Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Minmin Li, Yuchen Cao, Yuting Xiong, Guangyan Qing
Summary: Biological ion channels have asymmetries in structure and charge distribution, which enable them to perform diverse activities such as signal transduction and cell motility. Inspired by this, researchers have been pursuing artificial ion channels with comparable functions. However, current homogeneous nanochannels have not been able to achieve similar rewards. Hierarchically engineered heterogeneous nanochannels, on the other hand, have shown promising properties such as ion selectivity and permeability, and have found applications in selective ion transport, energy conversion, biomolecular separation, and detection. In this article, recent advances in these hierarchically engineered nanochannel systems are reviewed, with a focus on pore-on-pore and pore-in-pore structures, and their potential applications are discussed.
NPG ASIA MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tamara Fernandez Cabada, Massimo Ruben, Amira El Merhie, Remo Proietti Zaccaria, Alessandro Alabastri, Enrica Maria Petrini, Andrea Barberis, Marco Salerno, Marco Crepaldi, Alexander Davis, Luca Ceseracciu, Tiziano Catelani, Athanassia Athanassiou, Teresa Pellegrino, Roberto Cingolani, Evie L. Papadopoulou
Summary: This study investigates the regulation of cancer stem-like cell differentiation by the electrical interface between cells and materials. Electrospun polymer fiber scaffolds with embedded graphene nanoplatelets are fabricated, providing a suitable electrical environment for cancer stem-like cell adhesion, growth, and differentiation. The results show that the electrical interface promotes the differentiation of cancer stem-like cells, offering potential applications in tissue engineering and cancer treatment.
NANOSCALE HORIZONS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Mario Garcia-Navarrete, Merisa Avdovic, Sara Perez-Garcia, Diego Ruiz Sanchis, Krzysztof Wabnik
Summary: Cells convert electrical signals into chemical outputs through ion channels, and the expression of ion channels is regulated for various pathological diseases. This study engineered yeast to convert chemical concentrations into dynamic potassium channel expression, coordinating the plasma membrane potential through a synthetic dual-feedback circuit. This provides a compact experimental model for controlling electrical activity in eukaryotic cell populations and has implications for cellular engineering and potential therapeutic applications.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hathaichanok Impheng, Celine Lemmers, Malik Bouasse, Christian Legros, Narawut Pakaprot, Nathalie C. Guerineau, Philippe Lory, Arnaud Monteil
Summary: The study reveals the functional role of the Na+ leak channel NALCN in GH(3) cells, affecting the electrical properties and hormone secretion of pituitary endocrine cells.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Afeesh Rajan Unnithan, Arathyram Ramachandra Kurup Sasikala, Bishnu Kumar Shrestha, Alex Lincoln, Thomas Thomson, Alicia J. El Haj
Summary: Non-invasive approaches using remotely controllable nanomaterials, such as the developed GOMNP composite, have shown potential in enhancing treatment efficacy in regenerative medicine and tissue repair. Remote activation of mechanotransduction pathways through functionalized GOMNPs has led to enhanced bone formation.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Oksana Gorobets, Svitlana Gorobets, Iryna Sharai, Tatyana Polyakova, Vitalii Zablotskii
Summary: The interaction mechanisms between magnetic fields and living systems have been a hidden research topic for over a hundred years and have attracted the attention of researchers from various disciplines. Revealing these mechanisms at the cellular level can help understand complex cell systems and predict cell responses to magnetic fields. Several new physical mechanisms of magnetic field impacts on endothelial and cancer cells have been suggested, which can play an unexpected role in creating physiological responses. The results are of great importance for further developing novel approaches in cell biology, cell therapy, and medicine.
BIOELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jinlei Yang, Bin Tu, Guangjie Zhang, Pengchao Liu, Kui Hu, Jiarong Wang, Zhuang Yan, Zhiwei Huang, Munan Fang, Junjun Hou, Qiaojun Fang, Xiaohui Qiu, Lianshan Li, Zhiyong Tang
Summary: Osmotic power, or 'blue energy', is a vast and sustainable energy source produced by mixing solutions of different salt concentrations. This study demonstrates the potential application of covalent organic framework monolayer membranes with well-ordered pore arrangement in osmotic power generation, achieving low membrane resistance and high ion conductivity.
NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chien-Wei Chu, Amalia Rizki Fauziah, Li-Hsien Yeh
Summary: The design of ion-selective membranes is crucial for efficient reverse electrodialysis-based osmotic power conversion. However, the tradeoff between ion selectivity and ion permeability in existing porous membranes limits power generation efficiency. Therefore, we provide simple guidelines based on ion transport principles in nanofluidics to enhance osmotic power conversion. Additionally, we discuss strategies for optimizing membrane performance by analyzing various material parameters and outline future directions for maximizing osmotic power conversion efficiency through membrane design.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kitty Hendriks, Carl Oester, Chaowei Shi, Han Sun, Adam Lange
Summary: The study demonstrates that K+-selective mutants lose selectivity filter stability under Na+ conditions without collapsing into a defined structure, and structural changes occur.
Compared to the non-selective wild-type NaK channel, the stronger link between the selectivity filter and the pore helix in K+-selective mutants reduces the ion-dependent conformational flexibility of the selectivity filter.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Diego J. B. Orts, Manoel Arcisio-Miranda
Summary: Voltage-gated proton channels (H(V)1) play crucial roles in various physiological processes, while glycosaminoglycans can modulate membrane receptors and ion channels. Defective biosynthesis of chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate in CHO-745 cells leads to gating alterations in the H(V)1 channel, affecting the coupling between voltage- and Delta pH-sensing.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yi Li, Christopher Maffeo, Himanshu Joshi, Aleksei Aksimentiev, Brice Menard, Rebecca Schulman
Summary: This study demonstrates the design of micrometer-long, 7-nm-diameter DNA nanochannels that can be used for molecular transport. The channels eliminate permeation through channel walls and can interface with living cells.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christoph A. Haselwandtera, Yusong R. Guoc, Ziao Fuc, Roderick MacKinnon
Summary: This study predicts the shape of Piezo proteins in membranes using membrane elasticity theory and verifies the accuracy of the predictions through experiments. The study also reveals that the impact of the Piezo dome on the membrane footprint follows a spherical cap geometry.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christoph A. Haselwandtera, Yusong R. Guoc, Ziao Fuc, Roderick MacKinnon
Summary: The study demonstrates that the free membrane shape of lipid bilayer vesicles containing the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo can be predicted using membrane elasticity theory and measurements of protein geometry and vesicle size. By analyzing the force-exertion relationship between the Piezo dome and free membrane, important properties of Piezo related to mechanical gating sensitivity are identified.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
David Kleinheinz, Chiara D'Onofrio, Colm Carraher, Ulrich Ramach, Bernhard Schuster, Anil Bozdogan, Wolfgang Knoll, Jakob Andersson
Summary: Membrane proteins are crucial drug targets, but studying them is challenging due to the complexity of the cellular membrane. Tethered membrane systems can replicate basic properties of the cellular membrane, making them ideal for studying membrane proteins thanks to their high electrical resistance and stability.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karolina Nowicka-Bauer, Monika Szymczak-Cendlak
Summary: Sperm motility is closely linked to the sensitivity and specificity of ion channels, with different ion channels interacting to ensure timely and efficient fertilization. The activation and modulation of these channels play key roles in regulating sperm motility in animals.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
P. Yudin, K. Shapovalov, T. Sluka, J. Perantie, H. Jantunen, A. Dejneka, M. Tyunina
Summary: This study examines the interaction between mobile domain walls and immobile columnar boundaries in epitaxial ferroelectric films, showing that the columnar boundaries can substantially modify the behavior of non-ferroelastic domain walls but have a negligible impact on ferroelastic ones. Introducing immobile boundaries into ferroelectric films is proposed as a viable method to modify domain structures and dynamic responses at the nano-scale.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mariia Lunova, Jan Kubovciak, Barbora Smolkova, Mariia Uzhytchak, Kyra Michalova, Alexandr Dejneka, Pavel Strnad, Oleg Lunov, Milan Jirsa
Summary: The study examined the signaling pathways of Lambda interferons in liver-derived cell lines and the association of a specific variant with hepatitis C. Results showed that transfection with non-tagged IFNL3 and IFNL4 did not induce transcriptome changes in cells lacking specific receptor subunits. Additionally, the data did not support the hypothesis of IFNL4-specific non-canonical signaling and urged caution in interpreting functional studies conducted with tagged interferons.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Michala Forinova, Alina Pilipenco, Ivana Visova, N. Scott Lynn, Jakub Dostalek, Hana Maskova, Vaclav Honig, Martin Palus, Martin Selinger, Pavlina Kocova, Filip Dycka, Jan Sterba, Milan Houska, Marketa Vrabcova, Petr Horak, Judita Anthi, Chao-Ping Tung, Chung-Ming Yu, Chi-Yung Chen, Yu-Chuan Huang, Pei-Hsun Tsai, Szu-Yu Lin, Hung-Ju Hsu, An-Suei Yang, Alexandr Dejneka, Hana Vaisocherova-Lisalova
Summary: Novel biosensing technology has been developed for rapid and sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 in untreated clinical samples, offering improved sensitivity and antifouling capabilities. The biosensor design allows for direct quantitative analysis without the need for additional amplification steps, with the potential to serve as a versatile platform for a wide range of biosensing applications.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Physics, Applied
N. N. Kovaleva, D. Chvostova, O. Pacherova, A. Muratov, L. Fekete, I. A. Sherstnev, K. Kugel, F. A. Pudonin, A. Dejneka
Summary: Ultrathin [Bi(0.6-2.5 nm)-FeNi(0.8,1.2 nm)](N) multilayer films were studied using wideband spectroscopic ellipsometry, revealing that the surface metallic conductivity of the Bi layer is strongly influenced by the morphology and magnetic properties of the nanoisland FeNi layer.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Physics, Applied
M. Tyunina, M. Savinov, A. Dejneka
Summary: Enhancement of electrical conductivity in ABO(3) perovskite oxide ferroelectrics, such as SrTiO3 thin films, can be achieved by introducing oxygen vacancies or substitutions. The hopping mechanism of conductivity with small polarons as charge carriers is evidenced, and oxygen vacancies/substitutions facilitate hopping probability by generating sites for carrier localization. The hopping conductivity shows a unique increase with an electric field, which can benefit important ferroelectric devices.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Vasily Lavrentiev, Dagmar Chvostova, Jan Pokorny, Inna Lavrentieva, Jiri Vacik, Alexandr Dejneka
Summary: This study investigates the remarkable plasmonic properties of self-assembled AgxC60 nanocomposite films, revealing the spectral peculiarities of plasmonic and molecular excitations. The analysis shows that the Ag NP plasmonic coupling features vary at different ranges of x values, with different strengths and efficiencies of plasmonic modes observed in the NC films.
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Jose C. Fernandez-Checa, Pierre Bagnaninchi, Hui Ye, Pau Sancho-Bru, Juan M. Falcon-Perez, Felix Royo, Carmen Garcia-Ruiz, Ozlen Konu, Joana Miranda, Oleg Lunov, Alexandr Dejneka, Alistair Elfick, Alison McDonald, Gareth J. Sullivan, Guruprasad P. Aithal, M. Isabel Lucena, Raul J. Andrade, Bernard Fromenty, Michel Kranendonk, Francisco Javier Cubero, Leonard J. Nelson
Summary: DILI is a major cause of ALF and a leading indication for liver transplantation in Western societies. Lack of concordance between human and animal DILI and absence of models that faithfully recapitulate human DILI pathophysiological features have hindered our understanding and predictive capabilities of DILI.
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Vitalii Zablotskii, Tatyana Polyakova, Alexandr Dejneka
Summary: The study shows that a high static magnetic field (MF) has different effects on the diffusion of biologically active molecules such as oxygen, hemoglobin, and drugs. The equation describing the diffusion in the presence of MF is derived and solved, revealing the underlying mechanism of the MF's effect on diffusion. It is found that a high MF accelerates the diffusion of diamagnetic species while slowing the diffusion of paramagnetic molecules.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Adam Frtus, Barbora Smolkova, Mariia Uzhytchak, Mariia Lunova, Milan Jirsa, Skylar J. W. Henry, Alexandr Dejneka, Nicholas Stephanopoulos, Oleg Lunov
Summary: DNA nanotechnology has great potential in biomedicine, but understanding the interactions between DNA nanostructures and living cells is crucial for their successful clinical translation. This review summarizes the current knowledge on these interactions and identifies key challenges from a cell biology perspective. Future research should address these challenges to accelerate the clinical translation of DNA nanostructures.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Vasily Lavrentiev, Jan Pokorny, Dagmar Chvostova, Mariana Klementova, Inna Lavrentieva, Jiri Vacik, Alexandr Dejneka
Summary: We report the detection of plasmon-enhanced Raman scattering (PERS) in self-assembled AgxC60 nanocomposite films and investigate the evolution of this effect with increasing Ag concentration, x, in the range of 2 < x < 25. The PERS effect is found to be closely related to the dipolar plasmonic mode generated by uniform 3D-ensemble of Ag nanoparticles in the C-60-based matrix. The analysis of absorption spectra reveals strong coupling between the dipolar plasmon mode and the C-60 low-energy exciton, indicating energy exchange between high- and low-energy polaritonic states. The obtained PERS spectra show sensitivity of the C-60 vibrational modes to the plasmonic field strength, which can be tuned by adjusting the Ag concentration.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Natalia Kovaleva, Dagmar Chvostova, Ladislav Fekete, Alexandr Dejneka
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the dielectric function properties of ultrathin Bi/FeNi periodic structures using spectroscopic ellipsometry. The results demonstrated that the Bi layer exhibited surface metallic conductivity, and the conductivity was enhanced as the layer thickness decreased, indicating nontrivial 2D topology properties.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ivana Visova, Milan Houska, Monika Spasovova, Michala Forinova, Alina Pilipenco, Katerina Mezulanikova, Marketa Tomandlova, Katerina Mrkvova, Marketa Vrabcova, Alexandr Dejneka, Jakub Dostalek, Hana Vaisocherova-Lisalova
Summary: This study investigates the use of tailored mixtures of deactivating agents containing carboxyl groups and sulfo or sulfate groups to tune surface charge balance and improve antifouling properties of poly(carboxybetaine) brushes. The approach effectively suppresses fouling and enhances the detection sensitivity of bacteria.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Crystallography
Marina Makarova, Andrey Prokhorov, Alexander Stupakov, Jaromir Kopecek, Jan Drahokoupil, Vladimir Trepakov, Alexander Dejneka
Summary: This study reports the synthesis, structural, and magnetic properties of undoped, carbon-doped, and reduced SrTiO3 nanoparticles. The results suggest that both oxygen vacancies and carbon doping contribute to the magnetization, and surface-related defects and oxygen deficiency are crucial for the emergence of magnetism.
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Michala Forinova, Alina Pilipenco, Ivana Visova, Jakub Kuncak, N. Scott Lynn, Petr Yudin, Jakub Dostalek, Vaclav Honig, Martin Palus, Hana Maskova, Filip Dycka, Jan Sterba, Marketa Vrabcova, Judita Arnostova, Monika Spasovova, Chao-Ping Tung, An-Suei Yang, Alexandr Dejneka, Hana Vaisocherova-Lisalova
Summary: The study demonstrates a biosensor technology based on the quartz crystal microbalance method for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 in complex samples. The biosensor fulfills all requirements for rapid detection and has been validated with clinical samples, showing full agreement with qRT-PCR results.
