Article
Polymer Science
Alexei A. Lazutin, Valentina V. Vasilevskaya
Summary: Matrix free polymer nanocomposites of spherical nanoparticles with shells made of amphiphilic homopolymer were investigated using molecular dynamics experiments. Two distinctive morphologies were identified: sea hedgehog-like structure with low moduli of elasticity and viscosity, and membrane lamellae structure with high moduli of elasticity and viscosity. These findings have implications for the development of smart materials that can reversibly assemble, disintegrate, and repair damage.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
V. H. Giang Phan, Huu Thuy Trang Duong, Phu-Tri Tran, Thavasyappan Thambi, Duy-Khiet Ho, Xabier Murgia
Summary: Core-shell structured starch nanoparticles synthesized using squalenoylation technology showed potential for versatile drug delivery applications for mucosal drug delivery and treatment of persistent infections. The nanoparticles demonstrated good drug loading capacity and penetration through biofilms.
Review
Polymer Science
Qinyu Zhu, Douglas R. Tree
Summary: One of the grand challenges in amphiphilic self-assembly is to design ordered structures with controllable morphology and shape, which can be achieved by adjusting the properties of the amphiphiles or their surroundings. Computational studies provide important insights and exploration of parameter spaces that are not easily accessible in experiments. This review introduces fundamental concepts, relevant experiments, and influential simulation studies on controlling the self-assembled shape of amphiphiles, with a focus on kinetic and mechanical effects.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Haohui Huo, Zepeng Li, Tianyi Tan, Long Chen, Goran Ungar, Richard Hoogenboom, Qilu Zhang, Feng Liu
Summary: This study demonstrates a general approach to asymmetrically localize tadpole-like silver nanoparticles (NPs) in larger polymeric nanostructures through coassembly, providing a new strategy for NP fabrication and offering opportunities for off-center distribution of NPs in hybrid assemblies.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Xibo Yan, Julien Bernard, Francois Ganachaud
Summary: Polymeric nanoparticles are important functional nanomaterials with various shapes and inner morphologies, which can be precisely controlled using the nanoprecipitation technique. This technique allows for the fabrication of a wide range of polymeric nanostructures, including equilibrium and out-of-equilibrium morphologies, as well as core-shell structures. New directions are proposed to further expand the scope and potential achievements of this process.
ADVANCES IN COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xuejie Liu, Nan Yan, Jing Jin, Yanqiu Du, Wei Jiang
Summary: By precisely controlling the interfacial interaction between colloidal nanoparticles and the oil/water interface, we successfully assembled Mackay icosahedral and regular tetrahedral colloidal clusters from gold nanoparticles. The transformation from Mackay icosahedral clusters to regular tetrahedral clusters was achieved by increasing the proportion of hydrophilic P2VP ligands on the surface of gold nanoparticles. The formation mechanism of these regular polyhedral colloidal clusters was also revealed, showing that it is determined by both entropy and interfacial free energy.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Samuel E. Hoff, Desire Di Silvio, Ronald F. Ziolo, Sergio E. Moya, Hendrik Heinz
Summary: Functionalization of nanoparticles with specific ligands can control specific diagnostic and therapeutic responses. This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to investigate self-assembled monolayers of multisegment ligands on gold nanoparticles, showing that they can mimic mixed hydrophobic and hydrophilic ligand coatings, with control over patterns, hydrophilicity, and specific recognition properties.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaoyuan Wang, Shixin Xu, Fredric S. Cohen, Jiwei Zhang, Yongqiang Cai
Summary: The effect of cholesterol content on biological membranes was studied using a polymer system. The liquid-crystal behavior of certain components was found to strongly influence the chemical potential of cholesterol in bilayer membranes.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yangxin Wang, Qingcai Zhao, Rainer Haag, Changzhu Wu
Summary: Biocatalysis holds great potential for the sustainable development of green industry. Researchers have developed nano- and micro-sized biocatalytic reactors based on self-assembled polymers to overcome the poor usability and stability of enzymes under abiological conditions, thereby achieving highly efficient, stable, and reusable biocatalytic systems.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Indra Memdi Khoris, Akhilesh Babu Ganganboina, Tetsuro Suzuki, Enoch Y. Park
Summary: By co-precipitating the chromogen TMB in aqueous solution, collective nanoparticles TMB-NPs were formed and enriched in PLGA nanovesicles using a molecular delivery approach. The developed colorimetric sensor demonstrated high sensitivity in detecting influenza virus and other respiratory viruses, showcasing practical applications for airborne virus detection.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Christina Efthymiou, L. Magnus Bergstrom, Jannik Nedergaard Pedersen, Jan Skov Pedersen, Per Hansson
Summary: Through experiments, it was found that common amphiphilic drug molecules form small micelles during self-assembly, with micelle size reaching a maximum at a certain concentration and slightly decreasing at higher concentrations. An increase in drug concentration and decrease in pH lead to an increase in micelle charge, and the aggregation behavior of all studied drugs resembles that of conventional surfactants.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fatemeh Araste, Ali Aliabadi, Khalil Abnous, Seyed Mohammad Taghdisi, Mohammad Ramezani, Mona Alibolandi
Summary: The progress in advanced materials using nanoscale components through innovative self-assembly approaches show great potential in drug delivery and smart nanomedicine, with polymersomes proving advantageous due to their morphological similarities to cellular membranes and viral capsids.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
A. M. Ismail, Fawzy G. El Desouky
Summary: Facile assembly, co-precipitation, and drop casting techniques were employed to fabricate SnO2/SrSnO3/Fe3O4/PVDF flexible nanocomposites. The inclusion of SnO2/SrSnO3/Fe3O4 nanocomposites (TSF NCs') into polyvinylidene fluoride (PF) polymers was successfully achieved, as confirmed by XRD, EDX, and ATR-FTIR analysis. FESEM and cross-section imaging demonstrated improved surface characteristics and reduced surface roughness of TSF/PF porous material. The optical gap was reduced from 3.90 to 3.07 eV, with enhanced refractive index and optical conductivity upon incorporation of TSF NCs' into PF. The dielectric properties of the nanocomposites were found to be significantly influenced by the supplement ratios, and the electrical parameters of TSF/PF nanocomposite were notably modified. Additionally, the TSF/PF magnetic nanocomposite showed good magnetic reactivity and could be easily extracted from aqueous solution using an external magnetic field, as evidenced by VSM. This research aims to obtain TSF/PF nanocomposites for promising magno-optoelectronic applications.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Paul Klemm, Mira Behnke, Jana Solomun, Colin Bonduelle, Sebastien Lecommandoux, Anja Traeger, Stephanie Schubert
Summary: Three biodegradable block copolymers were designed for gene delivery applications, with formulations investigated for pDNA binding and nanoparticle formation. The polypeptides were tested for cytotoxicity and biodegradability, with the polypeptide containing the highest l-Lys content showing the highest transfection efficiency in HEK293T cells.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Minsu Kang, Minho Seong, Donghyuk Lee, Seong Min Kang, Moon Kyu Kwak, Hoon Eui Jeong
Summary: A programmable self-assembly strategy is developed to create highly ordered artificial nanocilia actuators using magnetic nanoparticles. The nanocilia exhibit field-responsive motion through rolling and sliding between assembled nanoparticles.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
David M. Saylor, Shiril Sivan, Paul Turner, Huiyu Shi, Joshua E. Soneson, Jason D. Weaver, Matthew Di Prima, Eric M. Sussman
Summary: The study examined the use of elevated temperature to expedite nickel release testing in nitinol medical devices. It found specific behavior patterns in nickel release in materials with relatively thin oxide layers, allowing for shortened testing duration at higher temperatures. Materials with thicker oxide layers showed release behavior that did not follow a specific pattern. Further testing and insights are needed for establishing a protective temperature scaling for all nitinol medical device components.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART B-APPLIED BIOMATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Gloria Maria Pontes-Quero, Lorena Benito-Garzon, Juan Perez Cano, Maria Rosa Aguilar, Blanca Vazquez-Lasa
Summary: The study encapsulated three hydrophobic anti-inflammatory drugs into core-shell terpolymer nanoparticles, reducing drug cytotoxicity and improving biocompatibility, demonstrating potential for treating inflammatory processes associated with osteoarthritis.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Joaquin Yanes-Diaz, Raquel Palao-Suay, Maria Rosa Aguilar, Juan Ignacio Riestra-Ayora, Antonio Ferruelo-Alonso, Luis Rojo del Olmo, Blanca Vazquez-Lasa, Ricardo Sanz-Fernandez, Carolina Sanchez-Rodriguez
Summary: The study evaluated the antitumoral effect of PHT-427-loaded polymeric nanoparticles based on alpha-tocopheryl succinate in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The nanoparticles effectively suppressed AKT/PDK1 expression and induced apoptosis, showing promise for effective HNSCC treatment with this nanoformulation.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Gloria Maria Pontes-Quero, Susana Esteban-Rubio, Juan Perez Cano, Maria Rosa Aguilar, Blanca Vazquez-Lasa
Summary: Oregano essential oil has beneficial properties for biotechnological and biomedical applications, but its instability due to volatile nature and external factors can be addressed through micro- and nanoencapsulation. This encapsulation strategy enhances stability, bioactivity, and allows for controlled and targeted release of the oil.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Gerardo Asensio, Lorena Benito-Garzon, Rosa Ana Ramirez-Jimenez, Yasmina Guadilla, Julian Gonzalez-Rubio, Cristina Abradelo, Juan Parra, Maria Rocio Martin-Lopez, Maria Rosa Aguilar, Blanca Vazquez-Lasa, Luis Rojo
Summary: Regenerative therapies based on tissue engineering have great potential for the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the regeneration of full-thickness articular osteochondral defects that replicate the complexity of native cartilage and osteochondral interface is still challenging. In this study, we present a biomimetic scaffold that mimics the spatial organization and composition of cartilage and osteochondral interface. The scaffold shows desirable physical and chemical characteristics, sustained release of bioactive compounds, and promotes guided cell colonization and proliferation. In vivo experiments demonstrate the ability of the biomimetic scaffold to promote the regeneration of cartilage-like tissue and neoformation of osteochondral tissue.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
M. A. Moreno-Mateos, M. L. Lopez-Donaire, M. Hossain, D. Garcia-Gonzalez
Summary: Magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) can change their mechanical properties and shape in response to external magnetic stimuli. Recent studies have shown the potential of MREs with a soft matrix and soft-magnetic particles for significant mechanical stiffening. This paper presents an alternative solution using hard-magnetic MREs to achieve sustained stiffening responses without the need for a constant external magnetic field.
SMART MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Miguel Angel Moreno-Mateos, Jorge Gonzalez-Rico, Emanuel Nunez-Sardinha, Clara Gomez-Cruz, Maria Luisa Lopez-Donaire, Sergio Lucarini, Angel Arias, Arrate Munoz-Barrutia, Diego Velasco, Daniel Garcia-Gonzalez
Summary: Biological cells and tissues are influenced by mechanical stress and strain from their surrounding substrate. A new experimental system using soft magneto-active polymers allows for controlled deformation of substrates, enabling the study of mechanobiological processes. The system has shown versatility in reproducing complex mechanical scenarios and transmitting physiologically relevant forces.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Cristina Quilez, Enrique Cerdeira, Jorge Gonzalez-Rico, Gonzalo de Aranda, Maria Luisa Lopez-Donaire, Jose Luis Jorcano, Diego Velasco
Summary: Cell spheroids are an effective tool for recapitulating native microenvironments in vitro, and have broad applications in regenerative medicine, cancer research, disease modeling, and drug screening. This study compares different methods for generating spheroids and introduces 3D bioprinting for standardized and scalable production. The use of U-shape LA-plates combined with 3D bioprinting technology significantly increased formation efficiency. However, sedimentation effects and reduced spheroid size were observed during the printing process. The addition of hyaluronic acid as a viscosity enhancer improved cell viability and spheroid formation, with HA 0.4% (w/v) 60 kDa showing the best results.
BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Carmen Velasco-Salgado, Gloria Maria Pontes-Quero, Luis Garcia-Fernandez, Maria Rosa Aguilar, Kyra de Wit, Blanca Vazquez-Lasa, Luis Rojo, Cristina Abradelo
Summary: Osteoarthritis is a common joint disease characterized by cartilage degradation, subchondral bone thickening, and synovitis. Regenerative medicine strategies that aim to promote cartilage regeneration have become important in managing osteoarthritis. This review summarizes the latest research on the use of polymeric biomaterials for osteoarthritis management, which focus on restoring the viscoelastic properties of cartilage and reducing symptoms.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniel Fernandez-Villa, Rosa Ana Ramirez-Jimenez, Inmaculada Aranaz, Niuris Acosta, Blanca Vazquez-Lasa, Luis Rojo
Summary: This study synthesized a series of MTX complexes and characterized their physicochemical properties. The complexes showed new bioactive properties, such as increased deposition of GAGs and alternative anti-inflammatory capacities. Furthermore, the complexes were successfully loaded into spray-dried chitosan microparticles, enabling their encapsulation and localized delivery to rheumatoid arthritis-affected joints.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francisco J. Caro-Leon, Maria Luisa Lopez-Donaire, Roberto Vazquez, Miguel Huerta-Madronal, Jaime Lizardi-Mendoza, Waldo Manuel Arguelles-Monal, Daniel Fernandez-Quiroz, Luis Garcia-Fernandez, Julio San Roman, Blanca Vazquez-Lasa, Pedro Garcia, Maria Rosa Aguilar
Summary: This study synthesized water-soluble chitosan derivatives (Cs-DC) by conjugating diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) and catechol groups onto the chitosan backbone to obtain a Cs derivative with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The incorporation of DEAE and catechol groups increased the solubility of the polymer without affecting its antimicrobial activity. Moreover, the catecholic derivatives showed increased radical scavenging activity. Cs-DC also exhibited low cytotoxicity and the ability to reduce reactive oxygen species activity. Polymeric nanoparticles of Cs derivatives were obtained by ionotropic gelation and coated with hyaluronic acid, providing higher stability and a narrower size distribution.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Daniel Garcia-Gonzalez, Tigran Ter-Yesayants, Miguel Angel Moreno-Mateos, Maria Luisa Lopez-Donaire
Summary: This study proposes a new concept of self-healing soft material that can heal after rupture without external actuation. By filling a sticky and soft elastomeric matrix with hard-magnetic particles, the material can close cracks when the ruptured parts are approached to each other. Experimental results show that the proposed soft materials can sustain mechanical loading beyond 20% strains after several fracture cycles without compromising the structural integrity.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Maria Luisa Lopez-Donaire, Gonzalo de Aranda-Izuzquiza, Sara Garzon-Hernandez, Javier Crespo-Miguel, Miguel Fernandez-de la Torre, Diego Velasco, Daniel Garcia-Gonzalez
Summary: Soft multifunctional materials with mechanical sensing or actuation in response to physical stimuli are important for bioengineering and soft electronics applications. However, manufacturing complex shapes with inks that change properties during printing remains a challenge. To address this, a hybrid theoretical-experimental framework using ink writing technology is proposed to optimize printability of time-dependent viscosity inks. The method eliminates the need for additives and is validated by printing magnetorheological elastomers and conductive soft materials.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Patricia Gallego-Munoz, Eduardo Ontoria, M. Mar Fernandez Gutierrez, Rocio Gutierrez-Contreras, Paula Olaya, Susana Marcos, M. Carmen Martinez Garcia
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Ana Mora-Boza, Lina M. Mancipe Castro, Rebecca S. Schneider, Woojin M. Han, Andres J. Garcia, Blanca Vazquez-Lasa, Julio San Roman
Summary: Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are encapsulated in microcarriers fabricated through microfluidics, showing improved cell viability and reparative activities.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING C-MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2021)
