George R. Negrete

Adsorption of proteins to thin-films of PDMS and its effect on the adhesion of human endothelial cells

This paper describes a simple and inexpensive procedure to produce thin-films of poly(dimethylsiloxane). Such films were characterized by a variety of techniques (ellipsometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, atomic force microscopy, and goniometry) and used to investigate the adsorption kinetics of three model proteins (fibrinogen, collagen type-I, and bovine serum albumin) under different conditions. The information collected from the protein adsorption studies was then used to investigate the adhesion of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. The results of these studies suggest that these films can be used to model the surface properties of microdevices fabricated with commercial PDMS. Moreover, the paper provides guidelines to efficiently attach cells in BioMEMS devices.

Characterization of novel perylene diimides containing aromatic amino acid side chains.

Perylene diimide derivatives have attracted initial interest as industrial dyes. Recently, much attention has been focused on their strong π-π stacks resulting from the large PDI aromatic core. These PDI stacks have distinct optical properties, and provide informative models that could mimic light-harvesting systems and initial charge transfer typical of photosynthetic systems. The absorption property of PDI derivatives may be tuned from visible to near-infrared region by peripheral substitution. We have studied a new class of PDI derivatives with aryl substituents derived from the side chains of aromatic aminoacids (Tyrosine, Tryptophan and Phenylalanine). We have investigated their absorption and the fluorescence properties in a set of organic solvents and established their different tendencies to aggregate in solution despite their solubility. Most aggregation appears to be unordered. One PDI analogue (the one formed from Tyr) in Methanol, however, appears to form J-type aggregates. Based on our results the compounds appear to be promising for future investigations regarding the interaction of these dyes with biomolecules.

Novel asparagine-derived lipid enhances distearoylphosphatidylcholine bilayer resistance to acidic conditions

A novel asparagine-derived lipid analogue (ALA(11,17)) bearing a tetrahydropyrimidinone headgroup and two fatty chains (11 and 17 indicate the lengths of linear alkyl groups) was synthesized in high yield and purity. The thin film hydration of formulations containing 5 mol % or greater ALA(11,17) in distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC) generated multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) that remained unaggregated according to optical microscopy, while those formed from DSPC only were highly clustered. The MLVs were processed into unilamellar liposomes via extrusion and were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, turbidity, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Results show that the presence of ALA(11,17) in DSPC liposomes significantly alters the morphology, colloidal stability, and retention of encapsulated materials in both acidic and neutral conditions. The ability of ALA(11,17)-hybrid liposomes to encapsulate and retain inclusions under neutral and acidic conditions (pH < 2) was demonstrated by calcein dequenching experiments. DLS and SEM confirmed that ALA(11,17)/DSPC liposomes remained intact under these conditions. The bilayer integrity observed under neutral and acidic conditions and the likely biocompatibility of these fatty amino acid analogues suggest that ALA(11,17) is a promising additive for modulating phosphatidylcholine lipid bilayer properties.

Tandem Friedel-Crafts annulation to novel perylene analogues

Novel dialkyloxy- and dihydroxyoctahydroperylenes are regioselectively available via a new tandem Friedel-Crafts alkylation of tetrahydronaphthalene precursors followed by oxidative aromatization. Heating of 5-alkyloxy-1-tetralol with p-toluenesulfonic acid in sulfolane gave the corresponding octahydroperylenes in moderate yields. Studies with Lewis acids and tetralin-1,5-diol in acetonitrile at room temperature provided the 4,10-dihydroxy analogue cleanly, albeit in reduced yields. Examples of these new series of perylene analogues were partially oxidized to the corresponding contiguously aromatic, anthracene core products or fully aromatized to 3,9-dialkyloxyperylenes in good yields.

Interaction of Human Serum Albumin with Novel 3,9-Disubstituted Perylenes

Human serum albumin (HSA) has been used as a model for the binding of a number of different ligands, including polyaromatic hydrocarbons, to proteins. In this case we have investigated the interaction of HSA with a novel set of perylene derivatives. Di-substituted perylene analogues have been synthesized as potentially useful organic photovoltaic materials. Their photophysical properties may make them viable for fuel cell applications too. However, these molecules are poorly soluble especially in aqueous solvents. Binding to water-soluble proteins may provide a way to solubilize them. At the same time one can study whether the photophysical processes initiated by the irradiation of a perylene ligand can cause conformational changes to the host protein. With the present study we demonstrated that of the three perylene derivatives investigated only one, the dimethoxy analogue, has a significant affinity for HSA at a binding site near the bottom of the central cleft (in proximity of the Trp214 residue). The small affinity prevents any significant photoinduced changes to occur in the protein.

Self-assembled nanospheres for encapsulation and aerosolization of rifampicin

Rifampicin (RIF) is a benchmark drug for treatment of tuberculosis, but poor bioavailability, prolonged treatment, and pill burden have been linked to therapeutic failure and the development of multidrug resistant strains. To overcome these limitations, this study investigated a method of rifampicin nanoencapsulation and aerosol delivery using a commercial, hand-held nebulizer modified with a nitrogen stream.

Acid-responsive nanospheres from an asparagine-derived amphiphile

We describe the synthesis and self-assembly of an asparagine-derived amphiphile. The self-assembled systems formulated with the inclusion of cholesterol (0-50 mol%) show encapsulation for a hydrophobic model drug and rapidly disintegrate in response to mild acidic conditions.

4,10-Diall-yloxy-1,2,3,6b,7,8,9,12b-octa-hydro-perylene.

In the title compound, C26H28O2, the central atoms are coplanar, with the –CH2—CH2– links of the cyclohexene groups lying to either side of the plane and with the diallyloxy residues twisted out of this plane [C—C—O—C torsion angles = 16.6 (3) and −13.9 (3)°]. In the crystal structure, molecules are connected into chains propagating in [100] via C—H⋯π interactions.

(2S,4S)-3-Acryloyl-6-oxo-2-phenyl­perhydro­pyrimidine-4-carboxylic acid

In the title compound, C14H14N2O4, the central six-membered ring adopts a twisted boat conformation with the phenyl substituent occupying an orthogonal position [dihedral angle = 86.88 (11)°]. In the crystal, molecules are linked by carboxylic acid–carbonyl O—H⋯O and amide–carbonyl N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network.

Syntheses of cis- and trans-7-chloro-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyren-8-ol: A remarkable solvent effect on epoxide hydrochlorination diastereoselectivity

Abstract Cis- or trans-7-chloro-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene-8-ol were prepared from the corresponding epoxide in good selectivity and yield via LiCl hydrochlorination in different solvents. These preparations take advantage of a dramatic solvent effect on the hydrochlorination diastereoselectivity. Cis products strongly predominate in chlorinated hydrocarbons, and alternatively, trans chlorohydrin formation occurs in high selectivity in Et2O, THF, and acetone. This solvent effect was not significant for other halide salts.