scholarly journals Self and directed assembly: people and molecules

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 391-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony D James
Keyword(s):  
Supramolecular Chemistry ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Boronic Acid ◽  
Photoinduced Electron Transfer ◽  
Directed Assembly ◽  
Collaborative Networks ◽  
Individual Molecule ◽  
Turn On ◽  
Self Assembling ◽  
The Individual

Self-assembly and directed-assembly are two very important aspects of supramolecular chemistry. As a young postgraduate student working in Canada with Tom Fyles my introduction to Supramolecular Chemistry was through the self-assembly of phospholipid membranes to form vesicles for which we were developing unimolecular and self-assembling transporter molecules. The next stage of my development as a scientist was in Japan with Seiji Shinkai where in a “Eureka” moment, the boronic acid templating unit (directed-assembly) of Wulff was combined with photoinduced electron transfer systems pioneered by De Silva. The result was a turn-on fluorescence sensor for saccharides; this simple result has continued to fuel my research to the present day. Throughout my career as well as assembling molecules, I have enjoyed bringing together researchers in order to develop collaborative networks. This is where molecules meet people resulting in assemblies worth more than the individual “molecule” or “researcher”. My role in developing networks with Japan was rewarded by the award of a Daiwa-Adrian Prize in 2013 and I was recently rewarded for developing networks with China with an Inaugural CASE Prize in 2015.

Self-assembly of phosphorescent quantum dots/boronic-acid-substituted viologen nanohybrids based on photoinduced electron transfer for glucose detection in aqueous solution

RSC Advances ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 8588-8593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanming Miao ◽  
Maoqing Yang ◽  
Guiqin Yan
Keyword(s):  
Aqueous Solution ◽  
Quantum Dots ◽  
Electron Transfer ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Boronic Acid ◽  
Photoinduced Electron Transfer ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Glucose Sensor ◽  
Glucose Detection ◽  
Room Temperature Phosphorescence

We synthesized boronic-acid-substituted viologens (BBV) and designed a glucose sensor based on room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) quantum dots (QDs) and BBV.

scholarly journals Fibrillar Self-Assembly of a Chimeric Elastin-Resilin Inspired Engineered Polypeptide

Nanomaterials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo Bracalello ◽  
Valeria Secchi ◽  
Roberta Mastrantonio ◽  
Antonietta Pepe ◽  
Tiziana Persichini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Rgd Sequence ◽  
Self Assembling ◽  
Biomedical Device ◽  
Radiation Induced ◽  
Chimeric Polypeptide ◽  
The Individual

In the field of tissue engineering, recombinant protein-based biomaterials made up of block polypeptides with tunable properties arising from the functionalities of the individual domains are appealing candidates for the construction of medical devices. In this work, we focused our attention on the preparation and structural characterization of nanofibers from a chimeric-polypeptide-containing resilin and elastin domain, designed on purpose to enhance its cell-binding ability by introducing a specific fibronectin-derived Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence. The polypeptide ability to self-assemble was investigated. The molecular and supramolecular structure was characterized by Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), circular dichroism, state-of-the-art synchrotron radiation-induced techniques X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS). The attained complementary results allow us to assess as H-bonds influence the morphology of the aggregates obtained after the self-assembling of the chimeric polypeptide. Finally, a preliminary investigation of the potential cytotoxicity of the polypeptide was performed by culturing human fetal foreskin fibroblast (HFFF2) for its use as biomedical device.

scholarly journals Highly efficient synthesis of non-planar macrocycles possessing intriguing self-assembling behaviors and ethene/ethyne capture properties

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lijun Mao ◽  
Yang Hu ◽  
Qian Tu ◽  
Wei-Ling Jiang ◽  
Xiao-Li Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Supramolecular Chemistry ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Efficient Synthesis ◽  
One Pot ◽  
Design And Synthesis ◽  
Self Assembling ◽  
Aromatic Interactions ◽  
Interaction Mode ◽  
Synthesis Strategy ◽  
Shed Light

AbstractIt has been a challenging topic and perpetual task to design and synthesize covalent macrocycles with characteristic self-assembling behaviors and excellent host-guest properties in supramolecular chemistry. Herein, we present a family of macrocyclic diphenylamine[n]arenes (DPA[n]s, n = 3–7) consisting of methyldiphenylamine units through a facile one-pot synthesis strategy. Unlike many other reported macrocyclic arenes, the resultant non-planar DPA[n]s feature intrinsic π-π stacking interactions, interesting self-assembling behaviors and ethene/ethyne capture properties. Specifically, strong multiple intermolecular edge-to-face aromatic interactions in DPA[3] have been systematically investigated both in solid and solution states. The intriguing findings on the intermolecular edge-to-face stacking interaction mode in the macrocycle would further highlight the importance of noncovalent π-π interaction in supramolecular self-assembly. This study will also shed light on the macrocyclic and supramolecular chemistry and, we expect, will provide a direction for design and synthesis of covalent macrocycles in this area.

Factors Affecting Molecular Self-Assembly and Its Mechanism

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hueyling Tan
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Molecular Engineering ◽  
Molecular Structures ◽  
Polymer Science ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Dna Structures ◽  
Self Assembling ◽  
Wide Range

Molecular self-assembly is ubiquitous in nature and has emerged as a new approach to produce new materials in chemistry, engineering, nanotechnology, polymer science and materials. Molecular self-assembly has been attracting increasing interest from the scientific community in recent years due to its importance in understanding biology and a variety of diseases at the molecular level. In the last few years, considerable advances have been made in the use ofpeptides as building blocks to produce biological materials for wide range of applications, including fabricating novel supra-molecular structures and scaffolding for tissue repair. The study ofbiological self-assembly systems represents a significant advancement in molecular engineering and is a rapidly growing scientific and engineering field that crosses the boundaries ofexisting disciplines. Many self-assembling systems are rangefrom bi- andtri-block copolymers to DNA structures as well as simple and complex proteins andpeptides. The ultimate goal is to harness molecular self-assembly such that design andcontrol ofbottom-up processes is achieved thereby enabling exploitation of structures developed at the meso- and macro-scopic scale for the purposes oflife and non-life science applications. Such aspirations can be achievedthrough understanding thefundamental principles behind the selforganisation and self-synthesis processes exhibited by biological systems.

A Boronic Acid-Based Fluorescence Hydrogel for Monosaccharide Detection

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suying Xu ◽  
Adam Sedgwick ◽  
Souad Elfecky ◽  
Wenbo Chen ◽  
Ashley Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Probe ◽  
Boronic Acid ◽  
Binding Constants ◽  
Strong Fluorescence ◽  
Fluorescence Response ◽  
Turn On ◽  
Fluorescence Turn On ◽  
Hydrogel System

<p>A boronic acid-based anthracene fluorescent probe was functionalised with an acrylamide unit to incorporate into a hydrogel system for monosaccharide detection<i>. </i>In solution, the fluorescent probe<b> </b>displayed a strong fluorescence turn-on response upon exposure to fructose, and an expected trend in apparent binding constants, as judged by a fluorescence response where D-fructose > D-galactose > D-mannose > D-glucose. The hydrogel incorporating the boronic acid monomer demonstrated the ability to detect monosaccharides by fluorescence with the same overall trend as the monomer in solution with the addition of fructose resulting in a 10-fold enhancement (≤ 0.25 M). <b><u></u></b></p>

Directive Effect of Chain Length in Modulating Peptide Nano-assemblies

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 923-929
Author(s):  
Gaurav Pandey ◽  
Prem Prakash Das ◽  
Vibin Ramakrishnan
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Amino Acids ◽  
Light Scattering ◽  
Chain Length ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
The Self ◽  
Ionic Charge ◽  
Self Assembling ◽  
Biophysical Techniques

Background: RADA-4 (Ac-RADARADARADARADA-NH2) is the most extensively studied and marketed self-assembling peptide, forming hydrogel, used to create defined threedimensional microenvironments for cell culture applications. Objectives: In this work, we use various biophysical techniques to investigate the length dependency of RADA aggregation and assembly. Methods: We synthesized a series of RADA-N peptides, N ranging from 1 to 4, resulting in four peptides having 4, 8, 12, and 16 amino acids in their sequence. Through a combination of various biophysical methods including thioflavin T fluorescence assay, static right angle light scattering assay, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), electron microscopy, CD, and IR spectroscopy, we have examined the role of chain-length on the self-assembly of RADA peptide. Results: Our observations show that the aggregation of ionic, charge-complementary RADA motifcontaining peptides is length-dependent, with N less than 3 are not forming spontaneous selfassemblies. Conclusion: The six biophysical experiments discussed in this paper validate the significance of chain-length on the epitaxial growth of RADA peptide self-assembly.

Self-assembling behaviour of a modified aromatic amino acid in competitive medium

Soft Matter ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (28) ◽  
pp. 6599-6607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pijush Singh ◽  
Souvik Misra ◽  
Nayim Sepay ◽  
Sanjoy Mondal ◽  
Debes Ray ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Aromatic Amino Acid ◽  
Photophysical Properties ◽  
Solvent Mixture ◽  
The Self ◽  
Solvent Ratio ◽  
Self Assembling

The self-assembly and photophysical properties of 4-nitrophenylalanine (4NP) are changed with the alteration of solvent and final self-assembly state of 4NP in competitive solvent mixture and are dictated by the solvent ratio.

Sticky ends in a self-assembling ABA triblock copolymer: the role of ureas in stimuli-responsive hydrogels

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan T. Shafranek ◽  
Joel D. Leger ◽  
Song Zhang ◽  
Munira Khalil ◽  
Xiaodan Gu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Viscoelastic Properties ◽  
Triblock Copolymer ◽  
Thermal Response ◽  
Stimuli Responsive ◽  
Self Assembling ◽  
Polymeric Hydrogels ◽  
Aba Triblock Copolymer ◽  
Responsive Hydrogels

Directed self-assembly in polymeric hydrogels allows tunability of thermal response and viscoelastic properties.

scholarly journals A New Hope: Self-Assembling Peptides with Antimicrobial Activity

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Lombardi ◽  
Annarita Falanga ◽  
Valentina Del Genio ◽  
Stefania Galdiero
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Antibacterial Activities ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Functional Nanomaterials ◽  
Self Assembling ◽  
Low Toxicity ◽  
Bio Compatibility

Peptide drugs hold great promise for the treatment of infectious diseases thanks to their novel mechanisms of action, low toxicity, high specificity, and ease of synthesis and modification. Naturally developing self-assembly in nature has inspired remarkable interest in self-assembly of peptides to functional nanomaterials. As a matter of fact, their structural, mechanical, and functional advantages, plus their high bio-compatibility and bio-degradability make them excellent candidates for facilitating biomedical applications. This review focuses on the self-assembly of peptides for the fabrication of antibacterial nanomaterials holding great interest for substituting antibiotics, with emphasis on strategies to achieve nano-architectures of self-assembly. The antibacterial activities achieved by these nanomaterials are also described.

scholarly journals Multiscale additive manufacturing of polymers using 3D photo-printable self-assembling ionic liquid monomers

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 580-585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bineh G. Ndefru ◽  
Bryan S. Ringstrand ◽  
Sokhna I.-Y. Diouf ◽  
Sönke Seifert ◽  
Juan H. Leal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ionic Liquid ◽  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Low Resolution ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Cost Approach ◽  
Self Assembling ◽  
Nanoscale Features

Combining bottom-up self-assembly with top-down 3D photoprinting affords a low cost approach for the introduction of nanoscale features into a build with low resolution features.

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