Biotechnologia Acta

27-38

Authors: O. О. Syvash

Solar energy is the sole inexhaustible source of energy for humans. To determine a possible role of photosynthesis in the energetic system ofthe future it is necessary a theoretical estimate maximal efficiency of photosynthetic accumulation of sun energy. Comparative analysis of efficiency of photosynthetic transformation of sunlight into biomass energy and photovoltaic conversion of electromagnetic radiation info electrical current is given. Theoretically achievable maximum efficiency of terrestrial plants is approximately 4%. The best commercial solar cells showed effeciency of direct conversion of solar power into electrical energy about 18%. It seems unlikely that photosynthesis could be used as a strategic source of bioenergy.

47-56

Authors: O. S. Oliinyk, A. A. Kaberniuk, D. V. Kolibo, S. V. Komisarenko

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factorlike growth factor (HB-EGF) is a member of the EGF family of growth factors, wich plays an important role in many physiological and pathological processes. Antibodies are an important tool for investigation of HB-EGF functions at normal and pathological processes. The aim of this study was to obtain and to study some properties of recombinant single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies specific to HB-EGF. For this purpose a phage-displayed immune library of mice immunized with recombinant human soluble HB-EGF was generated. The library was screened against HB-EGF, and 2 groups of antibody clones with different fingerprinting patterns were isolated. Two clones — one from each group (scFv 5A and scFv 7E) were analyzed. It was shown that these scFv antibodies could bind both — human and mouse HB-EGF. Both clones recognized target antigen in Western blot, but only under non-reducing conditions. Specific binding of scFv 5A and scFv 7E to Vero cells with high level of HB-EGF on their surface was also demonstrated by confocal microscopy. In this study scFv antibodies against soluble HB-EGF were obtained. They were suitable for ELISA, Western blot and immunocytochemistry applications. These scFv could be further used as a tool in HB-EGF research and, possibly, for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic agents.

66-72

Authors: N. S. Finiuk, T. Y. Vitak, N. Y. Mitina, Y. Z. Filyak, O. S. Zaichenko, R. S. Stoika

Formation of the interpolyelectrolytic complexes (polyplexes) of plasmid DNA and novel surface active comb-like polyampholytic carriers was studied. To do that, the method of determining DNA retardation during its electrophoresis in the agarose gel was used. Optimal conditions for the formation of such polylexes were defined: PC concentration 0.1–0.003 %, рН 7.4, 20 min, 24 °С. It was found that polyampholyte possessing quaternized amino-containing side chains is capable to form the most stable polyplexes with plasmid DNA. The association of DNA with polyampholytic carriers and its release from such complex do not cause changes in DNA structure. Therefor, the polyampholytic carriers under study protected DNA from its nuclease cleavage. Thus, novel surface active comb-like polyampholytes are perspective carriers for delivering DNA to the recipient cells.

78-84

Authors: M. O. Boretska, O. S. Suslova, V. F. Gorchev, S. A. Karahim

Carbohydrate and protein components of the biofilm formed corrosion active bacteria Thiobacillus thioparus 224M and heterotrophic satellite of Stenotrophomonas maltopilia 22M on the mild steel surface were studied. It was found that the cocultivation leads to appear of monosaccharides not previously encountered in the matrix of monocultures (rhamnose, ribose, xylose, galactose). By confocal laser scanning microscope LSM 510 META (Carl Zaiss, Germany) it was studied the spatial localization of components of the biofilm matrix. Using fluorescently labeled lectin Concanavalin A (Sigma, USA) and dye binding with protein Thiazine Red (Sigma, USA) allowed to show the structural features of biofilm-related spatial localization of components. The obtained data for studying of the structure and function of biofilms are important for understanding the mechanisms of natural biofilms, medicine and respective industries.

95-100

Authors: I. M. Malinovska, N. I. Dragan

The ability of bacterial polysaccharides of different chemical composition, structure and systematic position of producers to improve the structural and aggregative state of meadow chernozem was investigated. It was found that the most effective of agronomically valuable aggregates increases exopolysaccharide Bacillus mucilaginosus C-3 in the maximum concentration of the tested one — 0.016%. The number of units in size 3–5 mm increases at this concentration of polysaccharide to 22.6%, in size 2–3 mm — to 11.1%, 1–2 mm — to 5.12%. When polysaccharide concentration decreases, the effectiveness of its action is significantly reduced. All the tested concentrations of polysaccharide B. mucilaginosus increased the content of water-stable aggregates in the soil: the native polysaccharide in concentration of 0.016% — 51.4%, 0.008% — 17.6, 0.002% — 25.4, degraded polysaccharide in a concentration of 0.016% — at 6.33%. Polysaccharides of other investigated microorganisms Rhizobium phaseoli 8 and Bacillus pumilis M were ineffective and they shown no noticeable influence on the content of agronomically valuable and water-stable aggregates of meadow chernozem. Soil microbial polysaccharides led to a significant increase in mechanical strength of the indicator units of the same size in air-dry. Polysaccharide of B. mucilaginosus was the most effective in this regard at a concentration of 0.016%: increase of mechanical strength of the different fractions of aggregates was 5–8% as compared to the control. Revisions of the meadow chernozem bacterial polysaccharides of R. phaseoli 8 and B. pumilis M in 0.016% concentration and polysaccharide of B. mucilaginosus at a concentration of 0.002% didn’t accompanied by an increase in mechanical strength of aggregates. Microbial strain B. mucilaginosus С-3 is promising from the point of view of a biological preparation that improves the soil.