Themed collection Journal of Materials Chemistry B HOT Papers

Sex differences in biology are observed at multiple different length scales and across organ systems.

This review mainly summarizes the research progress of cell membrane extraction and coating technology, with an emphasis on the treatment of cancer with cell membrane-engineered nanoparticles from various sources.

This review summarizes the development of reduction-responsive disulfide-crosslinked PCys²-based nanoparticles through one-pot polymerization, post-polymerization modification, and post-polymerization self-assembly for biomedical applications.

This review provides the recent progress, intrinsic interactions between structures and bioactive performances, current limitations and future directions of bioactive hydrogels based on polysaccharides and peptides for soft tissue wound management.

This review focuses on the recent advances in hydrogels for the 3D culture of MSCs and the current/potential applications of 3D hydrogel culture systems, providing preliminary tips for designing hydrogel culture systems with special properties.

We developed enzyme-powered UCNP-functionalized Janus micromotors. These micromotors display efficient motion in urine powered by biocatalytic decomposition of uric acid and simultaneously detect uric acid based on the luminescence quenching effect.

Cowpea mosaic virus adjuvants bind to irradiated cancer cells (ICCs) – the co-delivery of ICCs (the antigen) and CPMV (the adjuvant) demonstrates potent efficacy as a vaccine that protects mice from ovarian tumor challenge.

Herein, we reported a novel photoelectrochemical immunoassay method based on a target-triggered on/off signal of the ultra-structured Bi₂O₂S (BOS) photoanode system for the sensitive testing of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in serum samples.

A poly-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate functionalized biological heart valve with enhanced biocompatibility, antithrombogenicity and anticalcification property.

We construct a phos-tag-directed self-assembled fluorescent magnetobiosensor to simultaneously detect multiple protein kinases with good selectivity and high sensitivity.

An amino acid based- supramolecular nanomedicine is constructed based on multicomponent coordination self-assembly for tumor cascade- activated and -amplified synergetic catalytic-chemotherapy, which achieved efficient tumor growth suppression.

Multifunctional ultrasmall Au nanodots-loaded perfluorocarbon nanodroplets (Au-PFCnDs) were prepared for enhanced tumor ablation therapy via a facile laser-focused ultrasound sequence irradiation (LFSI) method.

A new class of conjugated/nonconjugated alternating copolymers is reported by introducing nonconjugated linkers into a conjugated backbone. This newly developed CNACPs is prepared for NIR-II FI-guided NIR-II PTT/ferrotherapy synergistic therapy.

A sheet-like silica-based hemostatic dressing with an asymmetrical Janus structure was prepared, which has biological safety. Both sides of the Janus material play two aspects of rapid hemostasis and efficient antibacterial activity independently.

A bioinspired double network hydrogel scaffold (GCS) loaded with curcumin and N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) was prepared. This cyto-favorable hydrogel could prevent renal fibrosis, promote renal injury repair and renal regeneration.

A multifunctional hydrogel comprising covalent reversibly cross-linked PHEMAA and available deformable casein micelles was developed integrating high stretchability, toughness, low hysteresis, self-healing and adhesion into a system simultaneously.

Phosphonium functionalized diblock copolymers are prepared through the RAFT PISA method which creates nano-assemblies with various special micromorphology and presents fabulous antibacterial activity in relation to the polymer structure.

Intracellular cysteine depletion induced by a COF-based click photoreaction achieves effective cancer therapy by ferroptosis.

Hollow mesoporous CuO nanozyme with GSH-depletion enhanced the enzyme catalytic activity for photothermal-assisted bacterial killing.

CD-based ratiometric fluorescence probes are of great significance for visual detection, but accomplishing this goal is still a particularly challenging task.

The mechanically robust estradiol-loaded PHM_H-Si hydrogel could not only release estradiol sustainably and locally but also be a mechanically robust and stable barrier in the uterine cavity, which may be a novel and effective treatment for IUAs.

A keratin-thiobenzoic acid conjugate (KTC) was synthesized and incorporated with PU and gelatin to fabricate nanofibrous mats. These mats were capable of releasing H₂S in a sustained way, which could increase the antioxidant ability and wound healing effect prominently.

A multifunctional nanoreactor (GOx@Cu-ZIF-8) with nutrient consumption, reactive oxygen species generation, and angiogenesis capabilities was constructed by the encapsulation of GOx into Cu²⁺-doped ZIF-8 for antibacterial and skin wound repair.

A smart surface was prepared by non-covalently coating of a thermoresponsive copolymer via a simple drop-casting method. The smart surface was conducive to cell culture, from which intact cell sheets could be effectively detached by cooling.

An anti-proliferative drug was conjugated into bulk material via Schiff base bond to construct a pH-responsive drug-eluting IOL. The pH-responsive drug-eluting IOL can effectively prevent posterior capsular opacification after implantation.

The synergistic strategy of sulfonated, oxidized pectin and quercetin can enhance the BVLs’ mechanical properties and also endow BVLs with excellent hemocompatibility, anti-inflammatory, anti-calcification, and pro-endothelialization.

The mortality rate of pneumonia increases significantly with the prolongation of illness.

DOX@CREKA/tPA–HP modulates tumor mechanical properties by decomposing intratumoral fibrin, thereby decompressing tumor blood vessels, facilitating drug delivery, and augmenting antitumor effect.

We constructed a biosensor for detecting E. coli using a 3D graphene aerogel as the detection substrate. The detection limit of E. coli can be as low as 10 cfu mL⁻¹.

Asymmetric silica nanoparticles featuring a unique head–tail morphology are engineered for efficient gene transfection with the impact of particle tail length on DNA delivery studied, guiding rational design of asymmetric non-viral gene vectors.

The superhydrophilic nanocomposite G@mSiO₂@PEI-PFIL-Ti⁴⁺ can be use as a platform to enrich phosphopeptides in ultralow abundance from real complicated bio-samples for a phosphoproteomic study.

A facile stabilization strategy for silver nanoparticles is developed for an antibacterial and injectable hydrogel to promote wound healing.

A novel joint chemo/photothermal/chemodynamic therapy was developed using a pH/GSH/photo triple-responsive 2D-covalent organic framework (Di-Se-Por) as a drug carrier for the passive target treatment of tumors with extraordinarily high efficiency.

The micropit/nanopore surface constructed on titanium displays the ability to polarize macrophages to the pro-healing M2 phenotype.

The illustration of PPT and PDT of FRuNPs and their phototherapy procedure in vitro and in vivo.

We rationally construct a biofilm microenvironment-responsive bactericidal nanoplatform (ZnPMp) consisting of ZnO core, a Fe³⁺-doped polydopamine coating and methylene blue (MB) payload for combined CT/CDT/PTT/PDT multi-mode antibacterial therapy.

Neutrobots carrying antitumor drugs facilitate considerable safety in vivo upon intravenous administration with high dose.

Polyurethane (PU) prepared by blending rosin base and CO₂-polyol already has good mechanical properties and hydrophobic effect and has powerful benefits in acid and alkali resistance and salt resistance.

Inspired by silkworm spinning, we fabricated silk fibroin-hydroxyapatite self-assembling and dense nanostructures composite scaffolds for bone regeneration by 3D printing, and the maximum compressive strength of the scaffold reaches up to 166 MPa.

We fabricated microfluidic dispensing devices, which can give the solution of different flow rates, successfully acquiring multivariate data on the adsorption capacity for protein imprinting hydrogels.

Benefiting from the synergistic effect of dull template imprinting and electrostatic interaction, the artificial antibody can capture exosomes from biofluids.

As a special type of biomass, herbal medicine often contains a variety of biologically active substances, and taking it as carbon source, it is expected to produce various types of biologically functional carbon dots (CDs). In addition, glycine is helpful to the efficient synthesis of herbal CDs.

A novel integrated nanozyme (FeMo₆@CeO₂) is synthesized. It was found that the effect on the substrate adsorption capacity due to specific surface area was more significant than active site exposure for cascade mimetic enzyme activity.

The synthesis of tough hydrogels based on metal coordination between Cu²⁺ and a phosphorus-containing cationic polyelectrolyte for wound dressing is reported, exhibiting excellent anti-bacterial performance and biocompatibility.

A copper nanomedicine shows the glutathione-resistant anticancer effect and reverses cisplatin chemotherapy resistance in non-small-cell lung cancer by cuproptosis.

An optical glucose biosensor was fabricated by tailoring a thermoresponsive membrane to house an oxygen-sensitive, phosphorescence lifetime glucose sensing assay. Silicone microparticles enhanced oxygen permeability, yielding a biosensor with an sensitivity range of 100 to 300 mg dL⁻¹.

Three effects govern SELP's thermo- and ion-responsiveness to external stimuli: (1) each chain's inverse temperature transition, (2) intrachain geometry restraints due to aggregation, and (3) intermolecular electrostatic interactions.

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based hydrogels as highly promising 3D cell scaffolds have been widely implemented in tissue regeneration, yet the functionalized PEG hydrogel providing dynamic, cell-instructive microenvironments is difficult to obtain.

A novel remote light-controlled nanoformulation based on cell membrane repair protein was developed to achieve scarless healing of diabetic wounds.

The introduction of arginine improved the hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility of PP and reduced its calcification, offering a potential option for BHV fabrication in the future.

PgC₃Mg metal–organic cages functionalized GelMA hydrogel with enhanced bioactive and ROS scavenging capabilities. The multifunctional GelMA/PgC₃Mg hydrogel can promote osteogenesis in vitro and in vivo.

This study systematically verified that magnetic hyperthermia (MH) with intracellular heating can induce genuine immunogenic tumor cell death for effective antitumor therapy, while exogenous heating fails to elicit this effect.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic and spontaneous inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, and has been associated with an improved level of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

An injectable hydrogel with the potential for synergistic photothermal–chemotherapy was developed from an anticancer peptide.

A cationic BODIPY photosensitizer decorated with quaternary ammonium has been prepared that exhibits excellent photodynamic antibacterial effects.

Cadherins are widely expressed in mammalian cells. By regulating the expression of different subtypes of cadherin and regulating the proportion of added cells, three-dimensional cell assemblies with special structures were assembled.

The chemotherapy is perplexed by the unsatisfied efficacy due to the GSH-induced detoxification. The SPSAs reported in this study could not only consume GSH but also reduce GSH biosynthesis pathway, paving a novel way to enhance therapeutic efficacy.

Polythiophene (PT10), a cationic polymer, exhibited both broad-spectrum photo-antimicrobial activity (Gram positive, Gram negative, Fungal, and cyano-bacteria) and broad pH responsiveness (constant ¹O₂ generation at pH 2-13).

Photothermal composite scaffolds of doxorubicin-encapsulated thermosensitive liposomes, gold nanorods, gelatin and polyglutamic acid have synergistic anticancer effects of PTT and chemotherapy to eliminate breast cancer cells.

Au₂₅ nanoclusters as a self-therapeutic nanodrug significantly modulated macrophage polarization from M1 to M2 and could act as an inhibitor of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), which induced ROS-mediated FLS apoptosis by breaking redox homeostasis.

This work sheds light on the construction of a copper nanocluster/MnO₂ nanosheet based fluorescent platform for butyrylcholinesterase sensing and inhibitor screening.

A rational design of a cascaded circuit is presented, effectively eliminating leakage, purification and reducing assembly time for application.

Long acting release of the water soluble nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor emtricitabine (FTC) has been demonstrated in vitro through polymer formation using FTC as a monomer, and forming implants made of the drug containing polymer.

A triblock polypeptide is synthesized and dual crosslinking PTA hydrogels are constructed. The hydrogels exhibit good shear-thinning and self-healing properties, as well as exhibit better stability due to increased crosslinking density.

Supramolecular organic frameworks have been utilized to conjugate aldoxorubicin to give polymeric prodrugs, which achieves enhanced anti-tumour activity through the delivery of the frameworks.

The influences of viscosities of culture media on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells are investigated by controlling cell morphology with micropatterned surfaces.

An effective platform for chemophotothermal therapy based on a polyacrylamide/phytic acid/polydopamine hydrogel was constructed and applied to tumor treatment with its highly efficient drug loading and photothermal heating properties.

Pt-lipid coated probiotics have better resistance to the harsh environment of the gastrointestinal tract, improving the homeostasis of the intestinal epithelial barrier and offering considerable potential for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

The lanthanide-doped nanoparticles with upconversion and NIR-II downconversion dual-mode emissions were coated with copper and manganese silicate nanospheres and modified with sodium alginate for NIR-II imaging and dynamic therapy.

Versatile metal–organic frameworks were designed as a self-controlled catalyst for the denitrosylation of S-nitrosothiols and an indicator of nitric oxide in living cells.