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Analysis of cell polarity by Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy (CAT#: STEM-MB-1043-WXH)

Introduction

Cell polarity refers to spatial differences in shape, structure, and function within a cell. Most epithelial cells, migrating cells and developing cells require some form of cell polarity for their function. These cells receive information about their surroundings via extracellular biochemical and mechanical cues and translate those information into polarity of the plasma membrane, its associated proteins and cytoskeletal organization. Once established, cell polarity is maintained by transcytosis, in which vesicles carry incorrectly-localized membrane proteins to the correct regions in the plasma membrane.




Principle

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), also called Electron Spin Resonance (ESR), is a branch of magnetic resonance spectroscopy which utilizes microwave radiation to probe species with unpaired electrons, such as radicals, radical cations, and triplets in the presence of an externally applied static magnetic field.
EPR spectroscopy is particularly suitable for the investigation of (bio)chemical systems with strongly localized spin density and their interaction with the environment. For these systems EPR provides information on the structure and dynamics and is widely used in chemistry, physics and biology.

Applications

• Study dynamic organisation of lipids in biological membranes, lipid-protein interactions and temperature of transition of gel to liquid crystalline phases.
• Determine oxygen levels in tissues and blood.
• Injection of spin-labeled molecules allows for electron resonance imaging of living organisms.
• EPR can be used to measure microviscosity and micropolarity within drug delivery systems as well as the characterization of colloidal drug carriers.
• The study of radiation-induced free radicals in biological substances (for cancer research).
• Investigation on the antioxidant properties of medicine

Procedure

1. Sample Preparation
2. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy testing
7. Data analysis

Materials

• EPR Spectrometer
• Spectrophotometer
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