Superchaotropic boron clusters are demonstrated to deliver hydrophilic glycans directly into mammalian cells, removing the need for acetylation and cytotoxic solvents such as DMSO. Azido glycans for ...

Membrane proteins are estimated to be encoded by 30% of eukaryotic and prokaryotic genomes and are key drug targets. A key challenge in the study of membrane proteins is their low solubility in aqueou...

Ice-binding proteins (IBPs) are potent ice recrystallisation inhibitors (IRIs) that have inspired the development of synthetic cryoprotectants, spanning small molecules to polymers, but there are only...

Poly(vinyl alcohol), PVA, is a molar mass-dependent ice recrystallization inhibitor (IRI), with larger polymers that are more active, similar to antifreeze glycoproteins. Attempts to modulate PVA’s IRI activity by side-chain modification or assembly have given limited gains or even a loss of function. Here we take inspiration from antifreeze glycolipids by installing hydrophobic tails at the α-terminus of well-defined PVA derived from RAFT/MADIX photopolymerization, enabled by site-specific capping of the structurally ambiguous ω-end chains. Lower molar mass PVAs (<1000 g·mol–1) were discovered to have enhanced IRI upon installation of the tails below 0.1 mM, which was more active than small-molecule IRIs of a similar MW. This unlocks new opportunities for IRIs at moderate molar masses and the potential to modulate activity via site-specific end-group chemistry.

Coventry City are back in the Premier League after 25 years. Here's how they achieved promotion under the guidance of Frank Lampard.

For recent publications relevant to the project see: J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 27993; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 15000; Nat. Commun. 2019, 10, 3330; Chem. Sci. 2024, 15, 3003.

Irreversible protein aggregation can cause loss of function of proteins during storage and transport, presenting a challenge in biotherapeutics, biocatalysis, and the food industry, as well as in basi...

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Glycans direct many biological recognition and signalling processes, spanning basic cell biology to diagnostics and therapy. Multivalent presentation of glycans is well established to increase avidity...

Erythrocyte (red blood cell) cryopreservation is an essential biotechnology for healthcare (transfusions), diagnostics, conservation, and fundamental research. Mature mammalian erythrocytes are anucleate, do not divide, and cannot undertake protein biosynthesis. In contrast, avian erythrocytes have a distinct evolutionary pathway, retaining their nucleus, and are capable of other limited functions, such as protein biosynthesis, but have a shorter shelf life than mammalian erythrocytes. Here, we report the successful cryopreservation of avian red blood cells using a polyampholyte (macromolecular cryoprotectant), which can reduce intracellular ice formation. Under optimized conditions with 10% DMSO and 60 mg·mL–1 of polyampholyte, ∼90% recovery could be achieved, outperforming a conventional glycerol-based formulation, especially when longer-term storage (up to 6 months) was tested. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the cells’ morphology was retained. Confocal fluorescence microscopy showed reduced apoptosis compared to glycerol cryopreservation and confirmed increased recovery of actin (cytoskeleton) polymerization post-thaw. Overall, these results show the potential of macromolecular cryoprotectants to be deployed in nonhuman cryobiology for animal health and potentially species conservation.

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A transformative new method for freezing human red blood cells has been developed by researchers from the Universities of Manchester and Leeds.

Severe blood loss due to trauma, anaemia, or chemotherapy necessitates immediate red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. The short shelf-life of RBCs at 4 …

This work demonstrates the use of polymer-tethered glycosylated gold nanoparticles for the label-free evaluation of influenza virus binding in a simple microplate. Sialylated linear and branched glyc...

Get ready for two jam-packed days of talks, discussions, and prestigious medal lectures at the 2025 MacroGroup Annual Symposia!

The (bio)conjugation of polymers onto proteins enhances their pharmacokinetics and stability, most commonly using PEG (polyethylene glycol), but there is a need for alternatives. Poly(vinyl alcohol), ...

An academic position as a Senior Research Associate in Inorganic and Biophysical Chemistry is being advertised on jobs.ac.uk. Click now to find more details and explore additional academic job opportu...

The University of Manchester and Bupa have announced an innovative new collaboration to develop new methods and strategies to drastically reduce the healthcare sector’s environmental impact upon our p...

The project, led by the University of Kent, and including The University of Manchester, and University College London (UCL), will address the development gap in the diagnostics innovation ecosystem.Ac...

The University of Manchester and Bupa have announced an innovative new collaboration to develop new methods and strategies to drastically reduce the healthcare sector’s environmental impact upon our p...