Biochemistry

The generation of organic wastes, such as sludge from wastewater treatment plants and food waste, is an inevitable byproduct of human activity. In line with the Federal Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 and the principles of Green Chemistry, waste that cannot be prevented or recycled must be managed in an environmentally sustainable manner. Conventional waste management methods, including incineration and landfilling, pose significant environmental risks, such as greenhouse gas emissions and soil and groundwater contamination.

Many halogenated compounds are used as intermediates in the synthesis of compounds of interest to the chemical, pharmaceutical industries; however, chemical halogenation involves the use of high-cost reagents that are often harmful to the environment.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a therapeutic alternative for treating several pathologies, from microbial infections to cancer. PDT involves applying a photosensitizer (PS) that interacts with light in an appropriate wavelength, absorbing its energy and going from the basal to the excited singlet state. This excited state can experience intersystem crossing to the excited triplet state (3PS*). 3PS* can generate reactive oxygen species that induce injury and trigger cell death.

The use of glass substrates to enhance cellular adhesion exemplifies the principles of green and sustainable chemistry in practice. Upcycling waste glass into a valuable resource mitigates environmental pollution, promotes innovation, and conserves resources. The Human embryonic kidney293T (HEK293T) cells have been used in organoid formation and specialized applications within organoid systems; however, they often suffer from loose adherence, which limits their applicability.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), an opportunistic pathogen, is responsible for tuberculosis (TB), one of the deadliest infectious diseases. The mycomembrane of Mtb contributes to its resistance against many broad-spectrum antibiotics due to its lipid-rich structure, primarily composed of mycolic acids. Inhibiting the biosynthesis of mycolic acids is a promising strategy in TB drug discovery, as this pathway is enriched with essential enzymes that could serve as selective drug targets.

Our growing population, development, and increasing energy demands will strain the environment in the coming decades, necessitating breakthroughs in sustainable energy generation and storage. State-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries face significant challenges, including limited lithium resources, safety issues, and electrochemical performance nearing theoretical limits. Novel rechargeable batteries, such as magnesium-ion batteries, present promising alternatives due to their material abundance and improved safety.