Featured
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| Open AccessNanoparticle-based DNA vaccine protects against SARS-CoV-2 variants in female preclinical models
Here the authors screen different lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations for intramuscular delivery of plasmid DNA and uptake by antigen-presenting cells. The lead LNP exhibits immunogenicity and protection in small animal models that is comparable to approved SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine formulations.
- Lays Cordeiro Guimaraes
- , Pedro Augusto Carvalho Costa
- & Pedro Pires Goulart Guimaraes
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Article
| Open AccessFlexible, scalable, high channel count stereo-electrode for recording in the human brain
Electrodes available for deep brain recording and stimulation have a number of limitations. Here the authors describe a thin-film depth electrode that may offer improved spatial and temporal resolution for recording brain activity.
- Keundong Lee
- , Angelique C. Paulk
- & Shadi. A. Dayeh
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| Open AccessSelf-propelled assembly of nanoparticles with self-catalytic regulation for tumour-specific imaging and therapy
In vivo manipulation of the dynamics of nanoparticles’ is essential for disease-specific imaging and therapy, but tends to involve complex design processes. Here, the authors report a strategy for manipulating the assembly of nanoparticles in vivo through a self-catalysis-instructed dimerization of tyrosine, offering convenient fabrication, high reaction specificity and biocompatibility.
- Mengmeng Xia
- , Qiyue Wang
- & Daishun Ling
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Article
| Open AccessNon-Faradaic optoelectrodes for safe electrical neuromodulation
Nanoscale optoelectrodes hold the potential to optically stimulate individual neuron. Here, the authors form nanoscale capacitive optoelectrodes by incorporating zinc porphyrin into nanorods, coated by TiO2, a design that allows for far-field optical modulation of neurons with efficiency and negligible side effects.
- Jian Chen
- , Yanyan Liu
- & Wenbo Bu
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| Open AccessA uniform data processing pipeline enables harmonized nanoparticle protein corona analysis across proteomics core facilities
Protein corona is crucial for the safety and efficacy of nanomedicines, and the protein composition of the corona layer is typically analysed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Here the authors report that the use of a uniform database search provides an opportunity for taking measures in good practice and quality control in protein corona research using mass spectroscopy technique.
- Hassan Gharibi
- , Ali Akbar Ashkarran
- & Morteza Mahmoudi
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| Open AccessAngiogenesis-on-a-chip coupled with single-cell RNA sequencing reveals spatially differential activations of autophagy along angiogenic sprouts
The functional heterogeneity of autophagy in endothelial cells during angiogenesis remains incompletely understood. Here, the authors apply a 3D angiogenesis-on-a-chip coupled with single-cell RNA sequencing to find distinct autophagy functions in two different endothelial cell populations during angiogenic sprouting.
- Somin Lee
- , Hyunkyung Kim
- & Noo Li Jeon
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| Open AccessFrom lab to life: how wearable devices can improve health equity
Wearable devices can provide personalised medicine at the point of need, potentially increasing access to health services and therefore improving health equity. Here the authors discuss their experiences developing wearable devices for vulnerable patient populations, including neonates and pregnant individuals.
- Jessica R. Walter
- , Shuai Xu
- & John A. Rogers
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| Open AccessHigh throughput intracellular delivery by viscoelastic mechanoporation
Scalability of mechanoporation strategies for intracellular delivery remains challenging. Here, the authors demonstrate a microfluidic approach for delivering mRNA and CRISPR-Cas systems to over 250 million cells per minute.
- Derin Sevenler
- & Mehmet Toner
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Article
| Open AccessDesign automation of microfluidic single and double emulsion droplets with machine learning
Generating microfluidic droplets with application-specific desired characteristics is hard. Here the authors report fluid-agnostic machine learning models capable of accurately predicting device geometries and flow conditions required to generate stable single and double emulsions.
- Ali Lashkaripour
- , David P. McIntyre
- & Polly M. Fordyce
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Article
| Open AccessAll-in-one porous membrane enables full protection in guided bone regeneration
Precise coupling of different or even contradictory material properties and biological characteristics is needed for tissue engineering but challenging. Here the authors report an all-in-one guided bone regeneration membrane that asymmetrically combines stiffness and flexibility, ingrowth barrier and ingrowth guiding, alongside anti-bacteria and cell-activation.
- Shuyi Wu
- , Shulu Luo
- & Yan Li
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| Open AccessRedox-enabled electronic interrogation and feedback control of hierarchical and networked biological systems
With redox-linked synthetic biology and electrobiofabrication, electronic information can be transmitted in a bidirectional manner between biology and electronics. Here the authors design an electrogenetic platform that allows real time electronic control of biological functions from proteins and gene circuits to cell consortia.
- Sally Wang
- , Chen-Yu Chen
- & William E. Bentley
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Article
| Open AccessAtherosclerotic plaque development in mice is enhanced by myeloid ZEB1 downregulation
Accumulation of lipid-laden macrophages in the arterial wall is a critical step in atherosclerosis. Here, the authors show that downregulation of Zeb1 in macrophages promotes lipid accumulation and atherosclerotic plaque formation while its restoration with macrophage-targeted nanoparticles reverses these effects.
- M. C. Martinez-Campanario
- , Marlies Cortés
- & Antonio Postigo
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| Open AccessAmplified fluorogenic immunoassay for early diagnosis and monitoring of Alzheimer’s disease from tear fluid
Accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in its earliest stage can prevent the disease and delay the symptoms. Here the authors identify a potential Alzheimer’s biomarker from tear fluid, and develop a nanoparticle-based immunoassay for its detection, demonstrating potential in Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
- Sojeong Lee
- , Eunjung Kim
- & Seungjoo Haam
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Article
| Open AccessANCA: artificial nucleic acid circuit with argonaute protein for one-step isothermal detection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose a growing threat to global health. Here, the authors present an artificial nucleic acid circuit with argonaute protein (ANCA) for one-step, amplification-free, and isothermal detection of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae.
- Hyowon Jang
- , Jayeon Song
- & Taejoon Kang
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Article
| Open AccessMetabolic tagging of extracellular vesicles and development of enhanced extracellular vesicle based cancer vaccines
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been actively explored for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Here, the authors report a universal metabolic tagging technology to generate chemically tagged EVs from parent cells, modulate EV-cell interactions, and develop potent EV-based cancer vaccines.
- Rimsha Bhatta
- , Joonsu Han
- & Hua Wang
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| Open AccessDynamic and static control of the off-target interactions of antisense oligonucleotides using toehold chemistry
Off-target toxicity of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) poses a challenge for their clinical use. Here, authors develop a toehold-bearing ASO architecture that mitigates a broad spectrum of off-target interactions, significantly enhancing the safety profile of ASO drugs.
- Chisato Terada
- , Kaho Oh
- & Tsuyoshi Yamamoto
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Article
| Open Access3D bioprinted multilayered cerebrovascular conduits to study cancer extravasation mechanism related with vascular geometry
Geometrical complexities of blood vessels alter biophysical behaviors of circulating tumor cells, influencing cancer metastasis. Here, the authors develop a 3D bioprinted in vitro brain blood vessel-on-a-chip to investigate continuities between vascular geometry and metastatic cancer development.
- Wonbin Park
- , Jae-Seong Lee
- & Dong-Woo Cho
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Article
| Open AccessIn vivo imaging of mitochondrial DNA mutations using an integrated nano Cas12a sensor
Mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) play critical roles in human diseases. Here, the authors describe an integrated Cas12a sensor for sensing mtDNA mutations in vivo, showing potential for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
- Yanan Li
- , Yonghua Wu
- & Kaixiang Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessBiofilm microenvironment triggered self-enhancing photodynamic immunomodulatory microneedle for diabetic wound therapy
The treatment of diabetic wounds tends to be hindered by complex wound environments, and the critical role of the microenvironment in the chronic diabetic wounds has not been explored for therapeutic development. Here, the authors develop a wound microenvironment-responsive microneedle bandage to achieve self-enhanced, catabolic and dynamic therapy of chronic wounds.
- Li Yang
- , Dan Zhang
- & Xiaowei Zeng
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| Open AccessPolyethyleneimine-coated MXene quantum dots improve cotton tolerance to Verticillium dahliae by maintaining ROS homeostasis
Verticillum wilt is an important cotton disease caused by fungal pathogen Verticillium dahiae. Here, the authors assemble the genomes of defoliating and non-defoliating isolates of the pathogen, identify virulence gene SP3, and develop a disease control strategy using polyethyleneimine-coated MXene quantum dots.
- Ping Qiu
- , Jiayue Li
- & Longfu Zhu
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| Open AccessImaging cellular forces with photonic crystals
Current techniques for visualizing cell generated forces suffer from throughput limitations. Here, Gu et al. introduced photonic crystal cellular force microscopy, inspired by chameleons, enabling visualization and quantification of vertically directed cell forces, well-suited for drug screening.
- Qiwei Li
- , Zaozao Chen
- & Zhongze Gu
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| Open AccessSphingomyelin-derived nanovesicles for the delivery of the IDO1 inhibitor epacadostat enhance metastatic and post-surgical melanoma immunotherapy
Epacadostat is a selective IDO1 inhibitor shown to promote anti-tumor immune responses in preclinical models, however it has failed in a Phase III clinical trial for treating metastatic melanoma. Here the authors design a sphingomyelin-derived nanovesicle system for epacadostat delivery with improved pharmacokinetics and anti-tumor activity when combined with a PD-1 inhibitor in melanoma preclinical models.
- Zhiren Wang
- , Wenpan Li
- & Jianqin Lu
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Article
| Open AccessRational design of microRNA-responsive switch for programmable translational control in mammalian cells
Artificial regulation of translation by intracellular RNAs has many potential applications. Here, authors design a platform capable of miRNA-triggered upregulation or downregulation using a single RNA construct, and demonstrate its use in constructing logic gates and cell-type classifiers.
- Hui Ning
- , Gan Liu
- & Zhen Xie
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Article
| Open AccessBioinspired porous three-coordinated single-atom Fe nanozyme with oxidase-like activity for tumor visual identification via glutathione
It is needed yet difficult to achieve a strategy for synthesizing single-atom nanozymes that integrate atomic metal dispersion, elevated mass transport and tailorable coordination environment. Here, the authors address this issue by developing a biomimetic synthetic strategy and demonstrate the application of the resultant single-atom Fe nanozymes for tumor visual identification.
- Da Chen
- , Zhaoming Xia
- & Yongquan Qu
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| Open AccessThe ultra-thin, minimally invasive surface electrode array NeuroWeb for probing neural activity
Minimal invasiveness and robust signal detection are required in neural probes. Here, the authors develop NeuroWeb, an ultra-thin, minimally invasive surface electrode array. In vivo electrophysiological and optogenetic experiments show single-unit activity of neurons with high signal-to-noise ratio.
- Jung Min Lee
- , Young-Woo Pyo
- & Hong-Gyu Park
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| Open AccessAn autocatalytic multicomponent DNAzyme nanomachine for tumor-specific photothermal therapy sensitization in pancreatic cancer
Despite delivering gene-specific silencing, the use of deoxyribozymes (DNAzymes) for cancer therapy is limited by toxicity due to off-target effects. Here, the authors develop a multi-component DNAzyme, targeting both miRNA21 and HSP70, to induce tumour-specific sensitisation to photothermal therapy in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer.
- Jiaqi Yan
- , Xiaodong Ma
- & Hongbo Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessLactate biosensors for spectrally and spatially multiplexed fluorescence imaging
l-Lactate is increasingly recognized as a key metabolite and signalling molecule in mammals, but the methods to investigate it in vivo have been limited. Here, authors report a pair of improved biosensors—one green and one red—for visualizing l-lactate both inside and outside of cells.
- Yusuke Nasu
- , Abhi Aggarwal
- & Robert E. Campbell
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Article
| Open AccessEnzymatic synthesis and nanopore sequencing of 12-letter supernumerary DNA
Unnatural base pairing xenonucleic acids (XNAs) can be used to expand life’s alphabet beyond ATGC. Here, authors show strategies for enzymatic synthesis and next-generation nanopore sequencing of XNA base pairs for reading and writing 12-letter DNA (ATGCBSPZXKJV).
- Hinako Kawabe
- , Christopher A. Thomas
- & Jorge A. Marchand
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| Open AccessVisualization of accessible cholesterol using a GRAM domain-based biosensor
Regulated cholesterol transport is essential for the maintenance of cellular cholesterol distribution and homeostasis, but tools to monitor this process are limited. Here, the authors develop a genetically encoded cholesterol biosensor and demonstrate its use for visualising cellular cholesterol distribution in various live cells in real time.
- Dylan Hong Zheng Koh
- , Tomoki Naito
- & Yasunori Saheki
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Article
| Open AccessProlonged hydrogen production by engineered green algae photovoltaic power stations
Cost, scalability, and durability are critical factors determining the application of artificial photosynthesis systems. Here, the authors address these problems by inserting a carbon nanofiber into the chloroplast of green algae to transfer of electrons for photosynthesis and demonstrate H2 production up to 50 days.
- Hyo Jin Gwon
- , Geonwoo Park
- & Hyun S. Ahn
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| Open AccessMass production of lumenogenic human embryoid bodies and functional cardiospheres using in-air-generated microcapsules
Current methods to generate spheroids are associated with low production throughputs, limiting clinical and industrial translation. Here the authors present a clean ultra-high-throughput in-air microfluidic platform for mass production of lumenogenic embryoid bodies and functional cardiospheres.
- Bas van Loo
- , Simone A. ten Den
- & Jeroen Leijten
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| Open AccessSingle virus fingerprinting by widefield interferometric defocus-enhanced mid-infrared photothermal microscopy
The study of viruses relies on the detection of viral proteins or viral nucleic acids. Here, the authors present a widefield interferometric defocus-enhanced mid-infrared photothermal (WIDE-MIP) microscope for high-throughput fingerprinting of single viruses.
- Qing Xia
- , Zhongyue Guo
- & Ji-Xin Cheng
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| Open AccessBone disease imaging through the near-infrared-II window
Skeletal disorders are commonly diagnosed by X-ray imaging, but the radiation limits its use. Here, the authors show that intravital NIR-II bone imaging is effective in diagnosis of a series of common bone diseases non-invasively in mice.
- Chao Mi
- , Xun Zhang
- & Dayong Jin
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| Open AccessHypersensitive MR angiography based on interlocking stratagem for diagnosis of cardiac-cerebral vascular diseases
Current contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography approaches are sub-optimal. Here the authors present a hypersensitive MR angiography strategy based on interlocking stratagem of zwitterionic Gd-chelate contrast agents (PAA-Gd), enabling sophisticated micro-vessel angiography of cardiac-cerebrovascular diseases with ultrahigh resolution.
- Peisen Zhang
- , Junwei Cheng
- & Yi Hou
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Article
| Open AccessHistidine modulates amyloid-like assembly of peptide nanomaterials and confers enzyme-like activity
In this work, the authors report that Histidine residues play a critical role in modulating amyloid-like assembly and building active sites for Fmoc–F–F and Aβ aggregates. Aβ1-42 filaments were found to perform peroxidase-like activity to enhance oxidative stress, which might also be ascribed to the interaction mode of His and F-F.
- Ye Yuan
- , Lei Chen
- & Lizeng Gao
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| Open AccessC3N nanodots inhibits Aβ peptides aggregation pathogenic path in Alzheimer’s disease
In this work, the authors report the utilization of nano-inhibito C3N nanodots to inhibit Aβ peptides aggregation and fibrils disassembly, and show how they induce a cognitive enhancement in treated AD mice.
- Xiuhua Yin
- , Hong Zhou
- & Ruhong Zhou
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| Open AccessPre-activated nanoparticles with persistent luminescence for deep tumor photodynamic therapy in gallbladder cancer
Phototherapy of deep tumors suffers from many obstacles, such as limited near-infrared tissue penetration depth and low accumulation efficiency within the target sites. Here, the authors report stimuli sensitive tumor-targeted photodynamic nanoparticles with persistent luminescence for the treatment of deep tumors.
- Sarun Juengpanich
- , Shijie Li
- & Mingyu Chen
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Article
| Open AccessA magneto-activated nanoscale cytometry platform for molecular profiling of small extracellular vesicles
Exosomal PD-L1 (exoPD-L1) is a biomarker predicting immunotherapeutic responses. Here the authors report NanoEPIC, a nanoscale cytometry platform that enables phenotypic sorting and exoPD-L1 profiling from blood plasma by using magnetic-activated ranking to differentiate exosomal subpopulations.
- Kangfu Chen
- , Bill T. V. Duong
- & Shana O. Kelley
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| Open AccessFeasibility of an implantable bioreactor for renal cell therapy using silicon nanopore membranes
An implantable bioartificial kidney with a cell-containing bioreactor could be used to treat end-stage renal disease. Here the authors demonstrate the feasibility of an implantable bioreactor by maintaining human cell viability and functionality after implantation in a xenograft model.
- Eun Jung Kim
- , Caressa Chen
- & Shuvo Roy
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Article
| Open AccessFunctionalization and higher-order organization of liposomes with DNA nanostructures
Liposomes are indispensable model membranes and drug carriers. Here, the authors use DNA nanostructures to coat, cluster, and pattern sub-100-nm liposomes, enabling attachment of proteins and temporal control of membrane fusion.
- Zhao Zhang
- , Zhaomeng Feng
- & Edwin R. Chapman
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Article
| Open AccessTwo-photon nanoprobes based on bioorganic nanoarchitectonics with a photo-oxidation enhanced emission mechanism
Two-photon absorption (TPA) affords unparalleled spatiotemporal resolution for bioimaging, but the photo-oxidation tends to weaken the photoluminescence in vivo, limiting the usefulness of TPA probes. Here, the authors report self-assembling near-infrared cyanine dye-based nanoprobes of enhanced TPA fluorescence imaging capacity based on a photo-oxidation enhanced emission mechanism.
- Shukun Li
- , Rui Chang
- & Xuehai Yan
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Article
| Open AccessVisualizing single-molecule conformational transition and binding dynamics of intrinsically disordered proteins
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are highly dynamic and play pivotal roles in cellular processes but can be difficult to study. Here, the authors develop a single-molecule nanocircuit for the real-time monitoring of c-Myc conformational transitions and their interaction with ligands.
- Wenzhe Liu
- , Limin Chen
- & Xuefeng Guo
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Article
| Open AccessStable trapping of multiple proteins at physiological conditions using nanoscale chambers with macromolecular gates
The possibility to trap biomolecules is important for analysing them by optical methods. Here we show how nanoscale chambers with macromolecular gates can be used to trap hundreds of proteins in a volume of one attoliter at physiological conditions without exposing them to any direct forces.
- Justas Svirelis
- , Zeynep Adali
- & Andreas Dahlin
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Article
| Open AccessDroplet-based high-throughput single microbe RNA sequencing by smRandom-seq
Population level transcriptomics measurements miss bacterial heterogeneity. Here the authors report smRandom-seq, a droplet-based high-throughput single-microbe RNA-seq assay, using random primers for in situ cDNA generation, droplets for single-microbe barcoding, and CRISPR-based rRNA depletion.
- Ziye Xu
- , Yuting Wang
- & Yongcheng Wang
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Article
| Open AccessJanus nanoparticles targeting extracellular polymeric substance achieve flexible elimination of drug-resistant biofilms
It is imperative but challenging to develop nanomaterials that can combat drug-resistant bacteria and biofilm related infections in diverse antibacterial scenarios. Here, the authors report Janus nanoparticles integrating biocompatible dextran and photothermal nanoparticles for biofilm-targeted antibacterial therapy to achieve effective and versatile elimination of drug-resistant biofilms.
- Zhiwen Liu
- , Kangli Guo
- & Fu-Jian Xu
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Article
| Open AccessHyperthermia-triggered biomimetic bubble nanomachines
Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have shown potential for treating malignant tumors, however, limited tumor penetration of nanosystems remains a hurdle for effective tumor therapy. Here, the authors report a biomimetic bubble nanomachine with tumor-cell-membrane-derived nanovesicle secretion triggered by near-infrared laser irradiation for enhanced tumor penetration.
- Junbin Gao
- , Hanfeng Qin
- & Yingfeng Tu
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Article
| Open AccessIn situ synthesis and dynamic simulation of molecularly imprinted polymeric nanoparticles on a micro-reactor system
Molecularly imprinted polymers are useful elements in sensing and biomedical research but their fabrication is challenging. Here, the authors report a micro-reactor for in situ and continuous production of molecularly imprinted polymers.
- Özgecan Erdem
- , Ismail Eş
- & Fatih Inci
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Article
| Open AccessIdentification of scaffold proteins for improved endogenous engineering of extracellular vesicles
Extracellular vesicles are naturally occurring nanoparticles that are gaining ground as delivery modalities for therapeutics. Here, the authors conducted a large-scale screening programme to identify potential scaffold proteins for cargo loading into extracellular vesicles.
- Wenyi Zheng
- , Julia Rädler
- & Samir EL Andaloussi
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| Open AccessDroplet-based bisulfite sequencing for high-throughput profiling of single-cell DNA methylomes
Single-cell DNA methylomic studies offer high resolution to differentiate cell subsets based on their epigenomic features. Here, the authors demonstrate Drop-BS, a droplet-based single-cell bisulfite sequencing library preparation method, for DNA methylome profiling.
- Qiang Zhang
- , Sai Ma
- & Chang Lu