Probability of Nucleation in a Metastable Zone: Induction Supersaturation and Implications

Bhamidi, Venkateswarlu; Kenis, Paul J. A.; Zukoski, Charles F.

doi:10.1021/acs.cgd.6b01529

Cited by 24 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 60 publications

(122 reference statements)

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“…DAmFRET is highly analogous to isothermal metastable zone width (MZW) measurements used to describe the range of supersaturating concentrations under which crystallization can be induced. MZWs are determined empirically and the precise value depends on the rate of supersaturation (Asherie, 2004; Bhamidi et al, 2017). They can be used to approximate phase diagrams provided crystal nucleation occurs rapidly within disordered clusters (Asherie et al, 1996).…”

Section: Methods Detailsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantifying Nucleation In Vivo Reveals the Physical Basis of Prion-like Phase Behavior

et al. 2018

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Protein self-assemblies modulate protein activities over biological timescales that can exceed the lifetimes of the proteins or even the cells that harbor them. We hypothesized that these timescales relate to kinetic barriers inherent to the nucleation of ordered phases. To investigate nucleation barriers in living cells, we developed distributed amphifluoric FRET (DAmFRET). DAmFRET exploits a photoconvertible fluorophore, heterogeneous expression, and large cell numbers to quantify via flow cytometry the extent of a protein's self-assembly as a function of cellular concentration. We show that kinetic barriers limit the nucleation of ordered self-assemblies and that the persistence of the barriers with respect to concentration relates to structure. Supersaturation resulting from sequence-encoded nucleation barriers gave rise to prion behavior and enabled a prion-forming protein, Sup35 PrD, to partition into dynamic intracellular condensates or to form toxic aggregates. Our results suggest that nucleation barriers govern cytoplasmic inheritance, subcellular organization, and proteotoxicity.

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Section: Methods Detailsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantifying Nucleation In Vivo Reveals the Physical Basis of Prion-like Phase Behavior

et al. 2018

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“…MSZW data have been reported for many systems including acylanilides in aqueous ethanol 9 , paracetamol in water 10 or in ethanol 11 , benzoic acid in ethanol-water mixtures 12 and co-crystals of benzoic acid / isonicotinamide in 95 % ethanol 13 . Recently the relation between MSZW and induction times was investigated by using probability theory to estimate nucleation rates 8,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relating induction time and metastable zone width

Yang

Florence

2017

CrystEngComm

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“…Adding ethane supersaturates the liquid in nitrogen, but does not trigger bubbling. This suggests that the liquid is within the metastability limit, expressed as the metastable zone (MSZ) of supersaturation (Kashchiev, ; Bhamidi et al, ). MSZ conditions depend on many factors, including nucleation time scales, warming rates, and liquid volume (Yang, ; Yang & Florence, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nitrogen Exsolution and Bubble Formation in Titan's Lakes

Farnsworth

Chevrier

Steckloff

et al. 2019

Geophysical Research Letters

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Titan's surface liquids are composed primarily of methane, ethane, and dissolved atmospheric nitrogen. The nitrogen content depends on the alkane composition and temperature, and exsolves as bubbles when these parameters are sufficiently perturbed. Herein, we present an experimental study of nitrogen bubbles in methane-ethane liquids, and propose that both methane and ethane are required for bubbles to form under Titan conditions. Bubbles occur when methane composes 40-95 mol% of the alkanes within the liquid. We identify two mechanisms that produce bubbles: ethane mediated titration and temperature-induced stratification. Both of these mechanisms produce a metastable nitrogen supersaturation within the liquid; equilibration triggers rapid nitrogen exsolution in the form of bubbles. Such equilibration could cause bubble events in Titan's lakes, possibly explaining the transient "Magic Island" features seen by Cassini RADAR (bubbles within the liquid column), and the presence of deltas in Ontario Lacus.Plain Language Summary Saturn's largest moon, Titan, has stable lakes on its surface composed of liquid methane, ethane, and dissolved atmospheric nitrogen. While nitrogen can dissolve into the liquid (dissolution), it can also be forced out of the liquid (exsolution). Nitrogen bubbles in Titan's lakes have been hypothesized, but not experimentally measured under Titan surface conditions. Here we create bubbles in a laboratory under Titan conditions using two methods: ethane slowly added to methane (titration) and temperature-induced methane-ethane liquid layering (cooling then warming). Both mechanisms create a metastable supersaturation of nitrogen. Once the metastable limit is reached, bubble nucleation occurs, triggering rapid bubble formation. Transient bright structures observed in Titan's lakes by the Cassini RADAR, known as "Magic Islands," may in fact be bubbles within the liquid column. Bubbles can also form in rivers as they flow into lakes and seas, potentially influencing geologic structures, such as the delta seen in one of Titan's largest lakes, Ontario Lacus. Key Points:• Nitrogen bubbles were created in the laboratory under Titan surface conditions • Liquid methane and ethane must be present for bubbles to form (40-95 mol% methane-alkane ratio) • Identified two mechanisms for bubble formation: ethane titration (>86 K) and temperature-induced stratification (<86 K)Supporting Information:• Supporting information S1• Movie S1• Movie S2• Movie S3• Movie S4

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Probability of Nucleation in a Metastable Zone: Induction Supersaturation and Implications

Cited by 24 publications

References 60 publications

Quantifying Nucleation In Vivo Reveals the Physical Basis of Prion-like Phase Behavior

Quantifying Nucleation In Vivo Reveals the Physical Basis of Prion-like Phase Behavior

Relating induction time and metastable zone width

Nitrogen Exsolution and Bubble Formation in Titan's Lakes

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