Themed collection Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles

30 items
Open Access Perspective

New directions of activity-based sensing for in vivo NIR imaging

In vivo imaging is a powerful approach to study biological processes.

Graphical abstract: New directions of activity-based sensing for in vivo NIR imaging
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

Tunable heteroaromatic azoline thioethers (HATs) for cysteine profiling

Here we report a new series of hydrolytically stable chemotype heteroaromatic azoline thioethers (HATs) to achieve highly selective, rapid, and efficient covalent labeling of cysteine under physiological conditions.

Graphical abstract: Tunable heteroaromatic azoline thioethers (HATs) for cysteine profiling
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

A naphthalimide-based peptide conjugate for concurrent imaging and apoptosis induction in cancer cells by utilizing endogenous hydrogen sulfide

A hydrogen sulfide sensing naphthalimide based peptide conjugate (HSNPc) worked as a novel cancer cell imaging agent and showed selective cell apoptosis.

Graphical abstract: A naphthalimide-based peptide conjugate for concurrent imaging and apoptosis induction in cancer cells by utilizing endogenous hydrogen sulfide
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

An amplification-free ultra-sensitive electrochemical CRISPR/Cas biosensor for drug-resistant bacteria detection

An amplification-free electrochemical CRISPR/Cas biosensor utilizing silver metallization (termed E-Si-CRISPR) allows detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with excellent sensitivity and specificity.

Graphical abstract: An amplification-free ultra-sensitive electrochemical CRISPR/Cas biosensor for drug-resistant bacteria detection
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

In vivo metal-catalyzed SeCT therapy by a proapoptotic peptide

The combination of a proapoptotic peptide with covalent tagging and a carrier-Ru-complex inhibited tumor growth in mice after a single injection.

Graphical abstract: In vivo metal-catalyzed SeCT therapy by a proapoptotic peptide
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

A novel chemical biology and computational approach to expedite the discovery of new-generation polymyxins against life-threatening Acinetobacter baumannii

Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria have been an urgent threat to global public health. Novel antibiotics are desperately needed to combat these 'superbugs'.

Graphical abstract: A novel chemical biology and computational approach to expedite the discovery of new-generation polymyxins against life-threatening Acinetobacter baumannii
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

Discovering protein–protein interaction stabilisers by native mass spectrometry

Stabilising protein–protein interactions is challenging, yet therapeutically important. Native mass spectrometry can be used to monitor binding equilibria, allowing identification and measurement of novel protein–protein interaction stabilisers.

Graphical abstract: Discovering protein–protein interaction stabilisers by native mass spectrometry
From the themed collection: 2021 ChemSci Pick of the Week Collection
Open Access Edge Article

Highly efficient on-DNA amide couplings promoted by micelle forming surfactants for the synthesis of DNA encoded libraries

Highly efficient forward and reverse on-DNA amide couplings were developed exploiting hydrophobic linkers in combination with the micelle forming surfactant TPGS-750M. The method is highly effective for a wide range of substrates in the synthesis of DNA-encoded libraries.

Graphical abstract: Highly efficient on-DNA amide couplings promoted by micelle forming surfactants for the synthesis of DNA encoded libraries
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

Rapid and robust cysteine bioconjugation with vinylheteroarenes

Vinylheteroarene linkers can chemoselectively modify cysteine residues in proteins and antibodies. These linkers give stable bioconjugates, and were used to synthesise efficacious antibody-drug conjugates.

Graphical abstract: Rapid and robust cysteine bioconjugation with vinylheteroarenes
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

Antimicrobial α-defensins as multi-target inhibitors against amyloid formation and microbial infection

We report a new “anti-amyloid and antimicrobial hypothesis” by discovering host-defense antimicrobial peptides of α-defensins containing β-sheet structures, which possess inhibition functions against amyloid aggregation and microbial infection.

Graphical abstract: Antimicrobial α-defensins as multi-target inhibitors against amyloid formation and microbial infection
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

Glycan–protein cross-linking mass spectrometry reveals sialic acid-mediated protein networks on cell surfaces

The cell surface glycocalyx is highly interactive defined by extensive covalent and non-covalent interactions. A method for cross-linking and characterizing glycan–peptide interactions in situ is developed.

Graphical abstract: Glycan–protein cross-linking mass spectrometry reveals sialic acid-mediated protein networks on cell surfaces
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

Quantitative interrogation of protein co-aggregation using multi-color fluorogenic protein aggregation sensors

A little leak will sink a great ship! We prepared a series of multi-color protein aggregation sensors and developed a dual-color thermal shift assay to simultaneously and quantitatively report on protein co-aggregation of two different proteins.

Graphical abstract: Quantitative interrogation of protein co-aggregation using multi-color fluorogenic protein aggregation sensors
From the themed collection: Amyloids and Protein Aggregation
Open Access Edge Article

Evaluation of fully-functionalized diazirine tags for chemical proteomic applications

The chemical proteomic properties of five diazirine-based, fully-functionalized photoaffinity tags, including a newly developed, minimal tag, were compared. This study provides guidance for the development of new photoaffinity probes.

Graphical abstract: Evaluation of fully-functionalized diazirine tags for chemical proteomic applications
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

Total synthesis, isolation, surfactant properties, and biological evaluation of ananatosides and related macrodilactone-containing rhamnolipids

We show that macrolactonization of gluco- and rhamnolipids dramatically interfere with their surfactant properties and biological activity.

Graphical abstract: Total synthesis, isolation, surfactant properties, and biological evaluation of ananatosides and related macrodilactone-containing rhamnolipids
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

Phase separation of p53 precedes aggregation and is affected by oncogenic mutations and ligands

Mutant p53 tends to form aggregates with amyloid properties, especially amyloid oligomers inside the nucleus, which are believed to cause oncogenic gain-of-function (GoF).

Graphical abstract: Phase separation of p53 precedes aggregation and is affected by oncogenic mutations and ligands
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

Prediction and mitigation of mutation threats to COVID-19 vaccines and antibody therapies

Antibody therapeutics and vaccines are among our last resort to end the raging COVID-19 pandemic.

Graphical abstract: Prediction and mitigation of mutation threats to COVID-19 vaccines and antibody therapies
Open Access Edge Article

Coiled coils 9-to-5: rational de novo design of α-helical barrels with tunable oligomeric states

Systematic de novo design of peptides that form α-helical barrels with functionalisable central channels with a range of internal diameters.

Graphical abstract: Coiled coils 9-to-5: rational de novo design of α-helical barrels with tunable oligomeric states
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

Linchpins empower promiscuous electrophiles to enable site-selective modification of histidine and aspartic acid in proteins

Linchpin-enabled promiscuous electrophile uncovers an unchartered reactivity landscape for the precision engineering of proteins.

Graphical abstract: Linchpins empower promiscuous electrophiles to enable site-selective modification of histidine and aspartic acid in proteins
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

Light-guided intrabodies for on-demand in situ target recognition in human cells

Nanobodies are ideal to visualize and modulate targets in living cells. We designed a versatile platform for generating photo-conditional intrabodies by genetic code expansion. After illumination, the intrabodies show fast and stable binding.

Graphical abstract: Light-guided intrabodies for on-demand in situ target recognition in human cells
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

Molecular recognition of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein: quantum chemical hot spot and epitope analyses

Quantum chemical calculations investigated molecular recognition of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoproteins including its N501Y variant for ACE2 and antibody. Hot spot and epitope analyses revealed key residues to design drugs and antibodies against COVID-19.

Graphical abstract: Molecular recognition of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein: quantum chemical hot spot and epitope analyses
Open Access Edge Article

Glycoengineering artificial receptors for microglia to phagocytose Aβ aggregates

A combination of metabolic glycoengineering and self-triggered click chemistry is utilized to engineer a microglial membrane with ThS as artificial Aβ receptors to promote microglia to phagocytose Aβ aggregates.

Graphical abstract: Glycoengineering artificial receptors for microglia to phagocytose Aβ aggregates
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

Universal and high-fidelity DNA single nucleotide polymorphism detection based on a CRISPR/Cas12a biochip

A universal and high-fidelity genotyping method based on the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) system was performed on the microfluidic point-of-care equipment.

Graphical abstract: Universal and high-fidelity DNA single nucleotide polymorphism detection based on a CRISPR/Cas12a biochip
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

A microscopic description of SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibition with Michael acceptors. Strategies for improving inhibitor design

Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease by a Michael acceptor is studied using classical and QM/MM simulations. Results point out to a transition state with a key water molecule stabilizing the catalytic dyad and assisting the protonation step.

Graphical abstract: A microscopic description of SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibition with Michael acceptors. Strategies for improving inhibitor design
Open Access Edge Article

A straightforward methodology to overcome solubility challenges for N-terminal cysteinyl peptide segments used in native chemical ligation

We herein describe a straightforward approach for the introduction of a solubilizing tag on N-terminal cysteinyl segments used in native chemical ligation-based protein chemical synthesis. Conveniently, the tag is removed during the ligation.

Graphical abstract: A straightforward methodology to overcome solubility challenges for N-terminal cysteinyl peptide segments used in native chemical ligation
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

Amplified detection of nucleic acids and proteins using an isothermal proximity CRISPR Cas12a assay

Herein, we develop an isothermal proximity CRISPR Cas12a assay that harnesses the target-induced collateral cleavage activity of Cas12a for the quantitative profiling of gene expression and detection of proteins with high sensitivity and specificity.

Graphical abstract: Amplified detection of nucleic acids and proteins using an isothermal proximity CRISPR Cas12a assay
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

Enhancing glycan stability via site-selective fluorination: modulating substrate orientation by molecular design

Single site OH → F substitution at the termini of maltotetraose leads to significantly improved hydrolytic stability towards α-amylase and α-glucosidase relative to the natural compound.

Graphical abstract: Enhancing glycan stability via site-selective fluorination: modulating substrate orientation by molecular design
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

Ultrasensitive single-cell proteomics workflow identifies >1000 protein groups per mammalian cell

The combination of nanodroplet sample preparation, ultra-low-flow nanoLC, high-field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) and latest-generation mass spectrometry instrumentation provides dramatically improved single-cell proteome profiling.

Graphical abstract: Ultrasensitive single-cell proteomics workflow identifies >1000 protein groups per mammalian cell
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

A photo-sensitizable phage for multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii therapy and biofilm ablation

APNB for multidrug-resistant A. Baumannii therapy and biofilms ablation.

Graphical abstract: A photo-sensitizable phage for multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii therapy and biofilm ablation
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

A biocompatible stapling reaction for in situ generation of constrained peptides

A synthetically straightforward and biocompatible peptide-stapling strategy that can be used directly in biochemical assays to identify constrained enzyme inhibitors.

Graphical abstract: A biocompatible stapling reaction for in situ generation of constrained peptides
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
Open Access Edge Article

Synthetic glycosidases for the precise hydrolysis of oligosaccharides and polysaccharides

Synthetic glycosidases with a sugar-binding active site and a precisely positioned acidic group hydrolyze oligo- and polysaccharides selectively in hot water to afford desired sugar products in a single step.

Graphical abstract: Synthetic glycosidases for the precise hydrolysis of oligosaccharides and polysaccharides
From the themed collection: Most popular 2021 chemical biology articles
30 items

About this collection

This specially curated collection pulls together some of the most popular articles from 2021 and 2022 in the field of chemical biology. The collection presents some outstanding contributions to the field, ranging from proteomics to imaging, and as with all Chemical Science articles – they are all completely free to access and read. We hope you enjoy browsing through this collection.

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