Article
Chemistry, Physical
Michio Tateno, Taiki Yanagishima, Hajime Tanaka
Summary: The study on colloidal gelation using core-shell fluorescent colloidal particles reveals that the enhancement of local packing and the formation of locally stable rigid structures are the key factors leading to gel formation during phase separation. These findings support a mechanical perspective on dynamic arrest of sticky-sphere systems based on microstructure, replacing conventional explanations based on macroscopic vitrification of colloidal-rich phase.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Giacomo Fabrini, Aisling Minard, Ryan A. Brady, Marco Di Antonio, Lorenzo Di Michele
Summary: In this study, responsive hydrogel particles were prepared by combining noncanonical DNA G-quadruplex structures with amphiphilic DNA constructs. These particles are capable of responding to physiological stimuli in vivo and can trigger and control assembly/disassembly by adding or removing ions. Additionally, the aggregates can be photo-disassembled in the presence of a photosensitizer.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Will T. Kaufhold, Wolfgang Pfeifer, Carlos E. Castro, Lorenzo Di Michele
Summary: The study utilizes metadynamics to sample the free energy landscapes of DNA nanostructures and demonstrates its ability to predict the mechanical response of DNA nanodevices. These findings are significant for the design and application of DNA nanostructures.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marcus Fletcher, Jinbo Zhu, Roger Rubio-Sanchez, Sarah E. Sandler, Kareem Al Nahas, Lorenzo Di Michele, Ulrich F. Keyser, Ran Tivony
Summary: Accurate measurement of ion permeability through cellular membranes has been a challenge due to the lack of suitable ion-selective probes. Researchers have used giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) as membrane models and a DNA-based sensor to visualize and measure ion transport. The study found that the permeability coefficients of potassium ions were at least one order of magnitude larger than previously reported values, and the presence of octanol increased the permeation rates across lipid bilayers.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Nicholas H. P. Orr, Taiki Yanagishima, Igor P. Dolbnya, Andrei V. Petukhov, Roel P. A. Dullens
Summary: We studied the crystallization process of colloidal dispersions under capillary-action-induced shear and found that shear near the capillary walls can result in large hexagonal close-packed crystals with long-range orientational order. We observed partial crystallization under shear, starting with hexagonal planes at the capillary walls and followed by epitaxial crystal growth after the shear is stopped. The shear-induced crystallization leads to larger particle separations parallel to the shear and vorticity directions compared to the equilibrium structure.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Michal Walczak, Ryan A. Brady, Adrian Leathers, Jurij Kotar, Lorenzo Di Michele
Summary: DNA nanotechnology is an important approach for constructing three-dimensional crystalline frameworks with nanoscale periodicity. By changing the chemical nature of hydrophobic modifications and the structure of DNA motifs, the self-assembly behavior and ability of C-star crystals to uptake hydrophobic molecules can be influenced. These findings advance our understanding of the principles governing the self-assembly of amphiphilic DNA building blocks and open up new routes for chemically programming materials without affecting their structure.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Diana Morzy, Cem Tekin, Vincenzo Caroprese, Roger Rubio-Sanchez, Lorenzo Di Michele, Maartje M. C. Bastings
Summary: Nucleic acids and lipids have close interactions in biological processes and nanoengineered constructs for therapy. The electrostatics between them play a crucial role due to their rich charge profile and presence in complex ionic solutions. This study examines the factors influencing electrostatic attachment in a DNA/ion/lipid system, including the molecular structure of nucleic acid, phase of lipid bilayers, and concentration of magnesium ions. The findings demonstrate the significance of DNA's structural and mechanical properties in its attachment to lipid bilayers, providing insights for the design of DNA-based nanotherapeutic platforms.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Michal Walczak, Leonardo Mancini, Jiayi Xu, Federica Raguseo, Jurij Kotar, Pietro Cicuta, Lorenzo Di Michele
Summary: State-of-the-art bottom-up synthetic biology can replicate basic biological functions in artificial cell-like devices, but mimicking more complex behaviors remains challenging. In this study, a sophisticated biological response called netosis, involving the capture and deactivation of pathogens by immune cells, was mimicked using a consortium of two synthetic agents. The artificial netosis-like response emerged through interlinked sensing and communication pathways between live and synthetic agents, resulting in both physical and chemical antimicrobial actions. This study demonstrates the potential of using a small number of synthetic molecular components to prescribe advanced life-like responses and provides a new strategy for artificial-cell-based antimicrobial solutions.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Roger Rubio-Sanchez, Bortolo Matteo Mognetti, Pietro Cicuta, Lorenzo Di Michele
Summary: Cells can control their membrane shape and organization using protein machinery, which we aim to replicate with DNA-origami line-actants (DOLAs). DOLAs selectively accumulate at the line-interface between coexisting lipid domains, modulating their tendency to merge. Through experiments and simulations, we demonstrate that DOLAs can dynamically program membrane lateral organization, stabilizing two-dimensional analogues of Pickering emulsions and enabling vesicle fission.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ruth A. Crothers, Nicholas H. P. Orr, Berend van der Meer, Roel P. A. Dullens, Taiki Yanagishima
Summary: We optimize and characterize the preparation of 3-trimethoxysilyl propyl methacrylate (TPM) colloidal suspensions for three-dimensional confocal microscopy. We demonstrate precise and reproducible control of particle size through single-step nucleation and improve particle identification by revamping the dyeing method for TPM particles. We also explore a suspension medium that matches the refractive index of the particles and allows independent control of the density mismatch.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Taiki Yanagishima, John Russo, Roel P. A. Dullens, Hajime Tanaka
Summary: Research shows that the preparation protocol of glass determines the crystal growth mode. Traditional glass, prepared by fast quenching, exhibits fast growth with active interface dynamics, while uniform glass, prepared by density homogenization, grows via intermittent avalanche-like dynamics localized at the interface, combining localized mechanical defects and exceptional mechanical stability imposed by the glass phase.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yoshua Albert Darmawan, Takuma Goto, Taiki Yanagishima, Takao Fuji, Tetsuhiro Kudo
Summary: Recent interest in particle sorting using optical forces has grown due to its ability to separate micro- and nanomaterials based on their optical properties. This study presents a mid-infrared optical force manipulation technique that enables precise sorting of microspheres based on their molecular vibrational properties using a mid-infrared quantum cascade laser. The results show that microspheres can be separated based on their absorbance values at 9.3 μm, and the experimental results are in good agreement with optical force calculations using finite-difference time-domain simulation. The optical properties of individual microspheres can be estimated by monitoring their velocity.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Proceedings Paper
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Nadia Vanessa Garcia Hernandez, Stefano Buccelli, Matteo Laffranchi, Lorenzo De Michieli
Summary: Robotic rehabilitation devices, integrating Mixed Reality (MR) technology and tangible objects, have the potential to create attractive and personalized hybrid environments for intensive motor training. This paper presents the development of two MR-based exergames for bimanual exercises using a shoulder rehabilitation exoskeleton and tangible objects. The system design followed a user-centered iterative process and evaluated task performance and cost function metrics. Preliminary evaluation showed the system's correct operation and stimulation of desired upper limb movements.
COMPANION OF THE ACM/IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HUMAN-ROBOT INTERACTION, HRI 2023
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sho Takamori, Pietro Cicuta, Shoji Takeuchi, Lorenzo Di Michele
Summary: DNA-assisted selective electrofusion (DASE) utilizes membrane-anchored DNA constructs to bring together objects for fusion, and an electric impulse is applied to trigger fusion, combining the efficiency of standard electrofusion and the selectivity of fusogenic nanostructures.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Miguel Paez-Perez, I. Alasdair Russell, Pietro Cicuta, Lorenzo Di Michele
Summary: This article introduces fusogenic nanostructures constructed from synthetic DNA, which can control membrane fusion pathways and make them conditional to the presence of soluble DNA molecules. The study systematically explores the relationship between lipid-membrane composition, its biophysical properties, and measured fusion efficiency, and observes that specific lipid compositions lead to complex bilayer architectures in the fusion products.
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.
