The fast-advancing progress in the research of nanomedicine and microneedle applications in the past two decades has suggested that the combination of the two concepts could help to overcome some of the challenges we are facing in healthcare. They include poor patient compliance with medication and the lack of appropriate administration forms that enable the optimal dose to reach the target site. Nanoparticles as drug vesicles can protect their cargo and deliver it to the target site, while evading the body's defence mechanisms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNanoparticles (NPs) functionalized with antibodies on their surface are used in a wide range of research applications. However, the bioconjugation chemistry between the antibodies and the surface of nanoparticles can be very challenging, often accompanied by several undesired effects such as nanoparticle aggregation, antibody denaturation, or poor target recognition of the surface-bound antibodies. Here, we report on a synthesis of fluorescent silica nanoparticle-antibody (NP-Ab) conjugates, in which polycarboxylated dextran is used as the multivalent linker.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInfluenza virus polymerase uses capped RNA primers for transcription initiation in infected cells. This unique mechanism involves the specific binding of the polymerase to capped mRNA precursors in the nucleus of infected cells. These host RNAs are then cleaved by a polymerase associated endonuclease at a position 10-15 nucleotides downstream of the cap structure.
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