Farah Qazi

Bio: Farah Qazi is an academic researcher from University of Melbourne. The author has contributed to research in topics: Fibroin & Suzuki reaction. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 7 publications receiving 86 citations. Previous affiliations of Farah Qazi include University of the Sciences.

Advances in biogenic synthesis of palladium nanoparticles

Abstract: Green approaches for the synthesis of nanoparticles provide advantages due to the fact that green protocols are benign and environmentally friendly. Among various green recipes, biogenic synthesis of nanoparticles has recently emerged as an active area of research due to the simplicity of this method, with cost effective protocols, higher potential of reduction and low toxic effect on human health and the environment. Moreover, the biogenic reduction occurs at physiological conditions of temperature and pressure. The raw materials are easily available and therefore, the reaction can easily be scaled up. This paper presents a review to give an idea about the most reliable, cost-effective and environment friendly synthetic protocols for metal nanoparticles to control size, shape and dispersity. In this contribution, we have emphasized particularly various plants responsible, and investigated so far, for the synthesis of palladium nanoparticles. Based on the isolated compounds/metabolites such as polyols, polyphenols, flavonoids and proteins from the respective plant extracts, a correlation is established where such metabolites are linked with the biogenic syntheses of Pd nanoparticles. The present investigation and works reviewed lead us to recommend a few potential plants for the reduction of Pd2+ ions into Pd0 nanoparticles. This review not only summarizes the present literature but also highlights the potential of this field to open up new avenues for researchers.

Silk Fibroin Coated Magnesium Oxide Nanospheres: A Biocompatible and Biodegradable Tool for Noninvasive Bioimaging Applications.

Abstract: Fluorescent nanoparticles (NPs) have been increasingly studied as contrast agents for better understanding of biological processes at the cellular and molecular level. However, their use as bioimaging tools is strongly dependent on their optical emission as well as their biocompatibility. This work reports the fabrication and characterization of silk fibroin (SF) coated magnesium oxide (MgO) nanospheres, containing oxygen, Cr3+ and V2+ related optical defects, as a nontoxic and biodegradable hybrid platform for bioimaging applications. The MgO-SF spheres demonstrated enhanced emission efficiency compared to noncoated MgO NPs. Furthermore, SF sphere coating was found to overcome agglomeration limitations of the MgO NPs. The hybrid nanospheres were investigated as an in vitro bioimaging tool by recording their cellular uptake, trajectories, and mobility in human skin keratinocytes cells (HaCaT), human glioma cells (U87MG) and breast cancer cells (MCF7). Enhanced cellular uptake and improved intracellular mobilities of MgO-SF spheres compared to MgO NPs was demonstrated in three different cell lines. Validated infrared and bright emission of MgO-SF NP indicate their prospects for in vivo imaging. The results identify the potential of the hybrid MgO-SF nanospheres for bioimaging. This study may also open new avenues to optimize drug delivery through biodegradable silk and provide noninvasive functional imaging feedback on the therapeutic processes through fluorescent MgO.

Real-time detection and identification of nematode eggs genus and species through optical imaging.

Abstract: Nematode eggs are pervasive pathogens that infect billions of people and livestock every year. Adult parasitic nematode worms can be distinguished based on their size and morphology. However, their eggs, particularly their species Ascaris lumbricoides and Ascaris suum cannot be identified from each other. Identifying eggs of helminths from wastewater and sludge is important from a public health perspective to minimize the spread of Ascaris infections. Numerous methods exist for nematode identification, from a morphological-based approach to high throughput sequencing technology. However, these techniques are not consistent and often laborious and time-consuming. In this study, we demonstrate that non-invasive real-time identification of eggs is possible based on their intrinsic fluorescence. Using confocal microscopy, we investigate the autofluorescence properties of five species of nematode eggs and observe clear differences between genus and for the first time their species in sludge samples. This non-invasive imaging technique could lead to better understanding of these species and may assist in early control of diseases.

The Structure of Nematodes

Abstract: The egg the exoskeleton growth and moulting the epidermis musculature the nervous system the pseudocoelom the secretory-excretory system the digestive system the reproductive system nematode pathology.

Thermotropic liquid crystal films for biosensors and beyond

Abstract: We briefly review studies of liquid crystal films suspended in submillimeter size grids for biosensing applications and beyond. Due to intense recent research, the sensitivity of liquid crystal films to targeted biologically relevant agents can be increased, and the LC surface can be functionalized to be sensitive only to pre-assigned pathogens. Beyond sensor applications, we show that novel liquid crystal defect structures can be used to manipulate separation and deposition of lipids. Finally, we demonstrate that not only the nematic liquid crystal phase, but also chiral nematic (cholesteric and blue phase) and smectic liquid crystals can be used for sensing and may extend the sensitivity and/or the selection of biomaterials, which can be sensed.

Palladium Nanoparticles in Polyols: Synthesis, Catalytic Couplings, and Hydrogenations.

Abstract: Alcohols, in particular polyols, are well-known for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles, often acting as reducing agents, solvents, and stabilizers. Given not only their structural flexibility depending on the number of OH functions and their inherent H bonding interactions, but also the wide range of polyol molecular weights readily available, different physicochemical properties (boiling point, polarity, viscosity) could be exploited toward the synthesis of well-defined nanomaterials. In particular, the relevance of the supramolecular structure of polyols has a fundamental impact on the formation of metal nanoparticles, thereby favoring the dispersion of the nanoclusters. In the field of the metal-based nanocatalysis, palladium occupies a privileged position mainly due to its remarkable versatility in terms of reactivity representing a foremost tool in synthesis. In this review, we describe the controlled synthesis of Pd-based nanoparticles in polyol medium, focusing on the progress in terms of tailoring size, morphology, structure, and surface state. Moreover, we discuss the use of palladium nanoparticles, in a polyol solvent, applied in two of the most relevant Pd-catalyzed processes, i.e., couplings and hydrogenation reactions, including multistep processes.