Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chang Liu, Qing Li, Haopeng Wang, Gefei Wang, Haixia Shen
Summary: This work presents a self-healing assembly method for preparing various fluorescent quantum dots (QDs)-loaded gels. The as-prepared gels exhibit pH sensitivity, satisfactory mechanical properties, and excellent self-healing properties. The integration of QDs with gels enables the fabrication of fluorescent composites, which show potential applications in LED devices. Additionally, the self-healing assembly method using QDs-loaded gels as building blocks allows for the construction of complex structures with different fluorescence, which can be used for sensing and encoding purposes.
Article
Polymer Science
Kuen Hee Eom, Shuwei Li, Eun Gyeong Lee, Jae Ho Kim, Jung Rae Kim, Il Kim
Summary: Cell-penetrating peptides are facilitated by the presence of arginine or other guanidinium groups. However, little research has been done on the impact of these functional groups on antimicrobial peptides. In this study, a series of cationic linear, star, and multi-branched copolymers were synthesized and their antibacterial efficacy was tested. The results showed that the structure and composition of the copolymers significantly influenced their antibacterial activity, with the multi-branched structure exhibiting the highest efficacy.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marco Scarel, Silvia Marchesan
Summary: Cyclodipeptides and 2,5-diketopiperazines have gained great interest for their diverse biological activities and self-assembly properties into gels, showing resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis. Latest research focuses on their synthesis, self-assembly, and innovative applications.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yingchun Xia, Ziyuan Song, Zhengzhong Tan, Tianrui Xue, Shiqi Wei, Lingyang Zhu, Yingfeng Yang, Hailin Fu, Yunjiang Jiang, Yao Lin, Yanbing Lu, Andrew L. Ferguson, Jianjun Cheng
Summary: Recent advances in accelerated polymerization of N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs) have enriched the toolbox for preparing well-defined polypeptide materials. The use of crown ethers to catalyze NCA polymerization enables efficient preparation of functionalized polypeptides, while also guiding catalyst design.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Timothy P. Enright, Dominic L. Garcia, Gia Storti, Jason E. Heindl, Alexander Sidorenko
Summary: Infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria are a urgent global health threat and efforts are being made to develop new antibiotics and understand resistance mechanisms. Anti-Microbial Peptides (AMPs) are being explored as a novel drug design strategy due to their broad spectrum activity and efficacy against resistant organisms. However, naturally occurring AMPs have limitations, leading to the development of synthetic analogs with optimal selectivity. This study focuses on the development of chitosan-graft-polypeptide structures as novel antimicrobial agents, which showed activity against clinically significant pathogens and disrupted biofilm formation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Natsuki Suda, Takuho Saito, Hironari Arima, Shiki Yagai
Summary: Recent advances in supramolecularly engineered dye aggregates have allowed for the design and control of simple one-dimensional structures and closed structures. In this study, a new dyad was introduced that can form nanotoroids, nanotubes, or 1D fibers depending on the conditions. This is the first successful example of light-induced modulation of supramolecular polymorphism to produce distinctly nanostructured aggregates under isothermal conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jing Wan, Bo Fan, Kevin Putera, Jinhee Kim, Mark M. Banaszak Holl, San H. Thang
Summary: A sequential one-pot synthesis of hierarchically self-assembled polymer colloids with diverse morphologies has been achieved via aqueous PISA, overcoming the limitations of traditional methods. This approach provides a scalable method for the production of colloidal molecules and other hierarchical nanostructures, with the potential to enrich the complexity of morphology and enable diverse functions of nano-objects.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Man-Di Wang, Gan-Tian Lv, Hong-Wei An, Ni-Yuan Zhang, Hao Wang
Summary: This study reports a programmable peptide molecule that enables specific and efficient assembly by binding to targeting receptor proteins. By designing different peptide sequences and receptor bindings, it is possible to promote oligomerization and functional regulation of protein complexes.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiadong Tang, Maosheng Li, Xianhong Wang, Youhua Tao
Summary: We have achieved the one-pot production of sequence-controlled block copolymer from mixed monomers using a switchable catalyst. The method allows for chemoselective and efficient polymerization reactions, resulting in a high conversion rate of CO2.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Atsuya Yaguchi, Hirotsugu Hiramatsu, Atsuya Ishida, Mio Oshikawa, Itsuki Ajioka, Takahiro Muraoka
Summary: Insertion of central alkylene chains in peptides can enhance beta-sheet hydrogen bonds and modulation of packing order, leading to the formation of hydrogels with increased stiffness. However, amphiphilic peptides bearing internal alkylene chains longer than C2 show decreased cell-adhesive properties.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
A. Yaguchi, H. Hiramatsu, A. Ishida, M. Oshikawa, I Ajioka, T. Muraoka
Summary: The cover of this issue showcases the nanofiber formation of an amphiphilic peptide with a central alkylene chain that exhibits non-cell adhesive properties, by the group of Takahiro Muraoka at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology and collaborators.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Satu Hakkinen, Joji Tanaka, Ramon Garcia Maset, Stephen C. L. Hall, Steven Huband, Julia Y. Rho, Qiao Song, Sebastien Perrier
Summary: This study reports the polymerisation-induced self-assembly of copolymers during RAFT grafting, showing the formation of various morphologies of micelles in the polymerisation process, providing new avenues for controlling polymer structure and material properties.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Beatrice Rosetti, Erica Scarel, Laura Colomina-Alfaro, Simone Adorinni, Giovanni Pierri, Ottavia Bellotto, Kevin Mamprin, Maurizio Polentarutti, Antonella Bandiera, Consiglia Tedesco, Silvia Marchesan
Summary: The study compared the antimicrobial effects of several cyclo(dipeptide) compounds, showing good cytocompatibility and mild antimicrobial activity that requires improvement.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ai Sato, Keisuke Ikeda, Hiroyuki Nakao, Minoru Nakano
Summary: Self-assembling peptides have the potential to form various nanostructures and are useful in nanomedicine and drug delivery. This study investigated the thermodynamic properties of alkyl-chain-modified self-assembling peptides and found that the aggregation process was driven by different thermodynamic forces at different temperatures. By determining the contributions of different components to self-assembly, this study provides fundamental insights into the design of self-assembling peptides.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yiwei Gao, Jie Zhao, Zehuan Huang, Tanya K. Ronson, Fen Zhao, Yue Wang, Boyang Li, Chenlu Feng, You Yu, Yongliang Cheng, Dong Yang, Xiao-Juan Yang, Biao Wu
Summary: This study demonstrates the fabrication of functional gels through the self-assembly of anion-coordinated assemblies. The obtained gels exhibit excellent flexibility and selective wettability, making them suitable for conductive adhesion between different surfaces.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Corey A. Stevens, Matthew Gibson, Harm-Anton Klok
Article
Polymer Science
Panagiotis G. Georgiou, Collette S. Guy, Muhammad Hasan, Ashfaq Ahmad, Sarah-Jane Richards, Alexander N. Baker, Neer Thakkar, Marc Walker, Sarojini Pandey, Neil R. Anderson, Dimitris Grammatopoulos, Matthew Gibson
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of innovative biosensing, diagnostic, and surveillance platforms. This study demonstrates that glycosylated, polymer-stabilized, gold nanorods can bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and correlate with the presence of the virus in COVID-19 clinical samples. The use of polymer tethering of glycans shows promise for plasmonic biosensors in infection detection.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Akalabya Bissoyi, Ruben M. F. Tomas, Yanan Gao, Qiongyu Guo, Matthew I. Gibson
Summary: This study successfully cryopreserved hepatocyte spheroids using macromolecular cryoprotectants added to DMSO solutions, which significantly improved post-thaw recovery and minimized cryo-injury related membrane damage. Adding polyampholytes also rescued reduced actin polymerization, potentially linked to intracellular ice formation. This research may facilitate access to off-the-shelf and ready-to-use frozen spheroids, reducing the need for in-house culturing and the number of in vivo experiments.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Marta M. P. S. Neves, Sarah-Jane Richards, Alexander N. N. Baker, Marc Walker, Panagiotis G. G. Georgiou, Matthew I. I. Gibson
Summary: Glycoforms of proteins can indicate disease state, making it crucial to develop new tools for detecting protein glycosylation. This study presents a sandwich bio-assay approach using antibodies immobilised on biolayer interferometry sensors to select proteins, and gold nanoparticles functionalised with lectins to identify specific glycoforms. The nanoparticles significantly enhance the signal, allowing the detection of glycoforms at low concentrations without the need for enrichment or manual steps. Proof of concept using prostate specific antigen shows the potential of glycoform analysis in distinguishing cancerous and non-cancerous status.
NANOSCALE HORIZONS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jordan P. Hooker, Bradyn Parker, Elise Wright, Tanja Junkers, Neil R. Cameron
Summary: The functionalization of emulsion-templated porous polymers (polyHIPEs) using tetrazole photo click chemistry is demonstrated, allowing for efficient and spatially controlled functionalization. The polyHIPEs possess well-defined open-cell morphologies and can be synthesized from various monomer systems and polymerization chemistries. The reaction has broad applicability and can be further developed for specific applications.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nicola Judge, Panagiotis G. Georgiou, Akalabya Bissoyi, Ashfaq Ahmad, Andreas Heise, Matthew I. Gibson
Summary: Ice-binding proteins (IBPs) are found in extremophile organisms and have various (bio)-technological applications. This study investigates the use of high molecular weight polyproline as an ice recrystallization inhibitor (IRI) and demonstrates the potential of non-vinyl-based polymers in inhibiting ice recrystallization.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lukas Eickhoff, Mira Kessler, Christopher Stubbs, Jakob Derksen, Martina Viefhues, Dario Anselmetti, Matthew I. I. Gibson, Berthold Hoge, Thomas Koop
Summary: This study explores the relationship between the molecular size of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and its ice nucleation activity. The experiments show that the ice nucleation activity of shorter PVA chains significantly decreases with a decrease in molar mass. The results support the view that PVA polymers and oligomers act as heterogeneous ice nucleators.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Huba L. Marton, Peter Kilbride, Ashfaq Ahmad, Matthew I. Gibson, Antonia P. Sagona
Summary: Bioprocessing and biotechnology utilize microorganisms for various applications, but bacteriophage contamination poses a challenge to product quality and requires extensive decontamination. We demonstrate that poly(acrylic acid) can prevent phage-induced killing of bacterial hosts and replication, without affecting recombinant protein expression. This simple, low-cost additive offers a practical solution to reduce phage contamination.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kathryn A. Murray, Yanan Gao, Christopher A. Griffiths, Nina L. H. Kinney, Qiongyu Guo, Matthew I. Gibson, Thomas F. Whale
Summary: 3D cell assemblies, such as spheroids, are more accurate in replicating in vivo conditions compared to traditional 2D cell monolayers, making them valuable tools for reducing or replacing animal testing. However, current cryopreservation methods are not well-suited for complex cell models, limiting their usage. By utilizing soluble ice nucleating polysaccharides, researchers have significantly improved spheroid cryopreservation outcomes, providing better cell protection compared to using DMSO alone. The extracellular function of these nucleators reduces the formation of fatal intracellular ice and prevents ice propagation between adjacent cells, potentially revolutionizing the banking and deployment of advanced cell models.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Callum Pritchard, Melissa Ligorio, Garrett D. Jackson, Matthew I. Gibson, Michael D. Ward
Summary: The presentation of glycans in multiple forms enhances their binding capacity to lectins. Current materials used as scaffolds for multivalent glycan arrays have limited reproducibility and predictability due to their intrinsic dispersity. In this study, self-assembled metal coordination cages with predictable ligand arrays were used to assemble a monodisperse library of glycoclusters displaying a range of valencies. The synthetic route was tolerant of biologically relevant glycans, and the glycocluster series demonstrated increased binding to lectins with increasing glycans. This strategy offers an alternative for controlling the valency of 3-D glycan arrays and has potential applications in sensing, imaging, and basic biology.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yanan Gao, Akalabya Bissoyi, Nina L. H. Kinney, Thomas F. Whale, Qiongyu Guo, Matthew I. Gibson
Summary: Spheroids are better at mimicking 3-D tissue niches than standard cell cultures, but cryopreserving them is challenging due to the limitations of conventional cryoprotectants. This study demonstrates that chemically-programmed extracellular ice nucleation combined with proline pre-conditioning can significantly improve post-thaw recovery of spheroids. This highlights the importance of identifying compounds and materials to address both biochemical and biophysical damage pathways beyond standard cryoprotectants.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Huba L. Marton, Peter Kilbride, Ashfaq Ahmad, Antonia P. Sagona, Matthew I. Gibson
Summary: Bioprocessing and biotechnology rely on microorganisms for the production of various products. However, phage contamination poses a significant challenge. In this study, we found that poly(acrylic acid) can prevent phage-induced killing and replication of bacteria without affecting recombinant protein expression. This simple and cost-effective additive offers a practical solution to reduce phage contamination.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Ruben M. F. Tomas, Robert Dallman, Thomas R. Congdon, Matthew I. Gibson
Summary: This study demonstrates the use of soluble ice nucleator materials for the cryopreservation of hepatocyte-derived cell lines and primary hepatocytes, aiming to facilitate high-throughput screening in drug discovery and development. The method preserves cell integrity, viability, and functionality, with higher recovery rates and a more convenient storage format compared to commercial cryopreserved hepatocytes.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hanchen Li, Wenping Yin, Chun Kiu Ng, Ruoxi Huang, Shengrong Du, Manoj Sharma, Bin Li, Gangcheng Yuan, Monika Michalska, Sri Kasi Matta, Yu Chen, Naresh Chandrasekaran, Salvy Russo, Neil R. Cameron, Alison M. Funston, Jacek J. Jasieniak
Summary: A novel fluorescence-based approach for detecting copper species in hexane has been developed, achieving ultra-sensitive detection. Luminescent CsPbBr3 nanocrystals are chemically adhered to a polymerized high internal phase emulsion substrate through surface thiol groups, allowing for sub-monolayer NC formation and excellent stability of the composite in the ambient environment. This newly developed sensor has a very low limit of detection for copper and a wide operating window, exhibiting excellent selectivity among different transition metals.
Article
Polymer Science
Axel-Laurenz Buckinx, Maarten Rubens, Neil R. Cameron, Camille Bakkali-Hassani, Anna Sokolova, Tanja Junkers
Summary: The influence of dispersity in the molecular weight distributions in the core forming block for block copolymer self-assembly is analyzed. It is found that higher polymer dispersities can decrease the overall dispersity of the nanoparticles, revealing the important role of molecular weight distribution shape in polymer self-assembly.
