Unraveling Life's Building Blocks: Sculpture Inspired by Proteins

Leonardo ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Voss-Andreae
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Algorithmic Approach ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Molecular Building Blocks ◽  
Geometric Elements ◽  
Point Of Departure

Inspired by proteins, the molecular building blocks of life, the author's presented work re-creates the first step of the emergence of three-dimensional bodies from one-dimensional DNA. Utilizing an algorithmic approach as his point of departure, the artist follows his vision freely, creating sculptures that bring life's isolated components emotionally back to life. In this sequel to an earlier Leonardo article on the inception of his protein-inspired sculptures, the author presents the unfolding of his vision: Large-scale works of increasing formal and conceptual complexity display the emergence of an organic aesthetic from geometric elements and inspire a more holistic view of nature than that provided by reductionist science alone.

Self-Assembly of Proteins into Three-Dimensional Structures Using Bio-Conjugation

2014 ◽  
Vol 1663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garima Thakur ◽  
Kovur Prashanthi ◽  
Thomas Thundat
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Gold Surface ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Base Layer ◽  
Chemical Structures ◽  
Molecular Building Blocks ◽  
Ring Structures ◽  
Self Assembled

ABSTRACTSelf–assembly of molecular building blocks provides an interesting route to produce well-defined chemical structures. Tailoring the functionalities on the building blocks and controlling the time of self-assembly could control the properties as well as the structure of the resultant patterns. Spontaneous self-assembly of biomolecules can generate bio-interfaces for myriad of potential applications. Here we report self-assembled patterning of human serum albumin (HSA) protein in to ring structures on a polyethylene glycol (PEG) modified gold surface. The structure of the self-assembled protein molecules and kinetics of structure formation entirely revolved around controlling the nucleation of the base layer. The formation of different sizes of ring patterns is attributed to growth conditions of the PEG islands for bio-conjugation. These assemblies might be beneficial in forming structurally ordered architectures of active proteins such as HSA or other globular proteins.

Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of a Chiral Zinc(II) Metal-Organic Framework Featuring Linear Trinuclear Secondary Building Blocks

2012 ◽  
Vol 65 (12) ◽  
pp. 1662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zilu Chen ◽  
Chuanbing Zhang ◽  
Xianlin Liu ◽  
Zhong Zhang ◽  
Fupei Liang
Keyword(s):  
Building Block ◽  
Metal Organic Framework ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Triangular Prism ◽  
Structure And Properties ◽  
Adsorption Selectivity ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Metal Organic ◽  
Organic Framework

A chiral metal-organic framework formulated as [Zn3(L-TMTA)2(4,4′-bpy)4]·24H2O (1) was prepared from the reaction of Zn(NO3)2·6H2O with trimesoyltri(L-alanine) (L-TMTAH3) in the presence of 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bpy). Compound 1 features linear trinuclear secondary building blocks [Zn3(syn-syn-COO)2(μ2,η3-COO)2]2+. Each linear trinuclear secondary building block is further linked to another eight ones around it by four L-TMTA3– ligands and eight 4,4′-bpy ligands, leading to the construction of a uninodal three-dimensional framework with triangular prism-like one-dimensional channels. Dehydrated compound 1 displays remarkable adsorption selectivity on CO2 and water vapour over N2 gas.

Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic characterisation of two 2p–3d metallic coordination polymers

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 365-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chongchong Xue ◽  
Jingwen Shi ◽  
Daopeng Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Susceptibility ◽  
Coordination Polymers ◽  
Supramolecular Structure ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Chain Structure ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Dimensional Network

The coordination polymers {Mg[Fe(L)(CN)5]}n·0.5nH2O and {MgCu2(CH3COO)6}n [L = bis( N-imidazolyl)methane] have been synthesised. X-ray diffraction revealed that {Mg[Fe(L)(CN)5]}n·0.5nH2O has a one-dimensional neutral chain structure consisting of alternating [Mg(L)2(H2O)2)]2+ species and [Fe(L)(CN)5]2– building blocks, which can be further linked into a three-dimensional supramolecular structure by inter-chain p–p interactions. {MgCu2(CH3COO)6}n has a three-dimensional network with the [MgCu2(CH3COO)6] unit as neutral core extended by Mg–O bonds. Magnetic susceptibility studies on {MgCu2(CH3COO)6}n revealed antiferromagnetic interactions between adjacent Cu(II) ions.

Sonochemical synthesis of large-scale single-crystal PbS nanorods

2003 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 1188-1191 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Zhou ◽  
Y. S. Feng ◽  
L. D. Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
Single Crystal ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Ultrasound Irradiation ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Uniform Structure ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Transmission Electron

Large-scale single-crystal cubic PbS nanorods were successfully achieved by using ultrasound irradiation in certain ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) solutions, particularly in the solution of Pb:EDTA = 1:1. The obtained PbS nanorods were characterized using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersed x-ray spectrometry, selected area electronic diffraction, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results reveal that the PbS nanorods with straight and uniform structure have a diameter of about 70–80 nm and length of about 1000 nm, where the growth mechanism is tentatively discussed. The successful synthesis of these cubic structure semiconductor PbS nanorods may open up new possibilities for using these materials as building blocks to create functional two-dimensional or three-dimensional nanostructured materials.

scholarly journals Wafer-scale synthesis of monolayer two-dimensional porphyrin polymers for hybrid superlattices

Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 366 (6471) ◽  
pp. 1379-1384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Zhong ◽  
Baorui Cheng ◽  
Chibeom Park ◽  
Ariana Ray ◽  
Sarah Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Wafer Scale ◽  
Molecular Building Blocks ◽  
2D Polymers ◽  
Metal Organic ◽  
Artificial Solids ◽  
Ultimate Limit ◽  
Porphyrin Polymers

The large-scale synthesis of high-quality thin films with extensive tunability derived from molecular building blocks will advance the development of artificial solids with designed functionalities. We report the synthesis of two-dimensional (2D) porphyrin polymer films with wafer-scale homogeneity in the ultimate limit of monolayer thickness by growing films at a sharp pentane/water interface, which allows the fabrication of their hybrid superlattices. Laminar assembly polymerization of porphyrin monomers could form monolayers of metal-organic frameworks with Cu2+ linkers or covalent organic frameworks with terephthalaldehyde linkers. Both the lattice structures and optical properties of these 2D films were directly controlled by the molecular monomers and polymerization chemistries. The 2D polymers were used to fabricate arrays of hybrid superlattices with molybdenum disulfide that could be used in electrical capacitors.

Crystal Engineering: Strategies and Architectures

1997 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 569-586 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. B. Aakeröy
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Structure ◽  
Crystal Engineering ◽  
Crystal Packing ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Structural Data ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Intermolecular Forces ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Playing Field ◽  
Molecular Building Blocks

The area broadly described as crystal engineering is currently expanding at a brisk pace. Imaginative schemes for supramolecular synthesis, and correlations between molecular structure, crystal packing and physical properties are presented in the literature with increasing regularity. In practice, crystal engineering can be many different things; synthesis, statistical analysis of structural data, ab initio calculations etc. Consequently, we have been provided with a new playing field where chemists from traditionally unconnected parts of the spectrum have exchanged ideas, defined goals and made creative contributions to further progress not only in crystal engineering, but also in other disciplines of chemistry. Crystal engineering is delineated by the nature and structural consequences of intermolecular forces, and the way in which such interactions are utilized for controlling the assembly of molecular building blocks into infinite architectures. Although it is important to acknowledge that a crystal structure is the result of a subtle balance between a multitude of non-covalent forces, this article will focus on design strategies based upon the hydrogen bond and will present a range of approaches that have relied on the directionality and selectivity of such interactions in the synthesis of predictable one-, two- and three-dimensional motifs.

A New Synergic-Assembly Strategy Towards Three-Dimensional (3D) Hollow Nanoarchitectures

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 6208-6222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changzheng Wu ◽  
Yi Xie
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Growth Direction ◽  
The Self ◽  
Assembly Process ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
One Pot ◽  
Assembly Strategy

Large-scale synthesis and assembly of meso-, micro- and nanostructured building blocks with the desired orientations are of great interest for the next-generation nanoarchitecture design. On the consideration that the traditional synthetic methodologies for nanostructures often produce tangled nanounits, how to align the nanounits into the ordered orientation at high production yield is a great challenge to current methods. The present review describes a facile and controllable way to grow and assemble the 3D hollow nanoarchitectures, with the utilization of the synergic effects of hollowing process from the self-produced templates and the highly anisotropic growth of nanounits of the target materials in one-pot reaction. In this process, the building block nanounits spontaneously in-situ form owing to their highly anisotropic internal structure, while the self-produced templates act as the supporter and growth-direction guidance for the in-situ formed nanounits. Therefore, the whole assembly process is simple, controllable and without the complicated manipulations. Herein, in the light of the different kinds of self-produced templates involved in the assembly process, recent developments based on the new synergic-assembly strategy are reviewed according to the classifications: (1) self-produced gas bubble template strategy; (2) self-produced homogeneous solid template strategy; (3) self-produced heterogeneous solid template strategy. Notably, the synergic-assembly methodology described in this review provides a newly essential way to construct and assemble nanoarchitectures facilely and controllably, and is also a crucial step for the next-generation of nanoarchitecture design in the near future. In conclusion, the challenges and prospects for the future are discussed.

scholarly journals Low-temperature gas-phase formation of indene in the interstellar medium

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. eabd4044
Author(s):  
Srinivas Doddipatla ◽  
Galiya R. Galimova ◽  
Hongji Wei ◽  
Aaron M. Thomas ◽  
Chao He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Interstellar Medium ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Bimolecular Reaction ◽  
Membered Ring ◽  
Organic Radical ◽  
Structural Reorganization ◽  
Molecular Building Blocks ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are fundamental molecular building blocks of fullerenes and carbonaceous nanostructures in the interstellar medium and in combustion systems. However, an understanding of the formation of aromatic molecules carrying five-membered rings—the essential building block of nonplanar PAHs—is still in its infancy. Exploiting crossed molecular beam experiments augmented by electronic structure calculations and astrochemical modeling, we reveal an unusual pathway leading to the formation of indene (C9H8)—the prototype aromatic molecule with a five-membered ring—via a barrierless bimolecular reaction involving the simplest organic radical—methylidyne (CH)—and styrene (C6H5C2H3) through the hitherto elusive methylidyne addition–cyclization–aromatization (MACA) mechanism. Through extensive structural reorganization of the carbon backbone, the incorporation of a five-membered ring may eventually lead to three-dimensional PAHs such as corannulene (C20H10) along with fullerenes (C60, C70), thus offering a new concept on the low-temperature chemistry of carbon in our galaxy.

scholarly journals Bio-assembling and Bioprinting for Engineering Microvessels from the Bottom Up

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 366
Author(s):  
Xiaoming Liu ◽  
Tao Yue ◽  
Masaru Kojima ◽  
Qiang Huang ◽  
Tatsuo Arai
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Microvascular Network ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Micro Scale ◽  
Formidable Challenge ◽  
Manufacturing Techniques

Blood vessels are essential in transporting nutrients, oxygen, metabolic wastes, and maintaining the homeostasis of the whole human body. Mass of engineered microvessels is required to deliver nutrients to the cells included in the constructed large three-dimensional (3D) functional tissues by diffusion. It is a formidable challenge to regenerate microvessels and build a microvascular network, mimicking the cellular viabilities and activities in the engineered organs with traditional or existing manufacturing techniques. Modular tissue engineering adopting the “bottom-up” approach builds one-dimensional (1D) or two-dimensional (2D) modular tissues in micro scale first and then uses these modules as building blocks to generate large tissues and organs with complex but indispensable microstructural features. Building the microvascular network utilizing this approach could be appropriate and adequate. In this review, we introduced existing methods using the “bottom-up” concept developed to fabricate microvessels including bio-assembling powered by different micromanipulation techniques andbioprinting utilizing varied solidification mechanisms. We compared and discussed the features of the artificial microvessels engineered by these two strategies from multiple aspects. Regarding the future development of engineering the microvessels from the bottom up, potential directions were also concluded.

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