Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jingjing Mai, Christopher J. Garvey, Clement Matthew Chan, Steven Pratt, Bronwyn Laycock
Summary: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are attractive alternatives to petroleum-derived plastics, as they are derived from bacteria, thermoprocessible, and truly biodegradable. However, the common short chain length PHAs, such as poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), are relatively stiff and brittle. This study demonstrates the synthesis and characterization of novel high molecular weight PHBV-b-PHBV-b-PHBV block copolymers, which show significantly improved mechanical properties compared to the starting materials. This approach offers an attractive platform for the production of biodegradable PHA materials for various applications.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Jaemin Park, Jiyun Nam, Myungeun Seo, Sheng Li
Summary: This study reports the synthesis and self-assembly of brush-linear diblock copolymers with variable side-chain length and density. By controlling the PEG chain length and the degree of substitution, brush-linear diblock copolymers with different side-chain lengths and densities were obtained. The study found that different solid-state morphologies can be formed at different PEG side-chain densities.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ruth D. Rittinghaus, Johannes Zenner, Andrij Pich, Moshe Kol, Sonja Herres-Pawlis
Summary: This article introduces a iron guanidine complex catalyst for the synthesis of copolymers with different microstructures. The catalyst exhibits high activity and fast polymerization of lactide, glycolide, and epsilon-caprolactone. By changing the polymerization set-up or sequentially adding monomers, both block and random-like copolymers, as well as copolymers with highly dispersed repeating unit distributions, can be obtained. This research represents an important step towards biocompatible polymers with tailor-made properties, contributing to a sustainable and circular material flow.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qilin He, Harikrishnan Vijayamohanan, Jie Li, Timothy M. Swager
Summary: Photonic Janus particles with a sphere fused to a cone are created through the phase separation of dendronized brush block copolymers and poly(4-vinylpyridine)-r-polystyrene. The particles exhibit tunable structural colors by varying the molecular weight of the copolymers and can be surface-modified for multifunctionality. A real-time magnetic control and electrostatic immobilization of charged biomolecules are achieved, enabling potential applications in biosensing. A new photonic sensor for detecting Salmonella is developed using antibody-modified photonic Janus particles, with the angle-dependent structural color playing a key role in the sensing mechanism.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Duyu Chen, Timothy Quah, Kris T. Delaney, Glenn H. Fredrickson
Summary: In this study, the phase behavior of bottlebrush copolymers with different side chain sequences was systematically investigated using self-consistent field theory simulations. It was found that these copolymers can stabilize a wider variety of ordered mesophases compared to bottlebrush block copolymers, and can stabilize sphere phases over a larger range of species volume fractions. Additionally, a new strategy of stabilizing the Frank-Kasper phase A15 was uncovered by introducing conformational asymmetry.
Article
Polymer Science
Wen-Bin Liu, Xun-Hui Xu, Shu-Ming Kang, Xue Song, Li Zhou, Na Liu, Zong-Quan Wu
Summary: Controlled synthesis of bottlebrush polymers with high grafting density and carrying polymeric side chains on every backbone atom is a great challenge. In this study, well-defined polymers bearing polymerizable phenyl isocyanide were prepared, and polymerization of these macromonomers yielded bottlebrush polymers with PLLA or PDLA side chains on every backbone atom. The densely grafted polymers exhibited intriguing photoluminescence and induced clear circularly polarized luminescence with defined handedness.
Article
Polymer Science
Yuanyuan Dou, Nan Tian, Zhenbo Ning, Ni Jiang, Zhihua Gan
Summary: This study introduces a new method for synthesizing poly(e-caprolactone)-block-PA6-block-poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL-b-PA6-b-PCL) triblock polyesteramides under mild conditions. The properties of the copolymers were found to be strongly influenced by their composition. Additionally, it was discovered that the PA6 nanodomains could act as physical cross-linking points to improve the performance of PCL.
Article
Polymer Science
Guokang He, Peng Wang, Ning Gao, Xianpeng Yin, Fuwei Sun, Wenyun Li, Hongwei Zhao, Chen Wang, Guangtao Li
Summary: We report a new type of brush-like triblock copolymer that can serve as a structure-directing agent for the formation of mesoporous silicates and be converted into mesostructured polymer or carbon materials. The versatile nature of this copolymer allows for the facile access to various mesostructured silica, polymer, and carbon materials. The brush-like hydrophilic segments of the copolymers can firmly anchor into the silica walls, providing a prerequisite for reliable confined chemical transformation into mesostructured materials.
Article
Polymer Science
Ru Deng, Chengyuan Wang, Margarita Milton, Danni Tang, Andrew D. Hollingsworth, Marcus Weck
Summary: The research focuses on the synthesis of poly(isocyanide)-based copolymers through metal-catalyzed controlled polymerization, leading to the formation of complex three-dimensional supramolecular materials. This methodology provides a platform for building architecturally controlled 3D supramolecular materials with high degrees of complexity.
Article
Polymer Science
Aristeidis Papagiannopoulos, Natassa Pippa, Costas Demetzos, Stergios Pispas, Aurel Radulescu
Summary: The study demonstrates that amphiphilic block copolymers can be effectively used to prepare mixed lipid-block copolymer vesicles with controlled lamellarity and significant potential for drug delivery.
Article
Polymer Science
Jeong-Wan Choi, Jong-In Won
Summary: In this study, different ratios of charged-neutral diblock ELPs and a neutral ELP were synthesized and their physical properties were investigated. The self-assembly behavior of ELPs in deionized water and NaCl solutions was studied using various analytical instruments. The results showed that the charged-neutral diblock ELPs formed hydrophobic core micelles in NaCl solutions, while the neutral ELP aggregated in both deionized water and NaCl solutions.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Taeyoon Kim, Sorim Lee, Soo-Yong Park, Ildoo Chung
Summary: Biodegradable triblock copolymers based on PCL and PLA were synthesized with a photodegradable block, PMVK, and their properties were characterized. By UV irradiation, the surface morphology of the fabricated microspheres changed from smooth to rough, creating porous templates.
Article
Polymer Science
Heng Li, Liang Han, Yulin Zhu, Paco Fernandez-Trillo, Feng He
Summary: By introducing chlorine into the poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV) core, a series of 1D rod-like micelles with controlled sizes were produced, and the transformation from 1D rod-like micelles to 2D uniform diamond-like micelles was achieved through thermally induced nucleation SA. The sizes of the 2D diamond-like micelles could be tuned by the annealing temperature and the ratio of unimer to seed, and the morphology transformation was based on energetics including thermodynamic and kinetic points.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Renata Mello Giona, Leticia Vitorazi, Watson Loh
Summary: The interaction of DNA with different block copolymers, (PTEA)-b-(PAm) and (PTEA)-b-(PEO), was studied. The copolymers showed endothermic interaction with DNA and had different hydrodynamic diameters for the formed polyplexes. The size and charge of the polyplexes were affected by the order of addition.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Quirin Prasser, Thomas Fuhs, Bernhard Torger, Richard Neubert, Erica Brendler, Carla Vogt, Florian Mertens, Felix A. Plamper
Summary: Climate change necessitates improved temperature monitoring in logistics/transportation, which can be achieved using temperature-sensitive copolymers that undergo irreversible coagulation upon temperature change. This study presents the synthesis and characterization of pentablock copolymers (PBCP) and demonstrates their ability to self-assemble into flower-like micelles in cold water, offering colloidal stability over months. The temperature dependence of the oil-water interfacial tension makes PBCP a promising candidate for simple temperature monitoring during transport and storage.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Xinming Tong, Fan Yang
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2018)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Danqing Zhu, Xinming Tong, Pavin Trinh, Fan Yang
TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A
(2018)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Alice E. Stanton, Xinming Tong, Soah Lee, Fan Yang
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2019)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Soah Lee, Alice E. Stanton, Xinming Tong, Fan Yang
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Alice E. Stanton, Xinming Tong, Fan Yang
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2019)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Heather Rogan, Francisco Ilagan, Xinming Tong, Constance R. Chu, Fan Yang
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Masaya Ueno, Chi-Wen Lo, Danial Barati, Bogdan Conrad, Tzuhua Lin, Yusuke Kohno, Takeshi Utsunomiya, Ning Zhang, Masahiro Maruyama, Claire Rhee, Ejun Huang, Monica Romero-Lopez, Xinming Tong, Zhenyu Yao, Stefan Zwingenberger, Fan Yang, Stuart B. Goodman
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART A
(2020)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Courtney Gegg, Xinming Tong, Fan Yang
ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matthew P. Murphy, Lauren S. Koepke, Michael T. Lopez, Xinming Tong, Thomas H. Ambrosi, Gunsagar S. Gulati, Owen Marecic, Yuting Wang, Ryan C. Ransom, Malachia Y. Hoover, Holly Steininger, Liming Zhao, Marcin P. Walkiewicz, Natalina Quarto, Benjamin Levi, Derrick C. Wan, Irving L. Weissman, Stuart B. Goodman, Fan Yang, Michael T. Longaker, Charles K. F. Chan
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Elisa Liu, Danqing Zhu, Eva Gonzalez Diaz, Xinming Tong, Fan Yang
Summary: This study demonstrates the use of gradient hydrogels to optimize matrix stiffness for cartilage regeneration by different cell types, showing that MSCs prefer softer hydrogels while chondrocytes perform better on stiffer matrices. The results validate the importance of niche cues optimization for tissue regeneration and suggest the potential of using gradient hydrogels for such purposes.
TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thomas H. Ambrosi, Owen Marecic, Adrian McArdle, Rahul Sinha, Gunsagar S. Gulati, Xinming Tong, Yuting Wang, Holly M. Steininger, Malachia Y. Hoover, Lauren S. Koepke, Matthew P. Murphy, Jan Sokol, Eun Young Seo, Ruth Tevlin, Michael Lopez, Rachel E. Brewer, Shamik Mascharak, Laura Lu, Oyinkansola Ajanaku, Stephanie D. Conley, Jun Seita, Maurizio Morri, Norma F. Neff, Debashis Sahoo, Fan Yang, Irving L. Weissman, Michael T. Longaker, Charles K. F. Chan
Summary: Aging of skeletal stem cells in mice alters bone marrow signaling and differentiation of bone and blood lineages, resulting in fragile bones with poor regeneration. Aged SSCs have decreased bone-forming potential but produce more stromal lineages expressing pro-inflammatory cytokines, contributing to bone marrow niche transformation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tom W. Andrew, Lauren S. Koepke, Yuting Wang, Michael Lopez, Holly Steininger, Danielle Struck, Tatiana Boyko, Thomas H. Ambrosi, Xinming Tong, Yuxi Sun, Gunsagar S. Gulati, Matthew P. Murphy, Owen Marecic, Ruth Telvin, Katharina Schallmoser, Dirk Strunk, Jun Seita, Stuart B. Goodman, Fan Yang, Michael T. Longaker, George P. Yang, Charles K. F. Chan
Summary: This study investigates the regulation of bone-related sexually dimorphic traits at the stem cell level. The researchers find that estrogen signaling directly controls skeletal stem cells (SSCs) in female mice, but not in male mice. They also demonstrate that estrogen is necessary for the self-renewal and differentiation of SSCs, and suggest a potential clinical strategy for bone healing using localized estrogen hormone therapy.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Sauradeep Sinha, Manish Ayushman, Xinming Tong, Fan Yang
Summary: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a common and aggressive brain tumor in adults. Viscoelasticity has been identified as an important factor in regulating GBM cell fate and drug response. Using a new hydrogel system, researchers were able to manipulate stress relaxation while keeping other factors constant. The results showed that increasing stress relaxation promoted invasive behavior and enhanced proliferation and drug sensitivity in GBM. These findings provide valuable insights into the regulation of GBM cell fate and the importance of incorporating viscoelasticity into 3D in vitro models.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yaohui Tang, Xinming Tong, Bogdan Conrad, Fan Yang
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Alice E. Stanton, Xinming Tong, Fan Yang
APL BIOENGINEERING
(2019)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yiping Yin, Zhe Wang, Hua Zou
Summary: This study presents a novel method for preparing dimpled polymer-silica nanocomposite particles using interfacial swelling-based seeded polymerization. The optimized conditions allow for a relatively high percentage of dimpled particles to be achieved.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Brenden D. Hoehn, Elizabeth A. Kellstedt, Marc A. Hillmyer
Summary: Porous materials with nanometer-scale pores have important applications as nanoporous membranes. In this study, ABA triblock copolymers were used as precursors to produce nanoporous polymeric membranes (NPMs) in thin film form by degrading the end blocks. Polycyclooctene (PCOE) NPMs with tunable pore sizes were successfully prepared using solvent casting technique. Oxygen plasma etching was employed to improve the surface porosity and hydrophilicity of the membranes. This study provides a straightforward method to produce tough NPMs with high porosity and hydrophilic surface properties.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Vladislav S. Petrovskii, Stepan I. Zholudev, Igor I. Potemkin
Summary: This article investigates the behavior of linear and ring polypeptide chains in aqueous solution and explores the properties of the complexes formed by these chains with oppositely charged surfactants. The results demonstrate that the complexes of linear supercharged unfolded polypeptides and the corresponding surfactants exhibit impressive adhesive properties.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Merve Cevik, Serkan Dikici
Summary: Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death globally, and vascular grafts are a promising treatment option. This study focuses on tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) using decellularized parsley stems as a potential biomaterial. The decellularized parsley stems showed suitable properties for TEVGs, providing a suitable environment for human endothelial cells to form a pseudo endothelium. This study showcases the potential of using parsley stems for TEVGs.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Gustavo A. Vasquez-Montoya, Tadej Emersic, Noe Atzin, Antonio Tavera-Vazquez, Ali Mozaffari, Rui Zhang, Orlando Guzman, Alexey Snezhko, Paul F. Nealey, Juan J. de Pablo
Summary: The optical properties of liquid crystals are typically controlled by electric fields. In this study, we investigate the effects of microfluidic flows and acoustic fields on the molecular orientation and optical response of nematic liquid crystals. We identify several previously unknown structures and explain them through calculations and simulations. These findings hold promise for the development of new systems combining sound, flow, and confinement.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xinjun Wu, Xin Guan, Shushu Chen, Jiangpeng Jia, Chongyi Chen, Jiawei Zhang, Chuanzhuang Zhao
Summary: This research presents a novel shape memory hydrogel with a remodelable permanent shape and programmable cold-induced shape recovery behavior. The hydrogel is prepared using specific treatment methods to achieve shape fixation by heating and shape recovery by cooling. Additionally, deformable devices can be obtained by assembling hydrogel blocks with different concentrations.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rebecca Hengsbach, Gerhard Fink, Ulrich Simon
Summary: This study examines the properties of DNA functionalized pNipmam microgels and pure pNipmam microgels at different concentrations of sodium chloride and in PBS solutions using temperature dependent H-1-NMR measurements. The results show that DNA modification affects the volume phase transition temperature and the addition of salt and PBS further enhances this effect.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ningyi Li, Junhong Li, Lijingting Qing, Shicheng Ma, Yao Li, Baohui Li
Summary: This paper investigates the self-assembly behavior of colloids with competing interactions under spherical confinement and finds that different ordered structures can be formed under different sized spherical confinements. Moreover, more perforated structures are formed in smaller spheres.
