The brainstem localization of acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-containing neurons projecting to the anteroventral thalamic nucleus (AVN) was studied in rats. The AVN is one of several forebrain regions innervated by the AChE-containing dorsal tegmental pathway described by Shute and Lewis. In the present study, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected into the region of the AVN to determine the brainstem origin of afferent projections. Alternate sections of tissue were stained for HRP or AChE. HRP-labeled neurons were found in the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LTN) and the locus coeruleus. Examination of adjacent sections revealed AChE-containing neurons in both of these nuclear regions. Combined HRP/AChE histochemistry demonstrated that transported HRP and AChE were in the same cells. In further experiments, unilateral lesions of the LTN were found to cause a decrease in AChE staining of the ipsilateral AVN. Destruction of the locus coeruleus had no effect. In combination with available evidence, the present findings suggest that cholinergic neurons in the LTN innervate the AVN. © 1980, All rights reserved.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The extracellular matrix (ECM) governs many cellular processes through biochemical and mechanical cues. Particularly, the effect ECM mechanical properties on cells fate has been well established over the years. Many hydrogel systems have been used to mimic the dynamic stiffening processes occurring in ECM. However, changes in ECM stiffness does not fully recapitulate the mechanics of native ECM, as viscoelasticity is also a major factor contributing to ECM dynamic property. This thesis describes the design and characterization of an enzyme-crosslinked hydrogel system that is not only capable of being stiffened on demand, but also can be tuned to obtain viscoelasticity. The first objective of this thesis was to utilize horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to crosslink thiol-norbornene hydrogel and use mushroom tyrosinase (MT) to create secondary DOPA-dimer crosslinks that stiffened the hydrogel. The cytocompatibility of HRP-mediated thiol-norbornene gelation and the effect of stiffening on cell fate was evaluated. The second objective of this thesis represented the first step towards developing a hydrogel system whose viscoelasticity could be dynamically tuned. Thiol-norbornene hydrogel was designed to yield dynamically adaptable boronic ester bonds via partial enzymatic reaction. Thiol-norborne hydrogel was made to contain hydroxyl phenol as well as boronic acid residues within its network. MT, in this case was used to oxidize the hydroxy phenol moieties into DOPA, which then complexed with boronic acid, created dynamic bonds, introducing viscoelasticity to an initial elastic hydrogel.

The existence of a massive cholinergic projection from cells in the medical septal nucleus (MS) and nucleus of the diagonal band (DB) to the hippocampal formation has been recognized for some time. However, the actual percentages of cholinergic and non-cholinergic neurons in the MS and DB which project to the hippocampus have not been reported. A procedure which combines horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry in the same tissue was used to determine these percentages in the rabbit. Less than 50% of the neurons in the MS and DB which were labeled with reaction product following an HRP injection into the dorsal hippocampus also stained for AChE. Moreover, 70% of all neurons containing HRP reaction product were located in the DB, but neurons in the DB could not be differentiated from those in the MS on the basis of size or morphology. These data are taken to indicate that much of the MS-DB hippocampal projection is not cholinergic. Substance P is suggested as another possible transmitter within this anatomical system.

Yes / Phenol and its derivatives are hazardous, teratogenic and mutagenic, and have gained significant attention in recent years due to their high toxicity even at low concentrations. Phenolic compounds appear in petroleum refinery wastewater from several sources, such as the neutralized spent caustic waste streams, the tank water drain, the desalter effluent and the production unit. Therefore, effective treatments of such wastewaters are crucial. Conventional techniques used to treat these wastewaters pose several drawbacks, such as incomplete or low efficient removal of phenols. Recently, biocatalysts have attracted much attention for the sustainable and effective removal of toxic chemicals like phenols from wastewaters. The advantages of biocatalytic processes over the conventional treatment methods are their ability to operate over a wide range of operating conditions, low consumption of oxidants, simpler process control, and no delays or shock loading effects associated with the start-up/shutdown of the plant. Among different biocatalysts, oxidoreductases (i.e., tyrosinase, laccase and horseradish peroxidase) are known as green catalysts with massive potentialities to sustainably tackle phenolic contaminants of high concerns. Such enzymes mainly catalyze the o-hydroxylation of a broad spectrum of environmentally related contaminants into their corresponding o-diphenols. This review covers the latest advancement regarding the exploitation of these enzymes for sustainable oxidation of phenolic compounds in wastewater, and suggests a way forward.

O presente trabalho avaliou o potencial da enzima HRP no descoramento dos corantes têxteis: Azul Drimaren X-3LR (DMBLR), Azul Drimaren X-BLN (DMBBLN), Rubinol Drimaren X-3LR (DMR) e Azul Drimaren CL-R (RBBR). Parâmetros como concentração do corante, temperatura, concentração de peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2) e tempo de reação foram otimizados. Os ensaios de descoramento dos corantes foram realizados a partir desses resultados. As melhores condições reacionais determinadas para os corantes estudados foram: concentração do corante = 120 mg L-1, temperatura = 35C, concentração de H2O2 = 0,55 mM e tempo de reação = 1 hora. Os percentuais de descoramento dos corantes DMBLR, DMBBLN, DMR e RBBR, após o tratamento enzimático foi de 99, 77, 94 e 97%, respectivamente. O tempo reacional de 5 minutos foi suficiente para os corantes DMBLR e RBBR apresentarem elevada porcentagem de descoramento, 96% para ambos. Já os corantes DMBBLN e DMR só apresentaram elevado grau de descoramento após 1 hora de reação, sendo o corante DMBBLN o mais recalcitrante, apresentando uma melhora de 10% na porcentagem de descoramento, após 24 horas de reação. Além do grau de descoramento, também foi avaliada a toxicidade dos corantes antes e após o tratamento enzimático utilizando Daphnia pulex e Artemia salina como bioindicadores de toxicidade. Resultados toxicológicos utilizando Daphnia pulex não foram conclusivos, indicando que esse bioindicador não foi adequado para avaliar a toxicidade dos corantes estudados no meio reacional utilizado. Com o uso da Artemia salina na avaliação toxicológica foi observado uma redução da toxicidade para os corantes DMBLR, DMR e RBBR após tratamento enzimático, e um aumento da toxicidade não significativo para o corante DMBBLN. Os resultados obtidos no trabalho ressaltam a eficiência da enzima HRP no descoramento dos corantes têxteis estudados, sem a geração de produtos tóxicos e prejudiciais ao meio ambiente / The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential of the Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme in the decolorization of textile dyes Drimaren Blue X-3LR (DMBLR), Drimaren Blue X-BLN (DMBBLN), Drimaren Rubinol X-3LR (DMR) and Drimaren Blue CL-R (RBBR). Parameters such as concentration of the dye, temperature, concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and reaction time were optimized. The optimum reaction conditions determined for the studied dyes were: concentration of the dye = 120 mg L-1, temperature = 35 C, concentration of H2O2 = 0.55 mM and reaction time = 1 h. The decolorization percentage of dyes DMBLR, DMBBLN, DMR and RBBR after enzymatic treatment was 99, 77, 94 and 97%, respectively. The reaction time of only 5 minutes presented high decolorization percentage for both dyes DMBLR and RBBR, about 96 %. However dyes DMBBLN and DMR showed high decolorization degree in 1 h of reaction and the dye DMBBLN, being the most recalcitrant, exhibited an improvement of 10% in the decolorization percentage after 24 h of reaction. Besides the decolorization degree, the toxicity of the studied dyes was also evaluated before and after enzymatic treatment using Daphnia pulex and Artemia salina as bioindicators. The toxicological results using Daphnia pulex were not conclusive, indicating that it was not an appropriate bioindicator to evaluate the toxicity of the tested dyes. Meanwhile when using Artemia salina for toxicological evaluation it was observed a reduction of toxicity for dyes DMBLR, DMR and RBBR after enzymatic treatment, and a not significant increase in toxicity for the dye DMBBLN. In conclusion, the obtained results emphasize the efficiency of the HRP enzyme in the decolorization of the studied textile dyes, without the generation of toxic and harmful products to the environment

O presente trabalho avaliou o potencial da enzima HRP no descoramento dos corantes têxteis: Azul Drimaren X-3LR (DMBLR), Azul Drimaren X-BLN (DMBBLN), Rubinol Drimaren X-3LR (DMR) e Azul Drimaren CL-R (RBBR). Parâmetros como concentração do corante, temperatura, concentração de peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2) e tempo de reação foram otimizados. Os ensaios de descoramento dos corantes foram realizados a partir desses resultados. As melhores condições reacionais determinadas para os corantes estudados foram: concentração do corante = 120 mg L-1, temperatura = 35C, concentração de H2O2 = 0,55 mM e tempo de reação = 1 hora. Os percentuais de descoramento dos corantes DMBLR, DMBBLN, DMR e RBBR, após o tratamento enzimático foi de 99, 77, 94 e 97%, respectivamente. O tempo reacional de 5 minutos foi suficiente para os corantes DMBLR e RBBR apresentarem elevada porcentagem de descoramento, 96% para ambos. Já os corantes DMBBLN e DMR só apresentaram elevado grau de descoramento após 1 hora de reação, sendo o corante DMBBLN o mais recalcitrante, apresentando uma melhora de 10% na porcentagem de descoramento, após 24 horas de reação. Além do grau de descoramento, também foi avaliada a toxicidade dos corantes antes e após o tratamento enzimático utilizando Daphnia pulex e Artemia salina como bioindicadores de toxicidade. Resultados toxicológicos utilizando Daphnia pulex não foram conclusivos, indicando que esse bioindicador não foi adequado para avaliar a toxicidade dos corantes estudados no meio reacional utilizado. Com o uso da Artemia salina na avaliação toxicológica foi observado uma redução da toxicidade para os corantes DMBLR, DMR e RBBR após tratamento enzimático, e um aumento da toxicidade não significativo para o corante DMBBLN. Os resultados obtidos no trabalho ressaltam a eficiência da enzima HRP no descoramento dos corantes têxteis estudados, sem a geração de produtos tóxicos e prejudiciais ao meio ambiente / The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential of the Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme in the decolorization of textile dyes Drimaren Blue X-3LR (DMBLR), Drimaren Blue X-BLN (DMBBLN), Drimaren Rubinol X-3LR (DMR) and Drimaren Blue CL-R (RBBR). Parameters such as concentration of the dye, temperature, concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and reaction time were optimized. The optimum reaction conditions determined for the studied dyes were: concentration of the dye = 120 mg L-1, temperature = 35 C, concentration of H2O2 = 0.55 mM and reaction time = 1 h. The decolorization percentage of dyes DMBLR, DMBBLN, DMR and RBBR after enzymatic treatment was 99, 77, 94 and 97%, respectively. The reaction time of only 5 minutes presented high decolorization percentage for both dyes DMBLR and RBBR, about 96 %. However dyes DMBBLN and DMR showed high decolorization degree in 1 h of reaction and the dye DMBBLN, being the most recalcitrant, exhibited an improvement of 10% in the decolorization percentage after 24 h of reaction. Besides the decolorization degree, the toxicity of the studied dyes was also evaluated before and after enzymatic treatment using Daphnia pulex and Artemia salina as bioindicators. The toxicological results using Daphnia pulex were not conclusive, indicating that it was not an appropriate bioindicator to evaluate the toxicity of the tested dyes. Meanwhile when using Artemia salina for toxicological evaluation it was observed a reduction of toxicity for dyes DMBLR, DMR and RBBR after enzymatic treatment, and a not significant increase in toxicity for the dye DMBBLN. In conclusion, the obtained results emphasize the efficiency of the HRP enzyme in the decolorization of the studied textile dyes, without the generation of toxic and harmful products to the environment

Este trabalho está dividido em duas partes: (i) estudo da adsorção da enzima horseradish peroxidase (HRP) sobre substratos planos (lâminas de Si/SiO2, filmes ASP/Si/SiO2, filmes CABads/Si/SiO2, filmes CABspin/Si/SiO2 e filmes CMCABspin/Si/SiO2) seguida de testes da atividade enzimática da HRP imobilizada sobre estes substratos e (ii) obtenção de oligômeros divinílicos mediada pela HRP. Na primeira parte, a imobilização da HRP sobre substratos planos foi estudada através de elipsometria, microscopia de força atômica (AFM) e medidas de ângulo de contato. As isotermas de adsorção da HRP sobre Si/SiO2, APS/Si/SiO2 e CABads/Si/SiO2 apresentaram um aumento contínuo da quantidade de material adsorvido ΓHRP em função da concentração da solução de enzima até atingir um patamar de adsorção no qual verificou-se a formação de uma monocamada de HRP adsorvida. Nestes casos, o processo de adsorção da HRP pode ser descrito pelo modelo de adsorção aleatória (RSA). Para filmes HRP/CABspin/Si/SiO2 e HRP/CMCABspin/Si/SiO2 observou-se adsorção cooperativa de moléculas de HRP e formação de multicamadas. A adsorção da HRP sobre Si/SiO2, filmes APS, CABads e CMCABspin é um processo irreversível. Ao contrário, HRP adsorve reversivelmente sobre filmes CABspin, fato evidenciado pelo decréscimo de ~30% na espessura dos filmes de enzima. A atividade catalítica dos filmes de HRP imobilizados sobre substratos planos foi verificada na reação de oxidação do ABTS. Os testes de atividade catalítica mostraram que os substratos com a HRP adsorvida podem ser reutilizados 3 vezes sem dessorção ou perda da atividade catalítica da enzima, com exceção dos filmes HRP/CABspin/Si/SiO2 que se tornam inativos após a primeira catálise. A condição de máxima atividade catalítica de HRP imobilizada foi correlacionada com grau de cobertura de ~55%. O emprego do monômero etileno glicol dimetacrilato (EGDMA) em reações de polimerização catalisadas por filmes HRP/Si/SiO2 ou pela HRP livre em solução à temperatura ambiente revelou a formação de partículas cristalinas com geometria poligonal. Com objetivo de compreender a formação das estruturas cristalinas, a segunda parte do trabalho focou a formação de oligômeros de EGDMA e trietileno glicol dimetacrilato (TEGDMA) em meio aquoso catalisada pela HRP na presença H2O2 a temperatura ambiente. Os oligômeros de EGDMA e/ou TEGDMA foram caracterizados por gravimetria, cromatografia de permeação em gel, espectroscopia vibracional na região do infravermelho e espectroscopia 1H RMN. A auto-associação dos oligômeros originou partículas cristalinas com ângulos retos, como evidenciado pelas imagens de microscopia eletrônica de varredura. As medidas de calorimetria exploratória diferencial e difração de raio-x confIrmaram a cristalinidade das amostras. Os oligômeros de EGDMA, TEGDMA e EGDMA-co-TEGDMA sintetizados na presença do sistema HRP-H2O2 apresentaram grupos vinila pendentes, boa solubilidade em clorofórmio e ponto de fusão bem definido, evidenciando pouca reticulação ou ciclização e mostrando que as propriedades catalíticas da HRP propiciam um ambiente reacional apropriado para produzir materiais poliméricos com novas características. / This work is divided into two parts: (i) study on the adsorption of the enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP) onto flat substrates (silicon wafers, ASP/Si/SiO2 films, CABads/Si/SiO2 films, CABspin/Si/SiO2 films, and CMCABspin/Si/SiO2 films) followed by enzymatic catalytic tests of HRP immobilized onto these substrates, and (ii) formation of divinyl-based oligomers mediated by HRP. In the first part, the HRP immobilization onto flat substrates was investigated by means of ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and contact angle measurements. Adsorption isotherms of HRP onto silicon wafers, APS/Si/SiO2, and CABads/Si/SiO2 presented the continuous increase of HRP adsorbed amount ΓHRP as a function of enzyme solution concentration until an adsorption plateau, which evidenced monolayer formation. In these cases, the HRP adsorption process can be described by the random sequential adsorption model (RSA). For HRP/CABspin/Si/SiO2 and HRP/CMCABspin/Si/SiO2 cooperative adsorption of HRP molecules and multilayer formation were evidenced. The HRP adsorption onto silicon wafers, APS, CABads, and CMCABspin films is an irreversible process. Contrarily, HRP adsorbed reversibly onto CABspin films, since desorption of ~30% could be detected. The catalytic activity of HRP films immobilized onto flat substrates was verified by oxidation reaction of ABTS. Catalytic tests showed that substrates with adsorbed HRP can be reused three times without desorption or catalytic activity lost, except for HRP/CABspin/Si/SiO2 films, which became inactive after first use. The emulsion polymerization of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) in mediated by HRP/Si/SiO2 films or by free HRP at room temperature revealed the formation of crystalline particles with polygonal geometry. In order to understand the formation of such crystalline structures, the second part of this thesis focused on EGDMA and/or triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) oligomers formation in aqueous medium catalyzed by HRP in the presence of H2O2 at room temperature. EGDMA and/or TEGDMA oligomers were characterized by means of gravimetry, gel permeation chromatography, infrared vibrational spectroscopy and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Self-assembling of oligomers led to right-angled crystalline particles, as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy images. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffractometry measurements ratified the samples crystallinity. EGDMA, TEGDMA and EGDMA-co-TEGDMA oligomers synthesized in the presence of HRP-H2O2 system presented pendant vinyl groups along the chains, good solubility in chloroform, and well defined melting point. These features evidenced few crosslinking or cyclization and revealed that the catalytic properties of HRP provide an appropriate environrnent for production of materials with new characteristics.

Este trabalho está dividido em duas partes: (i) estudo da adsorção da enzima horseradish peroxidase (HRP) sobre substratos planos (lâminas de Si/SiO2, filmes ASP/Si/SiO2, filmes CABads/Si/SiO2, filmes CABspin/Si/SiO2 e filmes CMCABspin/Si/SiO2) seguida de testes da atividade enzimática da HRP imobilizada sobre estes substratos e (ii) obtenção de oligômeros divinílicos mediada pela HRP. Na primeira parte, a imobilização da HRP sobre substratos planos foi estudada através de elipsometria, microscopia de força atômica (AFM) e medidas de ângulo de contato. As isotermas de adsorção da HRP sobre Si/SiO2, APS/Si/SiO2 e CABads/Si/SiO2 apresentaram um aumento contínuo da quantidade de material adsorvido ΓHRP em função da concentração da solução de enzima até atingir um patamar de adsorção no qual verificou-se a formação de uma monocamada de HRP adsorvida. Nestes casos, o processo de adsorção da HRP pode ser descrito pelo modelo de adsorção aleatória (RSA). Para filmes HRP/CABspin/Si/SiO2 e HRP/CMCABspin/Si/SiO2 observou-se adsorção cooperativa de moléculas de HRP e formação de multicamadas. A adsorção da HRP sobre Si/SiO2, filmes APS, CABads e CMCABspin é um processo irreversível. Ao contrário, HRP adsorve reversivelmente sobre filmes CABspin, fato evidenciado pelo decréscimo de ~30% na espessura dos filmes de enzima. A atividade catalítica dos filmes de HRP imobilizados sobre substratos planos foi verificada na reação de oxidação do ABTS. Os testes de atividade catalítica mostraram que os substratos com a HRP adsorvida podem ser reutilizados 3 vezes sem dessorção ou perda da atividade catalítica da enzima, com exceção dos filmes HRP/CABspin/Si/SiO2 que se tornam inativos após a primeira catálise. A condição de máxima atividade catalítica de HRP imobilizada foi correlacionada com grau de cobertura de ~55%. O emprego do monômero etileno glicol dimetacrilato (EGDMA) em reações de polimerização catalisadas por filmes HRP/Si/SiO2 ou pela HRP livre em solução à temperatura ambiente revelou a formação de partículas cristalinas com geometria poligonal. Com objetivo de compreender a formação das estruturas cristalinas, a segunda parte do trabalho focou a formação de oligômeros de EGDMA e trietileno glicol dimetacrilato (TEGDMA) em meio aquoso catalisada pela HRP na presença H2O2 a temperatura ambiente. Os oligômeros de EGDMA e/ou TEGDMA foram caracterizados por gravimetria, cromatografia de permeação em gel, espectroscopia vibracional na região do infravermelho e espectroscopia 1H RMN. A auto-associação dos oligômeros originou partículas cristalinas com ângulos retos, como evidenciado pelas imagens de microscopia eletrônica de varredura. As medidas de calorimetria exploratória diferencial e difração de raio-x confIrmaram a cristalinidade das amostras. Os oligômeros de EGDMA, TEGDMA e EGDMA-co-TEGDMA sintetizados na presença do sistema HRP-H2O2 apresentaram grupos vinila pendentes, boa solubilidade em clorofórmio e ponto de fusão bem definido, evidenciando pouca reticulação ou ciclização e mostrando que as propriedades catalíticas da HRP propiciam um ambiente reacional apropriado para produzir materiais poliméricos com novas características. / This work is divided into two parts: (i) study on the adsorption of the enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP) onto flat substrates (silicon wafers, ASP/Si/SiO2 films, CABads/Si/SiO2 films, CABspin/Si/SiO2 films, and CMCABspin/Si/SiO2 films) followed by enzymatic catalytic tests of HRP immobilized onto these substrates, and (ii) formation of divinyl-based oligomers mediated by HRP. In the first part, the HRP immobilization onto flat substrates was investigated by means of ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and contact angle measurements. Adsorption isotherms of HRP onto silicon wafers, APS/Si/SiO2, and CABads/Si/SiO2 presented the continuous increase of HRP adsorbed amount ΓHRP as a function of enzyme solution concentration until an adsorption plateau, which evidenced monolayer formation. In these cases, the HRP adsorption process can be described by the random sequential adsorption model (RSA). For HRP/CABspin/Si/SiO2 and HRP/CMCABspin/Si/SiO2 cooperative adsorption of HRP molecules and multilayer formation were evidenced. The HRP adsorption onto silicon wafers, APS, CABads, and CMCABspin films is an irreversible process. Contrarily, HRP adsorbed reversibly onto CABspin films, since desorption of ~30% could be detected. The catalytic activity of HRP films immobilized onto flat substrates was verified by oxidation reaction of ABTS. Catalytic tests showed that substrates with adsorbed HRP can be reused three times without desorption or catalytic activity lost, except for HRP/CABspin/Si/SiO2 films, which became inactive after first use. The emulsion polymerization of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) in mediated by HRP/Si/SiO2 films or by free HRP at room temperature revealed the formation of crystalline particles with polygonal geometry. In order to understand the formation of such crystalline structures, the second part of this thesis focused on EGDMA and/or triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) oligomers formation in aqueous medium catalyzed by HRP in the presence of H2O2 at room temperature. EGDMA and/or TEGDMA oligomers were characterized by means of gravimetry, gel permeation chromatography, infrared vibrational spectroscopy and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Self-assembling of oligomers led to right-angled crystalline particles, as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy images. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffractometry measurements ratified the samples crystallinity. EGDMA, TEGDMA and EGDMA-co-TEGDMA oligomers synthesized in the presence of HRP-H2O2 system presented pendant vinyl groups along the chains, good solubility in chloroform, and well defined melting point. These features evidenced few crosslinking or cyclization and revealed that the catalytic properties of HRP provide an appropriate environrnent for production of materials with new characteristics.

Thesis (MSc (Biochemistry))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study describes: a) the isolation and purification of horseradish peroxidase isoenzymes from horseradish roots, b) the characterization of various forms and components of the enzyme by cation-exchange and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography, c) the preparation of antibodies against horseradish peroxidase isoenzymes, d) immunological studies for the development of an isoenzyme quantification method and e) the formation of an enzyme-melamine conjugate for use in a melamine quantification immunoassay. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie beskryf: a) die isolering en suiwering van peperwortel-peroksidase-isoënsieme vanuit die peperwortel, b) die karakterisering van verskillende vorme en komponente van dié ensiem deur katioonuitruilings en omgekeerde-fase HPLC c) die voorbereiding van teenliggaampies vir peperwortel-peroksidase-isoënsieme, d) immunologiese studies vir die ontwikkeling van 'n isoënsiem-kwantifiseringsmetode; en e) die vorming van 'n ensiem-melamien-konjugaat vir gebruik in 'n melamienkwantifiseringsmetode.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) governs many cellular processes through biochemical and mechanical cues. Particularly, the effect ECM mechanical properties on cells fate has been well established over the years. Many hydrogel systems have been used to mimic the dynamic stiffening processes occurring in ECM. However, changes in ECM stiffness does not fully recapitulate the mechanics of native ECM, as viscoelasticity is also a major factor contributing to ECM dynamic property. This thesis describes the design and characterization of an enzyme-crosslinked hydrogel system that is not only capable of being stiffened on demand, but also can be tuned to obtain viscoelasticity. The first objective of this thesis was to utilize horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to crosslink thiol-norbornene hydrogel and use mushroom tyrosinase (MT) to create secondary DOPA-dimer crosslinks that stiffened the hydrogel. The cytocompatibility of HRP-mediated thiol-norbornene gelation and the effect of stiffening on cell fate was evaluated. The second objective of this thesis represented the first step towards developing a hydrogel system whose viscoelasticity could be dynamically tuned. Thiol-norbornene hydrogel was designed to yield dynamically adaptable boronic ester bonds via partial enzymatic reaction. Thiol-norborne hydrogel was made to contain hydroxyl phenol as well as boronic acid residues within its network. MT, in this case was used to oxidize the hydroxy phenol moieties into DOPA, which then complexed with boronic acid, created dynamic bonds, introducing viscoelasticity to an initial elastic hydrogel.