Bioluminescence of the tropical Indian Ocean: a multiple-scale variation.

Large-scale surveys represented by 5800 bathymetric casts in the western Indian Ocean (0-22o N, 54-58o E), elucidated the 10-fold variation of the bioluminescent potential (BP) in the upper mixed layer, during the winter (north-east) monsoon season. The mesoscale survey in February 2017 consisted of 26 drift stations (4o N-3o S, 65-68o E) on which 5-10 bathymetric casts were deployed down to 60 m. The maximal BP was associated with the periphery of a cyclonic eddy. The two-fold to three-fold variation of BP characterized the spatial heterogeneity modulated by a detected eddy. High-frequency casts on drift stations resembled the fine-scale heterogeneity in which the three-fold variation was observed within the BP maximum at a 37 ± 13 m depth. The latter one was located above the deep chlorophyll maximum at a 80 m depth. A general decline of the BP variance from the large scale through mesoscale to fine scale, fits that of the zooplankton biomass.

Hetero-association models of non-covalent molecular complexation.

The present review discusses the current state-of-the-art in building models enabling the description of non-covalent equilibrium complexation of different types of molecules in solution, which results in the formation of supramolecular structures different in length and composition (hetero-association or supramolecular multicomponent co-polymerisation). The description is focused on standard physical and chemical quantities such as experimental observables and equilibrium parameters of interaction (equilibrium constants and concentrations). The major partial cases of the hetero-association models, such as finite and indefinite isodesmic and cooperative complexations, and Benesi-Hildebrand and Langmuir adsorption models are considered. Future challenges in the development of the hetero-association models are provided.

The theory of interceptor-protector action of DNA binding drugs.

The review discusses the theory of interceptor-protector action (the IPA theory) as the new self-consistent biophysical theory establishing a quantitative interrelation between parameters measured in independent physico-chemical experiment and in vitro biological experiment for the class of DNA binding drugs. The elements of the theory provide complete algorithm of analysis, which may potentially be applied to any system of DNA targeting aromatic drugs. Such analytical schemes, apart from extension of current scientific knowledge, are important in the context of rational drug design for managing drug's response by changing the physico-chemical parameters of molecular complexation.

A method for analysis of multicomponent systems of interacting aromatic molecules in solution.

A method has been developed for analyzing multicomponent mixtures containing N different types of noncovalently interacting aromatic molecules using spectroscopic data [nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), UV-vis, fluorescence, circular dichroism]. The method is based on an algorithmical approach to modeling of the N-component dynamic equilibrium (N-STOCH algorithm), dealing with numbers in N-based numerical systems as analogs of molecular complexes being formed in solution. A basic property of the algorithm is the ability to incorporate any known specificity of molecular interactions without constructing complex mathematical formulas. The utility of the N-STOCH algorithm was demonstrated by using as an example the NMR investigation of the dissociation of a heteroassociation complex of two anticancer drugs on addition of caffeine.