Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

About: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a education organization based out in Troy, New York, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Terahertz radiation & Finite element method. The organization has 19024 authors who have published 39922 publications receiving 1414699 citations. The organization is also known as: RPI & Rensselaer Institute.

A genetic system yields self-cleaving inteins for bioseparations.

Abstract: A self-cleaving element for use in bioseparations has been derived from a naturally occurring, 43 kDa protein splicing element (intein) through a combination of protein engineering and random mutagenesis. A mini-intein (18 kDa) previously engineered for reduced size had compromised activity and was therefore subjected to random mutagenesis and genetic selection. In one selection a mini-intein was isolated with restored splicing activity, while in another, a mutant was isolated with enhanced, pH-sensitive C-terminal cleavage activity. The enhanced-cleavage mutant has utility in affinity fusion-based protein purification. These mutants also provide new insights into the structural and functional roles of some conserved residues in protein splicing.

The Tectonic Framework of the Sumatran Subduction Zone

Abstract: The great Aceh-Andaman earthquake of December 26, 2004 and its tragic consequences brought the Sumatran region and its active tectonics into the world’s focus. The plate tectonic setting of Sumatra has been as it is today for tens of millions of years, and catastrophic geologic events have likely been plentiful. The immaturity of our understanding of great earthquakes and other types of geologic hazards contributed to the surprise regarding the location of the 2004 earthquake. The timing, however, is probably best understood simply in terms of the inevitability of the infrequent events that shape the course of geologic progress. Our best hope is to improve understanding of the processes involved and decrease our vulnerability to them.

A direct comparison between terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and far-infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy

Abstract: We perform a comprehensive comparison between terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy and conventional far-infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, including radiation source, detector, signal to noise ratio, bandwidth, availability, applications, and their own uniqueness. In terms of signal to noise ratio, THz time-domain spectroscopy is advantageous at low frequencies under 3 THz, while Fourier transform spectroscopy works better at frequencies above 5 THz. In addition, we provide a detailed discussion of the unique features of THz time-domain spectroscopy and its application to dynamic and time-resolved processes.

Osteoblast function on synthetic biodegradable polymers

Abstract: Rat osteoblasts were cultured on films of biodegradable poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), 75:25 poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), 50:50 PLGA, and poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) for up to 14 days. Osteoblasts attached equally well to all the polymer substrates after 8 h in culture. By day 4 in culture, osteoblasts had exceeded confluency numbers, and their proliferation leveled off by day 7. An increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity from 1.92 (±0.47) × 10−7 for day 7 to 5.75 (±0.12) × 10−7 μmol/cell per min for day 14 was reported for osteoblasts cultured on 75:25 PLGA, which was comparable to that observed for tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) controls. The ALP activities expressed by osteoblasts cultured on PLLA, 50:50 PLGA, and PGA films did not significantly increase over time. Collagen synthesis for osteoblasts cultured on all polymer substrates was similar to that of TCPS and did not vary with time. The morphology of cultured osteoblasts was not affected by the continuous degradation of the polymer substrates. These results demonstrate that poly(α-hydroxy esters) can provide a suitable substrate for osteoblast culture and hold promise in bone regeneration by osteoblast transplantation. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.