Morphology-Dependent Interaction of Silica Nanoparticles with Intestinal Cells: Connecting Shape to Barrier Function.

The intestinal compartment ensures nutrient absorption and barrier function against pathogens. Despite decades of research on the complexity of the gut, the adaptive potential to physical cues, such as those derived from interaction with particles of different shapes, remains less understood. Taking advantage of the technological versatility of silica nanoparticles, spherical, rod-shaped, and virus-like materials were synthesized.

Influence of Pore Size and Surface Functionalization of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles on the Solubility and Antioxidant Activity of Confined Coenzyme Q10.

Coenzyme Q10 is a potent antioxidant that plays an important role in the maintenance of various biochemical pathways of the body and has a wide range of therapeutic applications. However, it has low aqueous solubility and oral bioavailability. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MCM-41 and SBA-15 types) exhibiting varying pore sizes and modified with phosphonate and amino groups were used to study the influence of pore structure and surface chemistry on the solubility, release profile, and intracellular ROS inhibition activity of coenzyme Q10.

Immobilization of Agaricus bisporus Polyphenol Oxidase 4 on mesoporous silica: Towards mimicking key enzymatic processes in peat soils.

Hypothesis: The use of immobilized enzyme-type biocatalysts to mimic specific processes in soil can be considered one of the most promising alternatives to overcome the difficulties behind the structural elucidation of riverine humic-derived iron-complexes. Herein, we propose that the immobilization of the functional mushroom tyrosinase, Agaricus bisporus Polyphenol Oxidase 4 (AbPPO4) on mesoporous SBA-15-type silica could contribute to the study of small aquatic humic ligands such as phenols.

Experiments: The silica support was functionalized with amino-groups in order to investigate the impact of surface charge on the tyrosinase loading efficiency as well as on the catalytic performance of adsorbed AbPPO4.

Design of Fluorescent Carbon Dots (CDs) for the Selective detection of Metal-Containing Ions.

The pollution caused by heavy metals (HMs) may occur through both natural processes and anthropogenic activities and is found in complex media. The purpose of this review is to summarize the state-of-art of fluorescent CDs and the sensing applications in a systematic manner. This review intends to provide clues on the origin on the observed selectivity in chemiluminiscence sensors, which was until now a stated but unaddressed question, and still remains open for debate.

Novel Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Induce Ferroptosis in a Panel of Cancer Cell Lines.

The use of nanomaterials rationally engineered to treat cancer is a burgeoning field that has reported great medical achievements. Iron-based polymeric nano-formulations with precisely tuned physicochemical properties are an expanding and versatile therapeutic strategy for tumor treatment. Recently, a peculiar type of regulated necrosis named ferroptosis has gained increased attention as a target for cancer therapy.

DNA-Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Conjugates: Functional Magnetic Nanoplatforms in Biomedical Applications.

The use of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), such as iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs), in biomedicine is considered to be a valuable alternative to the more traditional materials due to their chemical stability, cost-effectiveness, surface functionalization, and the possibility to selectively attach and transport targeted species to the desired location under a magnetic field. One of the many main applications of MNPs is DNA separation, which enables genetic material manipulation; consequently, MNPs are used in numerous biotechnological methods, such as gene transfection and molecular recognition systems. In addition, the interaction between the surfaces of MNPs and DNA molecules and the magnetic nature of the resulting composite have facilitated the development of safe and effective gene delivery vectors to treat significant diseases, such as cancer and neurological disorders.

Gold, Silver and Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Bionanoconjugation Strategies Aimed at Electrochemical Applications.

Nanomaterials have revolutionized the sensing and biosensing fields, with the development of more sensitive and selective devices for multiple applications. Gold, silver and iron oxide nanoparticles have played a particularly major role in this development. In this review, we provide a general overview of the synthesis and characteristics of gold, silver and iron oxide nanoparticles, along with the main strategies for their surface functionalization with ligands and biomolecules.

Facile immobilization of Trametes versicolor laccase on highly monodisperse superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.

Hypothesis: The development of enzymatic conjugates with industrial applications require approaches with good scalability and batch-to-batch reproducibility. Hereof, nearly monodisperse iron oxide nanoparticles can be synthesized by thermal decomposition with high yields. A mixture of gallic and polyacrylic acid is used for the direct water transfer and later immobilization of laccase (Trametes versicolor).