1. Sustained delivery of Cu(II)-based DNA intercalators by nanometer-sized cyclodextrin-based porous polymersTina Škorjanc, Julian Heinrich, Damjan Makuc, Nora Kulak, Matjaž Valant, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: DNA intercalators are small molecules that insert between adjacent DNA base pairs and thus disturb DNA replication and transcription, which can lead to cell death. Certain metal complexes are excellent DNA intercalators, and have shown promise in chemotherapy. Here, a cyclodextrin porous polymer was prepared, characterized, exfoliated to form nanometer-sized particles, and used as a delivery vehicle for metal-free and Cu(II)-metalated anthraquinone-based DNA intercalators with a goal to minimize side effects of the highly toxic DNA intercalators. NMR experiments, including DOSY NMR, have shown the interaction between the cyclodextrin building block and the studied DNA intercalators. Porous nature of the delivery vehicle provided ample surface area for interaction with the drug candidates, resulting in encapsulation rates of up to 56%. Sustained cargo release from the polymer was achieved over eight days, and time-dependent cytotoxicity was observed. Furthermore, optical microscopy images indicated delivery vehicle internalization as well as disturbed cellular morphology within 24 hours of incubation. We anticipate that this study will stimulate further interest in the development of polymeric delivery systems for metal complexes.
Keywords: porous organic polymers, cyclodextrin, DNA intercalators, Cu(II) complexes, metal complexes
Published in RUNG: 10.11.2023; Views: 604; Downloads: 4
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2. Biological applications of porous polymers and covalent organic frameworks : lecture at the Otto-von-Guericke Universität Magdeburg, Tuesday, 27th June 2023, Magdeburg, GermanyTina Škorjanc, 2023, unpublished conference contribution Abstract: Porous organic polymers (POPs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have gained significant attention in the scientific community for a wide array of applications because of their attractive physical and chemical properties. Porosity of these materials provides ample surface area for interaction with targets, while crystallinity allows for highly specific structural tuning. In this seminar, I will present two strategies of utilizing these features of newly prepared materials in biosensing. Firstly, a cationic POP was synthesized, deposited onto interdigitated electrode arrays via a nontraditional electrophoresis technique, and utilized for electrochemical sensing of bacterial cells. As the principle of detection relied on electrostatic interactions between the cationic POP and the anionic bacterial surface, the sensor operated for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Secondly, a small-molecule nitroimidazole target for hypoxia, a low oxygen environment present in tumors, was post-synthetically conjugated to the pores of a fluorescent COF. This material served as a useful hypoxia imaging agent in cancerous cells. The seminar will conclude with some future perspectives on POPs and COFs in biological applications followed by Q & A.
Keywords: Porous organic polymers, covalent organic frameworks, biosensors, hypoxia
Published in RUNG: 13.07.2023; Views: 783; Downloads: 0
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3. Porous polycalix[n]arenes as environmental pollutant removersSalma Abubakar, Tina Škorjanc, Dinesh Shetty, Ali Trabolsi, 2021, review article Abstract: A new and innovative class of calixarene-based polymers emerged as adsorbents for a variety of compounds and ions in solution and vapor media. These materials take advantage of the modifiable rims and hydrophobic cavities of the calixarene monomers, in addition to the porous nature of the polymeric matrix. With main-chain calixarenes’ function as supramolecular hosts and the polymers’ high surface areas, polycalixarenes can effectively encapsulate target analytes. This feature is particularly useful for environmental remediation as dangerous and toxic molecules reversibly bind to the macrocyclic cavity, which facilitates their removal and enables repeated use of the polymeric sorbent. This Spotlight touches on the unique characteristics of the calixarene monomers and discusses the synthetic methods of our reported calixarene-based porous polymers, including Sonogashira–Hagihara coupling, and diazo and imine bond formation. It then discusses the promising applications of these materials in adsorbing dyes, micropollutants, iodine, mercury, paraquat, and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from water. In most cases, these reports cover materials that outperform others in terms of recyclability, rates of adsorption, or uptake capacities of specific pollutants. Finally, this Spotlight addresses the current challenges and future aspects of utilizing porous polymers in pollution treatment.
Keywords: calixarene, polycalixarenes, porous polymers, pollutant removal, water purification
Published in RUNG: 09.04.2021; Views: 2213; Downloads: 0
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4. Morphological diversity in nanoporous covalent organic materials derived from viologen and pyreneGobinda Das, Tina Škorjanc, Sudhir Kumar Sharma, Thirumurugan Prakasam, Carlos Platas-Iglesias, Dong Suk Han, Jesus Raya, John-Carl Olsen, Ramesh Jagannathan, Ali Trabolsi, original scientific article Keywords: covalent organic polymers, hollow tube, polymers, porous materials, iodine capture
Published in RUNG: 02.09.2020; Views: 2538; Downloads: 0
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