-
Nucleic Acids Research Oct 1980A method is presented for the rapid isolation of high molecular weight plant DNA (50,000 base pairs or more in length) which is free of contaminants which interfere with...
A method is presented for the rapid isolation of high molecular weight plant DNA (50,000 base pairs or more in length) which is free of contaminants which interfere with complete digestion by restriction endonucleases. The procedure yields total cellular DNA (i.e. nuclear, chloroplast, and mitochondrial DNA). The technique is ideal for the rapid isolation of small amounts of DNA from many different species and is also useful for large scale isolations.
Topics: DNA; Indicators and Reagents; Methods; Molecular Weight; Plants
PubMed: 7433111
DOI: 10.1093/nar/8.19.4321 -
PloS One 2021Rapid advancements in long-read sequencing technologies have transformed read lengths from bps to Mbps, which has enabled chromosome-scale genome assemblies. However,...
Rapid advancements in long-read sequencing technologies have transformed read lengths from bps to Mbps, which has enabled chromosome-scale genome assemblies. However, read lengths are now becoming limited by the extraction of pure high-molecular weight DNA suitable for long-read sequencing, which is particularly challenging in plants and fungi. To overcome this, we present a protocol collection; high-molecular weight DNA extraction, clean-up and size selection for long-read sequencing. We optimised a gentle magnetic bead based high-molecular weight DNA extraction, which is presented here in detail. The protocol circumvents spin columns and high-centrifugation, to limit DNA fragmentation. The protocol is scalable based on tissue input, which can be used on many species of plants, fungi, reptiles and bacteria. It is also cost effective compared to kit-based protocols and hence applicable at scale in low resource settings. An optional sorbitol wash is listed and is highly recommended for plant and fungal tissues. To further remove any remaining contaminants such as phenols and polysaccharides, optional DNA clean-up and size selection strategies are given. This protocol collection is suitable for all common long-read sequencing platforms, such as technologies offered by PacBio and Oxford Nanopore. Using these protocols, sequencing on the Oxford Nanopore MinION can achieve read length N50 values of 30-50 kb, with reads exceeding 200 kb and outputs ranging from 15-30 Gbp. This has been routinely achieved with various plant, fungi, animal and bacteria samples.
Topics: DNA; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Molecular Weight; Nanopores; Sequence Analysis, DNA
PubMed: 34264958
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253830 -
Chemical Society Reviews May 2018Self-assembled peptide nanostructures have been increasingly exploited as functional materials for applications in biomedicine and energy. The emergent properties of... (Review)
Review
Self-assembled peptide nanostructures have been increasingly exploited as functional materials for applications in biomedicine and energy. The emergent properties of these nanomaterials determine the applications for which they can be exploited. It has recently been appreciated that nanomaterials composed of multicomponent coassembled peptides often display unique emergent properties that have the potential to dramatically expand the functional utility of peptide-based materials. This review presents recent efforts in the development of multicomponent peptide assemblies. The discussion includes multicomponent assemblies derived from short low molecular weight peptides, peptide amphiphiles, coiled coil peptides, collagen, and β-sheet peptides. The design, structure, emergent properties, and applications for these multicomponent assemblies are presented in order to illustrate the potential of these formulations as sophisticated next-generation bio-inspired materials.
Topics: Molecular Weight; Nanostructures; Peptides; Protein Conformation
PubMed: 29697126
DOI: 10.1039/c8cs00115d -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022
Topics: Humans; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Immunotherapy; Molecular Weight; Neoplasms
PubMed: 35663988
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.920442 -
Polimery W Medycynie 2021Fucoidans represent the sulfated heteropolysaccharides that possess a wide range of important pharmacological properties. The properties of a fucoidan depend on several... (Review)
Review
Fucoidans represent the sulfated heteropolysaccharides that possess a wide range of important pharmacological properties. The properties of a fucoidan depend on several factors, including the molecular weight and the way of extraction. However, the selection of an optimal depolymerization method is necessary to enhance its therapeutic applications. Reducing the molecular weight of fucoidans will make it possible to use them in creating nanoparticles and nanocarriers for, among others, the targeted drug delivery. The molecular mass of the polymer can be changed by means of various methods of depolymerization. In this work, the possibility of application of ultrasonic destruction for decrease in the size of fucoidan molecules for the purpose of expansion of opportunities and spheres of their therapeutic application is considered. This is one of the simple and effective methods of depolymerization of fucoidan, which leads to a decrease in molecular weight without significant structural changes in macromolecules. In addition, methods and potential applications of the ultrasonic extraction of fucoidan from seaweed and the possibilities of their combination are discussed, as well as other physical or chemical methods of extraction.
Topics: Molecular Weight; Nanoparticles; Polysaccharides; Ultrasonics
PubMed: 34910386
DOI: 10.17219/pim/143961 -
International Journal of Cosmetic... Aug 2021Cosmetic emulsions containing hyaluronic acid are ubiquitous in the cosmetic industry. However, the addition of (different molecular weight) hyaluronic acid can affect...
OBJECTIVE
Cosmetic emulsions containing hyaluronic acid are ubiquitous in the cosmetic industry. However, the addition of (different molecular weight) hyaluronic acid can affect the filament stretching properties of concentrated emulsions. This property is often related to the "stringiness" of an emulsion, which can affect the consumer's choice for a product. It is thus very important to investigate and predict the effect of hyaluronic acid on the filament stretching properties of cosmetic emulsions.
METHODS
Model emulsions and emulsions with low and high molecular weights are prepared and their filament stretching properties are studied by the use of an extensional rheometer. Two different stretching speeds are employed during the stretching of the emulsions, a low speed at 10 µm/s and a high speed at 10 mm/s. The shear rheology of the samples is measured by rotational rheology.
RESULTS
We find that filament formation only occurs at high stretching speeds when the emulsion contains high molecular weight hyaluronic acid. The formation of this filament, which happens at intermediate states of the break-up, coincides with an exponential decay in the break-up dynamics. The beginning and end of the break-up of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid emulsions show a power law behaviour, where the exponent depends on the initial stretching rate. At a lower stretching speed, no filament is observed for both high molecular weight and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid emulsions and the model emulsion. The emulsions show a power law behaviour over the whole break-up range, where the exponent also depends on the stretching rate. No significant difference is observed between the shear flow properties of the emulsions containing different molecular weights hyaluronic acid.
CONCLUSION
In this work, we underline the importance of the molecular weight of hyaluronic acid on the elongational properties of concentrated emulsions. The filament formation properties, for example the stringiness, of an emulsion is a key determinant of a product liking and repeat purchase. Here, we find that high molecular weight hyaluronic acid and a high stretching speed are the control parameters affecting the filament formation of an emulsion.
Topics: Cosmetics; Emulsions; Hyaluronic Acid; Molecular Weight; Rheology
PubMed: 34008867
DOI: 10.1111/ics.12711 -
Marine Drugs Jul 2023Microalgae are abundant components of the biosphere rich in low molecular weight carbohydrate-containing natural products (glycoconjugates). Glycoconjugates take part in... (Review)
Review
Microalgae are abundant components of the biosphere rich in low molecular weight carbohydrate-containing natural products (glycoconjugates). Glycoconjugates take part in the processes of photosynthesis, provide producers with important biological molecules, influence other organisms and are known by their biological activities. Some of them, for example, glycosylated toxins and arsenicals, are detrimental and can be transferred via food chains into higher organisms, including humans. So far, the studies on a series of particular groups of microalgal glycoconjugates were not comprehensively discussed in special reviews. In this review, a special focus is given to glycoconjugates' isolation, structure determination, properties and approaches to search for new bioactive metabolites. Analysis of literature data concerning structures, functions and biological activities of ribosylated arsenicals, galactosylated and sulfoquinovosylated lipids, phosphoglycolipids, glycoside derivatives of toxins, and other groups of glycoconjugates was carried out and discussed. Recent studies were fundamental in the discovery of a great variety of new carbohydrate-containing metabolites and their biological activities in defining the role of microalgal viral infections in regulating microalgal blooms as well as in the detection of glycoconjugates with potent immunomodulatory properties. Those discoveries support growing interest in these molecules.
Topics: Humans; Microalgae; Molecular Weight; Glycosides; Photosynthesis; Arsenicals
PubMed: 37623708
DOI: 10.3390/md21080427 -
Topics in Current Chemistry (Cham) Aug 2022Glycopolymer materials have emerged as a significant biopolymer class that has piqued the scientific community's attention due to their potential applications. Recently,... (Review)
Review
Glycopolymer materials have emerged as a significant biopolymer class that has piqued the scientific community's attention due to their potential applications. Recently, they have been found to be a unique synthetic biomaterial; glycopolymer materials have also been used for various applications, including direct therapeutic methods, medical adhesives, drug/gene delivery systems, and biosensor applications. Therefore, for the next stage of biomaterial research, it is essential to understand current breakthroughs in glycopolymer-based materials research. This review discusses the most widely utilized synthetic methodologies for glycopolymer-based materials, their properties based on structure-function interactions, and the significance of these materials in biosensing applications, among other topics. When creating glycopolymer materials, contemporary polymerization methods allow precise control over molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, chemical activity, and polymer architecture. This review concludes with a discussion of the challenges and complexities of glycopolymer-based biosensors, in addition to their potential applications in the future.
Topics: Biocompatible Materials; Biosensing Techniques; Molecular Weight; Polymerization; Polymers
PubMed: 35951265
DOI: 10.1007/s41061-022-00395-5 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2023High molecular weight (MW), highly repetitive protein polymers are attractive candidates to replace petroleum-derived materials as these protein-based materials (PBMs)... (Review)
Review
High molecular weight (MW), highly repetitive protein polymers are attractive candidates to replace petroleum-derived materials as these protein-based materials (PBMs) are renewable, biodegradable, and have outstanding mechanical properties. However, their high MW and highly repetitive sequence features make them difficult to synthesize in fast-growing microbial cells in sufficient amounts for real applications. To overcome this challenge, various methods were developed to synthesize repetitive PBMs. Here, we review recent strategies in the construction of repetitive genes, expression of repetitive proteins from circular mRNAs, and synthesis of repetitive proteins by ligation and protein polymerization. We discuss the advantages and limitations of each method and highlight future directions that will lead to scalable production of highly repetitive PBMs for a wide range of applications.
Topics: Polymers; Molecular Weight; Proteins; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
PubMed: 37047388
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076416 -
ACS Macro Letters Apr 2022Bottlebrush polymers are characterized by an expansive parameter space, including graft length and spacing along the backbone, and these features impact various...
Bottlebrush polymers are characterized by an expansive parameter space, including graft length and spacing along the backbone, and these features impact various structural and physical properties such as molecular diffusion and bulk viscosity. In this work, we report a synthetic strategy for making grafted block polymers with poly(propylene oxide) and poly(ethylene oxide) side chains, bottlebrush analogues of poloxamers. Combined anionic and sequential ring-opening metathesis polymerization yielded low dispersity polymers, at full conversion of the macromonomers, with control over graft length, graft end-groups, and overall molecular weight. A set of bottlebrush poloxamers (BBPs), with identical graft lengths and composition, was synthesized over a range of molecular weights. Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize micelle formation in aqueous buffer. The critical micelle concentration scales exponentially with overall molecular weight for both linear and bottlebrush poloxamers; however, the bottlebrush architecture shifts micelle formation to a much higher concentration at a comparable molecular weight. Consequently, BBPs can exist in solution as unimers at significantly higher molecular weights and concentrations than the linear analogues.
Topics: Micelles; Molecular Weight; Poloxamer; Polymerization; Polymers
PubMed: 35575325
DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.2c00053