Cyclodepsipeptides from Marine Sponges: Natural Agents for Drug Research

A number of natural products from marine sponges, such as cyclodepsipeptides, have been identified. The structural characteristics of this family of cyclic peptides include various unusual amino acid residues and unique N-terminal polyketide-derived moieties. Papuamides are representatives of a class of marine sponge derived cyclic depsipeptides, including callipeltin A, celebesides A and B, homophymine A, mirabamides, microspinosamide, neamphamide A and theopapuamides. They are thought to have cytoprotective activity against HIV-1 in vitro by inhibiting viral entry. Jasplakinolide, a representative member of marine sponge-derived cyclodepsipeptides that include arenastatin A, geodiamolides, homophymines, spongidepsin and theopapuamides, is a potent inducer of actin polymerization in vitro. Although actin dynamics is essential for tumor metasasis, no actin targeting drugs have been used in clinical trials due to their severe cytotoxicity. Nonetheless, the actin cytoskeleton remains a potential target for anti-cancer drug development. These features imply the use of cyclodepsipeptides as molecular models in drug research

An overview of technological aspects of Cu In,Ga Se2 solar cell architectures incorporating ZnO nanorod arrays

ZnO nanorod arrays placed within the architecture of the Cu In,Ga Se2 solar cell present promising concepts to maximise photoconversion by optical and electrical en hancement. Three different Cu In,Ga Se2 solar cell archi tectures utilising ZnO nanorods are introduced. New technological insights are given for electrodeposited ZnO nanorod anti reflection coatings, examining the reflectance of devices before and after encapsulation. For the first time, device results from superstrate and bifacial CIGSe solar cells incorporating ZnO nanorods are presented. The potential benefits as well as technological aspects of fabricating these new architectures are discusse