Themed collection 2016 Journal of Materials Chemistry B Hot Papers

The field of microneedle sensors is reviewed discussing current trends and future applications.

This review discusses existing and emerging polymeric nanofiber fabrication techniques, fiber surface modification via post-processing, and their combined effects on cell adhesion, proliferation, and migration.

We reviewed heterotypic supramolecular hydrogels containing more than one component to illustrate their promise as soft biomaterials.

Pluripotent stem cell derived liver cells (hepatocytes) represent a promising alternative to primary tissue for biological and clinical applications.

Various technologies have been developed to increase oxygen delivery in vivo and enhance the effectiveness of tissue engineering strategies. The article provides an overview of the underlying mechanisms driving these technologies.

Living organisms are skilful innovators and fabricators of materials, driven by the forces of evolution. We describe the translation process between natural material innovations and human tissue engineering.

Nanostructure-based SERS platforms have been developed for nucleic acid and protein detection ranging from label-free, labeled and multiplex analyses.

Composite hydrogels with both in-plane and out-of-plane structural gradient are fabricated by multi-step photolithography and exhibit programmed deformations and shape transformations under stimulation.

Hybrid hydrogels based on a guanidinium-containing oligopeptide are prepared via dual-enzyme-triggered reactions. An extended time window is available for in situ viscosity-controlled 3D printing.

Calcium carbonate/folate porous hollow spheres were prepared in a facile manner and used for the targeted delivery and pH-responsive sustained release of anticancer drugs.

The reaction of salicylhydroxamic acid with hypochlorite produces 1,2-benzisoxazoline-3-one, a heterocycle that contains a fluorophore.

Ultrasensitive ELISA⁺ assay has been developed with a 2000 times enhancement of detection sensitivity compared to the commercial ELISA kit in serum.

Described herein are Cu/Cu₂O nanohybrids prepared via potential oscillation, and their high performance for nonenzymatic glucose detection applications.

One-dimensional DNA polymer chains were obtained based on the catalyzed hairpin assembly and sticky end self-assembly, which led to a signal amplified colorimetric nucleic acid assay.

Labeling smart PEG–dendron hybrids with fluorine-containing groups transform their micelles into enzyme-responsive probes for ¹⁹F-magnetic resonance.

Cobalt disulfide nanowires are synthesized in solution using a facile two-step hydrothermal method for the first time and applied as an effective sensing platform for nucleic acid detection.

To regulate antibiotic treatments, the first visible three-mode antibiotic switch with residual removable characteristics was realized in this report.

New N-dots for the sensitive and selective detection of Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺ without surface modifications.

A novel theranostic nanocomposite was assembled by a stepwise modification of rare-earth oxide nanoparticles; both the photothermal and photodynamic therapy effects are enhanced due to the effective light protection of a two-photon sensitized Eu³⁺ complex.

A novel near-infrared emission triphenylamine-BODIPY dendron for Hg²⁺ and Fe³⁺ detection, fluorescent nanoparticle and living cell imaging.

A multifunctional poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based solid implant was constructed within a tumor for highly efficient HIFU-responsive tumor surgery and chemotherapy.

Hyaluronate-alendronate/BMP-2 nanoparticles were inserted into Gel/Chi multilayers on Ti6Al7Nb for enhancing BMP-2 stability and promoting local osteogenesis under osteoporosis.

Herein the optimization of the physicochemical properties and surface biocompatibility of polyelectrolyte multilayers of the natural, biocompatible and biodegradable, linear polysaccharides hyaluronan and chitosan by Hofmeister anions was systematically investigated.

Chemically crosslinking GOa and CNTpega followed by in situ reduction fabricated a conductive rGOa–CNTpega–OPF hydrogel that strongly stimulated neurite growth.

A multicomponent nanocomplex generated by hyaluronan-based biomineralization was successfully employed to combat ABCG2-mediated multidrug resistance.

CeVO₄ nanorods were developed as novel, simple and highly sensitive biomimetic catalysts and used for colorimetric detection of H₂O₂.

We describe a new approach to form hydrogels of ionotropic polymers using competitive displacement of chelated ions. This strategy enables control of ion release kinetics within an aqueous polymer solution and thus control over gelation kinetics across a wide range of pH.

Covalent functionalization of graphene oxide with a suitable NO photodonor leads to a nanohybrid material that releases NO under visible light and has potential applications in biomedical research.

Significant efforts have been made to develop very tough hydrogels at both swelling and as-prepared states towards many scientific and industrial applications.

A gold nanostar based multi-functional tumor-targeting nanoplatform (DOX/GNSTs–PEG/PEI–FA) for tumor theranostic applications.

This paper shows that reducing the dose of silver, additionally conferring electron transfer potential, could simultaneously achieve good biocompatibility and strong bactericidal ability without introducing extra chemical residuals for chronic wound treatment.

Gelatin/Fe₃O₄ composite scaffolds with controlled pore structures were prepared by a facile ice particulate templating method and they showed great potential for near-infrared photothermal cancer therapy.

The development of biocompatible hydrogels that possess adequate elasticity and toughness to withstand mechanically active environments, remains a significant challenge for tissue engineering applications. In this study, a family of silk-based double network hydrogels have been fabricated that display elasticity closer to native cartilage.

A robust double-network (DN) hydrogel fabricated by a one-pot, one-step reaction is reported.

Dual responsive mesoporous silica nanoparticles integrating stepwise tumor targeting and co-delivery of multiple anticancer drugs were developed to attenuate the drug resistance of cancer cells.

To effectively expand human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in vitro without affecting their innate biological properties, a fusion protein (hE-cad-Fc) was fabricated and used as a biomimetic matrix for MSC culture surface modification.

An injectable strontium ranelate nanoparticle-loaded composite gel provides a required environment for chondrogenesis, supplemented with the controlled release of strontium ranelate.

A one-pot strategy has been developed for the preparation of stimuli responsive AIE active glucan through formation of a dynamic Schiff base and a phenyl borate.

A smart drug delivery system based on thermo-sensitive molecule was designed. When exposed to near infrared (NIR) light, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles transfer the light to heat rapidly, leading to the cleavage of the Azo linker and the release of DOX.

Gold nanomaterials were synthesized via a facile and green method, using soy protein isolate as reductant, template, and capping agent.

Micromolded gelatin can be used to engineer laminar human myocardium on microelectrode array chips for electrophysiological studies and drug testing.

Alginate microbeads incorporating adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have potential for delivering viable cells capable of facilitating tissue regeneration.

A pH- and redox-sensitive “stealthy” chitosan/mesoporous silica nanoparticle-based complex system is prepared for tumor-triggered intracellular drug release.

A small library of Irinotecan-fatty acid prodrugs which can self-assemble into different nanostructures is constructed to achieve enhanced cytotoxicity.

Control over the morphology and chemical composition of hydroxyapatite (HAp) bioceramic scaffolds is of great importance for their applications.

We synthesized novel sodium alginate sulfates (SASs) with different sulfation degrees. All the SASs, DA-g-SASs, and coated substrates had good anticoagulant properties and biocompatibilit.

A series of self-assembled mixed micelles composed of TPGS and Pluronics were fabricated and their cellular uptake and exocytosis behaviors were studied in 2D cell and 3D tumor spheroid models.

We demonstrate an approach to fabricate microgels from self-assembled peptide nanofibers via desolvation. Proteins can be co-desolvated with nanofibers to create protein-loaded microgels. Modifying nanofibers with a protein-binding ligand provides tunable affinity-controlled protein release.

Novel amphiphilic microgels with hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomer units on the polymer chains were fabricated with an on-chip polymerisation methodology using a novel chip design.

A novel phenanthroline Ru(II) derivative for targeting mitochondrial DNA was designed and its potential applications in biological processes were highlighted.

Magnetic scaffolds display prominent magnetothermal ability, and can effectively kill tumor cells in an alternating magnetic field and improve bone formation ability in vitro.

A novel multifunctional nanoplatform was designed based on the combination of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with nucleolin-targeted and doxorubicin (Dox)-loaded manganese dioxide (MnO₂) nanosheets to induce enhanced cancer cell apoptosis and targeted chemotherapy.

Model glucan microparticles (GMs) targeting M cells are employed to track translocation through M cell pathways as well as to various organs via the systemic circulation.

Albumin hydrogels crosslinked by disulfide bonds between the protein's own thiol groups.

Silver nanoparticle (AgNP)-based nanohybrids have been proposed as efficient antimicrobial agents because of their robust bactericidal activity.

Illustrating the selective modification of the HNTs for the incorporation of AgNPs and site-specific covalent immobilization of the GOx enzymes.

A novel siRNA nanocarrier based on biomimetic Au@BSA nanoflowers is fabricated which could serve as a potential theranostic nanoplatform.

A novel three-layered SiO₂@AuNP@PANI nanocomposite was synthesized and adopted for the simultaneous electrochemical determination of uric acid and ascorbic acid.

We report the stimulation of osteogenic differentiation of embryoid body (EB) cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by akermanite bioceramics.

This study demonstrates a simply powerful way to make therapeutic materials: using small functional units (phosphates) to control bioactivity (osteogenesis).

Selectivity of epitope imprinted sites is introduced on the IMAC surface through epitope surface imprinting. The obtained epitope imprinting enhanced IMAC (EI-IMAC) could purify His-tagged proteins with high selectivity without any major interference from the host proteins.

A novel mesoporous silica-based multifunctional theranostic nanoplatform was reported, which can not only achieve MMP-2-activated fluorescence imaging, but also realize tumor targeted drug delivery and drug release indicating.

The results of the present study indicate the importance of local chemistry along with carbide precipitation in the optimization of alloy design for achieving desirable properties such as high strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance in dental Co–Cr-based cast alloys.

A versatile and dynamic photoconjugation platform is introduced that provides high, 3D spatial resolution for functionalizing micro-3D-printed (μ-3DP) hydrogels. Schwann cells are patterned on μ-3DP hydrogels precisely labeled with RGD, a cell adhesive peptide, demonstrating utility of this platform for cell culture applications.

The label free aptasensor based on an aptamer pair and [Ru(bpy)₂(o-mopip)]²⁺–GO has been successfully applied to sandwich assays for thrombin detection.

An “osmo-solidification” approach that solidifies all-aqueous emulsion droplets for encapsulating proteins with superior preservation of their activity.

Large actuation occurs while the closed water is boiled to steam at an induced heating power. A closed liquid circulation system based on two of these actuators can work like a real heart.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles were functionalized with cholera toxin subunit B protein to influence their intracellular trafficking pathways.

We have designed a dye-labeled, highly positively charged single stranded collagen (ssCOL) peptide probe whose adsorption into GO quenches its fluorescence. The hybridization of the ssCOL probe with a complementary target sequence forms a triple stranded collagen (tsCOL) peptide, resulting in the retention of the fluorescence of the probe.

The biomimetic GelMA scaffolds which have highly porous, interconnected macropores, and rough surface could promote ADSC to differentiate into osteoblasts and bone formation.