@article{BreuerMangSchoeningetal.2017, author = {Breuer, Lars and Mang, Thomas and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef and Thoelen, Ronald and Wagner, Torsten}, title = {Investigation of the spatial resolution of a laser-based stimulation process for light-addressable hydrogels with incorporated graphene oxide by means of IR thermography}, series = {Sensors and Actuators A: Physical}, volume = {268}, journal = {Sensors and Actuators A: Physical}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0924-4247}, doi = {10.1016/j.sna.2017.11.031}, pages = {126 -- 132}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @article{MiyamotoSekiSutoetal.2018, author = {Miyamoto, Koichiro and Seki, Kosuke and Suto, Takeyuki and Werner, Frederik and Wagner, Torsten and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef and Yoshinobu, Tatsuo}, title = {Improved spatial resolution of the chemical imaging sensor with a hybrid illumination that suppresses lateral diffusion of photocarriers}, series = {Sensor and Actuators B: Chemical}, volume = {273}, journal = {Sensor and Actuators B: Chemical}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0925-4005}, doi = {10.1016/j.snb.2018.07.016}, pages = {1328 -- 1333}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The chemical imaging sensor is a semiconductor-based chemical sensor capable of visualizing pH and ion distributions. The spatial resolution depends on the lateral diffusion of photocarriers generated by illumination of the semiconductor substrate. In this study, two types of optical setups, one based on a bundle of optical fibers and the other based on a binocular tube head, were developed to project a hybrid illumination of a modulated light beam and a ring-shaped constant illumination onto the sensor plate. An improved spatial resolution was realized by the ring-shaped constant illumination, which suppressed lateral diffusion of photocarriers by enhanced recombination due to the increased carrier concentration.}, language = {en} } @article{RoehlenPilasDahmenetal.2018, author = {R{\"o}hlen, Desiree and Pilas, Johanna and Dahmen, Markus and Keusgen, Michael and Selmer, Thorsten and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Toward a Hybrid Biosensor System for Analysis of Organic and Volatile Fatty Acids in Fermentation Processes}, series = {Frontiers in Chemistry}, journal = {Frontiers in Chemistry}, number = {6}, publisher = {Frontiers}, address = {Lausanne}, doi = {10.3389/fchem.2018.00284}, pages = {Artikel 284}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Monitoring of organic acids (OA) and volatile fatty acids (VFA) is crucial for the control of anaerobic digestion. In case of unstable process conditions, an accumulation of these intermediates occurs. In the present work, two different enzyme-based biosensor arrays are combined and presented for facile electrochemical determination of several process-relevant analytes. Each biosensor utilizes a platinum sensor chip (14 × 14 mm²) with five individual working electrodes. The OA biosensor enables simultaneous measurement of ethanol, formate, d- and l-lactate, based on a bi-enzymatic detection principle. The second VFA biosensor provides an amperometric platform for quantification of acetate and propionate, mediated by oxidation of hydrogen peroxide. The cross-sensitivity of both biosensors toward potential interferents, typically present in fermentation samples, was investigated. The potential for practical application in complex media was successfully demonstrated in spiked sludge samples collected from three different biogas plants. Thereby, the results obtained by both of the biosensors were in good agreement to the applied reference measurements by photometry and gas chromatography, respectively. The proposed hybrid biosensor system was also used for long-term monitoring of a lab-scale biogas reactor (0.01 m³) for a period of 2 months. In combination with typically monitored parameters, such as gas quality, pH and FOS/TAC (volatile organic acids/total anorganic carbonate), the amperometric measurements of OA and VFA concentration could enhance the understanding of ongoing fermentation processes.}, language = {en} } @article{RodriguesMoraisNordietal.2018, author = {Rodrigues, Raul T. and Morais, Paulo V. and Nordi, Cristina S. F. and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef and Siqueira Jr., Jos{\´e} R. and Caseli, Luciano}, title = {Carbon Nanotubes and Algal Polysaccharides To Enhance the Enzymatic Properties of Urease in Lipid Langmuir-Blodgett Films}, series = {Langmuir}, volume = {34}, journal = {Langmuir}, number = {9}, publisher = {ACS Publications}, address = {Washington, DC}, issn = {1520-5827}, doi = {10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b04317}, pages = {3082 -- 3093}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Algal polysaccharides (extracellular polysaccharides) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were adsorbed on dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide Langmuir monolayers to serve as a matrix for the incorporation of urease. The physicochemical properties of the supramolecular system as a monolayer at the air-water interface were investigated by surface pressure-area isotherms, surface potential-area isotherms, interfacial shear rheology, vibrational spectroscopy, and Brewster angle microscopy. The floating monolayers were transferred to hydrophilic solid supports, quartz, mica, or capacitive electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) devices, through the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique, forming mixed films, which were investigated by quartz crystal microbalance, fluorescence spectroscopy, and field emission gun scanning electron microscopy. The enzyme activity was studied with UV-vis spectroscopy, and the feasibility of the thin film as a urea sensor was essayed in an EIS sensor device. The presence of CNT in the enzyme-lipid LB film not only tuned the catalytic activity of urease but also helped to conserve its enzyme activity. Viability as a urease sensor was demonstrated with capacitance-voltage and constant capacitance measurements, exhibiting regular and distinctive output signals over all concentrations used in this work. These results are related to the synergism between the compounds on the active layer, leading to a surface morphology that allowed fast analyte diffusion owing to an adequate molecular accommodation, which also preserved the urease activity. This work demonstrates the feasibility of employing LB films composed of lipids, CNT, algal polysaccharides, and enzymes as EIS devices for biosensing applications.}, language = {en} } @article{JildehKirchnerBaltesetal.2019, author = {Jildeh, Zaid B. and Kirchner, Patrick and Baltes, Klaus and Wagner, Patrick H. and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Development of an in-line evaporation unit for the production of gas mixtures containing hydrogen peroxide - numerical modeling and experimental results}, series = {International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer}, volume = {143}, journal = {International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0017-9310}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2019.118519}, pages = {Article number 118519}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a typical surface sterilization agent for packaging materials used in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage industries. We use the finite-elements method to analyze the conceptual design of an in-line thermal evaporation unit to produce a heated gas mixture of air and evaporated H2O2 solution. For the numerical model, the required phase-transition variables of pure H2O2 solution and of the aerosol mixture are acquired from vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) diagrams derived from vapor-pressure formulations. This work combines homogeneous single-phase turbulent flow with heat-transfer physics to describe the operation of the evaporation unit. We introduce the apparent heat-capacity concept to approximate the non-isothermal phase-transition process of the H2O2-containing aerosol. Empirical and analytical functions are defined to represent the temperature- and pressure-dependent material properties of the aqueous H2O2 solution, the aerosol and the gas mixture. To validate the numerical model, the simulation results are compared to experimental data on the heating power required to produce the gas mixture. This shows good agreement with the deviations below 10\%. Experimental observations on the formation of deposits due to the evaporation of stabilized H2O2 solution fits the prediction made from simulation results.}, language = {en} } @article{SchiffelsSelmer2019, author = {Schiffels, Johannes and Selmer, Thorsten}, title = {Combinatorial assembly of ferredoxin-linked modules in Escherichia coli yields a testing platform for Rnf-complexes}, series = {Biotechnology and Bioengineering}, journal = {Biotechnology and Bioengineering}, number = {accepted article}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Weinheim}, doi = {10.1002/bit.27079}, pages = {1 -- 36}, year = {2019}, language = {en} } @article{DantismRoehlenSelmeretal.2019, author = {Dantism, Shahriar and R{\"o}hlen, Desiree and Selmer, Thorsten and Wagner, Torsten and Wagner, Patrick and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Quantitative differential monitoring of the metabolic activity of Corynebacterium glutamicum cultures utilizing a light-addressable potentiometric sensor system}, series = {Biosensors and Bioelectronics}, volume = {139}, journal = {Biosensors and Bioelectronics}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, doi = {10.1016/j.bios.2019.111332}, pages = {Artikel 111332}, year = {2019}, language = {en} } @article{OliveiraMolinnusBegingetal.2021, author = {Oliveira, Danilo A. and Molinnus, Denise and Beging, Stefan and Siqueira Jr, Jos{\´e} R. and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Biosensor Based on Self-Assembled Films of Graphene Oxide and Polyaniline Using a Field-Effect Device Platform}, series = {physica status solidi (a) applications and materials science}, volume = {218}, journal = {physica status solidi (a) applications and materials science}, number = {13}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1862-6319}, doi = {10.1002/pssa.202000747}, pages = {1 -- 9}, year = {2021}, abstract = {A new functionalization method to modify capacitive electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) structures with nanofilms is presented. Layers of polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH) and graphene oxide (GO) with the compound polyaniline:poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) (PANI:PAAMPSA) are deposited onto a p-Si/SiO2 chip using the layer-by-layer technique (LbL). Two different enzymes (urease and penicillinase) are separately immobilized on top of a five-bilayer stack of the PAH:GO/PANI:PAAMPSA-modified EIS chip, forming a biosensor for detection of urea and penicillin, respectively. Electrochemical characterization is performed by constant capacitance (ConCap) measurements, and the film morphology is characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). An increase in the average sensitivity of the modified biosensors (EIS-nanofilm-enzyme) of around 15\% is found in relation to sensors, only carrying the enzyme but without the nanofilm (EIS-enzyme). In this sense, the nanofilm acts as a stable bioreceptor onto the EIS chip improving the output signal in terms of sensitivity and stability.}, language = {en} } @article{WeldenNagamineKomesuWagneretal.2021, author = {Welden, Rene and Nagamine Komesu, Cindy A. and Wagner, Patrick H. and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef and Wagner, Torsten}, title = {Photoelectrochemical enzymatic penicillin biosensor: A proof-of-concept experiment}, series = {Electrochemical Science Advances}, volume = {2}, journal = {Electrochemical Science Advances}, number = {4}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {2698-5977}, doi = {10.1002/elsa.202100131}, pages = {1 -- 5}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensors are a rather novel type of biosensors thatutilizelighttoprovideinformationaboutthecompositionofananalyte,enablinglight-controlled multi-analyte measurements. For enzymatic PEC biosensors,amperometric detection principles are already known in the literature. In con-trast, there is only a little information on H+-ion sensitive PEC biosensors. Inthis work, we demonstrate the detection of H+ions emerged by H+-generatingenzymes, exemplarily demonstrated with penicillinase as a model enzyme on atitanium dioxide photoanode. First, we describe the pH sensitivity of the sensorand study possible photoelectrocatalytic reactions with penicillin. Second, weshow the enzymatic PEC detection of penicillin.}, language = {en} } @article{JildehWagnerSchoening2021, author = {Jildeh, Zaid B. and Wagner, Patrick H. and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Sterilization of Objects, Products, and Packaging Surfaces and Their Characterization in Different Fields of Industry: The Status in 2020}, series = {physica status solidi (a) applications and materials science}, volume = {218}, journal = {physica status solidi (a) applications and materials science}, number = {13}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1862-6319}, doi = {10.1002/pssa.202000732}, pages = {27 Seiten}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The treatment method to deactivate viable microorganisms from objects or products is termed sterilization. There are multiple forms of sterilization, each intended to be applied for a specific target, which depends on—but not limited to—the thermal, physical, and chemical stability of that target. Herein, an overview on the currently used sterilization processes in the global market is provided. Different sterilization techniques are grouped under a category that describes the method of treatment: radiation (gamma, electron beam, X-ray, and ultraviolet), thermal (dry and moist heat), and chemical (ethylene oxide, ozone, chlorine dioxide, and hydrogen peroxide). For each sterilization process, the typical process parameters as defined by regulations and the mode of antimicrobial activity are summarized. Finally, the recommended microorganisms that are used as biological indicators to validate sterilization processes in accordance with the rules that are established by various regulatory agencies are summarized.}, language = {en} } @article{MolinnusDrinicIkenetal.2021, author = {Molinnus, Denise and Drinic, Aleksander and Iken, Heiko and Kr{\"o}ger, Nadja and Zinser, Max and Smeets, Ralf and K{\"o}pf, Marius and Kopp, Alexander and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Towards a flexible electrochemical biosensor fabricated from biocompatible Bombyx mori silk}, series = {Biosensors and Bioelectronics}, volume = {183}, journal = {Biosensors and Bioelectronics}, number = {Art. 113204}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0956-5663}, doi = {10.1016/j.bios.2021.113204}, year = {2021}, language = {en} } @article{YoshinobuSchoening2021, author = {Yoshinobu, Tatsuo and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Light-addressable potentiometric sensors (LAPS) for cell monitoring and biosensing}, series = {Current Opinion in Electrochemistry}, journal = {Current Opinion in Electrochemistry}, number = {In Press, Journal Pre-proof}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {2451-9103}, doi = {10.1016/j.coelec.2021.100727}, year = {2021}, language = {en} } @article{WertIkenSchoeningetal.2021, author = {Wert, Stefan and Iken, Heiko and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef and Matysik, Frank-Michael}, title = {Development of a temperature-pulse enhanced electrochemical glucose biosensor and characterization of its stability via scanning electrochemical microscopy}, series = {Electroanalysis}, journal = {Electroanalysis}, number = {Early View}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1521-4109}, doi = {10.1002/elan.202100089}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Glucose oxidase (GOx) is an enzyme frequently used in glucose biosensors. As increased temperatures can enhance the performance of electrochemical sensors, we investigated the impact of temperature pulses on GOx that was drop-coated on flattened Pt microwires. The wires were heated by an alternating current. The sensitivity towards glucose and the temperature stability of GOx was investigated by amperometry. An up to 22-fold increase of sensitivity was observed. Spatially resolved enzyme activity changes were investigated via scanning electrochemical microscopy. The application of short (<100 ms) heat pulses was associated with less thermal inactivation of the immobilized GOx than long-term heating.}, language = {en} } @article{GivanoudiCornelisRasschaertetal.2021, author = {Givanoudi, Stella and Cornelis, Peter and Rasschaert, Geertrui and Wackers, Gideon and Iken, Heiko and Rolka, David and Yongabi, Derick and Robbens, Johan and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef and Heyndrickx, Marc and Wagner, Patrick}, title = {Selective Campylobacter detection and quantification in poultry: A sensor tool for detecting the cause of a common zoonosis at its source}, series = {Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical}, journal = {Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical}, number = {In Press, Journal Pre-proof}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0925-4005}, doi = {10.1016/j.snb.2021.129484}, pages = {Article 129484}, year = {2021}, language = {en} } @article{VahidpourGuthmanArreolaetal.2022, author = {Vahidpour, Farnoosh and Guthman, Eric and Arreola, Julia and Alghazali, Yousef H. M. and Wagner, Torsten and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Assessment of Various Process Parameters for Optimized Sterilization Conditions Using a Multi-Sensing Platform}, series = {Foods}, volume = {11}, journal = {Foods}, number = {5}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2304-8158}, doi = {10.3390/foods11050660}, pages = {Artikel 660}, year = {2022}, abstract = {In this study, an online multi-sensing platform was engineered to simultaneously evaluate various process parameters of food package sterilization using gaseous hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The platform enabled the validation of critical aseptic parameters. In parallel, one series of microbiological count reduction tests was performed using highly resistant spores of B. atrophaeus DSM 675 to act as the reference method for sterility validation. By means of the multi-sensing platform together with microbiological tests, we examined sterilization process parameters to define the most effective conditions with regards to the highest spore kill rate necessary for aseptic packaging. As these parameters are mutually associated, a correlation between different factors was elaborated. The resulting correlation indicated the need for specific conditions regarding the applied H₂O₂ gas temperature, the gas flow and concentration, the relative humidity and the exposure time. Finally, the novel multi-sensing platform together with the mobile electronic readout setup allowed for the online and on-site monitoring of the sterilization process, selecting the best conditions for sterility and, at the same time, reducing the use of the time-consuming and costly microbiological tests that are currently used in the food package industry.}, language = {en} } @article{HaegerGrankinWagner2023, author = {Haeger, Gerrit and Grankin, Alina and Wagner, Michaela}, title = {Construction of an Aspergillus oryzae triple amylase deletion mutant as a chassis to evaluate industrially relevant amylases using multiplex CRISPR/Cas9 editing technology}, series = {Applied Research}, journal = {Applied Research}, number = {Early View}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, issn = {2702-4288}, doi = {10.1002/appl.202200106}, pages = {1 -- 15}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Aspergillus oryzae is an industrially relevant organism for the secretory production of heterologous enzymes, especially amylases. The activities of potential heterologous amylases, however, cannot be quantified directly from the supernatant due to the high background activity of native α-amylase. This activity is caused by the gene products of amyA, amyB, and amyC. In this study, an in vitro CRISPR/Cas9 system was established in A. oryzae to delete these genes simultaneously. First, pyrG of A. oryzae NSAR1 was mutated by exploiting NHEJ to generate a counter-selection marker. Next, all amylase genes were deleted simultaneously by co-transforming a repair template carrying pyrG of Aspergillus nidulans and flanking sequences of amylase gene loci. The rate of obtained triple knock-outs was 47\%. We showed that triple knockouts do not retain any amylase activity in the supernatant. The established in vitro CRISPR/Cas9 system was used to achieve sequence-specific knock-in of target genes. The system was intended to incorporate a single copy of the gene of interest into the desired host for the development of screening methods. Therefore, an integration cassette for the heterologous Fpi amylase was designed to specifically target the amyB locus. The site-specific integration rate of the plasmid was 78\%, with exceptional additional integrations. Integration frequency was assessed via qPCR and directly correlated with heterologous amylase activity. Hence, we could compare the efficiency between two different signal peptides. In summary, we present a strategy to exploit CRISPR/Cas9 for gene mutation, multiplex knock-out, and the targeted knock-in of an expression cassette in A. oryzae. Our system provides straightforward strain engineering and paves the way for development of fungal screening systems.}, language = {en} } @article{VahidpourAlghazaliAkcaetal.2022, author = {Vahidpour, Farnoosh and Alghazali, Yousef and Akca, Sevilay and Hommes, Gregor and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {An Enzyme-Based Interdigitated Electrode-Type Biosensor for Detecting Low Concentrations of H₂O₂ Vapor/Aerosol}, series = {Chemosensors}, volume = {10}, journal = {Chemosensors}, number = {6}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2227-9040}, doi = {10.3390/chemosensors10060202}, pages = {Arikel 202}, year = {2022}, abstract = {This work introduces a novel method for the detection of H₂O₂ vapor/aerosol of low concentrations, which is mainly applied in the sterilization of equipment in medical industry. Interdigitated electrode (IDE) structures have been fabricated by means of microfabrication techniques. A differential setup of IDEs was prepared, containing an active sensor element (active IDE) and a passive sensor element (passive IDE), where the former was immobilized with an enzymatic membrane of horseradish peroxidase that is selective towards H₂O₂. Changes in the IDEs' capacitance values (active sensor element versus passive sensor element) under H₂O₂ vapor/aerosol atmosphere proved the detection in the concentration range up to 630 ppm with a fast response time (<60 s). The influence of relative humidity was also tested with regard to the sensor signal, showing no cross-sensitivity. The repeatability assessment of the IDE biosensors confirmed their stable capacitive signal in eight subsequent cycles of exposure to H₂O₂ vapor/aerosol. Room-temperature detection of H₂O₂ vapor/aerosol with such miniaturized biosensors will allow a future three-dimensional, flexible mapping of aseptic chambers and help to evaluate sterilization assurance in medical industry.}, language = {en} } @article{MoraisSumanSchoeningetal.2023, author = {Morais, Paulo V. and Suman, Pedro H. and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef and Siqueira Junior, Jos{\´e} R. and Orlandi, Marcelo O.}, title = {Layer-by-layer film based on Sn₃O₄ nanobelts as sensing units to detect heavy metals using a capacitive field-effect sensor platform}, series = {Chemosensors}, volume = {11}, journal = {Chemosensors}, number = {8}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2227-9040}, doi = {10.3390/chemosensors11080436}, pages = {Artikel 436}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Lead and nickel, as heavy metals, are still used in industrial processes, and are classified as "environmental health hazards" due to their toxicity and polluting potential. The detection of heavy metals can prevent environmental pollution at toxic levels that are critical to human health. In this sense, the electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) field-effect sensor is an attractive sensing platform concerning the fabrication of reusable and robust sensors to detect such substances. This study is aimed to fabricate a sensing unit on an EIS device based on Sn₃O₄ nanobelts embedded in a polyelectrolyte matrix of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) using the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique. The EIS-Sn₃O₄ sensor exhibited enhanced electrochemical performance for detecting Pb²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions, revealing a higher affinity for Pb²⁺ ions, with sensitivities of ca. 25.8 mV/decade and 2.4 mV/decade, respectively. Such results indicate that Sn₃O₄ nanobelts can contemplate a feasible proof-of-concept capacitive field-effect sensor for heavy metal detection, envisaging other future studies focusing on environmental monitoring.}, language = {en} } @article{OezsoyluAliaziziWagneretal.2024, author = {{\"O}zsoylu, Dua and Aliazizi, Fereshteh and Wagner, Patrick and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Template bacteria-free fabrication of surface imprinted polymer-based biosensor for E. coli detection using photolithographic mimics: Hacking bacterial adhesion}, series = {Biosensors and Bioelectronics}, volume = {261}, journal = {Biosensors and Bioelectronics}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1873-4235 (eISSN)}, doi = {10.1016/j.bios.2024.116491}, pages = {11 Seiten}, year = {2024}, abstract = {As one class of molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs), surface imprinted polymer (SIP)-based biosensors show great potential in direct whole-bacteria detection. Micro-contact imprinting, that involves stamping the template bacteria immobilized on a substrate into a pre-polymerized polymer matrix, is the most straightforward and prominent method to obtain SIP-based biosensors. However, the major drawbacks of the method arise from the requirement for fresh template bacteria and often non-reproducible bacteria distribution on the stamp substrate. Herein, we developed a positive master stamp containing photolithographic mimics of the template bacteria (E. coli) enabling reproducible fabrication of biomimetic SIP-based biosensors without the need for the "real" bacteria cells. By using atomic force and scanning electron microscopy imaging techniques, respectively, the E. coli-capturing ability of the SIP samples was tested, and compared with non-imprinted polymer (NIP)-based samples and control SIP samples, in which the cavity geometry does not match with E. coli cells. It was revealed that the presence of the biomimetic E. coli imprints with a specifically designed geometry increases the sensor E. coli-capturing ability by an "imprinting factor" of about 3. These findings show the importance of geometry-guided physical recognition in bacterial detection using SIP-based biosensors. In addition, this imprinting strategy was employed to interdigitated electrodes and QCM (quartz crystal microbalance) chips. E. coli detection performance of the sensors was demonstrated with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and QCM measurements with dissipation monitoring technique (QCM-D).}, language = {en} } @article{DegeringEggertPulsetal.2010, author = {Degering, Christian and Eggert, Thorsten and Puls, Michael and Bongaerts, Johannes and Evers, Stefan and Maurer, Karl-Heinz and Jaeger, Karl-Erich}, title = {Optimization of protease secretion in Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis by screening of homologous and herologous signal peptides}, series = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {76}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, number = {19}, publisher = {American Society for Microbiology}, address = {Washington, DC}, issn = {1098-5336 (E-Journal); 0003-6919 (Print); 0099-2240 (Print)}, doi = {10.1128/AEM.01146-10}, pages = {6370 -- 6378}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis are widely used for the large-scale industrial production of proteins. These strains can efficiently secrete proteins into the culture medium using the general secretion (Sec) pathway. A characteristic feature of all secreted proteins is their N-terminal signal peptides, which are recognized by the secretion machinery. Here, we have studied the production of an industrially important secreted protease, namely, subtilisin BPN′ from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. One hundred seventy-three signal peptides originating from B. subtilis and 220 signal peptides from the B. licheniformis type strain were fused to this secretion target and expressed in B. subtilis, and the resulting library was analyzed by high-throughput screening for extracellular proteolytic activity. We have identified a number of signal peptides originating from both organisms which produced significantly increased yield of the secreted protease. Interestingly, we observed that levels of extracellular protease were improved not only in B. subtilis, which was used as the screening host, but also in two different B. licheniformis strains. To date, it is impossible to predict which signal peptide will result in better secretion and thus an improved yield of a given extracellular target protein. Our data show that screening a library consisting of homologous and heterologous signal peptides fused to a target protein can identify more-effective signal peptides, resulting in improved protein export not only in the original screening host but also in different production strains.}, language = {en} }