Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T13:53:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JulianaRB.pdf: 735215 bytes, checksum: 0d417f3bbf4eadd09824101ceeb83227 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-08-29 / With the need of the companies in becoming more competitive within the market, it arises an incessant search for selective human potential, with a high level of capacity and low rotativity, which motivation results in production raise, quality optimization and waste reduction. This scenario requires a strategy development which advantages the Human Resources Quality Management. This way, the model of the Human System Audit (HSA), developed by the Spanish researchers Ouijano and Navarro, presents itself as an important tool to diagnosis and evaluation, contemplating the environment where the organization is inserted, its strategies, its organizational design, its processes and its organizational effectiveness. In this sense, the present study has identified the existent relation between the professional satisfaction and the Organizational Culture, based in the model HSA. The research has been a quantitative-descriptive one and has had as population the technical-administrative workers from the Federal Center of Technical Education of Rio Grande do Norte (CEFET RN). The data collection has occurred during May, 2008, by means of the application of a questionnaire in the HSA model. The sample was composed by 167 subjects, distributed among the Five units of the institution. It was used the factorial analysis, with the extraction method of main components and orthogonal rotation varimax, in order to extract the dimensions of the satisfaction and of the organizational culture and the calculation of Cronbach s Alpha coefficient, to evaluate the reliability of these dimensions. The factorial analysis of the satisfaction indicators has identified four factors,, all of them showing significance: gratefulness and relationship , self-realization , stability and security and physical conditions and social benefits . The result of the factorial analysis with the indicators of the organizational culture has extracted four factors and among them, three of them have obtained significance: Personal Satisfaction Style , Competitive-Denial-Power Style and the Conventional-Dependent Style . After identifying the dimensions of the satisfaction and culture found at CEFET-RN, it has been notice the existence or not of relation among them, through the application of Pearson s coefficient. It has been verified that all of the dimensions of the Professional satisfaction are correlated with some dimension of the organizational culture, having in outstand position, with higher intensity, the relation between the culture style of Personal Satisfaction and the satisfaction factor referring to the self-realization / A busca incessante de um potencial humano seleto, de n?vel de capacidade elevado e com baixa rotatividade, cuja motiva??o resulta em aumento na produ??o, otimiza??o da qualidade e redu??o de desperd?cios tem recebido maiores espa?os nas agendas, discuss?es e a??es das organiza??es neste mil?nio. Este cen?rio requer o desenvolvimento de estrat?gias que favore?am a Gest?o da Qualidade dos Recursos Humanos. Desta maneira, o modelo da Auditoria do Sistema Humano (ASH), desenvolvido pelos pesquisadores espanh?is Quijano e Navarro, apresenta-se como importante ferramenta, contemplando o ambiente onde a organiza??o est? inserida, suas estrat?gias, seu desenho organizacional, seus processos e sua efetividade organizacional. Neste sentido, o presente estudo identificou a rela??o existente entre a satisfa??o profissional e a Cultura Organizacional, com base no modelo ASH. A pesquisa foi de cunho quantitativo-descritivo e teve como popula??o os servidores t?cnico-administrativos do Centro Federal de Educa??o Tecnol?gica do Rio Grande do Norte. A coleta de dados ocorreu no m?s de maio de 2008, mediante a aplica??o de question?rio do modelo ASH. A amostra ficou composta por 167 sujeitos, distribu?dos entre as cinco unidades da Institui??o. Foi utilizada a an?lise fatorial, com m?todo de extra??o de componentes principais e rota??o ortogonal varimax, para se extrair as dimens?es da satisfa??o e da cultura organizacional e o c?lculo do coeficiente Alpha de Cronbach, para avaliar a confiabilidade destas dimens?es. A an?lise fatorial dos indicadores de satisfa??o identificou quatro fatores, todos eles demonstrando signific?ncia: reconhecimento e relacionamento , auto-realiza??o , estabilidade e seguran?a e condi??es f?sicas e benef?cios sociais . O resultado da an?lise fatorial com os indicadores da cultura organizacional extraiu quatro fatores e destes, tr?s obtiveram signific?ncia: Estilo de Satisfa??o Pessoal , Estilo Poder-Evita??o-Competitivo e o Estilo Convencional-Dependente . Ap?s identificar as dimens?es de satisfa??o e cultura encontradas no CEFET-RN, observou-se a exist?ncia ou n?o de rela??o entre elas, atrav?s da aplica??o do coeficiente de Pearson. Verificou-se que todas as dimens?es da satisfa??o profissional est?o correlacionadas com alguma dimens?o da cultura organizacional, destacando-se com maior intensidade a rela??o entre o estilo de cultura Satisfa??o Pessoal e o fator de satisfa??o referente ? auto-realiza??o

Resumo O presente trabalho teve como objetivo sintetizar e caracterizar um novo complexo trinuclear de rutênio, [Ru3O(CH3OO)6(3-pic)2(NO)]+, através de rotas sintéticas previamente descritas na literatura para complexos análogos. Para a obtenção deste complexo, foram necessárias cinco etapas de síntese, cada qual gerando o precursor da etapa seguinte. Os complexos precursores [Ru3O(CH3OO)6(3-pic)3]+, [Ru3O(CH3OO)6(3-pic)2(CO)] e [Ru3O(CH3OO)6(3-pic)2(H2O)]+, foram caracterizados por técnicas espectroscópicas e voltamétricas. Para o complexo de interesse, [Ru3O(CH3OO)6(3-pic)2(NO)]+, além da caracterização por técnicas espectroscópicas e voltamétricas, foram realizados estudos de fotólise e de interação com albumina de soro humano (HSA). Pelas técnicas espectroscópicas, pudemos ratificar as estruturas propostas tanto para o nitrosilo quanto para os precursores estudados. Para a caracterização do complexo [Ru3O(CH3OO)6(3-pic)2(NO)]+, utilizando a técnica de espectroscopia de infravermelho verificamos a coordenação do ligante NO ao centro metálico [Ru3O], devido ao estiramento característico deste ligante. Os espectros de absorção UV-vis e RMN mostraram que existe uma forte interação entre o elétron desemparelhado do centro metálico e o elétron do ligante NO. Pelos estudos de voltametria cíclica, observamos que os processos redox envolvendo o ligante NO, são compartilhados com o centro metálico. A fotólise do complexo [Ru3O(CH3OO)6(3-pic)2(NO)]+, mostrou-se eficiente, uma vez que a liberação fotoinduzida do NO ocorreu na região do visível e em pH fisiológico. Pelos estudos de supressão de fluorescência, observamos que o complexo realmente interage com a HSA na proporção de 1:1, na região em que se encontra o resíduo de triptofano. / The aim of the present study was synthesize and characterize a new trinuclear ruthenium complex, [Ru3O(CH3OO)6(3-pic)2(NO)]+, via synthetic routes previously described in the literature for analogous complexes. To obtain this complex, it took five synthetic steps, each one yielding a precursor for the next step. The precursor complexes [Ru3O(CH3OO)6(3-pic)3]+, [Ru3O(CH3OO)6(3-pic)2(CO)] and [Ru3O(CH3OO)6(3-pic)2(H2O)]+, were characterized by spectroscopic and voltammetric techniques. For the complex of interest, [Ru3O(CH3OO)6(3-pic)2(NO)]+, in addition to characterization by spectroscopic and voltammetric studies, it was carried out photolysis and interaction with human serum albumin. By spectroscopic techniques, we could confirm the proposed structures for both the nitrosyl and precursors. For characterization of the complex [Ru3O(CH3OO)6(3-pic)2(NO)]+, infrared spectroscopy allowed us to verify that the ligand coordination to the metal center [Ru3O], due to the characteristic stretching band of that ligand. The absorption spectra of UV-vis and NMR showed that there is a strong interaction between the unpaired electron of the metal center and the NO ligand. By cyclic voltammetry studies, we observed that the redox processes involving the NO ligand are shared with the metal center processes. The photolysis of the complex [Ru3O (CH3OO) 6 (3-pic) 2 (NO)] +, was efficient, since the photoinduced release of NO occurred in the visible region and at physiological pH. By fluorescence quenching studies, we observed that the complex actually interacts with the HSA in a 1:1 ratio, in the region which is the residue of tryptophan.

No description available.

Established biopharmaceuticals such as antibodies and derivatives thereof are relatively large. In cancer therapy, this creates a steep drug concentration gradient within tumors, leaving cells far from blood vessels effectively untreated. Continuous pseudo treatments should foster the development of drug resistance and might lead to eventual disease relapse. Drug concentration gradients can be operationalized as tissue penetration efficiencies, which are functions of molecular size. However, small particles are also subject to potent renal clearance, collapsing the therapeutic window beyond clinical applications. In this master’s thesis, spatial bispecificity was engineered into a single albumin binding domain (ABD). Resulting ABD derived affinity proteins (ADAPTs) are saved from urinary excretion by the grace of HSA, but in the more static microenvironment of tumors, following HSA dissociation, they are capable of tissue penetration efficiencies bestowed only upon smaller particles. To this end, phage display was used to raise ADAPTs against the cancer associated proteins human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6), but also the inflammation marker C-reactive protein (CRP). Via Sanger sequencing, 9 variants were picked for protein production and characterization, among which two spatially bispecific binders were found. ADAPTs were also evaluated for aggregation tendencies, structural conformity to library design, and thermal stability. One ADAPT, binding HER2, passed all tests of initial characterizations. Deep sequencing was used to analyze selection output, from which many more binders should be screened in future experiments. / Etablerade bioläkemedel liksom antikroppar och deras derivat är relativt stora protein. Som cancerterapeutiska skapar de således branta koncentrationsgradienter utgående från tumörpenetrerande blodkärl. Detta riskerar att lämna vissa cancerceller utanför det terapeutiska fönstret. Det svaga selektionstryck som således verkar i tumörperiferin fostrar cancerceller till att utveckla resistens mot detsamma. Koncentrationsgradienten beror på proteinets vävnadspenetrarande förmåga, vilken är en funktion av proteinets storlek. Mindre proteiner borde därmed lättare ackumuleras i hela tumören och förebygga resistensutveckling. Problemet med små proteiner är deras mycket korta halveringstid i serum, en följd av relativt obehindrad filtrering ut i urinen via njurarna. I det här examensarbetet utvecklades rumsbispecifika bindare av cancerassocierade protein med hjälp av fagdisplayselektioner från ett proteinbibliotek baserat på en enda albuminbindande domän (ABD). Resulterande ABD deriverade affinitetsprotein (ADAPT) undkommer ovan nämnda filtrering tack vare sin naturligt starka interaktion med humant serumalbumin (HSA). I den mer långsamt flödande tumörmikromiljön tillåts ADAPTerna efter albumindissociation sedan utöva en bland bioläkemedel överlägsen vävnadspenetration. Tre parallella selektionsspår utfördes mot de cancerassocierade målproteinerna human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) och carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6) samt den utsöndrade inflammationsmarkören C-reaktivt protein (CRP). Via Sangersekvensering kunde flera kandidater identifieras. Bland 6 karakteriserade ADAPTer uppvisade samtliga hög HSA-affinitet, tre konstaterades interagera specifikt med sitt målprotein, och två verkade binda även rumsbispecifikt. ADAPTer utvärderades även för sin benägenhet att bilda aggregat, strukturell överensstämmelse med experimentell design, och värmestabilitet. Endast en bindare, mot HER2, klarade sig genom alla prövningar som proteinkarakteriseringen innebar utan underkänt. Även en högparallel sekvensering utav selektionsresultat utfördes, men utanför de tidsramar som tillät ytterligare karakterisering.

In order to produce predictable and robust systems forprotein purification and detection, well characterized, small,folded domains descending from bacterial receptors have beenused. These bacterial receptors, staphylococcal protein A (SPA)and streptococcal protein G (SPG), possess high affinity to IgGand / or HSA. They are composed of repetitive units in whicheach one binds the ligand independently. The domains foldindependently and are very stable. Since the domains also havewellknown three-dimensional structures and do not containcysteine residues, they are very suitable as frameworks forfurther protein engineering. Streptococcal protein G (SPG) is a multidomain proteinpresent on the cell surface ofStreptococcus. X-ray crystallography has been used todetermine the binding site of the Ig-binding domain. In thisthesis the region responsible for the HSA affinity of ABD3 hasbeen determined by directed mutagenesis followed by functionaland structural analysis. The analysis shows that the HSAbindinginvolves residues mainly in the second α-helix. Most protein-based affinity chromatography media are verysensitive towards alkaline treatment, which is the preferredmethod for regeneration and removal of contaminants from thepurification devices in industrial applications. Here, aprotein engineering strategy has been used to improve thetolerance to alkaline conditions of different domains fromprotein G, ABD3 and C2. Amino acids known to be susceptibletowards high pH were substituted for less alkali susceptibleresidues. The new, engineered variants of C2 and ABD shownhigher stability towards alkaline pH. Also, very important forthe potential use as affinity ligands, these mutated variantsretained the secondary structure and the affinity to HSA andIgG, respectively. Moreover, dimerization was performed toinvestigate whether a higher binding capacity could be obtainedby multivalency. For ABD, binding studies showed that divalentligands coupled using non-directed chemistry demonstrated anincreased molar binding capacity compared to monovalentligands. In contrast, equal molar binding capacities wereobserved for both types of ligands when using a directed ligandcoupling chemistry involving the introduction and recruitmentof a unique C-terminal cysteine residue. The staphylococcal protein A-derived domain Z is also a wellknown and thoroughly characterized fusion partner widely usedin affinity chromatography systems. This domain is consideredto be relatively tolerant towards alkaline conditions.Nevertheless, it is desirable to further improve the stabilityin order to enable an SPA-based affinity medium to withstandeven longer exposure to the harsh conditions associated withcleaning in place (CIP) procedures. For this purpose adifferent protein engineering strategy was employed. Smallchanges in stability due to the mutations would be difficult toassess. Hence, in order to enable detection of improvementsregarding the alkaline resistance of the Z domain, a by-passmutagenesis strategy was utilized, where a mutated structurallydestabilized variant, Z(F30A) was used as a surrogateframework. All eight asparagines in the domain were exchangedone-by-one. The residues were all shown to have differentimpact on the alkaline tolerance of the domain. By exchangingasparagine 23 for a threonine we were able to remarkablyincrease the stability of the Z(F30A)-domain towards alkalineconditions. Also, when grafting the N23T mutation to the Zscaffold we were able to detect an increased tolerance towardsalkaline treatment compared to the native Z molecule. In allcases, the most sensitive asparagines were found to be locatedin the loops region. In summary, the work presented in this thesis shows theusefulness of protein engineering strategies, both to explorethe importance of different amino acids regarding stability andfunctionality and to improve the characteristics of aprotein. <b>Keywords:</b>binding, affinity, human serum albumin (HSA),albumin-binding domain (ABD), affinity chromatography,deamidation, protein A, stabilization, Z-domain, capacity,protein G, cleaning-in-place (CIP), protein engineering, C2receptor.

Noncovalent interactions are involved in many biological processes in which biomolecules bind specifically and reversibly to a partner. Often, proteins do not have a biological activity without the presence of a partner, a ligand. Biological signals are produced when proteins interact with other proteins, peptides, oligonucleotides, nucleic acids, lipids, metal ions, polysaccharides or small organic molecules. Some key steps in the drug discovery process are based on noncovalent interactions. We have focused our research on the steps involving ligand screening, competitive binding and ‘off-target’ binding. The first paper in this thesis investigated the complicated electrospray ionization process with regards to noncovalent complexes. We have proposed a model that may explain how the equilibrium between a protein and ligand changes during the droplet evaporation/ionization process. The second paper describes an evaluation of an automated chip-based nano-ESI platform for ligand screening. The technique was compared with a previously reported method based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and excellent correlation was obtained between the results obtained with the two methods. As a general conclusion we believe that the automated nano-ESI/MS should have a great potential to serve as a complementary screening method to conventional HTS. Alternatively, it could be used as a first screening method in an early phase of drug development programs when only small amounts of purified targets are available. In the third article, the advantage of using on-line microdialysis as a tool for enhanced resolution and sensitivity during detection of noncovalent interactions and competitive binding studies by ESI-MS was demonstrated. The microdialysis device was improved and a new approach for competitive binding studies was developed. The last article in the thesis reports studies of noncovalent interactions by means of nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry (nanoESI-MS) for determination of the specific binding of selected drug candidates to HSA. Two drug candidates and two known binders to HSA were analyzed using a competitive approach. The drugs were incubated with the target protein followed by addition of site-specific probes, one at a time. The drug candidates showed predominant affinity to site I (warfarin site). Naproxen and glyburide showed affinity to both sites I and II. / QC 20100705

<p>In order to produce predictable and robust systems forprotein purification and detection, well characterized, small,folded domains descending from bacterial receptors have beenused. These bacterial receptors, staphylococcal protein A (SPA)and streptococcal protein G (SPG), possess high affinity to IgGand / or HSA. They are composed of repetitive units in whicheach one binds the ligand independently. The domains foldindependently and are very stable. Since the domains also havewellknown three-dimensional structures and do not containcysteine residues, they are very suitable as frameworks forfurther protein engineering.</p><p>Streptococcal protein G (SPG) is a multidomain proteinpresent on the cell surface of<i>Streptococcus</i>. X-ray crystallography has been used todetermine the binding site of the Ig-binding domain. In thisthesis the region responsible for the HSA affinity of ABD3 hasbeen determined by directed mutagenesis followed by functionaland structural analysis. The analysis shows that the HSAbindinginvolves residues mainly in the second α-helix.</p><p>Most protein-based affinity chromatography media are verysensitive towards alkaline treatment, which is the preferredmethod for regeneration and removal of contaminants from thepurification devices in industrial applications. Here, aprotein engineering strategy has been used to improve thetolerance to alkaline conditions of different domains fromprotein G, ABD3 and C2. Amino acids known to be susceptibletowards high pH were substituted for less alkali susceptibleresidues. The new, engineered variants of C2 and ABD shownhigher stability towards alkaline pH. Also, very important forthe potential use as affinity ligands, these mutated variantsretained the secondary structure and the affinity to HSA andIgG, respectively. Moreover, dimerization was performed toinvestigate whether a higher binding capacity could be obtainedby multivalency. For ABD, binding studies showed that divalentligands coupled using non-directed chemistry demonstrated anincreased molar binding capacity compared to monovalentligands. In contrast, equal molar binding capacities wereobserved for both types of ligands when using a directed ligandcoupling chemistry involving the introduction and recruitmentof a unique C-terminal cysteine residue.</p><p>The staphylococcal protein A-derived domain Z is also a wellknown and thoroughly characterized fusion partner widely usedin affinity chromatography systems. This domain is consideredto be relatively tolerant towards alkaline conditions.Nevertheless, it is desirable to further improve the stabilityin order to enable an SPA-based affinity medium to withstandeven longer exposure to the harsh conditions associated withcleaning in place (CIP) procedures. For this purpose adifferent protein engineering strategy was employed. Smallchanges in stability due to the mutations would be difficult toassess. Hence, in order to enable detection of improvementsregarding the alkaline resistance of the Z domain, a by-passmutagenesis strategy was utilized, where a mutated structurallydestabilized variant, Z(F30A) was used as a surrogateframework. All eight asparagines in the domain were exchangedone-by-one. The residues were all shown to have differentimpact on the alkaline tolerance of the domain. By exchangingasparagine 23 for a threonine we were able to remarkablyincrease the stability of the Z(F30A)-domain towards alkalineconditions. Also, when grafting the N23T mutation to the Zscaffold we were able to detect an increased tolerance towardsalkaline treatment compared to the native Z molecule. In allcases, the most sensitive asparagines were found to be locatedin the loops region.</p><p>In summary, the work presented in this thesis shows theusefulness of protein engineering strategies, both to explorethe importance of different amino acids regarding stability andfunctionality and to improve the characteristics of aprotein.</p><p><b>Keywords:</b>binding, affinity, human serum albumin (HSA),albumin-binding domain (ABD), affinity chromatography,deamidation, protein A, stabilization, Z-domain, capacity,protein G, cleaning-in-place (CIP), protein engineering, C2receptor.</p>

A new Laser Induced Fluorescence Capillary Zone Electrophoresis (LIF-CZE) bioassay to detect and study the catalytic activity of the sulfur assimilating enzyme commonly found in E. coli species; alkanesulfonate monooxygenase (EC 1.14.14.5) is described for the first time. This technique enables the possibility for direct injection onto a capillary for detection without the need for pre-concentration of sample and with minimal sample preparative steps prior to analysis. In this bioassay, a group of Fischer based cyanine dyes and two Oxazine (Nile red) derivatives were designed for further optimization as key Vis-NIR fluorescent substrate. In developing this technique, the test dyes were first assessed for their photophysical properties, based on four criteria; (1) photostable (2) solvatochromism (3) binding affinity towards both the monooxygenase active site and serum albumin and (4) chemical stability in strong electric field strength. Applying key dye characterization procedures including; molar absorptivity determination, quantum yield determination, photostability, solvatochromism and protein interaction studies it was determined that the Fischer indolium cyanine dyes were most suitable for the method development. The data revealed that under the test conditions, reduced flavin, the oxidative monooxygenase catalytically specifically converts the alkylsulfonate substituted cyanine dyes to the corresponding aldehyde. This new bioassay has proven to be quick, portable, sensitive, reliable and the exhibit the possibility of ‘on-the-spot’ detection; advantages not readily realized with other commonly applied techniques such as PCR, SPR, ELISA and GC used to study bacterial sulfur assimilation processes. In addition, recent literature results proposed by other research groups developing similar techniques showed strong reliance on GC analyses. Those assays involve the use of low molecular weight straight chain non-emissive alkanesulfonate substrates. Once enzyme catalysis occurs the aldehyde is formed becomes rather volatile and requires complex and tedious headspace sampling for GC analyses. This feature limits the in vitro applicability and eliminated the possibility in vivo development. Our goal is to further develop, optimize and present this CZE based bioassay as a suitable alternative to the current trends in the field while creating a more robust and sensitive in vitro monooxygenase detection method with the possibilities of in vivo application.

Tesis por compendio / [ES] Esta tesis doctoral titulada "Nanopartículas de sílice mesoporosas funcionalizadas con puertas moleculares para aplicaciones biomédicas" está centrada en el diseño y la síntesis de nuevos nanosistemas sensores y terapéuticos con aplicaciones en el campo clínico y medioambiental. En la introducción de esta tesis (capítulo uno) se presenta una visión general de conceptos básicos de nanotecnología, química supramolecular, nanopartículas de sílice mesoporosa y de puertas moleculares. A continuación, se presentan los objetivos generales y específicos que se van a desarrollar en los capítulos experimentales siguientes. En el tercer capítulo se presenta el diseño, síntesis y caracterización de un nanodispositivo para la detección de endotoxina en medios acuosos. El nanodispositivo está basado en nanopartículas de sílice mesoporosa con los poros cargados con rodamina B y su superficie externa funcionalizada con grupos carboxilato. Los poros se bloquean, para evitar la liberación de la rodamina B, con polimixina B, un péptido con carga positiva. En presencia de la endotoxina, la polimixina B es desplazada de la superficie de las nanopartículas y se activa la liberación de la rodamina B del interior de los poros a la disolución. Esta liberación genera un aumento significativo de la fluorescencia en la disolución permitiendo la detección de la endotoxina. La respuesta obtenida con el nanodispositivo es muy selectiva ya que otras especies como el arabinogalactan, el ß-(1,3)-D-glucano, la pectina, el EDTA, la glucosa, el GTP y el polvo no son capaces de inducir la apertura de los poros y la liberación de la rodamina B. Además, el nanodispositivo presenta un límite de detección para la endotoxina en el rango picomolar. En el cuarto capítulo se describe un nanodispositivo, basado en nanopartículas de sílice mesoporosa cargadas con rodamina B y tapadas con curcumina, que se emplea para la detección selectiva de seroalbúmina humana (HSA) mediante medidas de fluorescencia. En este nanodispositivo, de nuevo, la presencia de HSA es capaz de desplazar la curcumina de la superficie de las nanopartículas permitiendo la liberación controlada de la rodamina B. El nanodispositivo preparado presentó una respuesta muy selectiva hacia la HSA con un límite de detección tan bajo como 0.1 mg/mL en PBS (pH 7.4)-acetonitrilo 95:5 v/v. El capítulo cinco está centrado en la preparación de un nanodispositivo para la liberación sinérgica del antibiótico linezolida en presencia de bacterias Gram negativas. Este nanomaterial está basado en el empleo de nanopartículas de sílice mesoporosa (como soporte inorgánico) con los poros cargados con linezolida y con la superficie externa funcionalizada con el antibiótico disruptor de membrana polimixina B (mediante interacciones electrostáticas). Cuando estas nanopartículas entran en contacto con bacterias Gram negativas el lipopolisacárido (LPS) de sus membrabas induce el desplazamiento de la polimixina B que actúa eficientemente como permeador y permite la liberación de la linezolida. La liberación simultánea de linezolida y la polimixina B en forma de nanoformulación inducen una reducción significativa de los valores del IC50 para bacterias cuando se compara con los valores obtenidos empleando de forma individual ambas especies. El capítulo sexto está dedicado a la discusión de los resultados experimentales descritos en los capítulos tres, cuatro y cinco. Finalmente, el capítulo siete de esta tesis doctoral, presenta las conclusiones generales que se derivan del trabajo experimental realizado. También se presentan las perspectivas futuras en el campo de las aplicaciones biomédicas de las nanopartículas de sílice mesoporosa con puertas moleculares. Esperamos que los resultados que se presentan en esta tesis doctoral puedan abrir nuevas oportunidades de investigación en el desarrollo de nuevos nanodispositivos inteligentes que puedan actuar como agentes antimicrobianos. / [CAT] Aquesta tesi doctoral titulada "Nanopartícules de sílice mesoporoses funcionalitzades amb portes moleculars per a aplicacions biomèdiques" està centrada en el disseny i la síntesi de nous nanosistemes sensors i terapèutics amb aplicacions en el camp clínic i mediambientals. En la introducció d'aquesta tesi (capítol un) es presenta una visió general de conceptes bàsics de nanotecnologia, química supramolecular, nanopartícules de sílice mesoporosa i de portes moleculars. A continuació, es presenten els objectius generals i específics que es desenvoluparan en els capítols experimentals següents. En el tercer capítol es presenta el disseny, síntesi i caracterització d'un nanodispositiu per a la detecció d'endotoxina en mitjans aquosos. El nanodispositiu està basat en nanopartícules de sílice mesoporosa amb els porus carregats amb rodamina B i la seua superfície externa funcionalitzada amb grups carboxilat. Els porus es bloquegen, per a evitar l'alliberament de la rodamina B, amb polimixina B, un pèptid amb càrrega positiva. En presència de l'endotoxina, la polimixina B és desplaçada de la superfície de les nanopartícules i s'activa l'alliberament de la rodamina B de l'interior dels porus a la dissolució. Aquest alliberament genera un augment significatiu de la fluorescència en la dissolució permetent la detecció de l'endotoxina. La resposta obtinguda amb el nanodispositiu és molt selectiva ja que altres espècies com l'arabinogalactan, el ß-(1,3)-D-glucà, la pectina, l'EDTA, la glucosa, el GTP i la pols no són capaços d'induir l'obertura dels porus i l'alliberament de la rodamina B. A més, el nanodispositiu presenta un límit de detecció per a l'endotoxina en el rang picomolar. En el quart capítol es descriu un nanodispositiu, basat en nanopartícules de sílice mesoporosa carregades amb rodamina B i tapades amb curcumina, que s'empra per a la detecció selectiva de seroalbúmina humana (HSA) mitjançant mesures de fluorescència. En aquest nanodispositiu, de nou, la presència de HSA és capaç de desplaçar la curcumina de la superfície de les nanopartícules permetent l'alliberament controlat de la rodamina B. El nanodispositiu preparat va presentar una resposta molt selectiva cap a la HSA amb un límit de detecció tan baix com 0.1 mg/ml en PBS (pH 7.4)-acetonitril 95:5 v/v. El capítol cinc està centrat en la preparació d'un nanodispositiu per a l'alliberament sinèrgic de l'antibiòtic linezolida en presència de bacteris Gram negatives. Aquest nanomaterial està basat en l'ús de nanopartícules de sílice mesoporosa (com a suport inorgànic) amb els porus carregats amb linezolida i amb la superfície externa funcionalitzada amb l'antibiòtic disruptor de membrana polimixina B (mitjançant interaccions electroestàtiques). Quan aquestes nanopartícules entren en contacte amb bacteris Gram negatives el lipopolisacàrid (*LPS) de les seues membranes indueix el desplaçament de la polimixina B que actua eficientment com permeador i permet l'alliberament de la linezolida. L'alliberament simultani de linezolida i la polimixina B en forma de nanoformulació indueixen una reducció significativa dels valors de l'IC50 per a bacteris quan es compara amb els valors obtinguts emprant de manera individual totes dues espècies. El capítol sisé està dedicat a la discussió dels resultats experimentals descrits en els capítols tres, quatre i cinc. Finalment, el capítol set d'aquesta tesi doctoral, presenta les conclusions generals que es deriven del treball experimental realitzat. També es presenten les perspectives futures en el camp de les aplicacions biomèdiques de les nanopartícules de sílice mesoporosa amb portes moleculars. Esperem que els resultats que es presenten en aquesta tesi doctoral puguen obrir noves oportunitats d'investigació en el desenvolupament de nous nanodispositius intel·ligents que puguen actuar com a agents antimicrobians / [EN] This PhD thesis entitled "Gated mesoporous silica nanoparticles for biomedical applications" is focused on the design and synthesis of novel nanodevices for sensing and therapeutic applications in clinical and environmental fields. The first introductory chapter presented an overview of the different concepts related to nanotechnology, supramolecular chemistry, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), and molecular gates. Next, the general and specific objectives of this PhD thesis, that are addressed in the different experimental chapters, are presented. The third chapter presented the design, synthesis, and characterization of a nanodevice for endotoxin detection in aqueous environments. The prepared nanodevice is based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded rhodamine B and with its external surface functionalized with carboxylates. Pores are finally capped upon addition of cationic polymyxin B peptide. In the presence of endotoxin, polymyxin B is detached from the surface of the nanoparticles with subsequent rhodamine B release from the inner of the pores to the solution. This release generated a marked emission enhancement in solution which allow endotoxin detection. The obtained response was highly selective to endotoxin because other interfering agents such as arabinogalactan, ß-(1,3)-D-glucan, pectin, EDTA, glucose, GTP and dust were unable to induce pore opening and rhodamine B release. Besides, the system detects endotoxin with a limit of detection in the picomolar range. The fourth chapter presented a nanodevice, based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with rhodamine B and capped with anionic curcumin, which is used for the selective and sensitive fluorogenic detection of human serum albumin (HSA). Again, in the presence of HSA, curcumin was detached from nanoparticles surface allowing rhodamine B release. Prepared nanodevice showed a highly selective response toward HSA with a limit of detection for HSA as low as 0.1 mg/mL in PBS (pH 7.4)-acetonitrile 95:5 v/v. Chapter five focus on the design and synthesis of a nanodevice for the synergic release of linezolid antibiotic in the presence of Gram-negative bacteria. This nanodevice is based on the use of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (as inorganic support) with the pores loaded with linezolid and capped with the membrane disruptor polymyxin B through electrostatic interactions. When these particles enter in contact with Gram-negative bacterium, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) present in the cell membrane induces the detachment of polymyxin B, which acts as membrane permeator, from the nanodevice allowing linezolid release. Simultaneous release of linezolid and polymyxin B as a nanoformulation induced a marked reduction in the IC50 values for bacteria when compared to the values obtained using free linezolid and polymyxin B alone. The sixth chapter is devoted to the discussion of the experimental results described in the previous chapters. Finally, the seventh chapter of this PhD thesis, presented the main conclusions, derived from the experimental work, and future perspectives in the field of gated mesoporous silica nanoparticles for biomedical applications. We hope that the results achieved in this PhD thesis will open new research opportunities to develop advanced smart nanodevices as antimicrobial drugs / Otri, I. (2023). Gated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/194710 / Compendio

Marknaden för proteinbaserade läkemedel, de så kallade biologiska läkemedlen, är idag en industri som omsätter miljarder. Ett vanligt sätt att utveckla dessa läkemedel på är med hjälp av monoklonala antikroppar då de kan binda till sitt mål med hög specificitet. Däremot begränsas denna teknik av en lång och dyr produktion som dessutom kräver däggdjursbaserade uttrycksystem. En alternativ teknik till de monoklonala antikropparna är att använda små proteiner som enkelt kan produceras i bakterier till en låg kostnad. Dock begränsas denna metod av de små proteinernas korta cirkuleringstid i blodet. I ett tidigare projekt, har ett litet protein vid namnet ABDderived affinity ProTein (ADAPT) på cirka 7 kDa, utvecklats för att kunna binda till både humant serumalbumin (HSA) för att förlänga cirkulationstiden i blodet och Interleukin 17c (IL17c) som är ett pro-inflammatorisk cytokin. Studien visade dock att ADAPT proteinet inte samtidigt kunde binda till de båda molekylerna tillräckligt effektivt. Syftet med denna uppsats är därför att undersöka om det nämnda proteinet kan optimeras genom så kallad multimering och/eller manipulering av bindningssätet för HSA i syfte att åstadkomma en effektiv och mer långvarig cirkulationstid i blodet samtidigt som det binder sig till sitt mål, IL17c. Tio nya versioner av ADAPT proteinet har utvecklats genom att klona och transformera proteiner till en högt producerande Escherichia coli (E. coli) stam. Proteinerna har sedan producerats och renats fram. Det kunde observeras att proteinerna hade den önskade renheten för att kunna karaktäriseras. Vidare var det möjligt att se att proteinerna hade sin önskade molekylvikt och erhöll sin förväntade struktur som en alfahelix. Proteinernas smältpunkter hade förbättrats eller var liknande jämfört med det ursprungliga proteinet. Dessutom kunde alla proteiner återgå till sin ursprungliga struktur efter upphettning. Utvärderingen av proteinernas bindningskapacitet, med original proteinet som referens, visade på en ökad affinitet till sitt mål, IL17c, för två dimerer och trimeren samt en jämförbar affinitet för två av monomererna med ett manipulerat bindingssäte till HSA. Interaktion till HSA var jämförbar med den ursprungliga ADAPT molekylen för alla nya varianter förutom monomererna med ett manipulerat bindingssäte och dimeren med två manipulerat bindingssäten till HSA. Evaluering av de nya proteinernas kapacitet att binda samtidigt till HSA och IL17c visade att det var gynnsamt med en dimereiserad molekyl då det skapade en distans mellan molekylerna och dess bindningssäten. Vidare kunde det också visas att ordningen som molekylerna interagerade med varandra påverkade proteinernas simultana bindning. / The market for protein-based drugs, or the so-called biopharmaceuticals, is a multibillion-dollar industry today. In the development of protein-based drugs it is common to use monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) due to their ability to bind to its target with high specificity. However, therapeutical development of mAbs is limited by its long and expensive production in mammalian expression system. An alternative to mAbs are the so-called alternative scaffolds which are small proteins that can be produced in bacteria at lower costs. Although a drawback with the latter proteins is their short serum half-life. A small scaffold protein, ABD-Derived Affinity ProTein (ADAPT) of approximate 7 kDa was earlier engineered to obtain bispecific affinity, to Human Serum Albumin (HSA), to extend its half-life, as well as to the pro-inflammatory cytokine, Interleukin 17c (IL17c). Unfortunately, it was shown that the simultaneous binding was not efficient enough for its desired purpose. The aim with this project was therefore to investigate if the previous mentioned binder could be optimized by multimerization and/or manipulation of the HSA binding site for an efficient half-life extension. By generating ten new designs of the ADAPT variants, it was observed that the new variants had stable alpha helical structures and an improved or similar melting temperature as the original variant. The evaluation of the target binding displayed an improved affinity to the target, IL17c, for two of the dimeric versions as well as for the trimer and a comparable affinity for two of the monomers with a manipulated HAS binding site. The interaction to HSA was comparable to the original ADAPT for all binders except from the monomers with impaired HSA binding and the dimer with two impaired HSA binding sites. The evaluation of the simultaneous binding showed that it was favored by dimerization when a distance between the two molecule and their binding surfaces was added. Moreover, it could also be seen that the order of binding events had an impact on the simultaneous binding.