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| Open AccessTransforming sustainable plant proteins into high performance lubricating microgels
Demand for plant proteins is increasing, but these often give an astringent sensation due to poor lubrication performance. Here, the authors report the development of plantprotein microgels with improved lubricity with potential in sustainable foods.
- Ben Kew
- , Melvin Holmes
- & Anwesha Sarkar
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Article
| Open AccessIdentification of scaffold proteins for improved endogenous engineering of extracellular vesicles
Extracellular vesicles are naturally occurring nanoparticles that are gaining ground as delivery modalities for therapeutics. Here, the authors conducted a large-scale screening programme to identify potential scaffold proteins for cargo loading into extracellular vesicles.
- Wenyi Zheng
- , Julia Rädler
- & Samir EL Andaloussi
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Article
| Open AccessPhenotypically complex living materials containing engineered cyanobacteria
Engineered living materials (ELMs) are emerging as a field at the intersection of materials science and synthetic biology. Here, the authors describe a photosynthetic ELM composed of genetically engineered cyanobacteria in a hydrogel matrix, capable of bioremediation and inducible cell death.
- Debika Datta
- , Elliot L. Weiss
- & Jonathan K. Pokorski
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Article
| Open AccessPrussian blue analog with separated active sites to catalyze water driven enhanced catalytic treatments
Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) uses Fenton chemistry to covert hydrogen peroxide in cancer cells to toxic hydroxyl radicals, but endogenous hydrogen peroxide is insufficient to drive sustainable CDT. Here, the authors report a water oxidation CoFe Prussian blue nanoframe to provide sustained, external energy free self-supply of hydroxyl radicals for CDT.
- Liu-Chun Wang
- , Pei-Yu Chiou
- & Chen-Sheng Yeh
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Article
| Open AccessMaterial-engineered bioartificial microorganisms enabling efficient scavenging of waterborne viruses
The material-based evolution of organisms has attracted broad interdisciplinary interest, however, the fabrication of material-integrated organelles remains inadequately exploited. Here the authors engineer a bioartificial organism by integrating a semiartificial and specific virus-scavenging organelle to scavenge pathogenic waterborne viruses.
- Huixin Li
- , Yanpeng Xu
- & Ruikang Tang
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Article
| Open AccessA bimetallic nanoplatform for STING activation and CRISPR/Cas mediated depletion of the methionine transporter in cancer cells restores anti-tumor immune responses
Metabolic pressure, in particular the lack of methionine availability, on tumor-infiltrating CD8 + T cells is associated with T cell dysfunction. Since tumor cells rely on SLC43A2 for methionine uptake, here the authors design a nanoplatform for CRISPR/Cas9 mediated silencing of SLC43A2 and STING activation, restoring anti-tumor T cell immune responses.
- Ying Huang
- , Geng Qin
- & Xiaogang Qu
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Article
| Open AccessBiodegradable polyphosphoester micelles act as both background-free 31P magnetic resonance imaging agents and drug nanocarriers
MRI agents can result in environmental pollution and organ accumulation. Here, the authors show that modifying the molecular structure of biodegradable polyphosphoesters and tailoring the polymers’ microstructure to adjust MRI relaxation times can overcome challenges in 31P MR imaging.
- Olga Koshkina
- , Timo Rheinberger
- & Frederik R. Wurm
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Article
| Open AccessSpatially controlled construction of assembloids using bioprinting
Bioprinting has potential in the biofabrication of three dimensional tissues, but is poorly suited to the manipulation of neural organoids. Here, the authors develop a bioprinting platform to allow the arrangement of organoids to form assembloids.
- Julien G. Roth
- , Lucia G. Brunel
- & Sarah C. Heilshorn
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Article
| Open AccessmRNA lipid nanoparticle-mediated pyroptosis sensitizes immunologically cold tumors to checkpoint immunotherapy
mRNA nanomedicine-based gene therapy may offer opportunities for cancer treatment. Here the authors show that mRNA lipid nanoparticles encoding the N-terminal domain of gasdermin B trigger pyroptosis and promote anti-tumor immune responses in preclinical cancer models.
- Fengqiao Li
- , Xue-Qing Zhang
- & Xiaoyang Xu
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Article
| Open AccessInterventional hydrogel microsphere vaccine as an immune amplifier for activated antitumour immunity after ablation therapy
Minimally invasive irreversible electroporation shows some therapeutic promise in irresectable pancreatic cancers that are notorious for poor survival. Here authors combine this with administration of a hydrogel microsphere vaccine that augments the antigen presentation T cell response cascade that naturally initiates following ablation.
- Xiaoyu Liu
- , Yaping Zhuang
- & Zhongmin Wang
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Article
| Open AccessActive self-assembly of piezoelectric biomolecular films via synergistic nanoconfinement and in-situ poling
Piezoelectric biomaterials are limited by the challenges in domain orientation alignment and a weak piezoelectric effect. Here, Zhang et. al. present an active self-assembly strategy via nanoconfinement and in-situ poling, to obtain large-scale, high performance piezoelectric β-glycine nanocrystalline films.
- Zhuomin Zhang
- , Xuemu Li
- & Zhengbao Yang
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Article
| Open AccessIn situ activation of flexible magnetoelectric membrane enhances bone defect repair
Biomaterials that can be non-invasively activated to promote bone growth would be useful tools to repair bone defects in patients with comorbidities like inflammation or impaired osteogenesis. Here, the authors develop a composite membrane that can be stimulated by an external magnetic field and use it to correct skull defects in rats treated to reflect such comorbidities.
- Wenwen Liu
- , Han Zhao
- & Xuliang Deng
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Article
| Open AccessPorous microneedle patch with sustained delivery of extracellular vesicles mitigates severe spinal cord injury
Efficient delivery of extracellular vesicles to the injured spinal cord, with minimal damage, remains challenging. Here, the authors fabricate a minimally invasive microneedle device, which provides efficient and sustained extracellular vesicle delivery for spinal cord injury treatment.
- Ao Fang
- , Yifan Wang
- & Xuhua Wang
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Article
| Open AccessCucurbit[8]uril-based water-dispersible assemblies with enhanced optoacoustic performance for multispectral optoacoustic imaging
The applications of organic small-molecule contrast agents for multispectral optoacoustic imaging have been restrained by several challenges including relatively low extinction coefficient, poor water solubility and weak optoacoustic performance. Here, the authors address these limitations by constructing water-dispersible supramolecular optoacoustic assemblies based on cucurbit[8]uril.
- Yinglong Wu
- , Lihe Sun
- & Yanli Zhao
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Article
| Open AccessAccelerating the prediction and discovery of peptide hydrogels with human-in-the-loop
Accurate prediction of peptidic hydrogels could prove useful for diverse biomedical applications. Here, the authors develop a “human-in-the-loop” approach that integrates coarse-grained molecular dynamics, machine learning, and experimentation to design natural peptide hydrogels.
- Tengyan Xu
- , Jiaqi Wang
- & Huaimin Wang
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Article
| Open AccessInnovative design of minimal invasive biodegradable poly(glycerol-dodecanoate) nucleus pulposus scaffold with function regeneration
Minimally invasive implants have potential in treating intervertebral disc degeneration, but providing sufficient mechanical support is challenging. Here, the authors report the development of a nucleus pulposus scaffold, with properties designed to match those of native nucleus pulposus.
- Lizhen Wang
- , Kaixiang Jin
- & Yubo Fan
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Article
| Open AccessA joint proteomic and genomic investigation provides insights into the mechanism of calcification in coccolithophores
Coccolithophorid algae are globally important for marine biogeochemical cycles, but the molecular basis of their biology is poorly understood. Using proteomics and a new genome, Skeffington et al. identify candidate proteins involved in calcification in Emiliania huxleyi.
- Alastair Skeffington
- , Axel Fischer
- & André Scheffel
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Article
| Open AccessActivating hidden signals by mimicking cryptic sites in a synthetic extracellular matrix
In this work, the authors synthetized hydrogels that mimic cryptic sites in the native extracellular matrix (ECM) using switch peptides. They report how in response to enzymes on the surface of endothelial cells the inert matrix is transformed into a bioadhesive synthetic ECM.
- Yumeng Zhu
- , Yulia Shmidov
- & John B. Matson
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Article
| Open AccessVacuole dynamics and popping-based motility in liquid droplets of DNA
In this work, the authors report the appearance of vacuoles within the droplets of an enzyme-driven biomolecular liquid. The mechanisms of these behaviors are quantitatively explained with a diffusive capture model of enzyme dynamics.
- Omar A. Saleh
- , Sam Wilken
- & Tim Liedl
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Article
| Open AccessAdoptive T cell transfer and host antigen-presenting cell recruitment with cryogel scaffolds promotes long-term protection against solid tumors
Adoptive T cell therapy has shown remarkable promise for the treatment of haematological malignancies. Here, the authors show that a cryogel platform for the simultaneous delivery of autologous T cells and recruitment of local antigen-presenting cells promotes long-lasting responses against solid tumours in mice.
- Kwasi Adu-Berchie
- , Joshua M. Brockman
- & David J. Mooney
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Article
| Open AccessTemperature-triggered in situ forming lipid mesophase gel for local treatment of ulcerative colitis
Treatment of the chronic disease ulcerative colitis is impeded by systemic side effects of orally administered drugs. Here the authors develop a gel that uses the rectal temperature as a mechanism to trigger solidification for localized delivery of colitis therapeutics.
- Marianna Carone
- , Marianne R. Spalinger
- & Simone Aleandri
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Article
| Open AccessScarless wound healing programmed by core-shell microneedles
Effective reprogramming of chronic wound healing remains challenging due to the limited drug delivery efficacy hindered by physiological barriers, as well as the inappropriate dosing timing in distinct healing stages. Here, the authors report a core-shell structured microneedle array patch with programmed functions which dynamically modulates the wound immune microenvironment according to the varied healing phases
- Ying Zhang
- , Shenqiang Wang
- & Zhen Gu
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Article
| Open AccessSite-specific fabrication of a melanin-like pigment through spatially confined progressive assembly on an initiator-loaded template
Melanin-like materials are becoming important for surface biofunctionalization due to versatile adhesion, but are challenging to prepare in a site-specific manner. Here, the authors report a method using progressive assembly on a catalytic template, for site-specific fabrication and patterning of melanin-like pigments.
- Haejin Jeong
- , Jisoo Lee
- & Seonki Hong
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Article
| Open AccessMulti-layered cement-hydrogel composite with high toughness, low thermal conductivity, and self-healing capability
Despite widely used in the construction sector, Portland cement’s high brittleness and low toughness still pose challenges in some applications. Here, authors apply an ice-templating method to fabricate a cement-hydrogel composite with alternating layered microstructure resulting in significantly increased toughness.
- Yuan Chen
- , Yangzezhi Zheng
- & Changwen Miao
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Article
| Open AccessTransparent tissue in solid state for solvent-free and antifade 3D imaging
Current liquid-based optical clearing protocols can suffer from solvent evaporation and photobleaching. Here, the authors develop a solid high-refractive-index polymer to embed mouse and human tissues for clearing and antifade high-resolution 3D imaging.
- Fu-Ting Hsiao
- , Hung-Jen Chien
- & Shiue-Cheng Tang
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Article
| Open AccessAn injectable liposome-anchored teriparatide incorporated gallic acid-grafted gelatin hydrogel for osteoarthritis treatment
Osteoarthritis is a common disease that causes pain and difficulty moving joints. Here the authors present an injectable gelatin-based hydrogel that slowly releases teriparatide drug to avoid frequent injections, offering a potential solution for patients with osteoarthritis.
- Guoqing Li
- , Su Liu
- & Hui Zeng
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Article
| Open AccessHydrogel-in-hydrogel live bioprinting for guidance and control of organoids and organotypic cultures
Organ-like 3D cultures are advanced model system for biology and medicine limited by their uncontrolled cell self-assembly. Here, the authors develop a hydrogel-in-hydrogel bioprinting approach to dynamically control the growth landscape of a broad range of living 3D cell cultures.
- Anna Urciuolo
- , Giovanni Giuseppe Giobbe
- & Nicola Elvassore
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Article
| Open AccessMagnetic control of self-assembly and disassembly in organic materials
Organic molecules and materials are generally insensitive or weakly sensitive to magnetic fields due to their small diamagnetic force. Here, the authors show a strategy to amplify the magnetic responsiveness of self-assembled peptide nanostructures by synergistically combining the concepts of perfect α-helix and rod-coil supramolecular building blocks
- You-jin Jung
- , Hyoseok Kim
- & Yong-beom Lim
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Article
| Open AccessA biodegradable, flexible photonic patch for in vivo phototherapy
Illuminating internal organs and tissues with high controllability and adaptability remains challenging. Here the authors present a flexible, biodegradable photonic device called iCarP for large area, high intensity, wide spectrum, deeply penetrating, continuous or pulsatile illumination.
- Kaicheng Deng
- , Yao Tang
- & Yang Zhu
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| Open AccessPhotoinhibiting via simultaneous photoabsorption and free-radical reaction for high-fidelity light-based bioprinting
‘Light-based bioprinting is employed in the fabrication of complex constructs but achieving high resolution remains challenging due to light scattering effects. Here, the authors develop a photoinhibiting additive which suppresses light scattering and demonstrate printing of functional scaffolds
- Ning He
- , Xiaonan Wang
- & Xiaoxiao Han
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Article
| Open AccessEnzymatic polymerization of enantiomeric L−3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine into films with enhanced rigidity and stability
L-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine plays an important role in living system. Here, the authors investigated the effect of the molecular chirality of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine on the improved structural and thermal stability of self-assembled films by tyrosinase-induced oxidative polymerization.
- Yuhe Shen
- , Rongxin Su
- & Wei Qi
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Article
| Open AccessCultured meat platform developed through the structuring of edible microcarrier-derived microtissues with oleogel-based fat substitute
Cultured meat (CM) is a sustainable alternative for meat, providing similar eating experience and nutrition. Here the authors present and fully characterize a CM platform from cellularized edible microcarriers and oleogel-based fat substitute.
- Feng-Chun Yen
- , Jovana Glusac
- & Marcelle Machluf
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Article
| Open AccessMicrobial synthesis of Prussian blue for potentiating checkpoint blockade immunotherapy
Prussian blue has been used as a photothermal agent for cancer therapy. Here the authors describe the production of Prussian blue nanoparticles from S. oneidensis MR-1 bacteria and show that a Prussian blue-based mitochondria-targeting nanoplatform potentiates response to immune checkpoint blockade.
- Dongdong Wang
- , Jiawei Liu
- & Yanli Zhao
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Article
| Open AccessEngineered bacterial outer membrane vesicles encapsulating oncolytic adenoviruses enhance the efficacy of cancer virotherapy by augmenting tumor cell autophagy
Oncolytic adenoviruses (Ads)-mediated anti-tumor activity is related to virus-promoted autophagy in tumor cells. Here the authors describe the design of a microbial nanocomposite based on Ads-encapsulated in bacterial outer membrane vesicles to promote Ads intratumoral accumulation and induction of autophagy, promoting anti-tumor immune responses in preclinical cancer models.
- Weiyue Ban
- , Mengchi Sun
- & Jin Sun
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Article
| Open AccessA smart pathogen detector engineered from intracellular hydrogelation of DNA-decorated macrophages
Macrophages have the inherent capacity to recognise pathogenic microorganisms, highlighting their potential to be used in biosensing applications. Herein, the authors report a method to transform normally fragile macrophages into robust gelated cell particles for efficient bacterial capture and detection.
- Yueyue Gui
- , Yujing Zeng
- & Chao Li
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Article
| Open AccessRectifying disorder of extracellular matrix to suppress urethral stricture by protein nanofilm-controlled drug delivery from urinary catheter
Various anti-fibrotic drugs have been applied to urethral stricture by irrigation or submucosal injection, but their clinical feasibility and effectiveness are limited. Here, the authors design a protein-based nanofilm-controlled drug delivery system with anti-biofilm properties that can be assembled on a catheter.
- Juanhua Tian
- , Delai Fu
- & Peng Yang
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Article
| Open AccessEfficient selective removal of uremic toxin precursor by olefin-linked covalent organic frameworks for nephropathy treatment
Indoxyl sulfate is a key risk factor in the progression of chronic kidney disease, but cannot be removed from the blood by hemodialysis. Here, the authors report the use of a covalent organic framework for the removal of indoxyl sulfate precursor from the intestine.
- Jinxia Wei
- , Rui Li
- & Yao Chen
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Article
| Open AccessIn situ continuous Dopa supply by responsive artificial enzyme for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease
Oral dihydroxyphenylalanine (Dopa) administration to replenish neuronal dopamine is a treatment for Parkinson’s disease but induces fluctuations in plasma Dopa levels. Here the authors report a nucleic acid-based responsive artificial enzyme (FNA-Fe3O4) for in situ continuous Dopa production.
- Xiao Fang
- , Meng Yuan
- & Huanghao Yang
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Article
| Open AccessNon-enzymatic oligonucleotide ligation in coacervate protocells sustains compartment-content coupling
Achieving a form of coupling between molecular content, chemical reactions, and chassis in synthetic compartments represents a key step to the assembly of evolvable protocells but remains challenging. Here, the authors design coacervate droplets that promote non-enzymatic oligonucleotide polymerization and that restructure as a result of the reaction dynamics.
- Tommaso P. Fraccia
- & Nicolas Martin
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Article
| Open AccessRestoration of lysosomal acidification rescues autophagy and metabolic dysfunction in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
In NAFLD, high levels of fatty acids in the liver impair lysosomal acidification. Here, the authors report the synthesis of novel biodegradable acid-activated acidifying nanoparticles that re-acidify lysosomes, restore autophagy, and reverse fasting hyperglycemia and hepatic steatosis in fat mice.
- Jialiu Zeng
- , Rebeca Acin-Perez
- & Mark W. Grinstaff
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Article
| Open AccessFueling sentinel node via reshaping cytotoxic T lymphocytes with a flex-patch for post-operative immuno-adjuvant therapy
Sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) represent the sites where micro-metastasis can first develop, however they are also important to mount effective anti-tumor immune responses. Here the authors describe the design of a flex-patch loaded with anti-PD-1 antibodies and immuno-adjuvant nanosheets, layered double hydroxide, to fuel anti-tumor immune response in the SLN for postsurgical breast cancer adjuvant therapy.
- Bei Li
- , Guohao Wang
- & Yunlu Dai
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Article
| Open AccessHydrogel dressing integrating FAK inhibition and ROS scavenging for mechano-chemical treatment of atopic dermatitis
Mechanical scratching and oxidative stress can aggravate atopic dermatitis symptoms, while treatment targeting scratching is often overlooked. Here, the authors find that enhanced phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase is associated with scratch-exacerbated AD, then develop a hydrogel dressing that integrates oxidative stress modulation with FAK inhibition to synergistically treat AD.
- Yuanbo Jia
- , Jiahui Hu
- & Feng Xu
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Article
| Open AccessNanoparticle-mediated TRPV1 channel blockade amplifies cancer thermo-immunotherapy via heat shock factor 1 modulation
TRPV1 has been associated with proliferation and survival of tumors, and can be activated by heat and other stimuli. Here, the authors block TRPV1 using photothermal nanoparticles encapsulating a TRPV1 antagonist in different cancer types, which can enhance thermo-immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer models.
- Ting Li
- , Shuhui Jiang
- & Huabing Chen
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Article
| Open AccessCargo-free particles divert neutrophil-platelet aggregates to reduce thromboinflammation
Platelet-neutrophil aggregates are a hallmark of thromboinflamation. Here, the authors use cargo-free particles to block platelet-neutrophil aggregates’ vascular wall adhesion, which could become an effective thromboinflammation therapy, regardless of disease cause.
- Alison L. Banka
- , M. Valentina Guevara
- & Omolola Eniola-Adefeso
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Article
| Open AccessAn aptamer-based depot system for sustained release of small molecule therapeutics
Controlled delivery of small molecule therapeutics is challenging. Here the authors report a simple and effective aptamer-based depot system where the formation of aptamer/drug complexes leads to sustained release, and using this approach demonstrate improved in vivo delivery of channel blockers.
- Dali Wang
- , Yang Li
- & Christopher B. Weldon
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Article
| Open AccessExploiting synergistic effect of CO/NO gases for soft tissue transplantation using a hydrogel patch
Autologous skin flap transplantation is a common method to repair complex soft tissue defects. Here the authors develop a hydrogel patch that releases carbon monoxide and nitric oxide gases on demand, to afford a timely blood supply for skin flap transplantation during surgery, just improving the incidence of distal necrosis of the flap and reducing long-term functional loss.
- Xiaoduo Tang
- , Jingyan Ren
- & Bai Yang
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Article
| Open AccessBioinspired artificial spider silk photocatalyst for the high-efficiency capture and inactivation of bacteria aerosols
Bioaerosol can cause the spread of disease, but current removal systems are easily blocked and often cannot deactivate the bioaerosol. Here, the authors report a method for bioaerosol removal and deactivation using a bioinspired photocatalyst capable of capturing airborne bacteria.
- Linghui Peng
- , Haiyu Wang
- & Taicheng An
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Article
| Open AccessA massively parallel screening platform for converting aptamers into molecular switches
Efforts to convert aptamers into molecular switches using rational design are often unsuccessful. Here the authors describe a massively parallel screening-based strategy whereby millions of potential aptamer switches are synthesised, sequenced and screened directly on a flow-cell.
- Alex M. Yoshikawa
- , Alexandra E. Rangel
- & H. Tom Soh
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Article
| Open AccessIn vivo bioluminescence imaging of natural bacteria within deep tissues via ATP-binding cassette sugar transporter
Bioluminescent imaging of bacteria in vivo generally requires the use of engineered bacteria. Here the authors take advantage of bacteria specific ATP-binding cassette sugar transporters to enable selective delivery of bioluminescent nanoprobes into bacteria for visualisation, including in deep tissues.
- Qian Zhang
- , Bin Song
- & Yao He