U.S.-Bulgaria Research on Biopolymers Using The Exciton Chirality Method

哥伦比亚大学的Koji Nakanishi博士和保加利亚有机化学研究所的Nina Berova博士之间的这项美国-保加利亚研究项目的主要目标是使用激子手性方法检查生物聚合物。果胶将用于糖苷键的总体分类和确定。在他们的工作中，研究人员打算开发和使用一套新的菁氨酸染料，与氨基反应，获得生物碱和氨基糖的绝对构型。（选择这些染料是因为它们具有独特的光谱特性，只需要纳克的样品量。）研究结果有望扩展测定复合材料微观结构的方法。不规则的多糖，如果胶和，将允许确定少量稀有糖的绝对构型，以及糖苷键中分支的频率和点。该有机化学项目通过使美国和东欧的领先研究人员在共同感兴趣和能力强的领域结合互补的人才和集中研究资源，实现了推进科学知识的计划目标。

The primary objective of this US-Bulgaria research project between Dr. Koji Nakanishi of Columbia University and Dr. Nina Berova of The Bulgarian Institute of Organic Chemistry is to examine biopolymers using exciton chirality methods. Pectins will be featured for overall classification and determination of glycosidic linkages. In their work, the researchers intend to develop and employ a new set of cyanine dyes that react with amino groups for absolute configuration of alkaloids and amino sugars. (These dyes are chosen for unique spectroscopic properties, requiring only nanogram sample quantities.) Results are expected to extend the methodology for determining microstructure of complex, irregular polysaccharides such as pectin and would allow for the determination of absolute configurations of small amounts of rare sugars and the frequency and points of branching in glycosidic linkages. This project in organic chemistry fulfills the program objective of advancing scientific knowledge by enabling leading researchers in the United States and Eastern Europe to combine complementary talents and pool research resources in areas of strong mutual interest and competence.