Investigation of a Kubo-formula-based approach to estimate DNA conductance in an atomistic model

A novel approach to estimate DNA conductance based upon Kubo formula is presented and discussed. Using this approach, the effects of base pair mismatches, different conformational changes and base pair sequence on DNA electrical properties were investigated. The results were compared with the data from other methods. The new approach makes possible very fast estimation of conductance spectra for oligonucleotides with hundreds of base pairs and can easily be extended to treat arbitrary chemical modifications of DNA.     

Calculation of the electronic band structure for the hole-metal state of iodine in high-pressure phase

It is shown by calculation of an electronic energy band structure that iodine in high-pressure phase (above 210 kbar) is a “hole-metal”, in which the conduction is due to holes. Properties of such states are discussed on the basis of the calculated band and analysis of measurements of a reflectance and a thermoelectric power recently reported.     

Viscometric assay for determining lysozyme activity

A method was developed for determining the activity of lysozyme using two pipettes as a viscometer. The proposed viscometric assay uses carboxymethylchitin as a substrate and measures the enzyme activity at 22°C. The method requires only simple manipulations with the use of readily available laboratory equipment and the determination of enzyme activity is rapid.     

A carbon-carbon bond formation using endoperoxides of 1,2-dihydropyridines

A novel type of a nucleophilic substitution on the piperidine ring was achieved by a stannous chloride-effected reaction of endoperoxides of N-alkoxycarbonyl-1,2-dihydropyridines with various kinds of carbon nucleophiles.