Synthetic peptide scaffolds as ion channels and molecular carriers.

Transmembrane ion exchange controls biological functions and is essential for life. Over the years, a great variety of nature-inspired artificial ion channels and carriers have been synthesized to control and promote ion exchange across biological membranes. In this context, peptides emerged as ideal scaffolds for synthetic ion channels due to their biocompatibility, accessibility and chemical versatility.

Supramolecular fibrillation in coacervates and other confined systems towards biomimetic function.

As in natural cytoskeletons, the cooperative assembly of fibrillar networks can be hosted inside compartments to engineer biomimetic functions, such as mechanical actuation, transport, and reaction templating. Coacervates impose an optimal liquid-liquid phase separation within the aqueous continuum, functioning as membrane-less compartments that can organise such self-assembling processes as well as the exchange of information with their environment. Furthermore, biological fibrillation can often be controlled or assisted by intracellular compartments.

Exo-chirality of the α-helix.

The structure of helical polymers is dictated by the molecular chirality of their monomer units. Particularly, macromolecular helices with monomer sequence control have the potential to generate chiral topologies. In α-helical folded peptides, the sequential repetition of amino acids generates a chiral layer defined by the amino acid side chains projected outside the amide backbone.

Ecotourism and mangrove conservation in Southeast Asia: Current trends and perspectives.

Mangroves in Southeast Asia provide numerous supporting, provisioning, regulating, and cultural services that are crucial to the environment and local livelihoods since they support biodiversity conservation and climate change resilience. However, Southeast Asia mangroves face deforestation threats from the expansion of commercial aquaculture, agriculture, and urban development, along with climate change-related natural processes. Ecotourism has gained prominence as a financial incentive tool to support mangrove conservation and restoration.