Carlie Charron

Antifibrotic Function of Itaconate-Based Degradable Polyester Materials Pathological fibrosis is a chronic disease, characterized by excessive extracellular matrix deposition, that remains a significant global health challenge. Despite its prevalence, current antifibrotic therapies are limited due to the complex interplay and signaling of profibrotic macrophages and fibroblast cells that underlies fibrotic tissue microenvironments. This study investigates a novel approach to combat fibrosis, harnessing the antifibrotic properties of the endogenous metabolite itaconate (IA) to target the pathological activation of the macrophage-fibroblast axis in fibrotic disease. To achieve therapeutic delivery relevant to the chronic nature of fibrotic conditions, we incorporated IA into the backbone of biodegradable polyester polymers, poly(dodecyl itaconate) (poly[IA-DoD]), capable of long-term localized release of IA. Degradation characterization of poly(IA-DoD) revealed that IA, as well as water-soluble IA-containing oligomeric groups, is released in a sustained manner. Treatment of murine bone marrow-derived macrophages and human dermal fibroblasts demonstrated that the degradation products of poly(IA-DoD) effectively modulated profibrotic behavior. Macrophages exposed to the degradation products exhibited reduced profibrotic responses, while fibroblasts showed decreased proliferation and myofibroblast α-smooth muscle actin expression. These findings suggest that poly(IA-DoD) has the potential to disrupt the fibrotic cycle by targeting key cellular players. This polymer-based delivery system offers a promising strategy for the treatment of fibrotic diseases.

Congratulations to the Davenport Huyer lab for this elegant publication!

pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

We welcome Dr. Locke Davenport Huyer from Dalhousie University as our visiting seminar speaker this Friday.
www.davenporthuyerlab.com

HRM is doing a survey of what social media platforms they should use

www.halifax.ca/home/surveys

but they aren't posting on BlueSky yet so I thought y'all
might want to say you want them here !

The east coast boys bringing the title home! 🍁🏒 #novascotiaproud

Women in Chemistry The Editors of Communications Chemistry are pleased to present this Collection of content focused on celebrating women in chemistry, with a focus on ...

I just discovered in Nature Communications Chemistry the Women in Chemistry series! I am particularly enjoying reading the Q&As with women scientists. 🧪👩‍🔬🍎🥽🧬⚛️

@naturechemistry.bsky.social @naturecomms.bsky.social

www.nature.com/collections/...

Ag(I)-promoted fragment coupling of peptide thioamides Despite advances in solid phase peptide synthesis and peptide ligation, challenges remain in the assembly of polypeptides through coupling of peptide fragments. Herein we describe a new method for pep...

Some more exciting Ag-ligation chemistry out of the Hutton group at UniMelb. Take me back to my PDF days!

A little lab glow up ✨ Out with the old and in with the new!

Has Bluesky replaced X for scientists? Take Nature’s poll The research community has flocked to the social-media platform Bluesky. Tell us about your experience.

The research community has flocked to the social-media platform Bluesky.

Tell us about your experience
https://go.nature.com/42fihQG

Senior Scientist – Peptide Chemistry Job Title: Senior Scientist – Peptide Chemistry Location: Cambridge Salary: competitive Introduction to role: AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focus...

Opportunity in #peptide chemistry at AstraZeneca (Cambridge UK) ref: R-215639 | closing: 13-Jan-2025 #SynChem #UKChemJobs #ChemJobs #chemsky 🧪
astrazeneca.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/Careers/job/...

I really feel that we have to deprogram college students from the focus on grading by making foundational courses (100/200 level or whatever # system you use) have no grades.

Have students focus on the value of *learning something*.

Christmas came early in the Charron Lab! 🎁 Installation of the CEM Liberty Blue 2.0. Smell ya later manual synthesis!

For those following along - first place goes to the Charron and Baker lab for door decorating. 🏆 🌟 Victoryyy!

The great work continues In the highly acclaimed 1991 play Angels in America, which explores AIDS in the United States in the 1980s, one of the characters muses about the nature of knowledge and novelty: “Imagination can’t cr...

Breakthrough of the Year is lenacapavir, which provides six months of HIV prevention in a single injection. This is the third time Science has named an HIV/AIDS intervention as the Breakthrough of the Year. Here's my editorial with links to the full package and quotes from Angels in America.

Door decorating contest? Count the Charron and Baker labs in. Merry Christmas as linear peptides, Santa in safety classes, scientific elves, what else does a peptide chemist need?

Join us Monday Dec 16th at the 2nd Canadian Peptide and Protein Community (CPPC) symposium. This one-day free on-line virtual event will
feature oral and poster presentations from emerging young investigators shaping the future of peptide and protein science.