Article
Chemistry, Physical
Camille Courtine, Ines Hamouda, Samuel Pearson, Laurent Billon, Pierre Lavedan, Sonia Ladeira, Jean-Claude Micheau, Veronique Pimienta, Erwan Nicol, Nancy Lauth de Viguerie, Anne-Francoise Mingotaud
Summary: This study found that switchable assemblies relevant for bio-applications can be accessed from water-soluble tetra-ortho-substituted azobenzenes that reversibly self-assemble and form complexes with beta-cyclodextrin under visible light.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
James T. Hagan, Alejandra Gonzalez, Yuran Shi, Grace G. D. Han, Jason R. Dwyer
Summary: In this study, we fabricated photoregulated thin-film nanopores by covalently linking azobenzene photoswitches to silicon nitride pores. The photoresponsive coatings allowed for repeated optical switching of the nanopores, resulting in changes to the effective nanopore diameter and ionic conductance. The sensitivity of the nanopores to specific analytes could be controlled through illumination wavelength and voltage polarity. This research has significant implications for the development of ionic circuit elements and chemically tuned filters, as well as for single-molecule sensing applications in personalized medicine, genomics, and glycomics.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ronald Udasin, Anwesha Sil, Elia Zomot, Hadas Achildiev Cohen, Jozafina Haj, Nurit Engelmayer, Shaya Lev, Alexander M. Binshtok, Yuval Shaked, Michael A. Kienzler, Raz Palty
Summary: This study reports the synthesis and characterization of azoboronate light-operated CRAG channel inhibitors (LOCIs), which enable dynamic and reversible remote modulation of native CRAG channels using light. The application of LOCI-1 was demonstrated in gene expression regulation in T lymphocytes, cancer cell seeding at metastatic sites, and pain-related behavior.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hejian Xiong, Kevin A. Alberto, Jonghae Youn, Jaume Taura, Johannes Morstein, Xiuying Li, Yang Wang, Dirk Trauner, Paul A. Slesinger, Steven O. Nielsen, Zhenpeng Qin
Summary: Precisely modulating the release of neuroactive molecules is crucial for understanding brain circuits and behavior. In this study, a photoswitchable nanovesicle called "azosome" was developed, allowing controlled and repeatable release of cargo under specific wavelengths of light. The release of a dopamine D1-receptor agonist from the azosome demonstrated its potential as a valuable tool for molecular neuroscience studies.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Verena Josef, Frank Hampel, Henry Dube
Summary: This article presents a survey on heterocyclic hemithioindigo photoswitches, identifying several structural motifs with outstanding properties. Derivatives based on 4-imidazole, 2-pyrrole, and 3-indole exhibit pronounced color change, quantitative switching in both directions, exceptional high quantum yields, and tunable high thermal stability of metastable states. The use of isomer-selective chalcogen- and hydrogen bonding allows precise control of geometry changes and tautomerism upon switching. Heterocyclic hemithioindigos represent highly promising photoswitches with advanced capabilities for achieving defined and reversible control at the molecular level.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Peter Goedtel, Jessica Starrett, Zbigniew L. Pianowski
Summary: Hemipiperazines, a newly discovered class of peptide-derived molecular photoswitches, show high biocompatibility and therapeutic potential. In this study, we investigate the photochromism of heterocyclic hemipiperazines for the first time. They exhibit long thermal lifetimes and expanded band separation between photoisomers. Efficient photoisomerization is achieved under aqueous conditions with the addition of organic co-solvent. Bidirectional switching with visible light is observed in an extended aromatic system.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hong-Ying Duan, Shi-Tao Han, Tian-Guang Zhan, Li-Juan Liu, Kang-Da Zhang
Summary: In this study, a visible-light-switchable telluro-triazole/triazolium-based chalcogen bonding system was demonstrated for the first time. The binding strength between the receptors and halide anions could be reversibly regulated by different wavelengths of visible light. The cis-bidentate receptor exhibited enhanced binding ability compared to the trans-monodentate receptor. The telluro-triazolium-based receptor showed both high and significantly photoswitchable binding affinities for halide anions, making it an efficient photocontrolled organocatalyst.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shasha Lv, Xiyu Li, Li Yang, Hao Ren, Jun Jiang
Summary: This study designed a series of photo-switchable anion receptor materials, with calculations showing that dfdc-AB-OCH3 has high E -* Z conversion in the visible region and a significant difference in binding affinities for different isomers, indicating its potential for application in photopharmacology.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Benjamin Tassignon, Zhihang Wang, Agostino Galanti, Julien De Winter, Paolo Samori, Jerome Cornil, Kasper Moth-Poulsen, Pascal Gerbaux
Summary: This study introduces the use of peptoids as programmable supramolecular scaffolds to improve the energy storage properties of azobenzene-based MOlecular Solar Thermal (MOST) systems. By tuning the anchoring position of the photochromic unit on the macromolecular backbone, the half-life of the metastable form is significantly increased, and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry is found to be useful in determining the thermal back-isomerization kinetics.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
John T. Kalyvas, Paula Facal Marina, Damian L. Stachura, John R. Horsley, Andrew D. Abell
Summary: A novel strategy using UV light to activate and deliver an antimicrobial therapeutic agent for treating Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) skin infections is introduced. The active peptide, derived from a photoswitchable gramicidin S analogue immobilized on a wearable patch, exhibits antimicrobial activity against S. aureus without harming red blood cells. The antimicrobial properties of the peptide can be switched off within seconds by irradiation with visible light, providing an ideal approach to regulate antibiotic activity and potentially mitigate resistance.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Monochura Saha, Munshi Sahid Hossain, Subhajit Bandyopadhyay
Summary: This study presents a PLP-photoswitch-imidazole triad that allows the racemization reaction of amino acids to be controlled by light, by adjusting the distance between the basic residue and the reaction center.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Nancy Lauth de Viguerie, Erwan Nicol, Camille Courtine, Pierre-Louis Brient, Ines Hamouda, Nicolas Pataluch, Pierre Lavedan, Jean-Luc Putaux, Camille Chatard, Celine Gal, Anne-Francoise Mingotaud
Summary: This study presents a methacrylate-based terpolymer that activates through visible light illumination, overcoming the limitation of UV activation. The terpolymer forms unimolecular micelles in water and can be easily used for biological applications. Reactive polymers obtained by deprotecting the maleimide function were used to obtain hydrogels or bioconjugates, showcasing the versatility of the terpolymer.
JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY A-CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
J. Royes, V. A. Bjornestad, G. Brun, T. Narayanan, R. Lund, C. Tribet
Summary: Photoswitchable surfactants are used in the design of light-responsive colloids and self-assemblies. This study investigates the intermediate lipid-surfactant assemblies formed during fast isothermal photo-triggered transitions. The experiments reveal that the transient assemblies detected during the photo-triggered kinetics are similar to the stationary states. Additionally, the reorganization speed of surfactant-enriched assemblies is faster than that of lipid-enriched ones.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Victoria Ariel Bjornestad, Xinmeng Li, Christophe Tribet, Reidar Lund, Michele Cascella
Summary: This study investigates the kinetics and mechanisms of growth and dissolution of micelles by using an isomerizable surfactant. The results show that micelle growth is mainly achieved through unimer exchange processes, while dissolution can occur through both fission and unimer expulsion. Fusion of micelles is unlikely to occur under the conditions studied.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Adela F. Dobre, Anamaria Hanganu, Ioana Nicolau, Codruta C. Popescu, Anca Paun, Augustin M. Madalan, Cristina Tablet, Anca G. Mirea, Mihaela Matache
Summary: This study reports on the design and synthesis of novel oxadiazole-decorated azobenzenes and their behavior under light irradiation. The results show that these compounds are stable and exhibit photoswitching abilities.