University of California

Quan Cheng

Raymond C Stevens

Jie Song

Jicheng Duan

Matthew James Linman

A nanoscale calcinated silicate film fabricated on a gold substrate for highly effective, matrix-free laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) analysis of biomolecules. The calcinated film is prepared by a layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition/calcination process wherein the thickness of the silicate layer and its surface properties are precisely controlled. The film exhibits outstanding efficiency in LDI-MS with extremely low background noise in the low-mass region, allowing for effective analysis of low mass weight samples and detection of large biomolecules including amino acids, peptides and proteins. Additional advantages for the calcinated film include ease of preparation and modification, high reproducibility, low cost and excellent reusability. Experimental parameters that influence LDI on calcinated films have been systemically investigated. Presence of citric acid in the sample significantly enhances LDI performance by facilitating protonation of the analyte and reducing fragmentation. The wetting property and surface roughness appear to be important factors that manipulate LDI performance of the analytes. This new substrate presents a marked advance in the development of matrix-free mass spectrometric methods and is uniquely suited for analysis of biomolecules over a broad mass range with high sensitivity.

Ultrathin calcinated films on a gold surface for highly effective laser desorption/ionization of biomolecules

The present invention herein provides the design, synthesis and characterization of compositions comprising asymmetric bolaamphiphilic lipids that form extended polymeric ribbons and wide sheets. These compositions may be doped, or interspersed, with various compounds to fine-tune the fluidity and rigidity of the bolaamphiphilic lipid composition, and promote other morphologies of the composition, including fluid vesicles and truncated flat sheets. Upon an increase in pH these compositions undergo a calorimetric and morphological transformation.

Color and shape changing polymeric ribbons and sheets

The present invention provides methods and compositions for detecting the presence of biologically-important analytes by using redox liposome biosensors. In particular, the present invention provides liposome/sol-gel electrodes suitable for the detection of a wide variety of organic molecules, including but not limited to bacterial toxins.

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Riverside, CA, United States of America

Quan Cheng