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.

Changes Experienced by Low-Concentration Lipid Bicelles as a Function of Temperature.

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), dihexanoyl phosphatidylcholine, and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylglycerol bicelles reveals two endothermic peaks. Based on analysis of small angle neutron scattering and small angle X-ray scattering data, the two DSC peaks are associated with the melting of DPPC and a change in bicellar morphology─namely, either bicelle-to-spherical vesicle or oblate-to-spherical vesicle. The reversibility of the two structural transformations was examined by DSC and found to be consistent with the corresponding small angle scattering data.

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.

Graphene-Based Biomaterials for Bone Regenerative Engineering: A Comprehensive Review of the Field and Considerations Regarding Biocompatibility and Biodegradation.

Graphene and its derivatives have continued to garner worldwide interest due to their unique characteristics. Having expanded into biomedical applications, there have been efforts to employ their exceptional properties for the regeneration of different tissues, particularly bone. This article presents a comprehensive review on the usage of graphene-based materials for bone regenerative engineering.

A universal discoidal nanoplatform for the intracellular delivery of PNAs.

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) have gained considerable attention due to their remarkable potential in gene editing and targeting-based strategies. However, cellular delivery of PNAs remains a challenge in developing their broader therapeutic applications. Here, we investigated a novel complex made of lipid bicelles and PNA-based carriers for the efficient delivery of PNAs.

Combinational Effects of Active Targeting, Shape, and Enhanced Permeability and Retention for Cancer Theranostic Nanocarriers.

Combinatory modulation of the physical and biochemical characteristics of nanocarrier delivery systems is an emergent topic in the field of nanomedicine. Here, we studied the combined effects of incorporation of active targeting moieties into nanocarriers and their morphology affecting the enhanced permeation and retention effect for nanomedicine cancer therapy. Self-assembled lipid discoidal and vesicular nanoparticles with low-polydispersity sub-50 nm size range and identical chemical compositions were synthesized, characterized, and correlated with in vitro cancer cellular internalization, in vivo tumor accumulation and cancer treatments.

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.