Biomaterials and Health-care related Materials

DNA double helix exploiting Watson–Crick base-pairing lays the foundation of DNA nanotechnology. However, other forms of nucleic acids (e.g., triplex, i-motif, and G-quadruplex) exhibiting noncanonical base-base interactions bring about novel functionality. Here, we review the interplay of naturally occurring noncanonical nucleic acids and artificial DNA nanostructures in biomedical applications that have not been possible by duplex formation alone.

Schematic illustrations of various bodily fluids to detect human diseases such as diabetes, gout, and Parkinson’s disease through the use of wearable electrochemical biosensors

This review introduce the structure and properties of electrospun nanofiber materials and the various strategies for assembling soft electronic devices such as sensors, transistors, and components for energy harvesting and storage.

Despite the hopeful signs of progress of COVID-19 vaccine development and vaccination, the highly infectious nature and mutations of SARS-CoV-2 are warnings of an infighting annual revival of the virus. This article clarifies the complexities of COVID-19 by referring to the molecular-level mechanisms of the infection, immune response, replication, and transmission of SARS-CoV-2, which are essential during the development of an effective vaccine or a drug to fight the pandemic. Furthermore, this article underscores the significance of an interface among chemistry, nanoscience, cell biology, immunology, and virology to resolve the challenges of COVID-19.

In this review, recent developments of carbon nanomaterial-based SERS biosensors are systematically summarized, which focus on fundamental principles for carbon-based materials for SERS biosensor design, fabrication methods and operation mechanisms, providing insight into their rapidly growing future potential in the fields of biomedical and biological engineering, in-situ analysis, quantitative analysis and flexible photoelectric functional materials.

Schematic illustration showing our overall approach, studies performed, and envisioned application. Our strategy combines biomechanical and biochemical cues from a mechanically graded biomaterial and GF biopatterning, respectively, to spatially control bone- and tendon-like differentiation. Here, experiments (i) characterized our biomaterial, (ii) investigated the interplay between biomechanical and biochemical cues in vitro, and (iii) assessed the ability of our GF-biopatterned and biphasic biomaterial to spatially control bone- and tendon-like tissue formation in vivo. The envisioned goal of this study is to develop a biomaterial for treating large-to-massive tendon injuries.

Toxin proteins can cause physical damage, biochemical degradation and signaling interruption in mammals, leading to disabilities and even death. Most of the current antitoxins are developed against specific toxins. The broad-spectrum antitoxic platforms are still rare. Here, we developed a reactive conjugated polymer, PPV-NHS, which selectively reacted with basic proteins and reduced the activity of these attached proteins. PPV-NHS showed excellent inhibition effect on neurotoxicity and hemolysis caused by α-bungarotoxin and cardiotoxin in vitro and in vivo. This work represents the rational design of functionalized conjugated polymers for anti-virulence therapy with both high efficiency and broad applicability.

We facilely prepared temperature-responsive MXene nanosheet/nanobelt fibers carrying vitamin E with a controllable release ability for wound healing, tissue engineering, and much broader applications.

Stretchable and wearable Ag-PTFE conductors were fabricated by the simple and mature co-sputtering process with variations in the DC/RF power ratio applied to the Ag and PTFE target. A stretching test was conducted 40% strain under all conditions and reversible to confirm that the hysteresis and stretchability were good for DC 5 W:RF 40 W.

We report the synthesis of L,L-diphenylalanine conjugated BF₂-oxasmaragdyrin (FF-BSC), and fabrication of monodispersed spherical self-assemblies (FF-BSC NP), using USP class 3 solvent-water mixture. FF-BSC NPs exhibited excellent photo-stability (NIR exposure), photothermal efficacy and NIR fluorescence. Further, the formulation was lyophilized to enhance the storage. In vivo studies of these nanoparticles, demonstrated nontoxicity, efficient whole-body NIRF imaging, fractional passive tumour homing, and excellent photothermal tumor ablation efficacy.

Our findings unearth the great importance of the size, core structure, and surface ligands in dictating the antibacterial activity of silver nanoclusters (AgNCs). Owing to the presence of amphiphilic ligands, AgNCs are more prone to adsorb the membrane and following endocytosis towards targeted bacterial cells, associated with membrane damage, as reflected by reinforced release of malondialdehyde (MDA). AgNCs bear strong peroxidase-like activity, coupled to massive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Altogether, these outstanding features of AgNCs resultantly elevated the bacteria-killing efficacy through impairing cell wall/membrane, promoting oxidative stress and attenuating pivotal cellular processes, e.g., ATP synthesis.

Speed-programmed melt electrospinning writing (sMEW) is used to create a hierarchically ordered biomimetic scaffold with long-range patterned and short-range porous architectures for cell growth in patterns with tunable cell density.

A molecular imaging-based strategy was proposed for precise diagnosing the depression through specifically visualizing the inflammation status associated with depressed brain. The inflammation-targeting MRI nanoprobe that can specifically target the inflamed vascular endothelial cells was constructed through attaching the ICAM-1 targeting peptides on biocompatible Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle. Through nanoprobe-based SWI, the spatial distribution of inflammation in depressed brain can be mapped in vivo. This strategy not only facilitate insight into the biological mechanism underlying depression, but also provide a target within the depressed brain for the further development of anti-inflammatory therapies.

The lymphatic system is essential for maintaining homeostasis of our body. Understanding the impact of environmental factors on the lymphatic system and regulating its condition are therefore crucial. We developed a microfluidic device culturing functional skin barrier and lymphatic vessel monolayer. A deep-learning algorithm was employed to validate the pro-lymphangiogenic character of a natural substance Lymphanax™, an extract of Panax Ginseng root. We foresee this platform functioning as a valuable research tool for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, replacing the need for animal models.