Themed collection Global challenges: Health & Food

The use of sulfonyl fluoride probes in chemical biology is reviewed.

In this perspective article, we present the recent achievements in the application of ruthenium complexes as photosensitizers and as photoactivatable prodrugs.

A noticeable increase in molecular complexity of drug targets has created an unmet need in the therapeutic agents that are larger than traditional small molecules.

The use of site-selective chemical drug-conjugation strategies enables the construction of antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) with superior therapeutic efficacy.”

To date, both transition metal complexes and organomediators have been employed for enantiocontrolled ¹⁸F-incorporation as an alternative to conventional resolution of S_N2-based radiochemistry.

Palladium nanostructures with therapeutic potential are emerging as innovative tools in the nanomedical field.

We demonstrate the successful use of Eu³⁺-activated core–shell–shell nanoprobes for in vitro upconverting/downshifting luminescent detection of a cancer biomarker of alpha-fetoprotein.

The sequence of the virulence factor LecB differs significantly between the evolutionarily diverged PAO1- or PA14-like strains and can serve as marker for strain classification. Despite these variations, its comparable ligand selectivity makes LecB a highly promising target for anti-virulence therapy.

Comprehensive Multiphase NMR provides an overview as to all components (liquids, gels, solids) in a living organism.

We show that two distinct mechanisms, FRET and MEF, of metallic nanoparticles can be finely tuned by a ligand–receptor interaction, producing a nanocomposite with an enhanced ROS production for targeted imaging and multimodal therapy.

A quadrupolar two-photon fluorescent probe for in vivo imaging of amyloid-β plaques is reported.

The efficacy of DOX·HCl against drug resistant human breast cancer cells is enhanced in the presence of a water-soluble pillar[6]arene (WP6) due to the inhibition of ATP hydrolysis upon formation of WP6⊃ATP in cells, providing a novel strategy to overcome multidrug resistance.

In this manuscript, we describe modification of Cys-residues in peptides and proteins in aqueous solvents via aromatic nucleophilic substitution (S_NAr) with perfluoroarenes (fAr).

Structure-based design and syntheses of potent and highly selective BACE2 inhibitors are described.

An activatable graphene-based nanoprobe is used to develop a multicolor immunosorbent assay for the detection of tumor protein biomarkers.

Here we integrate diagnostic and therapeutic agents into a mitochondria-targeting [2]rotaxane, which can be utilized as a drug delivery platform to conjugate anticancer drugs to prepare prodrugs for efficient targeted drug delivery.

We describe a protocol for preparing very stable air-in-oil foams containing surfactant crystals starting from a one-phase solution of a fatty acid in a vegetable oil. On cooling, plate-like crystals form which adsorb at air bubble surfaces after aeration of the mixture. Such foams can be destabilised by gradual warming leading to crystal melting and bubble coalescence.

G-quadruplex groove binder benzo[d,e]isoquinoline was linked to a Ir(III) complex to generate a highly selective DNA probe.

We report a standardized complex molecule diagnostic approach using collections of relevant drug-like molecules which we call chemistry informer libraries.

A conceptual design for artificial antimicrobial viruses is described.

A probe for the in situ monitoring of singlet oxygen generation during targeted theranostic photodynamic therapy is developed based on a photosensitizer with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics and conjugated to a fluorogenic rhodol dye via a singlet oxygen cleavable linker.

A selective quenched activity-based probe detects caspase-3 activity in the endoplasmic reticulum of cancerous cells during apoptosis.

The rise of hospital-acquired infections, also known as nosocomial infections, is a growing concern in intensive healthcare, causing the death of hundreds of thousands of patients and costing billions of dollars worldwide every year.

Ferrocenylated-Au(I) carbenes were designed, synthesized, and studied for their ability to generate reactive oxygen species and target antioxidant pathways via multiple mechanisms.

Oxidation of a protein cysteine thiol to sulfenic acid, termed S-sulfenylation, is a reversible post-translational modification that plays a crucial role in regulating protein function and is correlated with disease states.

Free energy calculations based on molecular dynamics and thermodynamic cycles accurately reproduce experimental affinities of diverse bromodomain inhibitors.

Fully synthetic, self-adjuvanting monophosphoryl lipid A–globo H conjugate elicited strong T cell-mediated immunity that could target and kill breast cancer.

DNA-encoded dynamic libraries (DEDLs) are realized by dynamic DNA hybridization and a novel equilibrium-locking mechanism.

We report a DNA walking biosensor that can realize the detection of let-7a with a detection limit of 58 fM and high selectivity for resolving one nucleotide variation.

A single microbead-based sensing platform has been developed, which enables the detection of microRNA at the single-molecule level.

An ultrasensitive Mo-doped BiVO₄ composite was used to engineer a photoelectrochemical platform for the direct analysis of the global antioxidant capacity. Using this principle, an integrated device was successfully exploited for the “smart” monitoring of antioxidant-rich foodstuffs.

A protein-based fluorescence and magnetic resonance bimodal imaging probe was explored in vitro, in cells and in mice.

7-Aminocoumarin compound was synthesized and used as phototrigger to cage EpCAM-antibody to construct a photocontrolled CTCs capture and release system.

We report the incorporation of functionalised carbon nanodots within a low molecular weight salt hydrogel enhancing the gelation and fluorescence properties of both the gel and carbon nanomaterial.

The radical-trapping antioxidant (RTA) activities of allicin and petivericin, thiosulfinates widely believed responsible for the medicinal properties of garlic and Petiveria, were determined in phosphatidylcholine lipid bilayers and mammalian cell culture.

A dynamic holographic assembler was used to “paintball” stem cells with coacervate microdroplets loaded with protein, oligonucleotide or molecular dye.

This is the first report of a metal complex that targets the BRD4-acylated histone protein-protein interaction (PPI).

We report the rational design and photodynamic anticancer mechanism studies of iridium(III) complexes with pH-responsive singlet oxygen (¹O₂) production and lysosome-specific imaging properties.

A supramolecular nanovehicle (denoted as SNV) was fabricated by encapsulating zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) and doxorubicin (DOX) into a copolymer (PVP-b-PAA-g-FA), so as to achieve systematic and targeted tumor imaging and therapy.

Heterometallic compounds as anticancer agents demonstrating in vivo potential for the first time. Titanocene–gold derivatives: promising candidates for renal cancer.

An inhibitor of ubiquitin activating E1 enzyme inhibits ubiquitin conjugation and aggresome formation.

A hierarchical bottom-up route exploiting reversible covalent interactions with boronic acids and so-called click chemistry for selective glycoprotein detection is described. The self-assembled and imprinted surfaces confer high binding affinities, nanomolar sensitivity, exceptional glycoprotein specificity and selectivity.

HOCl can appear in the mitochondria of macrophages during bacterial infection as revealed by a new sensitive mitochondrial-targeting fluorescent probe.

New antibiotics are required to treat bacterial infections and counteract the emergence of antibiotic resistance.

Convergent chemo-enzymatic synthesis of mannosylated glycopeptides enhances uptake by human antigen presenting cells whilst preserving the immunogenicity of peptide epitopes.

Mitochondria-targeted AIE photosensitizers show multifunctions of targeted and image-guided combination chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy.

A novel luminescent G-quadruplex-selective iridium(III) complex was employed in a G-quadruplex-based detection assay for PTK7.

pH-responsive DNA hydrogels based on Hoogsteen CG·C⁺ or TA·T triplex structures undergo reversible pH-induced hydrogel/solution transitions.

Supramolecularly engineered phospholipids and liposomes based on complementary hydrogen bonding of nucleosides have been developed.

A plasmon-enhanced Raman spectroscopic assay has been developed for multiplexed detection of breast cancer markers—with high sensitivity and exquisite specificity, offering the potential of evaluating the breast cancer burden accurately.

In this article we describe a new class of high-density optical microarrays based on molecularly imprinted microsphere sensors that directly incorporate specific recognition capabilities to detect enrofloxacin (ENRO), an antibiotic widely used for both human and veterinary applications.

Hyperthermia used as an adjuvant with chemotherapy is highly promising in the treatment of certain cancers.

The first small-molecular ratiometric pH sensor with mitochondria targeting ability was constructed. With this sensor, the stimulated pH_m fluctuation in MCF-7 cells was monitored via both fluorescence confocal microscopy and flow cytometry.

We fabricate artificial antibodies based on imprinting technology and develop a sandwich ELISA for pathogen detection.

The development of mechanically interlocked molecular systems programmed to operate autonomously in biological environments is an emerging field of research with potential medicinal applications.

By employing a dual response approach, distinguishable fluorescence signals are initiated by GSH-mediated and Cys/Hcy-induced cascade reactions, thus allowing selective detection.

The RAPTA pharmacophore was linked to beads to identify its biomolecular targets in cancer cells.

An oligoamide helix mimicking foldamer with well-defined conformation is shown to recognize its target protein hDM2 in a manner that depends upon the composition, spatial projection and stereochemistry of functional groups appended to the scaffold.

A novel luminescent G-quadruplex-selective iridium(III) complex was employed in a label-free G-quadruplex-based detection assay for hepatitis C virus NS3 helicase activity.

An in vivo chemical tool designed to target metal−Aβ complexes and modulate their activity was applied to the 5XFAD mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) demonstrating the involvement of metal−Aβ in AD pathology.

A new method enables optical selection of one or more cells in culture via photochemical crosslinking to the culture dish.

Dynamic tracking of pathogenic receptor expression with live cells is made possible by pyrenyl glycoanthraquinones decorated on graphene electrodes.

Fluorescent/phosphorescent dual-emissive conjugated polymer dots were designed and synthesized, ere used for tumor hypoxia sensing via ratiometric imaging and photoluminescence lifetime imaging.

Mechanized monodisperse nano metal–organic frameworks (NMOFs) gated by carboxylatopillar[5]arene (CP5) switches with bio-friendly pH-triggered release capabilities were constructed for the first time as a new stimuli-responsive theranostic hybrid platform.

We described perfluorocarbon encapsulated in mesoporous silica nanoparticles which enabled dual modal imaging (NIR/¹⁹F MRI) and drug delivery.

MR/UCL bimodal imaging guided intranuclear radiosensitization was firstly achieved by an intelligent nuclear-targeting nanotheranostic system.

This report describes a novel strategy for delivery of adamantyl-functionalized payloads using a supramolecular system, with a focus on Pt(IV) prodrugs.

Kinetically selective inhibitors of HDAC2 enhanced learning and memory in a CK-p25 mouse model of neurodegeneration.

A visible light-degradable polymer allows on-demand in vivo photorelease of encapsulated dexamethasone from a subcutaneously implanted particle depot.

Highly branched vinyl polymers (hyperbranched polydendrons), displaying combinations of dendritic and PEG end groups, have been synthesised using a mixed initiator approach. Nanoprecipitated polydendron particles have exhibited controlled permeation through a gut epithelium model.