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Content archived on 2023-01-04

Ultramicroelectrodes for Trace Element Speciation in Molecules of Biological Interest, 1992-1994

Objective

Determination and speciation of metal elements in biological samples using electrochemical methods of analysis with ultramicroelectrodes (UME).

The increasing interest of these microelectrodes is due to their remarkable characteristics allowing the extension of applications for electrochemical techniques (in vivo, small volume, low temperature, study of phenomena in a very short time- microseconds-...)
The project involves the determination and speciation of metal elements in biological samples using electrochemical methods of analysis with ultramicroelectrodes (UME). The increasing interest of these microelectrodes is due to their remarkable characteristics, allowing the extension of applications for electrochemical techniques (in vivo, smallvolume, low temperature, study of phenomena in a very short time of the order of microseconds.) A voltammetric study of the behaviour of cadmium thionein and zinc thionein using conventional electrodes has been undertaken.
Progress to end 1991

Basic research : Voltammetric study on behaviour of Cd, Zn thionein using conventional electrodes.

Detailed description of work foreseen in 1992 (expected results)

- Checking these UME using well known electrochemical systems.
- Study "in vitro" using commercial UMEs for metal-ion analysis and speciation in metallothioneins. Optimisation of experimental conditions as a function of different parameters :

Redox potentials for elements : cadnium, zinc, copper, lead, iron
Nature of electrode : platinum, gold, pyrolitic graphite, mercury film
Electrochemical method : cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse polarography, square-wave voltammetry, stripping voltammetry, chronoamperometry.

Short description of evolution of work in 1993

- Characterization and analysis of other metalloproteins
- Satisfying the high interest of pharmaceutical industry in specific method developments
- Applications "in vivo".

Topic(s)

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Call for proposal

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Funding Scheme

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Coordinator

Joint Research Centre Geel
EU contribution
No data
Address
Steenweg op Retie
2240 GEEL
Belgium

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Total cost
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