Durham University 12 articles published in JoVE Behavior Sampling and Analysis of Animal Scent Signals David Walker*1, Stefano Vaglio*1,2 1Department of Biology, Chemistry and Forensic Science, University of Wolverhampton, 2Department of Anthropology & Behavior, Ecology and Evolution Research Centre, Durham University We have developed an effective methodology for sampling and analysis of odor signals in order to understand how they may be used in animal communication. Particularly, we use headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze the volatile components of animal odors and scent-markings. Biochemistry How to Stabilize Protein: Stability Screens for Thermal Shift Assays and Nano Differential Scanning Fluorimetry in the Virus-X Project Daniel Bruce1, Emily Cardew1, Stefanie Freitag-Pohl2, Ehmke Pohl1,2 1Department of Biosciences, Durham University, 2Department of Chemistry, Durham University A protocol is presented to rapidly test the thermal stability of proteins in a variety of conditions through thermal shift assays and nano differential scanning fluorimetry. Buffer systems, salts and additives, together comprising three unique stability screens, are assayed with proteins to identify suitable buffers for functional and structural studies. Chemistry Time-resolved Photophysical Characterization of Triplet-harvesting Organic Compounds at an Oxygen-free Environment Using an iCCD Camera Piotr Pander1, Przemyslaw Data1,2,3, Fernando B. Dias1 1Department of Physics, University of Durham, 2Faculty of Chemistry, Silesian University of Technology, 3Center of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences Here, we present a method of the spectroscopic characterization of organic molecules by means of time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy on the nanosecond-to-millisecond timescale in oxygen-free conditions. Methods to efficiently remove oxygen from the samples and, thus, limit luminescence quenching are also described. Engineering Production and Characterization of Vacuum Deposited Organic Light Emitting Diodes Daniel de Sa Pereira1, Andrew P. Monkman1, Przemyslaw Data1,2,3 1Physics Department, Durham University, 2Faculty of Chemistry, Silesian University of Technology, 3Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Science A protocol for the production of simple structured organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) is presented. Chemistry Using Cyclic Voltammetry, UV-Vis-NIR, and EPR Spectroelectrochemistry to Analyze Organic Compounds Sandra Pluczyk1, Marharyta Vasylieva1, Przemyslaw Data1,2,3 1Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Silesian University of Technology, 2Department of Physics, Durham University, 3Center of Polymer and Carbon Materials of the Polish Academy of Sciences In this article, we describe electrochemical, electron paramagnetic resonance, and ultraviolet-visible and near-infrared spectroelectrochemical methods to analyze organic compounds for application in organic electronics. Chemistry Raman and IR Spectroelectrochemical Methods as Tools to Analyze Conjugated Organic Compounds Agata Blacha-Grzechnik1, Krzysztof Karon1, Przemyslaw Data1,2,3 1Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Silesian University of Technology, 2Department of Physics, Durham University, 3Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials of the Polish Academy of Sciences A protocol of step-by-step Raman and IR spectroelectrochemical analysis is presented. Chemistry Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy as a Tool for Electrochemical Rate Constant Estimation Pavel Chulkin1, Przemyslaw Data1,2,3 1Factulty of Chemistry, Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Silesian University of Technology, 2Department of Physics, Durham University, 3Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials of the Polish Academy of Sciences Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of species that undergo reversible oxidation or reduction in solution was used for determination of rate constants of oxidation or reduction. Engineering Sub-nanometer Resolution Imaging with Amplitude-modulation Atomic Force Microscopy in Liquid Ethan J. Miller*1, William Trewby*1, Amir Farokh Payam1, Luca Piantanida1, Clodomiro Cafolla1, Kislon Voïtchovsky1 1Physics Department, Durham University We present a method for achieving sub-nanometer resolution images with amplitude-modulation (tapping mode) atomic force microscopy in liquid. The method is demonstrated on commercial atomic force microscopes. We explain the rationale behind our choices of parameters and suggest strategies for resolution optimization. Biochemistry An Efficient Method for the Synthesis of Peptoids with Mixed Lysine-type/Arginine-type Monomers and Evaluation of Their Anti-leishmanial Activity Hannah L. Bolt1, Paul W. Denny2, Steven L. Cobb1 1Department of Chemistry, Durham University, 2School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health, Durham University A protocol to synthesize peptoids with mixed cationic functionality in the same sequence is presented (lysine- and arginine-type monomers). Subsequent testing of these compounds against Leishmania mexicana, the protozoan parasites that cause cutaneous leishmaniasis, is also described. Neuroscience Combined Recording of Mechanically Stimulated Afferent Output and Nerve Terminal Labelling in Mouse Hair Follicle Lanceolate Endings Guy S. Bewick1, Peter M.B. Cahusac2, Robert W. Banks3 1School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, 2Departments of Pharmacology & Biostatistics, Alfaisal University, 3School of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, University of Durham A simple and novel technique for recording afferent discharge due to mechanical stimulation of lanceolate terminals of palisade endings innervating mouse ear skin hair follicles is presented. Neuroscience Optical Monitoring of Living Nerve Terminal Labeling in Hair Follicle Lanceolate Endings of the Ex Vivo Mouse Ear Skin Guy S. Bewick1, Robert W. Banks2 1School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, 2School of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, University of Durham Here we describe a novel preparation for imaging live lanceolate sensory terminals of palisade endings that innervate mouse ear skin hair follicles during staining and destaining with styryl pyridinium dyes. Bioengineering Cell Labeling and Targeting with Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Brandon J. Tefft1, Susheil Uthamaraj2, J. Jonathan Harburn3, Martin Klabusay4, Dan Dragomir-Daescu2,5, Gurpreet S. Sandhu1 1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, 2Division of Engineering, Mayo Clinic, 3School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health, Durham University, 4Regional Center for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, 5Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Targeted cell delivery is useful in a variety of biomedical applications. The goal of this protocol is to use superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) to label cells and thereby enable magnetic cell targeting approaches for a high degree of control over cell delivery and localization.
