Design and synthesis of a novel peptide for selective detection of cancer cells.

Using a minimalist approach, an 11-residue peptide (Peptide 1) tagged with rhodamine fluorophore was designed and synthesized for selective detection of cancer cells. Peptide 1 contains RGD and NGR motifs to bind, respectively, integrins and aminopeptidase CD13, which are over expressed in cancer cells. Surface tension measurements revealed that peptide 1 possess surface-active property owing to the overall hydrophobicity and cationic nature of the peptide.

Electrospun protein nanofibers in healthcare: A review.

Electrospun nanofibers are being utilized for a wide range of healthcare applications. A plethora of natural and synthetic polymers are exploited for their ability to be electrospun and replace the complex habitat provided by the extracellular matrix for the cells. The fabrication of nanofibers can be tuned to act as a multicarrier system to deliver drugs, growth factors and health supplements etc.

Fabrication and characterization of poly(vinyl alcohol)-TiO2 nanocomposite films for orthopedic applications.

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is reinforced with TiO2 nanoparticles in order to enhance thermo-mechanical stabilities, surface characteristics and osteoblastic cell adhesion. PVA-TiO2 nanocomposite films with desirable mechanical, thermal and biocompatible properties are fabricated through solution casting method followed by de-hydrothermal cross-linking treatment. The composition of TiO2 nanoparticles was standardized to achieve mechanically stable nanocomposite films, based on tensile strength measurements composition of TiO2 is determined as optimal at 3wt%.

Effect of bimetallic iron:zinc nanoparticles on collagen stabilization.

The ability of metallic nanoparticles to facilitate crosslinking of collagen by binding to side chain moieties has been studied for some time. The current study is mainly focused on understanding the effect of bimetallic iron:zinc nanoparticles on the stability of collagen. The results showed that the bimetallic nanoparticle was able to efficiently stabilize collagen, which is reflected by the enhanced fibril formation kinetics, viscosity, mechanical and thermal stability of the collagen molecule crosslinked with bimetallic nanoparticles.

Effect of Cr(VI) and Ni(II) metal ions on human adipose derived stem cells.

Environmental exposure of Cr(VI) and Ni(II) due to rapid industrialization causes adverse effects in living tissues. Small quantities of these ions also find their way into tissues when metal alloys are used as implants. Even though considerable research has been done on the effects due to their exposure in animal cells, there are only very few reports on how they can affect stem cells which have been shown to be found in adult tissues as well, albeit in small quantities.

Caging of plumbagin on silver nanoparticles imparts selectivity and sensitivity to plumbagin for targeted cancer cell apoptosis.

Plumbagin is a nutraceutical with potent anti-cancer activity. However, the therapeutic efficacy of plumbagin is overshadowed by the lack of sensitivity and selectivity towards cancer cells. The present study evaluated the use of nano-biotechnological intervention to cage plumbagin in silver nanoparticles for selective targeting of its biological effects towards cancerous cells.

Efficacy of frog skin lipids in wound healing.

Background: Frog skin has been sequentially and scientifically evaluated by our group for its wound healing efficiency. Owing to the complex structure of skin, attempts were being made to analyse the role of individual constituents in different phases of healing. Our earlier papers have shown the significance of frog skin not only in wound healing but also enhancing the proliferating activity of the epidermal and dermal cells which are instrumental for normal healing process.