Mitochondria-Targeted Self-Assembly of Peptide-Based Nanomaterials

Mitochondria are well known to serve as the powerhouse for cells and also the initiator for some vital signaling pathways. A variety of diseases are discovered to be associated with the abnormalities of mitochondria, including cancers. Thus, targeting mitochondria and their metabolisms are recognized to be promising for cancer therapy. In recent years, great efforts have been devoted to developing mitochondria-targeted pharmaceuticals, including small molecular drugs, peptides, proteins, and genes, with several molecular drugs and peptides enrolled in clinical trials. Along with the advances of nanotechnology, self-assembled peptide-nanomaterials that integrate the biomarker-targeting, stimuli-response, self-assembly, and therapeutic effect, have been attracted increasing interest in the fields of biotechnology and nanomedicine. Particularly, in situ mitochondria-targeted self-assembling peptides that can assemble on the surface or inside mitochondria have opened another dimension for the mitochondria-targeted cancer therapy. Here, we highlight the recent progress of mitochondria-targeted peptide-nanomaterials, especially those in situ self-assembly systems in mitochondria, and their applications in cancer treatments.

Mechanism of charge accumulation of poly(heptazine imide) gel

Photo-stimuli response in materials is a fascinating feature with many potential applications. A photoresponsive gel of poly(heptazine imide), PHI, termed PHIG, exhibits photochromism, photoconductivity, and photo-induced charge accumulation, and is generated using ionic liquids and PHI. Although there are several examples of ionic liquid gels that exhibit photochromism and photoconductivity, this is the first report of an ionic liquid gel that exhibits both these properties as well as charge accumulation. We conducted experimental and theoretical investigations to understand the mechanism of the photostimulus response of PHIG, especially charge accumulation. The proposed model explains both the mechanism of charge accumulation and dark photocatalysis by PHI and provides new concepts in the field of photofunctional materials.

Initial Characterization of PDMAEMA: Styrene Porous Polymer Monolithic Morphologies

This research aimed to investigate a new fabrication of poly-(2-dimethyl(aminoethyl) methacrylate)-co-styrene in a porous polymer monolithic morphology. Poly-(2-dimethyl(aminoethyl) methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) is responsive to changes in pH while styrene remains unresponsive to external stimuli. IR, UV/Vis, and SEM were employed to determine that the proposed porous polymer (PPM) monolith can present pH-initiated stimuli response while remaining intact. The copolymerization of PDMAEMA with styrene has not been previously documented in a PPM morphology. It is important to demonstrate that the PPM retains tunable capabilities without destruction to the material. The utility of PDMAEMA copolymers is wide-reaching and this new adaptation of its tunability in a resilient PPM can serve as a distinct preface to original applications in fields such as surface modification, membrane technologies and stationary phases. To further the groundwork of this communication, dynamic studies on the interactions of small molecules with the pores of the monolith will be essential and accomplished via capillary electrochromatography.

Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology: Plant Nanoparticles for Anti-Cancer Therapy

Naturally occurring viral nanomaterials have gained popularity owing to their biocompatible and biodegradable nature. Plant virus nanoparticles (VNPs) can be used as nanocarriers for a number of biomedical applications. Plant VNPs are inexpensive to produce, safe to administer and efficacious as treatments. The following review describes how plant virus architecture facilitates the use of VNPs for imaging and a variety of therapeutic applications, with particular emphasis on cancer. Examples of plant viruses which have been engineered to carry drugs and diagnostic agents for specific types of cancer are provided. The drug delivery system in response to the internal conditions is known as stimuli response, recently becoming more applicable using plant viruses based VNPs. The review concludes with a perspective of the future of plant VNPs and plant virus-like particles (VLPs) in cancer research and therapy.