Welcome to this week’s weekly research news challenge!
Test your knowledge and stay sharp with our quiz on the latest research. Answer three questions about this past week’s news to see how well you’re keeping up with the science world around you.
Question
How many phenylacetylene units is the currently largest [n]cycloparaphenylene acetylene ([n]CPPA) composed of?
See answer
Twelve. The resulting macrocycle shows a bright turquoise fluorescence with a high quantum yield and might be a useful carbon nanotube precursor in the future.
Question
Which transcription factor plays a role in over 50 % of all human cancers and dimerizes with another factor to regulate gene transcription? I could be an interesting target for drug development, but is sometimes considered “undruggable”.
See answer
MYC. It activates gene programs related to cell growth, proliferation, and survival after heterodimerizing with its “partner” MAX (myc-associated factor X). A new synthetic miniprotein called “DuoMYC” binds to the target DNA of this transcription factor, which can inhibit MYC-driven gene transcription.
Question
Ketyl radicals can be useful in organic synthesis, but accessing them directly via a reduction of the corresponding carbonyl compounds can be challenging. How can researchers work around this limitation?
See answer
α-Hydroxy sulfinates can be used as intermediates that are easier to convert into radicals than, for example, aldehydes, which have a large negative reduction potential.
The News Behind the Quiz
News
New Largest [n]Cycloparaphenylene Acetylene
September 27, 2024
Novel macrocycle shows bright turquoise fluorescence with a high quantum yield; might be a useful carbon nanotube precursor
Synthetic Miniproteins Inhibit “Undruggable” Cancer Drug Target
September 25, 2024
“DuoMYC” binds to the target DNA of the transcription factor MYC, which plays a role in over 50 % of all human cancers
New Strategy to Access Ketyl Radical Anions
September 23, 2024
Coupling of aldehydes and alkenes via α-hydroxy sulfinate and ketyl radical anion intermediates
