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Biosensors Apr 2022In this work, we have combined the advantages of sequence programmability of DNA nanotechnology and optical birefringence of liquid crystals (LCs). Herein, DNA...
In this work, we have combined the advantages of sequence programmability of DNA nanotechnology and optical birefringence of liquid crystals (LCs). Herein, DNA amphiphiles were adsorbed onto LC droplets. A unique phenomenon of LC droplet aggregation was demonstrated, using DNA-modified LC droplets, through complementary DNA hybridization. Further functionalization of DNA-modified LC droplets with a desired DNA sequence was used to detect a wide range of chemicals and biomolecules, such as Hg, thrombin, and enzymes, through LC droplet aggregation and vice versa, which can be seen through the naked eye. These DNA-modified LC droplets can be printed onto a desired patterned surface with temperature-induced responsiveness and reversibility. Overall, our work is the first to report DNA-modified LC droplet, which provides a general detection platform based on the development of DNA aptamers. Additionally, this work inspires the exploration of surface information visualization combined with microcontact printing.
Topics: DNA; Liquid Crystals; Nucleic Acid Hybridization
PubMed: 35624576
DOI: 10.3390/bios12050275 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2022Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are programmable deformable materials that can respond to physical fields such as light, heat, and electricity. Photothermal-driven LCE... (Review)
Review
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are programmable deformable materials that can respond to physical fields such as light, heat, and electricity. Photothermal-driven LCE has the advantages of accuracy and remote control and avoids the requirement of high photon energy for photochemistry. In this review, we discuss recent advances in photothermal LCE materials and investigate methods for mechanical alignment, external field alignment, and surface-induced alignment. Advances in the synthesis and orientation of LCEs have enabled liquid crystal elastomers to meet applications in optics, robotics, and more. The review concludes with a discussion of current challenges and research opportunities.
Topics: Elastomers; Electricity; Liquid Crystals; Optics and Photonics
PubMed: 35889204
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27144330 -
Proceedings of the Japan Academy.... 2022This review article comprises three contents: 1) a general introduction of liquid crystals (LCs) and their chronological developments until their current status, 2) the... (Review)
Review
This review article comprises three contents: 1) a general introduction of liquid crystals (LCs) and their chronological developments until their current status, 2) the descriptions of the achievements of defect-free and optically high-quality LC displays (LCDs), and 3) the description of the new and alternative methods for improving existing LCD technologies in terms of high-speed response, viewing angles, and power consumption through nanoparticle doping and optical compensation on a laboratory level. When these technologies are successfully developed, they will be used in the industry, where the fabrication process will be performed in a large-clean room using automated robotics.
Topics: Liquid Crystals; Data Display
PubMed: 36372439
DOI: 10.2183/pjab.98.025 -
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and... Dec 2022Viscosity behavior of liquid oligonucleotide therapeutics and its dependence on formulation properties has been poorly studied to date. We observed a high increase in...
Viscosity behavior of liquid oligonucleotide therapeutics and its dependence on formulation properties has been poorly studied to date. We observed a high increase in viscosity and solidification of therapeutic oligonucleotide formulations with increasing oligonucleotide concentration creating challenges during drug product manufacturing. In this study, we characterized the viscosity behavior of three different single strand DNA oligonucleotides based on oligonucleotide concentration and formulation composition. We subsequently studied the underlying mechanism for increased viscosity at higher oligonucleotide concentrations by dynamic light scattering (DLS), 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and polarized light microscopy. Viscosity was highly dependent on formulation composition, oligonucleotide sequence, and concentration, and especially dependent on the presence and combination of different individual ions, such as the presence of sodium chloride in the formulation. In samples with elevated viscosity, the viscosity behavior was characterized by non-Newtonian, shear-thinning flow behavior. We further studied these samples by DLS and 1H NMR, which revealed the presence of supra-molecular assemblies, and further characterization by polarized light and DSC characterized these assemblies as liquid crystals in the formulation. The present study links the macroscopic viscosity behavior of oligonucleotide formulations to the formation of supra-molecular assemblies and to the presence of liquid crystals, and highlights the importance of formulation composition selection for these therapeutics.
Topics: Liquid Crystals; Oligonucleotides
PubMed: 36435312
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2022.11.021 -
Biosensors Aug 2022Liquid crystals (LCs) have been widely used as sensitive elements to construct LC biosensors based on the principle that specific bonding events between biomolecules can... (Review)
Review
Liquid crystals (LCs) have been widely used as sensitive elements to construct LC biosensors based on the principle that specific bonding events between biomolecules can affect the orientation of LC molecules. On the basis of the sensing interface of LC molecules, LC biosensors can be classified into three types: LC-solid interface sensing platforms, LC-aqueous interface sensing platforms, and LC-droplet interface sensing platforms. In addition, as a signal amplification method, the combination of LCs and whispering gallery mode (WGM) optical microcavities can provide higher detection sensitivity due to the extremely high quality factor and the small mode volume of the WGM optical microcavity, which enhances the interaction between the light field and biotargets. In this review, we present an overview of the basic principles, the structure, and the applications of LC biosensors. We discuss the important properties of LC and the principle of LC biosensors. The different geometries of LCs in the biosensing systems as well as their applications in the biological detection are then described. The fabrication and the application of the LC-based WGM microcavity optofluidic sensor in the biological detection are also introduced. Finally, challenges and potential research opportunities in the development of LC-based biosensors are discussed.
Topics: Biosensing Techniques; Liquid Crystals
PubMed: 36005035
DOI: 10.3390/bios12080639 -
Journal of Controlled Release :... Sep 2022The necessity for long-term treatments of chronic diseases has encouraged the development of novel long-acting parenteral formulations intending to improve drug... (Review)
Review
The necessity for long-term treatments of chronic diseases has encouraged the development of novel long-acting parenteral formulations intending to improve drug pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy. Lately, one of the novel approaches has been developed based on lipid-based liquid crystals. The lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) systems consist of amphiphilic molecules and are formed in presence of solvents with the most common types being cubic, hexagonal and lamellar mesophases. LC injectables have been recently developed based on polar lipids that spontaneously form liquid crystal nanoparticles in aqueous tissue environments to create the in-situ long-acting sustained-release depot to provide treatment efficacy over extended periods. In this manuscript, we have consolidated and summarized the various type of liquid crystals, recent formulation advancements, analytical evaluation, and therapeutic application of lyotropic liquid crystals in the field of parenteral sustained release drug delivery.
Topics: Delayed-Action Preparations; Drug Delivery Systems; Drug Liberation; Lipids; Liquid Crystals; Nanoparticles; Solvents
PubMed: 35792188
DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.06.062 -
Biosensors Sep 2022The development of biosensing platforms has been impressively accelerated by advancements in liquid crystal (LC) technology. High response rate, easy operation, and good... (Review)
Review
The development of biosensing platforms has been impressively accelerated by advancements in liquid crystal (LC) technology. High response rate, easy operation, and good stability of the LC droplet-based biosensors are all benefits of the long-range order of LC molecules. Bioprobes emerged when LC droplets were combined with biotechnology, and these bioprobes are used extensively for disease diagnosis, food safety, and environmental monitoring. The LC droplet biosensors have high sensitivity and excellent selectivity, making them an attractive tool for the label-free, economical, and real-time detection of different targets. Portable devices work well as the accessory kits for LC droplet-based biosensors to make them easier to use by anyone for on-site monitoring of targets. Herein, we offer a review of the latest developments in the design of LC droplet-based biosensors for qualitative target monitoring and quantitative target analysis.
Topics: Biosensing Techniques; Biotechnology; Liquid Crystals; Point-of-Care Systems; Point-of-Care Testing
PubMed: 36140143
DOI: 10.3390/bios12090758 -
Biosensors Oct 2021Liquid crystals (LCs) with stimuli-responsive configuration transition and optical anisotropic properties have attracted enormous interest in the development of simple... (Review)
Review
Liquid crystals (LCs) with stimuli-responsive configuration transition and optical anisotropic properties have attracted enormous interest in the development of simple and label-free biosensors. The combination of microfluidics and the LCs offers great advantages over traditional LC-based biosensors including small sample consumption, fast analysis and low cost. Moreover, microfluidic techniques provide a promising tool to fabricate uniform and reproducible LC-based sensing platforms. In this review, we emphasize the recent development of microfluidics in the fabrication and integration of LC-based biosensors, including LC planar sensing platforms and LC droplets. Fabrication and integration of LC-based planar platforms with microfluidics for biosensing applications are first introduced. The generation and entrapment of monodisperse LC droplets with different microfluidic structures, as well as their applications in the detection of chemical and biological species, are then summarized. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives of the development of LC-based microfluidic biosensors are proposed. This review will promote the understanding of microfluidic techniques in LC-based biosensors and facilitate the development of LC-based microfluidic biosensing devices with high performance.
Topics: Biosensing Techniques; Lab-On-A-Chip Devices; Liquid Crystals; Microfluidics
PubMed: 34677341
DOI: 10.3390/bios11100385 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2020Liquid crystal polymers have attracted massive attention as stimuli-responsive shape memory materials due to their unique reversible large-scale and high-speed... (Review)
Review
Liquid crystal polymers have attracted massive attention as stimuli-responsive shape memory materials due to their unique reversible large-scale and high-speed actuations. These materials can be utilized to fabricate artificial muscles, sensors, and actuators driven by thermal order-disorder phase transition or - photoisomerization. This review collects most commonly used liquid crystal monomers and techniques to macroscopically order and align liquid crystal materials (monodomain), highlighting the unique materials on the thermal and photo responsive reversible shape memory effects. Challenges and potential future applications are also discussed.
Topics: Biocompatible Materials; Liquid Crystals; Macromolecular Substances; Polymers; Smart Materials
PubMed: 32164147
DOI: 10.3390/molecules25051241 -
Journal of Oleo Science 2014Recent progress in lyotropic liquid crystal (LC)-based emulsions over the last few years has been reviewed. The tuning parameters for the formation, stability, rheology... (Review)
Review
Recent progress in lyotropic liquid crystal (LC)-based emulsions over the last few years has been reviewed. The tuning parameters for the formation, stability, rheology and transparency of LC-based emulsions are addressed. Recent applications of LC-based emulsions to the fabrication of dual meso/macroporous materials are also included.
Topics: Drug Stability; Emulsions; Gels; Liquid Crystals; Porosity; Rheology; Silicon Dioxide; Temperature; Viscosity
PubMed: 24420064
DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess13101