Key research themes
1. How does guanidinium cation interact with proteins and influence molecular recognition and stability?
This research area investigates the nature of guanidinium cation interactions particularly with aromatic amino acids in proteins via cation-π and hydrogen bonding mechanisms, and how these interactions modulate protein structure, stability, and binding affinities. Understanding these interactions is critical for drug design, protein engineering, and molecular recognition processes involving guanidinium derivatives.
2. What are the transport and physicochemical properties of guanidinium-based ionic liquids and their influence on material behavior?
This theme covers the synthesis and characterization of guanidinium ionic liquids (ILs), focusing on how structural variations (protic vs. aprotic, side chain length) and molecular interactions affect transport properties such as viscosity and conductivity. Investigating these properties underpins the development of advanced functional fluids for applications ranging from electrochemistry to gas absorption.
3. How does guanidinium cation modulate nucleic acid structures, particularly guanine quadruplexes, and influence their stability and cation selectivity?
Research in this area explores the interaction of guanidinium-related cations with guanine quadruplex (GQ) DNA structures, focusing on how cations stabilize the GQ through size, desolvation, and electrostatic effects, which impact biological functions and therapeutic targeting. Clarifying the role of alkali metal cations and guanidinium-like species advances understanding of quadruplex folding and potential pharmacological modulation.
4. What are the neuromodulatory and neuroprotective roles of guanine-based purines like guanosine in the central nervous system (CNS)?
This theme investigates the extracellular functions of guanosine and guanine nucleotides in the CNS, including their modulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission, neuroprotection in degenerative diseases, and intracellular mechanisms mitigating oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Elucidating these pathways informs therapeutic strategies for brain disorders.
5. How can guanidinium and related compounds be developed as broad-spectrum antibacterial and antimicrobial agents?
This research cluster focuses on the synthesis, structural modification, and biological evaluation of guanidinium derivatives as antibacterial agents against pathogens, emphasizing mechanisms involving electrostatic interactions disrupting bacterial membranes, biofilm inhibition, and antimicrobial activity profiles.
6. How is guanidine biosynthesized biologically and what is its significance as a nitrogen-rich compound in sustainability and biotechnology?
Emerging research addresses biosynthetic pathways of guanidine in microorganisms, its role as a nitrogen-rich metabolite with high nitrogen content, and the potential for sustainable photosynthetic production using engineered cyanobacteria. These insights reveal guanidine’s promise as a renewable nitrogen-based energy carrier and biotechnological product.
7. What is the role of guanidinium cations as collectors in mineral flotation and their adsorption behavior on mineral surfaces?
This area explores guanidinium and substituted guanidinium cations as cationic collectors in reverse flotation processes, studying their adsorption on aluminosilicate minerals such as kaolinite and iron oxides like goethite. The goal is to understand molecular-level adsorption mechanisms and substituent effects for optimized mineral beneficiation.