The University of Calcutta (informally known as Calcutta University; abbreviated as CU) is a collegiate public state university located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It was established on 24 January 1857 and is the first multidisciplinary and Western-style institution in Asia. Today, the university's jurisdiction is limited to a few districts of West Bengal, but at the time of establishment it had a catchment area, ranging from Lahore to Myanmar. Within India, it is recognized as a "Five-Star University" and accredited an "A" grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). The University of Calcutta was awarded the status of "Centre with Potential for Excellence in Particular Area" and "University with potential for excellence" by the University Grants Commission (UGC).The university has a total of fourteen campuses spread over the city of Kolkata and its suburbs. As of 2020, 151 colleges and 21 institutes and centres are affiliated with it. The university was fourth in the Indian University Ranking 2021 list, released by the National Institutional Ranking Framework of the Ministry of Education of the Government of India.Its alumni and faculty include several heads of state and government, social reformers, prominent artists, the only Indian Academy award winner and Dirac medal winner, many Fellows of the Royal Society and five Nobel laureates—the highest number in South Asia—as of 2019. The five Nobel laureates associated with this university are: Ronald Ross, Rabindranath Tagore, C. V. Raman, Amartya Sen and Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee. The university has the highest number of students who have cleared the National Eligibility Test. The University of Calcutta is a member of the United Nations Academic Impact.
This study explores the effect of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles on the electrical performance of Phenosafranine (PSF) dye-based organic devices. Composite films were fabricated by blending PSF with TiO₂ nanoparticles in varying weight ratios (1:1 to 1:4), and their structural and electrical properties were systematically analyzed. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images showed that the nanoparticles were evenly spread out, which is favorable for charge movement. The I–V results, analyzed using the Cheung method and trap energy model, showed that adding a moderate amount of TiO₂ nanoparticles reduced series resistance, ideality factor, and trap energy. These changes lead to enhance carrier mobility and overall device conductivity. However, when the TiO₂ amount was too high (more than 1:3 ratio), the performance started to drop. Overall, this work shows how TiO₂ nanoparticles can help improve the overall performance of organic electronic devices by changing their structure and electrical behavior in a controlled way.
Binding of fluorescence nanomaterials with the most relevant biological target, DNA, has attracted considerable interest due to its potential application in biosensing and theranostics. In this study, we have reported the design and comprehensive investigation or characterization of L-tryptophan functionalized gold nanoprisms (L-Trp@GNPrs), which exhibit enhanced optical properties, such as strong plasmonic absorption, fluorescence, and Raman activity due to their unique trigonal prismatic morphology. Multi-spectroscopic, thermodynamic, imaging, and molecular docking studies revealed strong and specific interactions between L-Trp@GNPrs and CT-DNA. Additionally, L-Trp@GNPrs function as effective fluorescence and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based sensors for the selective detection of mercury ions (Hg2+) in aqueous media, while their surface modification can enhance biocompatibility and antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. To gain deeper mechanistic insight, quantum mechanical density functional theory (DFT) and molecular docking simulation studies were carried out, revealing that Trp undergoes notable conformational changes upon binding to gold clusters (Au1 and Au8), which are stabilized by non-covalent interactions, including Au-π, Au-NH2, and Au-COOH contacts. NCI-RDG analysis confirmed hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions, with the Au8-Trp4 conformer exhibiting the strongest H-bonding strength with the associated interaction energy of -6.63 kcal mol-1. Kinetic analysis further supported these findings, indicating a fast binding rate accompanied with moderate activation energy for the L-Trp@GNPrs-DNA complex formation. Overall, the combined experimental and theoretical results have demonstrated the multi-functionality and biomedical potential of L-Trp@GNPrs in DNA-targeted sensing and therapeutic applications.
Between all the sensing methods, UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy take hold of the most attention of sensor research laboratories owing to its highly selective and sensitive nature, simple in operation method and low cost. Besides zinc plays a vital role in restoring white blood cell function, protein synthaesis, regulation of neurotransmitters function, functions of various enzymes and development of sex organs. Several diseases like, infantile diarrhoea, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease and ischemic stroke are identified as a result of zinc deficiency. Other side due to modernization zinc pollution became threatening issues. So identification of different metals like, zinc by fluorescence technology has become a vital subject in research areas
Detecting metal ions continues to be a formidable challenge owing to the high demands for both selectivity and sensitivity. Despite the development of numerous fluorometric and colorimetric sensors, many still face drawbacks such as limited water solubility, delayed response times, susceptibility to interference from competing ions, and potential cytotoxic effects. Carbohydrate-anchored ligands represent a versatile class of molecular frameworks for metal ion sensing, owing to their inherent chirality, water solubility and biocompatibility. This study explores the design and synthesis of ligands incorporating carbohydrate scaffolds functionalized with triazole and amino/imino groups, which serve as key coordination sites for transition metal ions. The triazole moiety, introduced via click chemistry, provides robust metal-binding capabilities, while amino/imino interfaces enhance selectivity and sensitivity through hydrogen bonding and electronic interactions. Thus, this classification highlights the coordination mechanisms and design principles that drive their improved performance in metal ion sensing applications. This review delves into the latest advancements in the design and development of fluorometric and colorimetric sensors derived from monosaccharides, with a focus on their applications in metal ion detection that has been reported since 2004 and covers about two decades of work. Special focus is given to the structural benefits of carbohydrates, particularly the pyranose form, which plays a critical role in achieving selective ion binding. Some of the chemosensors reviewed here, exhibit very low detection limits (ppm), rapid detection, high binding constant values and can show varied applications- like use in bioimaging of live cells, or as organogelators or for real water sample analyses. Taken together, this work underscores the potential of carbohydrate-based ligand systems in developing next-generation metal ion sensors with high selectivity, stability, and adaptability making them promising candidates for aqueous-phase sensing applications.
Berberine, an isoquinoline derived alkaloid and phytochemical, isolated from barberry and other trees has been known for its medicinal value in Chinese and Indian folk medicine since ages. This short review sheds light on the present-day information on the activity of berberine in ameliorating breast cancer, by evaluation of the mechanisms involved at the cellular and molecular level. Its ability to interact with key receptors and effector proteins as well its role in modulating signalling pathways involving PI3K/AKT/mTOR, MAPK/ERK, NF-ƙB, METTL3/FGF7 regulation, NLRP3 inflammasome and estrogen receptors have been discussed. Its efficacy in inducing apoptosis, arresting cell cycle, halting angiogenesis, cell proliferation and metastasis and reducing inflammation have been explored according to most recent understandings. The need for this review arises from the increasing interest in natural compounds with potential therapeutic applications, especially in breast cancer treatment which remains one of the most prevalent and challenging diseases globally, necessitating exploration of alternative and complementary treatment strategies. This review not only compiles the majority of the reported findings to date on the molecular mechanisms underlying berberine's anti-breast cancer effects but also explores its synergistic potential with various conventional anti-breast cancer drugs. Additionally, it discusses the limitations that restrict berberine's therapeutic application and examines strategies employed to enhance its efficacy. The study is aimed at bridging traditional medicinal knowledge with modern scientific advancements, fostering a deeper understanding of berberine's promise in breast cancer therapy.
