Minireview
Chemical approaches to probe and engineer AAV vectors
This review summarizes the significant recent progress in AAV capsid engineering strategies, with a particular focus on chemical modifications in advancing the next generation of AAV-based gene therapies.
Review Article
Mimicking the extracellular world: from natural to fully synthetic matrices utilizing supramolecular biomaterials
Different extracellular matrix mimicking hydrogels exist, ranging from fully natural to synthetic to hybrid versions. Herein, supramolecular hydrogels are emerging due to their inherent dynamics, modularity and orthogonal control over properties.
Review Article
Theranostic nanogels: multifunctional agents for simultaneous therapeutic delivery and diagnostic imaging
Theranostic nanogels are indispensable modular platforms that enable a combined approach to therapy and diagnostics to address challenges in the treatment of complex and dynamic diseases such as cancer.
Review Article
Bio-gel nanoarchitectonics in tissue engineering
Nanoarchitectonics may be highly compatible with applications in biological systems. Construction strategies and functions of bio-gel nanoarchitectonics in medical applications and tissue engineering are discussed.
Advances in engineered nanosystems: immunomodulatory interactions for therapeutic applications
This review extensively explores immunomodulatory nanomedicines, focusing on their unique properties and critical design strategies for interacting with immune components for various therapeutic applications.
Role of aptamer technology in extracellular vesicle biology and therapeutic applications
This review summarizes how aptamers (chemical antibodies) at the molecular level propel the advancement of the application of nano-scaled extracellular vesicles in nanotechnology and medicine, highlighting the latest developments since 2023.
In situ carbonization metamorphoses porous silica particles into biodegradable therapeutic carriers of lesser consequence on TGF-β1 mediated fibrosis
This work reveals the strategy of in situ carbonization and biological application of carbonized porous silica particles (Si-P-CNPs) which improved the biodegradability and lesser fibrosis induction, demonstrating the importance of this process.
DON encapsulated carbon dot–vesicle conjugate in therapeutic intervention of lung adenocarcinoma by dual targeting of CD44 and SLC1A5
HACD–TMAV, a carbon dot–vesicle conjugate, selectively delivered glutamine inhibitor DON to CD44-enriched cancer cells, inducing ROS triggered apoptosis by dual targeting CD44 and SLC1A5 through downregulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling cascade.
pH-Responsive self-assembled polymer-photosensitizer conjugate for activable photodynamic therapy
This paper reports synthesis, aqueous self-assembly and relevance of the pH-triggered activable photodynamic therapy of amphiphilic polyurethane (P1S) functionalized with a heavy-atom free organic photosensitizer.
Cell specific mitochondria targeted metabolic alteration for precision medicine
Mitochondria undergo significant alterations in cancer. Thus, in this study we demonstrate the utility of a dual-targeted polymeric nanoparticle to specifically target the mitochondria of cancer over normal cells for targeted metabolic alteration.
Paper
Vesicle–micelle transitions driven by ROS, light and heat
Two common amphiphiles, a cationic photoinitiator and an anionic surfactant, are combined to create ‘smart’ nanoscale vesicles. When exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS), light (UV) or heat, the vesicles are converted into smaller micelles.
Ceria nanoparticles immobilized with self-assembling peptide for biocatalytic applications
A heterogeneous biocatalyst is reported to address the instability associated with peptide-based homogeneous catalysts, and it shows potential in the detection of pesticides, bone regeneration, and anti-biofouling material applications.
Paper
A multifunctional protein pre-coated metal–organic framework for targeted delivery with deep tissue penetration
Multifunctional proteins were supramolecular conjugated to metal–organic framework for overcoming extracellular matrix of tumor microenvironment and targeting cancer cell.
Paper
Clustering triggered emissive liquid crystalline template for dual mode upconverted and downconverted circularly polarized luminescence
A liquid crystalline system exhibiting clustering triggered emission shows intrinsic downconversion chiral luminescence and acts as a template for the generation of upconversion circularly polarized luminescence leading to dual mode chiral emission.
Shape-tunable two-dimensional assemblies from chromophore-conjugated crystallizable poly(L-lactides) with chain-length-dependent photophysical properties
This study unveils shape-tunable precision two-dimensional structures from chromophore-conjugated poly(L-lactides) by crystallization-driven self-assembly and the polymer chain length-dependent optical properties of the surface-occupied π-systems.
A hydrogel based on Fe(II)-GMP demonstrates tunable emission, self-healing mechanical strength and Fenton chemistry-mediated notable antibacterial properties
A hydrogel (Fe-1GMP) with tunable emission and mechanical strength serves as a host for controlled Fenton reaction that could be upregulated upon adding ascorbic acid (AA), demonstrating antibacterial efficacy via ROS generation.
Design and synthesis of nucleic acid nano-environment interactome-targeting small molecule PROTACs and their anticancer activity
Small molecule-based nucleic-acid interactome protein degradation through PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) is a relatively new modality in cellular interventions.
Spirobifluorene-BINOL-based microporous polymer nanoreactor for efficient 1H-tetrazole synthesis and iodine adsorption with facile charge transfer
In situ BINOL formation during polymerization produced spirobifluorene-BINOL-based porous polymers showing volatile iodine uptake up to 4 g g−1 and loads silver nanoparticles towards the efficient catalytic synthesis of 1H-tetrazoles.
Antimicrobial nanocomposite coatings for rapid intervention against catheter-associated urinary tract infections
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) pose a significant challenge in hospital settings.
Paper
Insulin amyloid fibril formation reduction by tripeptide stereoisomers
A simple tripeptide significantly reduces insulin amyloid fibril formation and it is proposed as a formulation stabiliser. In silico studies reveal the mechanism of interaction with the insulin hydrophobic motifs that are prone to fibrillation.
Engineered nanomicelles targeting proliferation and angiogenesis inhibit tumour progression by impairing the synthesis of ceramide-1-phosphate
Tumour cells secrete various proangiogenic factors like VEGF, PDGF, and EGF that result in the formation of highly vascularized tumours with an immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment.
Relative biomembrane fusogenicities of the tumor-selective liposomes of RGDK- and CGKRK-lipopeptides
Both the FRET assay using model biomembranes and cellular uptake studies revealed a higher membrane fusogenic nature of the tumor-targeting liposomes of the RGDK-lipopeptide than that of the tumor-targeting liposomes of the CGKRK-lipopeptide.
Rapid targeting and imaging of mitochondria via carbon dots using an amino acid-based amphiphile as a carrier
Green-fluorescent, negatively charged newly synthesized carbon dots cannot penetrate KB and CHO cell lines. But, an amino acid containing amphiphile with a positively charged group forms an aggregate that acts as a carrier for these carbon dots for cell entry and to label and image mitochondria.
Paper
Nanoscale assembly of enantiomeric supramolecular gels driven by the nature of solvents
Different co-assembly modes depending on the nature of the solvents observed in multi-component systems with structurally similar components.
Self-assembly of water-filled molecular saddles to generate diverse morphologies and high proton conductivity
A saddle that protons can ride on! A saddle-shaped aza-crown-like macrocycle produces diverse morphologies and high solid-state proton conduction up to 21.1 mS cm−1 (at 27 °C and 95% RH).
Nanoparticle-mediated co-delivery of inflammasome inhibitors provides protection against sepsis
A dual-drug loaded nanoparticle demonstrates superior inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and improves the survival rate in a mouse model of septic peritonitis.
Sugar alcohol-modified polyester nanoparticles for gene delivery via selective caveolae-mediated endocytosis
Sugar alcohol-modified poly(β-amino esters) enables selective caveolae-mediated endocytosis.
Cooperative dissolution of peptidomimetic vesicles and amyloid β fibrils
Cooperative dissolution of drug-loaded peptidomimetic vesicles and amyloid β (Aβ) fibrils allows for the development of therapeutic formulations to modulate disorders associated with amyloid toxicity.
Post-functionalization of sulfur quantum dots and their aggregation-dependent antibacterial activity
Sulfur quantum dots (SQDs) exhibited potent antibacterial activity upon surface functionalization. Yet, hydrophobic ligand attachment diminished efficacy. This study underscores the impact of hydrophobicity on antibacterial agent development.
About this collection
Professor Bhattacharya obtained his PhD with Professor Robert A. Moss at Rutgers University, USA, and had a post-doctoral stint with Nobel Laureate Professor Har Gobind Khorana at MIT, USA. He has been working at the Indian Institute of Science since 1991 and is an honorary professor at the Chemical Biology Unit of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, India. His research group, one of the most prominent in India, has made significant impact in lipid molecular design and biophysics, DNA binding anti-cancer agents, design and synthesis of nanomaterials, antimicrobial agents, and nucleic acids-based nano-delivery systems. He has published over 300 research articles, several book chapters, and has mentored over 40 PhD students, at least 20 of which are well-established, independent scientists today in multiple esteemed universities, academic research institutions and industries in the United States and in India.
To celebrate Professor Santanu Bhattacharya’s 65th Birthday, the guest editors Professor Asish Pal (Institute of Nano Science & Technology, India), Professor Praveen Kumar Vemula (Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, India) and Professor Shyni Varghese (Duke University, USA) have invited Professor Bhattacharya’s peers, pupils, and friends to join in celebrating his continuing legacy and the remarkable impact of his lifelong work with a Festschrift in Nanoscale. This special collection highlights the reach and impact that Professor Bhattacharya’s work has had on the wider scientific community.