Selected Contributions to Polarography by the Bioelectrochemistry Laboratory at Jena

Abstract

The aim: Stimulation of the interest in further research on promising problems to be elucidated by modern polarography and related bioelectrochemical and biophysical methods.

Short History of Bioelektrochemistry

“…and of new electronic devices: pulse polarography (Randles-Sevcik), alternating-current polarography (B. Breyer). A special extension for photochemical reactions in solution and at the dropping mercury electrode takes place by the photopolarography (H. Berg) [10], which is able to influence electrode processes. For example during the oxidation of the hydroquinone:…”

“…Hence a "photokinetic current" is measured and according to the equations of Ilcovic the rate of the photoreaction can be calculated. Electron exchange and moreover adsorption of cell components as dextran, proteins, nucleic acids, and pharmaca can be determined [10]. Furthermore the kinetics can be recorded at constant potential e.g.…”

“…Furthermore the kinetics can be recorded at constant potential e.g. the splitting of sugars from the cytostatic anthracyclines [10] or the dimerization of keton radicals after flash photolysis [10]. A lot of such possibilities one can find in the first monograph "Die Polarographie in der Medizin, Taking into consideration the influence of environmental fields on human beings the field of bioelectrochemistry is very extended today!…”

“…Ostwald (1853Ostwald ( -1932, who compared the Free Energy from the sun-light with "the water on the mill of the life" [9]. An analytical progress was the introduction of polarography by Jaroslav Heyrovsky (1890-1967) [9,10], starting 1922 with electrocapillary curves. The current-voltage curves on the dropping mercury electrode are suitable not only for measurements of the reversible redox potential E, but also for electron exchanges between +200 mV and 2100 mV (against the Normal-Calomel electrode ) of thousands of inorganic and organic substances in living beings.…”

“…Biochemie und Pharmazie" by Miroslav Brezina and Petr Zuman (Leipzig 1956) and many others[15]. Combinations are with spectroscopy: spectroelectrochemistry and with relaxation kinetics of electrode processes: Photopolarography[10].The extension of bioelectrochemistry in the last years concerns[20]:-special electrodes (ionselective, immunactive, membrane-and enzymelectrode), -DNA essays, -biocompatibility, -electrophoresis, dielectrophoresis,-transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS), -diagnostic (encephalogram, electrocardiogram) , -electrosyntheses, -biosensors, biochips, NAD(P) based, glucose--whole cell biosensors -bioenergetics and biological electron transport, -red-ox enzymes, /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// -membrane mimics, -biofuel cells, -electroporation of cell membranes (Electrochemotherapy, Electrotransfection), -electrofusion of cells and protoplasts (gene therapy, cloning), -electromagnetic induction (apoptosis, necrosis, therapy of Parkinson, Demenz).…”