Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cemile Uslu, Sumeyye Narin, Zeynep Demirsoy, Hasan Basri Oksuz, Gulcihan Gulseren
Summary: The current 2D cell culture techniques are not able to accurately model native tissue environments, leading to the development of 3D cell cultures with high tissue resemblance. However, these 3D techniques have limitations such as complex preparation processes, variations between batches, unnatural components, static culture conditions, and complex reactor systems. To overcome these limitations, a one-step strategy was introduced to create a tissue-like 3D cell culture method by mimicking the extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment. This method involves the use of a non-covalent cross-linking of biopolymer-peptide complex and non-static cell culturing modules to accurately simulate the microenvironment and physical conditions of the ECM. This method has been successfully applied to improve osteogenic regeneration and can also be used with different cell types for personalized test models as an alternative to animal studies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hao Li, Pu Wang, Chen Zhu, Wei Zhang, Meng Zhou, San Zhang, Chunfeng Zhang, Yapei Yun, Xi Kang, Yong Pei, Manzhou Zhu
Summary: This study presents intercluster hierarchical triple-helical structures of all-thiol-stabilized Au6Cu6(4-MeOBT)12 nanoclusters from both molecular and supramolecular perspectives. Abundant intermolecular interactions were found to be beneficial for the organization of the triple-helical superstructure of metal clusters. Additionally, different electronic structures between nanocluster monomers and helical aggregates were observed through DFT calculations and experimental measurements.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shankar P. Kharal, Martin F. Haase
Summary: This study introduces an unrecognized application of centrifugal forces in microfluidics, investigating the assembly of helical soft matter fibers in a rotating microcapillary. By analyzing this effect, the assembly of fibers can be controlled and converted into pH responsive hydrogels with potential applications.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Meng Yang, Rong-Hui Deng, Fu-Zhen Yuan, Ji-Ying Zhang, Zi-Ning Zhang, You-Rong Chen, Jia-Kuo Yu
Summary: This study investigates the use of cell adhesion peptide-modified polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels as scaffolds for cartilage repair. The results show that cysteine-arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (CRGD) can enhance the interaction between peripheral blood mesenchymal stem cells (PBMSCs) and PEG hydrogels, promoting chondrogenic differentiation and tissue regeneration.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rong Sheng Li, Jiahui Liu, Hu Shi, Ping Ping Hu, Yao Wang, Peng Fei Gao, Jian Wang, Moye Jia, Hongwei Li, Yuan Fang Li, Chengde Mao, Na Li, Cheng Zhi Huang
Summary: Golgi apparatus-targeted nano-mechanical disruption is an attractive approach for killing cancer cells by multimodal mechanism and avoiding drug resistance. The transformable peptide C6RVRRF4KY can self-assemble into nontoxic nanoparticles in aqueous medium but transformed into left-handed helical fibrils (L-HFs) after targeting and furin cleavage in the Golgi apparatus of cancer cells, leading to mechanical disruption and death of cancer cells without acquired drug resistance. This nanomechanical disruption concept should also be applicable to multidrug-resistant bacteria and viruses.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
I. Caglar Tanrikulu, Lianna Dang, Lekha Nelavelli, Aubrey J. Ellison, Bradley D. Olsen, Song Jin, Ronald T. Raines
Summary: This study successfully designed synthetic collagen hydrogels by maximizing the interactions of the triple helix structure of collagen. It further explored the relationship between self-assembly of short CMPs and interfiber association.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Jean -Daniel Malcor, Frederic Mallein-Gerin
Summary: This review article discusses the use of triple-helical peptides as efficient tools to improve cell-biomaterial interactions in tissue engineering. Triple-helical peptides are bioactive molecules that mimic the architectural and biological properties of collagen. They have been successfully used to specifically recognize cell-surface receptors and provide cells seeded on biomaterials with controlled biological cues. Functionalization with triple-helical peptides has enabled researchers to improve cell function for regenerative medicine applications, such as tissue repair. However, this approach still remains under-explored and most functionalization strategies reported in the literature are unable to address collagen-binding receptors.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dongdong Wu, Hai Lei, Xian Xie, Liang Zhou, Peng Zheng, Yi Cao, Yan Zhang
Summary: This study developed a double network hydrogel that mimics protein assemblies in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and defines its mechanical and biochemical cues using advanced chemical biology tools.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rajat Subhra Giri, Bhubaneswar Mandal
Summary: This paper focuses on the analysis of small helical peptides through single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD), discussing their supramolecular arrangement, conformation, and higher-order assembly. The role of building single-, double-, and triple-stranded helices, as well as their micro or nano-level structures obtained from solutions, is outlined. These small helical peptides have potential applications as drug delivery vehicles, porous materials for N-2 adsorption, and for nanomaterial fabrication.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guanglei Dong, Zhonghua Pan, Baoliang Han, Yunwen Tao, Xin Chen, Geng-Geng Luo, Panpan Sun, Cunfa Sun, Di Sun
Summary: This study presents an atom-precise 18-copper nanocluster (Cu18H) with a pseudo D-3-symmetrical triple-helical Cu-15 core. Cu18H exhibits unique multi-layered 3D chirality and forms an infinite double-stranded helix through intra-strand and inter-strand interactions. The hierarchical assemblies of Cu18H not only resemble the structure of DNA but also exhibit crystallization-induced emission enhancement and aggregation-induced emission enhancement effects, as well as efficient catalysis of electron transfer reactions.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qiumeng Chen, Yahui Li, Ming Liu, Xuan Wu, Jianliang Shen, Liangliang Shen
Summary: A new strategy for constructing helical nanowires via polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) mediated by a fluorinated stabilizer block has been developed in this work. Ultralong nanowires with helical structure can be readily produced in a wide range of block compositions. The generality of this strategy was well testified by expanding monomer types, showing a morphology transition from spheres to helical nanowires during aging of achiral BCP nano-objects.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ashutosh Agrahari, Mark Lipton, Jean Chmielewski
Summary: In this study, disulfide-stapled helical barrels containing ligands for metal ions were synthesized, which, through metal-ion-promoted assembly, generated higher order assemblies with hydrophobic cavities. These peptide-based biomaterials have potential for various biotechnology applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Priscila Cardoso, Samuel Appiah Danso, Andrew Hung, Chaitali Dekiwadia, Nimish Pradhan, Jamie Strachan, Brody McDonald, Kate Firipis, Jacinta F. White, Arturo Aburto-Medina, Charlotte E. Conn, Celine Valery
Summary: Microbial resistance to antibiotics is becoming a major crisis, and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are being explored as an alternative. This study reports the design of Fmoc-peptides with dual functionality, as antimicrobial agents and hydrogelators. Molecular dynamics simulations predicted the self-assembly of Priscilicidin into nanostructures in water, and experimental results confirmed its antimicrobial activity and hydrogel-forming capacity, including against multidrug resistant strains.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Michael Meleties, Priya Katyal, Bonnie Lin, Dustin Britton, Jin Kim Montclare
Summary: This study explores the gelation behavior of Q protein at different pH conditions, revealing that Q forms fiber-based hydrogels sensitive to temperature at pH 7.4 and pH 10, while forming polydisperse nanoparticles at pH 6 due to significant electrostatic repulsion. These findings may lead to the development of novel scaffolds and functional biomaterials sensitive to biologically relevant stimuli.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yanxin Xiang, Can Liu, Shinan Ma, Xiaoting Wang, Linyong Zhu, Chunyan Bao
Summary: In this study, a pH-responsive peptide (MA-FIID) is designed and introduced into a poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) backbone (PNIPAM) to construct bilayer and heterogeneous hydrogel actuators based on the assembly and disassembly of peptide molecules under different pH conditions. These peptide-containing hydrogel actuators can perform controllable bending, bucking, and complex deformation under pH stimulation. Meanwhile, the Hofmeister effect of PNIPAM hydrogels endows these peptide-containing hydrogels with enhanced mechanical strength, ionic stimulus response (CaCl2), and excellent shape-memory property.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
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.