Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wei Li, Gabriele S. Kaminski Schierle, Bingfu Lei, Yingliang Liu, Clemens F. Kaminski
Summary: Super-resolution imaging techniques have become popular for visualizing cellular structures with nanometric resolution. This review focuses on the use of fluorescent nanoparticles (NPs) as bright and photostable probes for super-resolution imaging. The review provides an overview of different super-resolution methods, discusses their demands on the properties of fluorescent NPs, and reviews the features, strengths, and weaknesses of each NP class. The future outlook and opportunities in material science for the development of probes for multiplexed subcellular imaging with nanometric resolution are also discussed.
Article
Biology
Pierre Mangeol, Dominique Massey-Harroche, Fabrice Richard, Jean-Paul Concordet, Pierre-Francois Lenne, Andre Le Bivic
Summary: Epithelial tissues acquire their integrity and function through apico-basal polarization of cells, where proteins of the PAR and Crumbs complexes play pivotal roles. By imaging endogenous proteins, we identified the regionalized and segregated organization of PAR and Crumbs complexes at epithelial apical junctions.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Liangliang Zhou, Bin Yu, Lilin Huang, Huiqun Cao, Danying Lin, Yingying Jing, Faiz Wali, Junle Qu
Summary: In this study, a nonblinking core-multishell InP/ZnSe/ZnS quantum dot was synthesized using a hydrofluoric acid etching passivation method. The nonblinking quantum dot exhibited high fluorescence efficiency, good photostability, and high targeting. These nonblinking quantum dots can be used for long-term super-resolution visualization of subcellular dynamics.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xiaohui Fan, Yang Wang, Bo Li, Chang Shen, Zhengguang Sun, Yuan Zhan, Yuhong Zhang
Summary: In this study, highly luminescent pH-responsive carbon quantum dots (Si-CDs) were synthesized using a one-step hydrothermal method. The optical properties of the Si-CDs can be controlled by adjusting the pH, making them promising candidates for biomedical and pH-sensitive sensors. These Si-CDs also exhibit good biocompatibility and chemical inertness in vitro cell system simulation.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Maha K. Rahim, Jinghui Zhao, Hinesh V. Patel, Hauna A. Lagouros, Rajesh Kota, Irma Fernandez, Enrico Gratton, Jered B. Haun
Summary: Fluorescence lifetime-based multiplexing allows simultaneous detection of multiple probes, and the phasor approach provides a simple solution for lifetime analysis. This study demonstrates the ability of phasor analysis to resolve and quantify exogenous fluorescent probes based on lifetime information alone. It also shows that lifetime-based quantitation accuracy can be improved through intensity matching. The results highlight the potential of fluorescence lifetime imaging and phasor analysis as a powerful tool for simultaneous detection of multiple biomarkers.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Samran Durrani, Zihuayuan Yang, Jie Zhang, Zihao Wang, Haiyan Wang, Faran Durrani, Fu-Gen Wu, Fengming Lin
Summary: This article reports a fluorescent sensor that can directly monitor changes in nucleus pH, which is of great significance in understanding nucleus-related biological events.
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Huiwang Lian, Yang Li, S. Saravanakumar, Huan Jiang, Zhanjun Li, Jing Wang, Lingqing Xu, Weiren Zhao, Gang Han
Summary: Metal halide perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) have the potential for future applications in optics and optoelectronics due to their ability to maintain consistent light emission in aqueous solutions. However, the highly dynamic surface of PQDs results in fragile bonding interactions, leading to difficulties in using them in polar solvents. Developing amphiprotic PQDs can overcome these challenges and pave the way for applications in bio-imaging and other life science fields.
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yejin Park, Dokyung Jeong, Uidon Jeong, Hyunbum Park, Sungmin Yoon, Minjae Kang, Doory Kim
Summary: As the nanofabrication of polymer materials continues to advance, the local measurement of their chemical properties has become crucial due to their potential heterogeneity at the nanoscale. In this study, we developed a spectroscopic imaging approach using spectrally resolved super-resolution microscopy to characterize the nanoscale local polarity of polymer films. Our method was able to differentiate various polymer surfaces based on chemical polarities and further distinguish the polarity of functional side chain groups. Additionally, we demonstrated the ability to distinguish a two-component polymer mixture based on the contrasting polarities of the lateral phase separation, allowing for the investigation of nanoscale phase separation in polymer blends.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
A. Femius Koenderink, Roman Tsukanov, Joerg Enderlein, Ignacio Izeddin, Valentina Krachmalnicoff
Summary: This article summarizes the recent advances in the field of nanophotonics that have leveraged SMLM and shows how some concepts commonly used in nanophotonics can benefit the development of new microscopy techniques for biophysics. It introduces the basic concepts of SMLM and the observables that can be measured, linking them with their corresponding physical quantities of interest in biophysics and nanophotonics.
Correction
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
E. Shuang, Quan-Xing Mao, Jian-Hua Wang, Xu-Wei Chen
Summary: This study corrected the research on carbon dots with tunable dual emissions and explored their application in specific imaging of endoplasmic reticulum polarity.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ning Chu, Lili Cong, Jing Yue, Weiqing Xu, Shuping Xu
Summary: This study developed a supramolecular fluorescent imaging probe based on host-guest assembly to target and illuminate mitochondria, allowing for investigation of the dynamic transformation of supramolecular assemblies inside cells.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Junli Wang, Yuanqiang Sun, Jingyu Hu, Yifei Guo, Lingbo Qu, Zhaohui Li
Summary: This study developed a novel near-infrared carbon dots with dual-report function that accurately identifies the polarity and spatial characteristics of lipid droplets in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The carbon dots can report the number, size, aggregation degree, and polarity variations of lipid droplets using fluorescence imaging technology, enabling high-contrast fluorescence diagnosis of HCC and evaluation of anticancer drug efficacy.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Optics
Sanduni I. Fernando, Jason T. Martineau, Robert J. Hobson, Thien N. Vu, Brian Baker, Brian D. Mueller, Rajesh Menon, Erik M. Jorgensen, Jordan M. Gerton
Summary: By engineering the point-spread function (PSF) of single molecules, different fluorophore species can be imaged simultaneously and distinguished by their unique PSF patterns. In this study, we inserted a silicon-dioxide phase plate at the Fourier plane of the detection path of a wide-field fluorescence microscope to generate distinguishable PSFs (X-PSFs) at different wavelengths. We demonstrated that the resulting PSFs can be localized spatially and spectrally using a maximum-likelihood estimation algorithm and can be used for hyper-spectral super-resolution microscopy of biological samples.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kush Kaushik, Aditya Yadav, Farhan Anjum, Pushpendra Mani Mishra, Shagun Sharma, Chethana Rao, Chayan Kanti Nandi
Summary: This study demonstrates a significant increase in cell viability and tuning of intermittency of water-soluble CdTe quantum dots upon conjugation with bovine serum albumin (BSA), making them suitable as fluorescent probes for super resolution bioimaging of lysosomes.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lei Zhan, Peng Hou, Na Chen, Yuan Fang Li, Chun Mei Li, Cheng Zhi Huang
Summary: Cellular polarity plays a crucial role in various pathological and biological processes, but the development of fluorescent probes for tracking polarity changes remains challenging. In this study, aminoterminated carbon dots (CDs) with superior Golgi apparatus targeting ability and polarity-sensitive property were designed and fabricated. These CDs allowed effective imaging of Golgi apparatus dynamics and could be used to identify cancer cells when conjugated with folic acid. Importantly, apoptotic cells were found to have higher Golgi polarity compared to non-apoptotic cells. This work highlights the potential of CDs for real-time tracking of Golgi apparatus and polarity changes, with implications for apoptosis evaluation and therapeutic drug screening.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zihuayuan Yang, Jie Zhang, Fu-Gen Wu, Fengming Lin
Summary: This research investigated the antibacterial and anticancer activities of four AMPs (Dhvar4, Lasioglossin-III, Macropin 1, and Temporin La) and their possible mechanisms. These AMPs have broad-spectrum antibacterial capacities, with Macropin 1 exhibiting the highest antibacterial effect and Lasioglossin-III displaying the strongest anticancer activities. The AMPs can damage the bacterial cell membrane, and the extent of membrane damage varies depending on the type of AMP.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ke-Fei Xu, Hao-Ran Jia, Zihao Wang, Hui-Heng Feng, Ling-Yi Li, Rufeng Zhang, Samran Durrani, Fengming Lin, Fu-Gen Wu
Summary: Bright red-emissive carbon dots (CPCDs) are synthesized through a one-step hydrothermal reaction and can achieve wash-free, real-time, long-term, and high-quality nucleolus imaging in live cells and animals. CPCDs provide previously unachieved nucleolus imaging at the cellular level in zebrafish and reveal new information about germ cells in C. elegans. Additionally, CPCDs can be used for in vivo toxicity evaluation of materials/drugs and have important applications in cell biology and toxicology.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Samran Durrani, Zihuayuan Yang, Jie Zhang, Zihao Wang, Haiyan Wang, Faran Durrani, Fu-Gen Wu, Fengming Lin
Summary: This article reports a fluorescent sensor that can directly monitor changes in nucleus pH, which is of great significance in understanding nucleus-related biological events.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Haiyan Wang, Ai-Ping Pang, Bingzhi Li, Liujie Huo, Fu-Gen Wu, Fengming Lin
Summary: This study investigates the role of intracellular sugar transporters in cellulase production by lignocellulose-degrading fungi. The expression of sugar transporter genes mfs, gst, and lac1 was upregulated in Trichoderma reesei cultivated on lactose. Deletion of these transporters inhibited cellulase production, cell growth, and sporulation, indicating their supportive role in cellulase production on lactose. The study also identifies the localization of MFS and LAC1 in the cytoplasm and endoplasmic reticulum, respectively, representing the first discovery of intracellular sugar transporters involved in cellulase biosynthesis in lactose culture. The absence of the lac1 gene had a significant impact on cellulase production, particularly at the early stage.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Samran Durrani, Jie Zhang, Jie Mukramin, Haiyan Wang, Zihao Wang, Latif Ullah Khan, Funing Zhang, Faisal Durrani, Fu-Gen Wu, Fengming Lin
Summary: Green bean carbon dots (GB-CDs) were synthesized and used as a fluorescent probe for real-time monitoring of Fe3+ and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in mitochondria. The GB-CD + Fe3+ system showed high selectivity, sensitivity, and specificity for detecting Fe3+ and ATP, providing a potent tool for studying cellular functions and diseases.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qiu-Yi Duan, Ya-Xuan Zhu, Bai-Hui Shan, Yuxin Guo, Ke-Fei Xu, Hao-Ran Jia, Fu-Gen Wu
Summary: Researchers have developed a metabolism nanoregulator to reallocate cell respiration substrates for cancer therapy. By inhibiting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and regulating mitochondrial function, this nanoregulator reduces oxygen consumption and glucose metabolism, effectively killing cancer cells.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shao-Zhe Wang, Yuxin Guo, Xinping Zhang, Hui-Heng Feng, Shun-Yu Wu, Ya-Xuan Zhu, Hao-Ran Jia, Qiu-Yi Duan, Shi-Jie Hao, Fu-Gen Wu
Summary: A mitochondria-targeting "mito-missile" is constructed, which can achieve targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT)/mild-temperature photothermal therapy (MTPTT) as well as immune cell death (ICD)-induced cancer immunotherapy. This study develops a dendrimer-based nanoplatform for realizing mitochondrion-acting PDT/MTPTT and mitochondrial stress-induced potentiated ICD, providing a guideline for designing effective ICD inducers in the future.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bai-Hui Shan, Fu-Gen Wu
Summary: Growth factors play a crucial role in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, but their application is limited due to short half-lives and potential side effects. Hydrogels have the potential to prolong growth factor half-lives and mitigate adverse effects. This review discusses recent progress in the development of growth factor-containing hydrogels for various biomedical applications and introduces strategies for optimizing growth factor release.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Tian-Yu Wang, Xiao-Yu Zhu, Fu -Gen Wu
Summary: One of the challenges in antibacterial therapy is the increasing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics. This review focuses on the potential use of gases like nitric oxide and carbon monoxide as bactericidal agents, which can effectively kill bacteria, disperse biofilms, and aid wound healing without promoting resistance. The review also discusses recent advances in gas-involved systems for antibacterial, antibiofilm, and wound treatment applications, and provides insights for the future design and application of advanced antibacterial gas therapy.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xinping Zhang, Fu-Gen Wu
MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chengcheng Li, Hao-Ran Jia, Farzad Seidi, Xiaotong Shi, Ruihan Gu, Yuxin Guo, Yi Liu, Ya-Xuan Zhu, Fu-Gen Wu, Huining Xiao
Summary: Guanidine-functionalized exopolysaccharide nanoparticles, termed EPGNs, exhibit durable antibacterial and antibiofilm activities. They induce bacterial cell expansion through upregulating SulA and DicB proteins, increasing reactive oxygen species production, disrupting bacterial cell surface, and degrading bacterial ribosomal RNA.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Qiu-Yi Duan, Ya-Xuan Zhu, Hao-Ran Jia, Shi-Hao Wang, Fu-Gen Wu
Summary: This review introduces the history, preparation methods, properties, and applications of nanogels. It first discusses the classification and differences of nanogels from macro-sized hydrogels and other nanoparticles. Then, it focuses on the synthetic methods, properties, and applications of nanogels in drug delivery, imaging, detection, and regenerative medicine. It also raises the current problems and challenges in the field of nanogels, aiming to inspire researchers to develop more functional nanogels and promote their practical applications in various fields.
PROGRESS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Qiong-Dan Zhang, Qiu-Yi Duan, Jing Tu, Fu-Gen Wu
Summary: Thrombin, as a potent coagulation-inducing protease, has a wide range of therapeutic uses, including hemostasis, burn treatment, wound management, pseudoaneurysm therapy, and cancer therapy. This review summarizes the therapeutics based on thrombin, particularly the emerging tumor treatment approaches, discusses various thrombin-associated medical products, and provides an outlook on thrombin-incorporated biomaterials and therapies.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Chenyang Jia, Fu-Gen Wu
Summary: The wide and frequent use of antibiotics can lead to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, posing a serious health threat. Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) offers an antibiotic-independent approach using Fenton and/or Fenton-like reactions to generate hydroxyl radicals that can kill target cells. CDT has shown potential in antibacterial applications, and can be combined with other therapies for improved efficacy.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiawei Chen, Runqing Zhang, Jiasheng Luo, Huafeng Dong, Jiachun Cao, Haojun Ling, Chuyu Li, Minru Wen, Fugen Wu
Summary: In this study, we investigated the catalytic performance of defect structures in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) using first-principles calculations. We found that Co-doped HfS2 and P-doped HfSe2 have DGH values extremely close to zero, indicating their excellent catalytic activity. The reduction of electron accumulation at the active site S atom was identified as the source of the HER catalytic performance of Co-doped HfS2.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)