Sequence-Dependent DNA Functionalization of Upconversion Nanoparticles and Their Programmable Assemblies

DNA-modified lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (DNA-UCNPs) that combine the functions of DNA and the optical features of UCNPs have shown great promise in a wide range of fields. However, challenges remain in precisely tethering and orienting the DNA strands on the UCNP surface. Herein, we systematically investigate the sequence dependence of DNAs in their interactions with UCNPs, and reveal that poly-cytosine (poly-C) has high affinity for the UCNP surface. A general approach to synthesize monodispersed DNA-UCNP conjugates is developed using poly-C-containing diblock DNA strands. The poly-C segment of the DNA strand binds to the surfaces of UCNPs and the second segment is oriented perpendicularly on the UCNP surface, making the DNA-UCNPs highly stable and monodispersed in aqueous solution. The dense layer of DNA on the UCNP surface enables the programmable assembly of UCNPs with other DNA-functionalized nanoparticles or DNA origamis through hybridization, resulting in the formation of well-organized complex structures.     

An E1-Catalyzed Chemoenzymatic Strategy to Isopeptide-N-Ethylated Deubiquitylase-Resistant Ubiquitin Probes

Triazole-based deubiquitylase (DUB)-resistant ubiquitin (Ub) probes have recently emerged as effective tools for the discovery of Ub chain-specific interactors in proteomic studies, but their structural diversity is limited. A new family of DUB-resistant Ub probes is reported based on isopeptide-N-ethylated dimeric or polymeric Ub chains, which can be efficiently prepared by a one-pot, ubiquitin-activating enzyme (E1)-catalyzed condensation reaction of recombinant Ub precursors to give various homotypic and even branched Ub probes at multi-milligram scale. Proteomic studies using label-free quantitative (LFQ) MS indicated that the isopeptide-N-ethylated Ub probes may complement the triazole-based probes in the study of Ub interactome. Our study highlights the utility of modern protein synthetic chemistry to develop structurally and new families of tool molecules needed for proteomic studies.     

Tailoring A Poly(ether sulfone) Bipolar Membrane: Osmotic-Energy Generator with High Power Density

Osmotic energy, obtained through different concentrations of salt solutions, is recognized as a form of a sustainable energy source. In the past years, membranes derived from asymmetric aromatic compounds have attracted attention because of their low cost and high performance in osmotic energy conversion. The membrane formation process, charging state, functional groups, membrane thickness, and the ion-exchange capacity of the membrane could affect the power generation performance. Among asymmetric membranes, a bipolar membrane could largely promote the ion transport. Here, two polymers with the same poly(ether sulfone) main chain but opposite charges were synthesized to prepare bipolar membranes by a nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) and spin-coating (SC) method. The maximum power density of the bipolar membrane reaches about 6.2 W m⁻² under a 50-fold salinity gradient, and this result can serve as a reference for the design of bipolar membranes for osmotic energy conversion systems.     

ACQ-to-AIE Transformation: Tuning Molecular Packing by Regioisomerization for Two-Photon NIR Bioimaging

The traditional design strategies for highly bright solid-state luminescent materials rely on weakening the intermolecular π–π interactions, which may limit diversity when developing new materials. Herein, we propose a strategy of tuning the molecular packing mode by regioisomerization to regulate the solid-state fluorescence. TBP-e-TPA with a molecular rotor in the end position of a planar core adopts a long-range cofacial packing mode, which in the solid state is almost non-emissive. By shifting molecular rotors to the bay position, the resultant TBP-b-TPA possesses a discrete cross packing mode, giving a quantum yield of 15.6±0.2 %. These results demonstrate the relationship between the solid-state fluorescence efficiency and the molecule's packing mode. Thanks to the good photophysical properties, TBP-b-TPA nanoparticles were used for two-photon deep brain imaging. This molecular design philosophy provides a new way of designing highly bright solid-state fluorophores.     

A Fully Non-fused Ring Acceptor with Planar Backbone and Near-IR Absorption for High Performance Polymer Solar Cells

Fused-ring electron acceptors have made significant progress in recent years, while the development of fully non-fused ring acceptors has been unsatisfactory. Here, two fully non-fused ring acceptors, o-4TBC-2F and m-4TBC-2F, were designed and synthesized. By regulating the location of the hexyloxy chains, o-4TBC-2F formed planar backbones, while m-4TBC-2F displayed a twisted backbone. Additionally, the o-4TBC-2F film showed a markedly red-shifted absorption after thermal annealing, which indicated the formation of J-aggregates. For fabrication of organic solar cells (OSCs), PBDB-T was used as a donor and blended with the two acceptors. The o-4TBC-2F-based blend films displayed higher charge mobilities, lower energy loss and a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE). The optimized devices based on o-4TBC-2F gave a PCE of 10.26 %, which was much higher than those based on m-4TBC-2F at 2.63 %, and it is one of the highest reported PCE values for fully non-fused ring electron acceptors.     

基于萘普生-芳基金属配合物的抗癌及抗炎性能

以萘普生(NPX)为前体, 分别与芳基钌(Ru)、 锇(Os)及铱(Ir)二聚体反应制备了3个单核配合物[Ru(η ⁶-p-cymene)(NPX-bpy)Cl]Cl(1), [Os(η ⁶-p-cymene)(NPX-bpy)Cl]Cl(2)和[Ir(η ⁵-Cp ^*)·(NPX-bpy)Cl]Cl(3). 利用元素分析、 电喷雾质谱和核磁共振波谱对3个配合物的组成和结构进行了表征, 并研究了其细胞毒性. 结果表明, 3个配合物对几种肿瘤细胞株均无毒性(IC₅₀>100 μmol/L), 仅配合物1对NB-4细胞有中等程度的毒性(IC₅₀=45.2 μmol/L), 且毒性大于配合物2和3, 这可能与配合物1在细胞核内具有更高的富集量有关. 此外, 3个配合物均可有效抑制COX-2的表达, 保留了萘普生的抗炎性质, 实现了金属配合物抗癌及抗炎的多功能化应用.     

顺铂前药接枝修饰硫代DNA及其自组装靶向纳米药物研究

选用具有良好生物相容性的硫代修饰嵌段核酸为载体,将其非硫代修饰部分设计为靶向MUC-1蛋白的核酸适配体序列,同时在其硫代修饰部分通过硫代磷酸酯基团（Phosphorothioate,PS）接枝修饰四价顺铂前药,制备了两亲性核酸-顺铂前药缀合物MUC-1/^PODNA-b-（^PSDNA-g-Pt）,并进一步自组装成类似球形核酸（Spherical nucleic acid,SNA）的含铂靶向纳米药物（MUC-1/Pt-SNAs）.结果表明,该纳米药物递送体系载药率高、形貌稳定、分散性好,能够高效靶向MUC-1蛋白过表达的MCF-7乳腺癌细胞,并在体内外实验中表现出优异的抗肿瘤效果和极低的毒副作用.     

A Hydrolytically Stable Vanadium(IV) Metal–Organic Framework with Photocatalytic Bacteriostatic Activity for Autonomous Indoor Humidity Control

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with long-term stability and reversible high water uptake properties can be ideal candidates for water harvesting and indoor humidity control. Now, a mesoporous and highly stable MOF, BIT-66 is presented that has indoor humidity control capability and a photocatalytic bacteriostatic effect. BIT-66 (V₃(O)₃(H₂O)(BTB)₂), possesses prominent moisture tunability in the range of 45–60 % RH and a water uptake and working capacity of 71 and 55 wt %, respectively, showing good recyclability and excellent performance in water adsorption–desorption cycles. Importantly, this MOF demonstrates a unique photocatalytic bacteriostatic behavior under visible light, which can effectively ameliorate the bacteria and/or mold breeding problem in water adsorbing materials.     

云蒸霞蔚——多色双喷泉实验

本实验在氨气和氯化氢气体的单喷泉实验基础上设计了集两种气体的制备、收集、验满、尾气处理、气体反应、喷泉实验与试剂回收利用于一体的连续性实验,喷泉部分涉及到的实验原理有氨气与硫酸铜溶液的配位反应、氨气与氯化钴溶液的沉淀反应、无色酚酞溶液和酸性对硝基苯酚溶液在碱性环境下的变色反应,以及氯化铁和硫氰化钾在弱酸性条件下的反应等。本实验的主要仪器装置由团队自行设计、定制,操作简便,玻璃活塞还可控制喷发顺序,实现多色多样喷泉,伴随氯化铵生成时的袅袅白烟,云蒸霞蔚,煞是壮观。另外,我们设计了多角度的互动方案,针对不同程度知识背景的受众传授知识,让参观者真切感受到化学的魅力。     

新型丁烯内酯衍生物的设计合成及诱导胃癌细胞凋亡研究

开发了一条合成天然产物Uncinine的新方法,基于此设计合成了一系列新型的丁烯内酯衍生物.通过噻唑蓝(MTT)法评价了目标化合物对胃癌细胞的增殖抑制活性,分析了其构效关系.其中,3-吗啉甲基-4-(4-叔丁基苯基)亚基丁烯内酯(9l)对MGC803的IC50为2.9μmol/L,对胃癌细胞MGC803、HGC27以及SGC7901具有明显的选择性增殖抑制作用,而对正常的胃粘膜上皮细胞GES1具有较小的毒性.初步的作用机制研究表明,化合物9l诱导胃癌细胞MGC803凋亡依赖Caspase 9/3激活.