Photoswitching of Co(ii)-based coordination cages containing azobenzene backbones.

Inclusion of photoswitchable azobenzene units as spacers into ditopic bridging ligands L and L, containing two chelating pyrazolyl-pyridine termini, allows formation of metal complex assemblies with Co(ii) that undergo a range of light-induced structural transformations. One notable result is the light-induced conversion of a Co(L) dinuclear triple helicate (based on the ligand isomer) to a -symmetric Co(L) assembly, assumed to be an edge-bridged tetrahedral cage, based on the ligand isomer. Another is the preparation of a series of Co(L) complexes, of which Co(-L) was crystallographically characterised and consists of a pair of Co(L) double helicates connected by an additional two bridging ligands which span the pair of helicate units, giving a cyclic Co array in which one and then two bridging ligands alternate around the periphery.

Molecular Basis of Selectivity and Activity for the Antimicrobial Peptide Lynronne-1 Informs Rational Design of Peptide with Improved Activity.

Antibiotic resistance is a significant threat to human health, with natural products remaining the best source for new antimicrobial compounds. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are natural products with great potential for clinical use as they are small, amenable to customization, and show broad-spectrum activities. Lynronne-1 is a promising AMP identified in the rumen microbiome that shows broad-spectrum activity against pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii.