Andrey V. Galukhin

Investigation of DNA binding abilities of solid lipid nanoparticles based on p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene platform

An amphiphilic thiacalix[4]arene derivative functionalized with guanidinium groups forms stable solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) with high ζ-potential in water. Applying gel electrophoresis and fluorescent spectroscopy methods shows that the SLNs have high binding affinity to double-stranded DNA, but despite this fact, we have not observed any significant transfection activity toward three different mammalian cell lines. A UV-spectroscopic study reveals that interaction between the SLNs and the polynucleotide leads to partial denaturation of the DNA located on the surface of the nanoparticles that can hinder transfection.

Effect of Catalytic Aquathermolysis on High-Molecular-Weight Components of Heavy Oil in the Ashal’cha Field

We have studied the effect of catalytic aquathermolysis on the high-molecular-weight components of crude oil in the Ashal’cha field (Republic of Tatarstan). We used an iron(III) tris(acetylacetonate) complex as the catalyst. The change in the structure and composition of the resins and asphaltenes in aquathermolysis was studied by PMR and IR spectroscopy.

p-tert-Butylthiacalix[4]arenes equipped with guanidinium fragments: aggregation, cytotoxicity, and DNA binding abilities

Mono-, di- and tetracationic thiacalix[4]arenes in a 1,3-alternate conformation functionalized with guanidinium groups showed a strong dependence of the aggregation properties with the ratio of guanidinium/n-decyl fragments attached to phenolic groups. Increasing the amount of guanidinium fragments improved the macrocycles solubility in water as well as the sorption capacity towards polynucleotide molecules. The synthesized thiacalixarenes showed relatively high toxicity comparable with that for similar receptors based on the classical calixarene.

Heavy oil oxidation in the nano-porous medium of synthetic opal

Increasing interest to study hydrocarbon behavior in fine porous media, awakened by the shale revolution, requires the application of suitable model porous media. In the current study we prepared nano-porous synthetic opal, profoundly investigated its morphological and textural properties, and studied the kinetics of combustion of heavy oil impregnated into nanopores. Comparison of kinetic parameters of the oil oxidation process for nano-porous and coarse-porous media revealed that nanoconfinement affects the reactivity of oil.