Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ana Barragan, Sara Lois, Ane Sarasola, Lucia Vitali
Summary: Non-covalent bonds are crucial for designing self-assembled organic structures with high responsiveness. In this study, the synergistic action of multiple highly-directional and purely electrostatic bonds was examined in the assembly of a specific molecule on the Au surface. The research found that multiple secondary interactions strengthen the electrostatic attraction and form the building blocks of the structures.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Kai Wang, Weibo Hua, Zhenyou Li, Qingsong Wang, Christian Kuebel, Xiaoke Mu
Summary: This study investigates the desodiation/sodiation mechanism of MoS2 electrodes using electron pair distribution function and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The results show that Mo-S bonds are preserved and do not convert to metallic forms during deep sodiation. The MoS2 sheets break into disordered MoSx clusters during discharging and partially recover Mo-S coordination symmetry during subsequent charging.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Soeun Gim, Giulio Fittolani, Yang Yu, Yuntao Zhu, Peter H. Seeberger, Yu Ogawa, Martina Delbianco
Summary: The study used systematic chemical modifications to identify key non-covalent interactions triggering the supramolecular assembly of a disaccharide model and found new geometries, such as nanotubes and twisted ribbons. The combination of synthetic chemistry and ED methods proved to be a powerful tool in drawing correlations between molecular structure and nanoscale architecture of carbohydrate assemblies.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kevin M. Roccapriore, Maxim Ziatdinov, Shin Hum Cho, Jordan A. Hachtel, Sergei Kalinin
Summary: The correlation between local nanoparticle geometries and their plasmonic responses is established using encoder-decoder neural networks in this study. The simplified descriptions allow high-accuracy predictions of local responses based on geometries, paving the way for stochastic design of nanoplasmonic structures. This approach creates a path towards determining configurations that yield the spectrum closest to the desired one.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Thomas Altantzis, Da Wang, Ajinkya Kadu, Alfons van Blaaderen, Sara Bals
Summary: The paper proposes an optimized approach for electron tomography to minimize artifacts related to beam broadening in high angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy mode. By acquiring two tomographic tilt series of the same sample and merging the reconstructions, blurring in the reconstructed volume is minimized. This approach, combined with an advanced three-dimensional reconstruction algorithm, can be used to investigate a broad range of samples.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xin Jin, Zhe Wang, Ran Hong, Zhanghao Chen, Bing Wu, Shichao Ding, Wenlei Zhu, Yuehe Lin, Cheng Gu
Summary: A new indole derivative nanoemulsion DIHA has been developed, which shows extremely fast adsorption rates, high selectivity for PFASs, and high degradation efficiency for PFOA/PFOS under UV irradiation. This novel material combines adsorption and degradation functions elegantly and holds great significance for the treatment of PFAS-contaminated wastewater.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonio Santoro, Giovanni Bella, Ambra M. Cancelliere, Scolastica Serroni, Giuliana Lazzaro, Sebastiano Campagna
Summary: In this review, recent results of photoinduced electron transfer processes in specifically designed assembled architectures are discussed. A convenient method to study these systems is described, aiming to understand the rules behind light-induced charge-separated states and subsequent decay, and to serve as a tutorial for young researchers. The review covers assembled systems of covalent or supramolecular nature, as well as functional multicomponent systems for light-to-chemical energy conversion.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Si-Qian Chen, Patricia Lopez-Sanchez, Deirdre Mikkelsen, Marta Martinez-Sanz, Zhaofeng Li, Shuyan Zhang, Elliot P. Gilbert, Lin Li, Michael J. Gidley
Summary: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of hemicellulose-cellulose interactions on the anisotropic structure of the bacterial cellulose (BC) ribbon network. BC-arabinoxylan (BC-AX) and BC-mixed linkage glucan (BC-MLG) composites were prepared and their mechanical/rheological behavior was evaluated. The results showed that hemicelluloses had limited influence on the crystallinity of BC, but significantly affected the anisotropic behavior of BC hydrogels in compression and stress-relaxation tests.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Diana B. Peckys, Daniel Gaa, Dalia Alansary, Barbara A. Niemeyer, Niels de Jonge
Summary: The study found that ORAI1 channels can form supra-molecular clusters, and different structures can be formed during SOCE activation, rather than simply being trapped near active STIM.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rongbin Xie, Yi Hu, Shern-Long Lee
Summary: Exploring supramolecular architectures at surfaces is increasingly important in contemporary science, especially for molecular electronics. The research interest is shifting from 2D to 3D, expanding from monolayers and bilayers to multilayers. Scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) provides high-resolution insight into thin films on solid surfaces and is a powerful tool for analyzing these structures. This review summarizes STM/STS studies of layered supramolecular assemblies and their unique electronic properties, particularly at the liquid-solid interface. It discusses the superiority of 3D molecular networks at surfaces and provides an outlook on future challenges. This review not only highlights the significant progress in 3D supramolecular assemblies but also offers researchers unusual concepts for designing surface supramolecular structures with increasing complexity and desired functionality.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jamir Priesner, Tobias Kraus, Niels de Jonge
Summary: This study presents a method that utilizes the electron beam of an environmental scanning electron microscope to manipulate gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) at the liquid-vapor interface. The controlled motion and agglomeration of AuNPs enable the creation of superstructures that float at the interface. The attractive force exerted by the electron beam on AuNPs is independent of zeta potential and has a larger spatial range than electrostatic interactions. The growth rate of agglomerates depends on the electron flux and electron beam energy. The hypothesis that local liquid evaporation caused by electron beam heating is responsible for the electron beam-induced AuNP assembly process is proposed.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiwei Shi, Zhanbo Li, Tao Lin, Ziliang Shi
Summary: This study demonstrates the structural evolution of a two-dimensional supramolecular assembly system on a silver surface. The evolution is driven by the thermally activated deprotonation of the organic building blocks. Scanning tunneling microscopy reveals the emergence of structures with distinct structural, chiral, and intermolecular bonding characters. The successivue deprotonation of the organic building blocks is attributed to the inductive effect. The findings offer a facile strategy to control supramolecular assembly pathways and provide a comprehensive understanding of 2D crystal engineering on surfaces.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zachary Fink, Paul Y. Kim, Satyam Srivastava, Alexander E. Ribbe, David A. Hoagland, Thomas P. Russell
Summary: In situ scanning electron microscopy was used to track the diffusion behavior of nanoparticle spheres attached to a nonvolatile ionic liquid surface. The study found that the diffusion mechanism was strongly dependent on the areal fraction. As the areal fraction increased, the diffusion coefficient of the nanoparticles decreased, and ligand interactions played a more important role in smaller particles.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Lucy L. Coria-Oriundo, Santiago E. Herrera, Lucila P. Mendez De Leo, Fernando Battaglini
Summary: High-power density output in enzymatic fuel cells is crucial for reducing the size of self-powered implantable medical devices. This study investigates the use of binary sodium salts as doping ions in redox polyelectrolytes to improve adsorption and electron transfer in glucose oxidase/redox polyelectrolyte assemblies. The results show that bromide ions exhibit the highest absorption and electron transfer efficiency, making it the best choice for the construction of bioanodes. The application of bromide-doped branched polyethyleneimine in an O2-glucose enzymatic fuel cell achieves a power density output of 2.5 mW cm-2, which is state-of-the-art performance.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guangdong Liu, Yang He, Zhixiao Liu, Hui Wan, Yaobin Xu, Huiqiu Deng, Hui Yang, Ji-Guang Zhang, Peter V. V. Sushko, Fei Gao, Chongmin Wang, Yingge Du
Summary: By using in situ transmission electron microscopy and density functional theory calculations, the influence of planar defects on the diffusion pathways and transport kinetics of Li ions in a tungsten trioxide lattice is revealed. It is found that planar defects disrupt the continuity of ion conduction channels by altering the charge distribution and lattice spacing, leading to a significant increase in energy barrier for Li diffusion. This atomic-level understanding has important implications for rational interface design in solid-state batteries and solid oxide fuel cells.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nishkantha Arulkumaran, Conor Lanphere, Charlotte Gaupp, Jonathan R. Burns, Mervyn Singer, Stefan Howorka
Summary: DNA nanotechnology produces precision nanostructures of defined chemistry, which can function as vaccines by selectively binding with white blood immune cells via membrane anchors, showing potential advantages in serum stability and immune modulation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sioned F. Jones, Himanshu Joshi, Stephen J. Terry, Jonathan R. Burns, Aleksei Aksimentiev, Ulrike S. Eggert, Stefan Howorka
Summary: Equipping DNA with hydrophobic anchors enables targeted interaction with lipid bilayers for various applications. Through experiments and molecular dynamics simulations, the study reveals the complex structure and energetics of hydrophobically tagged DNA within lipid membranes. Fundamental insight gained on DNA-bilayer interactions will guide the rational design of membrane-targeting nanostructures.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tim Diederichs, Katya Ahmad, Jonathan R. Burns, Quoc Hung Nguyen, Zuzanna S. Siwy, Marc Tornow, Peter Coveney, Robert Tampe, Stefan Howorka
Summary: Synthetic nanopores made from DNA can replicate biological processes of transporting molecular cargo across lipid bilayers. Through experiments and computer simulations, the transport principles of organic molecules through DNA nanopores have been revealed, showing high structural homogeneity and potential for tailored transport selectivity for various biotechnological applications. The findings highlight the impact of cargo charge and size, pore sterics and electrostatics, and lipid bilayer composition on the transport kinetics within the nanopores.
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Stefan Howorka
NATURE REVIEWS CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Conor Lanphere, Jonah Ciccone, Adam Dorey, Nora Hagleitner-Ertugrul, Denis Knyazev, Shozeb Haider, Stefan Howorka
Summary: Chemistry plays a crucial role in synthesizing biomolecular structures. This study focuses on designing a triggerable synthetic nanopore using defined DNA blocks, which integrates multiple functions of biological membrane proteins. Through analysis, the kinetics and structural dynamics of DNA assembly at the membrane interface are revealed.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yongzheng Xing, Adam Dorey, Lakmal Jayasinghe, Stefan Howorka
Summary: Rational design with DNA can greatly expand the structural and functional range of membrane nanopores, allowing for customizable pore shapes and lumen widths of up to tens of nanometres. These designer nanopores demonstrate how DNA nanotechnology can provide functional biomolecular structures for use in synthetic biology, single-molecule enzymology, biophysical analysis, portable diagnostics, and environmental screening.
NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Swarup Dey, Adam Dorey, Leeza Abraham, Yongzheng Xing, Irene Zhang, Fei Zhang, Stefan Howorka, Hao Yan
Summary: Artificial systems to control the transport of molecules across biomembranes can be useful for biosensing or drug delivery. Here, the authors assemble a DNA channel enabling the precisely timed, stimulus-controlled transport of functional proteins across bilayer membranes.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jeroen F. van Dyck, Jonathan R. Burns, Kyle I. P. Le Huray, Albert Konijnenberg, Stefan Howorka, Frank Sobott
Summary: Recent interest in oligonucleotide nanostructures has led to the use of mass spectrometry and ion mobility to study their assembly. In this study, the authors use these techniques to characterize the structure of a hexameric DNA barrel and its intermediates and byproducts. They demonstrate the ability of these methods to determine the mass, charge state, and size of noncovalent DNA assemblies and reveal the role of ionic strength in their assembly. They also identify previously undetected higher-order assemblies and assign them to larger geometric structures.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daniel Offenbartl-Stiegert, Alexia Rottensteiner, Adam Dorey, Stefan Howorka
Summary: Controlling biological processes with light allows precise and selective activation in a non-invasive and non-toxic manner. Researchers have developed a synthetic light-gated nanostructure that controls membrane transport through a controllable lid, with potential applications in biotechnology, drug release, and synthetic cells.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yongzheng Xing, Adam Dorey, Stefan Howorka
Summary: In bioinspired design, synthetic structures with similar structures and functions to biological templates are created. This report presents DNA-based biomimetic nanopores that can switch between open and closed states in response to specific binding of molecules and high transmembrane voltage. These designer nanopores mimic several aspects of complex biological channels and offer easier control over pore size, shape and stimulus response. They are expected to be applied in biosensing and synthetic biology.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yongzheng Xing, Alexia Rottensteiner, Jonah Ciccone, Stefan Howorka
Summary: Membrane-spanning nanopores have diverse applications in label-free single-molecule sensing, nucleic acid sequencing, and research in biology and biophysics. The limitations of naturally occurring and synthetic inorganic nanopores can be overcome by functionalizing existing pores with DNA strands and creating a new class of DNA nanopores. This review focuses on the progress and potential applications of functional DNA nanopores.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Saanfor Hubert Suh, Yongzheng Xing, Alexia Rottensteiner, Rong Zhu, Yoo Jin Oh, Stefan Howorka, Peter Hinterdorfer
Summary: This study investigates molecular recognition in a synthetic confined nanopore with controllable pore dimension and molecular DNA receptors at different depth positions. The results show that the association rates are slower and the dissociation rates are faster for receptors positioned deeper inside the pore lumen. This phenomenon can be explained by the steric constraints on molecular interactions in confinement.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Katya Ahmad, Abid Javed, Conor Lanphere, Peter V. Coveney, Elena V. Orlova, Stefan Howorka
Summary: DNA can be folded into rationally designed, unique, and functional materials. Here the authors analyse an archetypal DNA nanoarchitecture with single particle cryo-electron microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Adam Dorey, Stefan Howorka
Summary: A modified nanopore allows for enzyme-free threading of single polypeptides to detect post-translational modifications.
NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zuzanna S. S. Siwy, Merlin L. L. Bruening, Stefan Howorka
Summary: Nanopores in thin membranes have significant roles in science and industry. Single nanopores have been crucial in portable DNA sequencing and understanding nanoscale transport, while multipore membranes facilitate food processing and water and medicine purification. Although both fields utilize nanopores, they differ in terms of materials, fabrication, analysis, and applications. This Viewpoint proposes synergistic crosstalk between the two fields to enhance fundamental understanding and the development of advanced membranes. By improving communication and harmonizing measurements and modeling, the rational design of porous membranes can be enhanced.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ankita Chadda, Alexander G. Kozlov, Binh Nguyen, Timothy M. Lohman, Eric A. Galburt
Summary: In this study, it was found that the DNA damage response in Mycobacterium tuberculosis differs from well-studied model bacteria. The DNA repair helicase UvrD1 in Mtb is activated through a redox-dependent process and is closely associated with the homo-dimeric Ku protein. Additionally, Ku protein is shown to stimulate the helicase activity of UvrD1.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
