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This review summarizes the recent advances concerning metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) modified with several biomolecules (e.g., amino acids, nucleobases, proteins, antibodies, aptamers, etc.) as ligands to prepare affinity-based sorbents for application in the sample preparation field. The preparation and incorporation strategies of these MOF-based affinity materials were described. Additionally, the different types of ligands that can be employed for the synthesis of these biocomposites and their application as sorbents for the selective extraction of molecules and clean-up of complex real samples is reported. The most important features of the developed biocomposites will be discussed throughout the text in different sections, and several examples will be also commented on in detail.

The discovery of the formation of acrylamide in fried and baked foods containing high levels of starch and the amino acid asparagine, prompted widespread concern. Both processed and home cooked foods are affected and this has led to the increased study of variations in cooking and processing conditions to minimize formation. While changes in cooking protocols have been in part successful, particularly when lower frying and baking temperatures are used, pretreatments to reduce levels of acrylamide by prevention of formation or acceleration of destruction have been investigated. In this study, a range of pretreatments of grilled potato were investigated and compared with surface washing to remove asparagine and reducing sugars. Synergies were observed between different treatments, and reductions of up to 40% were achieved in a non-optimized system.

Although the search for extraterrestrial intelligence has not produced any direct evidence of extraterrestrial life, the emergence of life on Earth, which appears to be controlled by universal laws of physics and chemistry, must have been repeated elsewhere in the universe. The experimental approaches in our laboratory to understand the origin of life on the Earth are summarized in an attempt to obtain a better insight into the chemical basis of extraterrestrial life.

Firshein, William (Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn.). Influence of deoxyribonucleic acid degradation products and orthophosphate on deoxynucleotide kinase activity and deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in pneumococcus type III. J. Bacteriol. 90:327-336. 1965.-An oligodeoxynucleotide fraction derived from a deoxyribonuclease-treated calf-thymus deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) can enhance the activity of deoxycytidylic acid (dCMP) and deoxyguanylic acid (dGMP) kinases in cell suspensions of type III pneumococci. High levels of orthophosphate can produce similar effects. For part of the incubation period, the activity of dCMP and dGMP kinases is very low or undetectable in unsupplemented-cell suspensions of pneumococci. In contrast, the remaining kinases, deoxyadenylic acid and thymidylic acid, which are present in ample amounts in control and supplemented cells throughout the incubation period, are unaffected by the addition of oligodeoxynucleotides and orthophosphate. The stimulation of kinase activity is amino acid-dependent and can be abolished by adding chloramphenicol. When the oligodeoxynucleotide fraction and orthophosphate are further supplemented with all eight of the naturally occurring deoxynucleosides and deoxynucleotides (which do not affect kinase activity), a preferential enhancement of DNA synthesis occurs in comparison with cell growth or protein synthesis. Addition of deoxynucleosides and deoxynucleotides to unsupplemented cells produces only a slight increase in DNA synthesis. The preferential enhancement of DNA synthesis can be prevented by adding chloramphenicol at a certain time during incubation.