International Research Chemistry Awards

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) represent one of the fastest growing classes of pharmaceuticals, and look set to be the focus of the biotherapeutics industry into the years to come. These proteins possess enormous potential from a drug development point-of-view as they can be engineered to recognise almost any antigen and can subsequently be mass-produced in large quantities. owever, the correct folding of mAbs is critical for their efficacy, as their structure is closely related to their function. Incorrect folding can impact safety, for instance, by inducing an unwanted immune response. Therefore, methods to quickly and accurately characterise the structure of mAbs are needed for quality control purposes. Making progress The high-resolution structural analysis of mAbs has largely been thought to be unfeasible due to the limitations of available techniques, such as X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. For example, the size of mAbs, at around 150 kDa,...

In pediatric patients with complex or severe congenital heart disease undergoing severe or cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), there is a high risk for post-surgical newly developed white matter injury. Identified as the most common type of brain injury occurring among infants born premature, white matter injury is a type of brain injury typically identified as abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). White Matter Injury in Pediatric Heart Disease Patients In addition to white matter injury, ischemic reperfusion injury is a potentially life-threatening complication which can occur in high-risk patients undergoing CPB. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome is the result of CPB, with blood exposure to tubing, the cannulas, and the artificial oxygenator representing the primary pathogenesis. Patients with coronary heart disease are often at a high risk for global cerebral ischemia during CPB surgery. In studies involving patients with white matter injury as well as reperfusion inju...

Optical sensors have revolutionized the field of chemical analysis by providing a powerful and efficient method for detecting and quantifying a wide range of analytes by measuring the light absorption, reflection, or emission from the various types of samples and providing highly accurate and precise results. This article will explore the benefits of using optical sensors in chemical analysis, its applications, and recent developments. Optical Chemical Sensors Optical sensors are a crucially significant group of analytical instruments that give chemical information regarding various topics, including molecular structure, microscopic imaging, and analyte concentration. Optical sensors use several signal transduction methods based on photonic attributes, including reflectivity, polarization, refractive index, fluorescence intensity, transmission, and absorbance. Basic Components and Working Optical chemical sensors are part of analytical systems that use optical transmission to accompli...

Ultrasound technology is now at the forefront of modulating the brain’s natural phenomena, such as daydreaming, random fantasizing, and spontaneous thoughts, which open doors to creativity and reflection. While it might seem unusual to attempt to control or modify these free-flowing thoughts, a new development in neuroscience aims to do just that. The goal isn’t to stifle our creative channels but to enhance our ability to stay present and mindful in the moment. Researchers from the prestigious University of Arizona have discovered that low-intensity ultrasound technology can be used to non-invasively modulate a specific region of the brain associated with activities like daydreaming, memory recall, and future envisioning. Ultrasound tech and brain networks The focus of this technological intervention is the default mode network (DMN), a connected system of brain areas that are particularly active during introspective activities, such as daydreaming. Utilizing a specific low-intensity...

Background SARS-CoV-2 infection begins with the attachment of the viral spike protein with the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor on the host cell membrane. The viral entry into the cell can take two routes depending on the method of proteolysis of the spike protein. The cleavage of the spike protein activates the viral fusion machinery. This cleavage can happen on the cell membrane surface through the action of two transmembrane serine proteases TMPRSS2 or TMPRSS4, following proteolytic activation by furin in producer cells, which results in noncovalently attached receptor binding subunit S1 and fusion subunit S2. The cleavage can also occur through endosomal uptake and the action of endosomal cathepsins. Understanding the processing of the spike proteins and the action of specific proteases will help develop improved and targeted SARS-CoV-2 therapies. About the study In the present study, the researchers developed a novel method to directly visualize and live-track the ...

Fermentation is the enzyme-catalyzed, metabolic process by which food-borne microbes break down and convert molecules such as glucose into metabolites, compounds that determine the quality and preservability of fermented foods. Across the globe, food manufacturers harness this microbial activity to produce a wide range of fermented foods and drinks including vegetables, dairy products, meats, fish, bread and cereals. Lactic acid bacteria One group of microbes widely used for this purpose is lactic acid bacteria (LAB). It is the metabolites that result from the activities of LAB that determine the nutritional, functional and sensory qualities of fermented foods. Researchers have therefore become increasingly interested in using advanced analytical techniques to establish exactly which metabolites are responsible for these qualities. The LAB strains used to ferment foods are wide-ranging, with the bacteria exhibiting diverse fermentation characteristics. Scientists are keen to identify ...

Background Heart failure is a multifactorial clinical syndrome caused by structural and functional cardiac abnormalities. The key symptoms include shortness of breath, ankle swelling, fatigue, and clinical symptoms, such as increased jugular venous pressure, pulmonary crackles, and peripheral edema. Heart failure can be of three types depending on the left ventricular ejection fraction, i.e., heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction, and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Non-modifiable risk factors of heart failure include age, gender, and genetic variants. Medically modifiable risk factors include hypertension, diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, atrial fibrillation, sleep apnea, poor renal function, pregnancy-related hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Lifestyle-related risk factors of heart failure include smoking and alcohol drinking habits, unhealthy diet, lack of ...