A novel and simple method of screening compounds for interaction with DNA: A validation study.

We report the development of a simple, cost-effective assay for detecting compounds that have the ability to interact with and modify DNA. Potential uses for the assay lie in the areas of early genotoxicity testing of drug candidates, anticancer and antibiotic drug discovery, environmental monitoring and testing in the food, beverage and cosmetics industries. At present the assay has been used to assess direct-acting compounds only and it is yet to be established whether the assay is compatible with bio-activation.

Binaphthyl scaffolded peptoids via ring-closing metathesis reactions and their anti-bacterial activities.

An efficient synthesis of four new acyclic and four new cyclic binaphthyl-based cationic peptoids is described. These compounds had anti-bacterial activities with MIC values of 4-62 microg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus.