Hwan-Moon Song

Nanoparticles up-regulate tumor necrosis factor-α and CXCL8 via reactive oxygen species and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation

Evaluating the toxicity of nanoparticles is an integral aspect of basic and applied sciences, because imaging applications using traditional organic fluorophores are limited by properties such as photobleaching, spectral overlaps, and operational difficulties. This study investigated the toxicity of nanoparticles and their biological mechanisms. We found that nanoparticles, quantum dots (QDs), considerably activated the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and CXC-chemokine ligand (CXCL) 8 through reactive oxygen species (ROS)- and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs)-dependent mechanisms in human primary monocytes. Nanoparticles elicited a robust activation of intracellular ROS, phosphorylation of p47phox, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activities. Blockade of ROS generation with antioxidants significantly abrogated the QD-mediated TNF-alpha and CXCL8 expression in monocytes. The induced ROS generation subsequently led to the activation of MAPKs, which were crucial for mRNA and protein expression of TNF-alpha and CXCL8. Furthermore, confocal and electron microscopy analyses showed that internalized QDs were trapped in cytoplasmic vesicles and compartmentalized inside lysosomes. Finally, several repeated intravenous injections of QDs caused an increase in neutrophil infiltration in the lung tissues in vivo. These results provide novel insights into the QD-mediated chemokine induction and inflammatory toxic responses in vitro and in vivo.

Laser desorption/ionization—Mass spectrometry using mesoporous silicate as matrix for the analysis of various molecules

In this study, mesoporous silicate was applied as a matrix for the analysis of various molecules from small molecules to medium sized peptides in laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. In contrast with conventional matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), the proposed approach desorption/ionization on mesoporous silicate mass spectrometry (DIOM-MS), significantly reduces the problem of matrix interference in low mass region and can be applied to the analysis of versatile chemicals including amino acids, synthetic drugs, peptides and others. In addition, distinctive advantage of DIOM-MS showed higher salt tolerance and could be applied to identify the proteins from the analysis of tryptically digested peptides. DIOM-MS has several availabilities such as easy sample preparation, rapid analysis of small molecules without noise, peptide analysis without organic matrix, high salt tolerance, versatile coupling with other separation techniques, and high throughput manner.

Fabrication of disposable protein chip for simultaneous sample detection

In this study, we have described a method for the fabrication of a protein chip on silicon substrate using hydrophobic thin film and microfluidic channels, for the simultaneous detection of multiple targets in samples. The use of hydrophobic thin film provides for a physical, chemical, and biological barrier for protein patterning. The microfluidic channels create four protein patterned strips on the silicon surfaces with a high signal-to-noise ratio. The feasibility of the protein chips was determined in order to discriminate between each protein interaction in a mixture sample that included biotin, ovalbumin, hepatitis B antigen. In the fabrication of the multiplexed assay system, the utilization of the hydrophobic thin film and the microfluidic networks constitutes a more convenient method for the development of biosensors or biochips. This technique may be applicable to the simultaneous evaluation of multiple protein-protein interactions.

Morphological Control of Cells on 3-Dimensional Multi-Layer Nanotopographic Structures.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) environment is known to play an important role in the process of various cell regulatory mechanisms. We have investigated the ability of 3-dimensional ECM geometries to induce morphological changes in cells. Bi-layer polymeric structures with submicron scale stripe patterns were fabricated using a two-step nano-imprinting technique, and the orientation angle (θ(α)) of the upper layer was controlled by changing its alignment with respect to the orientation of the bottom layer. When cells were grown on the mono-layer stripe structure with a single orientation, they elongated along the direction of the stripe pattern. On bi-layer polymer structures, the cell morphologies gradually changed and became rounded, with an increase of θα up to 90 degrees, but the polarities of these cells were still aligned along the orientation of the upper layer. As a result, we show that the polarity and the roundness of cells can be independently regulated by adjusting the orientation of 3-dimensional hierarchical ECM topography.

Rapid Topological Patterning of Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Microstructure

We presented the modified decal-transfer lithography (DTL) and light stamping lithography (LSL) as new powerful methods to generate patterns of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) on the substrate. The microstructures of PDMS fabricated by covalent binding between PDMS and substrate had played as barrier to locally control wettability. The transfer mechanism of PDMS is cohesive mechanical failure (CMF) in DTL method. In the LSL method, the features of patterned PDMS are physically torn and transferred onto a substrate via UV-induced surface reaction that results in bonding between PDMS and substrate. Additionally we have exploited to generate the patterning of rhodamine B and quantum dots (QDs), which was accomplished by hydrophobic interaction between dyes and PDMS micropatterns. The topological analysis of micropatterning of PDMS were performed by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and the patterning of rhodamine B and quantum dots was clearly shown by optical and fluorescence microscope. Furthermore, it could be applied to surface guided flow patterns in microfluidic device because of control of surface wettability. The advantages of these methods are simple process, rapid transfer of PDMS, modulation of surface wettability, and control of various pattern size and shape. It may be applied to the fabrication of chemical sensor, display units, and microfluidic devices.

Selective Patterning of Quantum Dots on Functionalized Surface Using Polyelectrolyte Transfer

We reported a simple method to pattern quantum dots, CdSe/ZnS, on selectively functionalized surface. This selective patterning of the quantum dots solution can be understood by considering the difference in affinity owing to different chemical functionality between the surface charge of quantum dots and transferred polyelectrolyte. Thus the quantum dots can be easily deposited on desired surface by simple dipping method. And the patterned shape and size can be freely controlled by polymer transfer technique according to the variation of used micromold.

Rapid bio-patterning method based on the fabrication of PEG microstructures and layer-by-layer polymeric thin film

The patterning of biomolecules in well-defined microstructures is critical issue for the development of biosensors and biochips. However, the fabrication of microstructures with well-ordered and spatially discrete forms to provide the patterned surface for the immobilization of biomolecules is difficult because of the lack of distinct physical and chemical barriers separating patterns. This study present rapid biomolecule patterning using micromolding in capillaries (MIMIC), soft-lithographic fabrication of PEG microstructures for prevention of nonspecific binding as a biological barrier, and self assembled polymeric thin film for efficient immobilization of proteins or cells. For the proof of concept, protein (FITC-BSA), bacteria (E.coli BL21-pET23b-GFP) were used for biomolecules patterning on polyelectrolyte coated surface within PEG microstructures. The novel approach of MIMIC combined with LbL coating provides a general platform for patterning a broad range of materials because it can be easily applied to various substrates such as glass, silicon, silicon dioxide, and polymers.