Optimized Reducing-End Labeling of Cellulose Nanocrystals: Implication for the Structure of Microfibril Bundles in Plant Cell Walls
Using a new method, we have optimized the regioselective grafting of gold nanoparticles at the reducing end of cellulose nanocrystals. The hybrid nanoparticles produced are interesting for designing materials with innovative optical properties and reveal information on the in vivo organization of the microfibrils they originate from. Click on the title for more information.
Francois Bonnardel’s thesis defense on February, 8th 2021
Such thesis is entitled “Bioinformatic study of lectins: new classification and prediction in genomes” and is co-directed by Dr. Anne Imberty (Cermav) and Dr/Prof. Frédérique Lisacek (Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics). Click on the title for more information.
Find our work in the CNRS 2020 chemistry news booklet
Click on the title to access the document
Marie Carriere’ s thesis defense on January 25th, 2021
Such thesis is entitled “Design, characterization and application of glyconanoparticles in (bio) electrochemistry”. It is executed in collaboration with the Département de Chimie Moléculaire (DCM), and the CEntre de Recherches sur les MAcromolécules Végétales (CERMAV) (co-supervised by Redouane BORSALI -Director of Research at CNRS). Click on the title for more information.
Bottom-up Construction of Xylan Nanocrystals in Dimethyl Sulfoxide
In collaboration with Aalto University and VTT (Finland), we developed a new hemicellulose-based nanocrystal composed of crystalline complex of xylan and dimethyl sulfoxide. The detailed structural characterization revealed that the xylan molecules are packed in the nanocrystals with a two-fold helical conformation which is different from the three-fold helical conformation found in the pure xylan crystal. The morphology of nanocrystals was found to be adjustable through changing the crystallization conditions. This work will serve as a starting point to understand the controlled assembly of hemicelluloses to discover their full application potential. Click on the title for more information.
Carbohydrate-attached fullerene derivative for selective localization in ordered carbohydrate-block-poly(3-hexylthiophene) nanodomains
Towards photovoltaic devices made from highly nano-organised carbohydrate block copolymers. Click on the title for more information.
Non‐Carbohydrate Glycomimetics as Inhibitors of Calcium(II)‐binding Lectins
Search for new inhibitors of bacterial infection is a priority for fighting antibiotics resistance, and this is the topic of a french-german ANR-DFG project. We screened for libraries of non-carbohydrate ligands for binding to Pseudomonas aeruginosa calcium-dependent lectins, and identified catechol derivatives as interesting lead. The first co‐crystal structure of a non‐carbohydrate inhibitor in complex with a bacterial lectin clearly demonstrates the catechol mimicking the binding of natural glycosides with LecA. Interstingly, catechol derivatives also bind to human C-type lectins, opening a wide range of applications. Click on the title for more information.
Happy New Year!
Both CNRS and Cermav wish you a happy New Year and all the best for 2021. Click on the title to watch the video.
