Featured
-
-
News & Views |
Liposozyme for wound healing and inflammation resolution
Antibacterial action, along with restoration of redox and immune homeostasis, is achieved using a lipid–nanozyme hybrid for the healing of diabetic foot ulcers.
- Zhichao Deng
- & Mingzhen Zhang
-
Article
| Open Access
Proactive vaccination using multiviral Quartet Nanocages to elicit broad anti-coronavirus responses
The ability to vaccinate against multiple related pathogens is a significant advantage. Here, the authors report on quartets of linked receptor-binding domains attached to designed nanocages using SpyTag/SpyCatcher links, demonstrating effective vaccination against similar viruses as well as the variant of concern.
- Rory A. Hills
- , Tiong Kit Tan
- & Mark R. Howarth
-
Article |
Multimodal nanoimmunotherapy engages neutrophils to eliminate Staphylococcus aureus infections
Antimicrobial resistance is becoming more prevalent. Here the authors use multimodal nanoparticles to modulate the infected microenvironment, recruit neutrophils and alleviate hypoxia to restore neutrophil function, demonstrating therapeutic efficacy against MRSA infections in mice.
- Jingcheng Zhu
- , Ruosen Xie
- & Shaoqin Gong
-
Review Article |
Engineering colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals for quantum information processing
This Review highlights the current potential for colloidal quantum dots for applications in quantum sensing and quantum circuits.
- Jawaher Almutlaq
- , Yuan Liu
- & Edward H. Sargent
-
Article |
Genome-wide forward genetic screening to identify receptors and proteins mediating nanoparticle uptake and intracellular processing
Understanding how cells process nanoparticles is crucial to improve nanomedicine efficacy. Here a genome-wide screening is used to discover proteins that are involved in silica nanoparticle accumulation by cells and shows that different apolipoprotein receptors and proteoglycans mediate their internalization.
- Daphne Montizaan
- , Roberta Bartucci
- & Anna Salvati
-
Article |
Targeting initial tumour–osteoclast spatiotemporal interaction to prevent bone metastasis
Tumour cell behaviour is an underdeveloped target for cancer intervention. Here the authors report on a spatiotemporal interaction between tumour cells and osteoclasts in initial bone metastases and propose a behaviour-targeting therapy with an in situ physical killing strategy.
- Chenhui Gu
- , Pengfei Chen
- & Xianfeng Lin
-
In the Classroom |
The potential for academics to inspire the next generation
Programmes to inspire the next generation of researchers can have a huge impact, as Rachel Lou explains in the recounting of her own experience.
- Rachel Lou
-
Article |
Complete miscibility of immiscible elements at the nanometre scale
Nanoparticles containing immiscible elements can be synthesized under certain experimental conditions.
- Peng-Cheng Chen
- , Mengyu Gao
- & Peidong Yang
-
Article
| Open Access
A charge-dependent long-ranged force drives tailored assembly of matter in solution
In contrast to textbook expectations, experimental findings show that, in certain situations, like-charged particles may either repel or attract each other depending on the sign of their charge and on the solvent.
- Sida Wang
- , Rowan Walker-Gibbons
- & Madhavi Krishnan
-
Research Briefing |
Fabrication of mechanochromic gallium nanostructures by capillary interactions
A process that leverages capillary interactions between oligomers in an elastomeric polydimethylsiloxane substrate and deposited Ga enables the formation of Ga nanodroplets with nanoscale gaps in a single step. Gap-plasmon resonances excited within the nanogaps give rise to structural colours that can be tuned by changing the oligomer content in the substrate or by mechanical stretching.
-
Article
| Open Access
Single-step fabrication of liquid gallium nanoparticles via capillary interaction for dynamic structural colours
Exploiting capillary interactions of oligomers in polydimethylsiloxane and Ga allows single-step formation of closely spaced Ga nanodroplets in which gap plasmon resonances lead to mechanoresponsive structural colours, bypassing multiple chemical or lithographic steps.
- Renu Raman Sahu
- , Alwar Samy Ramasamy
- & Tapajyoti Das Gupta
-
Article |
Photothermal therapy of tuberculosis using targeting pre-activated macrophage membrane-coated nanoparticles
Tuberculosis is a major global health issue. Here the authors report Mycobacterium-pre-activated macrophage membrane-coated photothermal nanoparticles for targeted tuberculous granuloma and pathogen dual imaging and antibacterial photothermal therapy.
- Bin Li
- , Wei Wang
- & Yuhui Liao
-
Article |
Chimeric nanobody-decorated liposomes by self-assembly
Manufacturing complexities, low yield and stability issues have hampered the clinical translation and scaling-up of immunoliposomes to meet the needs of pharmaceutical-grade products. The authors propose a one-step method of incorporating chimeric nanobodies tagged to hydrophobic linkers into liposomes, allowing targeted delivery of small-molecule anti-cancer drugs to tumours.
- Md. Mofizur Rahman
- , Jing Wang
- & Yuan Wan
-
Article
| Open Access
Cellular uptake and in vivo distribution of mesenchymal-stem-cell-derived extracellular vesicles are protein corona dependent
In regenerative medicine, stem-cell-derived extracellular vesicles are emerging as cell-free nanotherapeutics. Here, the authors show that coating these nanovesicles with blood proteins such as albumin improves their uptake by liver cells, offering a better treatment strategy for liver diseases.
- Revadee Liam-Or
- , Farid N. Faruqu
- & Khuloud T. Al-Jamal
-
Article
| Open Access
First-in-human controlled inhalation of thin graphene oxide nanosheets to study acute cardiorespiratory responses
Assessment of the health risks of exposure to anthropogenic nanomaterials is crucial to maximize their potential applications. This double-blind, randomized controlled study in healthy humans evaluates the impact of inhalation of graphene oxide nanosheets on acute pulmonary and cardiovascular functions.
- Jack P. M. Andrews
- , Shruti S. Joshi
- & Mark R. Miller
-
Review Article |
Evidence and therapeutic implications of biomechanically regulated immunosurveillance in cancer and other diseases
This Review highlights the current understanding of mechanisms underlying the mechanical changes occurring in diseased and immune cells and discusses new approaches to leverage and target biomechanical cues for immune engineering at various length scales for therapeutic interventions.
- Vincent Mittelheisser
- , Valentin Gensbittel
- & Jacky G. Goetz
-
Article |
Augmenting insect olfaction performance through nano-neuromodulation
Insects have been shown to have the ability to detect different chemical agents. Here, the authors present a nanomaterial-assisted neuromodulation strategy to augment the chemosensory abilities of insects via photothermal effect and on-demand neurotransmitter release from cargo-loaded nanovehicles to augment natural sensory function.
- Prashant Gupta
- , Rishabh Chandak
- & Srikanth Singamaneni
-
Article
| Open Access
In vivo real-time positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) and single particle PET
In vivo positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) remains a challenge due to the lack of single-particle tracers. Here a sub-micrometre silica particle has been radiolabelled and isolated with high specific activity, allowing the dynamic tracing of a single particle in vivo using PEPT in mice.
- Juan Pellico
- , Laurence Vass
- & Rafael T. M. de Rosales
-
Article |
Controlled adsorption of multiple bioactive proteins enables targeted mast cell nanotherapy
Proteins absorbed on nanomaterials often lose function due to denaturation. A poly(propylene sulfone) nanoparticle with site-specific dipole relaxation has been reported, which allows proteins to anchor to the nanoparticle without disrupting the hydrogen bonding or structure maintaining the protein functionality.
- Fanfan Du
- , Clayton H. Rische
- & Evan A. Scott
-
Article
| Open Access
Urease-powered nanobots for radionuclide bladder cancer therapy
Bladder cancer treatment suffers from low therapeutic efficacy. Here the authors present radioactive 131I-labelled urease-powered nanobots that exhibit enhanced accumulation at the tumour site, enabling effective radionuclide therapy at low doses as an alternative treatment option for bladder cancer.
- Cristina Simó
- , Meritxell Serra-Casablancas
- & Samuel Sánchez
-
Article |
Nanoreceptors promote mutant p53 protein degradation by mimicking selective autophagy receptors
Protein degradation is a powerful tool for a range of applications and therapies. Here, a selective autophagy receptor mimetic against mutant p53 protein is developed to substantially elevate autophagy levels and to recognize and transport mutant proteins for autophagy-mediated degradation and anticancer effect.
- Xiaowan Huang
- , Ziyang Cao
- & Yunjiao Zhang
-
Article |
Inhalable extracellular vesicle delivery of IL-12 mRNA to treat lung cancer and promote systemic immunity
Cytokine interleukin-12 (IL-12) has potential for tumour suppression yet off-target effects limit potential applications. Here the authors report on the delivery of IL-12 mRNA encapsulated in extracellular vesicles to lungs via inhalation and demonstrate the immunotherapeutic potential of targeted cytokine mRNA therapy.
- Mengrui Liu
- , Shiqi Hu
- & Ke Cheng
-
News & Views |
Oral insulin with reduced hypoglycaemic episodes
Chitosan/glucose co-polymers encapsulating silver sulfide quantum dots can be used to improve oral delivery of insulin in different animal models without hypoglycaemic incidents.
- Mulham Alfatama
-
Article
| Open Access
Oral nanotherapeutic formulation of insulin with reduced episodes of hypoglycaemia
Insulin injections are not ideal and have an increased risk of hypoglycaemia. A preferable oral formulation based on silver sulfide quantum dots coated with a chitosan/glucose polymer is discussed, which has controlled insulin release and reduced risk of hypoglycaemia, and demonstrates applications in rodent and non-human primate models.
- Nicholas J. Hunt
- , Glen P. Lockwood
- & Victoria C. Cogger
-
News & Views |
Intracerebral fate of engineered nanoparticles
Organic and inorganic nanoparticles have different clearance mechanisms from the brain resulting in different biological fates and retention times.
- Elizabeth Nance
-
Article |
Intracerebral fate of organic and inorganic nanoparticles is dependent on microglial extracellular vesicle function
Nanoparticle clearance is critical for safety and therapeutic applicability. Here the authors report the modulatory role of microglial extracellular vesicles on the brain clearance of organic and inorganic nanoparticles and provide a strategy to control their intracerebral fate.
- Jinchao Gao
- , Qingxiang Song
- & Xiaoling Gao
-
Review Article |
Strategies for non-viral vectors targeting organs beyond the liver
Nanoparticles naturally accumulate in the liver; this can be a major limitation to any therapy needing delivery to other organs or tissues. Here the authors review the reason for predominant liver uptake and explore different strategies used to target non-viral gene delivery nanoparticles to other organs and tissues.
- Jeonghwan Kim
- , Yulia Eygeris
- & Gaurav Sahay
-
Perspective |
Entry and exit of extracellular vesicles to and from the blood circulation
This Perspective discusses the current understanding of extracellular vesicles within the context of their movement into and out of blood circulation, with an outlook on leveraging extracellular vesicle nanobiology for mechanistic insights as well as diagnostic and nanotherapeutic applications in both physiological and pathological contexts.
- Dalila Iannotta
- , Amruta A
- & Joy Wolfram
-
Article |
Combinatorial development of nebulized mRNA delivery formulations for the lungs
Nebulized mRNA delivery has broad therapeutic potential but has proven challenging. Here, the authors report on a modified lipid nanoparticle with improved conditions to allow nebulization and demonstrate its application for delivering mRNA to the lungs.
- Allen Y. Jiang
- , Jacob Witten
- & Daniel G. Anderson
-
Article |
Microplastic fragmentation by rotifers in aquatic ecosystems contributes to global nanoplastic pollution
Here the authors show that the trophi or jaws of the chitinous masticatory apparatus of marine and freshwater zooplankton rotifers can grind microplastics, independent of polymer composition, and generate particulate nanoplastics, which may accelerate the nanoplastic flux in global surface waters.
- Jian Zhao
- , Ruyi Lan
- & Baoshan Xing
-
Article |
A modular approach to enhancing cell membrane-coated nanoparticle functionality using genetic engineering
Synthetic nanoparticles coated with cell membranes show immune evasion and circulate longer. Here, a genetically engineered cell membrane expressing a SpyCatcher anchor is used as a modular nanotherapeutic drug delivery platform for high-affinity targeting and suppression of ovarian cancer.
- Nishta Krishnan
- , Yao Jiang
- & Liangfang Zhang
-
News & Views |
Biohybrid nanoparticles for treating arthritis
A biohybrid nanoparticle formulation effectively treats rheumatoid arthritis by concurrently providing symptom relief and restoring proper immune function.
- Ronnie H. Fang
- & Liangfang Zhang
-
Article |
Ceria-vesicle nanohybrid therapeutic for modulation of innate and adaptive immunity in a collagen-induced arthritis model
Rheumatoid arthritis involves both inflammation and immune dysfunction, yet most therapies only target one aspect. Here, the authors report on ceria nanoparticle vesicle hybrids producing anti-inflammatory action and immunomodulation to relieve symptoms and restore normal function.
- Sagang Koo
- , Hee Su Sohn
- & Taeghwan Hyeon
-
Article |
Exploring the host range for genetic transfer of magnetic organelle biosynthesis
Biosynthesis of magnetosomes is of interest for a range of applications. Here, factors needed for magnetosome biosynthesis are evaluated and new diverse bacteria are engineered to biofabricate magnetic nanoparticles, facilitating translation to biotechnology and nanomedicine.
- Marina V. Dziuba
- , Frank-Dietrich Müller
- & Dirk Schüler
-
Article |
Age-associated disparity in phagocytic clearance affects the efficacy of cancer nanotherapeutics
Here, the authors find a decrease in hepatic phagocytic uptake of nanoparticles in old mice due to age-associated downregulation of the scavenger receptor MARCO, which led to improved tumour delivery and antitumour efficacy of cancer nanomedicine, showing the need to consider age as a factor in therapeutics.
- Yifan Wang
- , Weiye Deng
- & Wen Jiang
-
Article |
Breaking through the basement membrane barrier to improve nanotherapeutic delivery to tumours
Nanoparticle penetration into tumours is an obstacle to cancer therapeutics. Here the authors show that the tumour vascular basement membrane constitutes a barrier that reduces nanoparticle delivery and demonstrate an immune-driven strategy to overcome the barrier, increasing nanoparticle movement into tumours.
- Qin Wang
- , Qirui Liang
- & Yucai Wang
-
Article
| Open Access
Wireless electrical–molecular quantum signalling for cancer cell apoptosis
Quantum biological electron transfer has potential in diagnostic and therapeutic settings. Here the authors report the triggered apoptosis of cancer cells using electricical input to wirelessly induce redox interactions at bio-nanoantennae in proximity to cancer cells.
- Akhil Jain
- , Jonathan Gosling
- & Frankie J. Rawson
-
Article
| Open Access
Programmable multispecific DNA-origami-based T-cell engagers
A synthetic nanocarrier based on DNA origami chassis offers control over valency, orientation and spatial arrangement of antibodies for simultaneously engaging immune signalling pathways, checkpoint inhibition and targeted co-stimulation in anticancer immunotherapy in vivo.
- Klaus F. Wagenbauer
- , Nhi Pham
- & Hendrik Dietz
-
Article |
Electroactive membrane fusion-liposome for increased electron transfer to enhance radiodynamic therapy
Here the authors report on exoelectrogenic bacteria-derived membrane fusion-liposome-coated titanium dioxide nanoparticles to mimic extracellular electron transfer to enhance superoxide anion production under low-dose X-ray irradiation for radiodynamic therapy.
- Ying-Chi Chen
- , Yi-Ting Li
- & Chen-Sheng Yeh
-
Article |
Precise electrokinetic position and three-dimensional orientation control of a nanowire bioprobe in solution
A versatile electrokinetic trap overcomes rotational and translational Brownian motion for simultaneously controlling the two-dimensional position with a precision of up to 20 nm and 0.5° in the three-dimensional angle of an untethered nanowire under an optical microscope.
- Huaizhi Li
- , Daniel Teal
- & Donglei Emma Fan
-
Article |
Close the cancer–immunity cycle by integrating lipid nanoparticle–mRNA formulations and dendritic cell therapy
Overcoming the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment is a challenge. A strategy to close the cancer–immunity cycle has been reported by integrating lipid nanoparticle–mRNA formulations and dendritic cell therapy to promote tumour elimination and develop antitumour immunity.
- Yuebao Zhang
- , Xucheng Hou
- & Yizhou Dong
-
Article |
Universal, label-free, single-molecule visualization of DNA origami nanodevices across biological samples using origamiFISH
Signal amplification through hybridization chain reaction by targeting conserved regions of the M13mp18 bacteriophage-based scaffold sequences is used for in situ imaging of unlabelled DNA origami nanostructures.
- Wendy Xueyi Wang
- , Travis R. Douglas
- & Leo Y. T. Chou
-
Article
| Open Access
DNA-origami-directed virus capsid polymorphism
DNA and RNA origami nanostructures direct the size, shape and topology of different virus capsids in a user-defined manner while shielding encapsulated origamis from degradation.
- Iris Seitz
- , Sharon Saarinen
- & Mauri A. Kostiainen
-
Article |
Transport by circulating myeloid cells drives liposomal accumulation in inflamed synovium
PEGylated liposomal accumulation in inflamed regions has mainly been attributed to the enhanced permeation and retention effect. An arthritis model that chemotactically attracted myeloid cells shows that monocytes and neutrophils play an essential role in liposome delivery towards inflamed joints.
- Joke Deprez
- , Rein Verbeke
- & Ine Lentacker
-
Article |
Efficient solvent- and hydrogen-free upcycling of high-density polyethylene into separable cyclic hydrocarbons
Ru nanoparticles on HZSM-5 catalysed solvent- and hydrogen-free upcycling of high-density polyethylene into a separable distribution of linear (C1 to C6) and cyclic (C7 to C15) hydrocarbons.
- Junjie Du
- , Lin Zeng
- & Jie Zeng
-
Article |
Adjuvant lipidoid-substituted lipid nanoparticles augment the immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines
A lipid nanoparticle (LNP) component—an adjuvant lipidoid—is developed to enhance the adjuvanticity of LNPs, which significantly increases the innate and adaptive responses of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines with good tolerability in mice.
- Xuexiang Han
- , Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh
- & Michael J. Mitchell
-
Article |
Fluorescence-amplified nanocrystals in the second near-infrared window for in vivo real-time dynamic multiplexed imaging
Lanthanide downshifting nanoparticles with tunable emissions in the NIR-IIb sub-window (1,500–1,700 nm) region are ideal for deep-tissue imaging. Biofunctionalized core–shell, cubic-phase thulium-based nanoprobes show the non-invasive imaging of murine cerebral vasculature and the tracking of single immune cells and their extravasation in an inflammatory microenvironment.
- Yiwei Yang
- , Ying Chen
- & Fan Zhang
-
Analysis
| Open Access
An ancestral molecular response to nanomaterial particulates
While engineered nanomaterials are relatively new, organisms have been exposed to natural nanoparticles over vast periods of time. Here the authors explore the possibility that common mechanisms of response to nanomaterials may have resulted from a long evolutionary exposure history to natural nano-sized matter.
- G. del Giudice
- , A. Serra
- & D. Greco
-
Article
| Open Access
DNA storage in thermoresponsive microcapsules for repeated random multiplexed data access
Microcompartments with a temperature-responsive membrane are used to stably localize DNA-encoded files, which enables parallel, repeated polymerase-chain-reaction-based random access and DNA file sorting using fluorescent barcodes.
- Bas W. A. Bögels
- , Bichlien H. Nguyen
- & Tom F. A. de Greef
A large-scale machine learning analysis of inorganic nanoparticles in preclinical cancer research