Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tanisha Teelucksingh, Laura K. Thompson, Shawna Zhu, Noah M. Kuehfuss, James A. Goetz, Stephanie E. Gilbert, Craig R. MacNair, Jennifer Geddes-McAlister, Eric D. Brown, Georgina Cox
Summary: Efflux pumps pose a challenge for the development of antibacterial agents. To overcome this challenge, researchers have generated a highly susceptible Escherichia coli strain lacking 35 efflux pumps, called Efflux KnockOut-35 (EKO-35). They have also constructed an efflux platform using this strain to study drug efflux characteristics, specificities of efflux pump inhibitors, and interplay between efflux pumps.
NATURE CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chenyu Wang, Jiayue Xie, Xiao Chang, Wei Zheng, Jun Zhang, Xianghong Liu
Summary: In this study, the sensitization of Pt catalyst was investigated on ZnO single nanowire sensors by both atomic layer deposition and solution method. The size of Pt increased from single atom to an average of 11.86 nm with increasing ALD cycles, resulting in a decrease in sensor resistance. The nanowire sensor with a medium Pt loading of 0.61 at% and a size of 3.95 nm showed the best response of 7.01 to 20 ppm NO2, with a 5-fold enhancement compared to pristine ZnO. These findings highlight the crucial effect of Pt size in chemical sensors.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Diksha Bhalla, Marvin N. Steijaert, Eefje S. Poppelaars, Marc Teunis, Monique van der Voet, Marie Corradi, Elisabeth Deviere, Luke Noothout, Wilco Tomassen, Martijn Rooseboom, Richard A. Currie, Cyrille Krul, Raymond Pieters, Vera van Noort, Marjolein Wildwater
Summary: Xpaths is a set of algorithms that predict compound-induced molecular mechanisms of action by integrating phenotypic endpoints from different species, and proposes follow-up tests for validation. The algorithms are applied to predict developmental and reproductive toxicity (DART) and implemented in an in silico platform called DARTpaths.
Article
Cell Biology
Thomas Quast, Karolin Zoelzer, Donald Guu, Luis Alvarez, Carsten Kuesters, Eva Kiermaier, U. Benjamin Kaupp, Waldemar Kolanus
Summary: This study used a combination of microfluidics and quantitative in vitro live cell imaging to investigate the chemotactic sensing strategy of dendritic cells (DCs). The results showed that spatial sensing mechanisms are essential for the persistent chemotaxis of DCs in stable gradients.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Xuehua Xu, Smit Bhimani, Henderikus Pots, Xi Wen, Taeck J. Jeon, Arjan Kortholt, Tian Jin
Summary: Chemotaxis, mediated by GPCR, plays crucial roles in diseases like inflammation and cancer metastasis. The membrane targeting of C2GAP1 is essential for cellular chemotaxis, enabling cells to sense chemoattractant gradients within a wider concentration range.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Developmental Biology
Sham L. Tlili, Francois Graner, Heprimelene Delanoe-Ayari
Summary: This study presents experiments using microfluidic channels and two-photon microscopy to measure the viscoelastic properties of 3D tissues and study intracellular and intercellular events such as cell shape changes and rearrangements.
Article
Cell Biology
Giulia Golinelli, Rebecca Talami, Stella Frabetti, Olivia Candini, Giulia Grisendi, Carlotta Spano, Chiara Chiavelli, Gaelle F. Arnaud, Giorgio Mari, Massimo Dominici
Summary: In this study, the dynamic cell-to-cell interactions between tumor and MSCs were investigated using a customized VITVO50 3D bioreactor. The process of tissue colonization and formation of metastatic nodules was recreated under dynamic conditions. The results showed that VITVO50 is an easy handling and versatile bioreactor for developing in vivo-like tumor nodules and investigating dynamic cell-to-cell interactions with MSCs.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuesu Chen, Sebastien Renson, Jean-Christophe M. Monbaliu
Summary: This paper presents an open-source setup and procedure for the on-demand generation of anhydrous N2O3 solution and demonstrates its reliability with >30 worked examples. The method has the potential to be widely used in nitrosative synthesis reactions.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hongjiang He, Xi-Ming Song, Mengnan Huang, Xing Hou, Zhining Song, Yu Zhang
Summary: This study proposes a new platform for desalination and salinity gradient power generation using solar energy. The calcium alginate hydrogel can reduce the energy required for water evaporation and convert the salinity gradient into electrical energy. This method has the potential for combining desalination and power generation, demonstrating the prospects for diversified use of blue energy.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marcus Wanselius, Yassir Al-Tikriti, Per Hansson
Summary: Drug-eluting beads made of responsive polyelectrolyte networks are used in the treatment of liver cancer. Recent research has shown that the release and swelling rates of these beads are controlled by the formation of a depletion layer in the microgel. By controlling the stability of drug aggregates and the swelling properties of the network, it is possible to control the release profile of other drugs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Esther Mittmann, Frank Mickoleit, Denis S. Maier, Sabrina Y. Staebler, Marius A. Klein, Christof M. Niemeyer, Kersten S. Rabe, Dirk Schueler
Summary: This study demonstrates that using magnetosomes as an alternative for immobilizing biocatalysts can achieve high and stable conversion rates. By genetically engineering foreign proteins onto the surface of magnetosomes, stable functionality of the particles is achieved. Results show that SpyCatcher magnetosomes significantly expand the genetic toolbox for particle surface functionalization.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Sean Farley, Kaitlyn Ramsay, Katherine S. Elvira
Summary: This study presents a plug-and-play microcapillary platform for generating multicompartmental double emulsions, which is cost-effective and does not require specialized knowledge. The platform can produce various types of emulsions with high accuracy and reproducibility, making it accessible to both microfluidic laboratories and non-experts in the field.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Mokshin Suri, Zeinab Mohamed, Samavi Farnush, Bint E. Naser, Xianwen Mao, Peng Chen, Susan Daniel, Tobias Hanrath
Summary: Photosynthetic semiconductor biohybrids (PSBs) are a promising technology that converts light energy to chemical energy. In this study, a bioelectronic platform is introduced to investigate the interactions between colloidal quantum dots (QDs), microbial outer membranes, and redox mediators. Electrochemical analysis reveals the underlying mechanisms of PSBs.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Monica Rodolfo, Veronica Huber, Mara Cossa, Gianfrancesco Gallino, Biagio E. E. Leone, Viviana Vallacchi, Licia Rivoltini, Elisabetta Vergani
Summary: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown durable clinical responses in treating malignancies, but the limited number of responding patients remains a challenge. The immune suppressive features of the tumor microenvironment are crucial in determining the efficacy of ICI therapy. Recent evidence suggests the utility of 3D ex vivo systems in studying the mechanisms of response and resistance to immune checkpoint blockade.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhi Yang, Qiguang Zhu, Jun Cao, Yao Jin, Na Zhao, Wei Xu, Hong Liu, Huiyuan Tang, Ye Qiao, Xiaojuan Chen
Summary: The study found that different abiotic factors have significant varying impacts on fish spawning for different species, which are intricately linked to species-specific ecology; water transparency during spawning and accumulated temperature before spawning are important predictors for some fish species, while the effective duration of rising flow discharge before spawning consistently plays an important role for all three fish species; there are explicit interaction effects, mainly between hydrological and thermal variables, on fish spawning intensity.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Purnesh Chattopadhyay, Linlin Wang, Alexander Eychmueller, Juliane Simmchen
Summary: This experiment aims to provide students with an interdisciplinary understanding of colloid chemistry and surface science through the preparation and characterization of colloidal LB films. By conducting the experiment, students learn the method of making colloidal LB films and gain further knowledge of their surface properties, thereby broadening their knowledge in chemistry and materials science.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Priyanka Sharan, Zuyao Xiao, Viviana Mancuso, William E. Uspal, Juliane Simmchen
Summary: Fluid flow is common in microorganism habitats, and both biological and artificial microswimmers respond to flows influenced by chemical and physical factors. This study introduces Cu@SiO2 micromotors and investigates their behavior under externally applied flows. The micromotors exhibit puller-type characteristics and display jumping behavior at high flow speeds.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ian P. Madden, Linlin Wang, Juliane Simmchen, Erik Luijten
Summary: This study examines how active particles induce organization in multi-component systems and reveals that even a small fraction of active particles can cause reorganization of passive components. Experimental observations combined with large-scale simulations demonstrate that the observed phenomena cannot be explained by conventional molecular dynamics simulations or phoretic attractions. These findings offer insight into the organization of active-passive mixtures and provide new avenues for controlling the behavior of passive building blocks.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Audrey Nsamela, Aidee Itandehui Garcia Zintzun, Thomas D. Montenegro-Johnson, Juliane Simmchen
Summary: This article reviews the recent development of biomimicking behaviors in active colloids, focusing on the swimming mechanisms and mechanosensory response parameters of both biological and artificial microswimmers. The comparison of these two classes of microswimmers provides analogies in terms of fuel dependence, interaction with boundaries, and stimuli-induced motion.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sandra Heckel, Clemens Bilsing, Martin Wittmann, Thomas Gemming, Lars Buettner, Juergen Czarske, Juliane Simmchen
Summary: This research introduces single crystalline BiVO4 microswimmers that rely on a strict inherent asymmetry of charge-carrier distribution under illumination. The origin of the asymmetrical flow pattern is elucidated with high spatial resolution flow field measurements. The results show that self-shadowing and surface defects disrupt the symmetry of the flow fields and impact the photocatalytic activity of the microswimmers.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Martin Wittmann, Maximilian Voigtmann, Juliane Simmchen
Summary: Artificial active matter often self-propels by creating gradients of one or more species or quantities. In this study, the effects of the depletion of metal ions in a solution during the photodeposition reaction on the active motion of artificial micro swimmers are investigated. The influences of different metal ions and counter ions on the motion are also compared.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Linlin Wang, Juliane Simmchen
Summary: Non-equilibrium dynamic assembly has attracted significant attention for its potential to form diverse structures and functional materials. This study focuses on understanding the driving forces behind light-driven Au@TiO2 micromotors and the implications for interactions between active and passive particles. Precision experimental measurements of the photochemical reaction rate are correlated with the observed speed of the micromotors, supporting the conclusion that self-electrophoresis based on self-generated H+ gradient is the dominant propulsion mechanism. The addition of salt confirms the dependence of swimming behavior on salt concentration and its consequences for raft formation are investigated through COMSOL simulations.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Martin Wittmann, Kelly Henze, Kai Yan, Vandana Sharma, Juliane Simmchen
Summary: Micro particles have diverse architectural designs and shapes, and it is time to shift focus from conventional spherical morphology to anisotropic systems. In particular, rod-shaped micro particles exhibit unique behaviors based on their structural characteristics. With their various shapes, architectures, and material compositions, they offer interesting characteristics and applications. This review provides an overview of the considerable amount of research published on rod-shaped micro particles, highlighting both limitations and potential areas for development.
COLLOID AND POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Priyanka Sharan, Abdallah Daddi-Moussa-Ider, Jaime Agudo-Canalejo, Ramin Golestanian, Juliane Simmchen
Summary: Due to the complexity of active matter systems, understanding their collective properties requires systematic characterization of individual components and their interactions. This study focuses on self-propelled particles and their non-equilibrium behavior, as well as the challenges posed by non-reciprocal interactions. Experimental and theoretical approaches are utilized to extract parameters and predict trajectories, providing insights for the design of active-matter systems.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Purnesh Chattopadhyay, Maria Camila Ariza-Tarazona, Erika Iveth Cedillo-Gonzalez, Cristina Siligardi, Juliane Simmchen
Summary: Microplastics pose a significant environmental threat, compounded by the lack of efficient removal techniques. Photocatalytic semiconducting nanoparticles show promise in degrading micropollutants, including microplastics. This study presents a novel approach by integrating self-propulsion, phoretic assembly, and photocatalytic oxidation into a single Pac-Man TiO2 micromotor, allowing for active collection and degradation of microplastics. The experiments focus on polystyrene microspheres as model microplastics, correlating degradation with catalytic activity and evaluating timescales for the involved processes.
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Purnesh Chattopadhyay, Sandra Heckel, Fabio Irigon Pereira, Juliane Simmchen
Summary: This article discusses the importance of asymmetry in micromotors and the reasons behind it, presents a novel synthetic pathway for producing active swimmers, and introduces an automated tool for evaluating asymmetry.
ADVANCED INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Purnesh Chattopadhyay, Veronika Magdanz, Maria Hernandez-Melia, Konstantin B. L. Borchert, Dana Schwarz, Juliane Simmchen
Summary: This study investigates the inhibitory effect of copper microparticles on bovine spermatozoa and finds that copper particles can suppress sperm motility and viability, indicating their potential as hormone-free spermicidal candidates for male contraception.
ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Martin Wittmann, Sandra Heckel, Felix Wurl, Zuyao Xiao, Thomas Gemming, Thomas Strassner, Juliane Simmchen
Summary: This study investigates the possibility of using organic reactions, specifically the oxidation of amines, as fuel for chemiophoretic nano- and micromotors. The motion of microswimmers is analyzed under different amine concentrations and light intensities, and the reaction products are identified and quantified using gas chromatography (GC).
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
