Nanoarchitectonics-based model membrane platforms for probing membrane-disruptive interactions of odd-chain antimicrobial lipids.

The use of nanoscience tools to investigate how antimicrobial lipids disrupt phospholipid membranes has greatly advanced molecular-level biophysical understanding and opened the door to new application possibilities. Until now, relevant studies have focused on even-chain antimicrobial lipids while there remains an outstanding need to investigate the membrane-disruptive properties of odd-chain antimicrobial lipids that are known to be highly biologically active. Herein, using the quartz crystal microbalance-dissipation (QCM-D) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques, we investigated how an 11-carbon, saturated fatty acid and its corresponding monoglyceride-termed undecanoic acid and monoundecanoin, respectively-disrupt membrane-mimicking phospholipid bilayers with different nanoarchitectures.

Lipid Nanoparticle Technology for Delivering Biologically Active Fatty Acids and Monoglycerides.

There is enormous interest in utilizing biologically active fatty acids and monoglycerides to treat phospholipid membrane-related medical diseases, especially with the global health importance of membrane-enveloped viruses and bacteria. However, it is difficult to practically deliver lipophilic fatty acids and monoglycerides for therapeutic applications, which has led to the emergence of lipid nanoparticle platforms that support molecular encapsulation and functional presentation. Herein, we introduce various classes of lipid nanoparticle technology and critically examine the latest progress in utilizing lipid nanoparticles to deliver fatty acids and monoglycerides in order to treat medical diseases related to infectious pathogens, cancer, and inflammation.

Unraveling How Ethanol-Induced Conformational Changes Affect BSA Protein Adsorption onto Silica Surfaces.

Protein adsorption at solid-liquid interfaces is highly relevant to a wide range of applications such as biosensors, drug delivery, and pharmaceuticals. Understanding how protein conformation in bulk solution impacts adsorption behavior is fundamentally important and could also lead to the development of improved protein-based coatings. To date, relevant studies have been conducted in aqueous solutions, while it remains largely unknown how organic solvents and more specifically solvent-induced conformational changes might influence protein adsorption.