Development of a Photothermal Regenerative Plasmonic Platform as a Light-Controlled Interface.

This study introduces a novel plasmonic nanocomposite platform, where gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are synthesized in situ within a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film. The innovative fabrication process leverages ethyl acetate swelling to achieve a uniform distribution of AuNPs, eliminating the need for additional reagents. The resulting nanocomposite film exhibits exceptional photothermal conversion capabilities, efficiently converting absorbed light into heat and rapidly reaching high temperatures.

Cholesterol drives enantiospecific effects of ibuprofen in biomimetic membranes.

The interaction between chiral drugs and biomimetic membranes is of interest in biophysical research and biotechnological applications. There is a belief that the membrane composition, particularly the presence of cholesterol, could play a pivotal role in determining enantiospecific effects of pharmaceuticals. Our study explores this topic focusing on the interaction of ibuprofen enantiomers (S- and R-IBP) with cholesterol-containing model membranes.

Effects of curcumin in the interaction with cardiolipin-containg lipid monolayers and bilayers.

Curcumin, a plant polyphenol extracted from the Chinese herb turmeric, has gained widespread attention in recent years because of its multifunctional properties as antioxidant, antinflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer agent. Effects of the molecule on mitochondrial membranes properties have also been evidenced. In this work, the interaction of curcumin with models of mitochondrial membranes composed of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) or mixtures of DMPC and 4 mol% tetramyristoylcardiolipin (TMCL) has been investigated by using biophysical techniques.

Sunset Yellow Confined in Curved Geometry: A Microfluidic Approach.

The behavior of lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLCs) in confined environments is an interesting research field that still awaits exploration, with multiple key variables to be uncovered and understood. Microfluidics is a highly versatile technique that allows us to confine LCLCs in micrometric spheres. As microscale networks offer distinct interplays between the surface effects, geometric confinement, and viscosity parameters, rich and unique interactions emerging at the LCLC-microfluidic channel interfaces are expected.