Rational Design of Lipid Nanoparticles for Enhanced mRNA Vaccine Delivery via Machine Learning.

Since the coronavirus pandemic, mRNA vaccines have revolutionized the field of vaccinology. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are proposed to enhance mRNA delivery efficiency; however, their design is suboptimal. Here, a rational method for designing LNPs is explored, focusing on the ionizable lipid composition and structural optimization using machine learning (ML) techniques. A total of 213 LNPs are analyzed using random forest regression models trained with 314 features to predict the mRNA expression efficiency. The models, which predict mRNA expression levels post-administration of intradermal injection in mice, identify phenol as the dominant substructure affecting mRNA encapsulation and expression. The specific phospholipids used as components of the LNPs, as well as the N/P ratio and mass ratio, are found to affect the efficacy of mRNA delivery. Structural analysis highlights the impact of the carbon chain length on the encapsulation efficiency and LNP stability. This integrated approach offers a framework for designing advanced LNPs and has the potential to unlock the full potential of mRNA therapeutics.

Divergent Syntheses of (-)-Chicanine, (+)-Fragransin A2, (+)-Galbelgin, (+)-Talaumidin, and (+)-Galbacin via One-Pot Homologative γ-Butyrolactonization.

In this study, the divergent syntheses of (-)-chicanine, (+)-fragransin A2, (+)-galbelgin, (+)-talaumidin, and (+)-galbacin are detailed. In this approach, an early-stage modified Kowalski one-carbon homologation reaction is utilized to construct the central γ-butyrolactone framework with the two necessary ß,γ-vicinal stereogenic centers. The two common chiral γ-butyrolactone intermediates were designed to be capable for assembling five different optically active tetrahydrofuran lignans from commercially available materials in a concise and effective divergent manner in five to eight steps. These five syntheses are among the shortest and highest-yielding syntheses reported to date.

Nickel Carbene-Mediated One-Carbon Homologative γ-Butyrolactonization.

In this report, we present a highly efficient approach for the synthesis of ß,γ-disubstituted γ-butyrolactone motifs. This newly developed strategy is based on the combination of a diastereoselective aldol and a nickel carbene-mediated γ-butyrolactonization and uses an effective intramolecular ring closure to rapidly access a range of functionalized chiral γ-butyrolactones. This single-step approach was applied to produce straightforward asymmetric syntheses of (-)-talaumidin methyl ether, (+)-veraguensin, and (+)-dubiusamine A and a formal synthesis of (+)-phaseolinic acid as one of the shortest syntheses disclosed to date.

Total Synthesis of Gymnothelignan K via a One-Pot Homologative γ-Butyrolactonization.

The first total synthesis of tetrahydrofuran dilignan gymnothelignan K is disclosed. The approach is based on implementing an early stage one-carbon homologative lactonization, which we recently disclosed, for constructing the γ-butyrolactone scaffold with the requisite ß,γ-trans-vicinal stereocenters. Other salient features of the synthesis include the acid-promoted dimerization and the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction to install the challenging diaryl skeleton that permits the effective assembly of the optically active gymnothelignan K in 8 steps from commercially available materials.

Divergent Total Syntheses of Gymnothelignan N, Beilschmin A, and Eupomatilones 1, 3, 4, and 7.

A seven-step asymmetric total synthesis of gymnothelignan N is detailed in the current report. The approach is based on an early-stage one-carbon homologative lactonization reaction, which we recently revisited and modified to construct the core γ-butyrolactone motif with the requisite ß,γ-vicinal stereogenic centers. By design, the utilization of the same chiral γ-butyrolactone intermediate permitted the rapid and effective divergent assembly of optically active eupomatilones 1, 3, 4, and 7 in five or six steps from commercially available materials. This represents one of the shortest and highest-yielding syntheses reported to date.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Oxazolidin-2-Ones via an Asymmetric Aldol/Curtius Reaction: Concise Total Synthesis of (-)-Cytoxazone.

Herein, we are reporting an efficient approach toward the synthesis of 4,5-disubstituted oxazolidin-2-one scaffolds. The developed approach is based on a combination of an asymmetric aldol and a modified Curtius protocol, which uses an effective intramolecular ring closure to rapidly access a range of oxazolidin-2-one building blocks. This strategy also permits a straightforward and concise asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-cytoxazone. Consisting of three steps, this is one of the shortest syntheses reported to date. Ultimately, this convenient platform would provide a promising method for the early phases of drug discovery.

Discrimination between Human Colorectal Neoplasms with a Dual-Recognitive Two-Photon Probe.

Colorectal cancer is a major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Histologic diagnosis using biopsy samples of colorectal neoplasms is the most important step in determining the treatment methods, but these methods have limitations in accuracy and effectiveness. Herein, we report a dual-recognition two-photon probe and its application in the discrimination between human colorectal neoplasms. The probe is composed of two monosaccharides, d-glucosamine and ß-d-galactopyranoside, in a fluorophore for the monitoring of both glucose uptake and ß-gal hydrolysis. In vitro/cell imaging studies revealed the excellent selectivity and sensitivity of the probe for glucose transporter-mediated glucose uptake and ß-gal activity. Cancer-specific uptake was monitored by increased fluorescence intensity, and additional screening of cancer cells was achieved by changes in emission ratio owing to the higher activity of ß-gal. Using human colon tissues and two-photon microscopy, we found that the plot of intensity versus ratio can accurately discriminate between colorectal neoplasms in the order of cancer progression (normal, adenoma, and carcinoma).

Synthesis of γ-Lactones via the Kowalski Homologation Reaction: Protecting-Group-Free Divergent Total Syntheses of Eupomatilones-2,5,6, and 3-epi-Eupomatilone-6.

A highly efficient synthesis of functionalized chiral γ-butyrolactone scaffolds has been described. The basis of the approach is the Kowalski ester homologation that is modified for our proposed transformation. The newly developed methodology combines a divergent synthetic strategy to permit a straightforward protecting-group-free asymmetric total syntheses of eupomatilones-2,5,6, and 3-epi-eupomatilone-6 in five or six steps from commercial starting materials, making it one of the shortest syntheses reported to date.