Stable Discoidal Bicelles: Formulation, Characterization, and Functions.

Bicellar mixtures have been used as alignable membrane substrates under a magnetic field applicable for the structural characterization of membrane-associated proteins. Recently, it has shown that bicelles can serve as nanocarriers to effectively deliver hydrophobic therapeutic molecules to cancer cells with a three- to ten-fold enhancement compared to that of liposomes of a chemically identical composition. In this chapter, detailed preparation protocol, common structural characterization methods, the structural stability, the cellular uptake and a few unique functions of bicellar nanodiscs are discussed.

Effect of drug-to-lipid ratio on nanodisc-based tenofovir drug delivery to the brain for HIV-1 infection.

Combination antiretroviral therapy has significantly advanced HIV-1 infection treatment. However, HIV-1 remains persistent in the brain; the inaccessibility of the blood-brain barrier allows for persistent HIV-1 infections and neuroinflammation. Nanotechnology-based drug carriers such as nanodiscoidal bicelles can provide a solution to combat this challenge.

Aggregation-Enhanced Photoluminescence and Photoacoustics of Atomically Precise Gold Nanoclusters in Lipid Nanodiscs (NANO).

The authors designed a structurally stable nano-in-nano (NANO) system highly capable of bioimaging via an aggregation-enhanced NIR excited emission and photoacoustic response achieved based on atomically precise gold nanoclusters protected by linear thiolated ligands [Au(SC H), = 4-16] encapsulated in discoidal phospholipid bicelles through a one-pot synthesis. The detailed morphological characterization of NANO is conducted using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, small/wide angle X-ray scattering with the support of molecular dynamics simulations, providing information on the location of Au nanoclusters in NANO. The photoluminescence observed for NANO is 20-60 times more intense than that of the free Au nanoclusters, with both excitation and emission wavelengths in the near-infrared range, and the photoacoustic signal is more than tripled.

Polylysine-grafted Au nanoclusters: birth and growth of a healthy surface-plasmon-resonance-like band.

Poly(amino acid)-coated gold nanoparticles hold promise in biomedical applications, particularly because they combine the unique physicochemical properties of the gold core, excellent biocompatibility, and easy functionalization of the poly(amino acid)-capping shell. Here we report a novel method for the preparation of robust hybrid core-shell nanosystems consisting of a Au cluster and a densely grafted polylysine layer. Linear polylysine chains were grown by direct -carboxyanhydride (NCA) polymerization onto ligands capping the gold nanocluster.

Stable Discoidal Bicelles: A Platform of Lipid Nanocarriers for Cellular Delivery.

Bicellar mixtures have been used as alignable membrane substrates for the structural characterization of membrane-associated proteins. Most recently, it has been shown that bicelles can serve as nanocarriers to effectively deliver hydrophobic molecules to cancer cells with a 3- to 10-fold enhancement compared to that of chemically identical liposomes. In this chapter, a detailed preparation protocol, common structural characterization methods, the structural stability and the cellular uptake of bicellar nanodisks are discussed.

Green synthesis of a new gelatin-based antimicrobial scaffold for tissue engineering.

With the aim of developing appropriate scaffolds for tissue engineering to suppress the formation of biofilms, an effective one-pot process was applied in this study to produce scaffolds with inherent antibacterial activity. A new method to synthesize genipin-crosslinked gelatin/nanosilver scaffolds with "green" in situ formation of silver nanoparticles by heat treatment is presented in this paper. In this procedure, toxic solvents, reducing agents, and stabilizing agents are avoided.

Conducting scaffolds for liver tissue engineering.

It is known that there is a correlation between a cell membrane potential and the proliferation of the cell. The high proliferation capacity of liver cells can also be attributed to its specific cell membrane potential as liver cell is recognized as one of the most depolarized of all differentiated cells. We hypothesized that this phenomenon can be emphasized by growing liver cells in conducting scaffolds that can increase the electrical communication among the cells.

In vitro electrochemical corrosion and cell viability studies on nickel-free stainless steel orthopedic implants.

The corrosion and cell viability behaviors of nanostructured, nickel-free stainless steel implants were studied and compared with AISI 316L. The electrochemical studies were conducted by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic measurements in a simulated body fluid. Cytocompatibility was also evaluated by the adhesion behavior of adult human stem cells on the surface of the samples.

The effect of crystallographic orientation of titanium substrate on the structure and bioperformance of hydroxyapatite coatings.

This study investigates the effects of crystallographic orientation of titanium substrates on the atomic structure and biological characteristics of hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings. Samples are prepared from extruded rod and rolled sheet of commercially pure titanium having distinct distribution of crystallographic planes. Electrophoresis is used to coat titanium substrates having different microstructures.