Biomaterials articles within Nature Communications

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  • Article
    | Open Access

    Understanding the crystal structure of different calcium phosphates is important for a range of different subjects from geology to biomedicine. Here, the authors report on the synthesis and determination of the crystal structure of dicalcium phosphate monohydrate.

    • Bing-Qiang Lu
    • , Tom Willhammar
    •  & Denis Gebauer

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The spectra of light used by photosynthetic organisms are determined by their pigmentation colour palettes. Here Liu et al. show that a genetically-encoded chimera of light-harvesting proteins from plants and reaction centres from purple bacteria allows for polychromatic solar energy harvesting.

    • Juntai Liu
    • , Vincent M. Friebe
    •  & Michael R. Jones

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Pollen is an abundant material; but, currently has limited applications. Here, the authors turn pollen grains into soft microgel by de-esterification of pectin molecules and explore the mechanical and structural changes of the pollen grains using physical and modelling approaches.

    • Teng-Fei Fan
    • , Soohyun Park
    •  & Nam-Joon Cho

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The ability to control nanostructure shape and dimensions presents opportunities to design materials in which their macroscopic properties are dependent upon the nature of the nanoparticle. Here the authors show nanoparticle shape is a critical consideration in the determination of nanocomposite hydrogel properties.

    • Maria C. Arno
    • , Maria Inam
    •  & Rachel K. O’Reilly

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Nanoclays have been used in composites and for drug delivery but have suffered from a trade-off in properties when used for both. Here the authors report on the use of bisphosphonate interactions with nanoclay edges to made drug loaded composites without compromising materials properties or drug loading.

    • Yang-Hee Kim
    • , Xia Yang
    •  & Jonathan I. Dawson

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The surface nanotopography of biomaterials direct cell behavior, but screening for desired effects is inefficient. Here, the authors introduce a platform that enables prediction of nanotopography-induced gene expression changes from changes in cell morphology, including in co-culture environments.

    • Marie F. A. Cutiongco
    • , Bjørn Sand Jensen
    •  & Nikolaj Gadegaard

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Tendon driven systems offer a simple way to transmit actuation force in robotic hands but current tendon fibres have low toughness, limiting the further development of tendon-driven actuators. Here the authors report a super tough electro-tendon based on spider silk, mechanically toughened by SWCNT and electrically enhanced by PEDOT:PSS.

    • Liang Pan
    • , Fan Wang
    •  & Xiaodong Chen

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The production of microparticles with complex geometries for biotechnological use historically requires sophisticated fabrication techniques. Here, the authors create complex particle geometries by exploiting the metastable region of the phase diagram of thermally responsive intrinsically disordered proteins within microdroplets.

    • Stefan Roberts
    • , Vincent Miao
    •  & Ashutosh Chilkoti

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Nature has developed the ability to produce a wide range of optical effects most notably in the butterfly wing. Here, the authors report on the analysis of the structures responsible for ultra-black coloration across different butterflies and combine this with modelling to identify the key characteristics

    • Alexander L. Davis
    • , H. Frederik Nijhout
    •  & Sönke Johnsen

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Three-dimensional (3D) hydrogel printing enables production of volumetric architectures but achieving good resolutions for miniaturized features remains challenging. Here the authors demonstrate shrinking of a printed structure by immersing a 3D-printed patterned hydrogel consisting of a hydrophilic polyionic polymer network in a solution of polyions of the opposite net charge.

    • Jiaxing Gong
    • , Carl C. L. Schuurmans
    •  & Yu Shrike Zhang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Light has limited penetration depth in vivo which has led to increasing interest in NIR-II fluorophores. Here, the authors report on the design and testing of an organic aggregation induced emission fluorophore with high quantum yield and demonstrate imaging of vasculature and intestines in live mice.

    • Yuanyuan Li
    • , Zhaochong Cai
    •  & Ben Zhong Tang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Eliminating the need for cleanroom fabrication for thermomechanical characterization of organic samples in a biomedical setting remains a challenge. Here, the authors propose the use of a single drug and collagen particles as resonators, enabling direct measurements on a material during thermal cycling.

    • Peter Ouma Okeyo
    • , Peter Emil Larsen
    •  & Anja Boisen

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Designing biodegradable and biocompatible polymers to mimic both mechanical and biological properties of skins for emerging electronic devices remains a challenge. Here, the authors propose PSeD-U skin-like elastomers with both mechanical and biological properties for bio-integrated electronics.

    • Shuo Chen
    • , Lijie Sun
    •  & Zhengwei You

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Fatigue-resistant adhesion is of interest for a range of applications, but has been limited in synthetic hydrogels. Here, the authors report on a synthetic hydrogel with ordered nanocrystalline domains resulting in high fatigue-resistant adhesion and demonstrate the coating of different surfaces.

    • Ji Liu
    • , Shaoting Lin
    •  & Xuanhe Zhao

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Assembling synthetic plant cell is difficult due to the presence of primary cell wall. Here, the authors describe the assembly of lipid-containing bodies that can be coated with cellulose and pectin, and show how these so-called plantosomes can be manipulated by changing surrounding milieu.

    • T. Paulraj
    • , S. Wennmalm
    •  & A. J. Svagan

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The mussel byssus cuticle is a wear-resistant and extensible metalloprotein composite. Here, the authors probed the cuticle nanostructure and composition before, during and after fabrication revealing a crucial role of metal-binding proteins that self-organize via liquid-liquid phase separation.

    • Franziska Jehle
    • , Elena Macías-Sánchez
    •  & Matthew J. Harrington

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Bio-hybrid LEDs (HLED) are an environmental friendly alternative to LEDs based on inorganic phosphors but achieving long term is challenging. Here, the authors present a long-living Bio-HLED based on a zero-thermal-quenching biophosphor design and investigate the photo-induced heat generation and dissipation processes.

    • Anna Espasa
    • , Martina Lang
    •  & Rubén D. Costa

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Restoration of blood flow to damaged sites has commonly involved treatment with pro-angiogenic molecules but these have undesired side effects. Here the authors present a microchannel-patterned gelatin hydrogel that is able to rescue mouse and porcine models of hindlimb ischemia.

    • Jung Bok Lee
    • , Dae-Hyun Kim
    •  & Hak-Joon Sung

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Hydrogen can be used to reduce the concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS), but its delivery to diseased tissues is challenging due to its low solubility. Here the authors develop a photosynthesis-inspired FRET nanocomplex to detect and scavenge local excess of ROS in the tissue using photocatalytic hydrogen production.

    • Wei-Lin Wan
    • , Bo Tian
    •  & Hsing-Wen Sung

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Biodegradable implants are of great interest in orthopaedic applications but have been limited by low mechanical strength. Here, the authors examine systematically in detail the strengthening of biodegradable zinc by alloying with beneficial elements using mechanical, biodegradability and biocompatibility testing.

    • Hongtao Yang
    • , Bo Jia
    •  & Yufeng Zheng

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The valve-like trichomes of the desert plant Tillandsia landbeckii allow water acquisition from fog while minimising transpiration. Here, Raux et al. show that a hygroscopic cell-wall adjacent to a semi-permeable plasma membrane at the base of the trichome confers this asymmetry in water conductance.

    • Pascal S. Raux
    • , Simon Gravelle
    •  & Jacques Dumais

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Despite recent progress in directed assembly of protein molecules into well-defined nanostructures, bridging materials fabrication from nano- to macroscale remains a challenge. Here, using silk fibroin as an example, the authors demonstrate templated crystallization to drive hierarchical materials growth from disordered molecules all the way up to centimeter scale.

    • Hui Sun
    •  & Benedetto Marelli

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Nacre is a biological composite whose architecture greatly enhances its toughness. Here, the authors report on the toughness enhancement in the spicules of a marine sponge. The spicules display similar architecture to nacre; however, their architecture does not lead to similar toughness enhancement.

    • Michael A. Monn
    • , Kaushik Vijaykumar
    •  & Haneesh Kesari

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The hypoxic microenvironment in solid tumors limits the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) since oxygen is necessary to produce high cytotoxic singlet oxygen species. Here, the authors develop an improved self-assembled single-atom nanozyme which allows oxygen generation to enhance PDT efficacy.

    • Dongdong Wang
    • , Huihui Wu
    •  & Yanli Zhao

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Helicoids are common structures found in many structural biological materials. Here, the authors report on a study of helicoids in the claws of scorpions and report different microstructures to what have previously been reported which have implications in materials stiffness, strength and toughness.

    • Israel Greenfeld
    • , Israel Kellersztein
    •  & H. Daniel Wagner

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Mesenchymal stromal cells enhance bone and cartilage repair, but are limited by poor survival and retention after transplantation. Here, the authors show that synthetic hydrogels presenting integrin-specific peptides enhance the survival and persistence of human mesenchymal stromal cells after transplant, as well as bone repair.

    • Amy Y. Clark
    • , Karen E. Martin
    •  & Andrés J. García

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The development of microscale materials with cell-like functions and collective behaviors is an important milestone in bottom-up synthetic biology. Here the authors employ a bio-inspired inorganic synzyme to construct a micro-compartment with multi-functional activity providing a step towards the development of protocell reaction networks.

    • Pierangelo Gobbo
    • , Liangfei Tian
    •  & Stephen Mann

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Oral microbiota delivery is an approach to treat and prevent disease but suffers from low retention and bioavailability. Here the authors report on a lipid coating to protect against environmental assault maintaining viability and bioactivity of the bacteria and demonstrate effective application in a colitis model.

    • Zhenping Cao
    • , Xinyue Wang
    •  & Jinyao Liu

  • 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

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