The detection of biological molecules and their interactions is a significant component of modern biomedical research. In current biosensor technologies, simultaneous detection is limited to a small number of analytes by the spectral overlap of their signals. We have developed an NMR-based xenon biosensor that capitalizes on the enhanced signal-to-noise, spectral simplicity, and chemical-shift sensitivity of laser-polarized xenon to detect specific biomolecules at the level of tens of nanomoles. We present results using xenon “functionalized” by a biotin-modified supramolecular cage to detect biotin–avidin binding. This biosensor methodology can be extended to a multiplexing assay for multiple analytes.

/pdf/functionalized-xenon-as-a-biosensor-1ipsqzkgfc.pdf

Functionalized xenon as a biosensor.

NMR-based biosensors that utilize laser-polarized xenon offer potential advantages beyond current sensing technologies. These advantages include the capacity to simultaneously detect multiple analytes, the applicability to in vivo spectroscopy and imaging, and the possibility of remote amplified detection. Here we present a detailed NMR characterization of the binding of a biotin-derivatized caged-xenon sensor to avidin. Binding of functionalized xenon to avidin leads to a change in the chemical shift of the encapsulated xenon in addition to a broadening of the resonance, both of which serve as NMR markers of ligand-target interaction. A control experiment in which the biotin-binding site of avidin was blocked with native biotin showed no such spectral changes, confirming that only specific binding, rather than nonspecific contact, between avidin and functionalized xenon leads to the effects on the xenon NMR spectrum. The exchange rate of xenon (between solution and cage) and the xenon spin-lattice relaxation rate were not changed significantly upon binding. We describe two methods for enhancing the signal from functionalized xenon by exploiting the laser-polarized xenon magnetization reservoir. We also show that the xenon chemical shifts are distinct for xenon encapsulated in different diastereomeric cage molecules. This demonstrates the potential for tuning the encapsulated xenon chemical shift, which is a key requirement for being able to multiplex the biosensor.

/pdf/development-of-a-functionalized-xenon-biosensor-4kqkc8t9ot.pdf

Development of a functionalized xenon biosensor.

The present invention relates generally to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques for both spectroscopy and imaging. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods in which hyperpolarized noble gases (e.g., Xe and He) are used to enhance and improve NMR and MRI. Additionally, the hyperpolarized gas solutions of the invention are useful both in vitro and in vivo to study the dynamics or structure of a system. When used with biological systems, either in vivo or in vitro, it is within the scope of the invention to target the hyperpolarized gas and deliver it to specific regions within the system.

Enhancement of nmr and mri in the presence of hyperpolarized noble gases

Palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution and cross-coupling reactions have been combined into a sequential procedure to provide a range of disubstituted olefin products starting from two-, three-, and four-carbon common olefin templates. Diverse application of this template strategy is demonstrated in a variety of model studies and in a parallel synthesis (combinatorial) approach to prepare an allylic amine molecular library. An approach toward the preparation of astaxanthin β-d-diglucoside, an interesting antioxidant whose total synthesis has yet to be reported, using the olefin-template approach is also discussed.

Synthesis of Stereodefined Polysubstituted Olefins. 1. Sequential Intermolecular Reactions Involving Selective, Stepwise Insertion of Pd(0) into Allylic and Vinylic Halide Bonds. The Stereoselective Synthesis of Disubstituted Olefins1

An oligometallic template effect was observed on the cis/trans selectivity of a 32-membered macrocyclic tetraoxime in ring-closing olefin metathesis of an acyclic diallyl derivative H4L; the metathesis of heterotrinuclear complex LZn2M (M=Ca2+, La3+) afforded the cis isomer, whereas uncomplexed H4L gave the trans isomer.

S. N. Kilenyi

Papers

Two new abnormal pathways in the para-Claisen rearrangement of 2(allyloxy)- and 2-(crotyloxy)-3-hydroxybenzaldehyde

Two New Abnormal Pathways in the Para-Claisen Rearrangement of 2-( Allyloxy)- and 2-(Crotyloxy)-3-hydroxybenzaldehyde.