Elucidating the High Affinity Copper(II) Complexation by the Iron Chelator Deferasirox Provides Therapeutic and Toxicity Insight.

Tinoco A-Team Deferasirox (Def), an orally administered iron-chelating drug, has drawn significant interest in repurposing for anticancer application due to the elevated Fe demand by cancer cells. But there are also concerns about its severe off target health effects. Herein Cu(II) binding is studied as a potential off target interaction.

Development of a Neuropeptide Y-Sensitive Implantable Microelectrode for Continuous Measurements.

In this work, we present the development of the first implantable aptamer-based platinum microelectrode for continuous measurement of a nonelectroactive molecule, neuropeptide Y (NPY). The aptamer immobilization was performed via conjugation chemistry and characterized using cyclic voltammetry before and after the surface modification. The redox label, methylene blue (MB), was attached at the end of the aptamer sequence and characterized using square wave voltammetry (SWV).

Measurement of Neuropeptide Y in Aptamer-Modified Planar Electrodes.

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a powerful technique for studying the interaction at electrode/solution interfaces. The adoption of EIS for obtaining analytical signals in biosensors based on aptamers is gaining popularity because of its advantageous characteristics for molecular recognition. Neuropeptide Y (NPY), the most abundant neuropeptide in the body, plays a crucial role with its stress-relieving properties.

Measurement of neuropeptide Y with molecularly imprinted polypyrrole on carbon fiber microelectrodes.

The measurement of neuropeptides using small electrodes for high spatial resolution would provide us with localized information on the release of neuromolecules. The release of Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is related to different neurological diseases such as stress, obesity, and PTSD, among others. In this conference paper, we electrodeposited polypyrrole on carbon fiber microelectrodes in the presence of NPY to develop a molecularly imprinted polypyrrole sensitive to NPY.

Exploring Titanium(IV) Complexes as Potential Antimicrobial Compounds.

Due to the rapid mutation of pathogenic microorganisms, drug-resistant superbugs have evolved. Antimicrobial-resistant germs may share their resistance genes with other germs, making them untreatable. The search for more combative antibiotic compounds has led researchers to explore metal-based strategies centered on perturbing the bioavailability of essential metals in microbes and examining the therapeutic potential of metal complexes.

Exploring the pH dependent aqueous speciation of metal complexes through UV-Vis spectroscopy.

Coordination chemistry is a major component of the undergraduate inorganic chemistry curriculum and yet the presentation of the material can be cumbersome due to the limitations of the course typically being taught in one semester. Also, because of the large scope of this branch of chemistry encompassing all of the elements, the course design has not been standardized. These factors result in some important coordination chemistry themes being given insufficient development.

Evaluating Ligand Modifications of the Titanocene and Auranofin Moieties for the Development of More Potent Anticancer Drugs.

Over time platinum-based anticancer drugs have dominated the market, but their side effects significantly impact the quality of life of patients. Alternative treatments are being developed all over the world. The titanocene and auranofin families of compounds, discovered through an empirical search for other metal-based therapeutics, hold tremendous promise to improve the outcomes of cancer treatment.

Magnetic resonance imaging contrast enhancement in vitro and in vivo by octanuclear iron-oxo cluster-based agents.

A water-soluble octanuclear cluster, [Fe], was studied with regard to its properties as a potential contrast enhancing agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in magnetic fields of 1.3, 7.2 and 11.

Iron and Copper Intracellular Chelation as an Anticancer Drug Strategy.

A very promising direction in the development of anticancer drugs is inhibiting the molecular pathways that keep cancer cells alive and able to metastasize. Copper and iron are two essential metals that play significant roles in the rapid proliferation of cancer cells and several chelators have been studied to suppress the bioavailability of these metals in the cells. This review discusses the major contributions that Cu and Fe play in the progression and spreading of cancer and evaluates select Cu and Fe chelators that demonstrate great promise as anticancer drugs.