Category Archives: Branches of Chemistry

Hyaluronic Acid – The New Skincare Regime

Hyaluronic Acid, a viscoelastic and highly hydrated macromolecule, is being praised by researchers of the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) for its wide range of applications towards tissue healing and regeneration.

Not just by doctors and dermatologists, HA products become recognized and favoured by users all over the world nowadays.

In the science community, Hyaluronic acid(HA) has been around for quite a while. However, it only recently gain general public’s attention through extraordinary performance in the beauty industry.

Trended since 2021, the period when skincare users had lots of time to do our own research. Because of quarantine, a lot of us discovered our skin type, hence what was right for our skin. And us beauty gurus comes to love HA for its affordability, great benefits, importantly, its suitability toward dry, oily, and even sensitive skin.

What is Hyaluronic acid?

HA is commonly present in our household in the form of beauty products, eyedrops, topical medications, and more.

HA is a glycosaminoglycan that is nonsulfated and non-protein, which can be found in our skin, eyes, joints… Specifically, one HA molecule contains 2 unit of sugars, glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-glucosamine, connecting to another HA molecule creating a polymer.

HA serum from The Ordinary (Toronto-based) receives more than 32,000 reviews on Google, winning media attention for its low price, basic ingredients, and outstanding hydrating effect. Credit: DECIEM.

Why HA?

The nice thing about HA is its viscosity and elasticity, these two properties make HA a great lubricant, also, give it the ability to retain moisture and water.

In our daily life, HA’s moisture retention proves to be beneficial. One can build his or her skincare regime based on Hyaluronic Acid, from facial cleanser, exfoliator, to acne treatment such as toner (AHA/BHA), moisturizer and serum. The benefits of HA are unlimited, from skincare to hair products like shampoo and hair serum, supplements, and more.

In the medical field, HA is widely recommended by doctors and dermatologists for its great ability to heal tissues and regenerate new skin. According to scientists, HA is a highly promising material to explore the process of tissue engineering such as cardiac and cartilage repair.

Gone In a Bang: The Reality Behind Super Creatine

Bang Energy has become a well-known and publically recognized brand in the fitness industry. However, they have come under scrutiny after mismarketing some of their products.

Bang Energy Logo

Introduced in 2012, the branded Super-Creatine supplement found in many of their beverages has been shown to be ineffective and resulted in legal action from competing brand Monster Energy.

 

Many Fitness enthusiasts supplement their diet with creatine, most commonly in the form of creatine monohydrate, an amino acid that promotes energy production in muscle cells during high-intensity exercise.

 

Lasha Talakhadze breaks world record Clean and Jerk at Rio Olympics 473kg

Supplementation of creatine increases the body’s natural concentration of the amino acid, leading to higher levels of available ATP (stored energy molecule) in muscle cells during exercise. Creatine monohydrate remains one of the most well-researched fitness supplements in the world to this day.

 

In 2012, Bang released their popular Bang energy drink, aimed at gym goers with a new supplement in the mix; Super-Creatine. Super-Creatine, or creatyl-l-leucine, was a new revolution in creatine supplementation due to its binding with l-leucine, increasing its ability to pass through protein channels. However, a new study shows this is not the case.

A study performed at the University of Manitoba on differences in the effects of creatine monohydrate and creatyl-l-leucine supplementation suggests that the l-leucine bonded creatine is rendered useless, not more effective, than regular creatine.

Creatine Monohydrate Chemical Structure

The researchers found that creatine levels in muscle and brain cells increased slightly with creatine monohydrate supplementation from the control. However, creatyl-l-luecine showed no effect on creatine levels in the body, suggesting that super-creatine is anything but super.

 

This study performed under funding from Monster Energy was released in early 2022, which has led to lawsuits from the competing company regarding the misinformation in Bang’s products. In September 2022, Monster energy won 293 million dollars in their case against bang for the false advertising of Super Creatine. While Bang Energy stated they would remove the super creatine labeling from their packaging, it is still found in bold letters at the top of their cans.

 

-Tristan Ruigrok

The Gore-Tex enigma

Gore-Tex is a highly versatile material that has garnered a lot of publicity in recent years.

Gore-Tex Logo. Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:GoreTex&action=edit&redlink=1

First invented in 1968 by Wilbert and Robert Gore, it is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, more commonly known as Teflon. Not the hard stuff though. It’s basically Teflon that has been stretched… a lot.

It is a magical material in many respects. Water simply glides off it, leaving it bone dry. Being also very breathable and light, it is no surprise that it is the ideal material for water resistant clothing. 

With the likes of Adidas and Nike incorporating it into their outdoor wear products, its widespread use and popularity has called into question the manufacturing process and its environmental impacts.

Teflon is a very durable material that does not degrade and lasts for a long, long time. This is a good thing right? Well, yes… But what happens when that fifteen year old jacket you own is discarded or lost, and finds itself buried in the dirt outside an abandoned parking lot? 

It persists. And doesn’t degrade. For centuries. 

 

PFC’s or perfluorinated compounds are those that contain only carbon and fluorine atoms. Teflon is derived primarily from such compounds.

Chemical structure of Teflon: repeating units of carbon and fluorine atoms. Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Alhadis

The problem with PFC’s is that they tend to accumulate within our bodies and the environment. They are difficult to break down as they are quite unreactive.

A class action lawsuit at a DuPont Teflon plant found a very strong association between working with PFC’s and two types of cancer. Since then, numerous other studies have found a strong correlation between exposure to certain PFC’s and negative health outcomes.

To be clear, it isn’t the wearing of Gore-Tex products that is concerning. Also, not all PFC’s are harmful. However, the manufacturing process dispels many harmful PFC’s into the environment. 

Gore-Tex jackets are also near impossible to recycle. They are made in complex ways, and the design process involves multiple layers, glues, and components. 

Gore-Tex must not be completely written off though. Gore and company have assured investors and the public that they are phasing out the use of many harmful PFC’s in their manufacturing process. However, the effects of this are yet to be seen. 

There are also other, more intriguing applications of this remarkable material.

What is not talked about nearly enough is the role of Gore-Tex in medicine. It has shown to be ideal for usage within our bodies.

Being both porous and unreactive, it enables the body’s cells and tissues to grow through it without any side effects. This makes it a viable material to be used in sutures, grafts and other applications. 

Like most technologies, Gore-Tex is exceedingly complicated in many ways. Its strengths in one regard, prove to be its downfall in another. It seems the jury is still out on this one

– Salik Rushdy

Non-Hormonal Birth Control for Males May be Within Reach

There are currently no non-hormonal birth control pills on the market for females or males, despite these pills likely having fewer harmful side effects than the hormonal birth control methods available for females.

And since males continuously generate sperm while females are born with all potentially fertile eggs, it is easier for scientists to find approaches that reversibly stops sperm production in males rather than risk “spoiling” the non-renewable pool of eggs in females.

Picture depicting the meeting of sperm and egg, which leads to fertilization and pregnancy. Image Credit: deccanchronicle.com

Recently, scientists at the University of Minnesota have found two promising compounds that may become the first non-hormonal contraceptive drugs for males. Testing on mice found that these compounds are effective at reducing sperm count and present no side effects.

The first of these potential drugs is a chemical named YCT529, reported by Dr. Gunda Georg’s group in spring 2022. This molecule was designed to inhibit the function of the protein retinoic acid receptor alpha (RAR-α). Georg’s scientists found that a lack of RAR-α protein in male mice leads to sterilization, but no additional side effects. When YCT529 was orally administered to the mice for 4 weeks, their sperm count was drastically reduced, and the drug was 99% effective in pregnancy prevention.

Line structure of non-hormonal male contraceptive YCT529

Chemical structure of non-hormonal male contraceptive YCT529. Image Credit: Md Abdullah Al Noman

The second drug was reported by the same group of scientists in early 2023 and is named EF-4-177. The target of this molecule is an enzyme named cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) which is involved in sperm cell production. The scientists reported an over 45% decrease in sperm count of the mice after 28 days of treatment with EF-4-177.

Currently, a startup named YourChoice Therapeutics based in Berkeley, California is working to market YCT529 to humans soon. According to their website, the company has done testing on dogs and primates with positive results. Their graphics show that after two weeks of treatment with YCT529, sperm levels in dogs drop to zero and primates do not produce enough sperm to be fertile.

If a side effect-free non-hormonal birth control pill for males is introduced to the public, it would expand contraceptive options for those with testicles beyond condoms and vasectomy. As well, it would make it easier for the responsibility of pregnancy prevention to be shared between partners in a relationship.

Hopefully, more research to come will soon make non-hormonal birth control pills for males a reality.

~ Ying Cai

Will mRNA-Based Therapeutics be the Future of Medicine?

Current mRNA researchers have their sights set on treating cancer, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, HIV, and many other diseases. Will mRNA therapeutics amount to more than their viral protection against Covid-19?

Messenger RNA or mRNA strand 3D rendering illustration with copy space. Genetics, science, medical research, genome replication concepts.

Digital representation of mRNA structure. Source

The covid-19 pandemic led to the first mass production of mRNA vaccines. Under the urgency of the global pandemic scientists worked collaboratively and tirelessly to quickly produce this vaccine.

The global success of the vaccine has brought great attention to developing mRNA therapeutics. These therapeutics are being studied to treat cancer, sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, heart failure, and even food allergies.

So, when will this all be available?

Unfortunately, there are still some kinks to work out.

Currently small molecules make up 90% of pharmaceutical drugs. These organic compounds have dominated the medical world as they can enter cells and, in many variations, act precisely on cellular targets responsible for disease.

People with cystic fibrosis (CF) currently rely on small molecule drugs. The drug Trikafta was approved for use by health Canada in 2022 and has significantly improved lives of CF patients who

CF is caused by the loss of function in the CFTR protein. Trikafta works to help return the CFTR to normal function.

mRNA therapy for CF would work differently. mRNA could give the patient the genetic information to produce the fully functional protein in their cells.

Chemical laboratory research. Vaccine discovery concept. Scientists with flasks, microscope and computer working on antiviral treatment development. Vector illustration in flat cartoon style

Scientists! source

Despite carrying DNA which codes for the dysfunctional CFTR protein a cell could produce the functional protein and reverse the disease.

As great as that sounds, it will be sometime for mRNA therapeutics to overtake the use of organic drugs for cystic fibrosis. As of now most clinical trials are still struggling to see mRNA meet full potential.

For now, small molecule drugs hold their place as the number one drug type.

Researchers are working tirelessly to prove promise of revolutionary therapeutics for the significant human diseases is not just a pipe dream.

It is safe to say these new therapeutics mRNA are worth keeping an eye on.

A green future for ammonia

Chemists from the University of California, Berkley (UCB) have designed a new material that could reduce the energy requirements of the Haber-Bosch process.  The group hopes their research, published January 11th 2023, will conserve energy and lead to a “greener” future for ammonia and fertilizer production.

Current infrastructure needed to maintain the pressure and temperature required for the Haber-Bosch process source

The Haber-Bosch process has been the main method for producing ammonia since its invention over 100 years ago.  It is widely considered one of the most important scientific discoveries of the 20th century. Yet, despite its important role producing ammonia for agricultural fertilizer, its industrial synthesis continues to be energy inefficient.

High temperatures and pressures are needed to produce ammonia which must then be extracted to be used. Conventionally, the reaction mixture is cooled from 500℃ to -20℃. This condenses the synthesized ammonia and separates it from the remaining chemicals. However, cooling the mixture while maintaining the pressure of 300 atmospheres accounts for a large proportion of the processes’ energy loss.

Benjamin Snyder, who leads the UCB research group, said it was this extraction step that his team sought to improve by “finding a material where you can capture and then release very large quantities of ammonia, ideally with a minimal input of energy”.

These requirements led the research group to create a metal-organic framework (MOF) material.  The MOF had a crystal structure made from copper atoms linked to cyclohexane dicarboxylate molecules.  The crystalline structure gave the material unique properties suited for its use in ammonia extraction.

Structure of the cyclohexane dicarboxylate molecule used to make the MOF source

When exposed to ammonia the material changes its structure from a rigid crystal to a loosely packed and porous polymer. The polymer form can readily store a large amount of ammonia within it which can then be released with cooling. The result is that ammonia can be extracted 195℃ above the temperature required by current methods and at half the pressure.

Not only would the MOF save energy in the extraction process but, interestingly, after releasing the ammonia “the polymer somehow weaves itself back into a three-dimensional framework” says Snyder. This mechanism, which is still being studied, allows the MOF to be used repeatably.

With the Haber-Bosch process using 1% of the world’s energy, the research done by Snyder and his group is an important step in producing a greener future for ammonia.

Enzymes – A Solution in the War Against Plastics

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, today, “about 400 million tonnes of plastic waste” is produced every year. The amount of plastic waste generated has risen significantly in a single decade compared to the last 40 years.

One of the biggest problem with plastic waste is that plastics can not breakdown in a short period of time. It can take up to 500 – 800 years for a piece of plastic to be broken down by UV radiation – light from the sun.

Plastic waste along the shoreline.

Plastic waste along the shoreline. Source

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have invented a new way to decompose polyester based plastics much quicker. Simply with heat, water, and nano-dispersed enzymes.

Dr. Ting Xu, a UC, Berkeley professor and her research group developed an enzyme that is able to eat away at the polymers in plastics. These nanoscale polymer-eating enzymes are embedded into plastics as they are being made. To prevent the enzymes from activating when not required, a random heteropolymer (RHP) coating is applied to hold the enzymes without restricting the flexibility of tensicity of the plastics.

Plastic cups made from biodegradable plastics. Source

The enzymes were wrapped around plastic resin beads. These beads were then melted and molded into usable consumer plastics. Xu likened this process to organic composting. By adding water and heat, the enzymes, the RHP polymer coating is removed and starts eating away the polymers into smaller subunits.

The research conducted by Xu and her group found that the enzymes took about a week to degrade most of the plastics. Polylactic acid (PLA)  and polycaprolactone (PCL) based plastics embedded with nanoscale polymer eating enzymes are able to break down the polymer chains into small molecules, such as lactic acid.

It is clear that there is still more research needed in this field. Currently, Xu is developing other modified RHP-wrapped enzymes that can stop the degradation process at specific points in it’s degradation so that the polymers can be recycled into new plastics.

Moving forward, Xu has high hopes for the polymer eating enzymes to change the way we look at recycling and that it will start a conversation about the way humans interact with the Earth.

According to Xu, “[humans] are taking things from the earth at a faster rate than we can return them. Don’t go back to Earth to mine for these materials but mine whatever you have, and then convert it to something else.”

Raymond Tang

 

Soy Sauce in Skin Care: The Rise of Kojic Acid

Soy sauce, sake, and skincare all have one thing in common — Kojic Acid. 

Kojic acid, a by-product of soy sauce and sake production, is currently a debated skincare ingredient. 

Due to various beauty influencers on platforms like Tiktok, Instagram, and Youtube celebrating kojic acid as a miracle whitening product, it is important to understand the true abilities and downfalls of this ingredient. 

This ingredient is highly sought after due to its skin-whitening properties. Particularly, the acid is being used to spot treat hyperpigmentation from sun spots and acne scars. 

Kojic acid’s skin whitening features are derived from its ability to inhibit tyrosinase, the enzyme needed to produce the skin pigment melanin. While kojic acid should not be used to lighten overall skin complexion, its “mild antioxidant, antimicrobial, and exfoliating properties,” according to Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Jennifer MacGregor, makes it suitable for small-scale skin lightening. 

Chemical Structure of Kojic Acid (Credit: Fuzzform, Wikipedia)

Despite its generally mild properties, kojic acid should still be used with caution. Prolonged use may cause increased sensitivity to sun exposure and dermatitis for those with sensitive skin. These side effects are exacerbated when kojic acid concentration exceeds 1%. 

Popular skincare brands are saturating the market with kojic acid. The compound can be combined with other well-known ingredients, such as vitamin C, glycolic acid, niacinamide, and hydroquinone.

Depending on the additional ingredients, kojic acid can be diluted to be tolerable for sensitive skin or compounded to accelerate whitening abilities. 

Kojic acid can currently be found in various forms to suit consumer preferences. Currently, the most sought-after forms of kojic acid are

SkinCeuticals’ Discoloration Defense serum, Koji White’s Kojic Acid Skin Brightening Soap, and Versed Skin’s Weekend Glow Daily Brightening Facial Toner.

SkinCeuticals’ Discoloration Defense serum (Credit: SkinCeuticals’)

Koji White’s Kojic Acid Skin Brightening Soap (Credit: Amazon) 

Carissa Chua

Blue Light – A Propagated Myth

Unsplash Photo by Ales Nesetril (Editorial, Technology)

Blue light from electronic devices does not damage the eyes, but it may damage your sleep.

The lie propagated is unfounded in science and was debunked. Those spreading it are misinformed and scientifically uneducated. 

Light sources such as incandescence (light bulbs) and LEDs emit a broad spectrum of light, namely 380 to 700 nanometers (nm). Blue light is in the     400 – 450 nm range, carrying more energy compared to red light, which raises concern. 

Our retinas regularly absorb blue light emitted by the sun, and for over 300,000 years has been the case and proven not to be damaging – otherwise, we would be blind. 

In addition, device intensities are much less than the sun and are regulated by manufacturers using light filters. 

According to Dr. Ramsey, a Havard Health Publishing Contributor, and Director of Ophthalmic Research at Lahey Massachusets Hospital, “many retail stores have ambient illumination twice as great…as your iPhone. [Yet] the sun yields illumination ten times greater!”

He also adds that using devices late at night mimics sunlight, restraining the production of melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone. This stimulates your circadian clock (your body’s 24 hr sleep clock), tending to delay your sleep cycles, disrupting your sleep, and increasing drowsiness the following morning. 

By stopping using electronic devices 30 minutes before bed, you can increase REM (deep-stage sleep), reduce morning drowsiness, and maintain a consistent circadian rhythm, which in itself has its own benefits. 

In short, do your own research before propagating a supposed “scientific claim,” and reduce your screen time before bed.

~ Octavian Turner

A Breakthrough in Nuclear Fusion

On December 5th 2022, scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in the United States successfully created the reaction that powers the sun – nuclear fusion ignition – for the first time in human history.

Announced by the US Department of Energy on December 13th, this “historic, first-of-its-kind” achievement has excited the scientific community because of its potential as a clean energy source. 

Inside the LLNL’s National Ignition Facility, where the experiment took place. Credit: LLNL

To achieve fusion ignition, the scientists had constructed “the world’s most energetic laser”, consisting of 192 laser beams, and aimed it at a small canister containing the compounds deuterium and tritium. They were able to generate 3.15 megajoules of energy from an input of 2.05 megajoules, a markup of 54%.

This result – more than 60 years after researchers first began to study fusion – proved that controlled nuclear fusion that produces more energy than it consumes is possible.

Depiction of fusion: deuterium(D) and tritium(T) fuse to form the larger Helium(He) and release energy. Credit: US Department of Energy

Nuclear fusion – the process that allows the Sun to emit vast amounts of energy in the form of light and heat – involves the joining of two atoms of a lighter element to form a heavier one, and in the process releases a lot of energy. Compared to nuclear fission, which is how nuclear power plants generate energy, fusion is much more powerful and also much cleaner as it does not produce radioactive materials as a byproduct.

For these reasons many believe that nuclear fusion is a promising avenue for sustainable and eco-friendly energy in the future.

However, there is still a long way to go until fusion could be viable for commercial use. When asked to comment on the time needed, Kim Budil, the director of the LLNL, stated that “It’s probably two or three decades. Scaling from where we are today to what you would require for a power-generating plant is a pretty significant challenge.”

Director Kim Budil announcing the achievement of fusion ignition in December 2022. Credit: Mary Calvert/REUTERS

Moving forward, the over 8,000 engineers, physicists, and chemists at the LLNL and researchers worldwide will have to find ways to conduct fusion ignition more quickly and cheaply, while also generating much more power. According to Budil, “What we need now is a scientific and investment strategy that allows us to make progress on all of these fronts simultaneously… [because] we need gain of a few hundred to make an energy system.”

Despite the many challenges ahead, Tim Luce, one of the leaders of the international fusion research project ITER, remains hopeful. “A result like this will bring increased interest in the progress of all types of fusion, so it should have a positive impact on fusion research in general,” he states.

~ Rebecca Yang