By analysing X-ray pair distribution function data using a multivariate statistical approach, we isolate the cation solvation structure for monovalent (Li(+)/Na(+)/K(+)) and multivalent (Mg(2+)/Ca(2+)/Zn(2+)) electrolytes based on TFSI salts in diglyme. Parallel molecular dynamics simulations provide enhanced structural details. The data suggest that contact ion-pairs are a common feature in mu...

There is broad interest in designing nanostructured materials that can interact with cells and regulate key downstream functions. In particular, materials with nanoscale features may enable control over multivalent interactions, which involve the simultaneous binding of multiple ligands on one entity to multiple receptors on another and are ubiquitous throughout biology. Cellular signal transdu...

BACKGROUND Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) is a powerful synthetic method for generating unique materials. The functional group tolerance of ruthenium ROMP initiators allows the synthesis of a wide range of biologically active polymers. We generated multivalent ligands that inhibit cell surface L-selectin, a protein that mediates lymphocyte homing and leukocyte recruitment in infl...

Multivalent protein-carbohydrate interactions that are mediated by sugar-binding proteins, i.e., lectins, have been implicated in a myriad of intercellular recognition processes associated with tumor progression such as galectin-mediated cancer cellular migration/metastatic processes. Here, using a modified ELISA, we show that glycodendrimers bearing mixtures of galactosides, lactosides, and N-...

Multivalent interactions occur frequently in nature, where they mediate high-affinity interactions between cells, proteins, or molecules. Here, we report on a method to generate multivalent aptamers (Multi-Aptamers) that target L-selectin function using rolling circle amplification (RCA). We find that the L-selectin Multi-Aptamers have increased affinity compared to the monovalent aptamer, are ...

The activation of cellular signaling cascades, critical for regulating cell function and fate, often involves changes in the organization of receptors in the cell membrane. Using synthetic multivalent ligands to control the nanoscale organization of cellular receptors into clusters is an attractive approach to elicit desired downstream cellular responses, since multivalent ligands can be signif...

BACKGROUND Multivalent ligands have been used previously to investigate the role of ligand valency and receptor clustering in eliciting biological responses. Studies of multivalent ligand function, however, typically have employed divalent ligands or ligands of undefined valency. How cells respond to multivalent ligands of distinct valencies, which can cluster a signaling receptor to different ...

Making use of the principle of differential subordination, we investigate some inclusion relationships of certain subclasses of multivalent analytic functions associated with the Wright generalized hypergeometric function.