We performed small angle X-ray scattering and rheological experiments in order to analyze the aggregation and denaturation processes of hen egg white lysozyme initiated by the presence of ethanol molecule. At low ethanol concentrations (below 60% (v/v)) we did not observe any change of the radius of gyration of lysozyme and no drastic changes in viscosity of the protein solution. With the increase in ethanol concentration up to the final concentration of 85% (v/v) the viscosity of protein solution dramatically increased. For high ethanol concentration a pseudoplastic behavior of lysozyme solution was observed, indicating a process of aggregation and reorientation of the protein molecules. Similar effects were observed in small angle X-ray scattering experiments. We assume that the analysis of the aggregation processes of the hen egg white lysozyme could contribute to our understanding of the mechanism of lysozyme amyloid formation.
We report on an incorporation of self-assembled templates of superparamagnetic Fe-O nanoparticles into tunnel magnetoresistance devices. We fabricated a multilayer stack composed of the following layer sequence: Cr/Au/Co/NP/Co/Cu on Si(100) substrate where NP stands for a self-assembled layer of nanoparticles deposited by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. The X-ray reflectivity and grazing-incidence small angle X-ray scattering were employed to study the layers thicknesses and interface morphology in each preparation step. In particular, the grazing-incidence small angle X-ray scattering was measured before and after the nanoparticle incorporation as well as on the complete tunnel magnetoresistance stack. In this way, in-depth morphology profile during subsequent preparation steps was obtained. We demonstrate that X-ray analysis of the deposited tunnel magnetoresistance stack is essential for successful fabrication of novel hybrid devices consisting of self-assembled nanoparticles.
X-ray crystallography is the natural choice for macromolecular structure determination by virtue of its accuracy, speed, and potential for further speed gains, while synchrotron radiation is indispensable because of its intensity and tuneability. Good X-ray crystallographic diffraction patterns are essential and frequently this is achievable through using the few large synchrotrons located worldwide. Beamline time on these facilities have long queues, and increasing the efficiency of utilization of these facilities will help in expediting the structure determination process. Automation and remote data collection are therefore essential steps in ensuring that macromolecular structure determination becomes a very high throughput process.
Small-angle X-ray scattering experiments were carried out on cellulose membranes obtained by phase inversion from a solution of the polymer in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, by coagulation in water and selected primary alcohols. The invariant, Q, and the Guinier radius, R_{G}, computed directly from the small-angle X-ray scattering curve allowed us to estimate the pore dimensions and the pore volume fraction. It was found that both content and dimensions of pores depend on molecular mass of the coagulant used. Also, it was found that the dipole moment of coagulant molecules has a large influence on the volume content of the pores.
The phospholipid-gemini surfactant systems are promising agents for construction of lipoplexes for DNA delivery systems in gene therapy. In this work the influence of a gemini surfactant - 1,1'-(1,6-hexan)bis3-octyloxymethylimidazolium di-chloride) (IMI_Cl_C6_C8) on the structure and phase behaviour of aqueous suspensions of the fully hydrated phospholipid - 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) were characterised using small angle scattering of synchrotron radiation (SAXS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The surfactant studied caused a destabilisation of the lamellar phase typical of DPPC. Addition of the surfactant also shifted to lower temperatures and extended the range of the main phase transition
This paper reports the use of a differential PDF approach performed on a laboratory X-ray diffractometer, for the analysis of nanosized PdO phase distributed on the reducible Fe₂O₃ support.
The study has been performed on model systems of biological membranes obtained on the basis of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) and cationic gemini surfactant - derivative of 1,1'-(1,4-butane)bis 3-alkylo-xyme-thyli-mida-zolium chlorides with cyclic chains. The small angle X-ray scattering SAXS results implied a gradual disappearance (as a function of surfactant concentration) of the lamellar phase typical of DMPC and formation of unilamellar phase - probably a bicellar phase.
RAR1 is a protein required for resistance mediated by many R genes and function upstream of signaling pathways leading to H_{2}O_{2} accumulation. The structure and conformation of RAR1-GST-Tag fusion protein from barley (Hordeum vulgare) in solution was studied by the small angle scattering of synchrotron radiation. It was found that the dimer of RAR1-GST-Tag protein is characterized in solution by radius of gyration R_G = 6.19 nm and maximal intramolecular vector D_{max} = 23 nm. On the basis of the small angle scattering of synchrotron radiation SAXS data two bead models obtained by ab initio modeling are proposed. Both models show elongated conformations. We also concluded that molecules of fusion protein form dimers in solution via interaction of GST domains.
Gold nanoparticles have a great number of applications, among others in material sciences, biology and medicine. A method for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles in solution with the use of gemini surfactant was proposed and the nanoparticles obtained were subjected to thorough characterisation. The method proposed is a modification of the Turkevich method, based on reduction of tetrachloroauric acid in the presence of trisodium citrate and a dicationic (gemini) surfactant - 1,1'-(1,4-butan)bis(3-dodecyloxymethylimidazolium) di-propionate. Morphology and size distribution of gold nanoparticles obtained were examined by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy and small angle scattering of synchrotron radiation (SAXS). The plasmon resonance of the nanoparticles obtained was observed in the wavelength range corresponding to the presence of gold nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 5 to 100 nm. TEM images confirmed that the spherical shape of nanoparticles was dominated in reference solutions prepared of sodium citrate and tetrachloroauric acid. In the solutions prepared with addition of gemini surfactant, the gold nanoparticles of triangular morphology were observed.
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