The successful crystallization of proteins is important because their molecular three-dimensional structures can be obtained through X-ray diffraction when in their crystalline form. Investigation of the crystallization process is beneficial for this purpose. We have reported that protein crystallization is sensitive to audible sound, which is commonly present but is often ignored. Here we investigate the effect of audible sound parameters, especially frequency, on a protein crystallization. We show a significant facilitation of protein crystallization using 5000 Hz audible sound, possible mechanism was also tried to be clarified. Suitably controlled audible sound can be beneficial for promoting protein crystallization. Therefore, audible sound can be used as a simple tool to promote protein crystallization. In addition, the processing of other types of materials may also be affected by audible sound.

Environments with varying temperatures have been shown to beneficially increase the probability of obtaining protein crystals. Therefore, a cycling temperature strategy (CTS) has been proposed for protein crystallization screening. During the practical application of this strategy, it is necessary to know the effective temperature range that promotes crystallization to design a suitable temperature program. In this paper, the effects of different temperature ranges on lysozyme crystallization (or more specifically, nucleation) were investigated. The results show that a small periodic variation in the temperature range of as little as 0.4 K can have a significant effect on the crystallization success rate under some crystallization concentration conditions, confirming that crystallization of lysozyme is very sensitive to temperature variation. Because practical protein crystallization is always performed in an environment with slight temperature variations, the sensitivity of protein crystallization to temperature may provide an explanation for the poor reproducibility of protein crystallization. Further investigation of the CTS on lysozyme crystallization showed that a cycling temperature strategy exerts an effect on protein crystallization by altering the supersaturation caused by changes in temperature.

The contact angle is an important parameter that is essential for studying interfacial phenomena. The contact angle can be measured using commercially available instruments. However, these well-developed instruments may not function or may be unsuitable for use in some special environments. A simulated microgravity generated by a large gradient magnetic field is such an environment in which the current measurement instruments cannot be installed. To measure the contact angle in this environment, new tools must be designed and manufactured to be compatible with the size and physical environment. In this study, we report the development and construction of a new setup that was specifically designed for use in a strong magnetic field to measure the contact angle between a levitated droplet and a solid surface. The application of the setup in a large gradient magnetic field was tested, and the contact angles were readily measured.

Background: Overexpression of LSD1 is associated with the occurrence of many diseases, including cancers, which makes LSD1 a significant target for anticancer drug research. Methodology & Results: With the aid of 3D quantitative structure–activity relationship models established with 34 reported resveratrol derivative LSD1 inhibitors, derivatives 35–40 were designed. Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion calculations showed that they may have good bioavailability and drug likeness. Additionally, 35 and 37 presented good antitumor effects in an in vitro antiproliferative assay. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation results indicated that 35 and 37 can establish extensive interactions with LSD1. Conclusion: The results of computational prediction and experimental validation suggest that 35 and 37 are effective antitumor inhibitors, which provides some ideas and directions for the development of new anticancer LSD1 inhibitors.