Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hamed Almohammadi, Sandra Martinek, Ye Yuan, Peter Fischer, Raffaele Mezzenga
Summary: In the process of nucleation and growth, thermodynamics and kinetics play crucial roles in determining the composition, shape, structure and physical properties of heterogeneous colloidal systems. By selectively choosing colloidal systems and controlling phase separation, we can separate the effects of kinetics from thermodynamics and discover new physical phenomena. This approach enables the on-demand fabrication of multicomponent heterogeneous liquid crystals and opens up new research directions in multicomponent structured fluids.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Deep Choudhuri, Skyler Matteson, Reilly Knox
Summary: In concentrated Ni-Cr alloys, the formation of a coupled Cr-rich BCC and Ni-rich closed-packed structure in the pre-critical nucleus is influenced by prior phase separation of the alloy melt.
SCRIPTA MATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Haimei Zheng
Summary: The development of liquid cells for transmission electron microscopy has revolutionized the ability to track nanoscale structural, morphological, or chemical changes during materials growth and applications. This advancement allows for capturing nanoscale dynamic processes of materials and is expected to accelerate the discovery of novel materials for various applications in energy storage, catalysis, sensors, and other functional devices.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Frederik J. Link, Ethan Errington, Vivek Verma, Jerry Y. Y. Heng
Summary: Continuous crystallisation is a more economical and efficient method for purifying biopharmaceutical proteins. This study investigates the impact of equipment surface chemistry and physical mixing on the design and operation of a tubular slug flow crystalliser, and finds that surface functional groups and specific cleaning protocols can prevent fouling and ensure stable crystallisation. A two-step mixing approach is also developed to overcome poor mixing and amorphous precipitation. These findings are crucial for the future development of tubular slug flow crystallisers as purification platforms for biopharmaceutical proteins.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Anna Bratek-Skicki, Margot Van Nerom, Dominique Maes, Peter Tompa
Summary: Biomolecular condensates are membraneless organelles formed through liquid-liquid phase separation that can concentrate a variety of molecules in cells. They are highly dynamic and play crucial roles in cellular organization and physiology, with links to diseases like neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. This review discusses the mechanisms, dynamics, and evolution of these biological colloids, particularly focusing on their surface properties and interactions with other cellular components. Experimental approaches for characterizing the formation, interactions, and functions of these cellular colloidal organelles are also summarized.
ADVANCES IN COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alessia Villois, Umberto Capasso Palmiero, Prerit Mathur, Gaia Perone, Timo Schneider, Lunna Li, Matteo Salvalaglio, Andrew deMello, Stavros Stavrakis, Paolo Arosio
Summary: This study provides an experimental and theoretical framework to investigate the thermodynamics and kinetics of liquid-liquid phase separation. It leverages droplet microfluidics to accurately measure the volume of the dense phase and predicts and validates kinetic barriers associated with the formation of a dense droplet.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Naotaka Sekiyama, Kiyofumi Takaba, Saori Maki-Yonekura, Ken-ichi Akagi, Yasuko Ohtani, Kayo Imamura, Tsuyoshi Terakawa, Keitaro Yamashita, Daigo Inaoka, Koji Yonekura, Takashi S. Kodama, Hidehito Tochio
Summary: TIA-1 plays a central role in stress granule formation, and mutations associated with neurodegenerative diseases affect its self-assembly properties. Mutations P362L and A381T increase the likelihood of amyloid fibrillization after self-assembly, which may contribute to pathogenicity.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qian Hu, Hongbing Lan, Yinmei Tian, Xiaonan Li, Mengmeng Wang, Jiao Zhang, Yulin Yu, Wei Chen, Li Kong, Yuanyuan Guo, Zhiping Zhang
Summary: Coacervate droplets formed through liquid-liquid phase separation have potential as delivery vesicles for therapeutics. However, their lack of physiological stability and membranes are challenges. In this study, polylysine-polynucleotide complex coacervate droplets with favorable stability were formulated to concentrate molecules and nanoparticles. Phospholipid membranes were further coated on the droplets to create coacervate-based artificial protocells (ArtPC) with membrane-like structures. These biofunctional ArtPC effectively reduced blood uric acid levels and prevented renal injuries.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2024)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Da Qin, Zhen He, Peng Li, Shutian Zhang
Summary: Biomineralization is a interdisciplinary subject attracting biologists, chemists, and geologists who are interested in understanding its mechanism. Recent studies have shown that the classical nucleation theory is not suitable for all biomineral nucleation processes, and phase-separated structures, such as polymer-induced liquid precursors (PILPs), play important roles in non-classical nucleation processes. However, due to the complexity and interdisciplinary nature of liquid precursors, confusion and disputes have arisen. Therefore, our team reviewed recent articles to clarify essential concepts and guide newcomers in this field.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Nadia Rostam, Soumyadeep Ghosh, Chi Fung Willis Chow, Anna Hadarovich, Cedric Landerer, Rajat Ghosh, HongKee Moon, Lena Hersemann, Diana M. M. Mitrea, Isaac A. A. Klein, Anthony A. A. Hyman, Agnes Toth-Petroczy
Summary: The discovery of biomolecular condensates has changed our understanding of how molecules are compartmentalized within cells. To gather interdisciplinary knowledge about the function and composition of biomolecular condensates, we created a crowdsourcing platform called CD-CODE. This platform includes a database of biomolecular condensates, an encyclopedia of related scientific terms, and a web application for community collaboration. By using CD-CODE, we aim to accelerate the research on biomolecular condensates, and enhance our understanding of their role in diseases and as potential therapeutic targets.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wei Liu, Claudius Lupfer, Avik Samanta, Aritra Sarkar, Andreas Walther
Summary: Synthetic cell models help us understand living cells and the origin of life by studying the crowded interiors and the formation of secondary structures. The study introduces a crowded all-DNA protocell with a temperature-switchable DNA b-polymer block copolymer, which can form artificial organelle structures through thermoreversible phase segregation. The formation of hydrophobic compartments enhances the reactivity of bimolecular reactions. This study provides insights into phase segregation and the formation of organelles and microreactors in response to environmental stress.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zsuzsa Sarkany, Fernando Rocha, Anna Bratek-Skicki, Peter Tompa, Sandra Macedo-Ribeiro, Pedro M. Martins
Summary: Liquid-solid and liquid-liquid phase separation (PS) is essential for the formation of functional and disease-associated biological assemblies. This study provides a general kinetic solution to predict the evolution of mass and size of biological assemblies based on phase equilibrium principles. The thermodynamics of protein PS is determined by saturation concentration and critical solubility, while the kinetics involve primary nucleation rate constant and a combined rate constant for growth and secondary nucleation. The formation of a limited number of large condensates can occur without active size control or coalescence phenomena.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Yu Sheng, Hui Gu, Juan-Juan Xing, Jiang-Tao Li
Summary: Core-rim structures were observed in Y-alpha-SiAlON ceramics hot-pressed between 1550-1950 degrees C. Doping mainly occurred in the alpha'-rims, with a transition layer grown first on the alpha-cores. The presence of elongated p'-grain was observed as a minor phase with ce- or AlN-cores. The alpha' -> beta' transformation was found to be controlled by the transient liquid-phase.
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Thomas Quail, Stefan Golfier, Maria Elsner, Keisuke Ishihara, Vasanthanarayan Murugesan, Roman Renger, Frank Julicher, Jan Brugues
Summary: Interactions between liquids and surfaces play a crucial role in various biological, physical, and engineering processes. Recent studies have shown that cells assemble biomolecular condensates through phase separation, which drives transcription, heterochromatin formation, nucleolus assembly, and DNA repair. The interaction between liquid-like condensates and DNA generates forces that could bring distant regions of DNA together, possibly serving as a general regulatory principle for chromatin organization.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yunhai Huang, Jingkang Wang, Na Wang, Xin Li, Xiongtao Ji, Jinyue Yang, Lina Zhou, Ting Wang, Xin Huang, Hongxun Hao
Summary: This study investigated the molecular mechanism of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) before nucleation in the preparation of crystalline materials using citicoline sodium as a model compound. It was found that solute-solvent intermolecular interactions were enhanced and then weakened before and after LLPS, leading to the formation of dense liquid phase through self-assembly of solute molecules in binary mixed solvents. The proposed mechanism of LLPS was based on these results.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
I. Malhotra, S. B. Babu
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2019)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lena Guyon, Elise Lepeltier, Jean-Christophe Gimel, Brice Calvignac, Florence Franconi, Nolwenn Lautram, Aurelien Dupont, Claudie Bourgaux, Pascal Pigeon, Patrick Saulnier, Gerard Jaouen, Catherine Passirani
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2019)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Minh-Quan Le, Jean-Christophe Gimel, Xavier Garric, Thao-Quyen Nguyen-Pham, Cedric Paniagua, Jeremie Riou, Marie-Claire Venier-Julienne
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS AND BIOPHARMACEUTICS
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pierre Legout, Guillaume Lefebvre, Marie Bonnin, Jean-Christophe Gimel, Lazhar Benyahia, Olivier Colombani, Brice Calvignac
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Florence Franconi, Laurent Lemaire, Jean-Christophe Gimel, Samuel Bonnet, Patrick Saulnier
Summary: NMR-based diffusion methods are valuable tools for nanomedicine characterization and understanding interactions with the biological environment. They provide insights into diffusion phenomena and measurement of self-diffusion and mutual diffusion coefficients. NMR diffusometry spectroscopic and imaging methods have broad applications in nanomedicine, aiding in elucidating important issues.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2021)
Article
Mechanics
Priyanka Choudhary, Sujin B. Babu
Summary: This study explores a two-dimensional one-hinge swimmer with non-uniform bending rigidity distribution along its arms, showing higher swimming speed and efficiency. The research also demonstrates the maneuverability of the swimmer with asymmetrical bending rigidity, leading to curved paths, and the control of angular velocity, curvature, and direction of rotation by adjusting the relative bending rigidity of the arms.
Article
Mechanics
Mohd Yasir Khan, Sujin B. Babu
Summary: In this study, the clustering of binary Taylor line swimmers in a Newtonian fluid was modeled. The results showed that there is an optimal amplitude for the Taylor line swimmer, leading to the formation of large clusters. The size distribution of the clusters followed a power-law behavior followed by an exponential cutoff. Additionally, it was observed that when the amplitude is close to the optimal value, the swimmers form clusters closer to the walls.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Pierre Legout, Guillaume Lefebvre, Marie Bonnin, Jean-Christophe Gimel, Lazhar Benyahia, Alain Gibaud, Samuel Marre, Carl Simonsson, Sebastien Wang, Olivier Colombani, Brice Calvignac
Summary: By utilizing a continuous microfluidic method, monodisperse porous vaterite microparticles can be produced effectively. The study revealed that the size and dispersity of the CaCO3 particles are not affected by pressure but can be decreased by increasing flow rate or adding polymers.
JOURNAL OF SUPERCRITICAL FLUIDS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vikki Anand Varma, Jaskaran Singh, Sujin B. B. Babu
Summary: Synthesizing thin films using self assembly is an important challenge for making engineered materials for applications such as photonics and filtration. In this study, a simple model of prolate ellipsoidal particles with two directional bonds was presented and their phase behavior was examined using Monte Carlo simulation. It was found that anisotropic particles with patches can form two different types of 3D ordered structures, along with a thermodynamically stable monolayer. The phase diagram suggests that the desired 2D superstructure can be achieved through self assembly.
ADVANCED THEORY AND SIMULATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zakiya Shireen, Tine Curk, Christian Brandl, Sujin Babu
Summary: This study investigates the impact of bond flexibility on aggregation behavior in a binary colloidal system. The findings demonstrate that the rigidity of bonds increases the critical concentration for gel formation and alters the kinetics of aggregation for both species. This research improves our understanding of colloidal aggregation in soft and biological systems.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Vikki Anand Varma, Simmie Jaglan, Mohd Yasir Khan, Sujin B. Babu
Summary: Designing engineering structures like nanocages, shells, and containers through self-assembly of colloids is a challenging problem. This work proposes a simple model for the subunit, which leads to the formation of monodispersed spherical cages or containers. The model with only one control parameter can be used to design cages with the desired radius.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Emilie Roger, Florence Franconi, Carl Simonsson, Benjamin Siegler, Rodolphe Perrot, Patrick Saulnier, Jean-Christophe Gimel
Summary: This study characterizes lipid nanocapsules, a nanoemulsion obtained from a medium-chain triglyceride mixed with a pegylated surfactant. It is found that a portion of the surfactant is not involved in the construction of the nanocapsules and forms residual micellar structures. These micelles also contain a small amount of medium-chain triglyceride and encapsulate fluorescent dye.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2023)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Vikki Anand Varma, Isha Malhotra, Sujin B. Babu
Summary: In this paper, we extended the simulation technique Brownian cluster dynamics (BCD) to analyze the dynamics of a binary mixture. By manipulating the phase behavior of the system through varying the fraction of spheres, we investigated ways to enhance the diffusivity of spheroids in the mixture, and found that the diffusion coefficient of the ellipsoids increases with the volume fraction.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mephin Philip Alamcheril, Umang Jain, Sujin B. Babu
Summary: This study introduced a simple model of self-propelled particles to simulate the aggregation of microorganisms and their dynamics around an attractive point. Results showed different trajectories of SPPs under varying coupling strengths.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nicolas Rolley, Marie Bonnin, Guillaume Lefebvre, Sylvain Verron, Sylwester Bargiel, Laurent Robert, Jeremie Riou, Carl Simonsson, Thomas Bizien, Jean-Christophe Gimel, Jean-Pierre Benoit, Guillaume Brotons, Brice Calvignac
Summary: This study focuses on continuous production of drug delivery systems using microfluidics for high reproducibility and controlled particle size distributions. GALECHIP concept is proposed for formulating nanomedicines like LNCs, with chips manufactured using 3D printing and DRIE technologies. The transparent Si/Glass chip is used for small angle X-ray scattering analysis of LNC formulation. Discussions revolve around costs and advantages of the technologies in a GALECHIP point of view.
