Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Issue 11 of PPS now available online!

The latest issue of Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences is now available online.  This issue is dedicated to Jean-Pierre Desvergne in honour of his lasting contributions to the field of photochemistry.  Read the Editorial here.

PPS, Issue 11, 2012, Front coverThe front cover of this issue highlights a recent Perspective article by Norbert Hoffmann from CNRS and the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, France, on “Photochemical reactions of aromatic compounds and the concept of the photon as a traceless reagent.” In this perspective, Hoffmann focuses on the photochemical transformations of aromatic compounds (mainly benzene derivatives) and their applications to organic synthesis.  The various transformations looked at do not require chemical activation and instead use photons as the reagent.  Examples include photocycloaddition reactions, including [2 + 3] meta photocycloaddition, and photochemical electron transfer induced reactions which have been intensely studied in recent years.  Hoffman shows that mainly of these procedures can be applied to the synthesis of complex compounds, and although they are not yet used in industry, the ecological and economical potential of these processes is demonstrated.

Read the full article for free for 6 weeks!

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RSC book of the month: Shedding light on photosynthesis reactions

 Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer: A Carrefour of Chemical ReactivityIt has been 100 years, almost to the day, since Italian Chemist Giacomo Luigi Ciamician first proposed harnessing the sun’s power to produce energy.  Writing in Science, Ciamician stated “And if in a distant future the supply of coal becomes completely exhausted, civilization will not be checked by that, for life and civilization will continue as long as the sun shines!”.  With these words in mind, we have selected Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer: A Carrefour of Chemical Reactivity edited by Sebastiao Formosinho and Monica Barroso as the October book of the month. 

Amongst other topics, this fascinating book discusses both natural and artificial photosynthesis and highlights the importance of proton-coupled electron transfer in biological systems, in particularly for bioenergetic conversion. 

The book gives a good insight into current research on a vibrant topic. It is to be expected that it will be the first in a long upcoming list of publications, given the importance of PCET processes such as the activation of water, production of H2, reduction of CO2, and reduction of N2.”  Reviewed in Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

Using personal accounts of experimental examples this book will provide a unique insight into the current understanding of this important reaction type.

Let the sun shine on your reactions.

Interested in other books on catalysis? Read more in the RSC Catalysis Series.

You may also be interested in this Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences themed issue on ‘Photosciences: A look to the future‘ or this latest issue from Energy & Environmental Science on ‘Proton-coupled electron transfer.’

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Top ten most accessed articles in August

This month sees the following articles in PPS that are in the top ten most accessed:-

Heteroaromatic Donors in Donor-Acceptor-Donor Based Fluorophores Facilitate Zinc Ion Sensing and Cell Imaging
Sivaramapanicker Sreejith, Kizhumuri P. Divya, Purushothaman Jayamurthy, Jomon Mathew, V. N. Anupama, Divya Susan Philips, Palappuravan Anees and Ayyappanpillai Ajayaghosh
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012, Advance Article, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25110H, Paper

A genetically-encoded photosensitiser demonstrates killing of bacteria by purely endogenous singlet oxygen
Rubén Ruiz-González, John H. White, Montserrat Agut, Santi Nonell and Cristina Flors
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012,11, 1411-1413, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25126D, Communication

Photoinduced formation of reversible dye radicals and their impact on super-resolution imaging
Sebastian van de Linde, Ivan Krstić, Thomas Prisner, Sören Doose, Mike Heilemann and Markus Sauer
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2011,10, 499-506, DOI: 10.1039/C0PP00317D, Paper

Fluorescence photoswitching and photoreversible two-way energy transfer in a photochrome-fluorophore dyad
Karima Ouhenia-Ouadahi, Rémi Métivier, Stéphane Maisonneuve, Aurélie Jacquart, Juan Xie, Anne Léaustic, Pei Yu and Keitaro Nakatani
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012, Advance Article, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25129A, Paper

Controlled surface trap state photoluminescence from CdS QDs impregnated in poly(methyl methacrylate)
Santanu Karan, Manisree Majumder and Biswanath Mallik
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012,11, 1220-1232, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25023C, Paper

Dirty hands: photodynamic killing of human pathogens like EHEC, MRSA and Candida within seconds
Anja Eichner, Fernanda Pereira Gonzales, Ariane Felgenträger, Johannes Regensburger, Thomas Holzmann, Wulf Schneider-Brachert, Wolfgang Bäumler and Tim Maisch
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012, Advance Article, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25164G, Paper

Nanoparticles: their potential use in antibacterial photodynamic therapy
Stefano Perni, P. Prokopovich, Jonathan Pratten, Ivan P. Parkin and Michael Wilson
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2011,10, 712-720, DOI: 10.1039/C0PP00360C, Perspective

ß-Cyclodextrin polymer nanoparticles as carriers for doxorubicin and artemisinin: a spectroscopic and photophysical study
Resmi Anand, Francesco Manoli, Ilse Manet, Samia Daoud-Mahammed, Valentina Agostoni, Ruxandra Gref and Sandra Monti
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012,11, 1285-1292, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25014D, Paper

Cytochrome c-promoted cardiolipin oxidation generates singlet molecular oxygen
Sayuri Miyamoto, Iseli L. Nantes, Priscila A. Faria, Daniela Cunha, Graziella E. Ronsein, Marisa H. G. Medeiros and Paolo Di Mascio
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012,11, 1536-1546, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25119A, Paper

Cyanostilben-based derivatives: mechanical stimuli-responsive luminophors with aggregation-induced emission enhancement
Yujian Zhang, Jingwei Sun, Gaofeng Bian, Yiyi Chen, Mi Ouyang, Bin Hu and Cheng Zhang
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012,11, 1414-1421, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP05404C, Paper

Why not take a look at the articles today and blog your thoughts and comments below.

Fancy submitting an article to PPS? Then why not submit to us today or alternatively email us with your suggestions.

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PPS Issue 10 now available online!

Issue 10 of PPS is now available to read online!

Front cover of Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, issue 10, 2012The front cover of this issue highlights work by Tia Keyes and colleagues from Dublin City University, Ireland.  The team prepared a series of highly luminescent Ru(II) polypyridyl metallopolymers and studies their photonic and redox properties in solution and in thin films.  The authors found that the polymer backbone had relatively little impact on the spectroscopy or redox properties of polymers compared to the parent complex.

The metallopolymers could form continuous films when drop-cast at an indium tin oxide interface and retained their strong luminescence.  This processability and their intense luminescence makes them potentially useful compounds for sensing and display applications. 

Find out more by reading the full article – free to access for 6 weeks!

Highly luminescent Ru(II) metallopolymers: photonic and redox properties in solution and as thin films, James J. Walsh, Qiang Zeng, Robert J. Forster and Tia E. Keyes, Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012, 11, 1547-1557.

You can keep up to date with the latest developments from Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences by signing up for free table of contents alerts.

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Top ten most accessed articles in July

This month sees the following articles in PPS that are in the top ten most accessed:-

Heteroaromatic Donors in Donor-Acceptor-Donor Based Fluorophores Facilitate Zinc Ion Sensing and Cell Imaging
Sivaramapanicker Sreejith, Kizhumuri P. Divya, Purushothaman Jayamurthy, Jomon Mathew, V. N. Anupama, Divya Susan Philips, Palappuravan Anees and Ayyappanpillai Ajayaghosh
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012, Advance Article, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25110H, Paper

Structural effects on the pH-dependent fluorescence of naphthalenic derivatives and consequences for sensing/switching
Shuai Zheng, P. L. Mark Lynch, Terence E. Rice, Thomas S. Moody, H. Q. Nimal Gunaratne and A. Prasanna de Silva
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012, Advance Article, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25069A, Paper

Photoswitchable fluorescent diarylethene derivatives with short alkyl chain substituents
Yuta Takagi, Tomohiro Kunishi, Tetsuro Katayama, Yukihide Ishibashi, Hiroshi Miyasaka, Masakazu Morimoto and Masahiro Irie
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012, Advance Article, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25078K, Paper

History of phototherapy in dermatology
Herbert Hönigsmann
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012, Advance Article, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25120E, Perspective

Fluorescence photoswitching and photoreversible two-way energy transfer in a photochrome-fluorophore dyad
Karima Ouhenia-Ouadahi, Rémi Métivier, Stéphane Maisonneuve, Aurélie Jacquart, Juan Xie, Anne Léaustic, Pei Yu and Keitaro Nakatani
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012, Advance Article, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25129A, Paper

On the genesis of heterogeneous photocatalysis: a brief historical perspective in the period 1910 to the mid-1980s
N. Serpone, A. V. Emeline, S. Horikoshi, V. N. Kuznetsov and V. K. Ryabchuk
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012, Advance Article, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25026H

Engineered photoreceptors as novel optogenetic tools
Andreas Möglich and Keith Moffat
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2010,9, 1286-1300, DOI: 10.1039/C0PP00167H, Perspective

Remarkable fluorescence enhancement of benzo[g]chromen-2-ones induced by hydrogen-bonding interactions with protic solvents
Atsushi Kobayashi, Kazuyuki Takehira, Toshitada Yoshihara, Seiichi Uchiyama and Seiji Tobita
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012,11, 1368-1376, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25055A, Paper

Dynamics of ion-regulated photoinduced electron transfer in BODIPY-BAPTA conjugates
Pinar Batat, Guillaume Vives, Robin Bofinger, Ren-Wei Chang, Brice Kauffmann, Reiko Oda, Gediminas Jonusauskas and Nathan D. McClenaghan
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012, Advance Article, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25130B, Paper

2-Hydroxyphenacyl ester: a new photoremovable protecting group
Bokolombe Pitchou Ngoy, Peter Šebej, Tomáš Šolomek, Bum Hee Lim, Tomáš Pastierik, Bong Ser Park, Richard S. Givens, Dominik Heger and Petr Klán
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012,11, 1465-1475, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25133G, Paper

Why not take a look at the articles today and blog your thoughts and comments below.

Fancy submitting an article to PPS? Then why not submit to us today or alternatively email us with your suggestions.

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PPS Issue 9 is now online

PPS Issue 9 front coverPPS Issue 9 is online now; you can read the full issue here.  The front cover features a communication from Santi Nonell, Cristina Flors and their co-workers.  This study demonstrates for the first time that intracellular singlet oxygen is sufficient to kill bacteria. 

The team from Barcelona, Madrid and Edinburgh expressed, in E. Coli, TagRFP, a fluorescent protein capable of photosensitizing the production of singlet oxygen.  Subsequent exposure to green light induced bacterial cell death in a light-dose dependent manner.

Interested in knowing more? Read the full article – free for 6 weeks!

A genetically-encoded photosensitiser demonstrates killing of bacteria by purely endogenous singlet oxygen
Rubén Ruiz-González, John H. White, Montserrat Agut, Santi Nonell and Cristina Flors
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012, 11, 1411-1413

You can keep up to date with the latest developments from Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences by signing up for free table of contents alerts.

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Cleaning hands with light

An E. coli outbreak in 2011 originating from a German sprout farm caused 45 deaths and a total of nearly 4000 cases in Germany alone. Image credit: iStockphoto

A quick way to kill methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other pathogens using a photosensitiser and visible light can be used to clean hands, say scientists in Germany. 

The over-use of antibiotics has allowed many pathogens to develop resistances. The most well known is MRSA, which has now become a global problem, particularly in hospitals. Researchers are therefore constantly on the lookout for new ways to combat these microbes.

One way to kill bacteria that doesn’t involve drugs is antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (APDT). PDT is a well-known technique for the targeted destruction of cells, typically used for tumour therapy. Light is used to activate a photosensitiser, creating reactive oxygen species that kill the surrounding cells. It can be applied selectively to bacteria when a positively charged photosensitiser is able to attach to the bacteria’s negatively charged cell wall.

Read the full article in Chemistry World

Link to journal article
Dirty hands: Photodynamic killing of human pathogens like EHEC, MRSA and Candida within seconds
A Eichner et al
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012, DOI: 10.1039/c2pp25164g

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Top ten most accessed articles in June

This month sees the following articles in PPS that are in the top ten most accessed:-

Controlled surface trap state photoluminescence from CdS QDs impregnated in poly(methyl methacrylate)
Santanu Karan, Manisree Majumder and Biswanath Mallik
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012,11, 1220-1232, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25023C, Paper

On the genesis of heterogeneous photocatalysis: a brief historical perspective in the period 1910 to the mid-1980s
N. Serpone, A. V. Emeline, S. Horikoshi, V. N. Kuznetsov and V. K. Ryabchuk
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012, Advance Article, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25026H

Synthesis, photophysical, photochemical, DNA cleavage/binding and cytotoxic properties of pyrene oxime ester conjugates
Nilanjana Chowdhury, Sansa Dutta, Swagata Dasgupta, N. D. Pradeep Singh, Mithu Baidya and S. K. Ghosh
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012,11, 1239-1250, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25033K, Paper

Photo-oxidation of proteins
David I. Pattison, Aldwin Suryo Rahmanto and Michael J. Davies
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2011, Advance Article, DOI: 10.1039/C1PP05164D

Remarkable fluorescence enhancement of benzo[g]chromen-2-ones induced by hydrogen-bonding interactions with protic solvents
Atsushi Kobayashi, Kazuyuki Takehira, Toshitada Yoshihara, Seiichi Uchiyama and Seiji Tobita
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012,11, 1368-1376, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25055A, Paper

Photochemical reactions of aromatic compounds and the concept of the photon as a traceless reagent
Norbert Hoffmann
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012, Advance Article, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25074H, Perspective

Titania nanofibers as a photo-antenna for dye-sensitized solar hydrogen
Sung Kyu Choi, Soonhyun Kim, Jungho Ryu, Sang Kyoo Lim and Hyunwoong Park
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012, Advance Article, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25054C, Paper

A genetically-encoded photosensitiser demonstrates killing of bacteria by purely endogenous singlet oxygen
Rubén Ruiz-González, John H. White, Montserrat Agut, Santi Nonell and Cristina Flors
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012, Advance Article, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25126D, Communication

Sequential photoisomerisation dynamics of the push-pull azobenzene Disperse Red 1
Julia Bahrenburg, Katharina Röttger, Ron Siewertsen, Falk Renth and Friedrich Temps
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012,11, 1210-1219, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP05400K, Paper

Photophysical study of 2-(4′-N,N-dimethylaminophenyl)oxazolo[4,5-b]pyridine in different solvents and at various pH
Anasuya Mishra and G. Krishnamoorthy
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012,11, 1356-1367, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25039J, Paper

Why not take a look at the articles today and blog your thoughts and comments below.

Fancy submitting an article to PPS? Then why not submit to us today or alternatively email us your suggestions.

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Light speeds up new cell growth

Laser scanning confocal microscopic micrograph of cells grown on polycaprolactone/(poly(3-hexylthiophene)

Laser scanning confocal microscopic micrograph of cells grown on polycaprolactone/(poly(3-hexylthiophene)

Scientists from Singapore have combined a photovoltaic polymer with a biocompatible polymer to make a nanofibre-based scaffold that can grow cells for skin regeneration. Although the biocompatible polymer – polycaprolactone – has been used before, the scientists say that including the photovoltaic polymer leads to a higher proliferation of cells on the scaffold.

‘Skin tissue-engineering involves the use of scaffolds that support cell attachment and proliferation, together with the formation of skin tissue-like structure to substitute the skin,’ say Molamma Prabhakaran, Seeram Ramakrishna and colleagues from the National University of Singapore, who carried out the research.

Read the full article in Chemistry World

Link to journal article
Electrospun photosensitive nanofibers: Potential for photocurrent therapy in skin regeneration
M P Prabhakaran et al
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012, DOI: 10.1039/c2pp25070e

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PPS Issue 8 online

PPS Issue 8 coverPPS issue 8 is now online; you can read the issue here.  The front cover highlights work from Seiji Tobita and co-workers in Japan. Their paper demonstrates that a coumarin analogue 8-methoxy-4-methyl-2H-benzo[g]chromen-2-one (MMBC), is almost non-fluorescent in non-polar media, whereas it exhibits dramatically enhanced fluorescence in polar protic solvents. The team investigate the mechanistic features of the significant solvent effects on the fluorescence properties of MMBC and a related compound using time-resolved fluorescence and photoacoustic measurements and by theoretical calculations.

Read the article in full – FREE for 6 weeks.

Remarkable fluorescence enhancement of benzo[g]chromen-2-ones induced by hydrogen-bonding interactions with protic solvents
Atsushi Kobayashi, Kazuyuki Takehira, Toshitada Yoshihara, Seiichi Uchiyama and Seiji Tobita
Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2012, 11, 1368-1376, DOI: 10.1039/C2PP25055A

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