Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Polina Ivanova, Konrad Dziegielewski, Marcin Drozd, Sandra Skorupska, Ilona Grabowska-Jadach, Mariusz Pietrzak
Summary: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important in physiological processes but can pose a threat to health with increased concentrations. Different defense systems in plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates including humans combat ROS, but environmental conditions and lifestyle can interfere with enzyme activity. Therefore, finding alternative ROS scavengers is crucial, with nanozymes being a proposed solution to mimic essential enzyme activities and prevent excessive ROS activity.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Adar Levi, Lior Verbitsky, Nir Waiskopf, Uri Banin
Summary: Coating with sulfide can enhance one-electron processes while inhibiting two-electron reduction processes, showing a double-edged sword effect. It relieves the hole extraction bottleneck from the semiconductor segment but also poisons the metal domain, restricting its reductive capacity for two-electron processes requiring a chemisorption step on the metal surface. This highlights the importance of surface properties for the photocatalytic action of hybrid nanoparticle systems.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hyunjun Choi, Bongseo Choi, Jun-Hyeok Han, Ha Eun Shin, Wooram Park, Dong-Hyun Kim
Summary: A ROS-responsive cleavable hierarchical metallic supra-nanostructure (HMSN) is reported, which shows significant structural deformation in the presence of ROS and demonstrates potential in cancer treatment and other biomedical applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Li Shiuan Ng, Tharishinny Raja Mogan, Jinn-Kye Lee, Haitao Li, Chi-Lik Ken Lee, Hiang Kwee Lee
Summary: Efficient photocatalytic water splitting is achieved by using a multifunctional interface between nano-photocatalyst and metal-organic framework (MOF) layer, resulting in significant improvement in hydrogen production and oxygen evolution.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yun Xie, Minghao Ye, Biao Xiong, Binyao Liu, Fei Liu, Huichao He, Long Yang, Long Jiang, Yi Dan, Yong Zhou
Summary: A metal-free and straightforward protocol for the photocatalytic synthesis of phenols from arylboronic acids has been demonstrated using perylene-g-C3N4 polymeric semiconductors. The research revealed that internal imide functional groups within the catalyst's molecular structures can facilitate ROS generation, with O-2(center dot-) being the decisive specie in the hydroxylation. Yield can reach as high as 97% using this method.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiang-Pei Yuan, Zong-Jie Guan, Heng-Yu Lin, Bing Yan, Kang-Kai Liu, Hong-Cai Zhou, Yu Fang
Summary: Mimicking the active site and substrate binding cavity of enzymes, PCCs can achieve specificity in catalytic reactions. PCC-6-M (M = Zn/Ni/Co) exhibit distinct catalytic activities, which are significant for studying the regulation of ROS generation by supramolecular catalysts.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
R. Emily Martin, Eliana Marzol, Jose M. Estevez, Gloria K. Muday
Summary: Research shows that ethylene and its precursor regulate root hair formation by increasing ROS accumulation. Ethylene-sensitive mutants have increased root hair number and ROS accumulation, while ethylene-insensitive mutants show the opposite effect.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Junli Tian, Lianxue Wei, Jiaqi Hu, Jinfeng Lu
Summary: This study established a coupling system by integrating sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) with photocatalysis to enhance the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) under visible light. The researchers developed a novel catalyst, 5%Bi3O4Br/CuBi2O4, for the rapid and efficient degradation of tetracycline (TC). The degradation rate constant in the 5%Bi3O4Br/CuBi2O4 + PMS + Vis system was significantly higher than that of photocatalysis and (SO4-)-S-center dot-AOPs alone. The study provides insights into the degradation pathways of TC and demonstrates the potential of this environmentally-friendly system for the efficient degradation of antibiotics.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhen Xu, Li Zhang, Min Pan, Qunying Jiang, Yunjie Huang, Fuan Wang, Xiaoqing Liu
Summary: Nanozymes have great potential in nanomedicine, but their clinical translation is limited by biotoxicity. A new type of bionanozyme with ultrahigh and light-controlled catalytic activity has been developed through self-assembly and in situ polymerization, showing potential for tumor-specific therapy with minimal biotoxicity.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Victor Garcia-Torra, Amanda Cano, Marta Espina, Miren Ettcheto, Antoni Camins, Emma Barroso, Manel Vazquez-Carrera, Maria Luisa Garcia, Elena Sanchez-Lopez, Eliana B. Souto
Summary: Metal nanoparticles are widely studied for pharmaceutical applications, but concerns about their toxicity, including the increase of reactive oxygen species causing cellular apoptosis, have been raised. This review highlights the toxicity mechanisms of metal nanoparticles such as gold, silver, copper, and copper oxide, as well as the production methods. It also discusses strategies to reduce toxicity and surface modifications to enhance the safety of nanoparticles.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lili Tan, Shang-Jie Yu, Yiran Jin, Jiaming Li, Peng-peng Wang
Summary: We report the first class of chiral plasmonic metal-semiconductor core-shell nanostructures that utilize structurally chiral nanoparticles as chirality inducing templates to grow functional shell materials. The core-shell structures exhibit enhanced and tunable chiroptical activity, and can drive chirality-dependent photocatalytic hydrogen generation under circularly polarized light.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Haoyuan Bai, Shiu Hei Lam, Jianhua Yang, Xizhe Cheng, Shasha Li, Ruibin Jiang, Lei Shao, Jianfang Wang
Summary: Plasmonic photocatalysis is attracting attention for improving solar-to-chemical conversion efficiency, but low efficiency remains a challenge. A Schottky-barrier-free plasmonic semiconductor photocatalyst, MoO3-x, was demonstrated for efficient N-2 photofixation, offering a new approach for solar-to-ammonia conversion efficiency.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Yue Liu, Xiangkang Zeng, Xiaoyi Hu, Yun Xia, Xiwang Zhang
Summary: This study summarizes the latest progress in solar-driven photocatalytic disinfection based on 2D semiconductors, focusing on the generation and effects of various reactive oxygen species, as well as the immobilization of the photocatalyst for practical applications. Perspectives and challenges are also presented to guide future research in photocatalytic disinfection.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yujie Dai, Yiming Ding, Linlin Li
Summary: Nanozymes possess high catalytic activity and stability, making them advantageous in generating or eliminating reactive oxygen species (ROS) for potential applications in disease therapy. Researchers are exploring catalytic mechanisms and strategies to design nanozyme-based platforms for cancer therapy, pathogen infection, neurodegenerative diseases, and more. Challenges and future opportunities for the development and application of nanozymes are also being discussed.
CHINESE CHEMICAL LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jia Liu, Lin Shi, Yang Wang, Mingyi Li, Cheng Zhou, Lifang Zhang, Chundong Yao, Ye Yuan, Daan Fu, Yan Deng, Miaodeng Liu, Guobin Wang, Lin Wang, Zheng Wang
Summary: A nanosized ruthenium-based metal-organic framework (Ru-MOF) with high porosity and versatile reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) scavenging activities has been developed for treating inflammatory diseases.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lior Asor, Jing Liu, Shuting Xiang, Nir Tessler, Anatoly I. Frenkel, Uri Banin
Summary: Doped heavy metal-free III-V semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs) have attracted great interest for both their fundamental doping characteristics and their applicability in p-n homojunction devices. In this study, p-type doping of InAs NCs was achieved through the use of Zn, allowing for control over the charge carrier type in InAs QDs field effect transistors. X-ray absorption spectroscopy analysis confirmed substitutional doping by Zn2+ replacing In3+. Surface passivation by Zn was also observed, leading to enhanced near infrared photoluminescence. This research paves the way for the fabrication of optoelectronic devices active in the short-wave infrared region using heavy-metal free nanocrystal building blocks.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuval Ben-Shahar, David Stone, Uri Banin
Summary: Nanochemistry offers powerful synthetic tools for combining different materials on a single nanostructure, allowing for customization of their properties for various functionalities. This review focuses on the progress in semiconductor-metal hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs), particularly metal-chalcogenides-metal combined systems. The synthesis principles and various hybrid architectures of HNPs are discussed, with an emphasis on emergent characteristics and the light-induced charge-separation effect. The potential applications of HNPs as photocatalysts in solar-to-fuel conversion, photopolymerization, 3D printing, and chemical and biomedical uses are explored.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nadav Yayon, Oren Amsalem, Tamara Zorbaz, Or Yakov, Serafima Dubnov, Katarzyna Winek, Amir Dudai, Gil Adam, Anna K. Schmidtner, Marc Tessier-Lavigne, Nicolas Renier, Naomi Habib, Idan Segev, Michael London, Hermona Soreq
Summary: This study investigated the morphology and transcriptional diversity of cortical cholinergic VIP/ChAT interneurons (VChIs) and identified two distinct morphological types. After whisker deprivation, changes in dendritic arborization, cortical depth, and distribution patterns were observed in the barrel fields. The researchers also discovered key regulatory factors involved in morphological changes using a method for isolating nuclei from fixed tissues.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Iddo Paldor, Nimrod Madrer, Shani Vaknine Treidel, Dana Shulman, David S. Greenberg, Hermona Soreq
Summary: In this study, the expression levels of tRFs in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood were found to be distinct, with CSF showing higher levels of long tRFs. The CSF tRF profiles were also found to be significantly influenced by age, sex, and Parkinson's disease (PD), suggesting their potential as biomarkers for cerebral differences and neurological disorders. Furthermore, specific sets of tRFs in CSF and blood could differentiate PD patients from healthy controls. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating tRFs into future studies of CNS-related diseases.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Tobias Engel, Gary P. Brennan, Hermona Soreq
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Orian Elimelech, Meirav Oded, Daniel Harries, Uri Banin
Summary: Binary compositions of surface ligands significantly improve the colloidal stability and fluorescence quantum yield of nanocrystals (NCs). In this study, the thermodynamics of a ligand exchange reaction of CdSe NCs with alkylthiol mixtures were investigated using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). It was found that the interligand interactions determine the clustering patterns of the ligand shell structure. This work provides fundamental insights for the design of smart surfaces in NC-based applications.
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Younan Xia, Qian Chen, Uri Banin
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bokang Hou, Michael Thoss, Uri Banin, Eran Rabani
Summary: Electron transfer is a fundamental process, and researchers have demonstrated how to control the transition from nonadiabatic to adiabatic electron transfer in colloidal quantum dot molecules. By changing the neck dimensions and/or quantum dot sizes, the electronic coupling can be tuned, leading to coherent electron transfer even at high temperatures. The study also identifies the modes that strongly influence the charge transfer dynamics.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuval Ben-Shahar, Daniele Marciano, Tamar Shamai Yamin, Sharon Marx, Naama Karton-Lifshin
Summary: Metallo-supramolecular polymers provide a controllable platform for sensing. Modularity obtained by varying building blocks allows the tunability of their optical and chemical properties. This study demonstrates the detection of pharmaceutical amines using europium-based polymers, relying on luminescence quenching efficiency due to polymer dissociation, even in complex biological media.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tom Naor, Shira Gigi, Nir Waiskopf, Gila Jacobi, Sivan Shoshani, Doron Kam, Shlomo Magdassi, Ehud Banin, Uri Banin
Summary: This study highlights the importance and potential applications of nanocomposites. The use of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals as fillers provides catalytic, mechanical, photocatalytic, and antimicrobial properties in polymer composites. Different fabrication methods can yield hydrogels with complex architectures.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nadav Frenkel, Einav Scharf, Gur Lubin, Adar Levi, Yossef E. Panfil, Yonatan Ossia, Josep Planelles, Juan I. Climente, Uri Banin, Dan Oron
Summary: Coupled colloidal quantum dot molecules (CQDMs) are a novel type of nanomaterials that have two coupled emission centers, introducing additional degrees of freedom for designing quantum-dot-based technologies. However, the properties of multiply excited states in these CQDMs cannot be fully resolved by existing spectroscopic techniques. In this study, an extension of Heralded Spectroscopy is introduced to resolve the different biexciton species in the prototypical CdSe/CdS CQDM system, uncovering the coexistence and interplay of two distinct biexciton species.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yonatan Ossia, Adar Levi, Yossef E. Panfil, Somnath Koley, Einav Scharf, Nadav Chefetz, Sergei Remennik, Atzmon Vakahi, Uri Banin
Summary: Current quantum dot emitters are limited in their ability to tune color over a small spectral range without losing intensity. However, by utilizing quantum dot molecules with two coupled emission centers, reversible emission color switching without intensity loss can be achieved on a single-particle level. This breakthrough has the potential to enable sensitive field sensing and the development of color-switchable devices.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shalaka Varshney, Meirav Oded, Sergei Remennik, Vitaly Gutkin, Uri Banin
Summary: Aluminum nanocrystals are a promising alternative to silver and gold for various applications. This research presents two wet-chemical colloidal approaches for surface coating of Al nanocrystals, which can control the surface chemistry and oxide thickness. By manipulating the surface chemistry, this research promotes the utilization of Al nanocrystals in diverse applications.
Article
Cell Biology
Hila Yehuda, Nimrod Madrer, Doron Goldberg, Hermona Soreq, Ari Meerson
Summary: An investigation using zebrafish larvae and adult zebrafish revealed differentially expressed RNA transcripts in anxiety and obesity models, with an inverse regulation of transcripts. These transcripts included long noncoding RNAs and transfer RNA fragments, and were associated with immune system and inflammation pathways. Interestingly, obesity in larvae did not exhibit anxiety-like behavior. These findings suggest an antagonistic pleiotropic phenomenon involving a re-adjusted modulation of the anxiety-metabolic links.
