DNA-multiporhyrinic systems: promising objects for materials science

Porphyrin-containing materials are attractive objects for advanced light-harvesting systems [1]. Despite existence of numerous approaches to arrange porphyrines in a controlled and programmed way and therefore mimic natural photosynthetic systems, the problem of porphyrin`s arraying remains challenging [2]. Herein, we present an approach based on using DNA as a scaffold to hold porphyrines together. The whole spectroscopic investigation of the compounds containing several porphyrines and a possibility of their usage as molecular blocks for functional supramolecular architectures is discussed [3].

A research agenda for malaria eradication: basic science and enabling technologies

Today's malaria control efforts are limited by our incomplete understanding of the biology of Plasmodium and of the complex relationships between human populations and the multiple species of mosquito and parasite. Research priorities include the development of in vitro culture systems for the complete life cycle of P. falciparum and P. vivax and the development of an appropriate liver culture system to study hepatic stages. In addition, genetic technologies for the manipulation of Plasmodium need to be improved, the entire parasite metabolome needs to be characterized to identify new druggable targets, and improved information systems for monitoring the changes in epidemiology, pathology, and host-parasite-vector interactions as a result of intensified control need to be established to bridge the gap between bench, preclinical, clinical, and population-based sciences.