Nanostructures as the Substrate for Single-Molecule Magnet Deposition.

Anchoringsingle-molecule magnets (SMMs) on the surface of nanostructures is gaining particular interest in the field of molecular magnetism. The accurate organization of SMMs on low-dimensional substrates enables controlled interactions and the possibility of individual molecules' manipulation, paving the route for a broad range of nanotechnological applications. In this comprehensive review article, the most studied types of SMMs are presented, and the quantum-mechanical origin of their magnetic behavior is described.

Functional profiling of the G protein-coupled receptor C3aR1 reveals ligand-mediated biased agonism.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are leading druggable targets for several medicines, but many GPCRs are still untapped for their therapeutic potential due to poor understanding of specific signaling properties. The complement C3a receptor 1 (C3aR1) has been extensively studied for its physiological role in C3a-mediated anaphylaxis/inflammation, and in TLQP-21-mediated lipolysis, but direct evidence for the functional relevance of the C3a and TLQP-21 ligands and signal transduction mechanisms are still limited. In addition, C3aR1 G protein coupling specificity is still unclear, and whether endogenous ligands, or drug-like compounds, show ligand-mediated biased agonism is unknown.

Synthetic Opals or Versatile Nanotools-A One-Step Synthesis of Uniform Spherical Silica Particles.

Synthetic opals, a composition of homogeneous silica spheres in the mesoscale size range, have attracted the attention of scientists due to their favorable chemical and physical properties. Their chemical inertness and stability, biocompatibility, homogeneity, elevated specific surface area, and ease of functionalization of their surfaces make them a versatile nanotool. In the present study, the Stöber process was used to investigate the effect of parameters, such as reagent concentration and synthesis temperature, on the resulting silica particle size and structure.

Synthesis, thermal evolution and magnetic investigations of SBA-15 silica functionalized with anchored iron phosphonate molecules.

In the current work, we report on the synthesizing of a series of novel nanocomposite materials obtained by functionalizing the SBA-15 silica matrix with anchored iron phosphonate molecules and the following thermal treatment. The obtained results reveal the formation of a unique amorphic layer of Fe-based compounds on the surface of silica walls of SBA-15 channels as a result of the organic groups' decomposition after moderate thermal treatment. Due to their unique structure, represented in an active Fe-containing amorphous coating spread over a large surface area, these materials are of great interest for their potential applications in fields such as catalysis, adsorption, and non-linear optics.