We extract the folding free energy landscape and the time-dependent friction function, the two ingredients of the generalized Langevin equation (GLE), from explicit-water molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the α-helix forming polypeptide alanine9 for a one-dimensional reaction coordinate based on the sum of the native H-bond distances. Folding and unfolding times from numerical integration of the GLE agree accurately with MD results, which demonstrate the robustness of our GLE-based non-Markovian model. In contrast, Markovian models do not accurately describe the peptide kinetics and in particular, cannot reproduce the folding and unfolding kinetics simultaneously, even if a spatially dependent friction profile is used. Analysis of the GLE demonstrates that memory effects in the friction significantly speed up peptide folding and unfolding kinetics, as predicted by the Grote–Hynes theory, and are the cause of anomalous diffusion in configuration space. Our methods are applicable to any reaction coordinate and in principle, also to experimental trajectories from single-molecule experiments. Our results demonstrate that a consistent description of protein-folding dynamics must account for memory friction effects.

Interactions between glycans and proteins have tremendous impact in biomolecular interactions. They are important for cell–cell interactions, proliferation and much more. Here, we emphasize the glycan-mediated interactions between pathogens and host cells. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, responsible for a huge number of nosocomial infections, is especially the focus when it comes to glycan-derivatives as pathoblockers. We present a microwave assisted protecting group free synthesis of glycomonomers based on lactose, melibiose and fucose. The monomers were polymerized in a precipitation polymerization in the presence of NiPAm to form crosslinked glyco-nanogels. The influence of reaction parameters like crosslinker type or stabilizer amount was investigated. The gels were characterized in lectin binding studies using model lectins and showed size and composition-dependent inhibition of lectin binding. Due to multivalent presentation of glycans in the gel, the inhibition was clearly stronger than with unmodified saccharides, which was compared after determination of the glycan loading. First studies with Pseudomonas aeruginosa revealed a surprising influence on the secretion of virulence factors. Functional glycogels may be in the future potent alternatives or adjuvants for antibiotic treatment of infections based on glycan interactions between host and pathogen.

Layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly emerged as an efficient technique for fabricating coating systems for, e.g., drug delivery systems with great versatility and control. In this work, protecting group free and aqueous-based syntheses of bioinspired glycopolymer electrolytes aredescribed. Thin films of the glycopolymers are fabricated by LbL self-assembly and function as scaffolds for liposomes, which potentially can encapsulate active substances. The adsorbed mass, pH stability, and integrity of glycopolymer coatings as well as the embedded liposomes are investigated via whispering gallery mode (WGM) technology and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) monitoring , which enable label-free characterization. Glycopolymer thin films, with and without liposomes, are stable in the physiological pH range. QCM-D measurements verify the integrity of lipid vesicles. Thus, the fabrication of glycopolymer-based surface coatings with embedded and intact liposomes is presented.

Glycans carry a vast range of functions in nature. Utilizing their properties and functions in form of polymers, coatings or glycan derivatives for various applications makes the synthesis of modified glycans crucial. Since amines are easy to modify for subsequent reactions, we investigated regioselective amination conditions of different saccharides. Amination reactions were performed according to Kochetkov and Likhoshertov and accelerated by microwave irradiation. We optimized the synthesis of glycosylamines for N-acetyl-d-galactosamine, d-lactose, d-glucuronic acid and l-(−)-fucose using the design of experiments (DoE) approach. DoE enables efficient optimization with limited number of experimental data. A DoE software generated a set of experiments where reaction temperature, concentration of carbohydrate, nature of aminating agent and solvent were investigated. We found that the synthesis of glycosylamines significantly depends on the nature of the carbohydrate and on the reaction temperature. There is strong indication that high temperatures are favored for the amination reaction.

Back Cover: Layer‐by‐layer (LbL) thin films based on bioinspired glycopolymers are fabricated. Glycopolymers based on N‐acetylgalactose, lactose and maltose are synthesized with complimentary charges. Liposomes are embedded into the glycopolymer thin films and the formation and stability of the layers of all possible polyelectrolyte parings in real‐time are studied. Glycosylated poly(ethyleneimine) prove to be superior to commercial poly(ethyleneimine) for glycopolymer coatings. Embedded liposomes within the film stay intact at physiological conditions. This is reported by Ruben R. Rosencrantz and co‐workers in article number 2100461.