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Reports from the us national technical information service
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Biosensors& Bioelectronics 7 (1992) 225-227
REPORTS FROM THE US NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE A selection of abstracts from reports of relevance to biological and chemical sensors, and bioelectronics, that have just been published by the US National Technical Information Service (NTIS) is printed below. Full versions of the reports can be obtained from NTIS (information about how to order can be found at the end of the abstracts). The reports have been selected by The Center for Biosensor Development and Modeling, part of The Center for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, and The University of Pittsburgh, from among the 60 000 technical reports received each year by NTIS.
Molecular probe systems for reactive transients in natural waters The principles of molecular probe systems for studying reactive transients are discussed and the concepts are evaluated. Aphotooxidation scheme is presented which characterizes the radical chemistry of seawater and emphasizes the reactions of oxygen species. A number of new molecular probe systems for reactive transients have been developed to test the photooxidation scheme presented. Acomparison is made between the new probe systems and conventional even electron probes. Potential new molecular probe systems are mentioned. The article also contains over 50 references. Order number AD-A230-274LEZ, p 1, price $9.00.
The MIT/Marine Industry Collegium Opportunity Brief 68 Biosensors for Marine and Other Environments. April 3-4, 1991, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA The opportunity brief is a comprehensive description of the marine biosensor symposium.
0956-5663/92/$05.00
0 1992 Elsevier Science Publishers
A synopsis of the presentations is included. Several presentations were broad in scope, addressing the requirements for measurements within this environment. Oceanic and coastal environment as well as the air/sea interface were topics of discussion. Other sessions dealt with specific detection techniques, such as amperometry, electrochemiluminescence, fibre optics and light scattering. Blending the general and the specific topics was the presentation on the work of the National Research Council panel of Measurement Technologies for the Oceans. The panel’s functions are to examine oceanic measurement problems, determine those technologies that are promising in addressing these problems, and establish a prognosis of future developments in 5, 10 and 25-year time frames. Order number PB91-173062LEZ, pp 32, price $17.00.
Biocbip technology development A microelectronic device (biochip) has been developed to investigate biological information processing. This study was undertaken by
Ltd.
225
Biosensors & Bioelectronics
growing neural networks on multichannel microcircuit electrode arrays and analysing neuronal responses to on-chip stimulation. This concept is important as conventional cell-recording techniques are suitable for observing the behaviour of neural networks. In addition, other multielectrode microcircuits that use larger networks are unable to provide quantitative analysis. In the biochip study, network complexity is reduced because selective placement of neurons is possible. Aplysia neurons with known transmitters are placed on embedded electrodes that generate synaptic connections, and cloned neuron precursors are placed on the biochip so that a stereotyped network results. Order number AD-A230-564LEZ, pp 66, price $19.00
Construction and evaluation of a regenerable fluoroimmunochemical-based fiber optic biosensor A microscale fibre optic biosensor is presented to demonstrate the feasibility of performing heterogeneous fluoroimmunoassays and to evaluate their reproducibility. The regenerative sensor uses immunobeads in a sensing chamber at the fibre terminus. An affinity assay is demonstrated for the selective determination of fluorescently labelled antirabbit IgG in the presence of a similar protein by its immunospecific interaction with rabbit &G-coated beads. A calibration curve for the detection of 0.011-O. 11 mg/ml anti-rabbit IgG is presented. Order number DE91-004886LEZ, pp 40, price $17.00.
A biosensor for cadmium based on bioconvective patterns A cadmium biosensor based on bioconvective patterns is described. It may prove to have advantages over the more widely used methods of cell counting, X-ray microanalysis and electron microscopy. The protozoan
226
Tetrahymenapyriformis was the organism used to
detect toxicity. The uptake of cadmium by Tetrahymena results in changes in the bioconvective growth patterns. The pattern can be digitized and compared with digitized patterns using standard cadmium concentrations. The assay is able to detect concentrations of 1 pg/litre of Cd2+. Attributes of the technique are ease of performance, sensitivity and minimal equipment requirements. Order number N91-15674LEZ, pp 19, price $17.00.
Enzymatic detoxification of chemical warfare agents: immobilization of the enzyme to material surfaces Describes the immobilization of squid-type DFP-ase on a variety of different fabrics such as nylon, cotton, polyester and cotton-polyester blends. The immobilized enzymes were studied by their activities against the nerve agents ‘Sarin’ and ‘Soman’ and agent-specific activities were found to range from 3.5 to 17.7 units/g. Various fabric preactivations were explored including treatment with glutaraldehyde, triethyloxoniumtetrafluoroborate, fresylchloride, isocyanide, cyanuric chloride, and KMn04 oxidation. The stability of the immobilized enzyme was also studied and activities of up to 90% of the initial value were observed after 90 days. Order number AD-A23 l -056LEZ, pp 7, price $12.50.
Nuclear magnetic resonance sensors for bioreactor diagnostics The most significant contributions to the high cost of complex proteins, especially when synthesized by mammalian cells, and used for immunopurification, diagnostic assays and therapeutics are inefficient production methods and expensive downstream processing. This study has focused on developing methods to monitor hollow fibre and flat sheet bioreactor performance. Nuclear magnetic resonance
Biosensors & Bioelectronics
(NMR) imaging techniques measured convective transport in the monitoring of the bioreactor performance. Equations describing Starling leakage flaws in the extra capillary space were developed and computer-modelled velocity components were compared with the actual NMR flow measurements. The theoretical model and experimental measurements were in good agreement. Spatial maps of oxygen concentration in phantoms containing perfluorotributylamine and living mammalian cells were computed from 19F TN images. Order number PB91-168062LEZ, pp 73, price $19.00
Dispersed-phase adsorbents for biotechnology application
A new type of adsorbent material, which includes particulates of hydrous titania with adsorbed enzymes and dispersed microorganisms for example, has been developed. Very small adsorbent particles are entrapped in a k-carrageenan gel matrix which is formed into small beads, providing a highly efficient medium for biological adsorption. Dispersed, hydrous metal oxides have been shown to be effective
adsorbents for interacting enzymes, and immobilized and dispersed microorganisms have been shown to remove certain dissolved metals efficiently . Order number DE91-009650LEZ, pp 22, price $17.00
Molecular architecture for reagentless immunoassays
This summary of a series of investigations .outlines experiments performed to simplify and expedite the procedures of solid-phase immunoassays. Studies focused on the efficient immobilization of immunoglobins on solid matrices while preserving the specific binding activity. The quick separation of bound and free antigen was accomplished by immunochromatography; competitive binding assays were preformed on a test strip. The quantitative signal generation as a function of analyte concentration was developed using heterobifunctional conjugates in connection with two antibodies; two signals (coloured products) were generated for each measurement. Order number AD-A23 1-092LEZ, pp 7, price $12.50.
ORDERING INFORMATION All documents described above can be purchased from NTIS. To place an order call the NTIS sales desk from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (ET) on +l-703-487-4650. If you wish to order by mail, the address is National Technical Information Service, Order Control, Springfield, VA 22161, USA. NTIS generally fills orders received by telephone (using a credit card or NTIS deposit account) within 48 hours. Brief delays, however, may occur if reports must be reproduced from microfiche. Please add a handling charge of $3.00 per order for all orders. On request, the sales desk will discuss alternative ordering options. Please note that prices outside the USA, Canada and Mexico are double the listed price, and that the handling charge is $4.00 per order.
227
Biosensors& Bioelectronics 7 (1992) 225-227
REPORTS FROM THE US NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE A selection of abstracts from reports of relevance to biological and chemical sensors, and bioelectronics, that have just been published by the US National Technical Information Service (NTIS) is printed below. Full versions of the reports can be obtained from NTIS (information about how to order can be found at the end of the abstracts). The reports have been selected by The Center for Biosensor Development and Modeling, part of The Center for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, and The University of Pittsburgh, from among the 60 000 technical reports received each year by NTIS.
Molecular probe systems for reactive transients in natural waters The principles of molecular probe systems for studying reactive transients are discussed and the concepts are evaluated. Aphotooxidation scheme is presented which characterizes the radical chemistry of seawater and emphasizes the reactions of oxygen species. A number of new molecular probe systems for reactive transients have been developed to test the photooxidation scheme presented. Acomparison is made between the new probe systems and conventional even electron probes. Potential new molecular probe systems are mentioned. The article also contains over 50 references. Order number AD-A230-274LEZ, p 1, price $9.00.
The MIT/Marine Industry Collegium Opportunity Brief 68 Biosensors for Marine and Other Environments. April 3-4, 1991, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA The opportunity brief is a comprehensive description of the marine biosensor symposium.
0956-5663/92/$05.00
0 1992 Elsevier Science Publishers
A synopsis of the presentations is included. Several presentations were broad in scope, addressing the requirements for measurements within this environment. Oceanic and coastal environment as well as the air/sea interface were topics of discussion. Other sessions dealt with specific detection techniques, such as amperometry, electrochemiluminescence, fibre optics and light scattering. Blending the general and the specific topics was the presentation on the work of the National Research Council panel of Measurement Technologies for the Oceans. The panel’s functions are to examine oceanic measurement problems, determine those technologies that are promising in addressing these problems, and establish a prognosis of future developments in 5, 10 and 25-year time frames. Order number PB91-173062LEZ, pp 32, price $17.00.
Biocbip technology development A microelectronic device (biochip) has been developed to investigate biological information processing. This study was undertaken by
Ltd.
225
Biosensors & Bioelectronics
growing neural networks on multichannel microcircuit electrode arrays and analysing neuronal responses to on-chip stimulation. This concept is important as conventional cell-recording techniques are suitable for observing the behaviour of neural networks. In addition, other multielectrode microcircuits that use larger networks are unable to provide quantitative analysis. In the biochip study, network complexity is reduced because selective placement of neurons is possible. Aplysia neurons with known transmitters are placed on embedded electrodes that generate synaptic connections, and cloned neuron precursors are placed on the biochip so that a stereotyped network results. Order number AD-A230-564LEZ, pp 66, price $19.00
Construction and evaluation of a regenerable fluoroimmunochemical-based fiber optic biosensor A microscale fibre optic biosensor is presented to demonstrate the feasibility of performing heterogeneous fluoroimmunoassays and to evaluate their reproducibility. The regenerative sensor uses immunobeads in a sensing chamber at the fibre terminus. An affinity assay is demonstrated for the selective determination of fluorescently labelled antirabbit IgG in the presence of a similar protein by its immunospecific interaction with rabbit &G-coated beads. A calibration curve for the detection of 0.011-O. 11 mg/ml anti-rabbit IgG is presented. Order number DE91-004886LEZ, pp 40, price $17.00.
A biosensor for cadmium based on bioconvective patterns A cadmium biosensor based on bioconvective patterns is described. It may prove to have advantages over the more widely used methods of cell counting, X-ray microanalysis and electron microscopy. The protozoan
226
Tetrahymenapyriformis was the organism used to
detect toxicity. The uptake of cadmium by Tetrahymena results in changes in the bioconvective growth patterns. The pattern can be digitized and compared with digitized patterns using standard cadmium concentrations. The assay is able to detect concentrations of 1 pg/litre of Cd2+. Attributes of the technique are ease of performance, sensitivity and minimal equipment requirements. Order number N91-15674LEZ, pp 19, price $17.00.
Enzymatic detoxification of chemical warfare agents: immobilization of the enzyme to material surfaces Describes the immobilization of squid-type DFP-ase on a variety of different fabrics such as nylon, cotton, polyester and cotton-polyester blends. The immobilized enzymes were studied by their activities against the nerve agents ‘Sarin’ and ‘Soman’ and agent-specific activities were found to range from 3.5 to 17.7 units/g. Various fabric preactivations were explored including treatment with glutaraldehyde, triethyloxoniumtetrafluoroborate, fresylchloride, isocyanide, cyanuric chloride, and KMn04 oxidation. The stability of the immobilized enzyme was also studied and activities of up to 90% of the initial value were observed after 90 days. Order number AD-A23 l -056LEZ, pp 7, price $12.50.
Nuclear magnetic resonance sensors for bioreactor diagnostics The most significant contributions to the high cost of complex proteins, especially when synthesized by mammalian cells, and used for immunopurification, diagnostic assays and therapeutics are inefficient production methods and expensive downstream processing. This study has focused on developing methods to monitor hollow fibre and flat sheet bioreactor performance. Nuclear magnetic resonance
Biosensors & Bioelectronics
(NMR) imaging techniques measured convective transport in the monitoring of the bioreactor performance. Equations describing Starling leakage flaws in the extra capillary space were developed and computer-modelled velocity components were compared with the actual NMR flow measurements. The theoretical model and experimental measurements were in good agreement. Spatial maps of oxygen concentration in phantoms containing perfluorotributylamine and living mammalian cells were computed from 19F TN images. Order number PB91-168062LEZ, pp 73, price $19.00
Dispersed-phase adsorbents for biotechnology application
A new type of adsorbent material, which includes particulates of hydrous titania with adsorbed enzymes and dispersed microorganisms for example, has been developed. Very small adsorbent particles are entrapped in a k-carrageenan gel matrix which is formed into small beads, providing a highly efficient medium for biological adsorption. Dispersed, hydrous metal oxides have been shown to be effective
adsorbents for interacting enzymes, and immobilized and dispersed microorganisms have been shown to remove certain dissolved metals efficiently . Order number DE91-009650LEZ, pp 22, price $17.00
Molecular architecture for reagentless immunoassays
This summary of a series of investigations .outlines experiments performed to simplify and expedite the procedures of solid-phase immunoassays. Studies focused on the efficient immobilization of immunoglobins on solid matrices while preserving the specific binding activity. The quick separation of bound and free antigen was accomplished by immunochromatography; competitive binding assays were preformed on a test strip. The quantitative signal generation as a function of analyte concentration was developed using heterobifunctional conjugates in connection with two antibodies; two signals (coloured products) were generated for each measurement. Order number AD-A23 1-092LEZ, pp 7, price $12.50.
ORDERING INFORMATION All documents described above can be purchased from NTIS. To place an order call the NTIS sales desk from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (ET) on +l-703-487-4650. If you wish to order by mail, the address is National Technical Information Service, Order Control, Springfield, VA 22161, USA. NTIS generally fills orders received by telephone (using a credit card or NTIS deposit account) within 48 hours. Brief delays, however, may occur if reports must be reproduced from microfiche. Please add a handling charge of $3.00 per order for all orders. On request, the sales desk will discuss alternative ordering options. Please note that prices outside the USA, Canada and Mexico are double the listed price, and that the handling charge is $4.00 per order.
227