Algebraic methods for vector bundles on non-Kähler elliptic fibrations

We survey some parts of the vast literature on holomorphic vector bundles on compact complex manifolds, focusing on the rank-two case vector bundles on non-Kähler elliptic fibrations. It is by no means intended to be a complete overview of this wide topic, but we rather focus on results obtained by the author and his collaborators.     

Tolyporphin—An Unusual Green Chlorin‐like Dioxobacteriochlorin

The tolyporphins, a family of green tetrapyrrolic pigments isolated from a cyanobacterium‐microbial ecological unit, possess unique carbohydrate‐derivatized dioxobacteriochlorin frameworks. A brief overview over the history, synthesis, chemistry and biological properties of the tolyporphins forms the backdrop for highlighting the contribution by Hood et al. (Photochem. Photobiol., 2017, https://doi.org/10.1111/php.12781 ) who demonstrate the optical properties of tolyporphins to be more similar to those of chlorins than of bacteriochlorins. This property could be correlated with the presence of β‐oxo‐functionalities. The study continues to clarify the structure, properties and possible roles of these intriguing chromophores with a range of biomedical properties.     

Theoretical investigations on the conversions of cyclic polysulfides to acyclic polysulfide diradicals and subsequent reactions of biological interest

Sulfur is one of the most necessary biogenic elements in nature that must be assimilated by all organisms; it is an essential macronutrient for living organisms and has multiple roles in plant development. The oxidation of elemental sulfur is a complex process involving the contact of cells with sulfur particles, the oxidation of sulfur to sulfite, and the oxidation of sulfite to sulfate. To provide hypothesis concerning the most probable processes in the early states, we determined, by quantum-chemical calculations, the energies of some allotropic forms containing up to 32–40 sulfur atoms and energetics of their reactions with triplet dioxygen. The most probable reactions occurred with methylpolysulfane anions with an electron transfer to give the superoxide anion radical (and thiyls radicals) and especially the formation of peroxydic polysulfane anions. Calculations confirmed that the triplet diradical is more stable than the singlet one for acyclic polysulfide chains.     

Free-base tripyrrins

The hitherto unavailable free-base tripyrrins HTrpy have been prepared by cyanide promoted demetallation of a nickel(ii) tripyrrin and by acid-induced condensation of a diformylpyrrole and an alkylpyrrole with a sterically shielded alpha-position.     

Micro fluid segment technique for screening and development studies on Danio rerio embryos

The applicability of micro fluid segments for studying the behaviour of multicellular systems, in particular embryonic development, has been investigated. It was found that eggs from the zebrafish Danio rerio can be introduced into micro fluid segments without serious damage by using perfluoromethyldecalin (PP9) as the carrier liquid and Teflon (PTFE) as the tube material. The development processes of fish embryos were observed over a time period of 80 hours, until hatching time. After five days, the fish larvae were brought out of the micro fluid segments and transferred into breeding reservoirs. Effects of the membrane-damaging anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) alone and SDS with the addition of CuCl(2) (copper(II) chloride) were investigated. By analyzing different end points, we found inhibiting and also supporting effects on the development of the embryos. Low SDS concentrations with and without copper(II) ions were supportive, while higher SDS concentrations led to negative impacts on the development of the embryos. The results showed that automated micro screening processes with complex biological systems can be performed using microfluidic systems and are applicable for future toxicological and drug screening studies.