Proteins, through their unique and specific interactions with other macromolecules and inorganics, control structures and functions of all biological hard and soft tissues in organisms. Molecular biomimetics is an emerging field in which hybrid technologies are developed by using the tools of molecular biology and nanotechnology. Taking lessons from biology, polypeptides can now be genetically engineered to specifically bind to selected inorganic compounds for applications in nano- and biotechnology. This review discusses combinatorial biological protocols, that is, bacterial cell surface and phage-display technologies, in the selection of short sequences that have affinity to (noble) metals, semiconducting oxides and other technological compounds. These genetically engineered proteins for inorganics (GEPIs) can be used in the assembly of functional nanostructures. Based on the three fundamental principles of molecular recognition, self-assembly and DNA manipulation, we highlight successful uses of GEPI in nanotechnology.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat964 | DOI Listing |
Pharmaceutics
January 2025
Research Centre for Life Science and Healthcare, Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute (CBI), University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo 315000, China.
Malignant growth is expected to surpass other significant causes of death as one of the top reasons for dismalness and mortality worldwide. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) study, this illness causes approximately between 9 and 10 million instances of deaths annually. Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery are the three main methods of treating cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArthritis Res Ther
January 2025
Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Section Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.
Objective: To explore IL11 co-expression profiles in our previously reported RNA-sequencing dataset of OA articular cartilage, in interaction with IL6, and to investigate the effects of hrIL11 administration as potential therapeutic strategy for OA articular cartilage using our biomimetic aged human osteochondral explant model of OA.
Methods: We used RNA-sequencing datasets of macroscopically preserved and lesioned OA articular cartilage (N = 35 patients). Spearman correlations were calculated between IL11 and IL6 expression levels and genes expressed in cartilage (N = 20048 genes).
J Ethnopharmacol
January 2025
Hubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Local Chinese Medicine Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China. Electronic address:
Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Astragali Radix (A. Radix) is the dry root of the leguminous plants Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Beg. var.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
January 2025
Department of Sports Medicine of the Second Affiliated Hospital, and Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 311113, China.
Joining heterogeneous materials in engineered structures remains a significant challenge due to stress concentration at interfaces, which often leads to unexpected failures. Investigating the complex, multiscale-graded structures found in animal tissue provides valuable insights that can help address this challenge. The human meniscus root-bone interface is an exemplary model, renowned for its exceptional fatigue resistance, toughness, and interfacial adhesion properties throughout its lifespan.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Funct Biomater
January 2025
School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China.
Biomimetic nanodrug delivery systems based on cell membranes have emerged as a promising approach for targeted cancer therapy due to their biocompatibility and low immunogenicity. Among them, platelet-mediated systems are particularly noteworthy for their innate tumor-homing and cancer cell interaction capabilities. These systems utilize nanoparticles shielded and directed by platelet membrane coatings for efficient drug delivery.
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