Search results for: MOLECULES
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Induction of chirality in 4,4'-azopyridine by halogen-bonding interaction with optically active ditopic donors
PublicationOptically active ditopic halogen bond donors bearing two 4-iodotetrafluorophenyl groups were obtained by reaction of chiral diols with iodopentafluorobenzene. Co-crystallization of these donors with anti-4,4′-azopyridine afforded binary complexes containing infinite chains of the alternating component molecules connected by halogen bonds. The solid state CD measurements confirmed that complexation induces optical activity of the...
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Enzymatic cross-linking of β-lactoglobulin in solution and at air–water interface: Structural constraints
PublicationEffective and controlled use of cross-linking enzymes in structure engineering of food systems depends on characterization of the favorable conditions for enzyme-substrate complex and the limiting factors for the desired modification. In this respect, we analyzed the susceptibility of bovine β-lactoglobulin (BLG) to enzymatic cross-linking by Trichoderma reesei tyrosinase (TrTyr) and transglutaminase (TG). Changes in BLG molecular...
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Conformation analysis and semiclassical dynamics study of charge exchange process induced by collision of C2+ ions with tetrahydrofuran
PublicationWe present the results of recent investigations of charge transfer processes in the collisions of C²⁺ ions with heterocyclic molecules of tetrahydrofuran.
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Effect of ectoine on hydration spheres of peptides–spectroscopic studies
PublicationIn this paper, we use FTIR spectroscopy to characterize the hydration water of ectoine, its interactions with two peptides–diglycine and NAGMA, and the properties of water molecules in the hydration spheres of both peptides changed by the presence of the osmolyte. We found that the interaction of ectoine with the peptide hydration shells had no effect on its own hydration sphere. However, the enhanced hydration layer of the osmolyte...
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Why is the cubic structure preferred in newly formed ice?
PublicationMolecular dynamics was employed to explain the preference for the cubic structure in newly formed crystals of ice. The results showed that in supercooled liquid water the molecules connected by hydrogen bonds are more likely to adopt relative orientations similar to the ones characteristic for cubic ice. The observed preference for certain relative orientations of molecules in the hydrogen-bonded pairs results in the higher probability...
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Cross section calculations for electron scattering from platinum chemotherapeutic compounds
PublicationCross section for electron impact ionization of carboplatin, C6H12N2O4Pt, and oxaliplatin, C8H14N2O4Pt, have been calculated within binary-encounter-Bethe model for energies from the ionization threshold up to 5000 eV. Cross section for elastic electron scattering from carboplatin and oxaliplatin molecules have also been derived using independent atom method (IAM) and additivity rule for collision energies ranging from 50 eV to...
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An examination of an Antarctic soil metagenomic-derivate putative methylthioadenosine phosphorylase gene as a novel reporter gene for promoter trapping
PublicationThe rsfp gene was discovered during examination ofan Antarctic soil-derived metagenome library and encodesa bacterial methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (GenBank accession number GQ202582). In a previous study, we found that E. coli colonies expressing the rsfp gene reveal strong pink fluorescence after exposure to UV light when grown on culture medium supplemented with rhodamine B (Cieśliński et al., 2009). In contrast to that,...
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Simplified AutoDock force field for hydrated binding sites
Publicationhas been extracted from the Protein Data Bank and used to test and recalibrate AutoDock force field. Since for some binding sites water molecules are crucial for bridging the receptor-ligand interactions, they have to be included in the analysis. To simplify the process of incorporating water molecules into the binding sites and make it less ambiguous, new simple water model was created. After recalibration of the force field on...
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Anharmonic Infrared Spectroscopy through the Fourier Transform of Time Correlation Function Formalism in ONETEP
PublicationDensity functional theory molecular dynamics (DFT-MD) provides an efficient framework for accurately computing several types of spectra. The major benefit of DFTMD approaches lies in the ability to naturally take into account the effects of temperature and anharmonicity, without having to introduce any ad hoc or a posteriori corrections. Consequently, computational spectroscopy based on DFT-MD approaches plays a pivotal role in...
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Ultrasound assisted synthesis of 3-alkynyl substituted 2-chloroquinoxaline derivatives: Their in silico assessment as potential ligands for N-protein of SARS-CoV-2
PublicationIn view of recent global pandemic the 3-alkynyl substituted 2-chloroquinoxaline framework has been explored as a potential template for the design of molecules targeting COVID-19. Initial in silico studies of representative compounds to assess their binding affinities via docking into the N-terminal RNA-binding domain (NTD) of N-protein of SARS-CoV-2 prompted further study of these molecules. Thus building of a small library of...
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Positron binding to alkali-metal hydrides: The role of molecular vibrations
PublicationThe bound vibrational levels for J=0 have been computed for the series of alkali-metal hydride molecules from LiH to RbH, including NaH and KH. For all four molecules the corresponding potential-energy curves have been obtained for each isolated species and for its positron-bound complex (e+XH). It is found that the calculated positron affinity values strongly depend on the molecular vibrational state for which they are obtained...
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Electronically Excited States in Solution via a Smooth Dielectric Model Combined with Equation-of-Motion Coupled Cluster Theory
PublicationWe present a method for computing excitation energies for molecules in solvent, based on the combination of a minimal parameter implicit solvent model and the equation-of-motion coupled-cluster singles and doubles method (EOM-CCSD). In this method, the solvent medium is represented by a smoothly varying dielectric function, constructed directly from the quantum mechanical electronic density using only two tunable parameters. The...
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Influence of rhamnolipids and ionic cross-linking conditions on the mechanical properties of alginate hydrogels as a model bacterial biofilm
PublicationThe literature indicates the existence of a relationship between rhamnolipids and bacterial biofilm, as well as the ability of selected bacteria to produce rhamnolipids and alginate. However, the influence of biosurfactant molecules on the mechanical properties of biofilms are still not fully understood. The aim of this research is to determine the effect of rhamnolipids concentration, CaCl2 concentration, and ionic cross-linking...
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In silico assessment and sonochemical synthesis of 2-alkynyl 3-chloropyrazines as prospective ligands for SARS-CoV-2
PublicationThe recent global pandemic caused by COVID-19 has triggered an intense effort worldwide towards the development of an effective cure for this disease. In our effort we have explored the 2-alkynyl substituted 3-chloropyrazine framework as a potential template for the design of molecules for this purpose. Our strategy was supported by the in silico studies of representative compounds to assess their binding affinities via docking...
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Optoelectronic system for investigation of cvd diamond/DLC layers growth
PublicationDevelopment of the optoelectronic system for non-invasive monitoring of diamond/DLC (Diamond-Like-Carbon) thin films growth during μPA ECR CVD (Microwave Plasma Assisted Electron Cyclotron Resonance Chemical Vapour Deposition) process is described. The system uses multi-point Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) and long-working-distance Raman spectroscopy. Dissociation of H2 molecules, excitation and ionization of hydrogen atoms...
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Water-mediated influence of a crowded environment on internal vibrations of a protein molecule
PublicationThe influence of crowding on the protein inner dynamics is examined by putting a single protein molecule close to one or two neighboring protein molecules. The presence of additional molecules influences the amplitudes of protein fluctuations. Also, a weak dynamical coupling of collective velocities of surface atoms of proteins separated by a layer of water is detected. The possible mechanisms of these phenomena are described....
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Hydration of Oxometallate Ions in Aqueous Solution
PublicationThe strength of hydrogen bonding to and structure of hydrated oxometallate ions in aqueous solution have been studied by double difference infrared (DDIR) spectroscopy and large-angle X-ray scattering (LAXS), respectively. Anions are hydrated by accepting hydrogen bonds from the hydrating water molecules. The oxygen atom of the permanganate and perrhenate ions form weaker and longer hydrogen bonds to water than the hydrogen bonds...
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Methylation effect in e−— scattering on methyl-substituted ethylenes
PublicationMethylation effect has been observed and studied in electron-scattering from selected hydrocarbon molecules. In measured total cross section (TCS) functions we have noticed energy shifts and changes in the intensity of observed structures.
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Mechanism of antifreeze protein functioning and the “anchored clathrate water” concept
PublicationIn liquid water, there is a natural tendency to form aggregates that consist of water molecules linked by hydrogen bonds. Such spontaneously formed aggregates are surrounded by a "sea" of disordered water molecules, with both forms remaining in equilibrium. The process of creating water aggregates also takes place in the solvation water of proteins, but in this case the interactions of water molecules with the protein surface shift...
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Cell-penetrating peptides – mechanism of transduction and synthesis – short review
PublicationPotential antimicrobial agents may be effective if they are delivered efficiently to their site of action. In many cases, lack of permeability through the cell membrane is the main problem. One of the possible solutions could be a novel intracellular delivery system involving cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), which may improve the efficiency of many new biophar-maceuticals. Among other things, CPPs are capable of trans-porting...
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Hydrogen and chalcogen bonds in crystals of chalcogenadiazolecarboxylic acids – competition or cooperation?
PublicationThis article presents crystal structures of chalcogenadiazolecarboxylic acids bearing both a hydrogen and a chalcogen bond donor. The selected molecules varied in the size of the aromatic unit, the chalcogen atom and/or the position of the carboxyl group in the core structure. The most common synthons in their lattice are "R" _"2" ^"2" (8) self-complementary acid dimers or four-membered [Ch···N]2 rings. Supramolecular synthons...
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Kinga Kaniewska-Laskowska dr inż.
PeopleEducation BSc - qualification: Engineer in Chemistry 2013: Gdańsk University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Inorganic ChemistryPL thesis title: Kompleksy żelaza z ligandami fosfinidenowymiEN thesis title: Iron complexes with phosphinidene ligands Supervisor: dr hab. inż. Rafał Grubba MSc - qualification: Master of Science in Chemical Technology, spec. Organic Technology 2014: Gdańsk University of Technology,...
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Crystallographic study of self-organization in the solid state including quasi-aromatic pseudo-ring stacking interactions in 1-benzoyl-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)thiourea and 1-benzoyl-3-(2-hydroxypropyl)thiourea
Publication1-Benzoylthioureas contain both carbonyl and thiocarbonyl functional groups and are of interest for their biological activity, metal coordination ability and involvement in hydrogen-bond formation. Two novel 1-benzoylthiourea derivatives, namely 1-benzoyl-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)thiourea, C₁₆H₁₆N₂O₃S, (I), and 1-benzoyl-3-(2-hydroxypropyl)thiourea, C₁₁H₁₄N₂O₂S, (II), have been synthesized and characterized. Compound (I) crystallizes...
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Encapsulation of an anticancer drug Isatin inside a host nano-vehicle SWCNT: a molecular dynamics simulation
PublicationThe use of carbon nanotubes as anticancer drug delivery cargo systems is a promising modality as they are able to perforate cellular membranes and transport the carried therapeutic molecules into the cellular components. Our work describes the encapsulation process of a common anticancer drug, Isatin (1H-indole-2,3-dione) as a guest molecule, in a capped single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) host with chirality of (10,10). The...
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Amides as models to study the hydration of proteins and peptides — spectroscopic and theoretical approach on hydration in various temperatures
PublicationInteractions with water are one of the key factors which determine protein stability and activity in aqueous solutions. However, the protein hydration is still insufficiently understood. N-methylacetamide (NMA) is regarded as a minimal part of the peptide backbone and the relative simplicity of its structure makes it a good model for studies on protein–water interactions. In this paper, the influence of NMA and N,N-dimethylacetamide...
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Hunting for the Magnesium(I) Species: Formation, Structure, andReactivity of some Donor-Free Grignard Compounds
PublicationMagnesium bromide radicals have to be prepared as high-temperature molecules and trapped as a metastable solution because a seemingly simple reduction of donor-free Grignard compounds failed. However, the essential role of magnesium(I) species during the formation of Grignard compounds could be demonstrated experimentally.
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SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF OLIGOMERS WITH HYDROXY END-GROUPS
PublicationMethods of oligomers (polymers) with hydroxy end-groups obtaining are examined. The synthesis of hydroxy-containing oligomers based on epoxy resins is of special attention. The molecules of mentioned oligomers apart from free primary and secondary hydroxy groups contain epoxy, peroxy, carboxy or acrylic groups.
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Peptide dendrimers as antifungal agents and carriers for potential antifungal agent—N3‐(4‐methoxyfumaroyl)‐(S)‐2,3‐ diaminopropanoic acid—synthesis and antimicrobial activity
PublicationA series of peptide dendrimers and their conjugates with antimicrobial agent FMDP (N3‐(4‐methoxyfumaroyl)‐(S)‐2,3‐diamino‐propanoic acid) were synthesized. The obtained compounds were tested for the antibacterial and antifungal activity. All novel dendrimers displayed much better activity against the tested strains than FMDP itself. Moreover, their conjugates with FMDP also exhibited antimicrobial activity. The most promising molecules...
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Topochemical, Single‐Crystal‐to‐Single‐Crystal [2+2] Photocycloadditions Driven by Chalcogen‐Bonding Interactions
PublicationThe face-to-face association of (E)-1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpen) molecules into rectangular motifs stabilized for the first time by chalcogen bonding (ChB) interactions is shown to provide photoreactive systems leading to cyclobutane formation through single-crystal-to-single-crystal [2+2] photodimerizations. The chelating chalcogen bond donors are based on original aromatic, ortho-substituted bis(selenocyanato)benzene derivatives...
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Redox property switching in MOFs with open metal sites for improved catalytic hydrogenation performance
PublicationIn this study, a decompression-thermalization strategy was utilized for a Cu-containing metal-organic framework (MOF) to tune its redox and catalytic hydrogenation properties. Remarkably, at just 120 °C, open metal sites (OMSs) were successfully constructed by removing coordinated solvent molecules to generate the daughter MOF-120. The tailored redox property of MOF-120 is correlated with the presence of OMSs. Compared with the...
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ELECTRON ATTACHMENT TO HETEROGENEOUS MOLECULAR CLUSTERS
PublicationHeterogeneous clusters are unique model species enabling studies of bulk and surface processes by vacuum restricted methods. This is of particular importance for the reactions of low-energy electrons which have extremely short penetration depth in bulk environments. This contribution overviews our recent experiments with low-energy electrons and clusters prepared by different techniques. First, the deposition of molecules on argon...
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The POCOBIO Database for Computed Scattering Cross-Sections for Positron Collisions with Biomolecular Systems
PublicationThe design of a database for positron interactions with biomolecular systems is outlined. The database contains only scattering cross sections, which are derived from theory. The data model is defined in a very flexible way, which facilitates the usage of weakly bound clusters of molecules and molecular systems with many tautomeric forms.
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Structural and dynamic properties of water within the solvation layer around various conformations of the glycine-based polypeptide
PublicationSeveral conformations of the solvated glycine-based polypeptides were investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. Some properties of water in the neighbouring space around these molecules were investigated. It was found, that water forms a well-defined layer - the first solvation shell - around the peptide molecule, and thickness of this layer is independent of the peptide structure, and it equals to approximately 0.28 nm....
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An effective method for studying intermolecular interactions in binary liquids with hydrogen bonds: FTIR spectra and ab initio calculations in the N-methylformamide - methanol system
PublicationMolecular complexes in methanol (MeOH)−N-methylformamide (NMF) mixtures were studied based on their FTIR-ATR spectra, to which two methods of analysis were applied: factor analysis and a quantitative version of the difference-spectra method. The mean composition of a complex between NMF and MeOH molecules over the whole range of mixture compositions was determined. Absorbing species differentiated with regard to the interaction...
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Molecular basis of the osmolyte effect on protein stability: a lesson from the mechanical unfolding of lysozyme
PublicationOsmolytes are a class of small organic molecules that shift the protein folding equilibrium. For this reason, they are accumulated by organisms under environmental stress, and find applications in biotechnology where proteins need to be stabilized or dissolved. However, despite years of research, debate continues over the exact mechanisms underpinning the stabilizing and denaturing effect of osmolytes. Here, we simulated the mechanical...
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Successive cytotoxicity control by evolutionary surface decorated electronic push-pull green ZnCr-LDH nanostructures: Drug delivery enlargement for targeted breast cancer chemotherapy
PublicationThe reason for the increasing bioavailability and biocompatibility of the porous nanomaterials in the presence of different (bio)molecules is still unknown. The role of difference functional groups and their interactions with the potential bioavailability and biocompatibility is of great importance. To investigate the potential contribution of the electronic effects (especially on the surface of the porous nanomaterials) on their...
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Theoretical Design of the Molecular Structure of Bent-Core Mesogens with Large Second-Order Nonlinear Optical Properties
PublicationABSTRACT: The first hyperpolarizability of two series of moleculeswith bent-shaped structures has been calculated at the ab initio level.The two series consist of carboxyl derivatives for which somemolecules are known to exhibit banana phases and of their sulfinatehomologues that have not been synthesized yet. The final purpose isto reveal the relevance or not in synthesizing these latter molecules.The strategy is based on reporting...
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Optical emission spectroscopy of plasma generated by a waveguide-supplied microwave plasma source operated at 915MHz
PublicationIn this paper we present the results of an optical emission spectroscopic study of an atmospheric pressure microwave (915 MHz) nitrogen and nitrogen with carbon dioxide (1%) plasma at high working gas flow rate. This study was aimed at determining rotational Trot and vibrational Tvib temperatures of N+2 ions and N2, CN molecules. The plasma was generated in a waveguide-supplied cavity-resonant type microwave plasma source. All...
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Optical photoluminescent, and electroluminescent properties of organic solids
PublicationThis chapter discusses optical, photoluminescence and electroluminescence properties of organic materials. First, the spectral features of individual molecules and molecular solid states are analysed. Next, the excitonic processes in organic materials are discussed. The chapter reviews experimental methods leading to the determination of basic excitonic parameters. Finally, the electroluminescence phenomena in organic materials...
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Chemistry and Nanochemistry 2022.
e-Learning CoursesThe course consists of lectures (15 x 2 hours) and laboratories (5 x 3 hours).The goal of this course is to teach general chemistry and adequately apply it to nano-size systems, their synthesis and analysis. An emphasis is laid on an analysis of electronic structure of molecules and prediction of resulting properties and reasons of consequent behaviour in chemical reactions. The course also encloses laboratory classes, where the...
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TOTAL CROSS SECTIONS FOR ELECTRON SCATTERING FROM SELECTED HYDROCARBONS: THE SUBSTITUTIONAL AND ADDITIVITY EFFECTS
PublicationTotal cross sections (TCS) for electron scattering from selected alkyne molecules, ethylene and its derivatives are compared. All cross sections have been measured in a wide energy range, from about 1 eV up to 370 eV, with the same electrostatic electron spectrometer. The substitutional and additivity effects are indicated and discussed.
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<i>N,N</i>'-diphenylthiourea acetone monosolvate
PublicationIn the title compound, C13H12N2S·C3H6O, the phenyl rings of the thiourea molecule are in syn and anti positions in relation to the C=S bond. Two molecules are connected by N-HS=C hydrogen bonds into a centrosymmetric dimer. An additional N-HO=C hydrogen bond to the acetone solvent molecule and some weak C-H interactions reinforce the crystal structure.
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Optoelectronic system for monitoring of thin diamond layers growth
PublicationDevelopment of the optoelectronic system for monitoring of diamond/DLC (Diamond-Like-Carbon) thin films growth during mu PA ECR CVD (Microwave Plasma Assisted Electron Cyclotron Resonance Chemical Vapour Deposition) process is described. The multi-point Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) and Raman spectroscopy were employed as non-invasive optoelectronic tools. Dissociation of H-2 molecules, excitation and ionization of hydrogen...
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Effect of chemical structure on complexation efficiency of aromatic drugs with cyclodextrins: The example of dibenzazepine derivatives
PublicationIt is widely believed that the hydrophobic effect governs the binding of guest molecules to cyclodextrins (CDs). However, it is also known that high hydrophobicity of guest molecules does not always translate to the formation of stable inclusion complexes with CDs. Indeed, a plethora of other factors can play a role in the efficiency of guest–CD interactions, rendering structure-based prediction of the complexation efficiency with...
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The importance of the shape of the protein-water interface of a kinesin motor domain for dynamics of the surface atoms of the protein
PublicationSingle kinesin motor domain immersed in water has been investigated using molecular dynamics. It has been found that local properties of water in solvation shell change along with the nature of neighboring protein surface. However, a detailed analysis leads to the conclusion that the geometrical features of hydrogen bonds and overall structure of kinesin hydration water is not very different from bulk water. The local values of...
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Preparation of DNA films for studies under vacuum conditions
PublicationExperiments were carried out to determine the optimum conditions required for the preparation of uniform films of supercoiled plasmid DNA to be used in irradiation experiments under high vacuum conditions. Investigations reveal that significant damage to the DNA molecules occurs due to the evacuation process when films were formed from DNA samples in ultra high purity water only. A variety of bases were tested for their possible...
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Influence of Osmolytes on Protein and Water Structure: A Step To Understanding the Mechanism of Protein Stabilization
PublicationResults concerning the thermostability of hen egg white lysozyme in aqueous solutions with stabilizing osmolytes, trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), glycine (Gly), and its N-methyl derivatives, N-methylglycine (NMG), N,N-dimethylglycine (DMG), and N,N,N-trimethylglycine (betaine, TMG), have been presented. The combination of spectroscopic (IR) and calorimetric (DSC) data allowed us to establish a link between osmolytes’ influence on...
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The importance of the shape of the protein–water interface of a kinesin motor domain for dynamics of the surface atoms of the protein
PublicationA single kinesin motor domain immersed in water has been investigated using molecular dynamics. It has been found that local properties of water in the solvation shell change along with the nature of the neighboring protein surface. However, a detailed analysis leads to the conclusion that the geometrical features of hydrogen bonds and overall structure of kinesin hydration water are not very different from bulk water. The local...
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Induced-fit binding of laccase to gold and carbon electrodes for the biological fuel cell applications
PublicationAnalogues of laccase natural substrates (syringic, veratric, ferulic, vanillic, isovanillic, 3,5-dimethoxybenzoic aldehydes) were employed to bind and orient laccase molecules in a way which facilitates adsorption of the catalyst molecules and their electrical connection with the conductive support. Laccase was bound efficiently to these substrates both on gold and carbon electrodes forming, respectively, 2D and 3D films sensitive...
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Self-assembly of secondary aryl amides in cocrystals with perfluoroaryl coformers: structural analysis and synthon preferences
PublicationCooperation of aryl⋯perfluoroaryl stacking interactions and hydrogen bonds was utilized in the construction of six novel cocrystals of aromatic cis-amides with pentafluorobenzoic acid (pfba) and pentafluorophenol (pfp). They were obtained by crystallization from solution and structurally characterized. In four instances, the components form heterotetrameric motifs, in which amide:amide homodimer interacts symmetrically on two sides...