Preparation of selective organ-targeting (SORT) lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) using multiple technical methods for tissue-specific mRNA delivery.

A new methodology termed selective organ targeting (SORT) was recently developed that enables controllable delivery of nucleic acids to target tissues. SORT lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) involve the inclusion of SORT molecules that accurately tune delivery to the liver, lungs and spleen of mice after intravenous administration. Nanoparticles can be engineered to target specific cells and organs in the body by passive, active and endogenous targeting mechanisms that require distinct design criteria.

Catalytic asymmetric (4 + 1) annulation of nitroalkenes with allylic acetates: stereoselective synthesis of isoxazoline N-oxides.

An asymmetric (4 + 1) annulation of α-nitro cinnamates with Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) acetates catalyzed by α-isocupreine is reported. It provides chiral isoxazoline N-oxides in moderate to good yields with 88-99% ee, and represents the first catalytic asymmetric (4 + 1) annulation of activated nitroalkenes with in situ generated ammonium ylides. It also affords a practical and efficient access to chiral isoxazoline N-oxides.

Isolation, Structure, and Total Synthesis of the Marine Macrolide Mangrolide D.

The isolation, characterization, and total synthesis of the macrocyclic polyene mangrolide D is reported. A 16-step total synthesis relies on robust Suzuki and ring-closing metathesis reactions, and an iron-catalyzed hydroazidation of an exomethylene substituted tetrahydropyran as a key step for the synthesis of the appended 4- epi-vancosamine sugar. Although mangrolide D did not display antibiotic activity, this work should prove enabling toward the synthesis of the antitubercular tiacumicins which display a virtually identical macrocyclic backbone.

A portable and quantitative biosensor for cadmium detection using glucometer as the point-of-use device.

As an ubiquitous heavy metal pollutant, cadmium ion (Cd) is detrimental to food and human health even at low concentrations. Conventional methods require costly instruments and cannot meet the requirements of on-site analysis. Here we report the use of a personal glucose meter (PGM) as the point-of-use (POU) device for portable and quantitative detection of Cd.

Highly Sensitive Aptasensor for Trace Arsenic(III) Detection Using DNAzyme as the Biocatalytic Amplifier.

A highly sensitive fluorescence biosensing system was designed for the detection of trace amounts of arsenic(III) (As) based on target-triggered successive signal amplification strategy. The specific recognition between the target As and the aptamer sequence results in the release of the blocking DNA to trigger the subsequent signal amplification steps. Exonuclease III (Exo III)-mediated DNA recycling digest process is introduced into the sensing system to generate numerous Mg-dependent DNAzymes.