The role of the catechol moiety in the adhesive properties of mussel proteins and related synthetic materials has been extensively studied in the last years but still remains elusive. Here, a simplified model approach is presented based on a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of upward-facing catechols thiol-bound to epitaxial gold substrates. The orientation of the catechol moieties is confirmed by spectroscopy, which also showed lack of significant amounts of interfering o-quinones. Local force-distance curves on the SAM measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM) shows an average adhesion force of 45 nN, stronger than that of a reference polydopamine coating, along with higher reproducibility and less statistical dispersion. This is attributed to the superior chemical and topographical homogeneity of the SAM coating. Catechol-terminated SAMs are also obtained on high-roughness gold substrates that show the ability to assemble magnetic nanoparticles, despite their lack of enhanced adhesion at the molecular level. Finally, the influence of the catechol group on the formation and quality of the SAM is explored both theoretically (molecular dynamics simulations) and experimentally using direct-write AFM lithography.

This paper describes the stereoselective synthesis of a series of functionalized cyclobutane and cyclobutene L‐nucleoside analogues featuring a methylene spacer between the carbocycle and the nucleobase. These L‐nucleoside analogues were subjected to comprehensive screening for antiviral activity. To obtain knowledge at the molecular structural level relevant for designing future analogues, the mechanism of action of these L‐nucleoside analogues as anti‐herpes simplex virus agents was investigated by computational approaches. In particular, protein–ligand docking calculations were used to rationalize the ability of the prodrug candidates to be activated. Docking experiments were performed on the three kinases involved in the activation process of thymine and guanine derivatives.

The present work describes some recent approaches to novel 3-oxabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane-type nucleosides structurally similar to the potent anti-HIV agent stavudine (d4T). To gain knowledge at the molecular level relevant for further synthetic designs, the lack of activity of these compounds was investigated by computational approaches accounting for three main physiological requirements of anti-HIV nucleosides: their drug-likeness, their activation process, and their subsequent interaction with HIV reverse transcriptase (HIV-RT). Our results show that the inclusion of the fused cyclobutane at the 2'- and 3'-positions of the sugar portion provides drug-like compounds. Nonetheless, the presence of this cyclobutane moiety prevents binding orientations consistent with the catalytic activation for at least one of the enzymes known to activate d4T. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to explicitly consider the simulation of the entire activation process to rationalize anti-HIV activities.

The remarkable adhesion to substrates shown by mussel byssus proteins has been mainly attributed to the presence of significant amounts of catechol‐like tyrosine in their sequences. As reported on page 1594, D. Ruiz‐Molina and co‐workers measure the retraction force of an AFM tip in contact with the upward‐facing catechol rings of a model compound, self‐assembled in monolayers and bound to epitaxial gold surfaces via a thiol group. The results show the importance of spatial and chemical order in catecholic layers with regard to enhanced adhesion.