Posts

Biocatalytic diversification of thionucleoside analogues
Biocatalytic diversification of thionucleoside analogues

Novel biocatalytic method for the diversification of thionucleosides, demonstrating that enzyme-catalyzed transglycosylation can effectively facilitate nucleobase exchange.

Jul 23, 2024

Learning Cantonese: Should I learn the Chinese Characters?
Learning Cantonese: Should I learn the Chinese Characters?

Why the learning of Chinese characters is important and what the benefits are.

Jul 21, 2024

Breaking the aromaticity of thiophene using a [4+3] cycloaddition
Breaking the aromaticity of thiophene using a [4+3] cycloaddition

A novel dearomative, intramolecular [4+3]-cycloaddition of thiophenes at low temperatures yielding complex tricyclic ring systems.

Jul 19, 2024

Novel remdesivir type nucleoside analogue displays broad-spectrum antiviral activity
Novel remdesivir type nucleoside analogue displays broad-spectrum antiviral activity

The development of a novel 4'-CN remdesivir-type nucleoside analogue demonstrating the potential of 4-aza-7,9-dideazaadenosine nucleoside analogues to exhibit antiviral activity.

Jul 15, 2024

Structural Modifications Enhance Antibacterial Potency of Bacitracin
Structural Modifications Enhance Antibacterial Potency of Bacitracin

Researchers modified the structure of the established antibiotic bacitracin, leading to a 256-fold increase in activity and potent inhibition of vancomycin-resistant strains.

Jul 13, 2024

Novel Synthesis Route to Platensilin and Analogues
Novel Synthesis Route to Platensilin and Analogues

Researchers from Shandong University in China reported the total synthesis of platensilin and platensimycin, as well as the formal synthesis of platencin in JACS, using a biomimetic approach that allowed the formation of all three natural products from a common precursor.

Jul 9, 2024

Exploring Xiamen on a Short trip
Exploring Xiamen on a Short trip

Xiamen is a coastal city in southeastern China's Fujian province. I enjoyed its cultural heritage, beautiful natural landscapes and relaxed atmosphere during my short trip.

Jul 2, 2024

My Reading Tip of the Week: Total Synthesis of Scabrolide A by Radical Cascade
My Reading Tip of the Week: Total Synthesis of Scabrolide A by Radical Cascade

A radical cascade strategy to synthesize the complex marine natural product, Scabrolide A, is described in JACS by Pengfei Hu and coworkers.

Jun 1, 2024

Hiking in Tsing Yi
Hiking in Tsing Yi

As the weather in Hong Kong becomes increasingly humid in late spring, hiking can become more challenging, but the island of Tsing Yi offers rewarding hiking options well-suited for the conditions, including the scenic Sam Chi Heung peaks.

May 29, 2024

My Reading Tip of the Week: Efficacy of Remdesivir ProDrugs
My Reading Tip of the Week: Efficacy of Remdesivir ProDrugs

The efficacy of triphosphate formation of remdesivir is dependent on ProTide substitution. Higher levels of triphosphate in the lung are observed with ProTide prodrugs.

May 24, 2024