ChemComm 60th Anniversary Board Member Collection

 

Chemical Communications will be publishing its 60th volume in 2024. Over the past 60 years, ChemComm has been the RSC’s most cited journal, and one of the most trusted venues for rapid publication of short communications. In our anniversary year, we recognise the important contributions ChemComm has made, and continues to make, in advancing the chemical sciences.

As part of these celebrations, we’ve brought together a special collection highlighting the latest work from the pioneering researchers who have supported the journal in reaching this milestone by serving on ChemComm’s Editorial and Advisory boards in the last two decades. Throughout the year, we’ll be catching up with these current and former Board Members to discuss their work and reflect on ChemComm’s 60th anniversary. Check out our first interviews with current Editorial Board chair, Professor Doug Stephan, and Advisory Board member, Professor Eli Zysman-Colman, below!

 

Doug Stephan, born in Hamilton ON, graduated with his BSc at McMaster (1976) and PhD at UWO (1980). After a NATO PDF at Harvard, he began his independent career at the University of Windsor (1982). He was promoted to Associate Professor (1985), full Professor(1992) and named a NSERC Industrial Research Chair (2001), University Professor (2002) and Canada Research Chair (2005). In 2008 he moved to the University of Toronto as a Professor and Canada Research Chair, In 2018, he was appointed University Professor. In 2020, he established an additional satellite laboratory at Ningbo University as a Zhedong Scholar Chair Professor. He was an Associated Editor for Chemical Society Reviews for 6 years, the Chair of the editorial board and is now Chair of the editorial board of Chemical Communications

A world-leading researcher in inorganic chemistry/catalysis, he is best known as the founder of the field of “frustrated Lewis pair” (FLP) chemistry. He has received a number of National and International awards, including Humboldt and Killam Fellowships. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society (London), a Corresponding Member of North-Rhein-Westfaelia Academy of the Sciences and Arts (Germany) and was a Distinguished Adjunct Professor at King Abdulaziz University, and an Einstein Visiting Fellow at TU Berlin. More recently, he was the recipient of the 2019 J. C. Polanyi Award from NSERC of Canada, a 2020 Guggenheim Fellowship the 2021 Killam Prize in Science and the 2022 F.A Cotton Award from the American Chemical Society. In 2023, he wqs named the John C. Polanyi Chair in Chemistry at the University of Toronto.

What attracted you to the role as Editorial Board Chair for ChemComm?

There are a number of positives that drew me to this role. Firstly, the journal has a solid reputation for publishing quality communications. The associate editors and board members are great scientists whom I admire, and all of the RSC staff are a pleasure to work with.

How have you seen ChemComm evolve over the years, and what aspects do you find most noteworthy?

I think that ChemComm, like the discipline has evolved in sophistication and rigor.  Years ago, communications were very short reports of new concepts that were worthy of further study, and they were typically followed up with a fuller report. Today, communications go so much further, substantiating claims and providing much more credible proofs of principle. So much so that they most often stand on their own merit.

What is your favourite thing about ChemComm?

I guess the thing I like the most is that as one scans the table of contents of an issue, one can find a very broad range of chemistry. Inorganic organic, materials, polymers, theoretical and physical chemistry are all covered. Thus, even if I do not read all the papers, I feel I am at least aware of important developments outside of my particular area.

In what ways do you think ChemComm stands out among other journals in your field?

As other journals take communications, full papers and numerous reviews, ChemComm stands out as the journal that focuses on  communications. These short but impactful papers cover areas across the discipline of Chemistry and beyond.

Are there ways in which the journal can further support and engage with future generations of scientists?

I think that young (and old) scientists want to engage with quality, quality papers, quality reviewing and quality editors. The sustained focus of ChemComm on these aspects augurs well for continuing engagement of the community through the generations.

I also believe that ChemComm’s efforts to continue to increase their presence and use of social media is critically important. This is a terrific tool for the rapid dissemination of information allowing scientist to ensure that their community is aware of their work.

Could you provide a brief summary of your recent ChemComm publication?

Our recent ChemComm describes a unique synthetic route to phosphorus analogues of β-lactams, exploiting FLP-type reactions.

In your opinion, what are the next steps or potential areas of research that could build upon the findings in this paper?

These compounds have potential to act as antimicrobial agents. We are developing collaborations to evaluate these species and related derivatives.

Read Doug’s full Communication here: Stannyl phosphaketene as a synthon for phosphorus analogues of β-lactams by Yong-an Luo, Zhao Zhao, Ting Chen, Yanguo Li, Yufen Zhao, Douglas Stephan and Yile Wu

Eli Zysman-Colman obtained his Ph.D. from McGill University in 2003 under the supervision of Prof. David N. Harpp as an FCAR scholar, conducting research in physical organic sulfur chemistry.  He then completed two postdoctoral fellowships, one in supramolecular chemistry with Prof. Jay Siegel at the Organic Chemistry Institute, University of Zurich as an FQRNT fellow and the other in inorganic materials chemistry with Prof. Stefan Bernhard at Princeton University as a PCCM fellow.  He joined the department of chemistry at the Université de Sherbrooke in Quebec, Canada as an assistant professor in 2007. In 2013, he moved to the University of St Andrews in St Andrews, UK, where he is presently Professor of Optoelectronic Materials, Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a past holder of a Royal Society Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship.  His research program focuses on the rational design of: (I) luminophores for energy-efficient visual displays and flat panel lighting based on organic light emitting diode (OLED) and light-emitting electrochemical cell (LEEC) device architectures; (II) sensing materials employed in electrochemiluminescence; and (III) photocatalyst developing for use in organic reactions.

What is your favourite thing about ChemComm?

I enjoy the breadth of chemistry covered in Chem. Commun.

Could you provide a brief summary of your recent ChemComm publication?

Our paper demonstrates a new multiresonant thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) emitter design, DDiKTa-F wherein we annelate on either side of a fluorene a known MR-TADF moiety that we had previous studied, DiKTa. In doing so, we produced a narrower, brighter and red-shifted emission compared to a previous emitter we had developed, DDiKTa. We then demonstrated its utility as the emitter in an organic-light emitting diode.

Read Eli’s Open Access Communcation article here: A fluorene-bridged double carbonyl/amine multiresonant thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitter for efficient green OLEDs by Sen Wu, Ya-Nan Hu, Dianming Sun, Kai Wang, Xiao-Hong Zhang and Eli Zysman-Colman

 

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ChemComm Milestones – Jonathan De Tovar

We are excited to share the success of Jonathan De Tovar’s first-time article in ChemComm; “Insights into non-covalent interactions in dicopper(ii,ii) complexes bearing a naphthyridine scaffold: anion-dictated electrochemistry” included in the full milestones collection. 

Read our interview with Jonathan below.

What are the main areas of research in your lab and what motivated you to take this direction?

Our research team, CIRe, is actively engaged in addressing challenges related to bio-inspired catalysis, bio-targeted coordination chemistry, and photo-induced processes. CIRe’s work encompasses both fundamental research and practical applications, including strategies for the conversion of CO2 and alkanes into high-value building blocks and hydrocarbon fuels, along with efficient solar energy utilization.

Additionally, while exploring diverse research domains, our trajectory is influenced by the challenges we encounter. For instance, we have delved into understanding the influence of non-covalent interactions in tuning the redox potentials of dicopper(II,II) complexes.

Can you set this article in a wider context?

This article positions itself within the broader context of non-covalent interactions in dicopper(II,II) complexes, with a specific focus on their impact on redox potentials. The significance of this work extends to the wider field of catalysis, where the exploration of non-covalent integrations holds promise for unlocking new possibilities in selective C-H functionalization. Our findings contribute to advancing the understanding of these interactions, providing valuable insights for the development of catalysts with enhanced efficiency and selectivity in challenging electrochemical reactions.

What do you hope your lab can achieve in the coming year?

In the coming year, our lab aims to further unravel the subtleties of non-covalent integrations in transition metal complexes for electrochemically catalyzed reactions. We aspire to refine our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and explore novel ligand architectures that enhance the catalytic performance of such complexes. Additionally, we aim to disseminate our findings through impactful publications and foster collaborations that will accelerate the translation of our research into practical applications.

Describe your journey to becoming an independent researcher.

My journey to becoming an independent researcher has been marked by a continuous exploration of both molecular and colloidal catalysts for small molecules activations. Starting from my doctoral studies, where I investigated Pd- and Co-based (nano)catalyst for C-C coupling reactions and artificial photosynthesis, progressively focused on the development of my expertise in designing and optimizing molecular catalysts for pivotal transformations.

Continuing as postdoctoral researcher in the design of catalysts exhibiting agostic interactions followed by their immobilization trough both covalent and non-covalent interactions, highlighted the importance of such interactions when understanding the modus operandi and fate of catalysts under turnover conditions.

This journey has been instrumental in shaping my commitment to addressing challenges in different electrocatalysis domains and establishing myself as an independent researcher in the field of non-covalent interactions.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

One of the most valuable advices I received came from my colleague Dr. Catherine Belle: “Sometimes, it’s not just about focusing solely on the immediate path but exploring lateral perspectives. Learning to see things from other points of view by changing your way of thinking may help you better understand what surrounds you.”

Why did you choose to publish in ChemComm?

Choosing to publish in ChemComm was a strategic decision aligned with the journal’s reputation for disseminating cutting-edge research. The rapid dissemination and broad readership of ChemComm provide an excellent platform for sharing our findings on non-covalent integrations in dicopper(II,II) complexes. By contributing to ChemComm, we aim to stimulate discussions within the scientific community and showcase the potential of our research to influence the broader landscape of catalytic transformations involving such non-covalent interactions.

Dr J. De Tovar completed his PhD in 2018 at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, where he explored Pd- and Co-based (nano)catalysts for C-C coupling reactions and artificial photosynthesis under the guidance of Dr. Jordi García-Antón and Dr. Xavier Sala. Notably, his research delved into photophysical and dynamical phenomena within molecular and colloidal systems, thanks to the privilege of engaging in collaborative research with esteemed scientists such as Dr. Karine Philippot (LCC-CNRS, Toulouse), Dr. Zoraida Freixa (UPV-EHU, San Sebastián), Dr. Antoni Llobet (ICIQ, Tarragone), and Dr. Nathan McClenaghan (ISM-CNRS, Bordeaux).

Following his doctoral studies, J. De Tovar continued his research by joining Dr. Laurent Djakovithc and Dr. Franck Rataboul for a 2-year postdoctoral stay at the Institute des Recherches sur la Catalyse et l’Environnement de Lyon. There, he focused on developing NHC-containing Pd complexes for the in-situ generation of highly reactive Pd species in C-C coupling reactions. Afterward, he joined Dr. Vincent Artero and Dr. Matthieu Koepf at Commissariat à l’Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA-Grenoble), dedicating 2 years to studying the mechanisms of CO2 and N2 electrochemical reduction reactions using pincer-containing transition metal complexes.

In 2023, J. De Tovar joined Dr. Aurore Thibon-Pourret and Dr. Catherine Belle at the Département de Chimie Moléculaire – Université Grenoble Alpes as a postdoctoral researcher, focusing on the development of Cu-based complexes for the activation and further selective oxidation of recalcitrant C-H bonds. His current research interests center around bio-inspired catalysis, showcasing his dedication to pushing the boundaries of knowledge in this dynamic field.

Twitter/X: @DCMGrenoble

Linkedin: Jonathan De Tovar Villanueva

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First Article in ChemComm – Dr Anuj K. Sharma

 

We are pleased to highlight Anuj K. Sharma’s first article in ChemComm; “A bis-quinoline ruthenium(ii) arene complex with submicromolar cytotoxicity in castration-resistant prostate cancer cells“. We recently caught up with Anuj to discuss his work in more detail.

Read our interview with Anuj below.

What are the main areas of research in your lab and what motivated you to take this direction?

Our group in the Department of Chemistry at Central University of Rajasthan is practicing coordination chemistry and its wide possible applications in diseases like Cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Ligands designed purposefully and then formations of interesting metal complexes showing useful medicinal applications are the main focus in our research group. We have been able to develop series of ruthenium and copper complexes that have potential to selectively kill cancerous cells. Detailed investigation of cell death mechanism remains a challenge that we undertake by collaborating with experts in this field. We are also working on developing multifunctional chelators capable of not only competing for metal ions from amyloid beta peptides but also to control their aggregation into toxic species. Socially relevant research topics are a natural motivation and keep us moving forward in these directions.

Can you set this article in a wider context?

Prostate cancer is one of the most diagnosed non-cutaneous malignancies among men worldwide. While early-stage prostate cancer can often be successfully treated with surgery, radiation therapy or hormone therapy, some cases of the disease may become resistant to these treatments. Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC) develops when prostate cancer resist standard treatment with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), which inhibits the production and signalling function of androgens (such as testosterone), which drive cancer’s growth. The main ligand design here involved use of quinoline moieties as inspired from its remarkable biological applications. In this article, we presented a new Ru(II) arene chlorido organometallic complex named as pCYRuL using 2-bis(quinolin-2-ylmethylene) hydrazine (Ligand L) that exhibit potent anticancer activity against a castration-resistant human prostatic adenocarcinoma cell line (PC-3) with 45 times more effective than the standard drug cisplatin. Very interestingly, pCYRuL is non-toxic in normal human kidney cells (HK2) as well as normal breast cells (MCF10A). Detailed studies reported in this article is about the mechanism of cell death as found that pCYRuL exerted anticancer activity via apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest.

What do you hope your lab can achieve in the coming year?

In the project of developing metal based anticancer agents, we are very curious to know what kinds of structure is favoured for their antitumor activity and how structural variations determine the activity. We are now attempting an “structure-Activity relationship” by preparing a series of similar complexes as reported in this ChemComm paper for a broader understanding of anticancer behaviour. In an another project, we are able to make a series of multifunctional chelators that can not only compete for metal ions with Amyloid-beta peptides but also act as antioxidants, potential acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors and much more. We are very excited to complete it soon and bring to the community. In addition, we would like to be very active for research grants and many other aims to maintain an active scientific exploration.

Describe your journey to becoming an independent researcher.

I am very fortunate to be trained by two superb mentors, first by Prof. R. N. Mukherjee at IIT Kanpur as a Ph.D. student and then as a post-doc at Washington University in St. Louis, USA in the group of Prof. Liviu M Mirica. They have shaped me as a researcher in a way to do coordination chemistry with thinking and the one with definitive goals. I started my own research in year 2014 in the “still under construction” campus of Central University of Rajasthan, India. I was fortunate to have a DST_INSPIRE research grant that helped me in setting a decent synthetic chemistry lab initially. Series of first few Azo-Stilbene based metal chelators designed to chelate metals from amyloid forming peptides related to Alzheimer’s disease was published in Inorganica Chimica Acta, later we published more. More research grants from SERB, India were received to sustain the costly lab experiments. I have now more than 25 research papers but first in ChemComm is this one in 2024. I am helped by a number of collaborators and very thankful to all of them. Most special is to thank the Ph.D. scholars who worked extremely hard to make my ideas into reality. My group is slowly but steadily contributing to bioinorganic and medicinal inorganic chemistry and that is what I see myself doing in the years to come.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

“Hard work always pays off” often told by my father.

Why did you choose to publish in ChemComm?

ChemComm has its wide readership, long history and huge reputation as one of the most prestigious journals of Chemistry. It is a matter of pride to have a manuscript accepted in ChemComm. Having a Ru complex with unusual activity in prostate cancer cell line was very interesting and first thought was to publish it in ChemComm as a short communication followed by the detailed work later. I always wanted to publish here and very happy to have finally one. Hope to produce more research results worthy to be published in this reputed journal.

Dr. Anuj Sharma (he/him) received his Master of Science in Chemistry from Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India in the year 2004 and then Ph.D. from Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India in 2009 working with Prof. Rabindranath Mukherjee in the area of Coordination Chemistry with special emphasis on magneto-structural correlations and electronic properties of metal complexes of non-innocent ligands. After completing Ph.D., he joined as postdoctoral fellow at Washington University in St. Louis, USA, with Prof. Liviu M. Mirica till March 2014 and contributed significantly in the ongoing Alzheimer’s disease research directions. He joined Department of Chemistry, Central University of Rajasthan in March 2014, as DST-INSPIRE Faculty before he became a regular Assistant Professor in December 2016. His research interests lie in inorganic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, synthetic inorganic and organic chemistry, to develop new smart inorganic complexes for applications as therapeutics for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. He has ~45 publications in high impact factor international journals and also a US patent to his credit. He has received Best research presentation awards in international conference of coordination chemistry, DST-INSPIRE faculty award, SERB International travel support and several sponsored research projects worth ~INR 25 million to his credit.

Explore more ChemComm news and updates on our X Feed: @ChemCommun

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Congratulations to the 2024 Cram Lehn Pedersen Prize Winner: Hao Li

We are delighted to announce that Professor Hao Li, at Zhejiang University, is the recipient of this year’s Cram Lehn Pedersen Prize in Supramolecular Chemistry. This prize, sponsored by ChemComm, is named in honour of the winners of the 1987 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and recognises significant original and independent work in supramolecular chemistry. Please join us in celebrating Hao’s achievement.

Hao Li got his bachelor degree at Wuhan University in China in 2005. After getting a master degree in the group of Professor Chuluo Yang at Wuhan University in 2007, Hao Li moved to Northwestern University and got a PhD under the supervision of Fraser Stoddart in January of 2013. He then worked with Jonathan Sessler at the University of Texas at Austin as a postdoctoral research fellow until the June of 2015 when he moved back to China and joined Zhejiang University as a tenure-track professor. He was promoted as a tenured associated professor in 2021. Hao Li’s research focuses on dynamic covalent chemistry based on imine and its heteroatom derivatives such as hydrazone and oxime.

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ChemComm Milestones – James Cumby

We are excited to share the success of James Cumby’s first-time independent article in ChemComm; “Mixed anion control of negative thermal expansion in a niobium oxyfluoride included in the full milestones collection. 

Read our interview with James below.

What are the main areas of research in your lab and what motivated you to take this direction?

I am interested in how, by substituting oxygen with another anion (such as fluorine) we can directly tune the properties of inorganic materials.

Beneath this simple idea lies a lot of complexity. For instance, while the number of metal oxides known is huge (~100,000) only a few (~5,000) oxyfluorides have been reported. For an experimental chemist, this gives a lot of choice of materials to discover! Even once synthesised, the arrangement of oxide and fluoride ions within the material can have a big influence, but is difficult to analyse. To address these problems, my group combines experimental synthesis with advanced crystallography, as well as using data-driven computational models to predict and understand new materials.

Can you set this article in a wider context?

Normally, materials expand as they get hotter. This can lead to problems like concrete cracking or dental fillings failing. A materials-based solution to these problems would be something that could stay the same volume as it was heated or cooled. Such materials exist, but they are very rare and difficult to design or control. In this research, we have discovered that by substituting oxygen with fluorine in a material we can directly control the thermal expansion behaviour. By tweaking the atomic composition, we can get a material that expands, stays the same, or even contracts as we heat it.

What do you hope your lab can achieve in the coming year?

Having discovered this new thermal expansion control, we hope to develop a better understanding of why it occurs and to extend the use of anion doping to related materials. Beyond this specific study, we will continue to develop machine learning models for predicting new materials, and to continue to develop tools to understand how anion structure influences physical properties.

Describe your journey to becoming an independent researcher.

I began my research career at the University of Birmingham, UK, where I made and characterised magnetic analogues of a rare mineral called Schafarzikite under the supervision of Prof. Colin Greaves. During my PhD, I also used density functional theory (DFT) calculations to understand the magnetic behaviour of these compounds. As a postdoc I joined the group of Prof J. Paul Attfield, FRS at the University of Edinburgh, UK. Here, my focus switched to understanding charge-driven phase transitions in solids such as magnetite. I continued to synthesise new materials and explore or simulate their properties, but also developed my expertise in crystallography. Adding to my expertise in neutron powder diffraction, I helped to push the limits of micro-crystal X-ray diffraction (measuring small powder grains using single crystal diffraction) and gained expertise in total scattering (pair distribution function) techniques for analysing short-range atomic structure. Throughout this time I developed my interest in using crystallographic data to aid materials discovery.

As an independent group leader I combine a variety of approaches to solve research problems, and continue to explore new areas at the intersection of solid state chemistry, materials science, condensed matter physics and crystallography.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

I’m grateful to the many people who have given me advice during my career so far, but I doubt any of it can be expressed in a single quote! In lieu of that, I think a good guiding principle was best expressed by Prof. Linus Pauling:

“The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas”

Why did you choose to publish in ChemComm?

The ChemComm format is perfect for studies which highlight a new research area with the potential for further exploration. The broad readership is the ideal audience for our work which shows an interesting chemical phenomenon, even though the exact cause requires a more extensive study.

Dr James Cumby is a lecturer (assistant professor) in inorganic chemistry at the University of Edinburgh, working in the School of Chemistry and Centre for Science at Extreme Conditions. He received his PhD in chemistry from the University of Birmingham, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Edinburgh. Following a year in a teaching-focussed role, he launched the functional materials group in 2019.

The functional materials research group aims to understand and exploit the effects of combining multiple anions in materials in order to control physical properties. Structure-property relationships are at the heart of what we do, and we try to ignore existing subject boundaries; methods we apply include experimental synthesis, detailed structural characterisation, and computational or data-driven methods.

Twitter/X: @CumbyLab

Website: www.cumby.chem.ed.ac.uk

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ChemComm Milestones – Rajkumar Misra

We are excited to share the success of Rajkumar Misra’s first-time independent article in ChemComm; “Metal-driven folding and assembly of a minimal β-sheet into a 3D-porous honeycomb framework included in the full milestones collection. 

Read our interview with Rajkumar below.

What are the main areas of research in your lab and what motivated you to take this direction?

My research group primarily revolves around the strategic design and fabrication of diverse higher order/supramolecular systems resulting from the self-assembly of minimal peptides and peptidomimetics. We eventually study these systems to explore their wide range of applications, including the development of smart biomaterials for tissue engineering and drug delivery, theragnostic agents, and functional materials to address global environmental challenges. We are fascinated the complex structures and functionalities observed in biological systems and are striving to mimic such higher order systems in the laboratory through molecular assembly.  We further work towards engineering the properties of the system by implementing post-synthetic modification.

Can you set this article in a wider context?

To set the article in a wider context, it’s essential to consider the broader landscape of the research in biomimetic materials, nanotechnology, and the interdisciplinary scientific research. Metal-peptide frameworks is an emerging area and presents a promising avenue for future research. Peptides are known to form various secondary structures. Among these, the β-sheet conformation is particularly prone to aggregation and tends to form a 1D-dimensional networks more frequently. The high aggregation propensity of β-sheets is highly evident from their implication in pathogenesis of various proteinopathies such as neurodegenerative disease (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s), diabetes mellitus among others. In our research, we demonstrated a departure from the typical trend. Specifically, we revealed that a minimal β-sheet-forming peptide, incorporating terminal metal-coordinated 4- and 3-pyridyl ligands, can undergo a metal-driven folding and assembly process to form a unique 3D porous framework. Notably, we highlight the significance of the position of the 3 and 4-pyridyl groups in constructing porous frameworks and/or metallogels, which served as a platform for the light-assisted in-situ growth of Ag nanoparticles. More intriguingly, the assemblies of β-sheets reported in this research mimic the tertiary structure of β-barrels, capable of forming channels, pores, and sites for binding and catalysis. Consequently, this article seamlessly integrates into the broader context of interdisciplinary sciences, encompassing biomimicry, functional materials, and bionanotechnology.

What do you hope your lab can achieve in the coming year?

In the coming year, we would like to delve deeper into this area with a medicinal chemistry perspective and focus on the development of engineered peptide based therapeutic agents targeting infectious and neurodegenerative disorders as well as smart biomaterials for tissue engineering purposes. We would also be working simultaneously in the area of metal peptide frameworks, aiming to fabricate novel scaffolds with intriguing applications.

Describe your journey to becoming an independent researcher.

After completing my doctorate in the field of functional foldamers at IISER Pune. I commenced my postdoctoral research at the University of Delaware, where my focus was on investigating the structure-assembly relationship of coiled-coil bundlemers. Subsequently, I spent an additional three years as a postdoctoral researcher at Tel Aviv University, delving into the realm of peptide hydrogels. Drawing from these research experiences, I transitioned to working as an independent researcher in the area of “Bioinspired Supramolecular Materials”.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

The best advice I ever got was to work hard and be patient.

Why did you choose to publish in ChemComm?

I chose to publish my work in Chemical Communications as it is a highly reputed peer-reviewed scientific journal that covers a broad range of topics including general chemistry, material science, interdisciplinary sciences etc in the chemical sciences. Moreover, it is known for its high impact factor, ability to reach a wide audience within the chemical community and the most importantly rapid publication process and great journal visibility.

Rajkumar Misra received his Ph.D degree in 2018 from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune under the supervision of Prof. H. N Gopi. Subsequently, he joined as a postdoctoral fellow in Prof. Darrin Pochan’s research group, the University of Delaware. After finishing the tenure, he joined Dr. Lihi Adler-Abramovich’s research group under the PBC scholarship program for outstanding post-doctoral students at Tel-Aviv University. He is currently an Inspire Faculty Fellow at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), S.A.S. Nagar. His research interests are the exploration of supramolecular assembly of bioinspired building blocks, artificial peptides, foldamers, and metal-peptide frameworks (MPFs) for asymmetric catalysis, bio-functional and advanced medical applications.

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ChemComm Milestones – Vishal Govind Rao

We are excited to share the success of Vishal Govind Rao’s first-time independent article in ChemComm; “Insights into interfacial mechanisms: CsPbBr3 nanocrystals as sustainable photocatalysts for primary amine oxidation included in the full milestones collection. 

Read our interview with Vishal below.

What are the main areas of research in your lab and what motivated you to take this direction?

Our research group is dedicated to exploring the fundamental properties of photocatalytic materials, with a focus on addressing pressing challenges in the field. While we have delved into various areas of research, our direction is primarily shaped by the obstacles we encounter. For instance, our exploration of perovskite materials led us to the common challenge of stabilizing them in polar solvents and water, which has become a central focus of our work.

With the depletion of fossil fuel reserves, the transition to solar energy has become imperative. To contribute to this shift, we employ plasmonic catalysis and perovskite catalysis to optimize photocatalytic efficiency. Our core objective revolves around enhancing charge/energy transfer dynamics at interfaces to boost catalytic yields while maintaining cost-effectiveness. This overarching goal underscores our commitment to advancing energy utilization through innovative research approaches.

While we are currently focused on immediate challenges, we recognize the importance of transitioning towards addressing issues related to the hydrogen economy and other emerging areas in the future.

Can you set this article in a wider context?

In our study, we utilized a process called photocatalysis, which typically involves three main steps: (1) a photocatalyst absorbing light to create charge carriers, (2) these charge carriers moving to specific sites where reactions occur, and (3) the transfer of these charge carriers to molecules on these sites, which helps certain chemical reactions happen. Specifically, we used lead halide perovskite nanocrystals to turn primary amines into imines. This research is significant because it contributes to the development of technologies that use renewable energy and support environmentally friendly chemical processes. By understanding how these reactions work on a fundamental level and adjusting how selective they are through surface interactions, our discoveries suggest ways to make energy use more efficient and chemical production more sustainable.

What do you hope your lab can achieve in the coming year?

In the upcoming year, our lab aims to maintain an active research agenda, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of scientific exploration. While we have specific aspirations, we understand that research entails embracing uncertainty. We appreciate that some of the most significant breakthroughs arise from unexpected observations and chance discoveries.

By remaining open-minded and adaptable, we strive to create an environment conducive to uncovering new insights. History has shown that unforeseen discoveries often pave the way for groundbreaking advancements in science, as demonstrated by numerous Nobel laureates. Thus, in the coming year, our lab eagerly anticipates the journey of discovery, ready to pursue new avenues of research wherever they may lead us.

Describe your journey to becoming an independent researcher.

My journey to becoming an independent researcher has been shaped by a deep appreciation for the collaborative nature of scientific inquiry. Despite being termed an “independent researcher”, I recognize that none of us operate in isolation. Instead, we are indebted to the wealth of knowledge and support that surrounds us. As the proverbial saying goes, “We can see further by standing on the shoulders of giants”.

Throughout my career, the guidance and camaraderie of mentors, collaborators, and colleagues have been pivotal in shaping my trajectory. What excites me most about research is the lively exchange of ideas, the iterative process of experimentation, and the eventual thrill of discovery. Every interaction, whether in the lab, at conferences, or through literature, enriches my understanding and ignites my curiosity for exploration.

In essence, my journey to independence as a researcher has been a journey of interdependence—a recognition of the invaluable contributions of others and a celebration of the collective pursuit of knowledge.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

The most valuable advice I received came from my Ph.D. supervisor, Dr. Nilmoni Sarkar. Despite being a man of few words, his actions spoke volumes. He taught me that true research springs from within; scientists aren’t inherently geniuses but rather individuals driven by curiosity about the problem of interest. To thrive in research, one must cultivate that innate curiosity and dedicate oneself to the pursuit of answers. He emphasized that while discipline is necessary, forcing a set number of hours of work doesn’t guarantee results in research, as productivity in the field of research doesn’t solely depend on the maximum hours worked.

Why did you choose to publish in ChemComm?

In our lab, I often encourage students to assess the paper’s scope and select the appropriate journal for submission. In this instance, Monika chose ChemComm due to its wide readership, recognizing the platform it offers for reaching a broad audience.

Vishal Govind Rao holds the position of Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Banaras Hindu University in 2007, followed by his Master of Science and Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, under the supervision of Professor Nilmoni Sarkar. During his doctoral research, Vishal delved into various photophysical and dynamical phenomena within microheterogeneous systems containing ionic liquids.

Following the completion of his Ph.D., Vishal embarked on a 3.5-year postdoctoral stint at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. During this period, he employed single-molecule spectroscopy to investigate the interfacial electron transfer dynamics in dye-sensitized solar cells. Subsequently, he transitioned to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he dedicated 2 years to studying the mechanism of photocatalysis on plasmonic metal nanoparticles.

In 2019, Vishal returned to India and joined IIT Kanpur as an Assistant Professor, where he has remained committed ever since. His research team is actively engaged in addressing challenges related to perovskite stability and exploring their applications in photocatalysis. Additionally, they focus on plasmonic photocatalysis, interfacial charge transfer dynamics, strategies for efficient solar energy utilization, and the conversion of carbon dioxide into hydrocarbon fuels.

Twitter: @VishalGovindRao

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ChemComm Milestones – Yi (David) Ju

We are excited to share the success of Yi (David) Ju’s first-time independent article in ChemComm; “Engineering poly(ethylene glycol) particles for targeted drug delivery included in the full milestones collection. 

Read our interview with David below.

What are the main areas of research in your lab and what motivated you to take this direction?

My research has two main streams: 1) understanding how physicochemical properties of nanomaterials mediate protein interactions and modulate downstream biological responses; 2) engineering advanced nanoparticle systems for biotechnology and medical applications. The most significant challenge in the development of nanomedicines is the recognition and inactivation by the immune system. When synthetic nanoparticles are introduced into the blood, they are coated with a multitude of host-derived biological components (including proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids) within the bloodstream. These coatings on the surface of the nanomaterials make up the biomolecular corona and regulate the downstream immune responses. The understanding of bio–nano interactions is essential in the therapeutic field and the development of nanomedicine formulations because it influences the final product utility. My vision is to exploit this goal towards developing new functional nanoparticles to overcome biological barriers and increase delivery efficiency to the target.

Can you set this article in a wider context?

It is well known that poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is the gold standard for the low-fouling surface modifications of nanomaterials. Various nanoparticles (NPs) have shown improved colloidal stability and stealth properties through PEG modification. Since 2013, we have focused on engineering PEG-based NPs, in which PEG is the only or one of the main components of the NPs. The present feature article summarizes our recent research in engineering PEG-based NPs via different methods (i.e., mesoporous silica-assisted templating, metal–phenolic network-assisted assembly, metal–organic framework-assisted templating, and sono-polymerization) for bio–nano interaction studies and targeted drug delivery applications. The use of different engineering strategies enables the tuning of the physiochemical properties of PEG-based NPs (e.g., size, structure, elasticity, and compositions) for controlled bio–nano interactions (e.g., stealth and targeting) and drug-loading capabilities. A perspective is also provided on the major challenges of PEG-based NPs and their potential immunogenicity as well as future research directions. This feature article is expected to serve as a reference to guide the engineering of PEG-based NPs and facilitate the rational design of PEG-based NPs for diverse emerging applications.

What do you hope your lab can achieve in the coming year?

We aim to make progress on engineering advanced nanoparticle system for drug and gene delivery and understanding the interactions between nanoparticles and the human immune system.

Describe your journey to becoming an independent researcher.

My PhD was conducted in Prof. Frank Caruso’s lab at the University of Melbourne. During this period, I developed interests in the development of ‘stealth’ nanomaterials and investigation of fundamental bio–nano interactions in complex biological environments. After my PhD completion, I hold a Research Fellow position in the same group exploring various low-fouling nanomaterials for controlled bio–nano interactions and served as a Co-Leader of the Signature Project ‘Mediating Protein Interactions’ within the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio–Nano Science and Technology (CBNS). During my postdoctoral career, I have begun to pursue and demonstrate research leadership. I received an Early Career Researcher (ECR) Grant from the University of Melbourne. With this grant, I led a team producing a first-author publication in ACS Nano, which received the 2020 Most Significant Publication Award from CBNS. I was also awarded an Outstanding Postdoctoral Researcher Award at University of Melbourne in 2019. In 2021, I moved to RMIT University as a Vice-Chancellor’s Postdoctoral fellow and published my first co-corresponding author paper in 2022. During this fellowship, I received research grants and awards, including an ECR Lectureship from Australasian Colloid and Interface Society and a Victoria Fellowship from Victorian State Government, which supported me to conduct an oversea research visit at the University of Manchester from January to September 2023. After coming back from the UK in 2023, I started my ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) fellowship at RMIT University.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

‘Not only work hard but work smart’ from my PhD supervisor.

Why did you choose to publish in ChemComm?

ChemComm was one of my favourite journals which provides key research messages in a short format. The journal has a good reputation with a broad readership in chemistry.

Yi (David) Ju is an ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) Fellow at RMIT University. He received his Ph.D. in 2017 from the University of Melbourne under the supervision of Prof. Frank Caruso and thereafter conducted postdoctoral research at the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology and the University of Melbourne. He moved to RMIT University in 2021 as a Vice-Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellow. During his appointment, he conducted an overseas research visit (January to September 2023) at the University of Manchester funded by a Victoria Fellowship. His research interests focus on studying the interactions between nanomaterials and the immune system and engineering advanced nanoparticle systems for biotechnology and medical applications.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/david-yi-ju

Twitter/X:@David_Yi_Ju

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ChemComm Milestones – Ioana M. Ilie

We are excited to share the success of Ioana M. Ilie’s first-time independent article in ChemComm; “Unlocking novel therapies: cyclic peptide design for amyloidogenic targets through synergies of experiments, simulations, and machine learning” included in the full milestones collection. 

Read our interview with Ioana below.

What are the main areas of research in your lab and what motivated you to take this direction?

In my lab we develop computational tools aiming (1) to understand and control the aggregation mechanisms of polypeptides and their response to the biological environment, (2) to design peptide-based therapeutics and (3) to build smart (bio)materials with tunable and responsive properties. More specifically, we use atomistic simulations to gain insight into the biochemical mechanisms of protein folding, which we then modulate by rationally designing and evolutionary optimizing agents to control their response. We also develop coarse-grained models for proteins and biomaterials uniquely capturing their intrinsic flexibility to understand the interaction mechanisms with the biological environment on the nanoscopic scale, which we then exploit to design novel materials. Importantly, we parametrize the coarse-grained models relying on our atomistic simulations and experimental input. Hence, we learn across scales, linking and incorporating the relevant properties at different spatio-temporal resolutions.

Can you set this article in a wider context?

Current therapies for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease address symptoms rather than preventing their onset. This work opens new doors for novel (preventive) therapeutic interventions and beyond. Particularly, it underlines the synergies between simulations, experiments, and machine learning when designing cyclic peptides as promising anti-amyloidogenic candidates.

This feature explores recent advancements in cyclic peptide design against amyloidogenic targets from a computational perspective, emphasizing the synergies with machine learning and experiment in optimizing the design process. The discussion encompasses the difficulties encountered in designing novel peptide-based inhibitors and proposes innovative strategies that incorporate “the powerful trio”: experiments, simulations, and machine learning .

In the broader context, the proposed combination of strategies extend beyond cyclic peptide design, serving as a template for the de novo generation of any type of (bio)materials with programmable properties.

What do you hope your lab can achieve in the coming year?

Scientifically, in the coming year, on the one hand my lab will focus on the development of machine learning algorithms for the iterative design of cyclic peptides against amyloidogenic and cancerous targets. On the other hand, my lab will continue our endeavours in building versatile coarse-grained models for biomaterials and developing agents to control their fate in specific environments.

On the team side, I expect my team to grow, which will further strengthen our international position in the peptide design and computational soft matter fields.

Describe your journey to becoming an independent researcher.

I am trained as a computational biophysicist with a PhD from the University of Twente in the Netherlands. During my PhD, advised by Profs. Briels and den Otter, I developed coarse-grained models of proteins and studied their aggregation dynamics. Wanting to understand the microscopic origin of aggregate formation, I switched focus towards higher resolution models during my postdoctoral stay at the Technical University of Darmstadt in Germany in the group of Prof. van der Vegt. I continued with adding a biochemical perspective to my biophysical background by joining the Computational Structural Biology group of Prof. Caflisch at the University of Zurich in Switzerland. Both postdoctoral experiences contributed significantly towards my growth as an independent researcher, which led to my current Assistant Professorship at the University of Amsterdam in the van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences.

The Multiscale Simulation of Biomolecular Systems group uniquely combines my international and multidisciplinary experience to tackle fundamental biomedical and technological problems from diverse disciplinary and methodological angles, i.e. atomistic, coarse-grained.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

Be patient.

Why did you choose to publish in ChemComm?

ChemComm has an excellent reputation for publishing urgent research of outstanding significance and appeal to experts in the field, supported by a rigorous peer review process. Furthermore, ChemComm has a broad chemistry readership, which is in line with my research that lies at the interface of chemistry and physics and biological sciences. Another compelling aspect was the chance to showcase my lab’s research through publication in the Emerging Investigators edition of the journal.​​

Ioana M. Ilie is an Assistant Professor in Computational Chemistry at the van ‘t Hoff Institute of Molecular Sciences at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. She received her PhD from the University of Twente, where she worked with Prof. Wim Briels and Prof. Wouter den Otter on the development of coarse-grained models of proteins to understand their aggregation dynamics. She continued with postdoctoral experiences in the group of Prof. Nico van der Vegt at the University of Darmstadt, Germany, and then received a Peter und Traudl Engelhorn Postdoctoral Research Fellowship to carry out further postdoctoral studies in the group of Prof. Amedeo Caflisch at the University of Zurich, Switzerland.

In 2022, Ioana embarked on her independent career at the van ‘t Hoff Institute of Molecular Sciences at the University of Amsterdam, supported by a Career Development Award from the Synapsis Foundation.

Webpage: https://www.compchem.nl/staff_members/dr-ioana-illie/

Twitter/X: @ioana_ilie_UvA

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ChemComm Milestones – Jeffrey Ting

We recently caught up with Jeffrey Ting (Nanite Inc.) – our latest ChemComm Milestones author. We wanted to find out about Jeff’s research and experiences as a first-time corresponding author in the interview below. You can now read Jeff’s research paper ‘Frontiers in nonviral delivery of small molecule and genetic drugs, driven by polymer chemistry and machine learning for materials informatics’ in our growing ChemComm 1st collection.

 

Graphical abstract: Frontiers in nonviral delivery of small molecule and genetic drugs, driven by polymer chemistry and machine learning for materials informatics

 

Our interview with Jeff

What are the main areas of research in your lab and what motivated you to take this direction?

Nanite is a next-generation nonviral gene delivery startup company headquartered in Boston, MA, focused on developing a new class of programmable polymer nanoparticles for a range of therapeutic modalities and indications. Polymers have been widely used in medicine as excipients for pharmaceutical small molecules. They generally offer shelf-life stability, low cost, and controlled release profiles. However, while they have been widely investigated as gene delivery nanocarriers for decades, the design space with genetic cargo is near infinite and must balance noncovalent interactions across multiple biological barriers. To this end, SAYER™ is the company’s proprietary platform that combines high-throughput methods to rationally design delivery vehicles at the intersection of biology, materials science, and artificial intelligence (AI).

I was motivated to join Nanite because of the potential of bringing polymer-based gene therapy solutions forward. There are unresolved fundamental questions around how to tailor polymers to protect and release nucleic acids across dynamic biological environments, which is intellectually stimulating and fun to pursue as a polymer scientist. I enjoy contributing to and learning from talented Nanite coworkers that have expertise from adjacent disciplines in data science and molecular biology. The emergence of lab automation and AI has begun to change how we think about doing chemistry research more effectively and creatively. In terms of need, with Katalin Karikó’s and Drew Weissman’s 2023 Nobel Prize for enabling the development of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19, it truly seems like we are at a turning point in how we can treat diseases with new genetic vaccines and drugs. It has been extremely rewarding to learn from genetic medicine companies and patient advocacy groups that Nanite partners with, such as the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Research Foundation and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and already discover polymer nanoparticles that potentially compete with alternative nanocarriers. In short, it has never been a more exciting time to be a polymer scientist working in the biotech field!

Can you set this article in a wider context?

Our Highlight article shows the immense progress and potential of nonviral delivery with polymers, propelled by advances in materials informatics (MI). To give an update on the state of MI for this area, we first review recent examples of how research groups combine polymer chemistry with machine learning to design high-performing biomaterials with therapeutic small molecule drugs, nucleic acids, and protein. In each case, the teams use rapid data generation to train machine learning models. Next, we provide an outlook for expanding these themes to pharmaceutical applications in nonviral gene therapy, emphasizing laboratory workflow automation and data management best practices. We hope that these practical lessons learned as a growing biotech startup provide a unique perspective for the global chemistry community.

What do you hope your lab can achieve in the coming year?

It has been incredible seeing the growth of the company in a short amount of time. In terms of synthesis, I am proud to lead the first polymer production campaigns that got SAYER™ off the ground with thousands of well-defined polymers for high-throughput screening and bioevaluation. Now, because of the diverse backgrounds and talent in our team, we are uniquely poised to not only rapidly identify key structure-property relationships of these materials across multiple length scales, but also leverage this understanding to AI-driven biodelivery applications. Delivery with tissue selectivity is the current rate-limiting bottleneck for advancing more nonviral gene therapies into safer and more affordable treatments. In the coming year we are expanding the number of partner projects that uses our platform’s core technology to down select high-performing polymer nanoparticle candidates in shorter time frames.

Describe your journey to becoming an independent researcher.

I began my career as an industrial scientist at 3M in 2020. I was hired as a Senior Polymer Scientist in the Materials Informatics Group, as part of 3M’s Corporate Research Materials Lab. Though this was an interesting time to start a new job at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, this was a transformative time in changing how I think about integrating my polymer chemistry background with new advances in data science and machine learning. I gained experience on working closely with small teams to automate the collection of systematic datasets to enable predictive, data driven materials and process development.

I joined Nanite in 2022 as a senior scientist and its first employee at our initial incubator lab site. One of my PhD advisors, Dr. Theresa Reineke, co-founded the company with a group of serial entrepreneurs who have previously led successful biotechnology companies in various executive roles. Theresa has always been a supportive mentor at all stages of my independent career. My graduate work focused on synthesizing tunable polymers as solubilization agents for oral drug delivery, and my postdoctoral work aimed to better understand the fundamental physical properties of polyelectrolyte complex assemblies. This initial experience gave me a unique perspective on how to think about polymer nanoparticles from a chemistry, physics, and engineering viewpoints.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

For students, the best advice is to be open to change and opportunities that may not be apparent at the present. For myself, I have always hyper-focused on specific goals as guiding beacons for figuring out my professional career path. But you don’t know what your future self wants— as I was finishing up my chemical engineering degree in college before going to grad school, I had no desire to do anything in biology. At the end of grad school, I had meticulously positioned myself to go into academia with my postdoc position. Before each of these major inflection points, you haven’t met the extraordinary people (mentors, friends, partners, collaborators) that can come in and fundamentally change the trajectory of your life. Your future self will be different than what you may expect it to be, so don’t let the endless possibilities of what could have been (and what can be) overwhelm you. Play an active role in crafting the person you are going to become.

Why did you choose to publish in ChemComm?

ChemComm has had a longstanding reputation for spotlighting cutting edge research in the chemistry community with fast turnaround time for publication. I am proud to have Nanite’s first independent publication in this journal. Please reach out if you have any questions about our mission or if our nonviral delivery platform is of interest for further discussions.

  Dr. Jeff Ting (he/him) received his BS in Chemical Engineering at the University of Texas. Jeff received his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota in 2016, working with Frank Bates and Theresa Reineke on synthesizing tunable polymers for oral drug delivery. During his doctoral studies, he was a recipient of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, the AIChE Pharmaceutical Discovery, Development and Manufacturing Student Award, and the University of Minnesota Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship. Afterward, Jeff worked as a NIST-CHiMaD Postdoctoral Fellow with Matt Tirrell as part of the Center for Hierarchical Materials Design (CHiMaD), supported by NIST and the Materials Genome Initiative. His work focused on understanding the fundamental static and dynamic properties of polyelectrolyte complex assemblies. In 2020, Jeff joined 3M as a Senior Polymer Scientist as part of the Materials Informatics (MI) Group in the Corporate Research Materials Laboratory. He was a lead experimentalist in launching a broad effort to strategically apply MI tools and data-driven methodologies for industrial materials research and product development workflows. He was recognized as 1 of 12 individuals for the 2021 Young Observers Program by the U.S. National Committee of IUPAC. In 2022 Jeff became a Senior Scientist and the first employee at a venture-backed stealth biotech startup, Nanite, in Boston, MA.

Twitter/X: @J_Ting1

LinkedIn: jting1

Nanite Inc.

 

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