Elzbieta Regulska

Surface plasmon resonance imaging biosensor for cathepsin G based on a potent inhibitor: development and applications.

A specific surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRI) array biosensor for the determination of the enzymatically active cathepsin G (CatG) has been developed. For this purpose, a specific interaction between an inhibitor immobilized onto a chip surface and CatG in an analyzed solution was used. The MARS-115 CatG peptidyl inhibitor containing the 1-aminoalkylphosphonate diaryl ester moiety at the C terminus and N-succinamide with a free carboxylic function was synthesized and covalently immobilized onto the gold chip surface via the thiol group (cysteamine). Atomic force microscopy was used for the observation of surface changes during the subsequent steps of chip manufacture. Optimal detection conditions were chosen. High specificity of synthesized inhibitor to CatG was proved. The precision, as well as the accuracy, was found to be well suited to enzyme determination. The sensor application for the determination of CatG in white blood cells and saliva was shown for potential diagnosis of leukemia and oral cavity diseases during the early stages of those pathological states.

Investigation of novel material for effective photodegradation of bezafibrate in aqueous samples

A novel composite with an enhanced photocatalytic activity was prepared and applied to study the removal of bezafibrate (BZF), a hypolypemic pharmaceutical, from an aqueous environment. For the enhancement of titanium dioxide photoactivity a fullerene derivative, 2-(ferrocenyl) fulleropyrrolidine (FcC60), was synthesized and applied. Obtained composite was found to show a higher catalytic activity than pristine TiO2. Therefore, high hopes are set in composites that are based on carbonaceous nanomaterials and TiO2 as a new efficient photocatalysts.

Photocatalytic Decolourization of Direct Yellow 9 on Titanium and Zinc Oxides

The photodecolourization of Direct Yellow 9, a member of the group of azo dyes which are commonly used in the various branches of the industry, was investigated. The photostability of this dye was not previously examined. Photocatalytic degradation method was evaluated. Solar simulated light ( W/m2), titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide were used as irradiation source and photocatalysts, respectively. Kinetic studies were performed on a basis of a spectrophotometric method. Degradation efficiency was assessed by applying high performance liquid chromatography. Disappearance of a dye from titanium dioxide and zinc oxide surfaces after degradation was confirmed by thermogravimetry and Raman microscopy. Direct Yellow 9 was found to undergo the photodegradation with approximately two times higher efficiency when zinc oxide was applied in comparison with titanium dioxide. A simple and promising way to apply the photocatalytic removal of Direct Yellow 9 in titanium dioxide and zinc oxide suspensions was presented.