Texaphyrin
Encyclopedia
Texaphyrin is a sub-class of heterocyclic macrocycle
molecule
s known as porphyrin
s. The molecule was invented by University of Texas at Austin
professor Jonathan Sessler
. The name texaphryin arose because some of the molecules have a shape that can superimpose onto the points of the star featured on the state flag of Texas. Texaphyrins were nominated as the "State Molecule of Texas", but the buckyball was chosen instead.
Sessler has described possible medicinal uses of these compounds in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
and other scientific journals. Pharmacyclics, Inc., a publicly-traded company begun by Sessler, licensed the technology behind texaphyrins from the university in order to develop commercial and medical uses for the molecules. One is being developed under the name Antrin. Two predicted applications will be in neoplastic and cardiovascular disease.
Macrocycle
A macrocycle is, as defined by IUPAC, "a cyclic macromolecule or a macromolecular cyclic portion of a molecule." In the chemical literature, organic chemists may consider any molecule containing a ring of nine or more atoms to be a macrocycle...
molecule
Molecule
A molecule is an electrically neutral group of at least two atoms held together by covalent chemical bonds. Molecules are distinguished from ions by their electrical charge...
s known as porphyrin
Porphyrin
Porphyrins are a group of organic compounds, many naturally occurring. One of the best-known porphyrins is heme, the pigment in red blood cells; heme is a cofactor of the protein hemoglobin. Porphyrins are heterocyclic macrocycles composed of four modified pyrrole subunits interconnected at...
s. The molecule was invented by University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
professor Jonathan Sessler
Jonathan Sessler
Jonathan Sessler is a professor of chemistry at The University of Texas at Austin. He is notable for his pioneering work on expanded porphyrins and their applications to biology and medicine...
. The name texaphryin arose because some of the molecules have a shape that can superimpose onto the points of the star featured on the state flag of Texas. Texaphyrins were nominated as the "State Molecule of Texas", but the buckyball was chosen instead.
Sessler has described possible medicinal uses of these compounds in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, usually referred to as PNAS, is the official journal of the United States National Academy of Sciences...
and other scientific journals. Pharmacyclics, Inc., a publicly-traded company begun by Sessler, licensed the technology behind texaphyrins from the university in order to develop commercial and medical uses for the molecules. One is being developed under the name Antrin. Two predicted applications will be in neoplastic and cardiovascular disease.
External links
- Dr. Sessler's Lab home page at the University of Texas