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Drawing inspiration from allosteric signaling enzymes, whose catalytic and regulatory units are non‐covalently linked, we have devised a method to establish unnatural, effector‐mediated enzyme activation within native cells. The feasibility of this approach is demonstrated by introducing a synthetic regulatory unit (sRU) onto glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK‐3) through non‐covalent means. Our study reveals that this synthetic regulator mediates an unnatural crosstalk between GSK‐3 and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), whose expression is regulated by cellular oxygen levels. Specifically, with this approach, the constitutively active GSK‐3 is transformed into an activable enzyme, whereas LDHA is repurposed as an unnatural effector protein that controls the activity of the kinase, making it unnaturally dependent on the cell's hypoxic response. These findings demonstrate a step toward imitating the function of effector‐regulated cell‐signaling enzymes, which play a key biological role in mediating the response of cells to changes in their environment. In addition, at the proof‐of‐principle level, our results indicate the potential to develop a new class of protein inhibitors whose inhibitory effect in cells is dictated by the cell's environment and consequent protein expression profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal-organic networks (MONs) are created by a stepwise solution deposition approach from vinylpyridine-based building blocks and Pd[Cl.sub.2]. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) elemental composition has shown the formation of a palladium coordination-based network.

The first application of self-propagating molecule-based assemblies (SPMAs) as efficient electron-transporting layers for inverted organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells is reported. The findings for the dependence of cell response parameters on interlayer thickness could be used to optimize device performance.

A versatile two-step assembly method with organic and metal-organic chromophores cross-linked with palladium is used to understand the critical role of the molecular structure and reaction parameters on the nature of thin-film growth. The pivotal role of internal film morphology in the storage and usage of the palladium demonstrated the significance of both the internal film structure and deposition conditions on the assembly of molecular-based films.

A metallo-supramolecular network has undergone reversible redox chemistry on indium-tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates with concurrent color change. The switching time, long-term stability, and coloration efficiency are competitive with polymeric materials such as the PEDOT.

A hybrid structure consisting of a robust and structurally well-defined polypyridyl osmium complex and palladium precursor are constructed by using an iterative two-step assembly method. The studies have shown that the important characteristics of polyelectrolyte-based films and the molecular self-assembly (SA) are analogous, showing that the rich chemistry of surfaces engineered with molecular-based multilayers are extended to the functions of polyelectrolyte-based films.

A method for implementing a secret sharing scheme at the molecular level is presented. By creating molecular code generators that are self‐assembled from several molecular components, we established a means for distributing distinct code‐activating elements among several participants. In this way, an authorization code can only be generated when all the participants are present, which ensures that highly secured systems cannot be operated by unauthorized individuals or disloyal users. Additional layers of protection result from the ability to program the security code by replacing one or several molecular components and by subjecting the system to distinct chemical inputs. Molecules share a secret: A molecular security system that compels multiple authorized users to cooperate in order to gain access to protected information is presented. The approach is based on the self‐assembly of four modified DNA strands (molecular shares) into a pattern‐generating fluorescent receptor that responds to diverse chemical inputs. Changing the structure of the shares and/or inputs provides the means to program the four‐key access code. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different amyloid beta (Aβ) aggregates can be discriminated by a combinatorial fluorescent molecular sensor. The unique optical fingerprints generated by the unimolecular analytical device provide a simple means to differentiate among aggregates generated from different alloforms or through distinct pathways. The sensor has also been used to track dynamic changes that occur in Aβ aggregation states, which result from the formation of low molecular weight oligomers, high molecular weight oligomers, protofibrils, and fibrils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]