PSMA-Targeting Imprinted Nanogels for Prostate Tumor Localization and Imaging.

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is overexpressed in prostate cancer cells and tumor vasculature, making it an important biomarker. However, conventional PSMA-targeting agents like antibodies and small molecules have limitations. Antibodies exhibit instability and complex production, while small molecules show lower specificity and higher toxicity.

2023 The 1st National Competition of "Bloomag Cup" in CO capture, conversion, and utilization.

The inaugural National Competition for Carbon Dioxide Capture, Conversion and Utilization Innovation ("Bloomag Cup") was successfully held on July 30, 2023 in Beijing. This competition was initiated by Professor Tianwei Tan and Prof. Yongqin Lv from Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT), and jointly organized by BUCT and Chongqing University.

A High-Throughput Screening Strategy for Synthesizing Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Nanoparticles Selectively Targeting Tumors.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) show significant promise as effective alternatives to antibodies in disease diagnosis and therapy. However, the challenging process of screening extensive libraries of monomer combinations and synthesis conditions to identify formulations with enhanced selectivity and affinity presents a notable time constraint. The need for expedient methods becomes clear in accelerating the strategic development of MIPs tailored for precise molecular recognition purposes.

Engineered polymer nanoparticles as artificial chaperones facilitating the selective refolding of denatured enzymes.

Molecular chaperones assist in protein refolding by selectively binding to proteins in their nonnative states. Despite progress in creating artificial chaperones, these designs often have a limited range of substrates they can work with. In this paper, we present molecularly imprinted flexible polymer nanoparticles (nanoMIPs) designed as customizable biomimetic chaperones.

Boosted Enzyme Activity via Encapsulation within Metal-Organic Frameworks with Pores Matching Enzyme Size and Shape.

A novel and versatile approach called "physical imprinting" is introduced to modulate enzyme conformation using mesoporous materials, addressing challenges in achieving improved enzyme activity and stability. Metal-organic frameworks with tailored mesopores, precisely matching enzyme size and shape, are synthesized. Remarkably, enzymes encapsulated within these customized mesopores exhibit over 1670% relative activity compared to free enzymes, maintaining outstanding efficiency even under harsh conditions such as heat, exposure to organic solvents, wide-ranging pH extremes from acidic to alkaline, and exposure to a digestion cocktail.

Synthetic Polymer Nanoparticles as an Abiotic Artificial Inhibitor of Tyrosinase.

An innovative methodology is presented for synthesizing synthetic polymer nanoparticles (TINPs) as potent tyrosinase inhibitors. This inhibition strategy combines the integration of two distinct functionalities, phenol, and phenylboronic acid, within the TINPs structure. The phenyl group mimics the natural monophenol substrate, forming a strong coordination with the catalytic copper ion, significantly inhibiting tyrosinase activity.

Rapid Screening and Synthesis of Abiotic Synthetic Receptors for Selective Bacterial Recognition.

The major challenges that impede the preparation of abiotic synthetic receptors designed to feature selective bacterial recognition properties are the complexity, nonrobustness, and environmental adaptability of live microbes. Here, we describe a new rapid screening strategy to determine the optimal polymer formulation on 96-well plates and then produce abiotic synthetic receptors by imprinting the surface marker lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Gram-negative bacteria. The resulting LPS-imprinted nanoparticles reveal remarkable affinity toward LPS with an equilibrium dissociation constant () value of 10 M and can distinguish and selectively recognize specific bacteria in whole blood at concentrations down to 10 cells/mL.

Exceptional Electron-Rich Heteroaromatic Pentacycle for Ultralow Band Gap Conjugated Polymers and Photothermal Therapy.

Stable redox-active conjugated molecules with exceptional electron-donating abilities are key components for the design and synthesis of ultralow band gap conjugated polymers. While hallmark electron-rich examples such as pentacene derivatives have been thoroughly explored, their poor air stability has hampered their broad incorporation into conjugated polymers for practical applications. Herein, we describe the synthesis of the electron-rich, fused pentacyclic pyrazino[2,3-:5,6-']diindolizine (PDIz) motif and detail its optical and redox behavior.

Solid-Phase Screening and Synthesis of Molecularly Imprinted Nanoparticles for Selective Recognition and Detection of Brain Natriuretic Peptide.

A new recognition method is explored for the rapid detection of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) based on the rational design and solid-phase synthesis of molecularly imprinted nanoparticles (nanoMIP) encapsulated with carbon dots. The nanosized magnetic template is first prepared by attaching the epitope of BNP on amino-functionalized magnetic carriers. High-dilution polymerization of monomers in the presence of magnetic template generates lightly crosslinked imprinted nanoparticles.

Isometric Covalent Triazine Framework-Derived Porous Carbons as Metal-Free Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

Covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) and their derivative N-doped carbons have attracted much attention for application in energy conversion and storage. However, previous studies have mainly focused on developing new building blocks and optimizing synthetic conditions. The use of isometric building blocks to control the porous structure and to fundamentally understand structure-property relationships have rarely been reported.

Binding of Proteins to Copolymers of Varying Charges and Hydrophobicity: A Molecular Mechanism and Computational Strategies.

Because of their ability to selectively bind to a target protein, copolymer nanoparticles (NPs) containing a selected combination of hydrophobic and charged groups have been frequently reported as potent antibody-like analogues. However, due to the intrinsic disorder of the copolymer NP in terms of its random monomer sequence and the cross-linked copolymer matrix, the copolymer NP is indeed strikingly different from a well-folded protein antibody and the complexation between the copolymer NP and a target protein is likely not due to a lock-key type of interaction but possibly due to a novel and unexplored molecular mechanism. Here, we study a key biomarker protein, vimentin, interacting with a set of random copolymer chains using implicit-water explicit-ion coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations along with biolayer interferometry (BLI) analysis.

Synthesis and characterization of polymerizable MOFs for the preparation of MOF/polymer mixed matrix membranes.

Mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) comprising polymer matrices and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) provide efficient and economic CO separation. One major challenge is to construct continuous and defect-free MMMs due to poor MOF/polymer compatibility. Here, this protocol describes the step-by-step details for synthesis of desired linkers that allow the fabrication of new polymerizable MOFs containing vinyl groups (BUCT MOFs) and the preparation procedures of defect-free MMMs with enhanced MOF/polymer interfacial adhesion and boosted gas separation performances.

Molecularly imprinted monoliths: Recent advances in the selective recognition of biomacromolecules related biomarkers.

Biomarkers are significant indicators to assist the early diagnosis of diseases and assess the therapeutic response. However, due to the low abundance of biomarkers in complex biological fluids, it is highly desirable to explore efficient techniques to attain their selective recognition and capture before the detection. Molecularly imprinted monoliths integrate the high selectivity of imprinted polymers and the rapid convective mass transport of monoliths, and as a result, are promising candidates to achieve the specific enrichment of biomarkers from complex samples.

Hybrid Porous Crystalline Materials from Metal Organic Frameworks and Covalent Organic Frameworks.

Two frontier crystalline porous framework materials, namely, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), have been widely explored owing to their outstanding physicochemical properties. While each type of framework has its own intrinsic advantages and shortcomings for specific applications, combining the complementary properties of the two materials allows the engineering of new classes of hybrid porous crystalline materials with properties superior to the individual components. Since the first report of MOF/COF hybrid in 2016, it has rapidly evolved as a novel platform for diverse applications.

Boosted activity by engineering the enzyme microenvironment in cascade reaction: A molecular understanding.

Engineering of enzyme microenvironment can surprisingly boost the apparent activity. However, the underlying regulation mechanism is not well-studied at a molecular level so far. Here, we present a modulation of two model enzymes of cytochrome (Cty C) and -amino acid oxidase (DAAO) with opposite pH-activity profiles using ionic polymers.

Abiotic Mimic of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Inhibitor against Advanced Metastatic Cancer.

As the most representative family of proteinases related to tumorigenesis, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) represents a key player in cancer cell migration and regulation of the tumor microenvironment. The inhibition of MMP-9 activity has been pursued as a target for anticancer therapy. However, most synthetic MMP-9 inhibitors have failed in clinical trials because of their lack of selectivity.

Polymerizable metal-organic frameworks for the preparation of mixed matrix membranes with enhanced interfacial compatibility.

The preparation of flawless and defect-free mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) comprising metal-organic framework (MOF) and polymer is often difficult owing to the poor MOF/polymer interface compatibility. Herein, we present the synthesis of an important family of pillared-layered MOFs with polymerizable moieties based on the parent structure [ZnLP] [L = vinyl containing benzenedicarboxylic acid linkers; P = 4,4'-bipyridine (bipy)]. The crystalline structures of polymerizable MOFs were analyzed using single-crystal X-ray crystallography.

Selective recognition of tumor cells by molecularly imprinted polymers.

Molecularly imprinted polymers, developed 50 years ago, have garnered enormous attention as receptor-like materials. Lately, molecularly imprinted polymers have been employed as a specific target tool in favor of cancer diagnosis and therapy by the selective recognition of tumor cells. Although the molecular imprinting technology has been well-innovated recently, the cell still remains the most challenging target for imprinting.

Molecularly imprinted polymers for the selective recognition of microorganisms.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) emerged half a century ago have now attracted tremendous attention as artificial receptors or plastic antibodies. Although the preparation of MIPs targeting small molecules, peptides, or even proteins is straightforward and well-developed, the molecular imprinting of microorganisms still remains a big challenge. This review highlights the preparation of MIPs that reveal biomimetic specificity and selectivity towards microorganisms by creating the well-defined cell recognition sites.

Sequential Co-immobilization of Enzymes in Metal-Organic Frameworks for Efficient Biocatalytic Conversion of Adsorbed CO to Formate.

The main challenges in multienzymatic cascade reactions for CO reduction are the low CO solubility in water, the adjustment of substrate channeling, and the regeneration of co-factor. In this study, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were prepared as adsorbents for the storage of CO and at the same time as solid supports for the sequential co-immobilization of multienzymes via a layer-by-layer self-assembly approach. Amine-functionalized MIL-101(Cr) was synthesized for the adsorption of CO.

Hierarchical Micro- and Mesoporous Zn-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks Templated by Hydrogels: Their Use for Enzyme Immobilization and Catalysis of Knoevenagel Reaction.

Encapsulation of enzymes in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is often obstructed by the small size of the orifices typical of most reported MOFs, which prevent the passage of larger-size enzymes. Here, the preparation of hierarchical micro- and mesoporous Zn-based MOFs via the templated emulsification method using hydrogels as a template is presented. Zinc-based hydrogels featuring a 3D interconnecting network are first produced via the formation of hydrogen bonds between melamine and salicylic acid in which zinc ions are well distributed.

Engineering of the Filler/Polymer Interface in Metal-Organic Framework-Based Mixed-Matrix Membranes to Enhance Gas Separation.

Traditional films cannot fully adapt to industrial applications and to intensified processes. Advanced mixed-matrix membranes comprising metal-organic frameworks (MOF) embedded in a polymer matrix have been developed with the goal of breaking the trade-off effect of traditional polymer membranes and achieving separation performance beyond Robeson's upper limit. The key challenges in the fabrication of MOF-based mixed-matrix membranes are an enhancement in compatibility between the inorganic filler and the polymer matrix, elimination of the irregular morphology and non-selective interfacial defects, and further improvement in the gas-separation performance.