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Small (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... Mar 2023Compartmentalization is the strategy evolved by nature to control reactions in space and time. The ability to emulate this strategy through synthetic... (Review)
Review
Compartmentalization is the strategy evolved by nature to control reactions in space and time. The ability to emulate this strategy through synthetic compartmentalization systems has rapidly evolved in the past years, accompanied by an increasing understanding of the effects of spatial confinement on the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the guest molecules. DNA nanotechnology has played a pivotal role in this scientific endeavor and is still one of the most promising approaches for the construction of nanocompartments with programmable structural features and nanometer-scaled addressability. In this review, the design approaches, bioapplications, and theoretical frameworks of self-assembled DNA nanocompartments are surveyed. From DNA polyhedral cages to virus-like capsules, the construction principles of such intriguing architectures are illustrated. Various applications of DNA nanocompartments, including their use for programmable enzyme scaffolding, single-molecule studies, biosensing, and as artificial nanofactories, ending with an ample description of DNA nanocages for biomedical purposes, are then reported. Finally, the theoretical hypotheses that make DNA nanocompartments, and nanosystems in general, a topic of great interest in modern science, are described and the progresses that have been done until now in the comprehension of the peculiar phenomena that occur within nanosized environments are summarized.
Topics: Nanostructures; Nanotechnology; DNA; Thermodynamics; Nucleic Acid Conformation
PubMed: 35775957
DOI: 10.1002/smll.202202253 -
Small (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... May 2022Molecule engineering has been demonstrated as a valid strategy to adjust the active layer morphology in all-small-molecule organic solar cells (ASM-OSCs). In this work,...
Molecule engineering has been demonstrated as a valid strategy to adjust the active layer morphology in all-small-molecule organic solar cells (ASM-OSCs). In this work, two non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs), FO-2Cl and FO-EH-2Cl, with different alkyl side chains are reported and applied in ASC-OSCs. Compared with FO-2Cl, FO-EH-2Cl is designed by replacing the octyl alkyl chains with branched iso-octyl alkyl chains, leading to an enhanced molecular packing, crystallinity, and redshifted absorption. With a small molecule BSFTR as donor, the device of BSFTR:FO-EH-2Cl obtains a better morphology and achieves a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.78% with a notable fill factor (FF) of 80.44% than that of the FO-2Cl-based device with a PCE of 15.27% and FF of 78.41%. To the authors' knowledge, the FF of 80.44% is the highest value in ASM-OSCs. These results demonstrate a good example of fine-tuning the molecular structure to achieve suitable active layer morphology with promising performance for ASM-OSCs, which can provide valuable insight into material design for high-efficiency ASM-OSCs.
PubMed: 35451222
DOI: 10.1002/smll.202201400 -
Small (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... Jun 2024Microneedles (MNs) have maintained their popularity in therapeutic and diagnostic medical applications throughout the past decade. MNs are originally designed to gently... (Review)
Review
Microneedles (MNs) have maintained their popularity in therapeutic and diagnostic medical applications throughout the past decade. MNs are originally designed to gently puncture the stratum corneum layer of the skin and have lately evolved into intelligent devices with functions including bodily fluid extraction, biosensing, and drug administration. MNs offer limited invasiveness, ease of application, and minimal discomfort. Initially manufactured solely from metals, MNs are now available in polymer-based varieties. MNs can be used to create systems that deliver drugs and chemicals uniformly, collect bodily fluids, and are stimulus-sensitive. Although these advancements are favorable in terms of biocompatibility and production costs, they are insufficient for the therapeutic use of MNs. This is the first comprehensive review that discusses individual MN functions toward the evolution and development of smart and multifunctional MNs for a variety of novel and impactful future applications. The study examines fabrication techniques, application purposes, and experimental details of MN constructs that perform multiple functions concurrently, including sensing, drug-molecule release, sampling, and remote communication capabilities. It is highly likely that in the near future, MN-based smart devices will be a useful and important component of standard medical practice for different applications.
Topics: Needles; Humans; Drug Delivery Systems; Animals; Theranostic Nanomedicine; Microinjections
PubMed: 38385813
DOI: 10.1002/smll.202308479 -
Small (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... Jul 2022Zn anode is confronted with serious Zn dendrite growth and water-induced parasitic reactions, which severely hinders the rapid development and practical application of...
Zn anode is confronted with serious Zn dendrite growth and water-induced parasitic reactions, which severely hinders the rapid development and practical application of aqueous zinc metal batteries (AZMBs). Herein, inspired by sodium hyaluronate (SH) biomolecules in living organisms featured with the functions of water retention, ion-transport regulation, and film-formation, the SH working as a dynamic and self-adaptive "mask" is proposed to stabilize Zn anode. Benefiting from the abundant functional groups with high hydrophilicity and zincophilicity, SH molecule can constrain active water molecules on the Zn-electrolyte interface and participate in Zn solvation structure to suppress parasitic reactions. Furthermore, the dynamical adsorption of SH with high-density negative charge on the Zn surface could serve as Zn reservoirs to guide uniform Zn deposition. Consequently, stable Zn plating and an ultrahigh cumulative plating capacity (CPC) of 4.8 Ah cm are achieved even at 20 mA cm (20 mAh cm ) in a Zn||Zn symmetric battery, reaching a record level in AZMBs. In addition, the Zn||β-MnO full battery exhibits a substantially improved cycle stability. This work presents a route to realize a highly reversible and stable Zn metal anode by learning from nature.
Topics: Electrodes; Manganese Compounds; Oxides; Zinc
PubMed: 35623998
DOI: 10.1002/smll.202202214 -
Small (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... Jul 2022Quantifying the binding kinetics and affinities of protein-small molecule interactions is critical for biomarker validation, drug discovery, and deep understanding of...
Quantifying the binding kinetics and affinities of protein-small molecule interactions is critical for biomarker validation, drug discovery, and deep understanding of various biological processes at the molecular-scale. Novel approaches are demanded as most common label-free techniques are mass-sensitive, which are not suitable for the detection of small molecule interactions. Here, an optical imaging platform is developed to measure the binding kinetics of both protein-small molecules and protein-ions based on monolayer MoS , an ultra-thin 2D material whose optical absorption is extremely sensitive to charge. A model is established to calibrate the optical response due to the charged analyte binding and it is applied to quantify the interactions between abl1 kinase and different small-molecule inhibitors. Such a presented method is capable of distinguishing different inhibitors binding to a wild or mutated kinase, which provides guidance for drug evaluation and drug mechanism exploration. The binding kinetics of calcium ions to calmodulin is also measured, further broadening the application field of the method. In addition, the imaging capability allows mapping the local binding kinetics of the molecular interactions with a high resolution, which reveals visible spatial variability and offers a promising tool for studying heterogeneous local interfacial interactions.
Topics: Ions; Kinetics; Molybdenum; Optical Imaging; Protein Binding
PubMed: 35726050
DOI: 10.1002/smll.202202622 -
Small (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... Mar 2021Metalated phthalocyanines (Pc's) are robust and versatile molecular complexes, whose properties can be tuned by changing their functional groups and central metal atom....
Metalated phthalocyanines (Pc's) are robust and versatile molecular complexes, whose properties can be tuned by changing their functional groups and central metal atom. The electronic structure of magnesium Pc (MgPc)-structurally and electronically similar to chlorophyll-adsorbed on the Ag(100) surface is investigated by low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy, non-contact atomic force microscopy, and density functional theory. Single, isolated MgPc's exhibit a flat, fourfold rotationally symmetric morphology, with doubly degenerate, partially populated (due to surface-to-molecule electron transfer) lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMOs). In contrast, MgPc's with neighbouring molecules in proximity undergo a lift of LUMOs degeneracy, with a near-Fermi local density of states with reduced twofold rotational symmetry, indicative of a long-range attractive intermolecular interaction. The latter is assigned to a surface-mediated two-step electronic hybridization process. First, LUMOs interact with Ag(100) conduction electrons, forming hybrid molecule-surface orbitals with enhanced spatial extension. Then, these delocalized molecule-surface states further hybridize with those of neighbouring molecules. This work highlights how the electronic structure of molecular adsorbates-including orbital degeneracies and symmetries-can be significantly altered via surface-mediated intermolecular hybridization, over extended distances (beyond 3 nm), having important implications for prospects of molecule-based solid-state technologies.
PubMed: 33576182
DOI: 10.1002/smll.202005974 -
Small (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... Nov 2023Piezocatalysis is an emerging technique that holds great promise for the conversion of ubiquitous mechanical energy into electrochemical energy through piezoelectric... (Review)
Review
Piezocatalysis is an emerging technique that holds great promise for the conversion of ubiquitous mechanical energy into electrochemical energy through piezoelectric effect. However, mechanical energies in natural environment (such as wind energy, water flow energy, and noise) are typically tiny, scattered, and featured with low frequency and low power. Therefore, a high response to these tiny mechanical energies is critical to achieving high piezocatalytic performance. In comparison to nanoparticles or 1D piezoelectric materials, 2D piezoelectric materials possess characteristics such as high flexibility, easy deformation, large surface area, and rich active sites, showing more promise in future for practical applications. In this review, state-of-the-art research progresses on 2D piezoelectric materials and their applications in piezocatalysis are provided. First, a detailed description of 2D piezoelectric materials are offered. Then a comprehensive summary of the piezocatalysis technique is presented and examines the piezocatalysis applications of 2D piezoelectric materials in various fields, including environmental remediation, small-molecule catalysis, and biomedicine. Finally, the main challenges and prospects of 2D piezoelectric materials and their applications in piezocatalysis are discussed. It is expected that this review can fuel the practical application of 2D piezoelectric materials in piezocatalysis.
PubMed: 37386814
DOI: 10.1002/smll.202303586 -
Small (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... Mar 2022Reversible electrochemical intercalation of cations into the interlayer space of 2D materials induces tunable physical and chemical properties in them. In MXenes, a...
Reversible electrochemical intercalation of cations into the interlayer space of 2D materials induces tunable physical and chemical properties in them. In MXenes, a large class of recently developed 2D carbides and nitrides, low intercalation energy, high storage capacitance, and reversible intercalation of various cations have led to their improved performance in sensing and energy storage applications. Herein, a coupled nanopore-actuator system where an ultrathin free-standing MXene film serves as a nanopore support membrane and ionically active actuator is reported. In this system, the contactless MXene membrane in the electric field affects the cation movement in the field through their (de)intercalation between individual MXene flakes. This results in reversible swelling and contraction of the membrane monitored by ionic conductance through the nanopore. This unique nanopore coupled to a mechanical actuation system could provide new insights into designing single-molecule biosensing platforms at the nanoscale.
Topics: Cations; Electric Capacitance; Electricity; Nanopores
PubMed: 35297185
DOI: 10.1002/smll.202105857 -
Small (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... Mar 2020Over the past decades, microfluidics has emerged as an increasingly important tool to perform biochemical assays for diagnosis and healthcare. The precise fluid control... (Review)
Review
Over the past decades, microfluidics has emerged as an increasingly important tool to perform biochemical assays for diagnosis and healthcare. The precise fluid control and molecule manipulation within microfluidics greatly contribute to developing assays with simplicity and convenience. The advantages of microfluidics, including decreased consumption of reagents and samples, lower operating and analysis time, much lower cost, and higher integration and automation over traditional systems, offer a great platform to meet the needs of point-of-care applications. In this Review, versatile strategies are outlined and recent advances in microfluidics-implemented assays are discussed from the perspective of readout, because a convenient and straightforward readout is what a biochemical assay requires and the end user desires. Functions and properties arising from each readout are reviewed and the advantages and limitations of each readout are discussed together with current challenges and future perspectives.
Topics: Biological Assay; Microfluidics; Point-of-Care Systems
PubMed: 31532891
DOI: 10.1002/smll.201903388 -
Small (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... Dec 2021The antitumor efficiency and clinical translation of traditional nanomedicines is mainly restricted by low drug loading, complex preparation technology, and potential... (Review)
Review
The antitumor efficiency and clinical translation of traditional nanomedicines is mainly restricted by low drug loading, complex preparation technology, and potential toxicity caused by the overused carrier materials. In recent decades, small-molecule prodrug nanoassemblies (SMP-NAs), which are formed by the self-assembly of prodrugs themselves, have been widely investigated with distinct advantages of ultrahigh drug-loading and negligible excipients-trigged adverse reaction. Benefited from the simple preparation process, SMP-NAs are widely used for chemotherapy, phototherapy, immunotherapy, and tumor diagnosis. In addition, combination therapy based on the accurate co-delivery behavior of SMP-NAs can effectively address the challenges of tumor heterogeneity and multidrug resistance. Recent trends in SMP-NAs are outlined, and the corresponding self-assembly mechanisms are discussed in detail. Besides, the smart stimuli-responsive SMP-NAs and the combination therapy based on SMP-NAs are summarized, with special emphasis on the structure-function relationships. Finally, the outlooks and potential challenges of SMP-NAs in cancer therapy are highlighted.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Cell Line, Tumor; Drug Delivery Systems; Nanomedicine; Nanoparticles; Prodrugs
PubMed: 34342126
DOI: 10.1002/smll.202101460