Ideas in Chemistry and Molecular Sciences

Bruno Pignataro, born in Bologna in 1972, is Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Palermo. He received his degree in chemistry in 1995 from the University of Catania and his PhD in materials science five years later. He has helped establish a wide network of international collaborations and organized more than 10 meetings at national and international level, including coordinating the Young Chemists Group of the Italian Chemical Society and chairing the first editions of the European Young Chemist Award. He is a referee for several leading chemistry and materials journals, has more than 70 scientific publications and some 90 conference communications to his name, along with several invited lectures. Professor Pignataro's research interests focus on the related fields of the physical chemistry of molecular surfaces and soft nanotechnologies.

Preface

PART I: Biochemical Studies

THE ROLE OF COPPER ION AND THE UBIQUITIN SYSTEM IN NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDERS
Introduction
Metal Ions in the Brain
Brain Copper Homeostasis
Brain Copper and Neurodegenerative Disorders
The Role ob Ubiquitin in Protein Degradation
Failure of the Ubiquitin System in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Interaction of Ubiquitin with Metal Ions
Biological Implications
Conclusions and Perspectives
THE BIOINORGANIC AND ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY OF COPPER(III)
Introduction
Bioinorganic Implications of Copper(III)
Organometallic CuIII Species in Organic Transformations
Miscellany: Cuprate Superconducting Materials
Overview and Future Targets
CHEMICAL PROTEIN MODIFICATION
Introducing Diversity by Posttranslational Modification
Chemistry: A Route to Modified Proteins
Challenges in Chemical Protein Modification
Traditional Methods for Protein Modification
Recent Innovations in Site-Selective Protein Modification
Conclusion and Outlook

PART II: Drug Delivery

VITAMIN B12: A POTENTIAL TARGETING MOLECULE FOR THERAPEUTIC DRUG DELIVERY
Introduction
Transport Mechanism
Metabolism of B12
Vitamin B12 Derivatives
Outlook
STRATEGIES FOR MICROSPHERE-MEDIATED CELLULAR DELIVERY
Introduction
Microspheres
Future Perspectives

PART III: Research in Therapeutics

FUNDAMENTAL PROCESSES IN RADIATION DAMAGE TO DNA: HOW LOW-ENERGY ELECTRONS DAMAGE BIOMOLECULES
Radiation Damage and the Role of Low-Energy Electrons
DEA Studies on Model Compounds for the DNA Backbone
Outlook and Future Prospects
STRUCTURE-BASED DESIGN ON THE WAY TO NEW ANTI-INFECTIVES
Introduction
Isoprenoids and the Nonmevalonate Pathway
Targeting the CDP-Binding Pocket of IspE
X-Ray Cocrystal Structure Analysis
Conclusions and Outlook
DRUG-MEMBRANE INTERACTIONS: MOLECULAR MECHANISMS UNDERLYING THERAPEUTIC AND TOXIC EFFECTS OF DRUGS
Biological Membranes
Drug-Membrane Interactions
Analysis and Quantification of Drug-Membrane Interactions
Drug-Membrane Interactions Applied to the Study of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Conclusions and Future Research Directions
TARGETING DISEASE WITH SMALL MOLECULE INHIBITORS OF PROTEIN-PROTEIN INTERACTIONS
Introduction
High-Throughput Screening of Chemical Libraries
High-Throughput Screening of Biosynthesized Libraries
Future Direction
CRACKING THE GLYCOCODE: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN GLYCOMICS
State of the Art
Some New Insights in Glycomics
Future Perspectives

PART IV: Enzyme Chemistry

O2 REACTIVITY AT MODEL COPPER SYSTEMS: MIMICKING TYROSINASE ACTIVITY
General Introduction: O2 Activation and Model Systems
Copper Proteins Involved in O2 Activation
O2 Binding and Activation at Biomimetic Cu Complexes
Concluding Remarks

PART V: Structure-Property Relationship and Biosensing

CHIRALITY IN BIOCHEMISTRY: A COMPUTATIONAL APPROACH FOR INVESTIGATING BIOMOLECULE CONFORMATIONS
Introduction
Computational Techniques for Studying Protein Dynamics
Employing Chirality to Analyze Protein Motions
Perspectives
COLLISIONAL MECHANISM-BASED E-DNA SENSORS: A GENERAL PLATFORM FOR LABEL-FREE ELECTROCHEMICAL DETECTION OF HYBRIDIZATION AND DNA BINDING PROTEINS
Introduction
E-DNA Signaling Mechanism
E-DNA Sensor for DNA Binding Proteins Detection
Conclusions and Future Perspectives