Advancing Topoisomerase Research Using DNA Nanotechnology.

In this Perspective, the use of DNA nanotechnology is explored as a powerful tool for studying a family of enzymes known as topoisomerases. These enzymes regulate DNA topology within a living cell and play a major role in the pharmaceutical field, serving as anti-cancer and anti-bacterial targets. This Perspective will provide a short historical overview of the methods employed in studying these enzymes and emphasizing recent advancements in assays using DNA nanotechnology.

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps-Inspired Bismuth-Based Polypeptide Nanonets for Synergetic Treatment of Bacterial Infections.

Excessive use of antibiotics and the formation of bacterial biofilms can lead to persistent infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria, rendering ineffective immune responses and even life-threatening. There is an urgent need to explore synergistic antibacterial therapies across all stages of infection. Drawing inspiration from the antibacterial properties of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and integrating the bacterial biofilm dispersal mechanism involving boronic acid-catechol interaction, the multifunctional bismuth-based polypeptide nanonets (PLBA-Bi-Fe-TA) are developed.

Light-induced MOF synthesis enabling composite photothermal materials.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous materials known for their large surface areas. Thus, over the past few decades the development of MOFs and their applications has been a major topic of interest throughout the scientific community. However, many current conventional syntheses of MOFs are lengthy solvothermal processes carried out at elevated temperatures.

Photothermally heated colloidal synthesis of nanoparticles driven by silica-encapsulated plasmonic heat sources.

Using photons to drive chemical reactions has become an increasingly important field of chemistry. Plasmonic materials can provide a means to introduce the energy necessary for nucleation and growth of nanoparticles by efficiently converting visible and infrared light to heat. Moreover, the formation of crystalline nanoparticles has yet to be included in the extensive list of plasmonic photothermal processes.

Plasmonic visible-near infrared photothermal activation of olefin metathesis enabling photoresponsive materials.

Light-induced catalysis and thermoplasmonics are promising fields creating many opportunities for innovative research. Recent advances in light-induced olefin metathesis have led to new applications in polymer and material science, but further improvements to reaction scope and efficiency are desired. Herein, we present the activation of latent ruthenium-based olefin metathesis catalysts via the photothermal response of plasmonic gold nanobipyramids.