Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dan Zhao, Dong Li, Fenli Quan, Yuhao Zhou, Zhen Zhang, Xuesi Chen, Chaoliang He
Summary: Thermoreversible hydrogels composed of PEG/P(EEO(2)LG) block copolymers exhibit rapid gel-to-sol transition rates within seconds, making them suitable for biomedical applications. These innovative hydrogels also show better biocompatibility and biodegradability compared to traditional hydrogels.
Review
Polymer Science
Sunil U. Tekale, Yakir Rottenberg, Rajita D. Ingle, Abraham J. Domb, Rajendra P. Pawar
Summary: Biodegradable block copolymers have emerged as useful carriers for controlled drug release and tissue engineering due to their ability to form colloidal systems and tunable properties. This review focuses on recent advancements in the synthesis, characterization, and biomedical applications of these materials.
POLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES
(2021)
Review
Polymer Science
Carlos Diaz, Parisa Mehrkhodavandi
Summary: Controlled synthesis of block copolymers through ring-opening polymerization and copolymerization reactions enables the production of new materials with tunable properties by combining polyester blocks with other oxygenated polymers. This review highlights recent advances in the synthesis of multiblock copolymers with biodegradable polyester segments.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Upendiran Pranav, Mehak Malhotra, Shahidkhan Pathan, Manickam Jayakannan
Summary: The present study successfully constructed biodegradable unimolecular micelles by varying the arm number and degree of branching in star polymers. These unimolecular micelles exhibited high drug-loading capacity and low effective concentration of anticancer drugs, which could be of great importance in cancer treatment.
ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Asmariah Ahmad, Teruki Nii, Takeshi Mori, Yoshiki Katayama, Masanori Toyofuku, Akihiro Kishimura
Summary: This study develops novel nanovehicles for polymyxin-type antibiotics using a polyion complex (PICs) system. The importance of guanidine moieties in enhancing the interaction between catiomer and colistimethate sodium (CMS) is demonstrated. The ratio of guanidine residues determines the formation of micellar or vesicular PIC nanostructures. The encapsulation efficiency of CMS depends on the guanidinium modification ratio.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Eleni Pavlopoulou, Kiriaki Chrissopoulou, Stergios Pispas, Nikos Hadjichristidis, Spiros H. Anastasiadis
Summary: By blending and studying copolymers with different macromolecular architectures, it was found that single graft copolymers exhibit a more pronounced stretching effect, and a critical core volume is more important than a critical length of the core-forming block for stable micelle formation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qian Zhu, Jianlong Wen, Mingyang Ma, Yijing Nie
Summary: By controlling the simulation time during the diffusion step, polymer blend systems with different initial mixing parameters can be obtained. The formation of stereocomplex crystals (SCs) in these systems with different segmental miscibility was investigated. It was found that systems with higher initial mixing parameters have stronger stereocomplexation ability. The study also demonstrated that local segment diffusion can affect the SC formation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vladislav V. Istratov, Valerii A. Vasnev, Galy D. Markova
Summary: This study focused on synthesizing biodegradable and biocompatible amphiphilic polymers by modifying the peripheral hydroxyl groups of branched polyethers and polyesters with organosilicon substituents. The research investigated the impact of the ratio of hydrophilic to hydrophobic organosilicon structures on the biological activity of macromolecules, as well as the influence of polymer structure on critical micelle concentrations and aggregation stability of emulsions. Additionally, the study explored how polymer structures affected antifungal activity and seed germination stimulation.
Article
Polymer Science
Qingyun Li, Weihua Li
Summary: The self-assembly of a binary blend composed of two different symmetric ABC triblock copolymers has been investigated using self-consistent field theory, showing that the spherical and cylindrical phase regions can be expanded by tuning molecular parameters, with bidispersity playing a key role in this process. The optimized parameters can tremendously expand the regions of both the spherical and cylindrical phases, leading to remarkable deformations of spheres and cylinders, providing valuable insights for the fabrication of alternating spherical and cylindrical morphologies with large volume fractions.
Article
Polymer Science
Vladislav Istratov, Vitaliy Gomzyak, Valerii Vasnev, Oleg V. V. Baranov, Yaroslav Mezhuev, Inessa Gritskova
Summary: The synthesis and application of lactic acid-based polyesters for the creation of implants have gained increased interest due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and high mechanical strength. However, the hydrophobicity of polylactide limits its use in biomedical fields. This study focused on the synthesis of amphiphilic branched pegylated copolylactides to introduce hydrophilic groups and improve the properties of polylactide. The resulting copolylactides were used to prepare interpolymer mixtures with PLLA, leading to reduced brittleness, increased hydrophilicity, and water absorption. Furthermore, filling the polylactide films with hydroxyapatite further decreased the water contact angle and increased thermal stability.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mariana R. N. Lima, David Devore, Joachim Kohn
Summary: Blending amphiphilic triblock and diblock copolymers can provide highly tunable self-assembled nanosphere particle sizes suitable for biomedical applications. The size of copolymer blends increased continuously as a function of mole ratio within the biomedically relevant range.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yanjie He, Yachao Liang, Shuang Liang, Yeu-Wei Harn, Zili Li, Mingyue Zhang, Dingfeng Shen, Zhiwei Li, Yan Yan, Xinchang Pang, Zhiqun Lin
Summary: A robust amphiphilic-diblock-copolymer-enabled strategy has been developed for crafting highly-stable anisotropic CsPbBr3 nanosheets. These dual-protected nanosheets exhibit remarkable stabilities and find application in white-light-emitting diodes.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Rafael Braga da Cunha, Shirley Nobrega Cavalcanti, Pankaj Agrawal, Gustavo de Figueiredo Brito, Tomas Jeferson Alves de Melo
Summary: In this study, polylactic acid (PLA) copolymer blends were prepared by melt blending using ethylene-glycidyl methacrylate (E-GMA) and ethylene-butyl acrylate-maleic anhydride (EBA-MAH) functional block copolymers. Reactive compatibilization between E-GMA/EBA-MAH and PLA was confirmed through FTIR analyses. Rheological measurements indicated cross-link reactions in the ternary blend. Three different morphologies were observed in the blends: PLA/E-GMA exhibited a sea-island structure, PLA/EBA-MAH exhibited a co-continuous structure, and PLA/E-GMA/EBA-MAH exhibited a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (SIPN) structure. The shape memory effect (SME) of PLA and its blends was evaluated using three methods, and the incorporation of copolymers enhanced the SME of PLA.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Zhaoxu Wang, Qiujun Liu, Qian Liu, Hao Qi, Yuesheng Li, Dong-Po Song
Summary: Ordered porous spheres with a layer of cations on the internal surface of the nanopores are fabricated for effective loading of DNA bearing negative charges through a self-assembly and in situ quaternization process. This strategy provides a general method for efficient loading and encapsulation of DNA.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Jie Li, Peng Liu
Summary: A hyperbranched polymer prodrug with high drug loading was designed as unimolecular micelles for enhanced intracellular drug delivery. The unique structure of the polymer enabled enhanced intracellular pH-triggered drug release, showing promising potential for overcoming drug resistance in cancer cells.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tsuyoshi Mashima, Marleen H. M. E. Stevendaal, Femke R. A. Cornelissens, Alexander F. Mason, Bas J. H. M. Rosier, Wiggert J. Altenburg, Koji Oohora, Shota Hirayama, Takashi Hayashi, Jan C. M. Hest, Luc Brunsveld
Summary: Regulating the uptake and release of proteins is crucial for engineering synthetic cellular systems. This study presents the development of an artificial cell that can sequester and release protein cargo in response to a coded chemical signal. The molecular coded signal allows for multiple iterations of triggered uptake and release, fine control over the amount and rate of protein release, and sequential release of different proteins. Additionally, this signaling concept enables directional transfer of proteins between artificial cell populations, suggesting new possibilities for engineering lifelike communication pathways.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Yigit Altay, Antoni Llopis-Lorente, Loai K. E. A. Abdelmohsen, Jan C. M. van Hest
Summary: This study utilizes polymer nanoreactors as responsive nano-compartments to study the kinetics of cascade reactions and explore their functions under different population states. The results show that chemical cascading is faster in associated nanoreactor populations, and the impact of competing agents is less pronounced.
MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Antoni Llopis-Lorente, Bastiaan C. Buddingh', R. Martinez-Manez, Jan C. M. van Hest, Loai K. E. Abdelmohsen
Summary: This article demonstrates population behavior in microorganisms based on quorum sensing communication. Researchers utilized giant lipid vesicles loaded with sender-receiver machinery (enzymes and responsive biomolecules) to achieve quorum sensing behavior in an artificial cell population. The system allows for the examination of collective output based on cell density, fuel concentration, and proximity, which are important factors controlling natural quorum sensing behavior.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Roy A. J. F. Oerlemans, Jingxin Shao, Sander G. A. M. Huisman, Yudong Li, Loai K. E. A. Abdelmohsen, Jan C. M. van Hest
Summary: Polymersome nanoreactors as artificial organelles have received significant attention in recent decades, particularly those incorporating biological catalysts. However, there are limited examples of nanoreactors with metal catalysts, and their application in living cells is still restricted. This study presents a biodegradable and biocompatible polymersome nanoreactor platform that can be used as an artificial organelle in living cells. The artificial organelles demonstrated the ability to incorporate tris(triazolylmethyl)amine-Cu(I) complexes in their membrane and effectively catalyze intracellular reactions without compromising cell integrity.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Thijs W. van Veldhuisen, Wiggert J. Altenburg, Madelief A. M. Verwiel, Lenne J. M. Lemmens, Alexander F. Mason, Maarten Merkx, Luc Brunsveld, Jan C. M. van Hest
Summary: Membraneless organelles play a crucial role in spatial organization and regulation of intracellular processes. This study presents a coacervate system that utilizes the 14-3-3 scaffold protein to investigate enzymatically regulated recruitment of 14-3-3-binding proteins. Synthetic coacervates efficiently load 14-3-3 and phosphorylated binding partners, allowing for increased local concentration and controlled release of proteins.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemical Research Methods
Goncalo J. L. Bernardes, Peng Zou, Zhifei Dai, Erin Lavik, Jan van Hest, Gang Zheng, Nathan Quinn, Christina M. MacLaughlin, Theresa M. Reineke
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wouter P. van den Akker, Hanglong Wu, Pascal L. W. Welzen, Heiner Friedrich, Loai K. E. A. Abdelmohsen, Rolf A. T. M. van Benthem, Ilja K. Voets, Jan C. M. van Hest
Summary: We constructed pH-responsive bicontinuous nanospheres (BCNs) with nonlinear transient permeability and catalytic activity. These BCNs were made from amphiphilic block copolymers containing pH-responsive groups and loaded with the enzymes urease and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The transient membrane permeability switch was achieved through the pH-increasing effect of urease, resulting in a dampening behavior of the catalytic output of HRP upon addition of urea.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alexander B. Cook, Sebastian Novosedlik, Jan C. M. van Hest
Summary: Cells with self-sustaining compartmentalized systems have complex biomolecule and metabolite interactions. Liquid-liquid phase separation plays an important role in achieving biological function. Artificial cell research aims to combine synthetic materials and nonliving macromolecules into ordered assemblies with cell-like functions, with complex coacervates being the best platform for accurately mimicking eukaryotic cytoplasm.
ACCOUNTS OF MATERIALS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Marleen H. M. E. van Stevendaal, Arjan Hazegh Nikroo, Alexander F. Mason, Jitske Jansen, N. Amy Yewdall, Jan C. M. van Hest
Summary: Oligonucleotide conjugation is a versatile molecular tool for regulating protein activity. This study presents a state-of-the-art labeling strategy by genetically incorporating bioorthogonal groups into proteins to achieve site-specific DNA conjugation. The results demonstrate a new direction for spatiotemporal regulation of chemokine-receptor interactions, which is promising for tissue engineering applications.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roy A. J. F. Oerlemans, Jingxin Shao, Marleen H. M. E. van Stevendaal, Hanglong Wu, Tania Patino Padial, Loai K. E. A. Abdelmohsen, Jan C. M. van Hest
Summary: The application of transition-metal catalysts in living cells is a promising approach to facilitate reactions not naturally occurring. However, the usage of metal complexes is often restricted by limited biocompatibility, toxicity, and susceptibility to inactivation by cell's defense mechanisms. In this study, a second-generation Hoveyda-Grubbs catalyst was incorporated into polymeric vesicles, acting as artificial organelles, to facilitate intracellular ring-closing metathesis reactions. This is the first example of using polymersome-based artificial organelles with an active ruthenium catalyst for carbon-carbon bond formation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shukun Li, Rui Chang, Luyang Zhao, Ruirui Xing, Jan C. M. van Hest, Xuehai Yan
Summary: This study describes the enhanced TPA fluorescence imaging capacity of self-assembling near-infrared cyanine dye-based nanoprobes based on a photo-oxidation enhanced emission mechanism.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Yigitcan Sumbelli, Alexander F. Mason, Jan C. M. van Hest
Summary: The fast-paced development of regenerative medicine research has led to innovative approaches in tissue engineering applications. Previous studies focused on combining different materials to control cellular behavior and optimizing tissue formation through techniques like 3D bioprinting. However, a higher level of spatiotemporal control on cell-matrix interactions is now recognized as necessary for further advancements in tissue engineering. Integrating artificial cell research with tissue engineering can provide a way to achieve complex tissue development control by equipping artificial cells with mechanisms of cellular functions.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yanyan Zhu, Shoupeng Cao, Meng Huo, Jan C. M. van Hest, Hailong Che
Summary: Polymersomes are highly stable vesicular nanostructures self-assembled from amphiphilic block copolymers, and have various applications in drug delivery, nanomedicine, biological nanoreactors, and artificial cells. However, polymersomes prepared with high molecular weight components typically exhibit low permeability. This review focuses on the design and strategies for fabricating permeable polymersomes, and highlights their applications and challenges in the field of biomedical utilities.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Antoni Llopis-Lorente, Maaike J. G. Schotman, Heorhii V. Humeniuk, Jan C. M. van Hest, Patricia Y. W. Dankers, Loai K. E. A. Abdelmohsen
Summary: This study explores the relationship between cellular mechanical features and metabolic function in artificial cells and creates an artificial cell platform that displays viscoadaptive behavior through internal supramolecular interactions.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shoupeng Cao, Jingxin Shao, Loai K. E. A. Abdelmohsen, Jan C. M. van Hest
Summary: Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) is a phenomenon where fluorescence is enhanced during molecular assembly, rather than quenched. AIE fluorogens are flexible, conjugated systems with limited dynamics when assembled, which improves their fluorescent properties. The integration of AIE design principles with versatile polymer chemistry has opened up new frontiers in nanoscience.