Molecular biology approaches in bioadhesion research

• Marcelo Rodrigues,
• Birgit Lengerer,
• Thomas Ostermann and
• Peter Ladurner

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2014, 5, 983–993, doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.112

• ][2][3]. Information on how animals solve problems of adhesion in diverse environments can lead to the development of novel bio-inspired adhesives [4] with major applicability in the fields of surface engineering and biomedicine. Molecular biology is helpful in bioadhesion research with respect to the

• and Artemia enriched with engineered bacteria to feed planarians and Hydra [72][86]. Lastly, microinjection has been applied in several species, like the harvestmen Opiliones [87] and tardigrades [88]. The suitability of each delivery method depends on the organism being studied. Experimental animals

Optimizing the synthesis of CdS/ZnS core/shell semiconductor nanocrystals for bioimaging applications

• Li-wei Liu,
• Si-yi Hu,
• Ying Pan,
• Jia-qi Zhang,
• Yue-shu Feng and
• Xi-he Zhang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2014, 5, 919–926, doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.105

• , indicating the low toxicity of the formulated nanoparticles. Animal studies Five-week-old nude female mice were purchased from the experimental animal center of Jilin University. The animal housing area was maintained at 24 °C with a 12 h light/dark cycle. The animals were fed ad libitum with water and

Measuring air layer volumes retained by submerged floating-ferns Salvinia and biomimetic superhydrophobic surfaces

• Matthias J. Mayser,
• Holger F. Bohn,
• Meike Reker and
• Wilhelm Barthlott

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2014, 5, 812–821, doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.93

• of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany 10.3762/bjnano.5.93 Abstract Some plants and animals feature superhydrophobic surfaces capable of retaining a layer of air when submerged under water. Long-term air retaining surfaces (Salvinia-effect) are of high interest for

Manipulation of isolated brain nerve terminals by an external magnetic field using D-mannose-coated γ-Fe₂O₃ nano-sized particles and assessment of their effects on glutamate transport

• Tatiana Borisova,
• Natalia Krisanova,
• Arsenii Borуsov,
• Roman Sivko,
• Ludmila Ostapchenko,
• Michal Babic and
• Daniel Horak

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2014, 5, 778–788, doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.90

• spectroscopy with the Golden GateTM single reflection system (Specac Ltd., Orpington, UK) at 400–4000 cm−1. Ethics statement Wistar male rats, 100–120 g body weight, were obtained from the vivarium of M. D. Strazhesko Institute of Cardiology, Medical Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Animals were kept in animal

• animals were removed and homogenized rapidly in ice-cold 0.32 M sucrose, 5 mM HEPES–NaOH, pH 7.4, and 0.2 mM EDTA. The synaptosomes were prepared by differential and Ficoll-400 density gradient centrifugation of rat brain homogenate [31] with slight modifications [30]. All manipulations were performed at

The optimal shape of elastomer mushroom-like fibers for high and robust adhesion

• Burak Aksak,
• Korhan Sahin and
• Metin Sitti

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2014, 5, 630–638, doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.74

• that bears them [1]. Some insects, spiders, and anoles have fibers with effective diameters of the order of micrometers. Other animals such as the gecko lizard bear micro-scale stalks, which branch down to nano-scale fibers forming intricate hierarchical structures. The common aspect of fibrillar

The surface microstructure of cusps and leaflets in rabbit and mouse heart valves

• Xia Ye,
• Bharat Bhushan,
• Ming Zhou and
• Weining Lei

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2014, 5, 622–629, doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.73

• plant leaves have been studied beginning with the lotus leaf [1][2][3]. Researchers then studied the microstructures of the India canna leaf, the rice leaf, and the leaf of Colocasia esculenta [4][5]. Subsequently, the study of surface microstructures expanded to animals. Researchers studied surface

• /leaflets taken from animals are studied along with the effect of these microstructures on blood flow characteristics. Thus, this study will help improve the hemocompatibility of artificial heart valves. Experimental Sample preparation: The thoracic cavities of the rabbits and the mice were cut open by

Biocalcite, a multifunctional inorganic polymer: Building block for calcareous sponge spicules and bioseed for the synthesis of calcium phosphate-based bone

• Xiaohong Wang,
• Heinz C. Schröder and
• Werner E. G. Müller

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2014, 5, 610–621, doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.72

• is the material that builds up the spicules of the calcareous sponges. Recent results revealed that the calcium carbonate/biocalcite-based spicular skeleton of these animals is formed through an enzymatic mechanism, such as the skeleton of the siliceous sponges, evolutionarily the oldest animals that

• complex composite skeleton. This statement can be exemplarily illustrated by comparing different sponge [phylum: Porifera] species. These animals are grouped to the classes of the siliceous sponges, the Hexactinellida and the Demospongia, and the calcareous sponges, the Calcarea [1][2]. Sponges of the

• vesparium, or the hexactinellid Monorhaphis chuni [1][2]. The evolutionary oldest animals on earth to comprise a skeleton formed of biosilica and are found among the siliceous sponges, the Hexactinellida and later in the Demospongiae [3][4], while the mineralized skeletons of the calcareous sponges are

Hairy suckers: the surface microstructure and its possible functional significance in the Octopus vulgaris sucker

• Francesca Tramacere,
• Esther Appel,
• Barbara Mazzolai and
• Stanislav N. Gorb

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2014, 5, 561–565, doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.66

• were analysed. Animals were obtained from licensed fishermen, who captured these animals from the bay of Livorno (Italy) in October 2012 for human consumption. The suckers were taken from freshly killed animals. All facilities and procedures complied with European law (Directive 2010/63/EU). For SEM

• spatulate termini that are well known in the attachment pads of terrestrial animals [12][13]. In the case of the clingfish, it was hypothesised that the amazing tenacity observed for this fish could be related to the hierarchical structure of the hairs (“microvilli”) [3]. Moreover, the absence of spatulate

A catechol biosensor based on electrospun carbon nanofibers

• Dawei Li,
• Zengyuan Pang,
• Xiaodong Chen,
• Lei Luo,
• Yibing Cai and
• Qufu Wei

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2014, 5, 346–354, doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.39

• electrocatalytic properties. However, it is rarely reported that ECNFs were utilized directly in the design of enzyme-based biosensors. Phenolic compounds, which widely occur in processes of agriculture and industry, often cause severe health problems in human beings and animals [28]. So it is important to develop

Cytotoxic and proinflammatory effects of PVP-coated silver nanoparticles after intratracheal instillation in rats

• Nadine Haberl,
• Stephanie Hirn,
• Alexander Wenk,
• Jörg Diendorf,
• Matthias Epple,
• Blair D. Johnston,
• Fritz Krombach,
• Wolfgang G. Kreyling and
• Carsten Schleh

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2013, 4, 933–940, doi:10.3762/bjnano.4.105

• toxicity, but only at rather high concentrations. Experimental Animals Female Wistar–Kyoto rats (WKY/Kyo@Rj rats, Janvier, Le Genest Saint Isle, France), 8–10 weeks of age (approx. 250 g body weight), were housed in pairs in relatively humidity- and temperature-controlled ventilated cages (VentiRack

• Bioscrene TM, Biozone, Margate, UK) on a 12-hour day/night cycle. Rodent diet and water were provided ad libitum. All experiments were conducted under German federal guidelines for the use and care of laboratory animals and were approved by the Regierung von Oberbayern (Government of District of Upper

• ZS (Malvern Instruments GmbH, Herrenberg, Germany). PVP-AgNP administration Non-fasted animals were intratracheally instilled with 80 µL of PVP-AgNP suspension (containing either 50 µg or 250 µg AgNP). For this purpose, rats were anesthetized by MMF anesthesia (150 µg/kg medetomidin, 2 mg/kg

Moisture harvesting and water transport through specialized micro-structures on the integument of lizards

• Philipp Comanns,
• Christian Effertz,
• Florian Hischen,
• Konrad Staudt,
• Wolfgang Böhme and
• Werner Baumgartner

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2011, 2, 204–214, doi:10.3762/bjnano.2.24

• allows the animals to collect moisture with their entire body surface. The collected water is transported into the capillary system. For Phrynosoma cornutum we found the interesting effect that, in contrast to the other two investigated species, the water flow in the capillary system is not uniform but

• (r ≈ 2.3) or Phrynocephalus arabicus (r ≈ 1.4) as estimated from the above mentioned dimensions of the honeycomb structures. So the reduction of the contact angle for these animals cannot simply be explained by increased roughness alone. Thus it is tempting to assume the Cassie-model for liquid

• network As stated earlier, initial wetting of the scales is necessary but not sufficient for successful moisture harvesting. The collected water has to be transported to the mouth of the animals as licking off the collected water from the integument is hardly possible due to the animals' anatomy. As shown

Superhydrophobicity in perfection: the outstanding properties of the lotus leaf

• Hans J. Ensikat,
• Petra Ditsche-Kuru,
• Christoph Neinhuis and
• Wilhelm Barthlott

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2011, 2, 152–161, doi:10.3762/bjnano.2.19

• ]. Superhydrophobic surfaces which feature permanent air retention under water are found on animals (some birds, spiders and insects). An outstanding air-retention capability is found, for example, for the aquatic insect Notonecta glauca (‘backswimmer’) [26][27]. Here the water repellency is created by a two-level

Superhydrophobic surfaces of the water bug Notonecta glauca: a model for friction reduction and air retention

• Petra Ditsche-Kuru,
• Erik S. Schneider,
• Jan-Erik Melskotte,
• Martin Brede,
• Alfred Leder and
• Wilhelm Barthlott

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2011, 2, 137–144, doi:10.3762/bjnano.2.17

• Biomechanics, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1–9, Kiel, 24098, Germany Lehrstuhl Strömungsmechanik, Universität Rostock, Albert Einstein Str. 2, Rostock, 18051, Germany 10.3762/bjnano.2.17 Abstract Superhydrophobic surfaces of plants and animals are of great interest for

• properties. In nature they occur in many species of animals and plants [1][2]. These surfaces combine a special topography at the micro- and nanoscale with a superhydrophobic surface chemistry [3][4]. Transferred to technical surfaces, superhydrophobic surfaces have successfully entered the markets of the

• friction on the elytron surface was measured. The combination of these two abilities makes these hierarchically structured surfaces extremely interesting for biomimetic applications such as low friction fluid transport or drag reduction on ship hulls. Experimental Animals. Freshly killed insects were

Biomimetic materials

• Wilhelm Barthlott and
• Kerstin Koch

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2011, 2, 135–136, doi:10.3762/bjnano.2.16

• of our planet. The diversity of life, biodiversity, is one of the most fascinating phenomena. We know some 1.8 million different species, but all extrapolations show that probably 20 million or more species exist: We know less than 10% of the plants, animals and micro-organisms living on the planet

Twofold role of calcined hydrotalcites in the degradation of methyl parathion pesticide

• Alvaro Sampieri,
• Geolar Fetter,
• María Elena Villafuerte-Castrejon,
• Adriana Tejeda-Cruz and
• Pedro Bosch

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2011, 2, 99–103, doi:10.3762/bjnano.2.11

• degradation; mixed oxide; organophosphate; pesticide; water pollution; Introduction MP, an organophosphate, has been extensively used as pesticide since the 1970’s instead of chlorinated hydrocarbons (e.g., DDT). This pesticide is persistent and very toxic to humans and animals [1], even at low

Biomimetics inspired surfaces for drag reduction and oleophobicity/philicity

• Bharat Bhushan

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2011, 2, 66–84, doi:10.3762/bjnano.2.9

• animals, and seashells with properties of commercial interest. Certain plant leaves, such as lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) leaves, are known to be superhydrophobic and self-cleaning due to the hierarchical surface roughness and presence of a wax layer. In addition to a self-cleaning effect, these surfaces with

• behavior of oil droplets on various superoleophobic surfaces created in the lab. Keywords: aquatic animals; biomimetics; drag; lotus plants; shark skin; superhydrophobicity; superoleophobicity; Introduction Biologically inspired design, adaptation, or derivation from nature is referred to as ‘biomimetics

• understanding of the functions provided by objects and processes found in nature can guide us to imitate and produce nanomaterials, nanodevices, and processes [2]. There are a large number of objects (bacteria, plants, land and aquatic animals, seashells etc.) with properties of commercial interest. Natural