Nanobiotechnology articles within Nature Communications

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  • Article
    | Open Access

    Enzymatic reactions caused by neutrophils can cause the elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in tumour tissue, Here, the authors, inspired by the neutrophils, design and test a synthetic cascade reaction which turns ROS into singlet oxygen and demonstrate the application of the designed nanoparticle

    • Qing Wu
    • , Zhigang He
    •  & Qigang Wang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The integration and release of reagents in portable diagnostic devices is critical for the good functioning of such devices. Here the authors propose a device with a reservoir for long-term storage of reagents with integrated, pressure operated, normally closed, passive check-valve for dispensing.

    • Amin Kazemzadeh
    • , Anders Eriksson
    •  & Aman Russom

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Membrane-disrupting agents that selectively target virus versus host membranes could potentially be potent antivirals. Here the authors incorporate a decoy virus receptor into a nanodisc and show that it ruptures the viral membrane at low pH and traps viral RNAs in the endolysosome for degradation.

    • Byoungjae Kong
    • , Seokoh Moon
    •  & Dae-Hyuk Kweon

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Ultrathin nanopore membranes have the potential for detecting topological variation in DNA. Here the authors use barcoded DNA to characterise the translocation profiles of DNA with single strand gaps.

    • Ke Liu
    • , Chao Pan
    •  & Aleksandra Radenovic

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Understanding the pH changes at cell surfaces is important for understanding the mechanisms of different physiological processes. Here, the authors report on the development of a cell membrane anchored gold nanoparticle for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy determination of pH.

    • Leonardo Puppulin
    • , Shigekuni Hosogi
    •  & Yoshinori Marunaka

  • Article
    | Open Access

    In label-free biosensing surface functionalisation is a complex issue that can affect sensing performance. Here, the authors report on an electrostatic layer-by-layer technique to functionalize a surface and demonstrate this technique using biotinylated polymer for streptavidin detection in saliva.

    • Stefano Mariani
    • , Valentina Robbiano
    •  & Giuseppe Barillaro

  • Article
    | Open Access

    DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that control genetic programs. Here, the authors found that the methylation landscape influences the physicochemical properties of DNA and that it can serve as a universal cancer biomarker, and developed a one-step assay for the detection of cancer DNA.

    • Abu Ali Ibn Sina
    • , Laura G. Carrascosa
    •  & Matt Trau

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Imaging tracking of the migration of cell-based drug delivery systems are needed for expanding their clinical application for glioma. Here they report inflammation activatable engineered neutrophils containing doxorubicin-loaded magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles to image and actively target brain tumors after resection.

    • Meiying Wu
    • , Haixian Zhang
    •  & Hairong Zheng

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Solid state nanopores are robust but the sizing can be variable, whereas protein nanopores are precisely sized but lack robustness. Here the authors cork a solid state nanopore with the DNA-translocating portal protein from the virus G20c to obtain a lipid-free hybrid nanopore that can sense various biopolymers.

    • Benjamin Cressiot
    • , Sandra J. Greive
    •  & Meni Wanunu

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The efficacy of nanoparticles can be significantly inhibited by serum proteins binding to them. Here, the author developed a supramolecularly constructed protein corona on nanoparticles, which minimises interactions with serum proteins to prevent the clearance of these particles by macrophages.

    • Jun Yong Oh
    • , Han Sol Kim
    •  & Ja-Hyoung Ryu

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Eradication of bacterial infections can be hindered by poor penetration of antibiotics through biofilms. Here, Teirlinck et al. show that laser-induced vapour nanobubbles formed around plasmonic nanoparticles can be used to locally disturb biofilm integrity and improve antibiotic diffusion.

    • Eline Teirlinck
    • , Ranhua Xiong
    •  & Kevin Braeckmans

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Therapeutic alteration of protein expression using modified mRNA is limited by immunogenicity and instability in vivo. Here the authors use antibody-coated lipid nanoparticles to deliver mRNA to leukocytes and drive expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines in an inflammatory bowel disease mouse model.

    • Nuphar Veiga
    • , Meir Goldsmith
    •  & Dan Peer

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Peripheral nerves have a complex physiology and it is therefore difficult to measure axonal activity in vitro. Here the authors make a nerve-on-a-chip platform to align peripheral nerves and permit measurement of conduction amplitude and velocity along several axons in a single experiment.

    • Sandra Gribi
    • , Sophie du Bois de Dunilac
    •  & Stéphanie P. Lacour

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Micromotors have a range of potential healthcare applications. Here, the authors describe the development of a metal nanoparticle DNA micromotor which can be used to detect human HIV-1 by a change in the motion of the micromotors, monitored by cell phone camera, triggered by binding of HIV-1 RNA.

    • Mohamed Shehata Draz
    • , Kamyar Mehrabi Kochehbyoki
    •  & Hadi Shafiee

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) released from damaged or dead cells can activate DNA sensors that exacerbate the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here the authors use ~40 nm cationic nanoparticles to scavenge cfDNA, and demonstrate the potential for nanomedicine to relieve debilitating RA symptoms.

    • Huiyi Liang
    • , Bo Peng
    •  & Yongming Chen

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Protein nanopores are emerging as sensors for a variety of biomolecules. Here the authors develop a nanopore based on the bacterial toxin ClyA, in conjunction with binding proteins for glucose and asparagine, to detect these biomolecules simultaneously from a variety of unprocessed, diluted body fluids.

    • Nicole Stéphanie Galenkamp
    • , Misha Soskine
    •  & Giovanni Maglia

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome triggers the production of inflammatory cytokines. Here, the authors inactivate NLRP3 in macrophages using CRISPR/Cas9 encapsulated in nanoparticles, and show that administration in mice is effective in preventing septic shock and peritonitis, and in improving diabetes-associated inflammation and insulin resistance.

    • Congfei Xu
    • , Zidong Lu
    •  & Jun Wang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Manual sample deposition on a substrate can introduce artifacts in quantitative AFM measurements. Here the authors present a microfluidic spray device for reliable deposition of subpicoliter droplets which dry out in milliseconds after landing on the surface, thereby avoiding protein self-assembly.

    • Francesco Simone Ruggeri
    • , Jerome Charmet
    •  & Tuomas P. J. Knowles

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) are a pivotal component of the immune system. Here, the authors utilize single-cell microfluidics to interrogate the human pDC compartment and reveal a subset of type I IFN secreting pDCs that is regulated by stochastic gene expression and amplified by microenvironmental cues.

    • Florian Wimmers
    • , Nikita Subedi
    •  & Jurjen Tel

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The complexity of polysaccharides significantly complicates their analysis in comparison to other biopolymers. Here, the authors demonstrate that solid-state silicon nitride nanopore sensors can be used to reliably detect native polysaccharides and to perform a simple quality assurance assay on a polysaccharide therapeutic, heparin.

    • Buddini Iroshika Karawdeniya
    • , Y. M. Nuwan D. Y. Bandara
    •  & Jason R. Dwyer

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Surface enhanced Raman scattering is a bio-analytical tool and the development and optimisation of probes is an active area of investigation. Here, the authors report on the development and testing of biocompatible semiconductor zinc oxide quantum probes on a platform for cell adhesion and analysis.

    • Rupa Haldavnekar
    • , Krishnan Venkatakrishnan
    •  & Bo Tan

  • Article
    | Open Access

    X-ray radiation has excellent tissue penetration depth, making it a useful trigger for deep tissue cancer therapy. Here, the authors design X-ray triggered drug/gene-loaded liposomes by embedding photosensitizers and gold nanoparticles in the liposome bilayer, and demonstrate their efficacy in cancer and gene therapy.

    • Wei Deng
    • , Wenjie Chen
    •  & Ewa M. Goldys

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Though luminescence imaging is a promising approach for contactless thermometry in vivo, the low thermal sensitivity of existing thermometers limits its potential. Here, the authors develop a high-sensitivity ratiometric nanothermometer based on triplet-sensitized upconversion.

    • Ming Xu
    • , Xianmei Zou
    •  & Fuyou Li

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Biomarkers are natural indicators of some biological conditions, often used in diagnostics. Here, the authors developed a biosensor that continuously measures concentrations of DNA or protein biomarkers, and is based on particles that change mobility by directly interacting with individual molecules.

    • Emiel W. A. Visser
    • , Junhong Yan
    •  & Menno W. J. Prins

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The correction of genetic defects in utero could allow for improved outcomes of gene therapy. Here, the authors demonstrate safe delivery of nanoparticles to fetal mouse tissues, and show that nanoparticles containing peptide nucleic acids to edit the beta-globin gene are effective in a mouse model of beta-thalassemia.

    • Adele S. Ricciardi
    • , Raman Bahal
    •  & W. Mark Saltzman

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Generating artificial cells able to carry out metabolic activities out-of-equilibrium is a current challenge in synthetic biology. Here the authors use a microfluidic platform for integration and analysis of minimal metabolic reactions in artificial microcompartments formed of water-in-oil droplets.

    • Thomas Beneyton
    • , Dorothee Krafft
    •  & Jean-Christophe Baret

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Many cell capture systems exist but the characterisation and controlled release of single cells is a challenge. Here, the authors report on the development of a duel trigger release system using a combination of photo and electro triggers to allow for light based analysis without unwanted release.

    • Stephen G. Parker
    • , Ying Yang
    •  & J. Justin Gooding

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The blood-brain barrier often limits effective delivery  of treatments for glioblastoma . In this study, the authors develop transferrin-functionalized nanoparticles able to traverse the intact blood-brain barrier and deliver combination temozolomide and bromodomain inhibitor therapy to  glioma-bearing mice.

    • Fred C. Lam
    • , Stephen W. Morton
    •  & Paula T Hammond

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Artificial compartments have been expressed in prokaryotes and yeast, but similar capabilities have been missing for mammalian cell engineering. Here the authors use bacterial encapsulins to engineer genetically controlled multifunctional orthogonal compartments in mammalian cells.

    • Felix Sigmund
    • , Christoph Massner
    •  & Gil G. Westmeyer

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Microfluidic platforms are an attractive setup for performing clinical tests but integrated liquid mixing and bioseparation is difficult at small scales. Here Xiong et al. propose magnetic nanochains which can stir the solution and capture agents and thus enable liquid analysis in a short amount of time.

    • Qirong Xiong
    • , Chun Yee Lim
    •  & Hongwei Duan

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Transient electronics entails the capability of electronic components to dissolve or reabsorb in a controlled manner when used in biomedical implants. Here, the authors perform a systematic study of the processes of hydrolysis, bioabsorption, cytotoxicity and immunological biocompatibility of monolayer MoS2.

    • Xiang Chen
    • , Yong Ju Park
    •  & Jong-Hyun Ahn

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The production of graphene nanoflakes for biological studies is usually done in a controlled chemical environment. Here, the authors develop a method to produce graphene nanoflakes in biofluids and find that their protein coats are different from that of other materials.

    • V. Castagnola
    • , W. Zhao
    •  & K. A. Dawson

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Monitoring the heterogeneity of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and their phenotypic changes during treatment is a challenge. This study describes and tests a method for detection and quantitative heterogeneity analysis of melanoma CTCs in 10 stage-IV melanoma patients.

    • Simon Chang-Hao Tsao
    • , Jing Wang
    •  & Matt Trau

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The conjugation of nanoparticles and proteins can require complex optimization for the addition of different proteins. Here, the authors report on the development of a simple isopeptide bond forming method of conjoining gold nanoparticles and fusion proteins.

    • Wenwei Ma
    • , Angela Saccardo
    •  & Enrico Ferrari

  • Article
    | Open Access

    DNA molecular machines hold promise for biological nanotechnology, but how to actuate them in a fast and programmable manner remains challenging. Here, Lauback et al. demonstrate direct manipulation of DNA origami assemblies via a micrometer-long stiff mechanical lever controlled by a magnetic field.

    • Stephanie Lauback
    • , Kara R. Mattioli
    •  & Carlos E. Castro

  • Article
    | Open Access

    X-ray spectroscopy is a tool used for the investigation of aqueous solutions but the strong absorption of water means that very thin liquid sheets are needed for accurate analysis. Here the authors produce free-flowing liquid sheets 2 orders of magnitude thinner than sheets obtained with existing techniques.

    • Jake D. Koralek
    • , Jongjin B. Kim
    •  & Daniel P. DePonte

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