Biomaterials articles within Nature Communications

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  • Article
    | Open Access

    Calcium carbonate biomineralisation has long been linked to acidic macromolecules. Here, the authors challenge this view and show that a huge number of gold nanoparticles coated with hydroxyl-rich proteins can be incorporated into a calcium carbonate crystal while maintaining single crystal character.

    • Yi-Yeoun Kim
    • , Robert Darkins
    •  & Fiona C. Meldrum

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Organoid cultures have been developed from multiple tissues, opening new possibilities for regenerative medicine. Here the authors demonstrate the derivation of GMP-compliant hydrogels from decellularized porcine small intestine which support formation and growth of human gastric, liver, pancreatic and small intestinal organoids.

    • Giovanni Giuseppe Giobbe
    • , Claire Crowley
    •  & Paolo De Coppi

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Artificial nanopores can perform selective gating of molecules analogous to transmembrane proteins. Here, the authors design a DNA origami pore with a controllable lid for size-selective gating and translocation of macromolecules and evaluate its biosensing properties by single particle assay.

    • Rasmus P. Thomsen
    • , Mette Galsgaard Malle
    •  & Jørgen Kjems

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Biology has often served as the inspiration for the design of body armor; one common limitation is the flexibility of the resultant armor. Here, the authors examine the armour of chiton and use the observed design principles to 3D print flexible armor.

    • Matthew Connors
    • , Ting Yang
    •  & Ling Li

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Nanotechnology can bring significant advancements to hemostatic patches. Here, the authors design a superhydrophobic hemostatic surface with immobilized carbon nanofibers that can stop bleeding instantaneously upon application, seal the wound subsequently by promoting quick fibrin formation, and facilitate unforced and facile patch removal without tearing the wound.

    • Zhe Li
    • , Athanasios Milionis
    •  & Choon Hwai Yap

  • Article
    | Open Access

    DNA composite materials have potential for biomedical sciences; however, control over the materials can be an issue. Here, the authors report on a carbon-nanotube reinforced DNA-silica gel with controllable mechanical properties to steer the attachment, proliferation, migration and release of cells.

    • Yong Hu
    • , Carmen M. Domínguez
    •  & Christof M. Niemeyer

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Polymer brushes are often used to functionalise surfaces. Here, the authors report on the creation of high-density, regenerating hyaluronan brushes using hyaluronan synthase enzymes which can be patterned by photo-deactivation and demonstrate biocompatibility and resistance to biofilm formation.

    • Wenbin Wei
    • , Jessica L. Faubel
    •  & Jennifer E. Curtis

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Adhesives are ubiquitous in commodity products, however it it essential that their synthesis and degradation be sustainable without compromising their performance. Here, the authors report a library of adhesives based on environmentally benign building blocks that perform in both dry and wet environments.

    • Anjeza Beharaj
    • , Ethan Z. McCaslin
    •  & Mark W. Grinstaff

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of intrinsically disordered proteins plays an important part in the formation of extracellular biological materials. Here, the authors show that repeats of the peptide motif GHGLY are necessary for the LLPS of pH-responsive histidine-rich squid beak proteins.

    • Bartosz Gabryelczyk
    • , Hao Cai
    •  & Ali Miserez

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The efficacy of tumour starvation therapy is limited by lack of persistent tumour suppression, tumour metastasis and recurrence. Here, the authors report biocompatible gold nanorods and thermal-sensitive hydrogel to promote narrowing of blood vessels and show this to reduce tumour growth and metastasis.

    • Kun Zhang
    • , Yan Fang
    •  & Huixiong Xu

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Cellular overgrowth and fibrosis in the foreign body response can compromise the function of transplanted cells. Here, the authors report on the zwitterionically modified alginates for the encapsulation of cells to reduce cellular overgrowth and demonstrate application in mice, dogs and pigs.

    • Qingsheng Liu
    • , Alan Chiu
    •  & Minglin Ma

  • Article
    | Open Access

    There is a need to further improve the efficacy of biodegradable wafers used in surgically treated brain tumors. Here, the authors report a flexible, biodegradable wireless device capable of adhesion to surgical site for optimal drug delivery upon mild-thermic actuation and report therapeutic efficacy in mouse and canine tumor models.

    • Jongha Lee
    • , Hye Rim Cho
    •  & Dae-Hyeong Kim

  • Article
    | Open Access

    For packaging enzymes into metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), crystalline MOFs are usually used. Here, the authors encapsulated enzymes in amorphous MOFs a via one-pot co-precipitation process under ambient condition, which led to higher enzymatic activity than in a corresponding crystalline MOF composite.

    • Xiaoling Wu
    • , Hua Yue
    •  & Jun Ge

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The build-up of iron in the body can have serious consequences; current treatment therapies suffer from adverse side effects and toxicity. Here, the authors developed renal clearable nanochelators with improved pharmacodynamics and demonstrated their efficacy and safety in iron overload animal models.

    • Homan Kang
    • , Murui Han
    •  & Jonghan Kim

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Active translocation of DNA through nanopores usually needs enzyme assistance. Here authors present a nanopore derived from helicase E1 of bovine papillomavirus (BPV) which acts as a conductive pore embedded in lipid membrane to allow the translocation of ssDNA and unwinding of dsDNA.

    • Ke Sun
    • , Changjian Zhao
    •  & Jia Geng

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Most reagents designed to deliver cargo into cells are cationic and so cannot deliver cationic cargo. Here the authors show that pretreating cells with the anionic polymer poly(propylacrylic acid) facilitates the uptake and endosomal escape of a wide variety of cationic cargo in numerous cell types.

    • Brian C. Evans
    • , R. Brock Fletcher
    •  & Craig L. Duvall

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Currently there are no therapeutics for long lasting central nervous system injuries, that can address the complex injury cascade that develops over years. Here the authors report biomaterial scaffolds that release 17β-estradiol (E2) at nanomolar concentrations over the course of 1–10 years via slow hydrolysis in vitro.

    • Anthony R. D’Amato
    • , Devan L. Puhl
    •  & Edmund F. Palermo

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Hierarchical structural materials combine organic and inorganic components to withstand mechanical impact but the nanomechanics that govern the superior properties are not well investigated. Here, the authors observe nanoscale recovery of heavily deformed nacre that restores its mechanical strength using high-resolution electron microscopy.

    • Jiseok Gim
    • , Noah Schnitzer
    •  & Robert Hovden

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Biology serves as inspiration in materials development; this requires improved understanding of the surface chemistry responsible for processes which are being mimicked. Here, the authors report on the use of near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) imaging to analyze the surface chemistry of insect cuticle.

    • Joe E. Baio
    • , Cherno Jaye
    •  & Tobias Weidner

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Therapeutic proteins are often conjugated with polymers, but separating the conjugate from unconjugated protein and free polymer is a major challenge. Here, the authors discover that proteins conjugated to charged or zwitterionic polymers maintain solubility in 100% ammonium sulfate, greatly simplifying purification.

    • Stefanie L. Baker
    • , Aravinda Munasinghe
    •  & Alan J. Russell

  • Article
    | Open Access

    A major challenge in 3D printing is the creation of hollow tubular structures. Here, the authors report on a solid particulate support for patterning a hydrogel with bacteria that produces cellulose in an oxygen dependent manner, using air diffusion through the particulate support to create hollow cellulose tubes.

    • Sungchul Shin
    • , Hojung Kwak
    •  & Jinho Hyun

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Several fields are interested in the mechanism by which organisms control crystallisation at ambient temperatures. Here, the authors evaluate the mechanism of magnesium rich nanoprecipitate layer formation in the calcite crystals of the brittle star, via the decomposition of the amorphous precursor.

    • Eva Seknazi
    • , Stas Kozachkevich
    •  & Boaz Pokroy

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The synthesis of nanoparticles capable of orthogonal photo-activity is complex. Here, the authors report on an assembly process of two distinct nanoparticles into composite nanoparticles as a simple method and report on the application in photodynamic therapy and siRNA delivery in tumour therapy.

    • Zhen Zhang
    • , Muthu Kumara Gnanasammandhan Jayakumar
    •  & Yong Zhang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Enamel is the hardest tissue in the body and has been widely studied, yet aspects of its structure remain unclear. Here, the authors report on a study of the orientation and alignment of enamel crystals and challenge previous assumptions.

    • Elia Beniash
    • , Cayla A. Stifler
    •  & Pupa U. P. A. Gilbert

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Controlled patterning of functionality within hydrogels typically involves complex chemistry. Here, the authors report on a simple competitive binding strategy using avidin and biotin analogs in an injectable biomaterial for spatiotemporally controlled presentation of biochemical stimuli to cells.

    • Tom Kamperman
    • , Michelle Koerselman
    •  & Jeroen Leijten

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The capability to engineer magnon states in confined geometries is vital to future nano-magnonics. Here the authors demonstrate that the topology of the magnon bands is determined by the local arrangement and orientation of nanoparticles and can be controlled by the genotype of magnetotactic bacteria.

    • Benjamin W. Zingsem
    • , Thomas Feggeler
    •  & Michael Winklhofer

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Antibiotic resistance is a major global health challenge. Here, the authors report on a thermoresponsive delivery system for combined photothermal and antibiotic delivery with fluorescent tracking abilities and demonstrate application against antibiotic resistant bacteria in vitro and in vivo.

    • Guangchao Qing
    • , Xianxian Zhao
    •  & Xing-Jie Liang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Patient drug regime compliance is a major issue; sustained release implants could address this. Here, the authors report on a phase inverted in situ forming implant of PLGA for the sustained release of antiretroviral drugs and optimize and demonstrate the release of 6 different drugs over a period of up to a year.

    • S. Rahima Benhabbour
    • , Martina Kovarova
    •  & J. Victor Garcia

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Untethered small actuators have various applications but existing small-scale actuators are limited in their response to different stimuli. Here, we present a multiresponsive patternable actuator that can respond to humidity, temperature and light, via programmable structural changes.

    • Yue Dong
    • , Jie Wang
    •  & Bi-Feng Liu

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Antibiotic therapy is usually not effective for salmonellosis. Here, the authors present an approach that may be useful for the treatment of salmonellosis, consisting of hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-responsive glycovesicles that release antibiotics in the presence of Salmonella in the gut.

    • Haibo Mu
    • , Hu Bai
    •  & Jinyou Duan

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Mechanotransduction of cells is of interest for a number of reasons but model in vitro systems remain a challenge. Here, the authors report on a hydrogel which changes properties upon near infrared irradiation to create cyclic forces and demonstrate the application of these gels to study mechanotransduction.

    • Yashoda Chandorkar
    • , Arturo Castro Nava
    •  & Laura De Laporte

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Increasing the complexity of engineered nucleic acid constructs and interfacing the microscopic with the macroscopic requires a multifaceted and programmable fabrication approach. Here the authors demonstrate multi-level photolithographic patterning for highly complex patterns at micrometer resolution.

    • Kathrin Hölz
    • , Erika Schaudy
    •  & Mark M. Somoza

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Though liquid sensing platforms are highly sought after for emerging biomedical applications, current technology is limited in its capacity to directly sense and store information. Here, the authors report a sensing memory platform that senses, monitors, and stores information on various liquids.

    • Jong Sung Kim
    • , Eui Hyuk Kim
    •  & Cheolmin Park

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Plasma proteins may severely affect the in vivo performance of liposomes. Here, the authors develop bio-inspired liposomes that specifically absorb brain-targeted apolipoproteins and preserve their bioactivities, thereby achieving efficient brain targeting with minor influence on immunocompatibility of liposomes.

    • Zui Zhang
    • , Juan Guan
    •  & Changyou Zhan

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Injectable hydrogels could be used to repair bone defects. Here the authors incorporate nanoclay particles into chitosan creating an interconnected microporous hydrogel and show that this hydrogel can support MSC proliferation and differentiation in vitro, and support the recruitment of native cells and bone regeneration in a mouse calvarial defect model.

    • Zhong-Kai Cui
    • , Soyon Kim
    •  & Min Lee

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Bone tissue is a complex organic-inorganic nanocomposite and strategies that replicate the characteristics of bone tissue are scarce. Here the authors demonstrate the deposition of nanoscale apatite in collagen embedded with mesenchymal, vascular and nerve cells, using a protein-guided biomineralization approach.

    • Greeshma Thrivikraman
    • , Avathamsa Athirasala
    •  & Luiz E. Bertassoni

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The use of engineered bacteria for biomedical applications is limited by side effects such as inflammatory response. Here the authors engineer cell membrane coated bacteria as in vivo tumor imaging agents, and show that these generate a lower inflammatory response and reduced macrophage clearance.

    • Zhenping Cao
    • , Shanshan Cheng
    •  & Jinyao Liu

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Cellular responses to mechanical stimulation have emerged as an important area of research. Here, the authors use cryoprotectant to control the pore size and mechanical properties of porous scaffolds without changing the scaffold composition to allow for the study of cellular mechano-responsiveness in 3D.

    • Shumeng Jiang
    • , Cheng Lyu
    •  & Yanan Du

  • Article
    | Open Access

    De novo protein nanostructures are typically assembled via top-down approaches. Here, the authors developed a bottom-up approach, using split inteins to ligate multiple copies of a three-helix bundle to create 2D triangular and square-shaped structures with high stability.

    • Wenqin Bai
    • , Cameron J. Sargent
    •  & Fuzhong Zhang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Therapeutics delivery by using non-viral vectors presents several challenges in the design of an appropriate polymeric structure. Here, the authors report a series of highly branched, biodegradable polymers which show high transfection efficiency in human multipotent adipose derived stem cells and primary astrocytes.

    • Shuai Liu
    • , Yongsheng Gao
    •  & Wenxin Wang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Several factors have limited the potential/application of self-propelled chemical motors. Here, to address some of these concerns, the authors report on the development of squid-derived biodegradable motors, which use an anaesthetic metabolite for propulsion and demonstrate a range of different applications.

    • Abdon Pena-Francesch
    • , Joshua Giltinan
    •  & Metin Sitti

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Advances in biofabrication technology enable 3D printed constructs to resemble real tissues, but it remains unclear how cell-generated forces deform these constructs. Here the authors investigate mechanical behaviours of 3D printed “microbeams” made from mixtures of living cells and extracellular matrix.

    • Cameron D. Morley
    • , S. Tori Ellison
    •  & Thomas E. Angelini

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