Provided are astexin-1, astexin-2 and astexin-3 lasso peptides, which are based on sequences identified in Asticaccaulis excentricus, and methods of making and using same.

Astexin-1 is highly polar, in contrast to many lasso peptides that are primarily hydrophobic, and has modest antimicrobial activity against Caulobacter crescentus, a bacterium related to Asticaccaulis excentricus. The solution structure of astexin-1 was determined, revealing a unique topology that is stabilized by hydrogen bonding between segments of the peptide. Astexins-2 and -3 are intracellular lasso peptides.

Provided are astexin-1, astexin-2 and astexin-3 lasso peptides, which are based on sequences identified in Asticaccaulis excentricus, and methods of making and using same.

Astexin-1 is highly polar, in contrast to many lasso peptides that are primarily hydrophobic, and has modest antimicrobial activity against Caulobacter crescentus, a bacterium related to Asticaccaulis excentricus. The solution structure of astexin-1 was determined, revealing a unique topology that is stabilized by hydrogen bonding between segments of the peptide. Astexins-2 and -3 are intracellular lasso peptides.

Disclosed is a method for stabilizing metallic mercury in the form of mercury sulfide. The method includes the following steps: a) dispersing metallic mercury in a polysulfide aqueous solution so as to convert the metallic mercury into mercury sulfide; and b) separating the mercury sulfide.

Disclosed is a method for stabilizing metallic mercury in the form of mercury sulfide. The method includes the following steps: a) dispersing metallic mercury in a polysulfide aqueous solution so as to convert the metallic mercury into mercury sulfide; and b) separating the mercury sulfide.

A process for immobilizing a mercury-containing waste, which comprises: —stabilizing the mercury of the waste by precipitating the mercury as mercury (II) sulfide; then —encapsulating the waste by cementation, the cementation comprising coating the waste in a cement paste obtained by mixing a composition comprising a powder of at least one binder chosen from hydraulic cements, alkali-activated cements and acid-activated cements, with an aqueous mixing solution, then hardening the cement paste; and which is characterized in that the precipitation of the mercury as mercury (II) sulfide is obtained by reacting the mercury with a thiosulfate in a basic aqueous medium, while stirring and in the presence of a sulfide of an alkali metal, the molar ratio of the thiosulfate to the mercury being at least equal to 1.

A process for immobilizing a mercury-containing waste, which comprises: —stabilizing the mercury of the waste by precipitating the mercury as mercury (II) sulfide; then —encapsulating the waste by cementation, the cementation comprising coating the waste in a cement paste obtained by mixing a composition comprising a powder of at least one binder chosen from hydraulic cements, alkali-activated cements and acid-activated cements, with an aqueous mixing solution, then hardening the cement paste; and which is characterized in that the precipitation of the mercury as mercury (II) sulfide is obtained by reacting the mercury with a thiosulfate in a basic aqueous medium, while stirring and in the presence of a sulfide of an alkali metal, the molar ratio of the thiosulfate to the mercury being at least equal to 1.

Provided are composite materials that include a polymeric material and one or more metal organic frameworks intermixed with the polymeric material. A polymeric material may be a block copolymer that is optionally polymerized prior to combination with the metal organic framework. The composite materials are useful for many applications including as sorbents for removal of a chemical, optionally a toxic chemical, from a surface where the surface is contracted with the composite material which reacts with or adsorbs the chemical and is then removed to remove the chemical from the surface.

Provided are composite materials that include a polymeric material and one or more metal organic frameworks intermixed with the polymeric material. A polymeric material may be a block copolymer that is optionally polymerized prior to combination with the metal organic framework. The composite materials are useful for many applications including as sorbents for removal of a chemical, optionally a toxic chemical, from a surface where the surface is contracted with the composite material which reacts with or adsorbs the chemical and is then removed to remove the chemical from the surface.

Provided are astexin-1, astexin-2 and astexin-3 lasso peptides, which are based on sequences identified in Asticcacaulis excentricus, and methods of making and using same. Astexin-1 is highly polar, in contrast to many lasso peptides that are primarily hydrophobic, and has modest antimicrobial activity against Caulobacter crescentus, a bacterium related to Asticcacaulis excentricus. The solution structure of astexin-1 was determined, revealing a unique topology that is stabilized by hydrogen bonding between segments of the peptide. Astexins-2 and -3 are intracellular lasso peptides.

Provided are astexin-1, astexin-2 and astexin-3 lasso peptides, which are based on sequences identified in Asticcacaulis excentricus, and methods of making and using same. Astexin-1 is highly polar, in contrast to many lasso peptides that are primarily hydrophobic, and has modest antimicrobial activity against Caulobacter crescentus, a bacterium related to Asticcacaulis excentricus. The solution structure of astexin-1 was determined, revealing a unique topology that is stabilized by hydrogen bonding between segments of the peptide. Astexins-2 and -3 are intracellular lasso peptides.