Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anna S. Vikulina, Jack Campbell
Summary: An undeniable trend in modern bioengineering and nanotechnology is the use of various biomolecules, primarily polymeric, for designing novel functional materials in controlled drug delivery, bioimaging, tissue engineering, and other bioapplications. Biogenic polymers with features like biocompatibility, biodegradability, replicating natural cellular microenvironments, and minimal toxicity, have gained growing interest as building blocks for fourth-generation biomaterials. Recent studies highlight the promise of hard-templating approach in fabricating nano- and microparticles using biopolymers, covering up-to-date knowledge on this topic and assessing the progress and challenges in the field.
Review
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Galina Nifontova, Tatiana Tsoi, Alexander Karaulov, Igor Nabiev, Alyona Sukhanova
Summary: This review discusses the current issues in designing cancer cell-targeting polymeric multilayer capsules, the effects of the interactions of the capsules with the cellular and molecular constituents of biological fluids, and the key structural parameters determining the effectiveness of capsule targeting. The influence of morphological and physicochemical parameters, as well as the origin of structural components and surface ligands, on the functional activity of polymeric multilayer capsules at various levels is summarized. The basic structural and functional principles determining the future trends of theranostic capsule development are established and discussed.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jack Campbell, Jordan Abnett, Georgia Kastania, Dmitry Volodkin, Anna S. Vikulina
Summary: Polymer layer-by-layer assembly is a promising method for advanced drug delivery platforms and biomimetic materials, but the design of biopolymer capsules poses challenges. This study examines the formation mechanism of multilayer biocapsules templated upon CaCO3 crystals and evaluates the structure-property relationship of capsules made of different biopolymers.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Danil D. Kolmanovich, Nikita N. Chukavin, Irina V. Savintseva, Elena A. Mysina, Nelli R. Popova, Alexander E. Baranchikov, Madina M. Sozarukova, Vladimir K. Ivanov, Anton L. Popov
Summary: Layer-by-layer self-assembled polyelectrolyte capsules have great potential in drug delivery and imaging contrast agent applications. This study presents the design of MRI-visible capsules loaded with gadolinium-doped cerium oxide nanoparticles, which showed high biocompatibility and cellular uptake efficiency in cancer cells and normal cells.
Article
Polymer Science
Tatiana Borodina, Daria Yurina, Andrey Sokovikov, Denis Karimov, Tatiana Bukreeva, Evgeny Khaydukov, Dmitry Shchukin
Summary: This study developed remotely collapsing polymer capsules triggered by microwave treatment, achieving precise destruction and drug release through nanodiamonds and upconversion nanoparticles in a multilayer structure. The research provides a new approach for the development of nanotheranostic platform for the unification of diagnosis and treatment.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anastasia Gileva, Daria Trushina, Anne Yagolovich, Marine Gasparian, Leyli Kurbanova, Ivan Smirnov, Sergey Burov, Elena Markvicheva
Summary: Recently, biodegradable polyelectrolyte multilayer capsules have been proposed for targeted drug delivery of anticancer drugs. In this study, the researchers aimed to develop PMC loaded with a subtoxic concentration of doxorubicin (DOX) and functionalized with the tumor-specific DR5-B ligand to achieve a combined antitumor effect. The effects of PMC surface modification with the DR5-B ligand on cell uptake were studied in both 2D monolayer cultures and 3D tumor spheroids. The results showed that the DR5-B-modified capsules loaded with DOX exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity in both in vitro models, suggesting their potential as a targeted drug delivery system.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Vaibhavkumar N. Mehta, Nirav Ghinaiya, Jigneshkumar Rohit, Rakesh Kumar Singhal, Hirakendu Basu, Suresh Kumar Kailasa
Summary: Metal nanoparticles have shown significant potential in enhancing the sensitivity of UV -Visible spectrometry and can be used for miniaturized colorimetric assay of various molecules. The interaction between metal nanoparticles and trace level pesticides can induce aggregation and cause noticeable color changes. This review summarizes the role of ligand chemistry on metal nanoparticles for colorimetric detection of pesticides and discusses the challenges and future perspectives.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Bernat Bassols-Cornudella, Patricia Ramirez-Priego, Maria Soler, M-Carmen Estevez, Heriberto J. Diaz Luis-Ravelo, Maria Cardenosa-Rubio, Laura M. Lechuga
Summary: Biosensors employing photonics integrated circuits, specifically interferometric evanescent wave working principles, show excellent performance with high sensitivity and simple design. A new all-optical modulation and trigonometry-based algorithm has been successfully applied to the Bimodal Waveguide (BiMW) biosensor, enabling selective identification and quantification of the Spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2. The results demonstrate high sensitivity and specificity, paving the way for a point-of-care device for general use.
JOURNAL OF LIGHTWAVE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jae-Hyun Kim, Joseph Rosenfeld, Ye Chan Kim, Sean Choe, Russell J. Composto, Daeyeon Lee, Remi Dreyfus
Summary: Colloidal colorimetric microsensors have the potential to detect mechanical strains in materials. This study introduces a method for synthesizing these sensors using polymer-grafted gold nanoparticles, which allows for reversible deformability and increased sensitivity.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Luiz H. S. Nunes, Eder J. Guidelli
Summary: A combination of radiolytic synthesis and microfluidic method was used to produce liquid radiation detectors using silver nanoparticles. The response of the detector was analyzed by correlating the absorbed dose with the absorbance and hydrodynamic radius. The results showed that the hydrodynamic radius can be controlled by adjusting precursor concentration, beam energy, and dose rate, and it determines the detector sensitivity. The dependence of the hydrodynamic radius on dose rate and beam energy provides a new method for controlled growth of colloidal silver and opens new possibilities for ionizing radiation detection.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Florian Probst, Benedict Scheiner, Fabian Michler, Robert Weigel, Fabian Lurz
Summary: This paper presents a system for using low-cost circuitry to read surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators. The system multiplexes multiple output signals to one detection circuitry using a radio frequency (RF) switch. Experimental results demonstrate that the system can achieve frequency measurement with a precision of 7.9 ppm.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INSTRUMENTATION AND MEASUREMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jasmin A. Flowers, Monique J. Farrell, Gugu Rutherford, Aswini K. Pradhan
Summary: We report a selective and precise colorimetric detection method for lead (Pb) heavy metal in water, utilizing the aggregation and self-assembly mechanisms of glutathione (GSH)-functionalized gold nanoparticles (GNPs). The aggregation of GNPs in the presence of Pb2+ due to the chelation of GSH ligands leads to a substantial shift in plasmon wavelength, causing a red-to-blue colorimetric or visual change, enabling instant determination of lead content in water.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Sarah Lerch, Alicja Stolas, Iwan Darmadi, Xin Wen, Michal Strach, Christoph Langhammer, Kasper Moth-Poulsen
Summary: Metal nanoparticles, particularly palladium-gold alloy nanoparticles, show great potential for hydrogen sensing applications. A novel colloidal synthesis method has been proposed to synthesize palladium-gold alloy nanoparticles with hysteresis-free response, allowing for tunability in particle size and alloy composition.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Matthew Rothpan, Nitin Chandra Teja Dadi Dadi, Geoffrey McKay, Michael Tanzer, Dao Nguyen, Adam Hart, Maryam Tabrizian
Summary: Bioactive surface coatings have great potential in orthopedics, especially in infection prevention. This research successfully applied a polyelectrolyte multilayer coating on a porous titanium implant using a layer-by-layer self-assembly technique, incorporating silver nanoparticles or titanium dioxide nanoparticles for antibacterial and osteoconductive properties.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
T. Pushpagiri, E. Ranjith Kumar, A. Ramalingam, A. F. Abd El-Rehim, Ch. Srinivas
Summary: This study investigated the influence of Zn ion doping on the structural, vibrational, colloidal stability, and morphological features of NiO nanoparticles. XRD confirmed that the crystallite size decreases with increasing doping concentration. SEM revealed predictable changes in size and morphology due to varying doping doses. TEM images showed that the produced samples have a spherical form. The gas sensor behavior of Zn-doped NiO nanoparticles confirmed their suitability for CO2 gas sensing.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jillian M. Buriak, Luis M. Liz-Marzan, Wolfgang J. Parak, Xiaodong Chen
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Daniel Valdeperez, Nicole Wutke, Lisa-Maria Ackermann, Wolfgang J. Parak, Markus Klapper, Beatriz Pelaz
Summary: Amphiphilic copolymers with various charged side chains were used to coat hydrophobic gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) in order to stabilize them in aqueous solution. The interactions between the coated NPs and their environment were studied, as well as the influence of the coating on the NPs' stability.
INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rob J. Vandebriel, Sylvie Remy, Jolanda P. Vermeulen, Evelien G. E. Hurkmans, Kirsten Kevenaar, Neus G. Bastus, Beatriz Pelaz, Mahmoud G. Soliman, Victor F. Puntes, Wolfgang J. Parak, Jeroen L. A. Pennings, Inge Nelissen
Summary: The study compared the effects of gold nanoparticles of different shapes on NLRP3 inflammasome activation and found that nanorods can activate the NLRP3 inflammasome, while nanostars and nanospheres cannot. Additionally, gold nanorod-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation was accompanied by downregulated gene sets related to sterol/cholesterol biosynthesis, oxidative phosphorylation, and purinergic receptor signaling, with notable downregulation of Paraoxonase-2.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Can Xiao, Bernat Mir-Simon, Pilar Rivera-Gil
Summary: This article reports a synthetic procedure to obtain stable, reproducible, and robust highly-SERS performing nanocomposites for labeling. The biosensing performance was validated by designing a SERS-based detection assay model for SARS-CoV-2, with a detection limit below 10 ng/mL.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jhoan Toro-Mendoza, Lucia Maio, Marta Gallego, Ferdinand Otto, Florian Schulz, Wolfgang J. Parak, Carlos Sanchez-Cano, Ivan Coluzza
Summary: Nanoparticles and other nano-materials have potential as nanodrugs or nanomedical devices, but their therapeutic response can be significantly affected by protein adsorption. By combining experimental and computational approaches, we have developed nanoparticles with polyethylene glycol (PEG) coatings that mimic the surface charge distribution of proteins in blood, showing low aggregation under normal blood conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lining Xu, Ming Xu, Xing Sun, Neus Feliu, Liuxing Feng, Wolfgang J. Parak, Sijin Liu
Summary: There are gaps in knowledge regarding targeted delivery of nanoparticle-loaded cells in cancer nanotheranostics. This study compared the tumor targeting efficiency of gold nanoparticles delivered using either plain nanoparticles or human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) loaded with endocytosed nanoparticles. The results showed that MSC-mediated delivery improved Au NP retention and tumor penetration compared to EPR-mediated delivery, although the absolute tumor retention of Au NPs remained low.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Christian Nweze, Tomke E. Glier, Mika Rerrer, Sarah Scheitz, Yalan Huang, Robert Zierold, Robert Blick, Wolfgang J. Parak, Nils Huse, Michael Ruebhausen
Summary: In this study, the plasmonic gold nanoparticles injecting hot carriers into the topological insulator interface of Bi2Se3 nanoribbons were investigated using resonant Raman spectroscopy. The impact of individual gold particles with different sizes on the topological surface states and the phonon modes were resolved. The findings suggest the possibility of locally controlling the electronic properties of the topological insulator by metal nanoparticles through hot carrier injection.
Editorial Material
Biochemical Research Methods
Angel Rios, Wolfgang J. Parak
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lucia Cardo, Lydia Martinez-Parra, Michele Cesco, Begona M. Echeverria-Beistegui, Marta Martinez-Moro, Natalia Herrero-Avarez, Marta-Beraza Cabrerizo, Susana Carregal-Romero, Pedro Ramos-Cabrer, Jesus Ruiz-Cabello, Maurizio Prato
Summary: Carbon Dots (CDs) are luminescent quasi-spherical nanoparticles with various applications. New gadolinium-doped CDs, Gd@CNDs, are presented as multifunctional probes for MRI. These Gd@CNDs show good homogeneity, stability, and biocompatibility, making them potential candidates for both MR and fluorescence imaging.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Martina B. Violatto, Giovanni Sitia, Laura Talamini, Annalisa Morelli, Ngoc Lan Tran, Qian Zhang, Atif Masood, Beatriz Pelaz, Indranath Chakraborty, Daxiang Cui, Wolfgang J. Parak, Mario Salmona, Neus G. Bastus, Victor Puntes, Paolo Bigini
Summary: Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are a major source of human exposure to nanoparticulate matter. Although potential toxic effects have been demonstrated, the correlation between NP properties and their interaction with biological targets is not fully understood. This study prepared engineered TiO2 NPs with different geometries and administered them intravenously in mice. The results showed that the accumulation of TiO2 NPs in organs was low, with a longer-lasting presence in the lungs. Rod-shaped NPs were the most toxic and could induce pulmonary alterations and hepatocellular injury. Small physico-chemical differences dramatically modified accumulation and safety.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ambra Dreos, Junyue Ge, Francisco Najera, Behabitu Ergette Tebikachew, Ezequiel Perez-Inestrosa, Kasper Moth-Poulsen, Kaj Blennow, Henrik Zetterberg, Jorg Hanrieder
Summary: A newly developed fluorescent probe, NBD1, has been used to visualize and study the structure and composition of senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease. This provides a new tool for investigating the pathological mechanism of Alzheimer's disease.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Can Xiao, Victor Izquierdo-Roca, Pilar Rivera-Gil
Summary: Oxidative stress, caused by defective cellular management of redox reactions, plays a role in aging-related pathological disorders. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a common biomarker for oxidative stress, but it is challenging to monitor its dynamics and correlation with diseases due to the complexity of redox reactions. Luminiscent boronate-based probes show promise as effective quantitation tools due to their specificity and sensitivity. However, limitations in intracellular sensing, water solubility, selectivity, and quenching exist. A boronate-based nanosensor with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) readout has been synthesized to overcome these challenges. Additionally, a pH-dependent sensitivity effect has been observed, leading to different H2O2 measurements based on pH. To address this issue, a multiplex nanosensor capable of simultaneously quantifying pH and H2O2 has been developed and tested on healthy cells and cells with altered H+ and/or H2O2 homeostasis.
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Warren C. W. Chan, Natalie Artzi, Chunying Chen, Xiaodong Chen, Dean Ho, Tony Hu, Kazunori Kataoka, Luis M. Liz-Marzan, Rahmi Oklu, Wolfgang J. Parak
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Itziar Galarreta-Rodriguez, Mikel Etxebeste-Mitxeltorena, Esther Moreno, Daniel Plano, Carmen Sanmartin, Saad Megahed, Neus Feliu, Wolfgang J. Parak, Eneko Garaio, Izaskun Gil de Muro, Luis Lezama, Idoia Ruiz de Larramendi, Maite Insausti
Summary: In this study, a drug carrier nanosystem based on Fe3O4 nanoparticles with large heating power was designed. The nanosystem showed high selectivity against colon cancer cells and demonstrated good efficacy as a magnetic hyperthermia inductor.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Matias Herran, Sabrina Juergensen, Moritz Kessens, Dominik Hoeing, Andrea Koeppen, Ana Sousa-Castillo, Wolfgang J. Parak, Holger Lange, Stephanie Reich, Florian Schulz, Emiliano Cortes
Summary: The researchers present a two-dimensional bimetallic catalyst for efficient hydrogen generation under visible light illumination and solar irradiance by incorporating platinum nanoparticles into a well-defined supercrystal of gold nanoparticles. They observe a correlation between the intensity of the electric field in the hotspots and the boosted catalytic activity of platinum nanoparticles, while identifying a minor role of heat and gold-to-platinum charge transfer in the enhancement.