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

这项由哥伦比亚大学的Koji Nakanishi博士和保加利亚有机化学研究所的Nina Berova博士合作的美国-保加利亚研究项目的主要目标是使用激子手性方法检测生物聚合物。果胶将用于糖苷键的全面分类和测定。在他们的工作中，研究人员打算开发和使用一组新的菁染料，这种染料可以与氨基反应，以获得生物碱和氨基糖的绝对构型。(选择这些染料是为了获得独特的光谱特性，只需要纳克样品量。)预计结果将扩展确定果胶等复杂、不规则多糖的微观结构的方法，并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。这个有机化学项目通过使美国和东欧的顶尖研究人员能够将互补的人才结合在一起，并在相互感兴趣和能力很强的领域汇集研究资源，从而实现了促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.