Article
Polymer Science
Ferdinando De Luca Bossa, Gorkem Yilmaz, Krzysztof Matyjaszewski
Summary: Fast bulk depolymerization of poly(n-butyl methacrylate) and poly(methyl methacrylate) prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was reported in the temperature range of 150 to 230°C. The depolymerization of Cl-terminated polymethacrylates was catalyzed by a CuCl2/TPMA complex and studied using TGA under isothermal conditions. Rapid depolymerization of 5-20 minutes was observed at 230 and 180°C. Preparative scale reactions achieved up to 84% depolymerization within 15 minutes at 230°C using a short-path distillation setup.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Claire Chavarria, Lea Zaffalon, Sergio T. Ribeiro, Melanie Op, Manfredo Quadroni, Maria Sofia Iatrou, Chloe Chapuis, Fabio Martinon
Summary: This study reveals the significant regulatory role of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in NRF1 function, showing that it orchestrates NRF1 ubiquitination through the E3 ubiquitin ligase HRD1. RAD23A and RAD23B were identified as essential components of the DDI2 proteolytic machinery for NRF1 processing.
Article
Polymer Science
Vaibhav Palkar, Devanshu Thakar, Olga Kuksenok
Summary: Via mesoscale simulations, we investigate the process of controlled degradation of nanogels suspended in a single solvent and those adsorbed at the liquid-liquid interface between two incompatible fluids. The controlled degradation allows for dynamic tailoring of size, shape, and transport properties of these soft particles. Furthermore, it provides a means to manipulate interfacial properties on the nanoscale for nanogels adsorbed at the liquid-liquid interfaces.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Sirawit Pruksawan, Zehuang Lin, Yock Leng Lee, Heng Li Chee, Fuke Wang
Summary: In this study, a novel approach to manipulating the swelling kinetics of hydrogels by engineering their diffusion-path architecture is proposed. The method enables precise control over the diffusion and transport processes within the hydrogel, resulting in enhanced swelling kinetics. Smart hydrogel actuators with reversible shape transformations can be fabricated by strategically designing the diffusion-path architecture of a 3D-printed hydrogel specimen.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Lan Zhang, Wen-Xia Fang, Cong Wang, Hui Dong, Shu-Hua Ma, Yang-Hui Luo
Summary: This review summarizes the latest progress in the development of porous frameworks for water harvesting, discussing systems engineering for hygroscopic salts, fabrication of nano-porous super-hygroscopic hydrogels, and design strategies for various porous adsorbents. The future challenges and directions in this emerging field are also discussed.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Jelena D. Jovanovic, Borivoj K. Adnadjevic
Summary: In this study, the kinetics of NIAM release from PAM xerogel/hydrogel under SMHC conditions were investigated, and it was found to follow a first-order chemical reaction kinetic model. The release rate constants ranged from 8.4 10(-3) s(-1) to 15.7 10(-3) s(-1) at different temperatures. The validity of the Arrhenius equation under SMHC conditions was confirmed, and higher kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were attributed to the formation of a specific activated complex.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Takato Ishida, Emmanuel Richaud, Matthieu Gervais, Alain Gaudy, Ryoma Kitagaki, Hideaki Hagihara, Yogarajah Elakneswaran
Summary: This study investigates the multiscale analysis of acrylic urethane networks (AUN) and establishes a kinetic model for predicting AUN oxidation. By monitoring chemical changes during pure thermal oxidation of AUN, it was found that oxidation induces predominant crosslinking and decreases toughness. The novel kinetic model for AUN thermal aging was developed based on a mechanistic scheme previously established for polyamide 11.
PROGRESS IN ORGANIC COATINGS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lei Qi, Mei Wang, Jianbin Xue, Qiyuan Zhang, Feng Chen, Qianqian Liu, Wanfei Li, Xinheng Li
Summary: The study reports simultaneous tuning of band gaps of Cu2O and TiO2 to form an efficient S-Scheme mechanism photocatalyst for visible light photodegradation of organic wastewater.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Matthew J. Crafton, Tzu-Yang Huang, Yuan Yue, Raynald Giovine, Vincent C. Wu, Chaochao Dun, Jeffrey J. Urban, Raphaele J. Clement, Wei Tong, Bryan D. McCloskey
Summary: In this study, the extent of chemical reactions of a series of Mn2+/4+-based lithum-excess, cation-disordered rocksalt (DRX) oxyfluorides were quantified using a combination of differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) and titration mass spectrometry. The results show that increasing the fluorine content can decrease redox reactions and suppress the generation of high-voltage O2 from the DRX surface.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuxing Xia, Grace M. Lloyd, Benoit I. Giasson
Summary: The CNS pathological inclusions of tau or alpha-synuclein define a spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases, often present concurrently in individuals. Accumulation of abnormal cleavage products of tau and alpha Syn can initiate toxic protein aggregation spread, potentially leading to accumulation in peripheral biofluids. New tools to detect specific abnormal cleavage products in biofluids could be useful biomarkers for therapeutic interventions.
MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF NEURODEGENERATION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Nachnicha Kongkatigumjorn, Pichapak Srikamut, Farzad Seidi, Sareeya Bureekaew, Daniel Crespy
Summary: Controlling the hydrolysis rate of polymer conjugates is crucial for the precise delivery of active molecules. By inserting substituent groups, the hydrolysis rate and selectivity of thioether ester groups can be tuned. This design is used to prepare metal coatings with excellent anticorrosion performance.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Fan Zhang, Ce Gao, Shang-Ru Zhai, Qing-Da An
Summary: A novel alginate/poly(acrylic acid/acrylamide) double-network hydrogel composite with silver nanoparticles was successfully fabricated. The presence of carboxyl and amide groups provided active sites for silver ions complexation, facilitating the in situ reduction and confinement of silver nanoparticles. The composite exhibited excellent degradation performance for p-nitrophenol and organic dyes.
FRONTIERS OF CHEMICAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lan Wang, Peng Jiang, Weijie Liu, Jiaqi Li, Zhaoming Chen, Tianying Guo
Summary: In order to meet the practical application demand, a multifunctional molecularly imprinted polymer double network hydrogel (MIP-DN) material with high catalytic activity and pH buffering function for the hydrolysis of organophosphorus toxicants has been prepared. The MIP-DN hydrogel showed excellent catalytic performance without additional pH buffer conditions.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Chunwang Hu, Hongliang Wei, Bingyan Hua, Yaqi Zhang, Gang Wang, Tao Guo
Summary: A thermal/pH-sensitive IPN hydrogel was successfully prepared from starch and poly(alpha-Llysine) through amino-anhydride and azide-alkyne double-click reactions. The hydrogel exhibited pH and temperature sensitivity, and its adsorption behavior for cationic methylene blue and anionic Eosin Y followed pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm model. The active functional groups present in the hydrogel contributed to its excellent adsorption performance. This study provides a new method for preparing IPN hydrogels with potential application in wastewater treatment.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Junho Park, Mohammad Reza Babaei, Samuel Arce Munoz, Ashwin N. Venkat, John D. Hedengren
Summary: This study applies Transformer models to time-series forecasting, improving the control performance and computational efficiency of the MPC system. The study introduces a training method for multistep-ahead prediction and validates the enhanced time performance of the multistep-ahead Transformer MPC compared to LSTM networks.
COMPUTERS & CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Bauer L. LeSavage, Riley A. Suhar, Nicolas Broguiere, Matthias P. Lutolf, Sarah C. Heilshorn
Summary: The translation discusses how organotypic models of patient-specific tumors are changing our understanding of cancer heterogeneity and personalized medicine. These models can preserve genetic, proteomic, morphological, and pharmacotypic features of the parent tumor in vitro, and offer genomic and environmental manipulation. However, current cancer organoid culture techniques are uncontrolled and irreproducible, hindering the acceleration of insights into patient care.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sarah M. Hull, Lucia G. Brunel, Sarah C. Heilshorn
Summary: Using gel-phase materials as bioinks offers advantages in providing cell protection and biological signals. Challenges remain in terms of cell compatibility and biological functionality of bioink materials.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Julien G. Roth, Michelle S. Huang, Sarah C. Heilshorn
Summary: Researchers have found that highly mobile supramolecular scaffolds can facilitate long-term culture of hiPSC-derived motor neurons, enhance maturation-related phenotypes, and recapitulate disease-related pathologies.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Matteo Togninalli, Andrew T. V. Ho, Christopher M. M. Madl, Colin A. A. Holbrook, Yu Xin Wang, Klas E. G. Magnusson, Anna Kirillova, Andrew Chang, Helen M. M. Blau
Summary: We developed a dual fluorescence imaging time lapse (Dual-FLIT) microscopy approach combined with machine learning classification strategies to track the fate decisions of muscle stem cells (MuSCs). We found that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) accelerates MuSC proliferation and promotes symmetric self-renewal, while Oncostatin M (OSM) decreases proliferation rate and blocks myogenic commitment.
NPJ REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Mahdis Shayan, Michelle S. Huang, Renato Navarro, Gladys Chiang, Caroline Hu, Beu P. Oropeza, Patrik K. Johansson, Riley A. Suhar, Abbygail A. Foster, Bauer L. LeSavage, Maedeh Zamani, Annika Enejder, Julien G. Roth, Sarah C. Heilshorn, Ngan F. Huang
Summary: Mechanical cues from the extracellular matrix (ECM) regulate vascular endothelial cell (EC) morphology and function. The reversible DCC crosslinks in ELP-PEG hydrogels create a matrix with independently tunable stiffness and stress relaxation rate. Both stress relaxation rate and stiffness modulate endothelial behavior, and the fast-relaxing, low-stiffness hydrogels supported the highest capillary density in vivo.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART A
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sarah M. Hull, Junzhe Lou, Christopher D. Lindsay, Renato S. Navarro, Betty Cai, Lucia G. Brunel, Ashley D. Westerfield, Yan Xia, Sarah C. Heilshorn
Summary: Three-dimensional bioprinting is a promising technique for creating human tissue models, and a viscoelastic bioink with reversible cross-links has been developed for this purpose. The cross-linking kinetics and network formation of the bioink are regulated using small molecule catalysts and competitors. In a breast cancer cell invasion model, the inclusion of dynamic cross-links was found to be essential for the formation of invasive protrusions. These findings demonstrate the potential of engineered, dynamic bioinks in disease modeling.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christopher M. Madl
Summary: Aging is characterized by a progressive decline in tissue function and is a major risk factor for many diseases. However, the fundamental mechanisms driving human aging are still poorly understood. Aging studies using model organisms are limited in their application to humans, and mechanistic studies of human aging rely on simple cell culture models that fail to replicate mature tissue function. Biomaterial platforms presenting relevant mechanical, structural, and biochemical cues can capture the complex changes in the cellular microenvironment during aging, accelerating the process of cellular aging in laboratory systems. These biomaterial systems may enable the identification of new therapeutic approaches to slow or reverse the detrimental effects of aging.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Gabriella Maria Fernandes-Cunha, Lucia G. Brunel, Alejandro Arboleda, Alyssa Manche, Youngyoon Amy Seo, Caitlin Logan, Fang Chen, Sarah C. Heilshorn, David Myung
Summary: In this study, we developed a collagen gel (PhotoCol-RB) using ultraviolet-A (UV-A) light and riboflavin to fill corneal wounds and promote corneal epithelialization. The PhotoCol-RB gels showed higher transparency and supported the proliferation of human corneal epithelial cells. They also exhibited the ability to seal corneal perforations and promote the regeneration of a multilayer epithelium. These gels have the potential to stabilize and repair deep and perforating corneal wounds.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sungchul Shin, Lucia G. Brunel, Betty Cai, David Kilian, Julien G. Roth, Alexis J. Seymour, Sarah C. Heilshorn
Summary: The GUIDE-3DP approach is proposed to construct perfusable networks with precise control over branching geometries and vessel sizes. It leverages the predictable diffusion of cross-linking reaction-initiators released from sacrificial inks to achieve user-specified channel dimensions. The versatility of GUIDE-3DP to be adapted for use with diverse physicochemical cross-linking mechanisms is demonstrated by designing seven printable material systems. This platform is uniquely suited for fabricating lumenized structures with complex shapes characteristic of multiple hollow vessels throughout the body.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Julien G. Roth, Lucia G. Brunel, Michelle S. Huang, Yueming Liu, Betty Cai, Sauradeep Sinha, Fan Yang, Sergiu P. Pasca, Sungchul Shin, Sarah C. Heilshorn
Summary: The authors developed a bioprinting platform, termed SPOT, to allow the arrangement of organoids and form assembloids. This platform enables the controlled lifting, transport, and deposition of organoids, and facilitates the generation of assembloids that recapitulate key developmental processes and disease etiologies.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Narelli de Paiva Narciso, Renato S. Navarro, Aidan E. Gilchrist, Miriam L. M. Trigo, Giselle Aviles Rodriguez, Sarah C. Heilshorn
Summary: Dynamic covalent chemistry (DCC) crosslinked hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties, injectability, and self-healing abilities are formulated using recombinant biopolymers. The hydrogels' stiffness and extrudability are controlled by the degree of functionalization (DoF) and polymer molecular weight (MW). Lower MW formulations require less force for injectability, while higher DoF formulations exhibit faster self-healing. This work highlights the importance of additional parameters in designing injectable hydrogels.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Riley A. Suhar, Michelle S. Huang, Renato S. Navarro, Giselle Aviles Rodriguez, Sarah C. Heilshorn
Summary: Hydrogels with encapsulated cells have a wide range of applications in biomedicine. This study presents a protein-engineered hydrogel system that allows for the incorporation and modulation of multiple cell-instructive ligands without altering the matrix mechanics. The researchers demonstrated that the concentration of the ligands significantly affects neurite outgrowth in encapsulated embryonic dorsal root ganglion cultures.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Alexis J. Seymour, David Kilian, Renato S. Navarro, Sarah M. Hull, Sarah C. Heilshorn
Summary: This study utilizes the modularity of microgel-based inks by combining two types of microgels to achieve tunable porosity and depth-independent cell distribution in 3D printed constructs.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Sarah Heilshorn
TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Riley A. Suhar, Vanessa M. Doulames, Yueming Liu, Meghan E. Hefferon, Oscar Figueroa, Hana Buabbas, Sarah C. Heilshorn
Summary: Heart disease is the leading cause of death globally. Delivering therapeutic cargo directly into the myocardium through injection is a promising clinical intervention. Researchers have discovered that using a recombinant hydrogel composed of chemically modified hyaluronan and elastin-like protein can increase the retention of these cargos.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2022)