluorescent pH probe as implantable sensor for monitoring the physiological state of fish embryos

In vivo physiological measurement is a major challenge in modern science and technology, as is environment conservation at the global scale. Proper toxicological testing of widely produced mixtures of chemicals is a necessary step in the development of new products, allowing us to minimize the human impact on aquatic ecosystems. However, currently available bioassay-based techniques utilizing small aquatic organisms such as fish embryos for toxicity testing do not allow assessing in time the changes in physiological parameters in the same individual. In this study, we introduce microencapsulated fluorescent probes as a promising tool for in vivo monitoring of internal pH variation in zebrafish embryos. The pH alteration identified under stress conditions demonstrates the applicability of the microencapsulated fluorescent probes for the repeated analysis of the embryo’s physiological state. The proposed approach has strong potential to simultaneously measure a range of physiological characteristics using a set of specific fluorescent probes and to finally bring toxicological bioassays and related research fields to a new level of effectiveness and sensitivity.

Micro-encapsulated sensors for in vivo assessment of the oxidative stress in aquatic organisms

Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between the production and detoxification of reactive oxygen spices (ROS). ROS are natural byproducts of normal metabolism of oxygen and have important roles in cell signaling and homeostasis. Many heart related diseases like heart failure and myocardial infarction develop as a result of oxidative stress. Current treatment cannot improve the progressive decline in heart function experienced by all patients. Therefore heart failure is the cause of around 25% of all deaths in the Asia Pacific region. Thus any step taken to address the oxidative stress problem is essential for enhancing human health and improve their quality of life. Current approach is dedicated to develop micron-size oxidation stress-sensor for in-vivo measuring level of ROS in KillerRed expressing transgenic zebrafish larvae. Central to our investigation is the light-inducible heart failure animal model we developed in zebrafish that expressed KillerRed in the heart. By utilizing the photosensitizer properties of KillerRed to produce ROS upon green light illumination, heart failure can be repeatedly induced in a non-invasive manner. Importantly, the use of this biological platform permits the development of physiologically sensitive ROS sensor and identifies efficient antioxidants that improve heart contractility. The biosensor approach is based on utilizing biocompatible polyelectrolyte microcapsules as a carry of fluorescent dyes sensitive to amount of reactive oxygen spices. Microcapsule prevents dye diffusion in tissue that makes use toxic dyes possible. Microcapsules wall is permeable for environment with size less than 500 Da. The oxidation stress-sensors are injected directly in zebrafish pericardium with further circulation along blood system. Detecting of ROS is obtained by using laser scanning microscopy by illuminating oxidation stress-sensors and detecting changing excitation signal from the fluorescent dye.