Themed collection Journal of Materials Chemistry B HOT Papers

AKI is a life-threatening clinical syndrome characterized by metabolic imbalance in the PTCs, including ATP loss, NAD+ deficiency and NADPH depletion. Current therapies fail to address this multi-target metabolic disorder.

Schematic diagram of NIR-II fluorescent classification. Combination image of clinical medical application, NIR-II imaging system and multimodal imaging.

Inorganic nanomaterials offer a broader biomedical application landscape for bacterial therapy.

Genetic engineering reprograms bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) into modular bionanoplatforms. Surface, cargo, and membrane engineering empower these engineered OMVs for cancer immunotherapy, vaccines, targeted delivery, and diagnostics.

Periodontitis affects nearly 50% of the global population.

Electrospun conductive wound dressings enable localized electrical stimulation at the injury site, promoting antibacterial activity and enhancing tissue regeneration. This strategy accelerates chronic wound healing by restoring bioelectrical signalling and improving cellular responses.

Smart natural polymer-based hydrogels integrate real-time wound monitoring with stimuli-responsive therapy, enabling adaptive regulation of the wound microenvironment for intelligent and personalized chronic wound care.

This review integrates structural classification with therapeutic functions of self-assembled hydrogels, offering a perspective that advances beyond existing surveys and underscores their potential as innovative strategies for effective wound repair.

An integrated framework combines mechanistic insights, structure–activity–toxicity relationships, and machine-learning optimization to design and screen antimicrobial ionic liquids with balanced efficacy and reduced toxicity.

This review highlights the recent advances in functional nanoplatforms designed to regulate metabolism at tumor sites and effectively sensitize tumors to various treatments.

The chemical structure, antibacterial mechanisms, design principles, and controlled methods of CORMs, and the methods for detecting CO.

This review highlights the application and the AIE-sensing mechanism of AIEgens in ophthalmic diseases.

Multifunctional graphene oxide nanoplatform for antiviral potency, biosensing, personal protective textiles, face masks, and vaccine delivery.

From the perspective of engineering strategies to enhance radiosensitization, this review focuses on recent progress of bismuth-based nanoradiosensitizers, summarizing their radiosensitization mechanism, biosafety, and biomedical applications.

The utilization of 'click' chemistry provides an effective approach for fabricating ligand appended polymeric micelle-based targeted drug delivery systems.

A CB[7]-mediated upconversion nanoplatform co-delivers the aptamer complex AS1411-C15/Hemin and photosensitizer porphyrin to achieve a cascade reaction for enhanced photodynamic therapy.

Rechargeable N–Cl bonds enable contact-killing and anti-adhesion on modified polyurethane surfaces.

Synthesis and application of sprayable hydrogel dressings.

A novel lucigenin@PS-COOH nanoplatform is developed for cTnT detection, featuring exceptional stability and biocompatibility. This robust immunosensing system offers a high-performance pathway for the early diagnosis of cardiac events.

Supramolecular peptide assemblies generally rely on ionic groups for solubility in aqueous media but charge may sometimes affect their biological functions.

Cell adhesion, migration, and separation are dictated by mechanosensing substrates exhibiting gradient viscoelasticities.

A series of fluorescent asymmetrical BFPh-bridged boranil derivatives were synthesized. They exhibit strong solid state emission, near-unity quantum yields in solution, and potential for cellular lipid droplet imaging.

Substrate-directed in situ nano-ZnP deposition by demineralized dentin reduces interface-confined water to enhance hydrophobic monomer infiltration and inhibits proteolytic enzyme activity, thereby improving hybrid-layer durability.

Infected diabetic wounds, particularly those complicated by multidrug-resistant bacteria, pose a significant clinical challenge due to the limited efficacy of conventional debridement and antibiotic therapies.

Linker chemistry governs the solid-state fate of lipidated dexamethasone prodrugs. A gem-dimethyl-constrained ketal linker promotes rigid, directional H-bond crystalline assembly, whereas the ester linker leads to amorphous aggregation.

MFSE exerts a synergistic therapeutic effect on both primary and distant tumors via enhanced photothermal therapy and saikosaponin D.

HPC NPs with dual enzymatic activities exert dual therapeutic effects of self-oxygenating PDT and CDT. During treatment, HPC NPs monitor ¹O₂ concentration in real time to guide the therapeutic process.

We developed a functionally graded bilayer polyurethane sponge that sequentially provides hemostasis, synergistic antibacterial/anti-oxidant activity, and pro-angiogenic effects for full-cycle repair of infected wounds.

After demineralization, jiangjunjia scales used as collagen scaffolds retain their Bouligand structure and internal collagen fiber morphology. After remineralization, they exhibit excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility.

This work reports a non-leaching antibacterial TPU strategy via quaternized polyethyleneimine (QPEI). The catheters show broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, good biocompatibility, and effective in vitro and in vivo anti-infection performance.

A PB@PAA-CaO₂@PDA platform integrating calcium release, drug loading, and photothermal conversion was facilely constructed, enabling efficient antitumor efficacy through synergistic calcium overload/photothermal/chemotherapy.

Mg²⁺-regulated directional assembly of enamel-like fluorapatite nanoarrays, reinforced by Mg²⁺-rich amorphous intergranular phases, enables rapid fabrication under ambient conditions while achieving outstanding mechanical robustness.

A multifunctional hydrogel (PGA-TA) with antioxidant and thermoresponsive contraction properties was synthesized. N-Isopropylacrylamide and acrylic acid were copolymerized with guar gum via redox-initiated polymerization to form a semi-interpenetrating network, followed by tannic acid incorporation.

Microvalve DOD printing enables precise DHA1-loaded PLGA-PEG coatings on titanium, preventing S. aureus biofilms, providing sustained 24 h antimicrobial activity, and maintaining high cytocompatibility for infection-resistant orthopedic implants.

The CPTCu patch, tailored for tongue wound applications, provides dynamic wound protection while reducing scarring and enhancing vascular and muscular regeneration.

A hybridization of diatomite biosilica and chitosan-coated cationic nanostructured lipid carriers enables sustained and pH-responsive release of doxorubicin targeted to the tumor microenvironment.

NIR-activated IFHFC nanoparticles enable NIR-I/NIR-II imaging and dual oxygenation (CAT-catalyzed O₂ generation and PFH O₂ release), relieving hypoxia and boosting ROS for enhanced PDT.

Intramolecular π–π interactions are harnessed to enhance intersystem crossing efficiency without aggregation, resulting in a highly effective photosensitizer for hepatocellular carcinoma.

A high-throughput graphene oxide-based fluorescence assay enables real-time monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 RdRp activity and rapid antiviral screening. Using this platform, we identify fingolimod as an RdRp inhibitor with validated antiviral effects.

Illustration of the traumatic brain injury rat model and implantation of the thiolated devitalized tendon (TDVT) hydrogel delivering PLGA microspheres releasing bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2.

ORN@Se-HAMA hydrogel enables NIR-triggered oxygen release via PDA layer on CaO₂/CAT core. Combined Se NPs and photothermal effect achieve dual antibacterial action and metabolic reprogramming for accelerated diabetic wound healing.

TSP-1 nanoparticles and VEGF nanoparticles loaded into granular hydrogel MAP scaffolds demonstrate increased synapse formation after ischemic stroke.

Glucose-modified pillar[5]arene self-assembled into a biocompatible phage-inspired carrier with ciprofloxacin to double the inhibitory effect on a K. pneumoniae strain with increased resistance.

Gram-negative bacterial samples were electrochemically detected using a toll-like receptor immobilised onto a g-C₃N₄/CD composite in a low-cost and disposable manner.

A highly efficient protocol was developed to fabricate core–shell nanoparticles. The pH-responsive core–shell architecture enables spatiotemporal hierarchical targeting for concurrent drug delivery and multi-mechanistic synergy.

Polymeric nanomicelles are designed for nuclear delivery of molecular sonosensitizers with 4 times enhanced therapeutic performance under ultrasound exposure.

IrOx@HMME-HSA integrates GSH-depletion-driven ferroptosis with SDT-assisted thermoresistance alleviation, where Ir(IV) regulates the system Xc⁻–GSH–GPX4 axis and HMME-generated ROS amplifies lipid peroxidation for synergistic tumor therapy.

Surface modification with ionizable lipids leads to the differential cellular distribution between liposomes and silicasomes in the liver.

The development of multifunctional chitosan-based hydrogels for wound healing often relies on complex compositions or external initiators, which can limit their clinical applicability.

This study designed a dual-layered PUF-PG-MA mesh for breast reconstruction by integrating shape-memory foam with antibacterial nanofibers, thereby significantly reducing infection, inflammation, and capsular contracture.

Schematic diagram of this study: Injectable P24–Si-CaP/GelMA composite hydrogel enhances bone formation in SD skull defect model in SD rats.

ROS-responsive heparin nanogels enable targeted ofloxacin release to prevent prosthetic valve endocarditis, offering anticoagulant, antibacterial, and anti-calcification properties.

A wash-free, self-assembling ¹⁸F-radiolabeled Bodipy dye enables in vivo cell tracking via positron emission tomography/fluorescence dual-modality imaging for applications like monitoring cancer metastasis and stroke.

Zwitterionic PCTA derivatives form highly stable Gd(III) complexes with high relaxivity and favorable biodistribution in vivo. They are promising candidates for the development of next-generation contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Photo-induced anti-bacterial activity of an organic–inorganic heterostructure empowers healing of infected wounds.

Longer-chain polyelectrolyte immunostimulants are favoured in interactions with proteins and cells. Lower protein-complexation entropy penalty, superior antigen presentation and immune cell activation explain their higher in vivo potency.

The biomimetic composite provides both immediate and sustained mechanical stability and long-term osseointegration in repairing large bone defect, while supporting longitudinal bone ingrowth, achieving stable bony bridging and functional restoration.

A BF₂-bridged J-aggregate on the D–A conjugated oligomer CH-1 was designed for in vivo NIR-II imaging-guided tumour theranostics under 808 nm laser illumination.

Seeing is believing: visualizing intracellular lipids throughout mitosis by non-covalent migratory fluorescence labelling with a small molecule BF₂-azadipyrromethene fluorophore.