Measurement of the conductance of a hydrogen molecule

Recent years have shown steady progress towards molecular electronics, in which molecules form basic components such as switches, diodes and electronic mixers. Often, a scanning tunnelling microscope is used to address an individual molecule, although this arrangement does not provide long-term stability. Therefore, metal-molecule-metal links using break-junction devices have also been explored; however, it is difficult to establish unambiguously that a single molecule forms the contact. Here we show that a single hydrogen molecule can form a stable bridge between platinum electrodes. In contrast to results for organic molecules, the bridge has a nearly perfect conductance of one quantum unit, carried by a single channel. The hydrogen bridge represents a simple test system in which to understand fundamental transport properties of single-molecule devices.     

T-cell recognition of antigen and the Ia molecule as a ternary complex

T-lymphocyte co-recognition of antigen and major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-encoded molecules (such as murine Ia molecules) is thought to be mediated by a single cell-surface receptor, although the molecular mechanism by which this occurs is controversial (reviewed in ref. 1). One possibility is that the antigen molecule and the Ia molecule interact physically, either before or after encountering the T-cell antigen-specific receptor. Alternatively, both molecules could bind to the receptor independently of one another, accounting for the dual specificity of the receptor without postulating a physical interaction between a limited number of Ia molecules present in any given animal and the myriad antigens to which T cells can respond. Here, we used a recently described approach for analysing the relative avidity of the T-cell receptor for different ligands to address these two possibilities. We describe a T-cell clone whose response to a single antigen, presented in the context of two different Ia molecules, strongly suggests that the antigen and the Ia molecule interact physically.     

基于混合核函数SVM骨性关节炎中药分子的辨识模型

以骨性关节炎中药复方为例,提出一种用于识别骨性关节炎中药复方中活性药物分子的SVM分类器.针对单核函数SVM的局限性,提出将全局核函数和局部核函数混合构造,并应用到SVM模型建模中,改善SVM分类器的非线性处理能力和泛化能力.利用混合核分类器对中药复方精制透骨消痛颗粒中514个化合物进行活性识别,得出复方中具有相关药物活性的中药分子.该实验结果为骨性关节炎药物分子的对接实验和骨性关节炎中药有效成分的发现提供科学数据.     

Dependence of single-molecule junction conductance on molecular conformation

Since it was first suggested that a single molecule might function as an active electronic component, a number of techniques have been developed to measure the charge transport properties of single molecules. Although scanning tunnelling microscopy observations under high vacuum conditions can allow stable measurements of electron transport, most measurements of a single molecule bonded in a metal-molecule-metal junction exhibit relatively large variations in conductance. As a result, even simple predictions about how molecules behave in such junctions have still not been rigorously tested. For instance, it is well known that the tunnelling current passing through a molecule depends on its conformation; but although some experiments have verified this effect, a comprehensive mapping of how junction conductance changes with molecular conformation is not yet available. In the simple case of a biphenyl--a molecule with two phenyl rings linked by a single C-C bond--conductance is expected to change with the relative twist angle between the two rings, with the planar conformation having the highest conductance. Here we use amine link groups to form single-molecule junctions with more reproducible current-voltage characteristics. This allows us to extract average conductance values from thousands of individual measurements on a series of seven biphenyl molecules with different ring substitutions that alter the twist angle of the molecules. We find that the conductance for the series decreases with increasing twist angle, consistent with a cosine-squared relation predicted for transport through pi-conjugated biphenyl systems.     

燃料电池膜增湿器建模及仿真

建立了膜增湿的仿真模型,用于研究膜增湿器的传热、传质特性,分析了气体工质参数和结构参数对传热、传质过程的影响,主要结论如下:湿侧压力增加,水蒸气分子渗透量增加.干侧压力增加,水蒸气分子渗透量减少;干侧气体湿度增加,会减少水蒸气分子的渗透量.湿侧气体的湿度增加,会增加水蒸气分子的渗透量;逆流布置的传热、传质性能优于顺流布置,优先考虑逆流布置.     

微波的生物非热效应的机理研究

水分子是极性分子，水分子之间存在的电偶圾相互作用，使它们以氢键的形式相互偶联在一起，形成水的团簇结构，且这种结构是一种动态结合．在微波场的作用下，水分子将发生取向极化，其转动频率恰在微波频率范围内，因此，原来较大的水分集团变小．甚至产生单个的水分子．以微波与微生物水相互作用的实验数据为基础，研究了微波与生物体相互作用时可以产生的两种效应，即热效应和非热效应．提出了非热效应是微波作用于生物的主要效应．并对微波与生物体的作用机制给予了解释。     

Catalytic functionalization of unactivated primary C-H bonds directed by an alcohol

New synthetic methods for the catalytic functionalization of C-H bonds have the potential to revolutionize the synthesis of complex molecules. However, the realization of this synthetic potential requires the ability to functionalize selectively one C-H bond in a compound containing many such bonds and an array of functional groups. The site-selective functionalization of aliphatic C-H bonds is one of the greatest challenges that must be met for C-H bond functionalization to be used widely in complex-molecule synthesis, and processes catalysed by transition-metals provide the opportunity to control selectivity. Current methods for catalytic, aliphatic C-H bond functionalization typically rely on the presence of one inherently reactive C-H bond, or on installation and subsequent removal of directing groups that are not components of the desired molecule. To overcome these limitations, we sought catalysts and reagents that would facilitate aliphatic C-H bond functionalization at a single site, with chemoselectivity derived from the properties of the catalyst and site-selectivity directed by common functional groups contained in both the reactant and the desired product. Here we show that the combination of an iridium-phenanthroline catalyst and a dihydridosilane reagent leads to the site-selective γ-functionalization of primary C-H bonds controlled by a hydroxyl group, the most common functional group in natural products. The scope of the reaction encompasses alcohols and ketones bearing many substitution patterns and auxiliary functional groups; this broad scope suggests that this methodology will be suitable for the site-selective and diastereoselective functionalization of complex natural products.     

Reverse engineering of the giant muscle protein titin

Through the study of single molecules it has become possible to explain the function of many of the complex molecular assemblies found in cells. The protein titin provides muscle with its passive elasticity. Each titin molecule extends over half a sarcomere, and its extensibility has been studied both in situ and at the level of single molecules. These studies suggested that titin is not a simple entropic spring but has a complex structure-dependent elasticity. Here we use protein engineering and single-molecule atomic force microscopy to examine the mechanical components that form the elastic region of human cardiac titin. We show that when these mechanical elements are combined, they explain the macroscopic behaviour of titin in intact muscle. Our studies show the functional reconstitution of a protein from the sum of its parts.     

Cell surface clustering of Cadherin adhesion complex induced by antibody coated beads

Cadherin receptors mediate cell-cell adhesion, signal transduction and assembly of cytoskeletons. How a single transmembrane molecule Cadherin can be involved in multiple functions through modulating its binding activities with many membrane adhesion molecules and cytoskeletal components is an unanswered question which can be elucidated by clues from bead experiments. Human lung cells expressing N-Cadherin were examined. After co-incubation with anti-N-Cadherin monoclonal antibody coated beads, cell surface clustering of N-Cadherin was induced. Immunofluorescent detection demonstrated that in addition to Cadherin, β-Catenin, α-Catenin, α-Actinin and Actin fluorescence also aggregated respectively at the membrane site of bead attachment. Myosin heavy chain (MHC), another major component of Actin cytoskeleton, did not aggregate at the membrane site of bead attachment. Adhesion unrelated protein Con A and polylysine conjugated beads did not induce the clustering of adhesion molecules. It is indicated that the Cadherin/Catenins/α-Actinin/Actin complex is formed at Cadherin mediated cell adherens junction; occupancy and cell surface clustering of Cadherin is crucial for the formation of Cadherin adhesion protein complexes.     

Optical mapping of a rice BAC clone using restriction endonuclease and imaging with fluorescent microscopy at single molecule level

A method of constructing restriction map by optical mapping and single molecule fluorescent microscopy is described. DNA molecules were aligned and adsorbed on a glass coverslip surface by a modified “molecular combing” technique, and then the surface-immobilized DNAs were cleaved in situ with a restriction endonuclease. Individual DNA molecules digested by the endonuclease EcoRⅠ were observable with fluorescent microscopy. Using optical mapping, a physical map of a rice bacterial artificial chromosome clone was constructed. This method will facilitate genomic mapping and tracing the dynamic process in real time at a single molecule level with fluorescence microscopy.     

The structure of ribosomal protein S5 reveals sites of interaction with 16S rRNA.

Understanding the process whereby the ribosome translates the genetic code into protein molecules will ultimately require high-resolution structural information, and we report here the first crystal structure of a protein from the small ribosomal subunit. This protein, S5, has a molecular mass of 17,500 and is highly conserved in all lifeforms. The molecule contains two distinct alpha/beta domains that have structural similarities to several other proteins that are components of ribonucleoprotein complexes. Mutations in S5 result in several phenotypes which suggest that S5 may have a role in translational fidelity and translocation. These include ribosome ambiguity or ram, reversion from streptomycin dependence and resistance to spectinomycin. Also, a cold-sensitive, spectinomycin-resistant mutant of S5 has been identified which is defective in initiation. Here we show that these mutations map to two distinct regions of the molecule which seem to be sites of interaction with ribosomal RNA. A structure/function analysis of the molecule reveals discrepancies with current models of the 30S subunit.     

金属纳米颗粒／微纳结构金属膜增强拉曼研究进展

被称为“指纹谱”的分子拉曼谱及拉曼散射成像在生物及化学单分子识别领域具有重要应用。问题的关键是分子的拉曼散射截面小,利用金属纳米颗粒（LSP）局域场增强特性及其与金属膜（SPP）相互作用可产生比 LSP （ SPP）更强的局域场及尖角结构金属纳米颗粒的“热点天线”效应,可实现单分子拉曼信号的激发与辐射双共振增强效应。本文综述有关金属纳米颗粒和微纳结构金属膜相耦合增强分子拉曼信号的研究进展。     

Electrically driven directional motion of a four-wheeled molecule on a metal surface

Propelling single molecules in a controlled manner along an unmodified surface remains extremely challenging because it requires molecules that can use light, chemical or electrical energy to modulate their interaction with the surface in a way that generates motion. Nature's motor proteins have mastered the art of converting conformational changes into directed motion, and have inspired the design of artificial systems such as DNA walkers and light- and redox-driven molecular motors. But although controlled movement of single molecules along a surface has been reported, the molecules in these examples act as passive elements that either diffuse along a preferential direction with equal probability for forward and backward movement or are dragged by an STM tip. Here we present a molecule with four functional units--our previously reported rotary motors--that undergo continuous and defined conformational changes upon sequential electronic and vibrational excitation. Scanning tunnelling microscopy confirms that activation of the conformational changes of the rotors through inelastic electron tunnelling propels the molecule unidirectionally across a Cu(111) surface. The system can be adapted to follow either linear or random surface trajectories or to remain stationary, by tuning the chirality of the individual motor units. Our design provides a starting point for the exploration of more sophisticated molecular mechanical systems with directionally controlled motion.     

一种非平稳随机循环工况下的参数化载荷模型

为解决土方工程机械非平稳随机循环工况下,其零部件设计与试验中载荷表达的难题,提出一种参数化载荷模型.以液压挖掘机多路阀回转联为研究对象,将其阀口压力载荷数据通过小波变换分解为载荷随机项和载荷趋势项;其中具有平稳随机特征的载荷随机项利用功率谱估计等处理实现其"随机项函数"表达,具有非平稳特征的载荷趋势项利用随机变量表征工况的函数拟合实现其"趋势项函数"表达;再将两者组合重构为"循环工况载荷函数".仿真与试验数据对比证明,该函数较好地复现了非平稳随机循环工况下多路阀载荷的随机特征.研究表明构建载荷模型的方法,对于实现面向循环工况特征的非平稳随机载荷的参数化表达,具有工程化应用的重要参考价值.     

植物激素-赤霉素(GA)细胞信号转导机制

植物激素赤霉素(GA)参与植物种子萌发、茎伸长、开花、结果等多个生长发育过程.研究GA细胞信号转导的分子机制对进一步阐明其生物学功能具有重要的意义.GA合成突变体和细胞信号转导突变体的研究表明,GAI及其同功蛋白具有受体功能,GA被受体识别后进一步与DELLA蛋白作用,从而解除DELLA蛋白对植物生长的抑制作用.文章主要综述这些分子具体的作用模式.     

分子中电行分布的计算及其应用

用高斯函数的组合来拟合类氢原子轨道的平方，然后以此组合函数作为密度函数来拟合分子的密度基函数．由此设计了计算高斯函数组合系数及指数的计算程序和计算分子电荷分布的计算程序，用该程序计算了一系列有机分子，得到了这些分子中各原子的电荷分布，进而求得了各原子上的净电荷．从计算结果中可以看到，非共轭体系也象共轭体系一样，有着明显的极性交替性．由此较好地说明了诱导效应对有机分子体系能量的影响．     

Cloning and characterization of a gene that regulates cell adhesion.

Molecules of the cadherin and integrin families involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion have been implicated in epithelial differentiation, carcinogenesis and metastasis. Having observed that a colon cancer cell line bound avidly to collagen type I, inducing integrin-triggered glandular differentiation, we investigated the regulation of integrin function in these cells. We modified a mammalian expression cloning system that used monoclonal antibody selection to clone cell surface molecules. Using attachment to collagen type I to select for adhesive phenotype, we isolated a complementary DNA clone that increases cell adhesion to components of the extracellular matrix. The corresponding gene (cell adhesion regulator, CAR) is located on the long arm of chromosome 16 (16q) and encodes a protein of 142 amino acids, which has an N-terminal myristoylation motif and a consensus tyrosine-kinase phosphorylation site at the C terminus. Removal of this tyrosine residue abolishes enhancement of cell-matrix adhesion. This gene may encode an adhesion signal transduction molecule that functions in the suppression of tumour invasion.     

Stretching and imaging studies of single DNA molecules

DNA molecules were stretched on silanized mica surface with the molecular combing technique, and detected with fluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Meantime, DNA molecules were stretched with a modified dynamic molecular combing technique and studied with atomic force microscopy. The results indicate that, compared with the dynamic molecular combing technique, the modified dynamic molecular combing technique has advantages of less-sample demand and less contamination to sample; as compared with the molecular combing technique, it has better aligning effect and reproducibility. Combination of this kind of DNA molecular manipulating technique with the single DNA molecule detecting technique by atomic force microscopy and fluorescence microscopy will play an important role in the basic research of molecular dynamics and the application of gene research.     

水与扶手椅型SWCNT复合环境下α-Ala分子的手性转变机理

采用组合量子化学ONIOM方法,基于氨基作为氢迁移桥梁,考察单壁碳纳米管(SWCNT)与水复合环境下α-丙氨酸分子(α-Ala)的手性转变机理.结果表明:基于氨基作为氢迁移桥梁的手性转变反应有a和b两个通道,其中通道a最具优势;水与扶手椅型SWCNT复合环境对氢迁移反应具有较好的催化作用;在SWCNT(8,8)的限域环境下,3个水分子构成的链使主反应通道的决速步骤能垒从裸反应的266.1kJ/mol降至117.8kJ/mol.表明SWCNT(8,8)与水构成的复合环境可作为实现α-Ala手性转变的理想纳米反应器,生命体内α-Ala分子可在类似的纳米环境实现旋光异构.     

Force generation of organelle transport measured in vivo by an infrared laser trap

Organelle transport along microtubules is believed to be mediated by organelle-associated force-generating molecules. Two classes of microtubule-based organelle motors have been identified: kinesin and cytoplasmic dynein. To correlate the mechanochemical basis of force generation with the in vivo behaviour of organelles, it is important to quantify the force needed to propel an organelle along microtubules and to determine the force generated by a single motor molecule. Measurements of force generation are possible under selected conditions in vitro, but are much more difficult using intact or reactivated cells. Here we combine a useful model system for the study of organelle transport, the giant amoeba Reticulomyxa, with a novel technique for the non-invasive manipulation of and force application to subcellular components, which is based on a gradient-force optical trap, also referred to as 'optical tweezers'. We demonstrate the feasibility of using controlled manipulation of actively translocating organelles to measure direct force. We have determined the force driving a single organelle along microtubules, allowing us to estimate the force generated by a single motor to be 2.6 x 10(-7) dynes.