Some Comments on the Nucleation Phenomena

Some considerations on the nucleation phenomena are discussed. The lower energy points on the hypersurfaces generated by one up to ten molecules are obtained by means · of a recently described method for the study of molecular associations. Self. consistent reaction field calculations were also performed at the CND0/2 level in order to analyse its density matrix in terms of the Armstrong, Perkins and Stewart population analysis, for the minima previously determined

Nanoinformatics: a new area of research in nanomedicine

Over a decade ago, nanotechnologists began research on applications of nanomaterials for medicine. This research has revealed a wide range of different challenges, as well as many opportunities. Some of these challenges are strongly related to informatics issues, dealing, for instance, with the management and integration of heterogeneous information, defining nomenclatures, taxonomies and classifications for various types of nanomaterials, and research on new modeling and simulation techniques for nanoparticles. Nanoinformatics has recently emerged in the USA and Europe to address these issues. In this paper, we present a review of nanoinformatics, describing its origins, the problems it addresses, areas of interest, and examples of current research initiatives and informatics resources. We suggest that nanoinformatics could accelerate research and development in nanomedicine, as has occurred in the past in other fields. For instance, biomedical informatics served as a fundamental catalyst for the Human Genome Project, and other genomic and ?omics projects, as well as the translational efforts that link resulting molecular-level research to clinical problems and findings

Nanoinformatics: developing new computing applications for nanomedicine

Nanoinformatics has recently emerged to address the need of computing applications at the nano level. In this regard, the authors have participated in various initiatives to identify its concepts, foundations and challenges. While nanomaterials open up the possibility for developing new devices in many industrial and scientific areas, they also offer breakthrough perspectives for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. In this paper, we analyze the different aspects of nanoinformatics and suggest five research topics to help catalyze new research and development in the area, particularly focused on nanomedicine. We also encompass the use of informatics to further the biological and clinical applications of basic research in nanoscience and nanotechnology, and the related concept of an extended ?nanotype? to coalesce information related to nanoparticles. We suggest how nanoinformatics could accelerate developments in nanomedicine, similarly to what happened with the Human Genome and other -omics projects, on issues like exchanging modeling and simulation methods and tools, linking toxicity information to clinical and personal databases or developing new approaches for scientific ontologies, among many others

Ion Channels in Southern Bean Mosaic Virus Capsid

The study of southern bean mosaic virus protein coat high resolution model revealed a structure with properties of a natural protein-ion channel. Coat protein pentamers form a 30-Å long channel and the amino acid composition of its wall bears some homology with the pentameric structure proposed for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor channel. Ion transport properties were analyzed by computing ion-protein interaction energies on the basis of quantum chemistry methods. Energy maps show a channel attractive for cations, fully permeable to Li(+) and a narrow barrier for other cations and water. The energy profiles found are similar to the profiles determined for the K(+) channel of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Comparisons with other icosahedral virus structures, including picornaviruses, suggest that ion channels would be a common feature of viral capsids. Biological roles for these channels are proposed

Metal Ions-Stimulated Iron Oxidation in Hydroxylases Facilitates Stabilization of HIF-1α Protein

The exposure of cells to several metal ions stabilizes HIF-1α protein. However, the molecular mechanisms are not completely understood. They may involve inhibition of hydroxylation by either substitution of iron by metal ions or by iron oxidation in the hydroxylases. Here we provide evidence supporting the latter mechanism. We show that HIF-1α stabilization in human lung epithelial cells occurred following exposure to various metal and metalloid ions, including those that cannot substitute for iron in the hydroxylases. In each case addition of the reducing agent ascorbic acid (AA)* abolished HIF-1α protein stabilization. To better understand the role of iron oxidation in hydroxylase inhibition and to define the role of AA in the enzyme recovery we applied molecular modeling techniques. Our results indicate that the energy required for iron substitution by Ni(II) in the enzyme is high and unlikely to be achieved in a biological system. Additionally, computer modeling allowed us to identify a tridentate coordination of AA with the enzyme-bound iron, which explains the specific demand for AA as the iron reductant. Thus, the stabilization of HIF-1α by numerous metal ions that cannot substitute for iron in the enzyme, the alleviation of this effect by AA, and our computer modeling data support the hypothesis of iron oxidation in the hydroxylases following exposure to metal ions

Nanoinformatics workshop report: Current resources, community needs, and the proposal of a collaborative framework for data sharing and information integration.

The quantity of information on nanomaterial properties and behavior continues to grow rapidly. Without a concerted effort to collect, organize and mine disparate information coming out of current research efforts, the value and effective use of this information will be limited at best. Data will not be translated to knowledge. At worst, erroneous conclusions will be drawn and future research may be misdirected. Nanoinformatics can be a powerful approach to enhance the value of global information in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Much progress has been made through grassroots efforts in nanoinformatics resulting in a multitude of resources and tools for nanoscience researchers. In 2012, the nanoinformatics community believed it was important to critically evaluate and refine currently available nanoinformatics approaches in order to best inform the science and support the future of predictive nanotechnology. The Greener Nano 2012: Nanoinformatics Tools and Resources Workshop brought together informatics groups with materials scientists active in nanoscience research to evaluate and reflect on the tools and resources that have recently emerged in support of predictive nanotechnology. The workshop goals were to establish a better understanding of current nanoinformatics approaches and to clearly define immediate and projected informatics infrastructure needs of the nanotechnology community. The theme of nanotechnology environmental health and safety (nanoEHS) was used to provide real-world, concrete examples on how informatics can be utilized to advance our knowledge and guide nanoscience. The benefit here is that the same properties that impact the performance of products could also be the properties that inform EHS. From a decision management standpoint, the dual use of such data should be considered a priority. Key outcomes include a proposed collaborative framework for data collection, data sharing and information integration