The work described here details the experimental progress toward an improved means of HIV-1 diagnosis and an explanation of the experimental approaches taken to advance a previously developed HIV-1 reverse transcriptase detection assay using RNA aptamers for protein capture. After characterization of the identity and function of the aptamer samples to be used, we first set about clarifying the nature of the assay and pinning down sources of variability inherent in the original Aptamer Antibody Sandwich Assay (AASA) such that through the course of this work we might bring the assay to a point of high reproducibility. In doing so, we devised a set of criteria for data analysis and filtration and established a process to examine whether modifications to the method resulted in measurable improvement. Two new methods were tested in the hope that they might later be extended to our ultimate project goal of distinguishing binding affinity variations among HIV-1 reverse transcriptase protein and its mutant variants. Both method modifications involved the addition of a fluorescently labeled Cy5 probe to the immobilized aptamer construct. The addition of a fluorescent label to each printed aptamer allowed for detection of aptamer presence in addition to protein binding, essentially serving as a simple internal control for aptamer-protein binding. After optimizing the AASA aptamer construct and experimental procedure, the AASA was extended to a multiplexed array format. Using four groups of aptamers selected against two HIV-1 RT variants (wild-type and mutant 3) we tested the hypothesis that immobilized anti-HIV-1 aptamers might be capable of binding HIV-1 RT variants and regardless of their selective target. The experiments described here are the first example of these aptamers being used in a multiplexed array format, and the results are not only a clear exemplification of the capacity of RNA aptamers for detection in this novel, immobilized assay format, but also an indicator of the utility and flexibility of RNA aptamer functionality. The promising results described in these preliminary studies are the starting block from which several interesting aptamer-protein interaction and drug-competition studies have begun. / text

Fur (Ferric Uptake Regulator) est un régulateur transcriptionnel spécifique des bactéries qui intervient dans le contrôle de l'homéostasie du fer, ce qui en fait une cible antibactérienne intéressante. Avant mon arrivée au laboratoire, quatre inhibiteurs interagissant spécifiquement avec Fur avaient été isolés. La partie active de ces inhibiteurs consiste en des peptides de 13 acides aminés. Au cours de cette thèse, j'ai utilisé une double-approche : théorique et expérimentale pour étudier l'interaction de ces peptides avec Fur afin de comprendre le mécanisme d'inhibition. J'ai synthétisé plusieurs séquences peptidiques, montré par des tests biochimiques que certaines inhibaient Fur et déterminé les interactions importantes à l'activité inhibitrice. J'ai obtenu des modèles théoriques des complexes Fur/peptides par amarrage moléculaire, cohérents avec les résultats expérimentaux, qui ont mis en évidence une zone d'inhibition de Fur. Des criblages in silico dans cette zone ont permis de sélectionner de petites molécules, inhibitrices potentielles de Fur et donc intéressantes pour des applications thérapeutiques. / Fur (Ferric Uptake Regulator) is a transcriptional regulator involved in the control of iron homeostasis. Specific to bacteria, Fur is an attractive antibacterial target. Before my arrival in the laboratory, four inhibitors interacting specifically with Fur had been isolated. The active part of these inhibitors consists of peptides of 13 amino acids. In this thesis I have used both theoretical and experimental approaches to study interactions of these peptides with Fur in order to understand the inhibition mechanism. I have synthesized several peptide sequences, shown through biochemical assays that some of them could inhibit Fur and I have identified residues important to the inhibitory activity. I‘ve obtained theoretical models of Fur/peptide complexes consistent with experimental results, which reveal an inhibition pocket in Fur. Small molecules have then been selected though In silico screening of this pocket, that could potentially inhibit Fur, and thus be interesting for therapeutic applications.

La détection de petites molécules est d'un grand intérêt dans les domaines pharmaceutique, environnemental, alimentaire et de la biologie clinique. Les aptamères, sélectionnés par la méthode SELEX (pour Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment), sont des oligonucléotides qui se lient à une cible donnée avec une affinité et une spécificité importantes. L'objectif de ce travail est d'établir de nouvelles méthodologies analytiques basées sur l'utilisation des aptamères pour la détection de petites molécules. Dans un premier temps, une méthodologie par électrophorèse capillaire, dérivée du concept de déplacement du brin complémentaire de l'aptamère, est décrite pour la détection simultanée de plusieurs analytes dans un seul capillaire. La deuxième étude se focalise sur le développement d'un aptacapteur colorimétrique simple, rapide et peu coûteux, qui utilise le concept général de protection enzymatique de l'aptamère et les nanoparticules d'or en tant que système de transduction. Enfin, deux méthodes par polarisation de fluorescence, basées sur le concept de déplacement (du brin complémentaire ou de l'aptamère lui-même), sont présentées afin d'accroitre les potentialités des aptacapteurs dédiés à la détection des petites molécules. / Small biomolecule detection is of great interest and importance in the pharmaceutical, environmental, food and clinical fields. Aptamers, selected by SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment), are oligonucleotides that bind to a target with high affinity and specificity. The objective of the work is to establish novel methodologies of aptamer-based assays for the small biomolecule detection. In the first work, a rationalized capillary electrophoresis strategy, derived from the structure-switching aptamer concept, is described for the design of simultaneous detection of multiple analytes. The second work based on a gold nanoparticle colorimetric sensing strategy allows a rapid, label-free, homogeneous assay for small molecule using an aptamer enzymatic cleavage protection strategy. In the third work, two aptamer-based fluorescence polarization approaches, using the displacement concept, are described to improve the potentialities of the small molecule-dedicated aptasensors.

L'objectif du travail de recherche concerne la conception et la réalisation de biocapteurs à base de mesures impédimétriques, pour lesquels la demande est forte dans différents domaines d'intérêt sociétal, en particulier l'environnement, la sécurité alimentaire et le biomédical. Les biocapteurs sont des moyens d'analyse en plein essor à la fois rapides, sélectifs et peu coûteux applicables à des domaines extrêmement variés (environnement, santé, agroalimentaire,…). Dans ce type d'outil, un élément sensible de nature biologique (anticorps, enzyme, microorganisme, ADN…) doté d'un pouvoir de reconnaissance pour un analyte ou un groupe d'analytes est associé à un transducteur pouvant être de type électrochimique, optique ou thermique. Dans la première partie de ce travail, un aptasensor a été développé pour la détection de la thrombine. Deux aptamères different ciblant la thrombine étaient directement immobilisés sur l'électrode en or. L'aptasensor élaboré présente une grande sensibilité, spécificité et stabilité pour la thrombine. Dans la seconde partie, en utilisant la spectroscopie d'impédance électrochimique (EIS), nous avons surveillé l'immobilisation de protéines et sans marquage sur une surface d'or, au moyen d'une stratégie d'électro-adressage, compatible avec la production de biopuces pour multi-détection.Cette fonctionnalisation est réalisée par la cycloaddition alcyne / azoture, mieux connu comme la réaction «clic». Enfin, un biocapteur utilisant des protéines de phage à été développé pour la détection de E.coli / The objective of the research concerns the design and realization of biosensors based impedimetric measures, for which there is strong demand in various societal benefit areas, particularly the environment, food security and biomedical.Biosensors are rapid, selective and inexpensive devices that combine a biological recognition element, the so-called bioreceptor (e.g. enzymes, antibodies, DNA or microorganisms) to a physical transducer (e.g. electrochemical, optical, thermal or piezoelectrical). They can be used to detect one specific analyte or one family of analytes for a wide range of applications (e.g. environment, food, health). In the first part of this work, an aptasensor was developed for thrombin detection. Two different aptamers targeting thrombin were directly immobilized on the gold electrode. The aptasensor exhibits high sensitivity, specificity and stability in the detection of thrombin. In the second part, using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), we have, monitored label-free protein immobilization on a gold surface, through a strategy of electroaddressing, compatible with the production of microarrays for multi-detection. This functionalization is achieved via the alkyne/azide cycloaddition, better known as the "click" reaction.Finally, a biosensor using phage proteins was developed for detecting E. coli

Die vorliegende Arbeit behandelt die Oberflächenmodifikation von Nanodiamanten (ND) aus der Detonationssynthese und die anschließende Konjugation von einzel- bzw. doppelsträngiger DNA an die zuvor eingeführten funktionellen Gruppen. Als Ausgangsmaterialien wurden zwei Nanodiamantpulver mit unbekannter Oberflächenbelegung eingesetzt, deren Charakterisierung durch elektronenmikroskopische Methoden erfolgte. Weiterhin wurden kommerziell modifizierte ND mit definierter Oberflächenbelegung (Amino- und Hydroxylgruppen) verwendet. Für potenzielle Anwendungen von ND wird eine monofunktionale Oberfläche angestrebt, die u. a. über Oxidation oder Reduktion der durch den Herstellungsprozess eingeführten primären funktionellen Gruppen realisiert werden kann. Die dadurch erzeugten sekundären Funktionen ermöglichen die kovalente bzw. nichtkovalente Anbindung weiterer Substanzen, z. B. von Biomolekülen, an die Oberflächen der ND-Partikel. Die hier beschriebene Konjugation von DNA, an die mit Carboxyl-, Hydroxyl- oder Aminogruppen modifizierten Partikeloberflächen, erfolgte durch die Generierung von Amid-, Phosphodiester- und Isoharnstoffbindungen. Der Erfolg der Konjugationen wurde mit Hilfe von Infrarotspektroskopie und Fluoreszenzmikroskopie untersucht. Die Fluoreszenz der Konjugate beruhte dabei auf Fluoreszenzfarbstoffen, die an die DNA-Moleküle gebunden waren. Darüber hinaus wird die Herstellung einer kolloidalen ND-Suspension beschrieben, von der die Partikelgrößen und das Zeta-Potenzial bestimmt wurden. Kolloidale Suspensionen ermöglichen aufgrund der geringen Partikelgrößen diverse biologische und medizinische Anwendungen von ND. Mit den hier präsentierten Ergebnissen erweitert sich der Kenntnisstand zur Konjugation von DNA an ND aus der Detonationssynthese. Die angewandte Methodik kann ebenso auf andere Substanzen wie Proteine oder Chemotherapeutika übertragen werden. Derart funktionalisierte Partikel besitzen ein großes Potenzial für die weitere Anwendung in der Biomedizin und Nanotechnologie. / The present study deals with the surface modification of nanodiamonds (ND) from detonation synthesis and the subsequent conjugation of both single and double stranded DNA to previously introduced functional groups. As starting materials two kinds of nanodiamond powders with unknown surface configuration were used. Both types of ND were characterized by electron-microscopic methods. Furthermore, commercially modified ND with defined surface configuration (amino and hydroxyl groups) were applied. Potential applications of ND require a mono-functional surface, that can be realized e. g. via oxidation or reduction of the primary functional groups introduced during the production process. The thereby generated secondary functions permit the covalent or non-covalent linking of further substances onto the surfaces of ND particles. Conjugation of DNA, as described here, onto the carboxyl-, hydroxyl- or aminomodified particle surfaces was accomplished by generating of amino, phosphodiester and isourea bonds. The success of conjugations has been examined by infrared spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy. The fluorescence of conjugates based on fluorescent dyes bound to the DNA molecules. Furthermore, the fabrication of a colloidal ND suspension is described, of which the particle sizes and the Zeta potential have been determined. Colloidal suspensions facilitate various biological and medical applications of ND on the basis of low particle sizes. The presented results enlarge the state of knowledge about the conjugation of DNA on ND from detonation synthesis. The applied methodology may also be transferred to other substances like proteins or chemotherapeutics. In this way, functionalized particles have a big potential for further application in biomedicine and nanotechnology.

Células tronco mesenquimais de tecido adiposo, são uma promissora ferramenta para aplicações clínicas em terapias celular e regenerativa, em vista da facilidade de sua extração e da maior quantidade de células por unidade de massa de tecido quando comparado a outras fontes clássicas de células mesenquimais como medula óssea. O protocolo clássico de extração e purificação dessas células, depende de sua adesão em plástico e xeno-materiais demandando muito tempo para ser utilizado por médicos para auxiliar pacientes em procedimentos de emergência. Estas células são capazes se diferenciar em diversos tipos celulares, o que as torna boas candidatas para terapia celular, embora sua capacidade de transdiferenciação para fenótipos neuronais seja ainda discutida. Neste trabalho demonstramos um novo processo para isolar essas células na base de epitopos específicos expressos (assinatura molecular de superfície) utilizando aptâmeros como ligantes de alta afinidade para estes sitios. Aptâmeros, moléculas de DNA simples fita identificadas a partir de uma biblioteca combinatória de sequencias de DNA simples-fita foram identificados por ciclos reiterativos de seleção in vitro (SELEX) utilizando células tronco do lipoaspirado como alvo. Dois aptâmeros isolados, denominados APT9 e APT11, foram capazes de identificar subpopulações (15,8 e 23,7% respectivamente) dentre as células tronco mesenquimais (classicamente CD29+/CD90+/CD45-) e separá-las usando nano-partículas magnéticas acopladas aos aptâmeros. Além disso, seguindo uma indução para diferenciação neuronal, as células tronco mesenquimais passam a apresentar morfologia neuronal e apresentam expressão e atividade de diversos receptores de neurotransmissores, avaliados por PCR real-time e imageamento de variações da concentração de cálcio intracelular ápos stimulação com vários agonistas de receptores metatrópicos e ionotrópicos. Ao longo da diferenciação, os níveis transcricionais de mRNA de receptores de cininas (B1 e B2), nicotínicos (alfa 7), muscarínicos (M1, M3 e M4), glutamatérgicos (AMPA2 e mGluR2), purinérgicos (P2Y1 e P2Y4) e GABAergicos (GABA-A, subunidade 3) e da óxido nítrico sintase neural aumentaram quando comparados aos níveis das células não diferenciadas, enquanto que os níveis de expressão de outros receptores incluindo purinérgicos P2X1, P3X4, P2X7 e P2Y6 e muscarínico M5 diminuíram. Os níveis de atividade das classes dos receptores estudados, por imageamento de variações da concentração de cálcio intrac, aumentaram para a maioria dos agonistas analisados durante a diferenciação neuronal com exceção para respostas induzidas por glutamato e NMDA. Células diferenciadas expressavam altos níveis de antígenos específicos de neurônios como β3-tubulina, NF-H, NeuN e MAP-2 indicando uma diferenciação em fenótipo neuronal bem sucedida. Desta maneira, esta tese, ao identificar aptâmeros, prove uma inovadora solução para médicos usarem as células tronco mesenquimais dentro de uma sala de cirurgia, através de um método que é capaz de purificar essas células em um tempo clínico viável, com pureza e sem contato com contaminantes. Além disso, nós mostramos aqui que com um protocolo como o proposto para diferenciação neuronal, nós poderíamos induzir essas células para se diferenciar em neurônios, através da ativação de fatores de transcrição específicos, levando às células tronco mesenquimais a serem possivelmente utilizadas em terapias celulares de reparo neuronal. / Adipose mesenchymal stem cells are promising tools for clinical applications in cellular and regeneration therapies, in view of easiness of extraction and higher amount of isolated stem cells per mass of tissue when compared to other classical mesenchymal stem cell sources including bone marrow. The classical protocol to extract and purify these cells, depending on plastic adherence and xeno-materials, is too time consuming to be used by physicians to help patients at emergency procedures. These cells are able to differentiate into various cell types, making them good candidates for cell therapy, however their capability for transdifferentiation into neural phenotypes is yet discussed. Here we show a novel process to isolate these cells using their surface molecular signature and aptamers, ssDNA molecules identified through the SELEX technique, denominated APT9 and APT11 that are able to identify subpopulations (15,8 and 23,7% respectively) within the mesenchymal stem cells (classically CD29+/CD90+/CD45-) and separate them using magnetic nano-particles attached to the aptamers. Moreover, following induction to neural differentiation, mesenchymal cells presents neuronal morphology and present expression and activity of several neurotransmitter receptors, as evaluated by real-time PCR and calcium imaging. During this process, mRNA transcription levels of bradykinin (B1 and B2), cholinergic (alpha 7), muscarinic (M1, M3 and M4), glutamatergic (AMPA2 and mGlu2), purinergic (P2Y1 and P2Y4) and GABAergic (GABA-A, subunit 3) receptors and neuronal nitric oxide synthase were augmented when compared to levels of undifferentiated cells, while the expression levels of other receptors including purinergic P2X1, P2X4, P2X7 and P2Y6 and muscarinic M5 receptors were down-regulated. Activity levels of the studied receptor classes, as studied by calcium imaging, increased for most of the agonists analyzed during the neuronal differentiation with the exception for glutamate- and NMDA-induced receptor responses. Differentiated cells expressed high levels of neuron-specific antigens such as β3-tubulin, NF-H, NeuN and MAP-2, indicating a successful differentiation into neuronal phenotypes. This thesis, by identifying aptamers, provides a novel solution for physicians to use mesenchymal stem cells inside a surgery room, by using a method that are able to purify the cells in a clinical viable time, with purity and no contact with contaminats. Furthermore, we show here that with a protocol as provided for neuronal differentiation, we could induce these cells to differentiate into neurons, by activating specific transcription factors,making mesenchymal stem cells to possibly be used in neuronal repair cell therapies.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / In this work, DNA aptamer biosensor systems were developed for the detection of l7p-estradiol - an estrogeneous endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC). Endocrine disrupting chemicals are group of compounds that impact negatively on the endocrine system of humans and wildlife. High concentrations of l7p-estradiol in water or food chain disrupts the physiology of the endocrine system of various animal species, leading to feminisation in fish and stimulates the proliferation of cancer cells in humans. Aptasensor systems for the determination of l7pestradiol were prepared with three immobilization platforms: (i) poly(3,4- ethylenedioxythiophene) {PEDOT} doped with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to form PEDOTIAuNPs polymeric nanocomposite, (ii) generation 1 poly(propylene thiophenoimine)-copoly( 3 ,4-ethy lenedioxythiophene) dendritic star copolymer (G 1PPT -co-PEDOT), and (iii) generation 2 poly (propylene thiophenoimine)-co-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) dendritic star copolymer (G2PPT-co-PEDOT). The morphological properties of the sensor platforms were interrogated by scanning emission microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), while their spectroscopic characteristics were studied by Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy (FTIR) and fluorescence spectroscopy. The electrochemical behaviour of the platforms and the aptasensors were studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV). The DNA aptamer developed for detecting 17~-estradiol and which was used in the fabrication of all aptamer biosensors in this study is a 76-mer biotinylated aptamer (5'-BiotinGCTTCCAGCTTATTGAATTACACGCAGAGG TAGCGGCTCTGCGCATTCAATGCTGCGCGCTGAAGCGCGGAAGC-3'). AulPEDOTIAuNPslAptamer (platform 1) was obtained by covalently attaching streptavidin to the polymeric nanocomposite platform using carbodiimide chemistry and the aptamer immobilized via streptavidin-biotin interaction. The electrochemical signal generated from the aptamer-target molecule interaction was monitored electrochemically using cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry in the presence of [Fe(CN)6J 3-/4- as a redox probe. The signal current observed was inversely proportional to the concentration of 17Bestradiol. The aptasensor demonstrated specificity toward 17~-estradiol. The detectable concentration range of the 17B estradiol was 0.01 nM-O .09 nM with a detection limit of 3.2 pM. The 76-mer biotinylated aptamer for 17~-estradiol was incorporated into a generation 1 poly(propylenethiophenoimine )-co-poly(3 ,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) dendritic star copolymer modified Au electrode via biotin-avidin interaction (platform 2). The Bode plot shows that the charge transfer dynamics of the nanoelectrode can be frequency modulated while the AulG 1PPTco- PEDOT nanoelectrode exhibited greater semi-conductor behavior (higher phase angle value) than AulG 1PPT due to the incorporation of charged functionalized dendrimer at low frequencies (100 mHz). The biosensor response to 17~-estradiol was based on the decrease in the SWV current as the EDC binds to the ssDNA aptamer on the biosensor. The dynamic linear range of the sensor was 0.01-0.07 nM with a detection limit of7.27 pM. Synthesis of electro synthetic generation G2PPT-co-PEDOT (platform 3) was performed by copolymerization of PEDOT with G2PPT dendrimer modified electrode immersed in a solution of 0.1 M LiCI04 containing 0.1 M EDOT monomer and 0.1 M sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) for ten (10) cycles. The electrochemical behaviour of the dendritic star copolymer was investigated with CV and EIS in LiCI04 and phosphate buffer solutions. The results show that the electrochemical deposition of G2PPT-co-PEDOT on gold electrode decreased the electrochemical charge transfer resistance when compared to AuiPEDOTILiCI04 and AuiLiCI04 interfaces. Bode impedimetric analysis indicates that G2PPT-co-PEDOT is a semiconductor. The fabrication of two novel aptasensors (based on platforms 2 and 3) simultaneously on a screen printed micro array electrode of 96-well multichannel electrochemical robotic sensor testing system for the detection of endocrine disrupting l7~-estradiol, was also carried out. The aptasensors responses to l7~-estradiol, based on the decrease in the SWV current, were evaluated.

Today, development of accurate early diagnosis of cancers thus became the number one challenge of medicine during the 21st century as the current techniques relies on imaging methods that suffer from low sensitivity and misdiagnosis.For these reasons, in this work, we aimed at developing a no-wash colorimetric biosensor for the detection of the oncoprotein Mdm2. Indeed, abnormal levels of Mdm2 could be related to the early formation of tumors.This thesis is devoted to the conception of a no-wash colorimetric biosensor for the detection of the oncoprotein Mdm2. This work can be divided in four parts:(i) The detection strategy and the design of the recognition elements (Chapter I).(ii) The conjugation of gold nanoparticles with the recognition elements (Chapter II, III, IV, V and VI).(iii) The modification of the metallic core of the nanoparticles (Chapter VII).(iv) The use of the optimized biosensor for the detection of Mdm2 (Chapter VIII).In the first part, we investigated the sensing strategy. An aggregation-based assay with plasmonic nanoparticles was selected, as the detection signal is a change of color of the suspension that can be observed to the naked eye or by UV-Vis spectroscopy. We designed the recognition elements, two peptide aptamers coming from endogenous proteins p53 and p14, and we grafted them separately on two batches of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) via thiol end-groups. We used these latter for the detection of various concentrations of Mdm2 in buffer using our dual-trapping strategy with these two batches of functionalized AuNPs. We demonstrated that both peptides are able to interact with Mdm2 even after grafting onto the particles and that this detection strategy is highly specific. However, this first sensor presented some drawbacks, such as a poor colloidal stability of the AuNPs and a limited dynamic range.With the aim to encompass these issues we investigated, in the second part of this thesis, alternative strategies to conjugate the peptides to the particles. We investigated the functionalization of the particles with stabilizing ligands such as thiolated poly(ethyleneglycol) (HS-PEG). We first studied their simultaneous grafting with the peptides on the AuNPs. We observed that grafting HS-PEGs and peptides side-by-side allowed to control the density of peptides conjugated to the AuNPS and increased drastically the stability of the particles. However, the detection of Mdm2 was strongly hindered by the presence of PEG on the particles carrying the p14 peptide. In a second step, we investigated the conjugation of peptides on the top of a PEG layer carrying functional groups (HS-PEG-X where X is a carboxylate or an alkyne). AuNPs were first functionalized with mixtures of HS-PEG and HS-PEG-X, and the peptides were conjugated to the functional groups via amide bond formation or CuAAC coupling in a second step. However, we noticed that it was not possible to control the composition of the mixed layer of PEGs and thus the peptide grafting density.Due to the lack of recognized protocols in the literature for (i) the determination of the chemical and colloidal stabilities of AuNPs and (ii) the determination of the proportion of different ligands in the organic coating of the particles, we developed two interesting tools. The first one was a convenient method allowing to evaluate by UV-Vis spectroscopy the efficiency of the citrate exchange process using thiol-, alkyne- or diazonium-ligands from gold nanoparticles synthesized via a Turkevich method. The second protocol was a method allowing to quantify the proportion of two HS-PEGs ligands grafted in mixtures onto gold nanoparticles via 1H NMR spectroscopy.As we couldn’t find conditions in which the proportion of multiple thiolated ligands can be controlled on AuNPs, we decided to investigate another functionalization strategy based on the use of calix4arene-diazonium salts.We first studied the grafting on AuNPs of calixarenes bearing four PEG chains at the level of their small rim, one ended by a carboxylic acid and three by a methoxy group. The calixarene layer allowed to obtain AuNPs covered by a very dense PEG shell (with more PEG chains/nm2 that what was obtained previously with thiol anchoring). In addition to that, this PEG shell was strongly anchored to the AuNPs, conferring them a very high colloidal and chemical robustness. We then combined the grafting of this calixarene with the grafting of another non-functional calixarene, bearing four PEG chains ended by a methoxy group, and we quantified the conjugation capacity of such particles by amide bond formation. We demonstrated that this strategy allows to (i) increase drastically the stability of the AuNPs and (ii) control the proportion of peptide conjugated at their surface. Finally, we showed that calixarene-coated AuNPs to which to the p53 and p14 peptides have been conjugated could be used to detect Mdm2.With the evidence that the peptide conjugation density could be controlled using calixarene-coated AuNPs, we investigated the simultaneous grafting of two functional calixarenes on particles: one bearing four carboxylic acids groups and one bearing four PEG chains ended by alkyne groups. We optimized the grafting of these calixarenes in mixed layers on the AuNPs as well as their conjugation. We demonstrated that the grafting of two functional calixarenes led to the production of bi-functional AuNPs, capable of conjugation with two molecules via two distinct chemistries.In the third part, we optimized the composition of the metallic core of the biosensor. As it is well known that silver nanoparticles express better optical properties than gold nanoparticles of the same size, we aimed to incorporate silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the biosensor. This was a true challenge due to the intrinsic low chemical stability of silver nanoparticles that greatly limits their use in IVD. For this purpose, we developed an innovative in situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles in the presence of the calixarene-diazonium salts. After optimization of the synthesis, we observed that calixarenes bearing four carboxylic acids groups at the level of their small rim allowed the production of ultra-stable silver nanoparticles to which biomolecules can easily be conjugated. This in situ synthesis procedure even allowed us to produce alloy nanoparticles, with metallic cores whose composition could easily be tuned from pure silver to silver/gold alloys or pure gold. With this synthesis, the composition of the organic layer could also be easily tuned by using mixtures of calixarenes-diazonium salts.Finally, in the last part, we investigated the detection of Mdm2 with the optimized version of the biosensor, i.e. silver nanoparticles coated by a calixarene layer to which the p53 and p14 peptides were conjugated. With this novel class of nanoparticles, we could encompass the two initial drawbacks of the initial sensor. First, we were able to detect Mdm2 with a wider detection range and a lower limit. Secondly, the particles were sufficiently stable and robust to be dispersed in physiological fluids and we could detect Mdm2 in human serum without interference. / Doctorat en Sciences de l'ingénieur et technologie / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Die vorliegende Arbeit behandelt die Oberflächenmodifikation von Nanodiamanten (ND) aus der Detonationssynthese und die anschließende Konjugation von einzel- bzw. doppelsträngiger DNA an die zuvor eingeführten funktionellen Gruppen. Als Ausgangsmaterialien wurden zwei Nanodiamantpulver mit unbekannter Oberflächenbelegung eingesetzt, deren Charakterisierung durch elektronenmikroskopische Methoden erfolgte. Weiterhin wurden kommerziell modifizierte ND mit definierter Oberflächenbelegung (Amino- und Hydroxylgruppen) verwendet. Für potenzielle Anwendungen von ND wird eine monofunktionale Oberfläche angestrebt, die u. a. über Oxidation oder Reduktion der durch den Herstellungsprozess eingeführten primären funktionellen Gruppen realisiert werden kann. Die dadurch erzeugten sekundären Funktionen ermöglichen die kovalente bzw. nichtkovalente Anbindung weiterer Substanzen, z. B. von Biomolekülen, an die Oberflächen der ND-Partikel. Die hier beschriebene Konjugation von DNA, an die mit Carboxyl-, Hydroxyl- oder Aminogruppen modifizierten Partikeloberflächen, erfolgte durch die Generierung von Amid-, Phosphodiester- und Isoharnstoffbindungen. Der Erfolg der Konjugationen wurde mit Hilfe von Infrarotspektroskopie und Fluoreszenzmikroskopie untersucht. Die Fluoreszenz der Konjugate beruhte dabei auf Fluoreszenzfarbstoffen, die an die DNA-Moleküle gebunden waren. Darüber hinaus wird die Herstellung einer kolloidalen ND-Suspension beschrieben, von der die Partikelgrößen und das Zeta-Potenzial bestimmt wurden. Kolloidale Suspensionen ermöglichen aufgrund der geringen Partikelgrößen diverse biologische und medizinische Anwendungen von ND. Mit den hier präsentierten Ergebnissen erweitert sich der Kenntnisstand zur Konjugation von DNA an ND aus der Detonationssynthese. Die angewandte Methodik kann ebenso auf andere Substanzen wie Proteine oder Chemotherapeutika übertragen werden. Derart funktionalisierte Partikel besitzen ein großes Potenzial für die weitere Anwendung in der Biomedizin und Nanotechnologie.:1 Einleitung 1 2 Theoretische Grundlagen 6 2.1 Nanodiamant 7 2.1.1 Historische Betrachtungen zur Detonationssynthese 7 2.1.2 Herstellung von Diamant 8 2.1.3 Aufbereitung von Nanodiamanten aus der Detonationssynthese 11 2.1.4 Struktur und Eigenschaften von Diamant 12 2.1.5 Homogenisierung der Oberflächenbelegung 16 2.1.6 Aggregation und Deaggregation von Nanodiamant-Partikeln 20 2.1.7 Anwendungen von Nanodiamant-Partikeln 21 2.2 Aptamere 26 2.2.1 Strukturbildung und Bindungsmechanismen 26 2.2.2 Zielsubstanzen 28 2.2.3 Vergleich von Aptameren und Antikörpern 29 2.2.4 Herstellung von Aptameren – Der SELEX-Prozess 32 2.2.5 Anwendungsfelder für Aptamere 34 2.3 Konjugation von Nanopartikeln mit Biomolekülen 38 2.4 Herstellung und Charakterisierung von kolloidalen Nanodiamantsuspensionen 46 2.4.1 Herstellung kolloidaler Nanodiamantsuspensionen 46 2.4.2 Bestimmung der Partikelgröße und Partikelgrößenverteilung durch dynamische Lichtstreuung (DLS) 47 2.4.3 Bestimmung des Zeta-Potenzials durch elektrophoretische Licht-streuung (ELS) 48 2.5 Methoden zur Materialcharakterisierung von Nanodiamantpulver 52 2.5.1 Rasterelektronenmikroskopie (REM) 52 2.5.2 Energiedispersive Röntgenspektroskopie (EDX) 53 2.5.3 Transmissionselektronenmikroskopie (TEM) 54 2.6 Nachweismethoden für Modifikation und Konjugatbildung 56 2.6.1 Fourier-Transform-Infrarot- (FT-IR-) Spektroskopie 56 2.6.2 Fluoreszenzmikroskopie 60 3 Material und Methoden 62 3.1 Herstellung und Charakterisierung von kolloidalen Nanodiamantsuspensionen 62 3.1.1 Herstellung kolloidaler Nanodiamantsuspensionen 62 3.1.2 Bestimmung von Partikelgröße, Partikelgrößenverteilung und Zeta-Potenzial 63 3.2 Materialcharakterisierung von Nanodiamantpulver 64 3.2.1 Rasterelektronenmikroskopie (REM) 64 3.2.2 Energiedispersive Röntgenspektroskopie (EDX) 65 3.2.3 Hochauflösende Transmissionselektronenmikroskopie (HRTEM) 65 3.3 Chemische Modifikation von Nanodiamanten 66 3.3.1 Verwendete Materialien und Geräte 67 3.3.2 Einführung von Carboxylgruppen 68 3.3.3 Einführung von Hydroxylgruppen 69 3.3.4 Einführung von Aminogruppen 70 3.4 Herstellung von Nanodiamant-Aptamer-Konjugaten 73 3.4.1 Verwendete Materialien und Geräte 73 3.4.2 Konjugation über Amidbindungen 77 3.4.3 Konjugation über Ester- und Phosphodiesterbindungen 81 3.4.4 Konjugation über Isoharnstoffbindungen 85 3.5 Nachweismethoden für Modifikation und Konjugatbildung 88 3.5.1 Fourier-Transform-Infrarot- (FT-IR-) Spektroskopie 88 3.5.2 Fluoreszenzmikroskopie 89 4 Ergebnisse und Diskussion 92 4.1 Charakterisierung kolloidaler Nanodiamantsuspensionen 92 4.1.1 Bestimmung der Partikelgröße und Partikelgrößenverteilung 92 4.1.2 Bestimmung des Zeta-Potenzials 93 4.2 Materialcharakterisierung von Nanodiamantpulvern 98 4.2.1 Rasterelektronenmikroskopie (REM) 98 4.2.2 Energiedispersive Röntgenspektroskopie (EDX) 101 4.2.3 Hochauflösende Transmissionselektronenmikroskopie (HRTEM) 107 4.3 Fourier-Transform-Infrarot- (FT-IR-) Spektroskopie 117 4.3.1 Nanodiamanten: Originalmaterial und modifizierte Nanodiamanten 118 4.3.1.1 Nanodiamanten – Originalmaterial 118 4.3.1.2 Modifikation mit Carboxylgruppen (ND-COOH) 122 4.3.1.3 Modifikation mit Hydroxylgruppen (ND-OH) 123 4.3.1.4 Modifikation mit Aminogruppen (ND-NH2) 128 4.3.2 Nanodiamant-DNA-Konjugate 138 4.3.2.1 Konjugation über Amidbindungen 140 4.3.2.2 Konjugation über Phosphodiesterbindungen 144 4.3.2.3 Konjugation über Isoharnstoffbindungen 150 4.4 Fluoreszenzmikroskopie an Nanodiamant-DNA-Konjugaten 154 4.4.1 Konjugation über Amidbindungen 154 4.4.2 Konjugation über Phosphodiesterbindungen 157 4.4.3 Konjugation über Isoharnstoffbindungen 161 5 Zusammenfassung und Ausblick 165 6 Literaturverzeichnis 170 Anhang I A-1 Parameter der Partikelgrößen- und Zeta-Potenzial-Messungen I A-2 Nukleotidsequenz von EF1a III A-3 GFP-Filter-Spektrum IV A-4 FT-IR-Spektren von Nanodiamanten V A-5 FT-IR-Spektren von Nanodiamant-DNA-Konjugaten X Verzeichnis der Formelzeichen XIV Abkürzungsverzeichnis XV Eigene wissenschaftliche Beiträge XVIII Danksagung Erklärung / The present study deals with the surface modification of nanodiamonds (ND) from detonation synthesis and the subsequent conjugation of both single and double stranded DNA to previously introduced functional groups. As starting materials two kinds of nanodiamond powders with unknown surface configuration were used. Both types of ND were characterized by electron-microscopic methods. Furthermore, commercially modified ND with defined surface configuration (amino and hydroxyl groups) were applied. Potential applications of ND require a mono-functional surface, that can be realized e. g. via oxidation or reduction of the primary functional groups introduced during the production process. The thereby generated secondary functions permit the covalent or non-covalent linking of further substances onto the surfaces of ND particles. Conjugation of DNA, as described here, onto the carboxyl-, hydroxyl- or aminomodified particle surfaces was accomplished by generating of amino, phosphodiester and isourea bonds. The success of conjugations has been examined by infrared spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy. The fluorescence of conjugates based on fluorescent dyes bound to the DNA molecules. Furthermore, the fabrication of a colloidal ND suspension is described, of which the particle sizes and the Zeta potential have been determined. Colloidal suspensions facilitate various biological and medical applications of ND on the basis of low particle sizes. The presented results enlarge the state of knowledge about the conjugation of DNA on ND from detonation synthesis. The applied methodology may also be transferred to other substances like proteins or chemotherapeutics. In this way, functionalized particles have a big potential for further application in biomedicine and nanotechnology.:1 Einleitung 1 2 Theoretische Grundlagen 6 2.1 Nanodiamant 7 2.1.1 Historische Betrachtungen zur Detonationssynthese 7 2.1.2 Herstellung von Diamant 8 2.1.3 Aufbereitung von Nanodiamanten aus der Detonationssynthese 11 2.1.4 Struktur und Eigenschaften von Diamant 12 2.1.5 Homogenisierung der Oberflächenbelegung 16 2.1.6 Aggregation und Deaggregation von Nanodiamant-Partikeln 20 2.1.7 Anwendungen von Nanodiamant-Partikeln 21 2.2 Aptamere 26 2.2.1 Strukturbildung und Bindungsmechanismen 26 2.2.2 Zielsubstanzen 28 2.2.3 Vergleich von Aptameren und Antikörpern 29 2.2.4 Herstellung von Aptameren – Der SELEX-Prozess 32 2.2.5 Anwendungsfelder für Aptamere 34 2.3 Konjugation von Nanopartikeln mit Biomolekülen 38 2.4 Herstellung und Charakterisierung von kolloidalen Nanodiamantsuspensionen 46 2.4.1 Herstellung kolloidaler Nanodiamantsuspensionen 46 2.4.2 Bestimmung der Partikelgröße und Partikelgrößenverteilung durch dynamische Lichtstreuung (DLS) 47 2.4.3 Bestimmung des Zeta-Potenzials durch elektrophoretische Licht-streuung (ELS) 48 2.5 Methoden zur Materialcharakterisierung von Nanodiamantpulver 52 2.5.1 Rasterelektronenmikroskopie (REM) 52 2.5.2 Energiedispersive Röntgenspektroskopie (EDX) 53 2.5.3 Transmissionselektronenmikroskopie (TEM) 54 2.6 Nachweismethoden für Modifikation und Konjugatbildung 56 2.6.1 Fourier-Transform-Infrarot- (FT-IR-) Spektroskopie 56 2.6.2 Fluoreszenzmikroskopie 60 3 Material und Methoden 62 3.1 Herstellung und Charakterisierung von kolloidalen Nanodiamantsuspensionen 62 3.1.1 Herstellung kolloidaler Nanodiamantsuspensionen 62 3.1.2 Bestimmung von Partikelgröße, Partikelgrößenverteilung und Zeta-Potenzial 63 3.2 Materialcharakterisierung von Nanodiamantpulver 64 3.2.1 Rasterelektronenmikroskopie (REM) 64 3.2.2 Energiedispersive Röntgenspektroskopie (EDX) 65 3.2.3 Hochauflösende Transmissionselektronenmikroskopie (HRTEM) 65 3.3 Chemische Modifikation von Nanodiamanten 66 3.3.1 Verwendete Materialien und Geräte 67 3.3.2 Einführung von Carboxylgruppen 68 3.3.3 Einführung von Hydroxylgruppen 69 3.3.4 Einführung von Aminogruppen 70 3.4 Herstellung von Nanodiamant-Aptamer-Konjugaten 73 3.4.1 Verwendete Materialien und Geräte 73 3.4.2 Konjugation über Amidbindungen 77 3.4.3 Konjugation über Ester- und Phosphodiesterbindungen 81 3.4.4 Konjugation über Isoharnstoffbindungen 85 3.5 Nachweismethoden für Modifikation und Konjugatbildung 88 3.5.1 Fourier-Transform-Infrarot- (FT-IR-) Spektroskopie 88 3.5.2 Fluoreszenzmikroskopie 89 4 Ergebnisse und Diskussion 92 4.1 Charakterisierung kolloidaler Nanodiamantsuspensionen 92 4.1.1 Bestimmung der Partikelgröße und Partikelgrößenverteilung 92 4.1.2 Bestimmung des Zeta-Potenzials 93 4.2 Materialcharakterisierung von Nanodiamantpulvern 98 4.2.1 Rasterelektronenmikroskopie (REM) 98 4.2.2 Energiedispersive Röntgenspektroskopie (EDX) 101 4.2.3 Hochauflösende Transmissionselektronenmikroskopie (HRTEM) 107 4.3 Fourier-Transform-Infrarot- (FT-IR-) Spektroskopie 117 4.3.1 Nanodiamanten: Originalmaterial und modifizierte Nanodiamanten 118 4.3.1.1 Nanodiamanten – Originalmaterial 118 4.3.1.2 Modifikation mit Carboxylgruppen (ND-COOH) 122 4.3.1.3 Modifikation mit Hydroxylgruppen (ND-OH) 123 4.3.1.4 Modifikation mit Aminogruppen (ND-NH2) 128 4.3.2 Nanodiamant-DNA-Konjugate 138 4.3.2.1 Konjugation über Amidbindungen 140 4.3.2.2 Konjugation über Phosphodiesterbindungen 144 4.3.2.3 Konjugation über Isoharnstoffbindungen 150 4.4 Fluoreszenzmikroskopie an Nanodiamant-DNA-Konjugaten 154 4.4.1 Konjugation über Amidbindungen 154 4.4.2 Konjugation über Phosphodiesterbindungen 157 4.4.3 Konjugation über Isoharnstoffbindungen 161 5 Zusammenfassung und Ausblick 165 6 Literaturverzeichnis 170 Anhang I A-1 Parameter der Partikelgrößen- und Zeta-Potenzial-Messungen I A-2 Nukleotidsequenz von EF1a III A-3 GFP-Filter-Spektrum IV A-4 FT-IR-Spektren von Nanodiamanten V A-5 FT-IR-Spektren von Nanodiamant-DNA-Konjugaten X Verzeichnis der Formelzeichen XIV Abkürzungsverzeichnis XV Eigene wissenschaftliche Beiträge XVIII Danksagung Erklärung

This project is aimed toward finding DNA aptamers against prostate cancer peptide antigens. DNA aptamers can function to find and indicate the presence of certain molecules in a specimen. These aptamers will be obtained through the process of evolutionary selection, a specific process called SELEX which stands for Systemic Evolution of Ligands by Experimental Enrichment. By conducting several rounds of SELEX, a DNA aptamer will be selected to bind to a known peptide antigen. A biotinylated column will be utilized to stabilize a random library of DNA aptamers, and those peptides that bind to certain aptamers will cause a conformational change leading to the elution of those specific DNA aptamers. This SELEX process will be conducted again on the eluted aptamers to further select for strong binding DNA aptamers. The DNA aptamers that are obtained can further on be sequenced or used for prostate cancer research studies. Another possible usage of aptamers is to diagnose and determine the stage of various different cancer types. Our prediction is that this research will produce a DNA aptamer that will bind to a specific prostate cancer peptide antigen.