The Shigella species cause millions of cases of watery or bloody diarrhea each year in developing countries, with children under the age of five years most vulnerable to infection. Emerging strains of multidrug resistant Shigella emphasize the need for a comprehensive and cost-efficient vaccine; however, an effective vaccine has yet to be produced despite years of research. Several studies have demonstrated that Shigella utilizes host physiology, specifically bile salts as signals for invasion and virulence gene expression. This study aimed to build upon previous research analyzing the bile salts transcriptional profile of Shigella flexneri 2457T, in which an induction of the uncharacterized gene was demonstrated during bile salts exposure. Here, a mutant and wild-type 2457T strains were used in infection of HT-29 colonic epithelial cells to compare invasion ability and intracellular replication. The Congo red (CR) secretion assay was also used as a measure of virulence protein secretion from the type-III secretion system (T3SS), while interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion from infected HT-29 cells was measured as a marker for the epithelial cell response to infection. Infection analyses included subculturing the strains in media with 0.4% bile salts to mimic small intestine physiology and gastrointestinal transit of S. flexneri prior to infection. The mutant strain displayed both increased invasion of and intracellular replication in HT-29 cells compared to 2457T. The presence of bile salts enhanced both invasion and intracellular replication in both strains when compared to wild-type without bile salts exposure during subculture. The CR assays revealed increased protein secretion from the mutant compared to 2457T, and that bile salts increased T3 secretion in both strains. Increased IL-8 secretion from infected HT-29 cells was detected when both strains were subcultured in bile salts; however, a decrease in IL-8 secretion was observed following infection with the mutant subcultured without bile salts. Overall, the data suggest that this bile salt-induced gene encodes a negative regulator of virulence, and that the gene product likely prevents a hypervirulence phenotype that would compromise the ability of S. flexneri to control infection and regulate the host immune response. This work has provided insights into the function of this uncharacterized gene, which could serve as a novel target for future therapeutic development. / 2027-06-30T00:00:00Z

Chapter 1. Introduction This chapter is an overview on the literature of self-association of small organic molecules. The chapter is presented in four parts. First, an introduction to aggregation of small molecules is given with the emphasis on micelles and gels(Parts 1 and 2) In part 3, a short overview is given on bile acid based aggregates and their applications. Lastly, the content of the thesis is outlined. Chapter 2. Solution properties of novel cationic bil salts: A structure-aggregation property study Scheme 1: Structures of Cationic bile salts(Refer PDF File) Bile Salts are biosurfactants and they are known to form micelles in aqueous medium. We studied the micellar properties of cationic bile salts(Scheme 1) and compared with their natural (anionic) counterparts. A serendipitous discovery of the gelation of a cationic bile salt(4) led us to investigate the aggregation properties of this new class of cationic hydrogelators. This chapter highlights the recent efforts on the study of side chain structure-aggregation property relationship of cationic bile salts. Bile acid analogues with a quaternary ammonium group(Scheme 1, compounds 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 12) on the side chain were found to efficiently gel aqueous salt solutions. Some of the cationic bile salts gelled water alone and many of them gelled aqueous salt solutions even in the presence of organic co-solvents(≤ 20%) such as ethanol, methanol, DMSO and DMF. A strong counter ion dependent gelation was observed. These gels showed interconnected fibrous networks. Unlike natural anionic bile salt gels(reported for NaDC, NaLC), the cationicgels reported here are pH independent. Cationic gels derived from DCA showed more solid-like rheological response compared to natural NaDC gels studied earlier by Tato et al. A strong structure(side-chain) andcounter-ion dependent flow of the cationic bile salt gels was seen. Chapter 3. Applications of cationic bile salts and their aggregates Cationic bile salts are useful in many ways. We have studied some of the applications of cationic bile salts(discussed in chapter 2) and their aggregates in this chapter. The chapter is presented in three parts. Part 1. Interaction of Cationic bile salts and DNA The bile acid amphiphilicity is believed to help the DNA binding process of polyamines. This has prompted us to study the DNA-bile salt binding interaction of bile salts. The binding of cationic bile salts has been expressed in terms of C50 values, which were determined from the plot of fluorescence of ethidium bromide bound DNA vs. bile salt concentration(Fig 1) The C50 values for cationic bile salts were estimated to be about 1.2 mM. Fig1: A plot of fluorescene of ethidium bromide bound DNA against bile salt concentration (Refer PDF File) Part 2. Cholesterol solubilization and crystallization studies in aqueous bile salt solutions. Dihydroxy bile salt micelles are well known for cholesterol dissolution(e.g. UDCA and CDCA). We studied the dissolution of cholesterol in the cationic bile salt micelles(of 21-25) and the results are discussed in this part. Scheme 2: Cationic bile salt chlorides studied for cholesterol dissolution (Refer PDF File) A powder dissolution method was used to study the solubility of anhydrous cholesterol in cationic bile salt solution. These cationic bile salt micelles can dissolve cholesterol to the same extent as the taurine conjugates of bile acids, but lesser than the natural anionic bile salts(Fig.2) Addition of PC(Phosphatidylcholine) to cationic bile salt micelles enhanced the micellar cholesterol solubilization. Fig 2:Cholesterol dissolution in cationic bile salt solutions(Refer PDF File) The crystal nucleation time of cholesterol did not change significantly by adding 5-30 mM of the cationic bile salts. The bile salt analogues did, however, attenuate cholesterol crystallization to a similar extent at all concentrations studied. All these effects wer comparable to those fo cholic acid. Part 3. Hydrogels as a reaction vessel for photodimerization Bile salt micelles have been shown to control the product selectivity in photochemical reactions. The dynamic nature of the bile salt micelles results in differential effects on reaction selectivity. The photodimerization of acenaphthylene(sheme 3) was studied in micellar and hydrogel medium(e.g. NaDC, 22, 28, etc.) The ratio of anti- to synphotodimer was found to be greater in gel bound state than in solution. Substitution on the CAN ring did not show larger variation on the product distribution from solution gel. Scheme 3: Photodimerization of acenaphthylene(Refer PDF File) Chapter 4. Bile acid derived sulfur analogues in designing novel materials. Part 1. A simple approach towards nanoparticle-gel hybrid material. Scheme 4: Scheme for the synthesis of thiols derived from bile acids (Refer PDF File) Our interest in bile acid based gelator molecules led us to explore the synthesis and properties of bile analogues with the side chain carboxylic acid replaced by a thiol(Scheme 4) to stabilize metal NPs. We reasoned that the specific self-aggregation modes of facially amphiphilic bile units would enable a metal NP capped by such a thiol to “lock” onto a gel fiber derived from a structurally related gelator molecule. AuNPs stabilized by 38-40 were obtained by the NaBH4 reduction of homogeneous methanolic solutions of the thiol and gold salt. These steroid capped nanoparticles were found to stay dispersed in a gel of 28, thus providing a simple approach to obtain gel-nanoparticle hybrid. A photograph of the hybrid material and their morphology are shown in Fig 3.(Refer PDF File) Chart 1: Structure of the gelator used for designing a hybrid material(Refer PDF File) Part 2. Gelation of aromatic solvents using sulfur analogues of bile acid A few of the sulfur derivatives were serendipitously fouond to gel organic solvents (Fig 4). Thiol 38 formed stable gels at room temperatures while the disulphide 36 formed stable gels below 5º C. The aggregation properties, morphology, and the melting profiles of gels of disulfides and thiols derived from bile acids have been highlighted in this part. Fig 4: A photograph of the gels derived from 38(Refer PDF File) (For Figures and Molecular Formula Pl refer the Original Thesis)

I lattobacilli probiotici devono sopravvivere al passaggio attraverso il tratto intestinale, che significa principalmente al pH acido nello stomaco e alla concentrazione di bile nell'intestino tenue. Questi tratti richiedono un adattamento specifico, suggerendo che gli isolati intestinali hanno più probabilità di sopravvivere dopo l'ingestione. L. helveticus CNBL 1254, un ceppo isolato dall'ambiente lattiero-caseario, mostra - in vitro - una gamma completa di fenotipi correlati all'adattamento intestinale: è, infatti, in grado di sopravvivere al transito gastrointestinale chimicamente simulato e ai sali biliari, anche se il suo gene bsh ha una delezione che lo rende non funzionale. L'analisi di RNA-Seq condotta in presenza dello 0,1% di sali biliari evidenzia una sovraespressione della proteina precursore del S-layer e del aggregation promoting factor. Inoltre, nelle proteine selezionate dall'analisi VIP della statistica multivariata OPLS-DA condotta per i dati proteomici, abbiamo riscontrato un aumento globale delle proteine ribosomiali e del S-layer con un VIP-score di 1,33 e un fold change di 2,41 che suggerisce la presenza, in questo ceppo di L. helveticus, di un meccanismo di resistenza non ancora descritto per l'ambiente intestinale. / Probiotic lactobacilli have to survive to the passage through the intestinal tract, mainly acid pH in the stomach and bile concentration in the small intestine. These traits require a specific niche adaptation, suggesting that intestinal isolates are most likely to survive after ingestion. However L. helveticus CNBL 1254, a strain isolated from dairy environment, shows in vitro a full range of phenotypes related to gut adaptation. It is able to survival to the chemically simulated gastrointestinal transit and to bile salts, even if its bsh gene has a deletion that make it non-functional. RNA-Seq analysis conducted in the presence of 0.1% of bile salts highlights an over expression of S-layer protein precursor and aggregation promoting factor. Furthermore in the proteins selected by VIP analysis of OPLS-DA multivariate statistic conducted for proteomic data ,we have found global increase in the ribosomal proteins and a S-layer protein with a VIP-score of 1.33 and a fold change of 2.41 suggesting the presence in this strain of L. helveticus of a not yet described mechanism of resistance to the gut environment.

No description available.

Elevated levels of lipids and LDL-cholesterol in the blood are significant risk factors associated with developing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). A potential strategy to combat these risk factors is decreasing lipid absorption by modulating the digestibility of lipids in the human intestinal tract. Since bile salts (BS) play key roles during this process, lipid digestion could be controlled ultimately by limiting the access of BS to the lipid surface. Cellulose ethers (CEs), surface-active dietary fibers and common food additives, might be promising ingredients to control lipid digestion either by creating surface layers around lipid droplets that hinder adsorption of BS, or by sequestering BS in the aqueous phase. However, the precise mechanisms behind these interactions remain unclear. Surface analysis techniques were used to better understand the mechanisms by which CEs with diverse molecular structure and charge (commercial and novel hydroxypropyl-cellulose (HPC)) interact with BS at the solid surface and in the aqueous phase. The potential of CE-stabilized emulsions to influence lipid digestion was also investigated in vitro. Both CEs show potential in modulating lipid digestion; the potential of the commercial HPC to interfere with lipid digestion may be more related to its ability to sequester BS in solution and form mixed HPC-BS complexes that are not easily removed from the surface, whereas the novel HPC seems more effective at creating strong surface layers that resist displacement by BS. These findings can be exploited in developing strategies to design novel food matrices with improved functional properties to optimize lipid digestion and absorption. / MSLFS / Diseases of the heart and circulation are the number one cause of death in the United States (US) and it is predicted that at least 45% of the US population (131.2 million) will have some form of these diseases by 2035. Consumption of reduced-fat foods is one strategy to combat CVDs, but fats contribute to various sensory and nutritional properties of foods. Another strategy is to develop foods that incorporate dietary fibers which could interfere with the digestion of fat. However, the mechanism behind the ability of dietary fiber to interfere with fat digestion remains unclear and depends on the fiber type. One of our objectives was to look at the main interactions between a type of dietary fiber, cellulose derivatives (which are ingredients used in the food industry), and two types of bile salts, (BSs) which are important intestinal components present during fat digestion, at a surface representing a fat droplet and in the aqueous phase. Another objective was to look at the digestibility of cellulose derivative systems, compared to another food ingredient (Tween 20). We found that the different BSs played different roles at the surface and interacted differently with the cellulose derivatives. We also found that both cellulose derivatives showed potential in interfering with lipid digestion. This allows a better understanding of how cellulose derivative systems are affected by digestion and could allow us to design new foods with natural products from plants to improve wellness in the US.

La maladie de Crohn (MC) est une affection inflammatoire chronique du tube digestif dont l’étiologie est multifactorielle. Les lésions intestinales des patients atteints de MC sont anormalement colonisées par des souches pathogènes d’Escherichia coli appartenant au pathovar AIEC pour «Adherent-Invasive Escherichia coli ». Ces souches sont capables d’adhérer et d’envahir les cellules épithéliales intestinales, et ont la capacité de survivre et de se multiplier en macrophages en induisant une synthèse intense de cytokines pro-inflammatoires. Les AIEC pourraient ainsi être impliquées dans l’induction et/ou l’entretien de l’état inflammatoire de la muqueuse intestinale.L’objectif de ce travail est d’identifier les déterminants bactériens des AIEC qui vont intervenir dans les étapes précoces de l’implantation des AIEC au niveau intestinal et de définir quel est le rôle des facteurs micro-environnementaux de l’hôte dans cette implantation.Nous montrons que l’AIEC LF82 possède une activité mucinolytique qui est portée par le gène vat-AIEC et qui favorise la traversée du mucus et la colonisation intestinale. Nous avons retrouvé ce gène chez 42% des souches AIEC isolées de patients atteints de MC, et chez 97% des souches AIEC appartenant au phylogroupe B2. Par ailleurs, nous avons montré que les sels biliaires augmentent l’expression de cette mucinase.Nous avons ensuite étudié l’influence des sels biliaires sur l’expression globale des gènes de la souche LF82. Les sels biliaires modifient profondément le métabolisme de la souche, induisant une diminution globale des voies de biosynthèse (protéines, lipides) et une augmentation des voies de dégradation (alcools, acides carboxyliques, polyamines, …). L’étude du catabolisme de l’éthanolamine et du propanediol indique que les AIEC pourraient se servir de ces substrats pour s’implanter au sein de la flore iléale. De plus, les analyses transcriptomiques révèlent que les sels biliaires augmentent l’expression de gènes codant des facteurs de virulence comme l’invasine IbeA, les systèmes de sécrétion de type VI et la yersiniabactine. Nous montrons également qu’ils favorisent la formation de biofilm chez les souches AIEC.Ces données indiquent que les sels biliaires constituent un signal permettant à la souche AIEC LF82 de mettre en place différentes voies métaboliques et déterminants bactériens nécessaires à son implantation au niveau intestinal.Mots-clé : Escherichia coli, maladie de Crohn, mucines, serine protéase, mucinase, AIEC, / The etiology of Crohn's disease (CD) involves disorders in host genetic factors and intestinal microbiota. Ileal mucosa of CD patients is often abnormally colonized by adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC). These strains isolated from the intestinal mucosa of CD patients are able to adhere to intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). This adhesion to IECs promotes the invasion of cells by the bacteria. Furthermore, the invasive ability of AIEC strains allows bacteria to translocate across the human intestinal epithelium, move into the deep tissues and activate immune cells continuously upon arrival. Thus AIEC could be involved in the inflammatory state of the intestinal mucous membrane. The aim of this study was to identify components of AIEC virulence, which might favor their implantation in the gut of CD patients and to define the role of several chemical factors from the ileal environment. Here, we reported a protease called Vat-AIEC from AIEC which favors the penetration of AIEC through the mucus layer and enhances gut colonization. The screening of E. coli strains isolated from CD patients revealed a preferential vat-AIEC association with AIEC strains belonging to the B2 phylogroup. Besides, Vat-AIEC transcription was increased with bile salts from the ileum environment. Then a global RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of E. coli LF82 has been used to observe the impact of bile salts on the expression of bacterial genes. The results demonstrate the explosive effect of bile salts with a dysregulation of about 40% of the genome, with a global upregulation of genes involved in degradation and downregulation of those implicated in several biosynthesis. Our results show that LF82 use ethanolamine as a nitrogen source and propane diol as a carbon source, which can favor their colonization in the gut compared to the other bacteria. We also studied virulence genes expression in the presence of bile salts. They increase the expression of several virulence factors like the IbeA invasion, the type 6 secretion systems and the yersiniabactin. Furthermore, we noticed an increased expression of genes implicated in biofilm formation. These results improve the understanding of the global regulatory network in the presence of bile salts and thus of AIEC implantation in the human gut of CD patients.

Sulfur amino acids have critical function as intracellular redox buffers and maintain homeostasis in the external milieu by combating oxidative stress. Synthesis of glutathione (GSH) is regulated at a substrate level by cysteine, which is synthesized by homocysteine via the transsulfuration pathway. Oxidative stress and diminished glutathione pools play a sustained role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. One of the aims of this study was to experimentally address the temporal relationship between plasma sulfur amino acid levels in patients suffering from acute pancreatitis. The data indicated low concentration of cysteine initially, at levels similar to those of healthy controls. Glutathione was found reduced whilst cysteinyl-glycine and γ- glutamyl transpeptidase activity were increased in both mild and severe attacks. As the disease progressed, glutathione and cysteinyl-glycine were further increased in mild attacks and cysteine levels correlated with homocysteine and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase activity. The progress of severe attacks was associated with glutathione depletion, reduced γ-glutamyl transpeptidase activity and increased cysteinyl-glycine, that correlated with glutathione depletion. The corollary that ample supply of cysteine and cysteinly-glycine does not contribute towards glutathione synthesis in acute pancreatitis poses an important issue that merits resolution. Heightened oxidative stress and depletion of glutathione rationalized the progression of disease in severe attacks. An upsurge that reactive oxygen species can shift redox state of cells is determined by the ratio of the abundant redox couples reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH: GSSG) in cell. The study reported a novel methodology for quantification of total oxidized glutathione (tGSSG) and total glutathione (tGSH) in whole blood using reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. The novelty of the method is ascertained by the use of a mercaptan scavenger 1, methyl-2-vinyl-pyridinium trifluromethanesulfonate for the total oxidized glutathione determination. The results reported permit quantitation of tGSSG and tGSH and was applied to a control group. Finally, the study was also focussed in developing a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric method to evaluate free and conjugated bile acids in patients suffering from various degrees of cholestatic-hepatobiliary disorders. The study reported low levels of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and slightly high levels of lithocholic acid (LCA). All the primary bile acids seem to be conjugated with glycine and taurine amino acid.

Sulfur amino acids have critical function as intracellular redox buffers and maintain homeostasis in the external milieu by combating oxidative stress. Synthesis of glutathione (GSH) is regulated at a substrate level by cysteine, which is synthesized by homocysteine via the transsulfuration pathway. Oxidative stress and diminished glutathione pools play a sustained role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. One of the aims of this study was to experimentally address the temporal relationship between plasma sulfur amino acid levels in patients suffering from acute pancreatitis. The data indicated low concentration of cysteine initially, at levels similar to those of healthy controls. Glutathione was found reduced whilst cysteinyl-glycine and ¿- glutamyl transpeptidase activity were increased in both mild and severe attacks. As the disease progressed, glutathione and cysteinyl-glycine were further increased in mild attacks and cysteine levels correlated with homocysteine and ¿-glutamyl transpeptidase activity. The progress of severe attacks was associated with glutathione depletion, reduced ¿-glutamyl transpeptidase activity and increased cysteinyl-glycine, that correlated with glutathione depletion. The corollary that ample supply of cysteine and cysteinly-glycine does not contribute towards glutathione synthesis in acute pancreatitis poses an important issue that merits resolution. Heightened oxidative stress and depletion of glutathione rationalized the progression of disease in severe attacks. An upsurge that reactive oxygen species can shift redox state of cells is determined by the ratio of the abundant redox couples reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH: GSSG) in cell. The study reported a novel methodology for quantification of total oxidized glutathione (tGSSG) and total glutathione (tGSH) in whole blood using reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. The novelty of the method is ascertained by the use of a mercaptan scavenger 1, methyl-2-vinyl-pyridinium trifluromethanesulfonate for the total oxidized glutathione determination. The results reported permit quantitation of tGSSG and tGSH and was applied to a control group. Finally, the study was also focussed in developing a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric method to evaluate free and conjugated bile acids in patients suffering from various degrees of cholestatic-hepatobiliary disorders. The study reported low levels of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and slightly high levels of lithocholic acid (LCA). All the primary bile acids seem to be conjugated with glycine and taurine amino acid.

Chapter 1. An Overview of Bile Acid Science This chapter deals with an overview of bile acid science (cholanology) compiling elevant literature review, covering bile acid chemistry, biosynthesis, bile salt evolution, physiology and medicinal values. Figure 1. (a) Digestive system; (b) enterohepatic circulation and (c) cholic acid Bile acids are the end products of cholesterol metabolism, secreted in the liver and stored in the gall bladder (Figure 1). They are normally conjugated with glycine (75%) or taurine (25%). Because of their facially amphiphilic nature, bile salts tend to form micellar aggregates in aqueous solution. They have remarkable ability to transform lamellar array of lipids into mixed micelles. All primary bile acids seem to have three features in common: (1) They are major products of cholesterol metabolism; (ii) they are secreted into the bile largely in a conjugated form and (iii) the conjugates are membrane impermeable, water soluble, amphiphilic molecules. Recent advances in molecular biology have greatly accelerated the knowledge relating to the significance of bile salts in a number of physiological functions. The new role of bile salts as pheromones and ligands for nuclear hormone receptors has been discussed. Chapter 2. Pythocholic Acid: A Major Constituent of Python’s Bile and 16α-Hydroxycholic Acid: A Minor Constituent of Avian’s Bile The first chemical synthesis of pythocholic acid (major constituent of python’s bile) and 16α-Hydroxycholic acid (a minor constituent of avian’s bile) were accomplished starting from cholic acid with overall yields of 5.0% and 5.5%, respectively. A biomimetic remote functionalization strategy was utilized as a key step to achieve the selective chlorination at C-17. Dehydrochlorination of 17-chlorosteroid resulted in the Δ16 olefin. Hydroboration-oxidation of the Δ16 olefin followed by the selective oxidation of the pentol under TEMPO mediated oxidation resulted in an ε-lactone. Hydrolysis of the lactone using 5% KOH in MeOH furnished the 16α-Hydroxycholic acid. On the other hand, selective oxidation of 7-OH of the lactone was achieved using N-bromosuccinimide in acetone/H2O to yield the 7-keto lactone. The ketolactone when subjected to the Huang-Minlon modification of the Wolf-Kishner reduction furnished pythocholic acid. Pythocholic acid showed unusual aggregation behavior and high cholesterol solubilization ability, compared to other trihydroxy bile acids. Chapter 3. 16-Epi-pythocholic acid: An Unnatural Analogue of Pythocholic Acid The synthesis of 16-epi-pythocholic acid, an unnatural analogue of pythocholic acid, was accomplished starting from cholic acid. Cholic acid was converted to Δ8-14) olefin using ZnCl2 in refluxing acetone. Methylation followed by isomerization in CHCl3 by passing dry. HCl at -78 oC resulted in the Δ14 olefin. Allylic oxidation using Na2Cr2O7.2H2O in the presence of N-hydroxysuccinimide in acetone furnished the enone. Selective reduction of the olefin using Pd/C-H2 resulted in 16-Epi-pythocholic acid the 16-keto steroid. NaBH4 reduction of this ketone in MeOH/THF (2:1 v/v) followed by hydrolysis produced the 16-OH bile acid. Analysis of spectral data confirmed that it is a 16β-epimer of pythocholic acid (3α,12α,16β-trihydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid). Critical micellar concentration and cholesterol solubilization properties were studied. Chapter 4. Low Molecular Mass Organogelators Derived from Simple Esters of Cholic Acid This chapter begins with an introduction to low molecular mass organogelators and highlights their applications. Serendipitous gelation of a number of organic solvents by allyl cholate and the design of related simple esters of cholic acid are discussed. A series of simple and easily accessible esters of bile acids were prepared. Ethyl cholate and propyl cholate were found to immobilize a variety of organic solvents like benzene, toluene, xylene, mesitylene, 1,2-dichlorbenzene (DCB) and chlorobenzene (Figure 2). The morphology of the xerogels was well characterized using SEM, AFM and polarizing optical microscopy (POM) techniques, Which revealed the presence of highly entangled self-assembled 3D-fibrillar network (SAFINs). The fiber diameter was found to vary between 300-500 nm. Direct imaging of the collapse of this fibrillar network and direct observation of the evolution of nanofibers was achieved for the first time using variable temperature POM techniques. FT-IR studies, X-ray powder diffraction and variable temperature POM studies revealed the resemblance of SAFINs to the bulk solid. Formation of helical fibrillar network was observed in SEM images and the existence of chiral aggregates was confirmed by induced circular dichroism experiment using achiral Reichardt’s dye as the chromophore. Chapter 5. Ambidextrous Gelators Derived from Spacer Linked Bile Acid Derivatives Based on our observation of simple esters of cholic acid as organogelators a rational design of a series of spacer linked dimers and tripodal derivatives were carried out. Some of these molecules formed highly transparent gels in solvents like haloarenes, anisole, xylene and dibromoalkanes. These molecules also showed rapid gelation in DMF/H2O and DMSO/H2O mixtures in varying proportions of water and the co-solvent. These types of gelators are known as ambidextrous gelators. The xerogels were characterized using SEM, TEM and POM techniques and the presence of highly entangled 3D-fibrillar network (Figure 3) was observed. XRPD showed crystalline nature of bulk solid, whereas the xerogels were shown to lose their crystalline nature. (For figures and structural formula pl see the pdf file.)