RGO-MoS₂ Supported NiCo₂O₄ Catalyst toward Solar Water Splitting and Dye Degradation

Formation of the NiCo₂O₄ (NCO) nanoparticle with the simultaneous reduction of GO and growth of MoS₂ by a two step hydrothermal process results in a 2D RGO-MoS₂ (R-MoS₂) cocatalyst layer with intimate interfacial contact with NCO. The phase purity, chemical coupling and morphology of the synthesized materials are established through X-ray diffraction, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies. The ternary composite, RGO-MoS₂-NiCo₂O₄ (RM-NCO), shows excellent electrocatalytic performance toward solar driven water splitting with 3.08% solar to hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency, photocurrent density of 5.36 mA cm^–2, injection efficiency of 97% at 1 V (vs Ag/AgCl) and long-term stability. The photo degradation (95%) of Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation is obtained in 90 min by the ternary composite (RM-NCO). The improved performance of the ternary composite, RM-NCO, over bare NCO and MoS₂, toward photocatalytic activity is achieved through the dual charge transfer pathway between interfacial layer of NCO and MoS₂ to RGO, which leads to generation of more photoinduced charge carriers and suppression of electron–hole recombination process

Visible-Light-Mediated Electrocatalytic Activity in Reduced Graphene Oxide-Supported Bismuth Ferrite

Reduced graphene oxide (RGO)-supported bismuth ferrite (BiFeO₃) (RGO–BFO) nanocomposite is synthesized via a two-step chemical route for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting and photocatalytic dye degradation. The detailed structural analysis, chemical coupling, and morphology of BFO- and RGO-supported BFO are established through X-ray diffraction, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy studies. The modified band structure in RGO–BFO is obtained from the UV–vis spectroscopy study and supported by density functional theory (DFT). The photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B dye achieved under 120 min visible-light illumination is 94% by the RGO–BFO composite with a degradation rate of 1.86 × 10^–2 min^–1, which is 3.8 times faster than the BFO nanoparticles. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) study further confirmed the mineralization of an organic dye in presence of the RGO–BFO catalyst. The RGO–BFO composite shows excellent PEC performance toward water splitting, with a photocurrent density of 10.2 mA·cm^–2, a solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 3.3%, and a hole injection efficiency of 98% at 1 V (vs Ag/AgCl). The enhanced catalytic activity of RGO–BFO is explained on the basis of the modified band structure and chemical coupling between BFO and RGO, leading to the fast charge transport through the interfacial layers, hindering the recombination of the photogenerated electron–hole pair and ensuring the availability of free charge carriers to assist the catalytic activity

Unlocking DCAFs To Catalyze Degrader Development: An Arena for Innovative Approaches

Chemically induced proximity-based targeted protein degradation (TPD) has become a prominent paradigm in drug discovery. With the clinical benefit demonstrated by certain small-molecule protein degraders that target the cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligases (CRLs), the field has proactively strategized to tackle anticipated drug resistance by harnessing additional E3 ubiquitin ligases to enrich the arsenal of this therapeutic approach. Here, we endeavor to explore the collaborative efforts involved in unlocking a broad range of CRL4DCAF for degrader drug development. Throughout the discussion, we also highlight how both conventional and innovative approaches in drug discovery can be taken to realize this objective. Moving ahead, we expect a greater allocation of resources in TPD to pursue these high-hanging fruits

Reduced light transmission in tdTomato expressing lenses.

<p>(A) Isolated lenses from a cryTom and a wildtype animal are transmitted with white light from below, and grey scale images are recorded. The dotted lines indicate the measurement areas (see C), size bar = 1 mm. (B) Corresponding fluorescence image. (C) Quantification of light transmittance. Note that the wildtype lens (black line) shows almost complete light transmittance, whereas the cryTom lens (red line) shows a reduced transmittance. Measurement areas are the dotted lines indicated in A).</p

Exclusive expression in eye lens during fetal development.

<p>(A) Murine fetus at day 10.5 p.c., A´) corresponding fluorescence image. (B) Murine fetus at day 11.5 p.c., B´) corresponding fluorescence image. (C) Murine fetus at day 12.5 p.c., C´) corresponding fluorescence image, note the onset of tdTomato expression in the forming lens area (arrow). (D) Higher magnification of the d12.5 fetus, overlay, D´) brightfield and D”) fluorescence images. (E) Murine fetus at day 13.5 p.c., E´) corresponding fluorescence image. (F) Murine fetus at day 14.5 p.c., F´) corresponding fluorescence image. Size bars = 1 mm.</p

Characterization of <i>in vitro</i>-formed lentoid bodies.

<p>(A) Lentoid bodies with tdTomato expression derived from a co-culture of cryTom iPS on NTERA-2, A´) corresponding brightfield view. Bar = 50 micrometer. (B) Individual tdTomato-positive cells derived from a co-culture of cryTom iPS on P19, B´) overlay; B´´) corresponding brightfield view. Bar = 50 micrometer. (C) Lentoid body with tdTomato expression derived from a co-culture of cryTom iPS on P19, C´) overlay; C´´) corresponding brightfield view. Bar = 50 micrometer. (D) Expression analyses of co-cultures by RT-PCR. The endogenous murine <i>Cryaa</i> gene could be detected in P19 co-cultures. The endogenous lens-specific <i>CryF</i> transcript could be detected in NTERA-2/iPS and P19/iPS co-cultures, but also in P19 cells. Co^N, co-culture of NTERA-2 and iPS; Co^P19, co-culture of P19 and iPS; N, NTERA-2; P19, P19 cells; eye, positive control; -RT, without reverse transcriptase; H₂0, no template. (E) Immunodetection of tdTomato protein. Co^N, co-culture of NTERA-2 and iPS; Co^P19, co-culture of P19 and iPS; N, NTERA-2; P19, P19 cells. (F) Expression analysis of co-cultures for key regulatory genes, Pax6 and Prox1, of lens differentiation by RT-PCR. CoN, co-culture of NTERA-2 and iPS; CoP19, co-culture of P19 and iPS; F, fibroblasts.</p

Characterization of murine iPS cells.

<p>(A) Schedule for non-viral iPS cell generation by SB transposon reprogramming [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0157570#pone.0157570.ref032" target="_blank">32</a>, <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0157570#pone.0157570.ref049" target="_blank">49</a>, <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0157570#pone.0157570.ref050" target="_blank">50</a>]. (B) Initial colonies formed 9–15 days post electroporation. Bar = 20 micrometer. (C) AP stained culture 15 days post electroporation. Note, the intensively red stained colonies. Bar = 20 micrometer. (D) Upon culture in hanging drops, embryoid bodies formed readily. Bar = 50 micrometer. (E) Upregulation of stemness-related genes in the cryTom iPS cells.</p

Differentiation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Lentoid Bodies Expressing a Lens Cell-Specific Fluorescent Reporter

<div><p>Curative approaches for eye cataracts and other eye abnormalities, such as myopia and hyperopia currently suffer from a lack of appropriate models. Here, we present a new approach for <i>in vitro</i> growth of lentoid bodies from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells as a tool for ophthalmological research. We generated a transgenic mouse line with lens-specific expression of a fluorescent reporter driven by the <i>alphaA crystallin</i> promoter. Fetal fibroblasts were isolated from transgenic fetuses, reprogrammed to iPS cells, and differentiated to lentoid bodies exploiting the specific fluorescence of the lens cell-specific reporter. The employment of cell type-specific reporters for establishing and optimizing differentiation <i>in vitro</i> seems to be an efficient and generally applicable approach for developing differentiation protocols for desired cell populations.</p></div

TdTomato expression in the adult eye.

<p>(A) TdTomato expression in the isolated mouse eye, A´) corresponding brightfield view, size bar = 1 mm. (B) TdTomato expression in ciliary muscle, B´) corresponding brightfield view, note the drastically increased exposure time relative to the lens to reveal expression in muscle, Size bar = 1 mm. (C) Immunoblot detection of tdTomato during prenatal stages, the full-sized tdTomato of about 54 kDa is detected (black arrow). In the adult lens several smaller degradation products are found (red arrows). M, molecular weight marker; cryTom, samples from transgenic animals and fetuses; wt, wildtype controls. (D) Western blotting of tubulin (loading control). (E) Expression of endogenous alphaA crystallin is similar in transgenic and wildtype animals. Top, Western blotting of tdTomato; bottom, Western blotting of endogenous alphaA crystallin with a polyclonal antibody; bottom, Coomassie stained gels as loading controls. M, molecular size marker; 1, eye lens; 2, ZNS; 3, cerebellum; 4, lung; 5, heart; 6, skel. muscle; 7, kidney; 8, skin; and 9, liver.</p