Labile assembly of a tardigrade protein induces biostasis.

Tardigrades are microscopic animals that survive desiccation by inducing biostasis. To survive drying tardigrades rely on intrinsically disordered CAHS proteins, which also function to prevent perturbations induced by drying in vitro and in heterologous systems. CAHS proteins have been shown to form gels both in vitro and in vivo, which has been speculated to be linked to their protective capacity.

Nongenetic Optical Modulation of Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived Cardiomyocytes Function in the Red Spectral Range.

Optical stimulation in the red/near infrared range recently gained increasing interest, as a not-invasive tool to control cardiac cell activity and repair in disease conditions. Translation of this approach to therapy is hampered by scarce efficacy and selectivity. The use of smart biocompatible materials, capable to act as local, NIR-sensitive interfaces with cardiac cells, may represent a valuable solution, capable to overcome these limitations.

Semiconducting Polymer Nanoporous Thin Films as a Tool to Regulate Intracellular ROS Balance in Endothelial Cells.

The design of soft and nanometer-scale photoelectrodes able to stimulate and promote the intracellular concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is searched for redox medicine applications. In this work, we show semiconducting polymer porous thin films with an enhanced photoelectrochemical generation of ROS in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). To achieve that aim, we synthesized graft copolymers, made of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and degradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA) segments, P3HT--PLA.

Nature-inspired functional porous materials for low-concentration biomarker detection.

Nanostructuration is a promising tool for enhancing the performance of sensors based on electrochemical transduction. Nanostructured materials allow for increasing the surface area of the electrode and improving the limit of detection (LOD). In this regard, inverse opals possess ideal features to be used as substrates for developing sensors, thanks to their homogeneous, interconnected pore structure and the possibility to functionalize their surface.

Nano-Electrochemical Characterization of a 3D Bioprinted Cervical Tumor Model.

Current cancer research is limited by the availability of reliable in vivo and in vitro models that are able to reproduce the fundamental hallmarks of cancer. Animal experimentation is of paramount importance in the progress of research, but it is becoming more evident that it has several limitations due to the numerous differences between animal tissues and real, in vivo human tissues. 3D bioprinting techniques have become an attractive tool for many basic and applied research fields.