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Biomedical subjects

K Dill

Publications and source records attributed to K Dill.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Immunoassays based on electrochemical detection using microelectrode arrays.

We show that CombiMatrix's VLSI arrays of individually addressable electrodes, using conventional CMOS integrated circuitry, can be used in detecting various analytes via immunoassay protocols. These microarrays provide over 1000 electrodes per square centimeter. The chips are coated with a porous material on which specific affinity tags are synthesized proximate to selected electrode sites. CombiMatrix microarrays are used to develop spatially multiplexed assay formats for biological entities over a wide range of sizes, from small molecules to cells. Antibodies are tagged with coded affinity labels and then allowed to self-assemble on the appropriate electrode assay sites. Each analyte-specific antibody is chaperoned to individual, predetermined locations by the self-assembly process. The resulting chip can perform numerous different analyte-specific immunoassays, simultaneously. We present new detection technologies based upon the use of the active individually addressable microelectrodes on the chip: redox enzyme amplified electrochemical detection. The results for human alpha1 acid glycoprotein, ricin, M13 phage, Bacillus globigii spores, and fluorescein indicate that this method is one of the most sensitive available, with limits of detection in the attomole range. The detection range is 4-5 logs of analyte concentration, with an assay volume of 50 microl or less. The system provides for a host of multiplexed immunoassays because of the large number of electrodes available. We show how the assays can be optimized for maximum performance on the CombiMatrix microarray platform.

Biosensing Techniques↗

Functional analysis of secreted and transmembrane proteins critical to mouse development.

We describe the successful application of a modified gene-trap approach, the secretory trap, to systematically analyze the functions in vivo of large numbers of genes encoding secreted and membrane proteins. Secretory-trap insertions in embryonic stem cells can be transmitted to the germ line of mice with high efficiency and effectively mutate the target gene. Of 60 insertions analyzed in mice, one-third cause recessive lethal phenotypes affecting various stages of embryonic and postnatal development. Thus, secretory-trap mutagenesis can be used for a genome-wide functional analysis of cell signaling pathways that are critical for normal mammalian development and physiology.

Animals↗

Changing patterns of care for occult breast lesions in a community teaching hospital.

We performed a retrospective analysis of 384 consecutive stereotactic breast biopsies (SBBs) from March 1995 through January 1999 and compared it with our historical breast biopsy experience. Two hundred forty-four patients underwent biopsies for microcalcifications and 135 patients for abnormal mammographic densities. Pathology diagnoses included 302 patients with benign disease, 35 patients with atypical ductal hyperplasia, 4 patients with lobular carcinoma in situ, 29 patients with ductal carcinoma in situ, and 9 patients with invasive breast cancer. These diagnostic rates were compared with our prior needle-localized pathology findings. For the study period, the number of mammograms, open biopsies, and needle-localized biopsies remained stable. The number of SBBs, however, increased progressively in every year. Medicare reimbursement for SBB was $921.19, and for breast biopsy after needle localization, $1566.22. Our study strongly suggests that the availability of SBB has significantly lowered the threshold for recommending biopsy of abnormal mammograms. The increased utilization of SBB almost certainly indicates an increase in the overall cost of breast care. This cost must be balanced against substantial potential benefits of this minimally invasive technique: possible earlier diagnosis of atypical and precancerous lesions, patient reassurance in cases of uncertain mammographic interpretation, and a reduced need for follow-up of indeterminate mammograms.

Adult↗

Detection of salmonella in poultry using a silicon chip-based biosensor.

Salmonella typhimurium was detected to levels as low as 119 CFUs using the Threshold Immunoassay System. This immunoassay system utilizes solution-based binding of the biotin and fluorescein labeled antibodies to salmonella, followed by filtration-capture of the immunocomplex on a biotin-coated nitrocellulose membrane. Lastly, an anti-fluorescein urease conjugate is bound to the immunocomplex. Detection of the bound immunocomplex is made possible via the silicon chip-based light-addressable potentiometric sensor. In the presence of the urea, urease converts the substrate to ammonia and CO2 and this results in a pH change at the silicon surface. The resultant pH change is monitored with time and the signal output is reported in microV s(-1). An experiment whereby chicken carcass washings were fortified with salmonella showed a recovery of 90%, indicating that the technique can be used to test for salmonella under these conditions. Precautions must be used with this instrument as sample debris will affect sample flow through the membrane and hence the signal output.

Biosensing Techniques↗

Detection of plasmids using DNA and RNA probes and the light-addressable potentiometric sensor.

Intact plasmids, plasmid fragments, and cDNA were detected using two DNA or RNA probes of varying lengths, each containing only biotin or fluorescein molecules. The probes were hybridized with the target plasmid/cDNA, bound with streptavidin, captured on nitrocellulose membranes, and detected using the urease-conjugate of an anti-fluorescein antibody via the light-addressable potentiometric sensor. The output of the silicon-chip sensor is in the form of rate, microV/s, and is directly proportional to the quantity of hybridized DNA captured on the membrane. Use of the larger probes (for beta-actin cDNA target) results in detection of intact plasmid at the level of approximately 106 target molecules; complementary DNA could be detected at similar levels. When the smaller probes are utilized (pGEM or pBSActB targets), plasmid fragmented targets could be detected only at levels 200 times greater than those observed when using the larger RNA probes.

Biotin↗

Nonisotopic quantitation of mRNA using a novel RNase protection assay: measurement of erbB-2 mRNA in tumor cell lines.

We have developed a nonisotopic RNase protection assay using RNA probes that are dual-labeled with biotin and fluorescein for detection. This system utilizes capture of the protected RNA probe hybrids to streptavidin-coated membranes attached to plastic dipsticks, complexing of anti-fluorescein-urease conjugate with the labeled RNA probe, and quantitative detection of the membrane-bound complex by a potentiometric silicon sensor. The dual-label RNase protection (RP) assay was capable of measuring beta-actin mRNA in cellular RNA samples at the 27- to 45-amol level (10-17 pg) with high precision (%CV < 7). We have used this method to quantitate the levels of erbB-2 mRNA in the human tumor cell lines SKBR-3, SKOV-3, and MCF-7. The levels of erbB-2 mRNA in these cells were 105, 190, and 0.9 amol per microgram of cellular RNA, respectively. The dual-label RP method should be useful for measuring the mRNA expression for other erbB-2 homologs such as erbB-3 and erbB-4 in tumor cells and tissues and can be a generally useful mRNA quantitative method for laboratories wishing to minimize radioisotope use.

Actins↗

Detection of human asialo-alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein using a heterosandwich immunoassay in conjunction with the light addressable potentiometric sensor.

Highly specific detection of human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and asialo-alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (asialo-AGP) was made possible by use of a sandwich immunoassay. The glycoproteins were sandwiched between biotinylated and fluoresceinated polyclonal rabbit anti-human AGP antibodies. Additionally, asialo-AGP could be distinctly detected, apart from AGP, via the formation of a heterosandwich immunoassay using biotinylated polyclonal rabbit anti-human AGP and the lectin, fluoresceinated ricin toxin. Streptavidin was added to the formed immunocomplexes and the immunocomplexes captured on a biotinylated nitrocellulose membrane. The signal generator, urease conjugate of an anti-fluorescein antibody, was then bound to the complex on the membrane. The rate of pH change under microvolume conditions (0.6 microliters) was monitored using a silicon chip-based, light addressable potentiometer sensor. Results indicated that AGP and asialo-AGP can be detected to the 2 pg level when two antibodies are used to form the immunocomplex. Asialo-AGP can be detected down to 250 pg when the heterosandwich immunoassay is used; this assay exhibited no response up to 10 ng for native AGP or asialofetuin. Both immunoassays can be used to quantify the level of AGP and asialo-AGP in solution. Although the assay presented is very specific for AGP, asialo-AGP and terminal galactose, it is readily adaptable for the detection of any glycoprotein and terminal carbohydrate (or branched structure) by use of a protein-specific antibody and various lectins.

Animals↗

Picogram detection levels of asialofetuin via the carbohydrate moieties using the light addressable potentiometric sensor.

Fetal calf serum asialofetuin was assayed in the sandwich format using biotinylated and fluoresceinated ricin toxin (B-RCA and F-RCA). The sandwiched species was captured on a biotin-BSA coated nitrocellulose membrane with streptavidin. Anti-fluorescein antibody-urease conjugate was bound to the complex, and detected and quantitated under microvolume conditions using the light addressable potentiometric sensor. As little as 250 pg of asialofetuin was detectable whereas fetuin gave no response at conditions as high as 32 ng. Using a competitive inhibition assay, we established that the binding constant for the asialofetuin-ricin complex was 3.6 x 10(8) M-1. This is in good agreement with data published using glycopeptides derived from asialofetuin, and RCA and the ricin agglutinin, RCA-120.

Animals↗

Antibody-antigen binding constants determined in solution-phase with the threshold membrane-capture system: binding constants for anti-fluorescein, anti-saxitoxin, and anti-ricin antibodies.

Affinities of various monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies for fluorescein-containing antigens, saxitoxin and ricin, were determined by using a light addressable potentiometric sensor-based system (Threshold). The dissociation constants, determined from Scatchard plots, ranged from 2 x 10(-7) to approximately 3 x 10(-12) M. Dissociation constants for fluorescein and saxitoxin were compared with values determined by independent means. This technique was found to be quick, simple, reproducible, and accurate.

Antibodies↗

Immunochemical detection using the light-addressable potentiometric sensor.

Rapid, sensitive and flexible assay systems are needed for immunoassays, receptor-ligand binding studies and DNA probe assays. Filtration capture and sensor detection offer several advantages to these areas. Although dependent on the affinity of the specific binders employed, the sensitivity of these techniques can be in the order of 10(-12) M, and total assay time can be less than 15 minutes.

Biosensing Techniques↗

Theoretical study of arsenical-antidote adducts.

Structures, stabilities, and physical parameters for arsenical-antidote adducts in the gas phase were determined using semiempirical self consistent field (CNDO) calculations. In this work, methyldichloroarsine was used as the arsenical and racemic-dimercaptosuccinate, the diamide of racemic-dimercaptosuccinic acid, meso-dimercaptosuccinic acid, meso-dimercaptosuccinate, and the diamide of meso-dimercaptosuccinic acid were studied as the antidotes. For the case of the meso compounds, the influence of intramolecular hydrogen bonding was also investigated.

Antidotes↗

Regeneration of functional hemoglobin from iron(III) hemoglobin by reduction with hydrogen and a heterogeneous catalyst.

Functional hemoglobin was regenerated from partially autoxidized hemoglobin by reduction with molecular hydrogen in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst consisting of elemental platinum embedded in an electroactive polymer. The visible spectrum of the regenerated hemoglobin was identical to that of native iron(II) hemoglobin. The regenerated hemoglobin displayed highly cooperative oxygen-binding characteristics. P50 values for oxidized-regenerated hemoglobin samples were not different from native hemoglobin. The Hill coefficients for regenerated hemoglobin were slightly lower than the controls, possibly because of small amounts of irreversibly oxidized hemoglobin arising during the initial autoxidation. The advantages of the reduction system include: (1) the heterogeneous catalyst avoids the problem of protein adsorption onto bare platinum, (2) catalyst and reducing agent are easily removed from the protein, and (3) the by-product H+ is buffered easily.

Buffers↗

Substituent effects on the binding constants of arsenical-dithiol adducts.

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR) was used to determine the relative binding constants for several arsenical-dithiol adducts. The compounds investigated were 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (British anti-lewisite; BAL), 1,2-ethane dithiol (ET), and 1,2-propane dithiol (PDT). It was found that PDT has a significantly higher affinity than ET or BAL for phenyldichloroarsine (PDA) in methanol.

Arsenicals↗

One- and two-dimensional NMR studies of the N-terminal portion of glycophorin A at 11.7 Tesla.

One- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy (at 11.7 Tesla) was used to gain some structural and spectral information about glycophorin AM, glycophorin AM tryptic glycopeptide, a related pentapeptide, and two related monoglycosylated pentapeptides. The protein spectral information suggests that the highly glycosylated N-terminus of glycophorin does not seem to possess a unique tertiary structure. Furthermore, the spectral information provided by the carbohydrate residues also indicates that there is no strong carbohydrate-protein interaction resulting in a unique tertiary structure. This result does not preclude any unique protein-carbohydrate interactions. For the small monoglycosylated pentapeptide containing alpha-D-GalNAc attached to Thr, a unique NOESY cross-peak was observed between the anomeric proton and the beta-proton of Thr. A cross-peak between the beta-proton of Ser and the anomeric proton was not observed for a related monoglycosylated pentapeptide containing alpha-D-GalNAc O-linked to Ser.

Animals↗