Aptamer-conjugated nanomaterials for bioanalysis and biotechnology applications

In recent years, nanomaterials have captured the attention of scientists from a wide spectrum of domains. With their unique properties, nanomaterials offer great promise for numerous applications, ranging from catalysis to energy harvesting and information technology. Functionalized with the desired biomolecules, nanomaterials can also be utilized for many biomedical applications. This paper summarizes recent achievements in the use of aptamer-conjugated nanomaterials for bioanalysis and biotechnology applications. First, we discuss the features and properties of aptamers and then illustrate the use of aptamer-conjugated nanomaterials as sensing platforms and delivery vehicles, emphasizing how such integration can result in enhanced sensitivity and selectivity.     

3D Structure Elucidation of Thermostable L2 Lipase from Thermophilic Bacillus sp. L2

The crystallization of proteins makes it possible to determine their structure by X-ray crystallography, and is therefore important for the analysis of protein structure-function relationships. L2 lipase was crystallized by using the J-tube counter diffusion method. A crystallization consisting of 20% PEG 6000, 50 mM MES pH 6.5 and 50 mM NaCl was found to be the best condition to produce crystals with good shape and size (0.5 × 0.1 × 0.2 mm). The protein concentration used for the crystallization was 3 mg/mL. L2 lipase crystal has two crystal forms, Shape 1 and Shape 2. Shape 2 L2 lipase crystal was diffracted at 1.5 Å and the crystal belongs to the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁, with unit-cell parameters a = 72.0, b = 81.8, c = 83.4 Å, α = β = γ = 90°. There is one molecule per asymmetric unit and the solvent content of the crystals is 56.9%, with a Matthew’s coefficient of 2.85 Å Da⁻¹. The 3D structure of L2 lipase revealed topological organization of α/β-hydrolase fold consisting of 11 β-strands and 13 α-helices. Ser-113, His-358 and Asp-317 were assigned as catalytic triad residues. One Ca²⁺ and one Zn²⁺ were found in the L2 lipase molecule.