Smart Coatings Prepared via MAPLE Deposition of Polymer Nanocapsules for Light-Induced Release.

Herein, smart coatings based on photo-responsive polymer nanocapsules (NC) and deposited by laser evaporation are presented. These systems combine remotely controllable release and high encapsulation efficiency of nanoparticles with the easy handling and safety of macroscopic substrates. In particular, azobenzene-based NC loaded with active molecules (thyme oil and coumarin 6) were deposited through Matrix-Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) on flat inorganic (KBr) and organic (polyethylene, PE) and 3D (acrylate-based micro-needle array) substrates.

In Silico Analysis of Possible Interaction between Host Genomic Transcription Factors (TFs) and Zika Virus (ZikaSPH2015) Strain with Combinatorial Gene Regulation; Virus Versus Host-The Game Reloaded.

In silico analysis is a promising approach for understanding biological events in complex diseases. Herein we report on the innovative computational workflow allowed to highlight new direct interactions between human transcription factors (TFs) and an entire genome of virus ZikaSPH2015 strain in order to identify the occurrence of specific motifs on a genomic Zika Virus sequence that is able to bind and, therefore, sequester host's TFs. The analysis pipeline was performed using different bioinformatics tools available online (free of charge).

Matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation of β-glucosidase from a dopa/quinone target.

β-glucosidase (BG) plays a key role in determining the efficiency of the enzymatic complex cellulase for the degradation of cellulose into sugars. It hydrolyses the cellobiose, an inhibitor of the enzymatic complex. Therefore, the immobilization of BG is a great challenge for the industrial application of cellulases.

Frozen Microemulsions for MAPLE Immobilization of Lipase.

lipase (CRL) was deposited by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) in order to immobilize the enzyme with a preserved native conformation, which ensures its catalytic functionality. For this purpose, the composition of the MAPLE target was optimized by adding the oil phase pentane to a water solution of the amino acid 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-methyl-l-alanine (m-DOPA), giving a target formed by a frozen water-lipase-pentane microemulsion. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to investigate the structure of MAPLE deposited lipase films.

Effect of trehalose on cryopreservation of pure peripheral blood stem cells.

Stem cells are an important tool for the study of hematopoiesis. Despite developments in cryopreservation, post-thaw cell death remains a considerable problem. Cryopreservation protocol should limit cell damage due to freezing and ensure the recovery of the functional cell characteristics after thawing.