Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fariba Malekpour Galogahi, Hongjie An, Yong Zhu, Nam-Trung Nguyen
Summary: This study investigates the behavior of core-shell microparticles with a liquid core under thermal and mechanical loads, establishing analytical models and conducting experiments to validate them. The results demonstrate that the maximum temperature and critical compression force before rupture of core-shell microparticles depend on the liquid, geometry, and material of the shell.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Huabin Yu, Haomiao Wang, Xiaoyue Wang, Junrong Luo, Hongshuai Lei, Xiaogang Guo
Summary: Mechanical metamaterials with high-level thermal-mechanical stabilities are of significant importance in aerospace. A design strategy for cylindrical mechanical metamaterials based on the building block assembly method is proposed in this study, which achieves high-level thermal-mechanical stabilities and high dynamic stiffness, and is validated through experimental measurements and theoretical predictions.
MECHANICS OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Tianhao Liu, Limin Lai, Siming Xiao, Meifang Tang, Hongju Zhang, Shengfeng Guo
Summary: In this study, a new ternary system of Fe-W-B BMGs with ultrahigh thermal stabilities and hardness was successfully developed, showing promising applications in extreme service environment. The thermal properties and simple chemical components of Fe-W-B BMGs make them model materials for understanding the glass formation mechanism of Fe-based BMGs.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING A-STRUCTURAL MATERIALS PROPERTIES MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROCESSING
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Thomas Babut, Mona Semsarilar, Marc Rolland, Damien Quemener
Summary: In this study, a waterborne approach was proposed to co-assemble peptide amphiphiles (PA) and polyelectrolytes into porous membranes with nanostructured networks. Various production methods were explored to shape the material and optimize the structure, leading to a membrane material in the ultrafiltration range with a pore radius of about 7.6 nm.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
M. Hussain Sangji, Hiroaki Sai, Stacey M. Chin, Sieun Ruth Lee, Ivan R. Sasselli, Liam C. Palmer, Samuel Stupp
Summary: The morphology of supramolecular peptide nanostructures is influenced by factors such as the balance of molecule packing, the diversity of peptide sequences, and the twisting of beta-sheets. Altering the peptide sequence can change the morphology and supramolecular chirality of the nanostructures. Additionally, increasing charge repulsion between molecules leads to a change in morphology.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ehsan Mohammadpour, Willey Yun Hsien Liew, Nicholas Mondinos, Mohammednoor Altarawneh, Sunghwan Lee, Nik Radevski, Manickam Minakshi, Amun Amri, Hong Ngee Lim, Zhong-Tao Jiang
Summary: This study explores the influence of substrate bias voltage on the mechanical properties of TiSiN coatings, revealing that increasing bias voltage can enhance hardness, Young's modulus, oxidation resistance, and thermal oxidation threshold of the coatings.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ashvinder K. Rana, Prasad Potluri, Vijay Kumar Thakur
Summary: Natural fibres like Himalayan Grewia Optiva fibre are extracted from plants and possess remarkable properties attributed to their chemical composition and structure. Surface functionalization strategies can enhance the performance of Grewia optiva fibres, making them suitable for manufacturing various industrial components as sustainable and reliable materials.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guangyu Rong, Changping Wang, Junfei Hu, Yiwen Li, Yiyun Cheng
Summary: A facile strategy of conjugating peptides with fluorous tags has been developed for efficient intracellular peptide delivery, where dynamic peptide fluoroamphiphiles can self-assemble into nanoparticles and readily cross the cell membrane. This approach allows bioactive peptides to be efficiently internalized and released into the cytosol, showing much higher efficacies than non-fluorous lipids and cell penetrating peptide decorated peptides.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fang-Yi Wu, Hsin-Chieh Lin
Summary: Synthetic bioactive aromatic peptide amphiphiles are recognized as key elements of emerging biomedical strategies due to their biocompatibility, design flexibility, and functionality. We investigated the self-assembly driving force of two supramolecular materials and found ordered π-π interactions and secondary structures in both compounds. In cell experiments, PFB-IKVAV showed promise as a potential supramolecular biomaterial for biomedical applications.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Alexandra I. Mercel, Kathleen Marulanda, David C. Gillis, Kui Sun, Tristan D. Clemons, Smaranda Willcox, Jack Griffith, Erica B. Peters, Mark R. Karver, Nick D. Tsihlis, Rob Maile, Samuel I. Stupp, Melina R. Kibbe
Summary: This study successfully identified proteins upregulated in the lung after smoke inhalation injury and developed nanofibers that target these proteins, showing promising lung localization effects in vivo, especially with angiotensin-converting enzyme-targeted nanofibers.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Li-Ping Ding, Yun Hao Tiandong, Peng Shao, Yan Tang, Zi-Li Zhao, Haiyan Lu
Summary: Yttrium borides have been studied for their superconducting properties and high chemical stability, but little is known about their mechanical properties and hardness. A new YB6 compound with R3m hexagonal structure was discovered, showing higher stability than the experimental synthesized phase. The calculated Vicker hardness of R3m-YB6 is expected to be 37.0 GPa, indicating its potential as an ultrahard metal, while all stable yttrium borides are found to be metallic.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Mohammad Taleb, Mona Atabakhshi-Kashi, Yazhou Wang, Hamideh Rezavani Alanagh, Zeinab Farhadi Sabet, Fenfen Li, Keman Cheng, Chen Li, Yingqiu Qi, Guangjun Nie, Zhao Ying
Summary: The study demonstrates the use of peptide nanoparticles to modulate both tumor vasculature and immune systems for synergistic tumor suppression. Increasing intratumoral infiltration of immune cells through vascular normalization, while simultaneously inhibiting the PD-L1 immune checkpoint function, reactivates effective immune responses against tumors.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Natalie Tran, Priyanka Shiveshwarkar, Justyn Jaworski
Summary: This study demonstrates a proof-of-concept assay to detect the presence of antibodies by creating vesicles with peptide epitopes that can bind specifically to the antibodies. The vesicles visibly aggregate in response to the specific antibodies, and the density of the peptide epitopes on the vesicles plays a role in antibody binding.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wenbo Zhang, Mingwei Liu, Lanlan Yu, Shanshan Mo, Zhun Deng, Shuli Liu, Yanlian Yang, Chen Wang, Chenxuan Wang
Summary: This study demonstrates the contribution of various noncovalent interactions to supramolecular assembly by investigating the self-assembly of peptides.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
M. Romero-Gomez, R. Silva, M. F. Costa-Pereira, I Flores-Colen
Summary: The influence of waste cellulose acetate (CA) fibers on the physico-mechanical and thermal properties of gypsum-based composites was evaluated. The results showed that incorporating waste CA fibers led to lighter composites with improved flexural and compressive strength, and a slight decrease in thermal conductivity.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Yigit Altay, Antoni Llopis-Lorente, Loai K. E. A. Abdelmohsen, Jan C. M. van Hest
Summary: This study utilizes polymer nanoreactors as responsive nano-compartments to study the kinetics of cascade reactions and explore their functions under different population states. The results show that chemical cascading is faster in associated nanoreactor populations, and the impact of competing agents is less pronounced.
MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Antoni Llopis-Lorente, Bastiaan C. Buddingh', R. Martinez-Manez, Jan C. M. van Hest, Loai K. E. Abdelmohsen
Summary: This article demonstrates population behavior in microorganisms based on quorum sensing communication. Researchers utilized giant lipid vesicles loaded with sender-receiver machinery (enzymes and responsive biomolecules) to achieve quorum sensing behavior in an artificial cell population. The system allows for the examination of collective output based on cell density, fuel concentration, and proximity, which are important factors controlling natural quorum sensing behavior.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daan Sondag, Luuk Maartense, Heleen de Jong, Frank F. J. de Kleijne, Kimberly M. Bonger, Dennis W. P. M. Lowik, Thomas J. Boltje, Jan Dommerholt, Paul B. White, Daniel Blanco-Ania, Floris P. J. T. Rutjes
Summary: This study reports a scalable and accessible synthesis method for a new bioorthogonal difunctionalized TCO, demonstrating its potential applications in efficient payload release and cellular toxicity.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daan Sondag, Stijn Verhoeven, Dennis W. P. M. Lowik, Mark van Geffen, Cornelis van't Veer, Waander L. van Heerde, Thomas J. Boltje, Floris P. J. T. Rutjes
Summary: The blood coagulation cascade is a complex process involving multiple enzymes, cofactors, and substrates, and its dysregulation can lead to bleeding disorders and thrombosis. This review summarizes the key proteases involved in blood clot formation and fibrinolysis, their recognition and hydrolysis of endogenous peptide sequences, and the use of synthetic peptide probes for measuring their activity. The information provided in this review can contribute to the development of novel anticoagulant therapies and specific substrates for point-of-care diagnosis of coagulation pathologies.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Thijs W. van Veldhuisen, Wiggert J. Altenburg, Madelief A. M. Verwiel, Lenne J. M. Lemmens, Alexander F. Mason, Maarten Merkx, Luc Brunsveld, Jan C. M. van Hest
Summary: Membraneless organelles play a crucial role in spatial organization and regulation of intracellular processes. This study presents a coacervate system that utilizes the 14-3-3 scaffold protein to investigate enzymatically regulated recruitment of 14-3-3-binding proteins. Synthetic coacervates efficiently load 14-3-3 and phosphorylated binding partners, allowing for increased local concentration and controlled release of proteins.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemical Research Methods
Goncalo J. L. Bernardes, Peng Zou, Zhifei Dai, Erin Lavik, Jan van Hest, Gang Zheng, Nathan Quinn, Christina M. MacLaughlin, Theresa M. Reineke
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daan Sondag, Stijn Verhoeven, Dennis W. P. M. Lowik, Mark van Geffen, Cornelis van't Veer, Waander L. van Heerde, Thomas J. Boltje, Floris P. J. T. Rutjes
Summary: The blood coagulation cascade is a complex physiological process that involves multiple enzymes, cofactors, and substrates, leading to clot formation. Serine proteases play a crucial role, and abnormalities in their activity can result in life-threatening bleeding disorders and thrombosis. This review summarizes the important proteases involved in blood coagulation and fibrinolysis, their recognition and hydrolysis of endogenous peptide sequences, and synthetic peptide probes for measuring their activity. The information in this review can contribute to the development of novel anticoagulant therapies and specific substrates for point-of-care diagnosis of coagulation pathologies.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Yvonne H. W. Derks, Melline G. M. Schilham, Mark Rijpkema, Esther M. M. Smeets, Helene I. V. Amatdjais-Groenen, Annemarie Kip, Sanne A. M. van Lith, Jill van de Kamp, J. P. Michiel Sedelaar, Diederik M. Somford, Michiel Simons, Peter Laverman, Martin Gotthardt, Dennis W. P. M. Lowik, Sandra Heskamp, Susanne Lutje
Summary: A new approach called PSMA-tPDT combining fluorescence-guided surgery and tumor-targeted photodynamic therapy (tPDT) has been developed to achieve complete resection of prostate cancer. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that PSMA-tPDT significantly reduced cell viability, delayed tumor growth, and improved survival rate. Experiments on fresh human PCa tissue also demonstrated the effectiveness of PSMA-tPDT.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE AND MOLECULAR IMAGING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wouter P. van den Akker, Hanglong Wu, Pascal L. W. Welzen, Heiner Friedrich, Loai K. E. A. Abdelmohsen, Rolf A. T. M. van Benthem, Ilja K. Voets, Jan C. M. van Hest
Summary: We constructed pH-responsive bicontinuous nanospheres (BCNs) with nonlinear transient permeability and catalytic activity. These BCNs were made from amphiphilic block copolymers containing pH-responsive groups and loaded with the enzymes urease and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The transient membrane permeability switch was achieved through the pH-increasing effect of urease, resulting in a dampening behavior of the catalytic output of HRP upon addition of urea.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alexander B. Cook, Sebastian Novosedlik, Jan C. M. van Hest
Summary: Cells with self-sustaining compartmentalized systems have complex biomolecule and metabolite interactions. Liquid-liquid phase separation plays an important role in achieving biological function. Artificial cell research aims to combine synthetic materials and nonliving macromolecules into ordered assemblies with cell-like functions, with complex coacervates being the best platform for accurately mimicking eukaryotic cytoplasm.
ACCOUNTS OF MATERIALS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Marleen H. M. E. van Stevendaal, Arjan Hazegh Nikroo, Alexander F. Mason, Jitske Jansen, N. Amy Yewdall, Jan C. M. van Hest
Summary: Oligonucleotide conjugation is a versatile molecular tool for regulating protein activity. This study presents a state-of-the-art labeling strategy by genetically incorporating bioorthogonal groups into proteins to achieve site-specific DNA conjugation. The results demonstrate a new direction for spatiotemporal regulation of chemokine-receptor interactions, which is promising for tissue engineering applications.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roy A. J. F. Oerlemans, Jingxin Shao, Marleen H. M. E. van Stevendaal, Hanglong Wu, Tania Patino Padial, Loai K. E. A. Abdelmohsen, Jan C. M. van Hest
Summary: The application of transition-metal catalysts in living cells is a promising approach to facilitate reactions not naturally occurring. However, the usage of metal complexes is often restricted by limited biocompatibility, toxicity, and susceptibility to inactivation by cell's defense mechanisms. In this study, a second-generation Hoveyda-Grubbs catalyst was incorporated into polymeric vesicles, acting as artificial organelles, to facilitate intracellular ring-closing metathesis reactions. This is the first example of using polymersome-based artificial organelles with an active ruthenium catalyst for carbon-carbon bond formation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shukun Li, Rui Chang, Luyang Zhao, Ruirui Xing, Jan C. M. van Hest, Xuehai Yan
Summary: This study describes the enhanced TPA fluorescence imaging capacity of self-assembling near-infrared cyanine dye-based nanoprobes based on a photo-oxidation enhanced emission mechanism.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yanyan Zhu, Shoupeng Cao, Meng Huo, Jan C. M. van Hest, Hailong Che
Summary: Polymersomes are highly stable vesicular nanostructures self-assembled from amphiphilic block copolymers, and have various applications in drug delivery, nanomedicine, biological nanoreactors, and artificial cells. However, polymersomes prepared with high molecular weight components typically exhibit low permeability. This review focuses on the design and strategies for fabricating permeable polymersomes, and highlights their applications and challenges in the field of biomedical utilities.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Antoni Llopis-Lorente, Maaike J. G. Schotman, Heorhii V. Humeniuk, Jan C. M. van Hest, Patricia Y. W. Dankers, Loai K. E. A. Abdelmohsen
Summary: This study explores the relationship between cellular mechanical features and metabolic function in artificial cells and creates an artificial cell platform that displays viscoadaptive behavior through internal supramolecular interactions.
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.
