Chung-Ang University

About: Chung-Ang University is a education organization based out in Seoul, South Korea. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Thin film. The organization has 13381 authors who have published 26978 publications receiving 416735 citations. The organization is also known as: CAU & Chung.

A review of microbial biofilms of produce: Future challenge to food safety

Abstract: Outbreaks of produce-related food-borne pathogens have undergone a sharp increase in last three decades because of high produce consumption. A paradigm of food safety for produce is important due to its susceptibility to microbial attack and biofilms formation. Greater attention should be paid to decontaminating the pathogens in biofilms as they pose a risk to public health. This review will focus on produce-related outbreaks, attachments, quorum sensing, biofilms formation, resistance to sanitizers and disinfectants, and current and emerging control strategies for fresh and minimally processed produce, providing new insight into food safety. The consequences of biofilms formation on produce include the formation of a protective environment that is resistant to cleaning and disinfection. Alternative means of controlling or inhibiting biofilms formation on produce will be explained briefly and we will identify where additional research is needed.

Involvement of Brassinosteroids in the Gravitropic Response of Primary Root of Maize

Abstract: Exogenously applied brassinolide (BL, 10 −9 –10 −5 m) increased gravitropic curvature in maize ( Zea mays ) primary roots. The BL-enhanced gravitropic curvature was clearly promoted in the presence of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA, 10 −10 –10 −8 m), indicating that BL is interactive with IAA during the gravitropic response. The interactive effect between BL and IAA was completely diminished by treatment of p -chlorophenoxy isobutric acid, an auxin action antagonist. The activation of the gravitropic response by BL in the absence and in the presence of IAA was nullified by application of 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid, a polar auxin transport inhibitor. The data indicate that brassinosteroids (BRs) might be involved in auxin-mediated processes for the gravitropic response. Gas chromotography-selected ion-monitoring analysis revealed that maize primary roots contained approximately 0.3 ng g −1 fresh weight castasterone as an endogenous BR. Exogenously applied castasterone also increased the gravitropic response of maize roots in an IAA-dependent manner. This study provides the first evidence, to our knowledge, for occurrence and gravitropic activity of BRs in plant roots.

Yeast synthetic biology for the production of recombinant therapeutic proteins.

Abstract: The production of recombinant therapeutic proteins is one of the fast-growing areas of molecular medicine and currently plays an important role in treatment of several diseases. Yeasts are unicellular eukaryotic microbial host cells that offer unique advantages in producing biopharmaceutical proteins. Yeasts are capable of robust growth on simple media, readily accommodate genetic modifications, and incorporate typical eukaryotic post-translational modifications. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a traditional baker's yeast that has been used as a major host for the production of biopharmaceuticals; however, several nonconventional yeast species including Hansenula polymorpha, Pichia pastoris, and Yarrowia lipolytica have gained increasing attention as alternative hosts for the industrial production of recombinant proteins. In this review, we address the established and emerging genetic tools and host strains suitable for recombinant protein production in various yeast expression systems, particularly focusing on current efforts toward synthetic biology approaches in developing yeast cell factories for the production of therapeutic recombinant proteins.

Spectral and Angular Responses of Surface Plasmon Resonance Based on the Kretschmann Prism Configuration

Abstract: The present study investigates the optical characteristics and the spectral and angular responses of a Kretschmann surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor configuration that is widely used in biological and chemical sensing applications. In order to examine the influence of wave interference and optical properties of thin films on angular variation of reflectance at different incident angles, the Kretschmann SPR configurations made of gold films with 30, 52, and 70 nm thicknesses were fabricated and the reflectance was detected using a 633 nm He-Ne laser, θ-2θ rotation stages, and a silicon pin photo-detector. In particular, this study involved the numerical analysis of angular and spectral variation of reflectance estimated using the characteristic transmission matrix (CTM) method. It was found that the SPR sensitivity became highly dependent on the gold film thickness, indicating that in the thinner gold film case, the reflectance was recovered slowly after the SPR angle, whereas as the gold film thickness increased, the magnitude difference between the maximum and the minimum reflectance measured near the SPR angle was smaller than in other cases. From the numerical analysis, it was shown that the phase shift is the most sensitive physical parameter for SPR sensor by comparing estimated FWHM values of reflectance, phase shift, and enhancement of magnetic field intensity. Therefore, it was concluded that an appropriate metal thickness of around 50 nm was found for higher sensitivity.

Organic–inorganic hybrid nanoflowers: types, characteristics, and future prospects

Abstract: Organic–inorganic hybrid nanoflowers, a newly developed class of flower-like hybrid nanoparticles, have received much attention due to their simple synthesis, high efficiency, and enzyme stabilizing ability. This article covers, in detail, the types, structural features, mechanism of formation, and bio-related applications of hybrid nanoflowers. The five major types of hybrid nanoflowers are discussed, i.e., copper–protein, calcium–protein, and manganese–protein hybrid nanoflowers, copper–DNA hybrid nanoflowers, and capsular hybrid nanoflowers. The structural features of these nanoflowers, such as size, shape, and protein ratio generally determine their applications. Thus, the specific characteristics of hybrid nanoflowers are summarized in this review. The interfacial mechanism of nanoflower formation is examined in three steps: first, combination of metal ion and organic matter; second, formation of petals; third, growth of nanoflowers. The explanations provided herein can be utilized in the development of innovative approaches for the synthesis of hybrid nanoflowers for prospective development of a plethora of hybrid nanoflowers. The future prospects of hybrid nanoflowers in the biotechnology industry, medicine, sensing, and catalysis are also discussed.