The interaction of biotin-binding proteins with biotinylated gramicidin (gA5XB) was studied by monitoring single-channel activity and sensitized photoinactivation kinetics. It was discovered that the addition of streptavidin or avidin to the bathing solutions of a bilayer lipid membrane (BLM) with incorporated gA5XB induced the opening of a channel characterized by approximately doubled single-...

BACKGROUND Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) combines light, a light-absorbing molecule that initiates a photochemical or photophysical reaction, and oxygen. The combined action of these three components originates reactive oxygen species that lead to microorganisms' destruction. The aim was to evaluate the efficiency of PACT on Vibrio fischeri: 1) with buffer solution, varying tem...

We examined a laser system (870 and 930 nm), employing wavelengths that have exhibited cellular photodamage properties in optical traps. In vitro, with 1.5 cm diameter flat-top projections (power density of 5.66 W cm(-2)), at physiologic temperatures, we achieved photoinactivation of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and Trichophyton rubrum. Using nonlethal dosimetry, we...