Luminescent and morphological behavior of the aromatic dipeptide pair having singular structural variability

In the present manuscript, the luminescence and the self-assembly behavior of the two aromatic dipeptides having singular structure variable are investigated. The terminally protected dipeptides tryptophan-tyrosine (WY^p ) and tryptophan-phenylalanine (WF^p ) were synthesized using standard solution phase procedure. Significant solvatochromic effect was observed for both the dipeptidyl entities; while the influence was more pronounced in case of the WY^p entity when compared to WF^p . Interesting morphological variation was observed for WF^p and WY^p , wherein discrete and interconnected nanospheres were observed for the respective dipeptides. The results obtained signifies the influence of the singular structural variation on modulating the overall functional behavior of the short peptides motifs.

Sulfobetaine Methacrylate Polymers of Unconventional Polyzwitterion Architecture and Their Antifouling Properties

Combining high hydrophilicity with charge neutrality, polyzwitterions are intensely explored for their high biocompatibility and low-fouling properties. Recent reports indicated that in addition to charge neutrality, the zwitterion's segmental dipole orientation is an important factor for interacting with the environment. Accordingly, a series of polysulfobetaines with a novel architecture was designed, in which the cationic and anionic groups of the zwitterionic moiety are placed at equal distances from the backbone. They were investigated by in vitro biofouling assays, covering proteins of different charges and model marine organisms. All polyzwitterion coatings reduced the fouling effectively compared to model polymer surfaces of poly(butyl methacrylate), with a nearly equally good performance as the reference polybetaine poly(3-(N-(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonio)propanesulfonate). The specific fouling resistance depended on the detailed chemical structure of the polyzwitterions. Still, while clearly affecting the performance, the precise dipole orientation of the sulfobetaine group in the polyzwitterions seems overall to be only of secondary importance for their antifouling behavior.

Mercapto-responsive polymeric nano-carrier capable of releasing sulfur dioxide

This article reports platform to prepare polymeric nano-carriers capable of releasing SO₂ and hydrophobic payloads upon triggering by mercapto-containing species.

Anion-induced thermoresponsiveness in cationic polycysteine and DNA binding

This study describes the synthesis of an l-cysteine-based water-soluble cationic polypeptide, an investigation of its thermoresponsive behaviour in the presence of added anions and its polyplexation with DNA.