Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zongpu Xu, Weiwei Gao, Hao Bai
Summary: Natural biological materials have inspired the development of high-performance materials with extensive applications. Silk, as a promising biosourced raw material, has excellent mechanical properties, versatility, and biocompatibility. This review provides an overview of the recent progress in silk-based bioinspired structural and functional materials, covering their preparation and application.
Article
Polymer Science
Shu Yang, Hongming Xiang, Yingwen Wang, Kaikai Chen, Weihong Gao
Summary: Monodispersed polystyrene particles are deposited on textile fabrics using a gravity sedimentation method, forming a photonic crystal with iridescent structural color. The fabric substrate, including raw materials, base color, and fabric weave, significantly affects the structural color of the photonic crystals. The addition of silk fibroin to the polystyrene microsphere solution improves the color fastness of the structural color on the fabric surface.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qingsong Li, Fengjiao Bai, Jing Sun, Xiaomeng Zhou, Wei Yuan, Jin Lin, Ke-Qin Zhang, Guanglin Li, Zhiyuan Liu
Summary: This article presents a dip-coating method for fabricating sub-micron thick silk films and demonstrates their potential in wearable and biomedical applications.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yiwen Yang, Shichen Zhang, Xiaoen Bian, Tian Xia, Ang Lu, Lina Zhang, Yanfeng Wang, Bo Duan
Summary: The developed composite hydrogel demonstrated superior mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability for preventing bile leakage in hepatobiliary surgery. It showed excellent cytocompatibility in vitro, tunable degradability, and promoted bile duct restoration and re-vascularization in a rabbit biliary duct injury model, providing a new avenue for utilizing natural polymers in the biomedical field.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
Yankuan Tian, Qinting Wu, Fang Li, Yuhang Zhou, Di Huang, Ruijuan Xie, Xiaoqin Wang, Zhaozhu Zheng, Gang Li
Summary: The study prepared a porous SF/WK composite scaffold with good biocompatibility and mechanical properties for cartilage tissue engineering, showing potential in this field.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ying Zhou, Jiaxue Wu, Yanyi Li, Wei Zhang, Yushan Zou, Lian Duan, Xiao Yang, Bo Xiao, Shixiong Yi
Summary: In this study, silk fibroin/cellulose blend nanofibrous membranes modified with sodium-3-sulfobenzoate (S-SCBNM) were fabricated for lysozyme adsorption using electrospinning technique. The results showed that S-SCBNM exhibited properties of ultrathin fiber diameter, fast adsorption equilibrium, excellent adsorption performance, and good reversibility, making them promising for proteins separation.
ADVANCED FIBER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kaimeng Xu, Yulu Zhang, Qian Ye, Jiaxi Wu, Qiushi Li, Ganmao Su, David Paul Harper, Guanben Du, Xiaofei P. Ye, Siqun Wang
Summary: This study successfully developed a green sustainable bio-inspired composite film, where the CNC concentration significantly influenced the chemical bonding, optical and micro-morphology, mechanical properties, and thermal stability. The CT/SF/CNC-3.5 wt% composite film exhibited excellent optical and mechanical properties, along with improved thermal stability.
MATERIALS RESEARCH EXPRESS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
G. Poggi, D. Chelazzi, M. Laurati
Summary: The addition of cellulose nanocrystals accelerates gelation kinetics and increases the stiffness of gels formed by silk fibroin. Continuous shear tests revealed a higher yield stress in silk fibroin/cellulose nanocrystal gels, with the yield strain decreasing at higher shear rates possibly due to shear-induced compaction. Large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) measurements demonstrated a broad and gradual transition from solid to fluid in the gels, with two distinct yield strains indicating different stages of fluidization.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Alessandra Maria Bossi, Alessio Bucciarelli, Devid Maniglio
Summary: Nanosized biomimetics prepared by molecular imprinting are showing potential as plastic antibodies in medicine for cell imaging and targeted therapies. Utilizing natural polymer silk fibroin to synthesize biocompatible MIP SF-NPs demonstrates high affinity recognition sites and biocompatibility.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jun Li, Fei Yang, Dongyan Liu, Sensen Han, Junsheng Li, Guoxin Sui
Summary: Based on the good dispersing effect of nanocellulose, a high content graphene (50 wt%) composite paper with micro/nanocellulose fibers and silk fibroin (SF) was manufactured. The synergistic effects of cellulose microfibers (CMFs), cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), and SF led to a paper with ideal combination of flexibility, electrical conductivity, and mechanical strength. The composite paper shows a tensile strength of 49.29 MPa, surface resistance of 39.0-42.1 Omega, and good joints bend sensing performance. The graphene-based conductive paper is helpful for the development of smart clothing wearable biosensing devices.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiang Ke, Shuxian Tang, Zhiyun Dong, Hao Wang, Xinyuan Xu, Rongmin Qiu, Jiaojiao Yang, Jun Luo, Jianshu Li
Summary: In this study, a bioadhesive with high extensibility, self-healing properties, and wet adhesion was constructed using natural substances such as silk fibroin and tannic acid. The bioadhesive also exhibited superior photothermal-reinforced antibacterial activity, making it a potential candidate for clinical wound management, especially in infected wounds.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhuohao Zhang, Chong Wang, Qiao Wang, Yuanjin Zhao, Luoran Shang
Summary: In this study, a printable structural color ink composed of cholesteric cellulose liquid crystals, gelatin, and a thermal-responsive hydrogel is proposed. This ink exhibits angle-independent color appearances and possesses dual thermal responsiveness, making it a promising material for next-generation 3D printing with a wide range of real-life applications.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Chuang Wang, Maihao Zhu, Hou-Yong Yu, Somia Yassin Hussain Abdalkarim, Zhaofeng Ouyang, Jiaying Zhu, Juming Yao
Summary: The study demonstrates that incorporating cellulose nanocrystals with acrylamide photopolymerization can produce robust silk fibroin gels with excellent mechanical stability and adhesion to various materials. The gel can rapidly recover its ionic conductivity within 20 seconds and stretch to a maximum strain of 498% after healing for 10 hours with an efficiency of 95.2%.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jie Yang, Huan Wang, Yuhang Zhou, Lirong Duan, Karl H. Schneider, Zhaozhu Zheng, Fengxuan Han, Xiaoqin Wang, Gang Li
Summary: The present study introduces a silk microfiber reinforced meniscus scaffold (SMRMS) made from silk fibroin (SF) and wool keratin (WK) using electrospinning and freeze-drying technology. The scaffold exhibits a hierarchical fibrous and porous structure with varying pore sizes. It possesses robust mechanical properties, stable biodegradability, and shows no cytotoxicity, making it a promising candidate for meniscal repair engineering.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Ashley Rivera-Galletti, Christopher R. Gough, Farhan Kaleem, Michael Burch, Chris Ratcliffe, Ping Lu, David Salas-de La Cruz, Xiao Hu
Summary: The novel application of ionic liquid as a solvent for biodegradable and natural organic biomaterials has attracted increasing interest in the biomedical field. The study demonstrates that protein and polysaccharides can dissolve seamlessly in ionic liquid, forming fine biomaterials with tunable properties. Blended films of silk fibroin and cellulose acetate in ionic liquid showed wavering conformational changes at a microscopic level, indicating strong interactions and changes in their crystalline structures.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lei Yang, Xiaocheng Wang, Yunru Yu, Luoran Shang, Wei Xu, Yuanjin Zhao
Summary: Inspired by the multiple adhesion mechanisms of pollen particles and marine mussels, a novel type of dual-adhesive hydrogel particles for bone regeneration is developed. The particles exhibit hierarchical porous morphology and molecular-level adhesion, and can promote angiogenesis and osteogenic differentiation. These dual-adhesive particles have great potentials for bone repair and wound healing applications.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhuohao Zhang, Xinyuan Yang, Yuanjin Zhao, Fangfu Ye, Luoran Shang
Summary: Liquid crystal is a state of matter between solid and liquid, exhibiting orientational order and fluidity. In recent years, liquid crystal materials have been applied in the biomedical field due to their biocompatibility, multifunctionality, and responsiveness. This review summarizes the latest achievements and applications of liquid crystal materials in biomedicine, including drug delivery, bioimaging, tissue engineering, implantable devices, biosensing, and wearable devices, with the aim of stimulating innovative ideas for future liquid crystal-based advancements in drug development, artificial implants, disease diagnosis, and health monitoring.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Huan Wang, Hui Zhang, Zhuoyue Chen, Yuanjin Zhao, Zhuxiao Gu, Luoran Shang
Summary: Polymer-based responsive structural color materials are polymers with ordered microstructures that can change colors, providing unique advantages and novel solutions for various industries. This study offers a comprehensive review of these materials, covering polymer selection, structure fabrication, response mechanisms, and applications, while also discussing the current challenges and future developments. It is expected that this review will promote interdisciplinary communications and collaborations across multiple fields.
PROGRESS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Caihong Yang, Xiao Ma, Pan Wu, Luoran Shang, Yuanjin Zhao, Liping Zhong
Summary: In this paper, nature-source-based composite microspheres with dual antibacterial mechanisms and bioadhesive features are developed for infected wound healing. The microspheres enable sustained release of copper ions, which show long-term antibacterial properties and promote wound healing-related angiogenesis. Additionally, the microspheres are coated with polydopamine, enhancing the antibacterial ability through photothermal energy conversion. Based on these strategies, the composite microspheres exhibit excellent anti-infection and wound healing performances in a rat wound model, showing great potential in clinical wound repair.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yizuo Song, Xin Shou, Bo Sheng, Jie Mei, Keqing Shi, Luoran Shang, Xueqiong Zhu
Summary: A multichannel microfluidic chip is developed to screen different sourced mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with the greatest tropism toward cervical cancer cells. Cell membranes from chorionic plate-derived MSCs are isolated to prepare membrane-camouflaged platinum prodrug composite nanoparticles for cervical cancer treatment. The composite nanoparticles effectively target tumor sites and have therapeutic effects both in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating the great value of cell membrane-camouflaged nanomedicine for targeted cancer therapy.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Taiyu Song, Hui Zhang, Zhiqiang Luo, Luoran Shang, Yuanjin Zhao
Summary: Chemotherapy is hindered by tumor heterogeneity in pancreatic cancer patients. This study introduces a microfluidic encapsulated and integrated primary pancreatic cancer cells platform for biomimetic tumor 3D cultivation and clinical drug evaluation. The results demonstrate its potential in clinical drug evaluation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Li Wang, Guopu Chen, Lu Fan, Hanxu Chen, Yuanjin Zhao, Ling Lu, Luoran Shang
Summary: A biomimetic enzyme cascade inverse opal microparticles system has been developed for wound healing, which integrates glucose oxidase (GOD) and copper peroxide (CP). These microparticles, composed of biofriendly hyaluronic acid methacryloyl (HAMA) and pH-responsive acrylic acid (AA), provide binding sites and spaces for enzymes and metal bioinorganics. The cascade catalytic system generates hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in a hyperglycemic environment through GOD catalysis, and further catalyzes H2O2 to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in an acidic environment. The microparticles also have a distinctive structural color that visually reflects the wound pH and estimates the healing state. This system shows excellent antibacterial and angiogenesis-promoting properties, as well as real-time reporting ability for wound healing.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiang Lin, Lijun Cai, Min Nie, Xiangyi Wu, Gaofeng Liang, Luoran Shang, Yuanjin Zhao
Summary: Stem-cell therapy supported by hydrogel microcarriers has potential in regulating autoimmune diseases. The focus of research in this field is on enhancing the viability and delivery controllability of stem cells. In this study, fish extracellular matrix (ECM) microcarriers loaded with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that secrete PD-L1 were proposed for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. The engineered MSCs-loaded ECM microcarriers demonstrated higher survival rate and effectiveness in treating psoriasis.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lei Yang, Wei Yang, Wei Xu, Yuanjin Zhao, Luoran Shang
Summary: Inspired by natural bone healing mechanisms, researchers have developed a novel type of Janus microcarriers that can sequentially release different growth factors for bone regeneration. The microcarriers, containing magnetic nanoparticles, can be localized in the bone defect site. This study provides a new approach for the development of smart drug vehicles and treatment of bone defects.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chong Wang, Zhuohao Zhang, Qiao Wang, Jiali Wang, Luoran Shang
Summary: Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) are formed by the phase separation of immiscible aqueous solutions with above-critical concentrations. ATPS emulsions have shown great potential in various biomedical applications due to their remarkable permeability, affinity partitioning, and biocompatibility. This review provides comprehensive insights into ATPS emulsion droplets, including their unique properties, fabrication methods, and their applications in protocells and microparticles. It is believed that this review will highlight the distinctive characteristics of ATPS droplets for broader application.
TRENDS IN CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chaoyu Yang, Yunru Yu, Yuanjin Zhao, Luoran Shang
Summary: A piezoelectric microfluidic system is developed to generate complex flow configurations and fabricate jellyfish-like microparticles with precise control over size and morphology. By modifying the injecting channel geometry, multi-compartmental microparticles with a dual-layer structure can be achieved. These jellyfish-like microparticles exhibit flexible motion ability, especially when incorporating stimuli-responsive materials.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chong Wang, Jiali Wang, Zhuohao Zhang, Qiao Wang, Luoran Shang
Summary: Drug therapy is widely used in disease treatment, but there is a trade-off between drug dosage and toxicity. Blood purification by adsorption of excessive drugs could enhance therapeutic efficacy. Inspired by chemotherapy agents targeting DNA, DNA polyelectrolyte composite microparticles were developed for chemotherapeutics cleaning. The microparticles could adsorb common chemotherapy drugs and their porous structure and photo-thermal responsiveness improved adsorption. Integration of the microparticles into a microfluidic chip validated its enhanced drug cleaning efficiency, providing a solution for the dosage-toxicity trade-off problem in chemotherapy.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiangyi Wu, Haofang Zhu, Chuanhui Song, Qian Tan, Yuanjin Zhao, Luoran Shang
Summary: Inspired by the breadmaking process, yeast microcarriers (YMC) were developed as vehicles for stem cells in the treatment of diabetic wounds. The use of YMC increased the survival rate and retained functionality of transplanted adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). Additionally, YMC exhibited antioxidant activity, protecting ADSCs from oxidative stress and resulting in improved tissue regeneration in vivo.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
