Cation Tuning of Supramolecular Gel Properties: A New Paradigm for Sustained Drug Delivery.

Hydrogels formed by the self-assembly of low-molecular-weight gelators (LMWGs) are promising scaffolds for drug-delivery applications. A new biocompatible hydrogel, resulting from the self-assembly of nucleotide-lipid salts can be safely injected in vivo. The resulting hydrogel provides sustained-release of protein for more than a week.

Carbamate-Based Bolaamphiphile as Low-Molecular-Weight Hydrogelators.

A new bolaamphiphile analog featuring carbamate moieties was synthesized in six steps starting from thymidine. The amphiphile structure exhibits nucleoside-sugar polar heads attached to a hydrophobic spacer via carbamate (urethane) functions. This molecular structure, which possesses additional H-bonding capabilities, induces the stabilization of low-molecular-weight gels (LMWGs) in water.

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Image-Guided Therapy of Atherosclerosis.

Although the application of nanotechnologies to atherosclerosis remains a young field, novel strategies are needed to address this public health issue. In this context, the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approach has been gradually investigated in order to enable image-guided treatments. In this contribution, we report a new approach based on nucleoside-lipids allowing the synthesis of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) loaded with iron oxide particles and therapeutic agents.

The role of diet and housing-temperature in the production of genetically modified mouse embryos and their developmental capacity after cryopreservation.

Mutant mouse lines are unique models with an enormous scientific potential. Cryopreservation of preimplantation embryos or of spermatozoa is a common approach to save those lines. The breeding of a line can be discontinued if sufficient specimens have been cryopreserved.

Control of stem-cell behavior by fine tuning the supramolecular assemblies of low-molecular-weight gelators.

Controlling the behavior of stem cells through the supramolecular architecture of the extracellular matrix remains an important challenge in the culture of stem cells. Herein, we report on a new generation of low-molecular-weight gelators (LMWG) for the culture of isolated stem cells. The bola-amphiphile structures derived from nucleolipids feature unique rheological and biological properties suitable for tissue engineering applications.

Epoxy-terminated self-assembled monolayers containing internal urea or amide groups.

We report the synthesis of new coupling agents with internal amide or urea groups possessing an epoxy-terminal group and trimethoxysilyl-anchoring group. The structural characterizations of the corresponding self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) were performed by polarization modulation infrared reflection adsorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS). The molecular assembly is mainly based on the intermolecular hydrogen-bonding between adjacent amide or urea groups in the monolayers.

Stability of cryopreserved samples of mutant mice.

Genetically modified animals are unique models with enormous scientific potential. Cryopreservation of pre-implantation embryos or of spermatozoa is a common approach to save those lines. The breeding of a line can be discontinued if a sufficient number of samples have been cryopreserved.

Functionalized hydrogen-bonding self-assembled monolayers grafted onto SiO2 substrates.

A novel urea coupling agent possessing a vinyl-terminal group and trimethoxysilyl anchoring group was synthesized and grafted onto SiO(2)/Au substrates. This ureido coupling agent exhibits a good capacity to directly yield homogeneous SAMs with a surface smoothing. Polarization modulation infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) was used to monitor these SAMs.

PM-IRRAS investigation of self-assembled monolayers grafted onto SiO2/Au substrates.

Polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) was used to characterize self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Novel ester-terminated organosilicon coupling agents possessing a trialkoxysilyl headgroup and a urea group in the linear alkyl chains (4) were synthesized and grafted onto SiO(2)/Au substrates (SiO(2) film of 200 Å thickness deposited on gold mirror). This composite substrate allowed the anchoring of SAMs and preserved the high reflectivity for infrared radiation.