Covalently immobilized, silica gel or resin-supported C-protected cysteine or cystine Fe and Ni complexes - synthesis and structural characterization with FT-IR spectroscopy

In this work the syntheses of covalently grafted C-protected Fe(III)− or Ni(II)−L-cysteine and Fe(III)− or Ni(II)−L-cystine complexes onto a surface-modified silica gel or Merrifield’s resin are described. Conditions of the syntheses were varied and the obtained structures were studied by classical analytical (titration) as well as spectroscopic (infrared, atomic absorption) methods. It was found that the sulphur atoms in the molecules acted as primary coordination sites, while the other coordinating groups varied depending on whether the complexes were formed under ligand-poor or ligand-excess conditions

Radiation-damage investigation of a DNA 16-mer

In macromolecular crystallography, a great deal of effort has been invested in understanding radiation-damage progression. While the sensitivity of protein crystals has been well characterized, crystals of DNA and of DNA–protein complexes have not thus far been studied as thoroughly. Here, a systematic investigation of radiation damage to a crystal of a DNA 16-mer diffracting to 1.8 Å resolution and held at 100 K, up to an absorbed dose of 45 MGy, is reported. The RIDL (Radiation-Induced Density Loss) automated computational tool was used for electron-density analysis. Both the global and specific damage to the DNA crystal as a function of dose were monitored, following careful calibration of the X-ray flux and beam profile. The DNA crystal was found to be fairly radiation insensitive to both global and specific damage, with half of the initial diffraction intensity being lost at an absorbed average diffraction-weighted dose, D1/2, of 19 MGy, compared with 9 MGy for chicken egg-white lysozyme crystals under the same beam conditions but at the higher resolution of 1.4 Å. The coefficient of sensitivity of the DNA crystal was 0.014 Å2 MGy�1, which is similar to that observed for proteins. These results imply that the significantly greater radiation hardness of DNA and RNA compared with protein observed in a DNA–protein complex and an RNA–protein complex could be due to scavenging action by the protein, thereby protecting the DNA and RNA in these studies. In terms of specific damage, the regions of DNA that were found to be sensitive were those associated with some of the bound calcium ions sequestered from the crystallization buffer. In contrast, moieties farther from these sites showed only small changes even at higher doses

Calibration of rotation axes for multi-axis goniometers in macromolecular crystallography

The installation of multi-axis goniometers such as the ESRF/EMBL miniKappa goniometer system has allowed the increased use of sample reorientation in macromolecular crystallography. Old and newly appearing data collection methods require precision and accuracy in crystal reorientation. The proper use of such multi-axis systems has necessitated the development of rapid and easy to perform methods for establishing and evaluating device calibration. A new diffraction-based method meeting these criteria has been developed for the alibration of the motors responsible for rotational motion. This method takes advantage of crystal symmetry by comparing the orientations of a sample rotated about a given axis and checking that the magnitude of the real rotation fits the calculated angle between these two orientations. Hence, the accuracy and precision of rotational motion can be assessed. This rotation calibration procedure has been performed on several beamlines at the ESRF and other synchrotrons. Some resulting data are presented here for reference. © 2018, Wiley-Blackwell. All Rights Reserved

GAME-BASED EDUCATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY - INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL METHODOLOGIES IN THE SERVICE OF CURRENT EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGES

The teaching and learning needs of the 21st century have changed significantly from those a few decades ago. Changing economic conditions, new technologies, and labor market demands have changed the competency expectations. There is an increasing emphasis on independent creative work, critical thinking and collaboration. The education of the younger generation, including vocational training and adult education, should support the achievement of these goals. Competence development and effective education of both children and adults is a central issue in pedagogy. An appropriate tool for this are games, which is an internal learning method for people. Children play instinctively, it is a genetically encoded activity that does not need to be taught. Our research focuses on the methods of game-based education. Within this, the development of a new skills, development methodology and its practical applicability. In our work, we explored what effective teaching and development approaches are there through games and how cognitive skills can be developed. During our research, we develop and test various games, and we have concluded that at the present which are the games that perform best in competency development and individual development in general. The research result to be presented is based on the Castle of Mind (COM) board game we have created, which also functions as an educational aid and development tool. Thanks to the unique gameplay of COM, the hit doesn’t (necessarily) happen where the move is. That is, the consequences of actions during the game can occur in a location other than the move, which, in addition to developing attention, improves several abilities. Based on our research results, playing with COM effectively develops concentration, logic, relationship insight, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The game is one way to develop competencies effectively and in a lifelike way through playing for both children and adults