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| Open AccessVolumetric additive manufacturing of pristine silk-based (bio)inks
Volumetric additive manufacturing of protein scaffolds has a wide range of possible biomedical applications. Here the authors report on the bioprinting of unmodified silk sericin and silk fibroin inks with shape-memory and tuneable mechanical properties and demonstrate the potential of the inks in different applications.
- Maobin Xie
- , Liming Lian
- & Yu Shrike Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessLarge-scale perfused tissues via synthetic 3D soft microfluidics
Bioengineering live tissues has remained challenging due to limited nutrient exchange in the growing tissues. Here, the authors have developed micro-perfused 2-photon printing of 3D microfluidics, to engineer large-scale, viable and functional neural and hepatic 3D tissues.
- Sergei Grebenyuk
- , Abdel Rahman Abdel Fattah
- & Adrian Ranga
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Article
| Open AccessDeciphering the catalytic mechanism of superoxide dismutase activity of carbon dot nanozyme
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) nanozymes show mitigating effect on oxidative stress-related diseases, but are limited by their modest activity. Here, the authors report a carbon dot SOD nanozyme with catalytic activity matching natural enzymes and unveil its catalytic mechanism.
- Wenhui Gao
- , Jiuyang He
- & Xiyun Yan
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Article
| Open AccessImplantable niche with local immunosuppression for islet allotransplantation achieves type 1 diabetes reversal in rats
Islet transplantation for type 1 diabetes management is hindered by the life-long need for immunosuppressive medications. Here, the authors report an islet encapsulation device with local anti-rejection drug release that achieves long-term diabetes reversal in male rats and reduces drug-related toxicity.
- Jesus Paez-Mayorga
- , Jocelyn Nikita Campa-Carranza
- & Alessandro Grattoni
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| Open AccessIntracellular phase separation of globular proteins facilitated by short cationic peptides
Phase separation provides intracellular organisation via membraneless entities called biomolecular condensates. Here, the authors show that short, cationic peptide tags can drive biomolecular condensation of engineered proteins in E. coli through associative interactions with RNA.
- Vivian Yeong
- , Jou-wen Wang
- & Allie C. Obermeyer
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Article
| Open AccessMicro and nano-scale compartments guide the structural transition of silk protein monomers into silk fibers
By following morphological changes in supramolecular assemblies of silkworm silk, the authors find that while the initial steps of secretion and storage inside the silk gland follow the micelle theory of silk assembly, a phase rearrangement occurs inside microscale spherical structures that gives rise to the formation of nanoscale spherical assemblies.
- D. Eliaz
- , S. Paul
- & U. Shimanovich
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Article
| Open AccessPrimary radiation damage in bone evolves via collagen destruction by photoelectrons and secondary emission self-absorption
X-rays are used for imaging and sterilisation of bone but cause damage due to ionising radiation. Here, the authors study the degradation of collagen caused by photon-electron excitations and show that damage is initiated from onset which has implications for X-ray imaging and the levels of safe exposure.
- Katrein Sauer
- , Ivo Zizak
- & Paul Zaslansky
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Article
| Open AccessTemperature-adaptive hydrogel optical waveguide with soft tissue-affinity for thermal regulated interventional photomedicine
Light penetration and overheating are major issues facing the application of photothermal therapy. Here, the authors develop a temperature responsive hydrogel optical waveguide for controlled delivery of light to deep tumours and demonstrate biocompatibility and temperature responsive phototherapy in vivo
- Guoyin Chen
- , Kai Hou
- & Meifang Zhu
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Article
| Open AccessDynamic assembly of DNA-ceria nanocomplex in living cells generates artificial peroxisome
Artificial organelles can potentially be used support cellular functions, but there is a trade-off between cellular uptake and cellular retention. Here, the authors report the dynamic assembly of DNA-ceria-based artificial peroxisomes in cells, and show they can be used to reduce intracellular ROS.
- Chi Yao
- , Yuwei Xu
- & Dayong Yang
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Article
| Open AccessAnomalous inapplicability of nacre-like architectures as impact-resistant templates in a wide range of impact velocities
Nacre structure is used as inspiration in the design of impact resistant materials yet natural nacre is overcome by high impact speed attacks from predators. Here, the authors perform a range of testing and demonstrate superior energy dissipation of nacre-like structures at low impact velocities which is lost at higher impact velocities.
- Xiao Zhang
- , Kaijin Wu
- & Linghui He
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Article
| Open AccessA smart adhesive Janus hydrogel for non-invasive cardiac repair and tissue adhesion prevention
Reversible and asymmetric adhesion is needed in removable post-operative patches to reduce trauma and prevent tissue adhesions. Here, the authors report on a conductive musselinspired adhesive Janus hydrogel with an anti-adhesive top for cardiac repair which can be removed using glutathione solutions.
- Yutong He
- , Qian Li
- & Xiaozhong Qiu
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Article
| Open AccessCore–shell dry adhesives for rough surfaces via electrically responsive self-growing strategy
The design of bioinspired dry adhesives mimicking closely the structure and surface adaptability of biological adhesives is challenging. Here, the authors propose an electrically responsive self-growing core–shell mushroom-shaped structure with a rigid core and a soft shell, which exhibits excellent adhesion on surfaces with roughness ranging from the nanoscale to the microscale.
- Hongmiao Tian
- , Duorui Wang
- & Jinyou Shao
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Article
| Open AccessSelf-assembling nanofibrous bacteriophage microgels as sprayable antimicrobials targeting multidrug-resistant bacteria
Bacteriophage are natural antibiotic agents and provide natural building blocks for living biomaterials. Here, the authors crosslink self-organised bacteriophages to make sprayable microgels which preserves the natural antibacterial action, have tuneable auto-fluorescence and demonstrate application in food decontamination.
- Lei Tian
- , Leon He
- & Zeinab Hosseinidoust
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Article
| Open AccessImmunosuppressive biomaterial-based therapeutic vaccine to treat multiple sclerosis via re-establishing immune tolerance
Multiple sclerosis is a debilitating autoimmune disease, for which therapy is not curative, only slowing down progression at the expense of general immune suppression. Here authors show that in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, disease progression could be halted or even reversed by a nanovaccine, composed of reactive oxygen species scavenging cerium oxide nanoparticles, which establishes immune tolerance against the relevant autoantigen.
- Thanh Loc Nguyen
- , Youngjin Choi
- & Jaeyun Kim
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Article
| Open AccessIntermittent scavenging of storage lesion from stored red blood cells by electrospun nanofibrous sheets enhances their quality and shelf-life
In situ generated lesion of red blood cells decreases the quality of stored blood and limits its shelf-life. Here, the authors demonstrate that intermittent scavenging of storage lesions using electrostatic interactions by nanofibrous sheets could enhance the quality and shelf-life of stored blood.
- Subhashini Pandey
- , Manohar Mahato
- & Praveen Kumar Vemula
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Article
| Open AccessPerfluorodecalin-based oxygenated emulsion as a topical treatment for chemical burn to the eye
Chemical injuries to the eye are medical emergencies with limited acute treatment options and can cause permanent vision loss. Here, the authors show that perfluorodecalin-based supersaturated oxygen emulsion is a safe and effective topical therapeutic in treating acute ocular chemical burn by reducing tissue hypoxia and inflammation.
- Sanming Li
- , Kunpeng Pang
- & Jia Yin
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Article
| Open AccessReactive metal boride nanoparticles trap lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan for bacteria-infected wound healing
Antibacterial wound healing approaches often target bacteria but overlook the inflammation response caused by products release by dead bacteria. Here, the authors report on the development of Boride nanoparticles to treat infection and prevent excessive inflammation by trapping lipopolysaccharides/peptidoglycans.
- Yun Meng
- , Lijie Chen
- & Wenbo Bu
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Article
| Open AccessModular stimuli-responsive hydrogel sealants for early gastrointestinal leak detection and containment
Digestive surgical leaks manifesting days after a successful surgery can lead to severe complications and affect healthcare worldwide. Here, the authors address the problem holistically with a hydrogel patch capable of sealing tissues, while detecting imminent leaks via a smartphone-operated ultrasound probe.
- Alexandre H. C. Anthis
- , Maria Paulene Abundo
- & Inge K. Herrmann
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| Open AccessBiomimetic electrodynamic nanoparticles comprising ginger-derived extracellular vesicles for synergistic anti-infective therapy
Antibacterial materials often suffer from issues around safety and application in complex in vivo environments. Here the authors report on the conjugation of electro-driven catalytic Pd-Pt nanosheets on ginger-derived extracellular vesicles for bacterial uptake and synergistic antibacterial therapy.
- Zhuangzhuang Qiao
- , Kai Zhang
- & Fu-Jian Xu
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Article
| Open AccessFunctionally integrating nanoparticles alleviate deep vein thrombosis in pregnancy and rescue intrauterine growth restriction
There is still an unmet need for effective and safe drugs to treat deep vein thrombosis during pregnancy, a life-threatening condition for the mother and fetus. Here, the authors show that engineered multifunctional nanoparticles can site-specifically dissolve thrombi and reverse deep vein thrombosis-mediated intrauterine growth restriction and delayed development of fetuses in pregnant rats.
- Juan Cheng
- , Siqi Zhang
- & Jianxiang Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessBiotechnologically produced chitosans with nonrandom acetylation patterns differ from conventional chitosans in properties and activities
Degree of polymerisation, fraction and pattern of acetylation change the material and biological properties of chitosan. Here, the authors show that enzymes can N-acetylate fully deacetylated chitosan to replicate the natural control over acetylation pattern not found in chemically produced chitosan allowing more control over properties.
- Sruthi Sreekumar
- , Jasper Wattjes
- & Bruno M. Moerschbacher
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Article
| Open AccessCrystal growth in confinement
How confinement affects the growth of crystals is poorly understood. Experiments in which NaClO3 and CaCO3 crystals are grown close to a glass substrate now show that new molecular layers can form via the transport of mass through the liquid film at the crystal-substrate interface.
- Felix Kohler
- , Olivier Pierre-Louis
- & Dag Kristian Dysthe
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Article
| Open AccessFlash drug release from nanoparticles accumulated in the targeted blood vessels facilitates the tumour treatment
Achieving the delivery of drugs into the centre of solid tumours is a challenge due to the tumour micro-environment. Here, the authors propose a system for using the rapid release of large quantities of drug inside tumour microcapillaries for the gradient-driven diffusion of drugs into solid tumours.
- Ivan V. Zelepukin
- , Olga Yu. Griaznova
- & Andrei V. Zvyagin
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Article
| Open AccessProgrammable integrin and N-cadherin adhesive interactions modulate mechanosensing of mesenchymal stem cells by cofilin phosphorylation
Human mesenchymal stem cells differentiate in response to mechanical adhesive interactions in their microenvironment. Here, the authors develop a culture platform that can dynamically mimic the cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions associated with development and mesenchymal differentiation in vivo.
- Zheng Zhang
- , Baoyong Sha
- & Min Lin
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Article
| Open AccessNear infrared-activatable biomimetic nanogels enabling deep tumor drug penetration inhibit orthotopic glioblastoma
Effective drug accumulation in deep glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) lesions remains challenging due to the blood brain barrier. Here, the authors develop a biomimetic nanogel system activated by near infrared irradiation and show high efficacy in orthotopic GBM and GBM stem cells-bearing mouse models.
- Dongya Zhang
- , Sidan Tian
- & Liang Luo
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Article
| Open AccessWireless theranostic smart contact lens for monitoring and control of intraocular pressure in glaucoma
Glaucoma is an irreversible ocular disease that may lead to vision loss. Here the authors develop a theranostic smart contact lens with an intraocular pressure sensor, a flexible drug delivery system, wireless power and communication systems and an application specific integrated circuit chip for both monitoring and control of intraocular pressure in glaucoma induced rabbits.
- Tae Yeon Kim
- , Jee Won Mok
- & Sei Kwang Hahn
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Article
| Open AccessNanozyme-reinforced hydrogel as a H2O2-driven oxygenerator for enhancing prosthetic interface osseointegration in rheumatoid arthritis therapy
Stem cell transplantation has huge potential but can suffer from effects caused by disease state microenvironment. Here, the authors report on the development of a nanozyme reinforced hydrogel for reactive oxygen species scavenging and the generation of dissolved oxygen, demonstrating improved osteointegration using the hydrogel.
- Yue Zhao
- , Shanliang Song
- & Yanli Zhao
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Article
| Open AccessDesign of synthetic collagens that assemble into supramolecular banded fibers as a functional biomaterial testbed
Molecular level control is required to capture the folding and supramolecular assembly of collagen in mimetic materials. Here, the authors report on the creation of a synthetic collagen which assembles into banded fibers, recaptures structural properties of natural collagen and which can act as a testbed for design and experimentation
- Jinyuan Hu
- , Junhui Li
- & Fei Xu
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Article
| Open AccessLigand-switchable nanoparticles resembling viral surface for sequential drug delivery and improved oral insulin therapy
Displaying the correct surface functionality at the right time is important for efficient drug delivery. Here, the authors report on the pH-responsive, sequential presentation of cell-penetrating peptide and liver-targeting moiety designed to improve intestinal absorption and liver targeting and demonstrate this with insulin delivery in vivo.
- Tiantian Yang
- , Aohua Wang
- & Yong Gan
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Article
| Open AccessSelf-mixing in microtubule-kinesin active fluid from nonuniform to uniform distribution of activity
Active fluids that consume local fuels to generate movements can be utilized to promote mixing in microfluidic devices. Here, Bate et al. show a transition from diffusion-like to superdiffusion-like behaviours with mixing efficacy depending on the Péclet number and spatial distribution of activities.
- Teagan E. Bate
- , Megan E. Varney
- & Kun-Ta Wu
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Article
| Open AccessJanus regulation of ice growth by hyperbranched polyglycerols generating dynamic hydrogen bonding
Regulation of ice growth and ice growth inhibition are critical and different materials mimicking anti freeze proteins or ice binding surfaces have been developed. Here, the authors combine both concepts in a hyperbranched polyglycerols to change the ice growth activity.
- Sang Yup Lee
- , Minseong Kim
- & Dong June Ahn
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Article
| Open AccessIn situ generation of micrometer-sized tumor cell-derived vesicles as autologous cancer vaccines for boosting systemic immune responses
Autologous tumor cell vaccines can elicit anti-tumor immune responses. Here, the authors report the design of dendritic polymer-based nanoparticles loaded with doxorubicin and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor apatinib that can induce immunogenic cell death and the in situ production of immuno-stimulatory micrometer-sized vesicles, promoting anti-tumor immune responses in preclinical models.
- Yuxin Guo
- , Shao-Zhe Wang
- & Fu-Gen Wu
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Article
| Open AccessSmall molecule-assisted assembly of multifunctional ceria nanozymes for synergistic treatment of atherosclerosis
Regulating reactive oxygen species and inflammation are important for treating atherosclerosis. Here, the authors create a cell membrane coated zoledronic acid ceria nanocomposite loaded with probucol for synergistic drug and scavenging nanozyme treatment of atherosclerosis demonstrating application in vivo.
- Xiaoxue Fu
- , Xiaojuan Yu
- & Chao Yu
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Article
| Open AccessCompeting instabilities reveal how to rationally design and control active crosslinked gels
This paper investigates the origin of two distinct instabilities in active gels of biopolymers and molecular motors. Combining experiments and theory, it shows how to rationally design and control active materials with targeted elasticity and activity.
- Bibi Najma
- , Minu Varghese
- & Guillaume Duclos
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| Open AccessEctopic expression of sericin enables efficient production of ancient silk with structural changes in silkworm
Transgenic modification of silkworms has the potential to engineer new silks with a wider range of properties. Here, the authors engineered the expression of the outer layer sericin SER3 in the inner fibroin layer generating a new silk with higher production efficiency and resistance to alkaline conditions.
- Xuedong Chen
- , Yongfeng Wang
- & Shiqing Xu
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Article
| Open AccessLong-term whole blood DNA preservation by cost-efficient cryosilicification
Cost-effective methods for long-term storage of DNA are desired. Here the authors present a method for in situ cryosilicification of whole blood cells, allowing long-term and room temperature preservation of genomic information for only approximately $0.5 per sample.
- Liang Zhou
- , Qi Lei
- & Wei Zhu
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Article
| Open AccessMolecular doping of nucleic acids into light emitting crystals driven by multisite-intermolecular interaction
DNAs exhibit a unique molecular doping structure, unseen in conventional hybrid assemblies, when doped into light-emitting organic materials. Here authors unveil doping mechanism of DNAs into organic semiconducting crystals and tailor their photoluminescence and optical waveguide phenomena.
- Woo Hyuk Jung
- , Jin Hyuk Park
- & Dong June Ahn
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Article
| Open AccessSystematic design of cell membrane coating to improve tumor targeting of nanoparticles
Surface modification of nanoparticles by cell membrane (CM) coating to improve their bio-interface properties often results in partial coating. Here the authors show that partial coating is an intermediate state due to the absorption of CM fragments or vesicles and can be resolved by increasing CM fluidity with external phospholipids.
- Lizhi Liu
- , Dingyi Pan
- & Vesa-Pekka Lehto
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Article
| Open AccessHigh strength and damage-tolerance in echinoderm stereom as a natural bicontinuous ceramic cellular solid
Engineering ceramic foams are often limited for non-structural usages due to their brittleness. Here the authors elucidate the structural design strategies of echinoderm stereo as a biological ceramic cellular solid for achieving simultaneous high strength and damage tolerance.
- Ting Yang
- , Zian Jia
- & Ling Li
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Article
| Open AccessA predictive computational platform for optimizing the design of bioartificial pancreas devices
Transplanting encapsulated insulin-producing cells may achieve a functional cure for type 1 diabetes, but efficacy is constrained by mass transfer limits. Here, the authors report a dynamic computational platform to investigate the therapeutic potency of such programmable bioartificial pancreas devices.
- Alexander U. Ernst
- , Long-Hai Wang
- & Minglin Ma
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Article
| Open AccessQuorum-sensing control of matrix protein production drives fractal wrinkling and interfacial localization of Vibrio cholerae pellicles
Bacterial cells at fluid interfaces can self-assemble into soft living materials, called pellicles. Here, Qin and Bassler use the bacterium Vibrio cholerae as a model system to identify regulatory and structural components that drive sequential mechanical instabilities underlying pellicle morphogenesis, culminating in fractal patterning.
- Boyang Qin
- & Bonnie L. Bassler
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Article
| Open AccessNanoparticulate cell-free DNA scavenger for treating inflammatory bone loss in periodontitis
Periodontitis is a common type of inflammatory bone loss, and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) can be a major source that enhances the periodontal tissue destruction. Here, the authors show that a cfDNA-scavenging approach is able to ameliorate periodontitis by using nanoparticulate cfDNA scavenger.
- Hanyao Huang
- , Weiyi Pan
- & Kam W. Leong
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Article
| Open AccessUniformly aligned flexible magnetic films from bacterial nanocelluloses for fast actuating optical materials
Naturally derived biopolymers attracted great interest to construct photonic materials but traditional processing commonly results in non-uniform organization across largescale areas. Here, the authors report a uniform biophotonic organization of cellulose nanocrystals decorated with superparamagnetic nanoparticles enabling transformation from helicoidal cholesteric to uniaxial nematic phase with near-perfect orientation.
- Xiaofang Zhang
- , Saewon Kang
- & Vladimir V. Tsukruk
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Article
| Open AccessHydrogen-bonds mediate liquid-liquid phase separation of mussel derived adhesive peptides
The phase separation in the coacervates of adhesive muscle foot proteins is not fully understood. Here, the authors use simulations and point mutations of a mussel foot derived protein to show that hydrogen bonding is essential in the formation of coacervates in sea water which can help develop underwater adhesives.
- Qi Guo
- , Guijin Zou
- & Jing Yu
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Article
| Open AccessIn situ small-angle X-ray scattering reveals strong condensation of DNA origami during silicification
DNA origami can be coated in a layer of silica to improve chemical and thermal stability however; it is unclear if this is a surface or interpenetrating layer. Here, the authors use in situ small-angle X-ray scattering to study silica deposition and observe internal silica formation resulting in DNA origami condensation and structure shrinkage.
- Martina F. Ober
- , Anna Baptist
- & Bert Nickel
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Article
| Open AccessPayload distribution and capacity of mRNA lipid nanoparticles
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are effective vehicles to deliver mRNA vaccines and therapeutics but assessing the mRNA packaging characteristics in LNPs is challenging. Here, the authors report that mRNA and lipid contents in LNP formulations can be quantitatively examined by multi-laser cylindrical illumination confocal spectroscopy at the single-nanoparticle level.
- Sixuan Li
- , Yizong Hu
- & Hai-Quan Mao
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Article
| Open AccessA de novo matrix for macroscopic living materials from bacteria
Engineered living materials (ELMs) embed living cells in a biopolymer matrix to create novel materials with tailored functions. In this work, the authors engineered bacteria to grow novel macroscopic materials that can be reshaped, functionalized, and used to filter contaminated water while also showing that the stiffness of these materials can be tuned through genetic changes.
- Sara Molinari
- , Robert F. Tesoriero Jr.
- & Caroline M. Ajo-Franklin
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Article
| Open AccessStructural materials with afterglow room temperature phosphorescence activated by lignin oxidation
Sustainable afterglow room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) Structural materials are difficult to achieve. Here, the authors demonstrate a wood based RTP material by oxidation of lignin to realize an afterglow RTP material with a lifetime of ~ 408 ms.
- Keliang Wan
- , Bing Tian
- & Zhijun Chen
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Article
| Open AccessSmart soft contact lenses for continuous 24-hour monitoring of intraocular pressure in glaucoma care
Continuous monitoring of intraocular pressure remains a grand challenge in glaucoma care. Here the authors develop smart soft contact lenses for continuous 24-hour monitoring of intraocular pressure in human eyes, even during sleep.
- Jinyuan Zhang
- , Kyunghun Kim
- & Chi Hwan Lee