Synthesis and Conformational Studies of Peptidomimetics Containing a New Bifunctional Diketopiperazine Scaffold Acting as a \u3b2-Hairpin Inducer

A practical synthesis of a new bifunctional diketopiperazine (DKP) scaffold 1, formally derived from the cyclization of L-aspartic acid and (S)-2,3-diaminopropionic acid, is reported. DKP-1 bears a carboxylic acid and an amino functionalities in a cis relationship, which have been used to grow peptide sequences. Tetra-, penta-, and hexapeptidomimetic sequences were prepared by solution-phase peptide synthesis (Boc strategy). Conformational analysis of these derivatives was carried out by a combination of 1H NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, CD spectroscopy, and computer modeling, and reveals the formation of beta-hairpin mimics involving 10-membered and 18-membered H-bonded rings and a reverse turn of the growing peptide chain

Space for curiosity

In education and creative industries, ordinary workplaces and everyday life, curiosity is widely regarded as a good thing, worthy of encouragement and support. This raises practical questions about how to be more curious and encourage curiosity in others. To bring these questions into focus, it helps to think geographically, asking: how can we find and make ‘space’ for curiosity? But curiosity is not simply a practical problem. Through spaces for curiosity, it is possible to raise more fundamental questions about what curiosity is and what it can be: about who can be curious, and what curiosity is for