Crystallographic Characterization and Non-Innocent Redox Activity of the Glycine Modified DOTA Scaffold and Its Impact on Eu Electrochemistry.

EuDOTA-glycine derivatives have been explored as alternatives to typical gadolinium-containing complexes for MRI agents used in diagnostic imaging. Different imaging modalities can be accessed ( or PARACEST) dependent on the oxidation state of the europium ion. Throughout the past 30 years, there have been significant manipulations and additions made to the DOTA scaffold; yet, characterizations related to electrochemistry and structure determined through XRD analysis have not been fully analyzed.

Engineering a pH-Sensitive Liposomal MRI Agent by Modification of a Bacterial Channel.

MscL is a bacterial mechanosensitive channel that serves as a cellular emergency release valve, protecting the cell from lysis upon a drop in external osmolarity. The channel has an extremely large pore (30 Å) and can be purified and reconstituted into artificial membranes. Moreover, MscL is modified to open in response to alternative external stimuli including changes in pH.