Solvent Effects and Internal Functions Control Molecular Recognition of Neutral Substrates in Functionalized Self-Assembled Cages.

suite of internally functionalized FeL cage complexes has been synthesized with lipophilic end groups to allow dissolution in varied solvent mixtures, and the scope of their molecular recognition of a series of neutral, nonpolar guests has been analyzed. The lipophilic end groups confer cage solubility in solvents with a wide range of polarities, from hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) to tetrahydrofuran, and the hosts show micromolar affinities for neutral guests, despite having no flat panels enclosing the cavity. These hosts allow interrogation of the effects of an internal functional group on guest binding properties, as well as solvent-based driving forces for recognition.

Unusually Rapid Isomerization of Aspartic Acid in Tau.

Spontaneous chemical modifications in long-lived proteins can potentially change protein structure in ways that impact proteostasis and cellular health. For example, isomerization of aspartic acid interferes with protein turnover and is anticorrelated with cognitive acuity in Alzheimer's disease. However, few isomerization rates have been determined for Asp residues in intact proteins.

Forensic science capacity development: A case study of Timor-Leste.

Forensic science is socially constructed within particular contexts, with notable challenges for countries of the Global South. This study explored forensic capacity development taking place under a bilateral agreement between the governments of Timor-Leste and Australia through the Timor-Leste Police Development Program. Data were collected through in-country site visits, observations, and interviews with key personnel from both countries.

Chromophore Optimization in Organometallic Au(III) Cys Arylation of Peptides and Proteins for 266 nm Photoactivation.

Cysteine is the most reactive naturally occurring amino acid due to the presence of a free thiol, presenting a tantalizing handle for covalent modification of peptides/proteins. Although many mass spectrometry experiments could benefit from site-specific modification of Cys, the utility of direct arylation has not been thoroughly explored. Recently, Spokoyny and co-workers reported a Au(III) organometallic reagent that robustly arylates Cys and tolerates a wide variety of solvents and conditions.