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Preparation and characterizations of poly(pyrrole-co-pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid) (PPYPA) film on the surface of screen printed carbon electrode (SPE) has been discussed in the manuscript. Different ratios of monomer for PPYPA preparation will be applied to determine 17β-estradiol using cyclic voltammetry. The SPE was modified with PPYPA film using an electrodeposition method and followed by the immobilization of 75mer aptamer specifically binding to 17β-estradiol as a model study. The materials were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, Fourier transform infrared, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The redox peak potential was found to be at 0.13 V and 0.26 V. The appearance of cauliflower structure in the SEM image which indicates PPYPA film was formed on SPE. Moreover, PPYPA/SPE exhibited a lower charge transfer resistance (Rct) compared to bare SPE indicates a good conductivity of film. Our study shows that 3:1 ratio between PPY and pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid provided highly active surface area for the immobilization of 75mer aptamer for 17β-estradiol detection.

The impact of estrogenic endocrine-disrupting chemicals (eEDCs) exposure is unpredictable. The presence of estrogenic eEDCs due to incomplete removal from wastewater treatment plants has caused gre...

Supramolecular architectures that are built artificially from biomolecules, such as nucleic acids or peptides, with structural hierarchical orders ranging from the molecular to nano-scales have attracted increased attention in molecular science research fields. The engineering of nanostructures with such biomolecule-based supramolecular architectures could offer an opportunity for the development of biocompatible supramolecular (nano)materials. In this review, we highlighted a variety of supramolecular architectures that were assembled from both nucleic acids and peptides through the non-covalent interactions between them or the covalently conjugated molecular hybrids between them.

Chemistry is a branch of science pioneered by Muslim scholars. However, secularism has separated science from Islamic teachings, thus deviating man from Allah. Tauhidic Science Seminar was held to disseminate knowledge and findings between researchers from science background and Islamic study to students and lecturers in the Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Questionaires were distributed to the participants after the seminar to obtain their understanding and perception of integrating science and Islam. Results indicate that 93.8% from 65 respondents have high affinity to science but only 63.1% were exposed to integration of science and Islam. Furthermore, 63.1% respondents understand the meaning of secularism and 69.2% realized that chemical elements have been mentioned in the Holy Quran. This study also indicates more than 90% respondents agree science and Islam are linked in an integrated manner. In conclusion, integration of science and Islam or Tauhidic Science drives us to explore and learn about nature through science activities based on Islam with guidance by the Holy Quran and hadith. Therefore, more proactive and holistic efforts need to be done to educate and strengthen the understanding of Tauhidic Science to students as early as in primary schools. Abstrak Kimia merupakan salah satu cabang ilmu sains yang telah lama dipelopori oleh ilmuwan Islam. Walau bagaimanapun, sekularisme telah menjadikan sains terpinggir dari Islam, apatah lagi merapatkan hubungan di antara manusia dan Pencipta. Seminar Sains Tauhidik telah diadakan untuk menghebahkan pengetahuan dan penemuan oleh penyelidik dari latar belakang sains dan pengajian Islam kepada pelajar dan pensyarah di Fakulti Sains dan Teknologi, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Borang soal selidik tentang pemahaman dan persepsi berkenaan penyepaduan sains dan Islam telah diagihkan kepada peserta selepas tamat seminar. Hasil kajian mendapati 93.8% responden meminati sains tetapi hanya 63.1% pernah didedahkan kepada pembelajaran berintegrasi sains dan Islam. Selain itu, 63.1% memahami maksud sekularisme dan 69.2% menyedari unsur kimia ada disebut di dalam al-Quran. Kajian ini juga menunjukkan bahawa lebih 90% responden bersetuju sains dan Islam dikaitkan dengan cara bersepadu. Kesimpulannya, integrasi sains dan Islam atau Sains Tauhidik memandu kita meneroka dan mempelajari tentang alam ini melalui aktiviti sains berlandaskan Islam berpandukan al-Quran dan hadis. Oleh itu, usaha-usaha yang lebih proaktif dan holistik perlu dilakukan untuk mendidik dan mengukuhkan kefahaman Sains Tauhidik kepada pelajar seawal di sekolah rendah lagi.

Poly (acrylamide-co-ethyl methacrylate) (AAm-co-EMA) membrane was studied and compared with poly (acrylamide) (AAm). Poly (AAm-co-EMA) and poly (AAm) membranes were synthesized using photopolymerization technique. These membranes were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), swelling test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of these membranes to be used for enzyme immobilization. FTIR spectra exhibited peaks of –CO and –CH3 functional groups at 1166 cm−1 and 1377 cm−1 and confirmed that poly (AAm-co-EMA) was successfully formed. The equilibrium swelling percentage of poly (AAm) and poly (AAm-co-EMA) were 93.97 % and 96.24 %. It was found out that 10 % of EMA monomer was added to form the copolymer, the membrane produced a good hydrolytic stability copolymer in water and indicated its biocompatibility. This finding may be attributed by the morphology property as a semi porous surface of copolymer was formed. In conclusion, poly (AAM-co...