Molecularly imprinted polymers in the drug discovery process

Since molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are designed to have a memory for their molecular templates it is easy to draw parallels with the affinity between biological receptors and their substrates. Could MIPs take the place of natural receptors in the selection of potential drug molecules from synthetic compound libraries? To answer that question this review discusses the results of MIP studies which attempt to emulate natural receptors. In addition the possible use of MIPs to guide a compound library synthesis towards a desired biological activity is highlighted. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Polymers in drug delivery and molecular recognition

DUE TO COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION AT ASTON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES WITH PRIOR ARRANGEMENT

Dynamics of linear polymers in random media

We study phenomenological scaling theories of the polymer dynamics in random media, employing the existing scaling theories of polymer chains and the percolation statistics. We investigate both the Rouse and the Zimm model for Brownian dynamics and estimate the diffusion constant of the center-of-mass of the chain in such disordered media. For internal dynamics of the chain, we estimate the dynamic exponents. We propose similar scaling theory for the reptation dynamics of the chain in the framework of Flory theory for the disordered medium. The modifications in the case of correlated disorders are also discussed. .

A study of mechanochemical reactions of spin traps in hydrocarbon polymers

The identification and quantification of spin adducts and their reduction products (>NOH, >NOR) formed from nitroso compounds and nitrones in EPR and PP during spin trapping techniques have been examined. The nitroxyl yield and polymer bound nitroxyl percentage formed from these spin traps were found to be strongly dependent on the nature of spin trap and radical generator, processing temperature, and irradiation time. The nitroxyl yield and % bound nitroxyl of the spin traps improved significantly in the presence of Trigonox 101 and 2-0H benzophenone. The effect of these spin traps used as normal additive and their spin adducts in the form of EPR-masterbatch on the photo and thermal-oxidation of PP have been studied. Aliphatic nitroso compounds were found to have much better photo-antioxidant activity than nitrones and aromatic nitroso compounds, and their antioxidant activity improved appreciably in the presence of, a free radical generator, Trigonox 101, before and after extraction. The effect of heat, light and oxidising agent (meta-dichloro per benzoic acid) on the nitroxyl yield of nitroso tertiary butane in solution as a model study has been investigated and a cyclic regenerative process involving both chain breaking acceptor and chain breaking donor process has been proposed.

Dispersal of soredia from individual soralia of the lichen Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. in a simple wind tunnel

Dispersal of soredia from individual soralia of the lichen Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. was studied using a simple wind tunnel constructed in the field. Individual lobes with terminal soralia were placed in the wind tunnel on the adhesive surface of dust particle collectors. Air currents produced by a fan were directed over the surface of the lobes. The majority of soredia were deposited within 5 cm of the source soralium but some soredia were dispersed to at least 80 cm at a wind speed of 6 m s-1. Variation in wind speed had no statistically significant effect on the total number of soredial clusters deposited averaged over soralia but the mean size of cluster and the distance dispersed were greater at higher wind speeds. The number of soredia deposited was dependent on the orientation of the soralium to the air currents. More soredia were deposited with the soralium facing the fan at a wind speed of 9 m s-1. Moisture in the form of a fine mist reduced substantially the number of soredia deposited at a wind speed of 6 m s-1 but had no effect on the mean number of soredia per cluster or on the mean distance dispersed. The data suggest: (1) that wind dispersal from an individual soralium is influenced by wind speed, the location of the soralium on the thallus and the level of moisture and (2) that air currents directed over the surfaces of thalli located on the upper branches of trees would effectively disperse soredia of H. physodes vertically and horizontally within a tree canopy. © 1994.