1
|
Al Borhani W, Chrouda A, Eissa S, Zourob M. Selection of a new aptamer targeting amoxicillin for utilization in a label-free electrochemical biosensor. Talanta 2024; 276:126245. [PMID: 38788377 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Pharmaceutical pollution has received considerable attention because of the harmful effects of pharmaceutical compounds on human health, even in trace amounts. Amoxicillin is one of the frequently used antibiotics that was included in the list of emerging water pollutants. Therefore, a highly selective and rapid technique for amoxicillin detection is required. In this work, a new aptamer was selected for amoxicillin and utilized for the development of a label-free electrochemical aptasensor. Aptamer selection was performed using the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment. The selected aptamer showed good specificity against other antibiotics, including the structurally related antibiotics: ampicillin and ciprofloxacin. Among the selected aptamers, Amx3 exhibited the lowest dissociation constant value of 112.9 nM. An aptasensor was developed by immobilization of thiolated Amx3 aptamer onto gold screen-printed electrodes via self-assembly, which was characterized using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The detection was realized by monitoring the change in the differential pulse voltammetry peak current in the ferro/ferricyanide redox couple upon binding of the aptasensor to amoxicillin. The aptasensor showed very good sensitivity with an ultralow limit of detection of 0.097 nM. When the aptasensor was tested using actual spiked milk samples, excellent recovery percentages were observed. The label-free electrochemical aptasensor developed herein is a promising tool for the selective and sensitive detection of amoxicillin in environmental samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wafaa Al Borhani
- Alfaisal University, Al Zahrawi Street, Al Maather, AlTakhassusi Rd, Riyadh, 11533, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amani Chrouda
- Alfaisal University, Al Zahrawi Street, Al Maather, AlTakhassusi Rd, Riyadh, 11533, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shimaa Eissa
- Department of Chemistry, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates; Center for Catalysis and Separations, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Mohammed Zourob
- Alfaisal University, Al Zahrawi Street, Al Maather, AlTakhassusi Rd, Riyadh, 11533, Saudi Arabia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yang S, Di Lodovico E, Rupp A, Harms H, Fricke C, Miltner A, Kästner M, Maskow T. Enhancing insights: exploring the information content of calorespirometric ratio in dynamic soil microbial growth processes through calorimetry. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1321059. [PMID: 38371938 PMCID: PMC10869564 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1321059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Catalytic activity of microbial communities maintains the services and functions of soils. Microbial communities require energy and carbon for microbial growth, which they obtain by transforming organic matter (OM), oxidizing a fraction of it and transferring the electrons to various terminal acceptors. Quantifying the relations between matter and energy fluxes is possible when key parameters such as reaction enthalpy (∆rH), energy use efficiency (related to enthalpy) (EUE), carbon use efficiency (CUE), calorespirometric ratio (CR), carbon dioxide evolution rate (CER), and the apparent specific growth rate (μ app ) are known. However, the determination of these parameters suffers from unsatisfying accuracy at the technical (sample size, instrument sensitivity), experimental (sample aeration) and data processing levels thus affecting the precise quantification of relationships between carbon and energy fluxes. To address these questions under controlled conditions, we analyzed microbial turnover processes in a model soil amended using a readily metabolizable substrate (glucose) and three commercial isothermal microcalorimeters (MC-Cal/100P, TAM Air and TAM III) with different sample sizes meaning varying volume-related thermal detection limits (LODv) (0.05- 1 mW L-1). We conducted aeration experiments (aerated and un-aerated calorimetric ampoules) to investigate the influence of oxygen limitation and thermal perturbation on the measurement signal. We monitored the CER by measuring the additional heat caused by CO2 absorption using a NaOH solution acting as a CO2 trap. The range of errors associated with the calorimetrically derived μ app , EUE, and CR was determined and compared with the requirements for quantifying CUE and the degree of anaerobicity (η A ) . Calorimetrically derived μ app and EUE were independent of the instrument used. However, instruments with a low LODv yielded the most accurate results. Opening and closing the ampoules for oxygen and CO2 exchange did not significantly affect metabolic heats. However, regular opening during calorimetrically derived CER measurements caused significant measuring errors due to strong thermal perturbation of the measurement signal. Comparisons between experimentally determined CR, CUE,η A , and modeling indicate that the evaluation of CR should be performed with caution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shiyue Yang
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Eliana Di Lodovico
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
- Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU), Landau in der Pfalz, Germany
| | - Alina Rupp
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hauke Harms
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christian Fricke
- Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU), Landau in der Pfalz, Germany
| | - Anja Miltner
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Matthias Kästner
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas Maskow
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang S, Sha X, Yu S, Zhao Y. Nanocalorimeters for biomolecular analysis and cell metabolism monitoring. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2020; 14:011503. [PMID: 32038739 PMCID: PMC6994269 DOI: 10.1063/1.5134870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Nanocalorimeters, or microfabricated calorimeters, provide a promising way to characterize the thermal process of biological processes, such as biomolecule interactions and cellular metabolic activities. They enabled miniaturized heat measurement onto a chip device with potential benefits including low sample consumption, low cost, portability, and high throughput. Over the past few decades, researchers have tried to improve nanocalorimeters' performance, in terms of sensitivity, accuracy, and detection resolution, by exploring different sensing methods, thermal insulation techniques, and liquid handling methods. The enhanced devices resulted in new applications in recent years, and here we have summarized the performance parameters and applications based on categories. Finally, we have listed the current technical difficulties in nanocalorimeter research and hope for future solutions to overcome them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuyu Wang
- Department of Control Engineering, Northeastern University, Qinhuangdao, Hebei 066001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaopeng Sha
- Department of Control Engineering, Northeastern University, Qinhuangdao, Hebei 066001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shifeng Yu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
| | - Yuliang Zhao
- Department of Control Engineering, Northeastern University, Qinhuangdao, Hebei 066001, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Braissant O, Theron G, Friedrich SO, Diacon AH, Bonkat G. Comparison of isothermal microcalorimetry and BACTEC MGIT960 for the detection of the metabolic activity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum samples. J Appl Microbiol 2019; 128:1497-1502. [PMID: 31834654 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study explores the uses of microcalorimetry to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) in sputum. Microcalorimetry measures metabolic heat evolution during cellular proliferation of tuberculosis (TB) and is considered as a possible alternative to conventional diagnostic tools. OBJECTIVES To compare the time to detection (TTD) from the BACTEC™ MGIT™ 960 and the calScreener™ calorimetric system. METHODS Sixty-four sputa samples were selected from patients with confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis. Those sample were then decontaminated and analysed using calorimetry and BACTEC MGIT 960 system. RESULTS The incubation period until detection of M. tuberculosis in the sample was 8·5 ± 3·7 days for the MGIT system and 10·1 ± 4·1 days (mean ± SD) for calorimetry. CONCLUSIONS The microincubations in the 48-well format calScreener offers potential for rapid and accurate diagnostic of TB in different samples. Although TTD from calorimetry is still longer than with the MGIT, our findings suggest that several improvements are possible. Still, the instrument is ideal for continuous, real-time analysis of net metabolic heat release of limited sample numbers. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Our result emphasizes that with further optimization, calorimetry can become an alternative detection method for tuberculosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- O Braissant
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - G Theron
- TASK Applied Science, Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - S O Friedrich
- TASK Applied Science, Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa.,Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, MRC Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - A H Diacon
- TASK Applied Science, Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa.,Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, MRC Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - G Bonkat
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Allschwil, Switzerland.,Alta-Uro AG, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Fricke C, Harms H, Maskow T. Rapid Calorimetric Detection of Bacterial Contamination: Influence of the Cultivation Technique. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2530. [PMID: 31736935 PMCID: PMC6838224 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Modern isothermal microcalorimeters (IMC) are able to detect the metabolic heat of bacteria with an accuracy sufficient to recognize even the smallest traces of bacterial contamination of water, food, and medical samples. The modern IMC techniques are often superior to conventional detection methods in terms of the detection time, reliability, labor, and technical effort. What is missing is a systematic analysis of the influence of the cultivation conditions on calorimetric detection. For the acceptance of IMC techniques, it is advantageous if already standardized cultivation techniques can be combined with calorimetry. Here we performed such a systematic analysis using Lactobacillus plantarum as a model bacterium. Independent of the cultivation techniques, IMC detections were much faster for high bacterial concentrations (>102 CFU⋅mL-1) than visual detections. At low bacterial concentrations (<102 CFU⋅mL-1), detection times were approximately the same. Our data demonstrate that all kinds of traditional cultivation techniques like growth on agar (GOA) or in agar (GIA), in liquid media (GL) or on agar after enrichment via membrane filtration (GF) can be combined with IMC. The order of the detection times was GF < GIA ≈ GL ≈ GOA. The observed linear relationship between the calorimetric detection times and the initial bacterial concentrations can be used to quantify the bacterial contamination. Further investigations regarding the correlation between the filling level (in mm) of the calorimetric vessel and the specific maximum heat flow (in μW⋅g-1) illustrated two completely different results for liquid and solid media. Due to the better availability of substrates and the homogeneous distribution of bacteria growing in a liquid medium, the volume-related maximum heat flow was independent on the filling level of the calorimetric vessels. However, in a solid medium, the volume-related maximum heat flow approached a threshold and achieved a maximum at low filling levels. This fundamentally different behavior can be explained by the spatial limitation of the growth of bacterial colonies and the reduced substrate supply due to diffusion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thomas Maskow
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Feng J, Svatoš V, Liu X, Chang H, Neužil P. High-performance microcalorimeters: Design, applications and future development. Trends Analyt Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2018.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
7
|
Xu J, Kiesel B, Kallies R, Jiang F, Liu Y, Maskow T. A fast and reliable method for monitoring of prophage-activating chemicals. Microb Biotechnol 2018; 11:1112-1120. [PMID: 29327434 PMCID: PMC6196395 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages, that is viruses that infect bacteria, either lyse bacteria directly or integrate their genome into the bacterial genome as so-called prophages, where they remain at a silent state. Both phages and bacteria are able to survive in this state. However, prophages can be reactivated with the introduction of chemicals, followed by the release of a high number of phage particles, which could infect other bacteria, thus harming ecosystems by a viral bloom. The basics for a fast, automatable analytical method for the detection of prophage-activating chemicals are developed and successfully tested here. The method exploits the differences in metabolic heat produced by Escherichia coli with (λ+) and without the lambda prophages (λ-). Since the metabolic heat primarily reflects opposing effects (i.e. the reduction of heat-producing cells by lysis and enhanced heat production to deliver the energetic costs for the synthesis of phages), a systematic analysis of the influence of the different conditions (experimentally and in silico) was performed and revealed anoxic conditions to be best suited. The main advantages of the suggested monitoring method are not only the possibility of obtaining fast results (after only few hours), but also the option for automation, the low workload (requires only few minutes) and the suitability of using commercially available instruments. The future challenge following this proof of principle is the development of thermal transducers which allow for the electronic subtraction of the λ+ from the λ- signal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of VirologyCollege of Chemistry and Molecule SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430072China
| | - Bärbel Kiesel
- Department of Environmental MicrobiologyUFZ – Helmholtz Centre for Environmental ResearchPermoserstrasse 1504318LeipzigGermany
| | - René Kallies
- Department of Environmental MicrobiologyUFZ – Helmholtz Centre for Environmental ResearchPermoserstrasse 1504318LeipzigGermany
| | - Feng‐Lei Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of VirologyCollege of Chemistry and Molecule SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430072China
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biology and Medicine (Ministry of Education)College of Chemistry and Molecule SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430072China
| | - Yi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of VirologyCollege of Chemistry and Molecule SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430072China
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biology and Medicine (Ministry of Education)College of Chemistry and Molecule SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhan430072China
| | - Thomas Maskow
- Department of Environmental MicrobiologyUFZ – Helmholtz Centre for Environmental ResearchPermoserstrasse 1504318LeipzigGermany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Xu J, Jiang FL, Liu Y, Kiesel B, Maskow T. An enhanced bioindicator for calorimetric monitoring of prophage-activating chemicals in the trace concentration range. Eng Life Sci 2018; 18:475-483. [PMID: 32624928 DOI: 10.1002/elsc.201800026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses that infect bacteria (bacteriophages) can either lyse bacteria directly or integrate their genome into the bacterial genome. In the latter case, the viral genome (called prophage) remains dormant, and both phages and bacteria are able to survive in this state. But the silent prophages can be reactivated by, e.g., chemicals, accompanied by the release of substantial quantities of phage particles that further infect other phage-sensitive bacteria, thus harming ecosystems or technical systems by way of a viral bloom. Recently, a calorimetric method was developed to monitor the prophage-activating properties of chemicals. The method evaluates the difference in the metabolic heat of the Escherichia coli bioindicator with (λ+) and without (λ-) lambda prophages under the influence of the test substances. Simulations and experiments clearly demonstrate that the sensitivity of the test can be significantly improved, when a customized mixture of λ+ and λ- E. coli strains is used for enhanced bioindication. Hence, the new method mirrors a common situation in nature, where bacteria with and without prophages coexist. In summary, a monitoring method is suggested that provides quick results (after few hours) and offers both the option for automation with low workload (requires only a few minutes) and usage of commercially available instruments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology College of Chemistry and Molecule Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biology and Medicine (Ministry of Education) College of Chemistry and Molecule Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan P.R. China
| | - Feng-Lei Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology College of Chemistry and Molecule Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biology and Medicine (Ministry of Education) College of Chemistry and Molecule Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan P.R. China
| | - Yi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology College of Chemistry and Molecule Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Biology and Medicine (Ministry of Education) College of Chemistry and Molecule Sciences Wuhan University Wuhan P.R. China.,College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Wuhan University of Science and Technology Wuhan P.R. China
| | - Bärbel Kiesel
- Department of Environmental Microbiology UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig Germany
| | - Thomas Maskow
- Department of Environmental Microbiology UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig Germany
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Krenger R, Lehnert T, Gijs MAM. Dynamic microfluidic nanocalorimetry system for measuring Caenorhabditis elegans metabolic heat. LAB ON A CHIP 2018; 18:1641-1651. [PMID: 29770425 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00238j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Basal heat production is a key phenotype for assessing the metabolic activity of small living organisms. Here, we present a new nanocalorimetric system, based on thin film thermopile sensors combined with microfluidic chips for measuring metabolic heat signals generated by Caenorhabditis elegans larval populations (60 to 220 organisms). In addition to versatile on-chip fluidic manipulation, our microfluidic approach allows confining worm populations close to the sensor surface, thus increasing the sensitivity of the assays. A customized flow protocol for dynamically displacing the worm population on-chip and off-chip was applied. The resulting sequential recordings of heat source and reference signals enabled precise measurements of slow varying heat-generating metabolic processes. We found an increase of the volume-specific basal heat production from the L2 to the L3 larval stage, and a significant decrease from the L3 to the L4 stage. Additionally, we investigated the metabolic heat production of the larval populations during maximal respiratory capacity, i.e. after inducing uncoupled respiration by on-chip treatment with the mitochondrial uncoupling agent carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP). Depending on the larval stage, inducing uncoupled respiration causes an increase of the metabolic heat production ranging from 55% up to 95% with respect to untreated worms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roger Krenger
- Laboratory of Microsystems, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rohde MT, Paufler S, Harms H, Maskow T. Calorespirometric feeding control enhances bioproduction from toxic feedstocks-Demonstration for biopolymer production out of methanol. Biotechnol Bioeng 2016; 113:2113-21. [PMID: 27043974 DOI: 10.1002/bit.25986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Revised: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The sustainable production of fuels and industrial bulk chemicals by microorganisms in biotechnological processes is promising but still facing various challenges. In particular, toxic substrates require an efficient process control strategy. Methanol, as an example, has the potential to become a major future feedstock due to its availability from fossil and renewable resources. However, besides being toxic, methanol is highly volatile. To optimize its dosage during microbial cultivations, an innovative, predictive process control strategy based on calorespirometry, i.e., simultaneous measurements of heat and CO2 emission rates, was developed. This rarely used technique allows an online-estimation of growth parameters such as the specific growth rate and substrate consumption rate as well as a detection of shifts in microbial metabolism thus enabling an adapted feeding for different phases of growth. The calorespirometric control strategy is demonstrated exemplarily for growth of the methylotrophic bacterium Methylobacterium extorquens on methanol and compared to alternative control strategies. Applying the new approach, the methanol concentration could be maintained far below a critical limit, while increased growth rates of M. extorquens and higher final contents of the biopolymer polyhydroxybutyrate were obtained. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 2113-2121. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Teresa Rohde
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sven Paufler
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hauke Harms
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas Maskow
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Braissant O, Keiser J, Meister I, Bachmann A, Wirz D, Göpfert B, Bonkat G, Wadsö I. Isothermal microcalorimetry accurately detects bacteria, tumorous microtissues, and parasitic worms in a label-free well-plate assay. Biotechnol J 2015; 10:460-8. [PMID: 25511812 PMCID: PMC4406140 DOI: 10.1002/biot.201400494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Revised: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Isothermal microcalorimetry is a label-free assay that allows monitoring of enzymatic and metabolic activities. The technique has strengths, but most instruments have a low throughput, which has limited their use for bioassays. Here, an isothermal microcalorimeter, equipped with a vessel holder similar to a 48-well plate, was used. The increased throughput of this microcalorimeter makes it valuable for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. Our results show that the sensitivity of the instrument allows the detection of 3 × 104 bacteria per vial. Growth of P. mirabilis in Luria Broth medium was detected between 2 and 9 h with decreasing inoculum. The culture released 2.1J with a maximum thermal power of 76 μW. The growth rate calculated using calorimetric and spectrophotometric data were 0.60 and 0.57 h–1, respectively. Additional insight on protease activities of P. mirabilis matching the last peak in heat production could be gathered as well. Growth of tumor microtissues releasing a maximum thermal power of 2.1 μW was also monitored and corresponds to a diameter increase of the microtissues from ca. 100 to 428 μm. This opens new research avenues in cancer research, diagnostics, and development of new antitumor drugs. For parasitic worms, the technique allows assessment of parasite survival using motor and metabolic activities even with a single worm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Braissant
- Center for Biomechanics and Biocalorimetry, c/o Biozentrum-Pharmazentrum, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Urology, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Fabrication and characterization of a multichannel 3D thermopile for chip calorimeter applications. SENSORS 2015; 15:3351-61. [PMID: 25654716 PMCID: PMC4367362 DOI: 10.3390/s150203351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Revised: 01/19/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Thermal sensors based on thermopiles are some of the most robust and popular temperature sensing technologies across industries and research disciplines. A chip calorimeter with a 3D thermopile layout with a large sensing area and multichannel capacity has been developed, which is highly desired for many applications requiring large reaction chambers or high throughputs, such as biofilm research, drug screening, etc. The performance of the device, including temperature sensitivity and heat power sensitivity, was evaluated. The capability to split the chip calorimeter to multiple channels was also demonstrated, which makes the chip calorimeter very flexible and powerful in many applications.
Collapse
|
13
|
Padovani R, Lehnert T, Trouillon R, Gijs MAM. Nanocalorimetric platform for accurate thermochemical studies in microliter volumes. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra22248f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a nanocalorimetric platform for accurate thermochemical studies of (bio-)chemical reactions in a miniaturized format, characterized by fast thermalization time, excellent base temperature stability and fast sensing response time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rima Padovani
- Laboratory of Microsystems
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
- CH-1015 Lausanne
- Switzerland
| | - Thomas Lehnert
- Laboratory of Microsystems
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
- CH-1015 Lausanne
- Switzerland
| | - Raphaël Trouillon
- Laboratory of Microsystems
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
- CH-1015 Lausanne
- Switzerland
| | - Martin A. M. Gijs
- Laboratory of Microsystems
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
- CH-1015 Lausanne
- Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Maskow T, Paufler S. What does calorimetry and thermodynamics of living cells tell us? Methods 2014; 76:3-10. [PMID: 25461814 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2014.10.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2014] [Revised: 10/23/2014] [Accepted: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
This article presents and compares several thermodynamic methods for the quantitative interpretation of data from calorimetric measurements. Heat generation and absorption are universal features of microbial growth and product formation as well as of cell cultures from animals, plants and insects. The heat production rate reflects metabolic changes in real time and is measurable on-line. The detection limit of commercially available calorimetric instruments can be low enough to measure the heat of 100,000 aerobically growing bacteria or of 100 myocardial cells. Heat can be monitored in reaction vessels ranging from a few nanoliters up to many cubic meters. Most important the heat flux measurement does not interfere with the biological process under investigation. The practical advantages of calorimetry include the waiver of labeling and reactants. It is further possible to assemble the thermal transducer in a protected way that reduces aging and thereby signal drifts. Calorimetry works with optically opaque solutions. All of these advantages make calorimetry an interesting method for many applications in medicine, environmental sciences, ecology, biochemistry and biotechnology, just to mention a few. However, in many cases the heat signal is merely used to monitor biological processes but only rarely to quantitatively interpret the data. Therefore, a significant proportion of the information potential of calorimetry remains unutilized. To fill this information gap and to motivate the reader using the full information potential of calorimetry, various methods for quantitative data interpretations are presented, evaluated and compared with each other. Possible errors of interpretation and limitations of quantitative data analysis are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Maskow
- UFZ, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Dept. Environmental Microbiology, Permoserstr. 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Sven Paufler
- UFZ, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Dept. Environmental Microbiology, Permoserstr. 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Maskow T, Morais FM, Rosa LFM, Qian YG, Harnisch F. Insufficient oxygen diffusion leads to distortions of microbial growth parameters assessed by isothermal microcalorimetry. RSC Adv 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra03921a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxygen limitation is an important, but often underestimated effect influencing microbial growth parameters derived from calorimetric routine measurements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Maskow
- UFZ – Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research
- Department of Environmental Microbiology
- 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Frida Mariana Morais
- UFZ – Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research
- Department of Environmental Microbiology
- 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Luis F. M. Rosa
- UFZ – Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research
- Department of Environmental Microbiology
- 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Yi G. Qian
- School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & Sino-Hungarian Joint Laboratory of Environmental Science and Health
- China University of Geosciences
- 430074 Wuhan, PR China
| | - Falk Harnisch
- UFZ – Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research
- Department of Environmental Microbiology
- 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Morais FM, Buchholz F, Maskow T. Chip calorimetry for evaluation of biofilm treatment with biocides, antibiotics, and biological agents. Methods Mol Biol 2014; 1147:267-275. [PMID: 24664840 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0467-9_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Any growth or bioconversion in biofilms is accompanied by the release of heat. The heat (in J) is tightly related to the stoichiometry of the respective process via law of Hess, and the heat production rate (in W or J/s) is additionally related to the process kinetics. This heat and the heat production rate can nowadays be measured by modern calorimetry with extremely high sensitivity. Flow-through calorimetry allows the measurement of bioprocesses in biofilms in real time, without the need of invasive sample preparation and disturbing of biofilm processes. Furthermore, it can be applied for long-term measurements and is even applicable to turbid media. Chip or miniaturized calorimeters have the additional advantages of extremely short thermal equilibration times and the requirement of very small amounts of media and chemicals. The precision of flow-through chip calorimeters (about 3 mW/L) allows the detection of early stages of biofilm development (about 10(5) bacteria cm(-2)).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frida Mariana Morais
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Permoserstr. 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
A chip-calorimetric approach to the analysis of Ag nanoparticle caused inhibition and inactivation of beads-grown bacterial biofilms. J Microbiol Methods 2013; 95:129-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2013.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2013] [Revised: 08/08/2013] [Accepted: 08/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
18
|
Biener R, Steinkämper A, Horn T. Calorimetric control of the specific growth rate during fed-batch cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. J Biotechnol 2012; 160:195-201. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2012.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2011] [Revised: 02/22/2012] [Accepted: 03/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
19
|
Buchholz F, Lerchner J, Mariana F, Kuhlicke U, Neu TR, Harms H, Maskow T. Chip-calorimetry provides real time insights into the inactivation of biofilms by predatory bacteria. BIOFOULING 2012; 28:351-362. [PMID: 22509741 DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2012.673593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Control or removal of undesired biofilms has frequently been found to be quite difficult. In addition to biocidal or antibiotic chemicals or materials designed to prevent biofouling, biological control agents appear to be promising. Reports of bacterial predators eradicating biofilms or eliminating pathogens motivate a more systematic screening of biofilm-eliminating bacterial predators. Unfortunately, the analysis of the eradication process is demanding. In the present study, chip-calorimetry was applied to monitor the elimination of Pseudomonas sp. biofilms by Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus. The method uses metabolic heat as a real-time parameter for biofilm activity. The method is non-invasive, fast and convenient due to real-time data acquisition. In addition, heat-production data can reveal information about the energetics of the predator-prey interaction. The calorimetric results were validated by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The approach described may be useful for the screening of biofilm susceptibility to different predators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Buchholz
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|