A systems biology approach to dissection of the effects of small bicyclic peptidomimetics on a panel of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants

In recent years, an approach called “chemical genetics” has been adopted in drug research to discover and validate new targets and to identify and optimize leads by high throughput screening. In this work, we tested the ability of a library of small peptidomimetics to induce phenotypic effects with functional implications on a panel of strains of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, both wild type and mutants, for respiratory function and multidrug resistance. Further elucidation of the function of these peptidomimetics was assessed by testing the effects of the compound with the most prominent inhibitory activity, 089, on gene expression using DNA microarrays. Pathway analysis showed the involvement of such a molecule in inducing oxidative damage through alterations in mitochondrial functions. Transcriptional experiments were confirmed by increased levels of ROS and activation of mitochondrial membrane potential. Our results demonstrate the influence of a functional HAP1 gene in the performance of S. cerevisiae as a model system

Fractal Photonic Crystal Waveguides

We propose a new class of one-dimensional (1D) photonic waveguides: the fractal photonic crystal waveguides (FPCWs). These structures are photonic crystal waveguides (PCWs) etched with fratal distribution of grooves such as Cantor bars. The transmission properties of the FPCWs are investigated and compared with those of the conventional 1D PCWs. It is shown that the FPCW transmission spectrum has self-similarity properties associated with the fractal distribution of grooves. Furthermore, FPCWs exhibit sharp localized transmissions peaks that are approximately equidistant inside the photonic band gap

Optically Pumped Polarized 3^3He++^{++} Ion Source Development for RHIC/EIC

The proposed polarized $^3$He$^{++}$ acceleration in RHIC and the future Electron-Ion Collider will require about $2\times10^{11}$ ions in the source pulse. A new technique had been proposed for production of high intensity polarized $^3$He$^{++}$ ion beams. It is based on ionization and accumulation of the $^3$He gas (polarized by metastability-exchange optical pumping and in the 5 T high magnetic field) in the existing Electron Beam Ion Source (EBIS). A novel $^3$He cryogenic purification and storage technique was developed to provide the required gas purity. An original gas refill and polarized $^3$He gas injection to the EBIS long drift tubes, (which serves as the storage cell) were developed to ensure polarization preservation. An infrared laser system for optical pumping and polarization measurements in the high 3--5 T field has been developed. The $^3$He polarization 80--85\% (and sufficiently long $\sim30$ min relaxation time) was obtained in the \lq\lq{open}\rq\rq\ cell configuration with refilling valve tube inlet and isolation valve closed. The development of the spin-rotator and $^3$He $^4$He absolute nuclear polarimeter at 6 MeV $^3$He$^{++}$ beam energy is also presented.Comment: 9 pages, 11 figure

Ruthenium-catalyzed azide alkyne cycloaddition reaction: scope, mechanism and applications

The ruthenium-catalyzed azide alkyne cycloaddition (RuAAC) affords 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles in one step and complements the more established copper-catalyzed reaction providing the 1,4-isomer. The RuAAC reaction has quickly found its way into the organic chemistry toolbox and found applications in many different areas, such as medicinal chemistry, polymer synthesis, organocatalysis, supramolecular chemistry, and the construction of electronic devices. This Review discusses the mechanism, scope, and applications of the RuAAC reaction, covering the literature from the last 10 years

Breakthroughs in medicinal chemistry: New targets and mechanisms, new drugs, new hopes-6

Breakthroughs in Medicinal Chemistry: New Targets and Mechanisms, New Drugs, New Hopes is a series of Editorials that is published on a biannual basis by the Editorial Board of the Medicinal Chemistry section of the journal Molecules [...]