Biomacromolecules
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42246657
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Wound infections are a major complication in the wound healing process. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) possess broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, but traditional screening methods are inefficient and costly. In this s...Wound infections are a major complication in the wound healing process. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) possess broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, but traditional screening methods are inefficient and costly. In this study, a functional coated capillary electrophoresis system was constructed using diazo resin and bacterial biofilms, ultimately leading to the successful identification of RKWFWW. RKWFWW exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against , , and . RKWFWW disrupts the cell wall structures of bacteria and fungi and is unlikely to induce resistance in these strains. Finally, RKWFWW was loaded into gelatin (GA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels to produce a composite dressing. This dressing significantly shortened the healing time of the infected wounds. In summary, this study provides a new method for the rapid screening of AMPs and offers new insights into the development of novel AMP dressings.
Biomacromolecules
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42244493
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Membrane proteins are estimated to be encoded by 30% of eukaryotic and prokaryotic genomes and are key drug targets. A key challenge in the study of membrane proteins is their low solubility in aqueous media, which neces...Membrane proteins are estimated to be encoded by 30% of eukaryotic and prokaryotic genomes and are key drug targets. A key challenge in the study of membrane proteins is their low solubility in aqueous media, which necessitates the use of detergents. Lipid nanodisc-forming polymers, most commonly styrene maleic acid polymers (SMA), have emerged as powerful tools, allowing extraction, storage, and study of membrane proteins. SMA (and other related polymers) have several shortcomings including unwanted UV absorption and instability to certain metal ions, and there is significant chemical space that has not been explored to optimize their function. This introduces lipid nanodisc-forming polymers and their application and leads into emerging new polymers as alternatives to SMALPS. We also include a summary of key functional assays that can be used to accelerate the discovery of new polymers, particularly focused on assays that are simple to conduct in parallel or in high throughput and require minimal specialist infrastructure.
Wang H, Lu B, Zhou J
… +3 more, Xia H, Guo SZ, Zhang LM
Biomacromolecules
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42240972
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Chronic diabetic wounds remain a major clinical challenge due to persistent hyperglycemia and prolonged inflammation, which severely impairs tissue regeneration. Therefore, wound dressings capable of dynamically interact...Chronic diabetic wounds remain a major clinical challenge due to persistent hyperglycemia and prolonged inflammation, which severely impairs tissue regeneration. Therefore, wound dressings capable of dynamically interacting with the local microenvironment and adapting their structure and function to pathological cues are urgently needed. Inspired by a Jenga-style hierarchical assembly concept, we developed a biomass-based multifunctional hydrogel network constructed through Schiff base bonding, metal-polyphenol complexation, and hydrogen bonding, forming a multilevel dynamic cross-linking architecture with dual pH/glucose responsiveness. This structure enabled self-adaptive reconstruction and controlled release of nitric oxide (NO), thereby exerting synergistic antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and proangiogenic effects. In a full-thickness diabetic rat wound model, it accelerated wound closure by promoting epithelial regeneration, collagen deposition, and neovascularization. Overall, this work established a regulatory mechanism based on microenvironment recognition, structural response, and therapeutic release and provided a novel bioinspired strategy for the design of precision hydrogels for chronic wound repair.
Biomacromolecules
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42240284
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The synthesis of disubstituted polypeptoids, or -substituted polypeptides, remains challenging due to steric hindrance. Here, a synthetic platform, with orthogonal functional side chains, was developed for the constructi...The synthesis of disubstituted polypeptoids, or -substituted polypeptides, remains challenging due to steric hindrance. Here, a synthetic platform, with orthogonal functional side chains, was developed for the construction of structurally diverse disubstituted polypeptoids. Poly(-allyl -methyl cysteine) was synthesized by acetic acid-catalyzed controlled ring-opening polymerization. Subsequent methylation yielded the sulfonium-pendant polymer, which underwent base-catalyzed elimination of sulfonium groups to generate well-defined poly(-allyl dehydroalanine). This polymer features two orthogonal reactive sites, electrophilic α,β-unsaturated carbons and -allyl groups, which could undergo selective modification through sequential orthogonal reactions. Michael addition reaction preferentially functionalized the α,β-unsaturated sites while preserving allyl groups for subsequent thiol-ene click chemistry. This strategy enabled precise installation of alternating functional side chains, yielding structurally diverse disubstituted polypeptoids with high functional group density and programmable side-chain sequences. The combination of efficient orthogonal functionalization, tunable side-chain arrangement, and dense functionality establishes these disubstituted polypeptoids as versatile scaffolds for different applications.
Agrawal K, Sivaprasad PS, Krishnan S
… +3 more, Singh RK, Kumar Y, Pushpavanam K
Biomacromolecules
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42237780
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Fluorescent labeling of biomolecules relies on small-molecule conjugation or fusion with fluorescent proteins, each with its own limitations, including (1) the need for additional downstream processing steps or (2) affec...Fluorescent labeling of biomolecules relies on small-molecule conjugation or fusion with fluorescent proteins, each with its own limitations, including (1) the need for additional downstream processing steps or (2) affecting the functionality of the labeled biomolecule. In light of this, there is a need for a minimally perturbative, genetically encodable labeling strategy. We previously observed that the C-terminal peptide fragment (CTPF) released upon photocleavage of the photoconvertible protein PhoCl1 exhibits red fluorescence. We leverage this phenomenon to achieve postexpression fluorescent labeling by genetically fusing PhoCl1 to the target peptide or protein to be labeled. This strategy was validated for diverse biomolecules, including peptides, proteins, and enzymes. Furthermore, we demonstrate its application in visualizing liquid-liquid phase separation. We anticipate that this strategy for inducing red fluorescence in nonfluorescent biomolecules via photocleavable proteins will open new avenues for minimally perturbative fluorescent labeling.
Heiler AJ, McClain CA, Lucas SN
… +3 more, He GZ, Finn MG, Thomas SN
Biomacromolecules
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42236311
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Combination therapies are increasingly utilized to treat complex diseases, capitalizing on drug synergies to potentiate overall therapeutic responses and improve patient outcomes. Drug delivery systems improve combinatio...Combination therapies are increasingly utilized to treat complex diseases, capitalizing on drug synergies to potentiate overall therapeutic responses and improve patient outcomes. Drug delivery systems improve combination therapy access to tissues and cells of interest, but attempting to coconjugate multiple drugs to the same carrier can limit the precision of drug ratios or release behaviors, making it challenging to optimize the delivery of the individual drug compounds. Here, thiol-disulfide exchange and strain-promoted click chemistry are leveraged in combination with an established polymeric nanoparticle platform to achieve chemistry-defined control over both the conjugation ratio and release behavior of coconjugated moieties. When applied as a subunit vaccine platform, this system enables the modulation of lymph node dendritic cell maturation and antigen presentation. The results presented here thus demonstrate a versatile dual-functional drug delivery platform to overcome existing challenges in combination therapy delivery.
Biomacromolecules
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42231634
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Lignin-containing cellulose nanofibrils (LCNFs) offer intrinsic UV shielding, improved hydrophobicity, and thermal stability, yet their dark appearance limits applications requiring high whiteness and faithful color rend...Lignin-containing cellulose nanofibrils (LCNFs) offer intrinsic UV shielding, improved hydrophobicity, and thermal stability, yet their dark appearance limits applications requiring high whiteness and faithful color rendering. Here, we report a strategy that breaks the long-standing linkage between lignin richness and dark coloration by combining lignin pre-enrichment with chromophore-selective oxidative whitening. Specifically, dilute HSO pretreatment enriches lignin by removing acid-labile carbohydrates, and subsequent alkaline HO bleaching eliminates chromophores with controlled lignin loss. Mechanical fibrillation then yields whitened LCNFs (wLCNFs) with high whiteness of 70-82 while retaining 20.20-25.20 wt % lignin; notably, the highest lignin wLCNF contains more lignin than the native feedstock (25.20 vs 23.40%). Within a moderate processing window, wLCNF films show ∼120 MPa tensile strength, reduced water vapor transmission, and strong UV blocking. As a proof-of-concept, adding 5 wt % wLCNF to a commercial sunscreen raises SPF from 15.8 to 37.6 without visible tinting.
Honfroy A, Robberechts I, Bertouille J
… +14 more, Turea AM, Walter G, Cauwenbergh T, Bridoux J, Lensen N, Mangialetto J, Van den Brande N, White JF, Gardiner J, Brigaud T, Ballet S, Hernot S, Chaume G, Martin C
Biomacromolecules
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42228802
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Peptide-based hydrogels are increasingly used in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications due to their versatility and biocompatibility. β-Hairpin design enhances β-strand alignment and fine-tunes hydrogel physicochemi...Peptide-based hydrogels are increasingly used in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications due to their versatility and biocompatibility. β-Hairpin design enhances β-strand alignment and fine-tunes hydrogel physicochemical properties. In this study, we investigate the design of β-hairpin hydrogelators from two -based (H-FQFQFK-NH) hexamer strands linked by a d-Pro-l-Pro β-turn. The fluorinated proline surrogate CF-ΨPro was evaluated for hairpin stabilization and gel properties. Hydrogels were characterized for physicochemical, mechanical, and structural properties, and selected hydrogels were screened in drug release experiments. Based on these data, hydrogel stability experiments were conducted on hairpin structures (H-FQFQFKpPFQFQFK-NH) and its fluorinated analogue (H-FQFQFKp(l-CF-ΨPro)FQFQFK-NH), via subcutaneous injection in mice. and demonstrated enhanced hydrogel lifespan with 70% and 45% of the hydrogel remaining at the injection site after 11 days, respectively, versus 10% for after 7 days. These findings highlight the advantage of β-hairpin peptide hydrogels for prolonged drug delivery.
Yang J, Yu Z, Yang Z
… +5 more, Li Q, Li J, Chen L, Huang L, Chen B
Biomacromolecules
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42228763
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Flexible omnidirectional sensors are increasingly important for monitoring complex multidirectional mechanical stimuli, yet soft ionic materials that simultaneously provide high mechanical robustness and direction-insens...Flexible omnidirectional sensors are increasingly important for monitoring complex multidirectional mechanical stimuli, yet soft ionic materials that simultaneously provide high mechanical robustness and direction-insensitive electrical response remain limited. However, most existing gel-reinforcement strategies inevitably involve trade-offs among mechanical robustness, structural homogeneity, isotropy, and ionic transport. Here, we report a high-strength isotropic cellulose ionogel enabled by a densification-engineering strategy based on molecular framework reconstruction. Through ionic liquid-assisted thermoactivation and compression-induced hydrogen-bond reconfiguration, the regenerated cellulose framework is transformed into a dense fibrillar skeleton via crystal reconstruction and isotropic densification, converting the weak ionogel into a mechanically efficient network while preserving in-plane isotropy. The resulting ionogel exhibits a tensile strength of 45.4 MPa, a toughness of 10.2 MJ/m, and Young's modulus of 6.59 MPa, corresponding to 76- and 166-fold increases in strength and toughness over the untreated sample, respectively. Meanwhile, the homogenized network retains stable ionic conduction, enabling an omnidirectional sensor with direction-independent pressure sensing over 50-400 kPa, a maximum sensitivity of 0.002 kPa, and reliable operation over 1500 cycles. Its performance is further demonstrated by early warning monitoring of irregular motions and unpredictable mechanical events, providing a general route to a robust cellulose ionogel for omnidirectional flexible sensing.
Eccles LE, Liwang RK, Orozco AA
… +2 more, Aikman EL, Stoppel WL
Biomacromolecules
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42227210
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Silk proteins exhibit structural and compositional diversity across insect species with variations in sequence organization and crystallinity influencing the functionality of regenerative biomaterials. While silk fibroi...Silk proteins exhibit structural and compositional diversity across insect species with variations in sequence organization and crystallinity influencing the functionality of regenerative biomaterials. While silk fibroin is widely used in silk-derived particle systems, alternative silk sources possess distinct structural features that influence the stabilization and delivery of bioactive cargo. This study investigates non-degummed silk from as an alternative platform for silk-based microparticles, focusing on how protein composition and secondary structure govern microparticle formation and function. Silk species and processing methodologies influence the particle morphology, dispersity, crystallinity, and encapsulation of curcumin, an anti-inflammatory small molecule. Drug release kinetics and in vitro enzyme-mediated degradation of silk microparticles demonstrated structure-dependent behavior governed by diffusional barriers and sequence-specific cleavage sites. Macrophage polarization of RAW 264.7 cells treated with unloaded and curcumin-loaded particles showed minimal inflammatory differences between silk and purified silk fibroin particles. These findings highlight how the protein structure and composition can dictate biomaterial performance across silk species and establish silk as a functionally distinct alternative for bioactive delivery applications.
Zuo X, Zhang Y, Jia Z
… +5 more, Cui Z, Wang Y, Li W, Zhou C, Qin J
Biomacromolecules
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42225353
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To cope with wound complications caused by bacterial infection, this study developed a polysaccharide-based hydrogel from a chitosan-tannic acid conjugate (CS-TA) and 3-aminophenylboronic acid-grafted dextran oxidant (OD...To cope with wound complications caused by bacterial infection, this study developed a polysaccharide-based hydrogel from a chitosan-tannic acid conjugate (CS-TA) and 3-aminophenylboronic acid-grafted dextran oxidant (ODP) through double-network cross-linking. The polydopamine-coated CuS nanoparticles (PDA@CuS) with photothermal properties and quercetin (QT) with antioxidant properties were loaded into the hydrogel to fabricate the multifunctional QT-PDA@CuS/hydrogel as a wound dressing. The mild photothermal effect of PDA@CuS, combined with the antimicrobial properties of CS-TA and quercetin, effectively inhibited and with inhibition ratios of approximately 98.0% and 99.0%. Quercetin (QT), tannic acid, and polydopamine also confer superior antioxidant characteristics to the hydrogel, playing a crucial role in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Moreover, this multifunctional hydrogel also facilitated angiogenesis and collagen deposition to promote the repair of infected skin wounds in vivo. In summary, the QT-PDA@CuS/hydrogel dressing holds significant potential for clinical applications in infected wound treatment.
Biomacromolecules
· 2026 May · PMID 42219682
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The development of biodegradable antifouling coatings represents a promising route to environmentally compatible marine protection. However, most polyester-based systems exhibit limited interfacial evolution and a poor l...The development of biodegradable antifouling coatings represents a promising route to environmentally compatible marine protection. However, most polyester-based systems exhibit limited interfacial evolution and a poor long-term biofouling resistance. Here, we report poly(lactic--glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based polyurethane (PU) coatings that bear covalently tethered eugenol (EU) side groups (PLGA-PU-EU), designed to couple hydrolytic degradation with interfacial bioactivity. Compared with PLA-based analogues, the PLGA-PU-EU coatings show greater mass loss, lower water contact angles during seawater immersion, more evident chemical and morphological evolution, and markedly enhanced inhibition of marine bacteria () and diatoms (). At 15 wt % EU, diatom inhibition exceeds 95%. Leachate analysis indicates that freely dissolved EU-related species are highly limited under the tested conditions, while zebrafish embryo assays show no obvious acute developmental toxicity. These findings establish degradation-function coupling as a general strategy for designing durable and environmentally benign antifouling interfaces.
Surya P, Tomar S, Chopra K
… +2 more, Meena VP, Singh S
Biomacromolecules
· 2026 May · PMID 42212436
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Microsphere-based 3D platforms offer a significant advantage for cell expansion, targeted cell/biomolecule delivery, and transplantation, as microspheres provide a biomimetic microenvironment that enhances cell survival,...Microsphere-based 3D platforms offer a significant advantage for cell expansion, targeted cell/biomolecule delivery, and transplantation, as microspheres provide a biomimetic microenvironment that enhances cell survival, proliferation, and ensures better retention and functional integration. Herein, we have fabricated gelatin-chitosan-based microspheres that serve as a "dual-delivery platform" for cells and growth factor, and can also be used as a 3D culture platform for cell expansion. The isolated mesenchymal stem cells were loaded and cultured on the surface of these microspheres simultaneously with a growth factor, followed by second layer coating, a strategy to protect the loaded cells during transplantation. Microspheres serve as a delivery system to accomplish the sustained long-term release of growth factors to mediate the differentiation of stem cells into osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic lineages. These 3D microspheres can also be used for cell expansion and harvesting from the surface of microspheres for the intended application.
Biomacromolecules
· 2026 May · PMID 42210019
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In this study, epigallocatechin gallate (EG)-containing multifunctional nanocomplexes based on cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) were developed for breast cancer-targeted drug/gene codelivery. The pPBA-EG polymer was...In this study, epigallocatechin gallate (EG)-containing multifunctional nanocomplexes based on cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) were developed for breast cancer-targeted drug/gene codelivery. The pPBA-EG polymer was synthesized by grafting EG-phenylboronic acid (PBA) conjugates onto a poly(methyl vinyl ether--maleic anhydride) (pMVMA) backbone, and combined with polyethylenimine 2k-modified hydroxyethyl cellulose (HECP2k) to deliver doxorubicin (Dox) and Bcl-2 siRNA, maintaining high transfection efficiency while enhancing EG stability and functionality. The resulting pPBA-EG/HECP2k@Dox/siRNA nanocomplexes exhibited suitable nanoscale size, positive surface charge, and efficient nucleic acid condensation. Enhanced cellular uptake via sialic acid interactions of the nanocomplexes was observed in MDA-MB-231 cells, leading to strong anticancer effects even in Dox-resistant cancer cells. Significant Bcl-2 downregulation and FAS upregulation indicated apoptosis-mediated cell death. These findings suggest that pPBA-EG/HECP2k@Dox/siRNA nanocomplexes present a promising strategy for concurrent delivery of siRNA, Dox, and EG, enhancing therapeutic potential against sialic acid-overexpressing breast cancer.
Biomacromolecules
· 2026 May · PMID 42207955
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Lung cancer has the highest global incidence and mortality, with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as the predominant subtype. Traditional therapies are limited by drug resistance, systemic toxicity, and poor precision....Lung cancer has the highest global incidence and mortality, with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as the predominant subtype. Traditional therapies are limited by drug resistance, systemic toxicity, and poor precision. Active ingredients from Chinese herbs offer promising alternatives. This work identified kaempferol (KAE) from Diels et Gilg as an anti-NSCLC agent and developed a pH/photothermal dual-responsive nanocarrier (KMPB@PL-HA) for targeted therapy. The nanocarrier uses mesoporous Prussian blue (MPB) as the photothermal core, polylysine (PLL), and ultra-active hyaluronic acid (UL-HA) as the pH-responsive shell. In the tumor microenvironment (TME), UL-HA binds to CD44 receptors overexpressed on NSCLC cells and dissociates, while PLL enhances cellular uptake via electrostatic adsorption. KAE induces mitochondrial apoptosis via p-Akt inhibition, Bax/Bcl-2 regulation, and caspase cascade activation, and downregulates VEGF and modulates TME redox homeostasis for synergistic antitumor effects. This study provides a novel chemo-photothermal synergistic strategy for NSCLC.
Xiao T, Wu L, Zhang Z
… +7 more, Huang L, Fu Q, Yu X, Yang J, Yang R, Dong G, Shi H
Biomacromolecules
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42207629
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Conventional adhesives typically rely on toxic reagents such as phenol and formaldehyde, forming irreversible covalent networks upon curing. In this study, highly reactive uncondensed lignin was prepared using a green so...Conventional adhesives typically rely on toxic reagents such as phenol and formaldehyde, forming irreversible covalent networks upon curing. In this study, highly reactive uncondensed lignin was prepared using a green solvent, followed by epoxidation to facilitate its nanoscale formation. Subsequently, the lignin was copolymerized with dithiol borate, polyethylene glycol was incorporated to modulate the flexibility of the covalent adaptable network, thereby constructing a lignin-based vitrimer solid adhesive (LVSA). In particular, the dry and wet bonding strengths of VD3H3 adhesive to bamboo strips reached 19.16 and 11.70 MPa, respectively. This LVSA features thermal processability, recyclability, and photothermal conversion performance. Moreover, the functional chain segments facilitate the lignin adhesive to exert a gas-phase-solid-phase flame-retardant mechanism, with a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 43.8%. This work presents an design strategy for the development of high-strength, recyclable, and multifunctional green LVSA, paving the way toward a approach for the high-value utilization of lignin.
Liu Y, Wang P, Zhang X
… +4 more, Zhang J, Yin L, Luan S, Tang H
Biomacromolecules
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42204822
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Bacterial biofilm-associated infections (BBAIs) and antibiotic resistance constantly threaten human health and life. Herein, we report a series of anionic or mixed-charge copolypeptides that can simultaneously prevent an...Bacterial biofilm-associated infections (BBAIs) and antibiotic resistance constantly threaten human health and life. Herein, we report a series of anionic or mixed-charge copolypeptides that can simultaneously prevent and eradicate and biofilms without the development of bacterial resistance. The copolypeptides composed of anionic l-glutamic acid (E), hydrophobic l-phenylalanine (F), and/or cationic l-lysine (K) residues were readily synthesized by ring-opening polymerization and side-chain modifications. Anionic or mixed-charge copolypeptides with moderate hydrophobic F residues exhibited potent antibiofilm activity by a nonbactericidal mechanism. Typically, the inhibition efficacy of biofilm formation was 93.6% for FE and 96.6% for FEK, respectively. FE also exhibited 98.8% and 91.6% eradication efficacies of and biofilms, respectively. FE was able to efficiently bind to the bacterial surface, leading to inhibition of biofilm formation. It can disrupt extracellular polymeric substances of biofilms, modulate bacterial motilities, and bind to bacterial virulence factors, leading to a potent biofilm eradication property. In addition, FE exhibited potent in vivo antibacterial effect and reduced inflammatory responses in an acute lung infection of a mouse model. This work provides a new nonbactericidal antibiofilm material to efficiently treat BBAIs.
Biomacromolecules
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42199068
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Inorganic nanoparticles can be assembled into ordered superlattices, where their collective properties lead to new optical, magnetic, or catalytic behavior. Protein cages, known for their highly symmetric and uniform str...Inorganic nanoparticles can be assembled into ordered superlattices, where their collective properties lead to new optical, magnetic, or catalytic behavior. Protein cages, known for their highly symmetric and uniform structures as well as propensity for crystallization, can bind or encapsulate nanoparticles and serve as self-assembly templates, facilitating the formation of ordered superlattices. While binary systems based on protein cages have been successfully demonstrated, examples of ternary crystals incorporating protein cages remain largely unexplored. Here, we study the electrostatic self-assembly of three-component nanoparticle arrays composed of two protein cages: cowpea chlorotic mottle virus and ferritin as well as synthetic positively charged gold nanoparticles. We demonstrate that they can self-sort into binary crystals or form ternary complexes by tuning the particle interactions through the solution ionic strength. The cationic gold particles play a crucial role in modulating the crystallization process through electrostatic interactions, significantly impacting the formation of the nanoparticle array.
Chang Z, Xin J, Gao J
… +6 more, Jing X, Yan J, Wang H, Lu H, Zhang L, Li M
Biomacromolecules
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42190247
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Bone defect repair is a critical clinical orthopedic challenge, with existing materials suffering from insufficient bioactivity and poor bone-host integration. This study designed an injectable composite hydrogel (Ox-GAU...Bone defect repair is a critical clinical orthopedic challenge, with existing materials suffering from insufficient bioactivity and poor bone-host integration. This study designed an injectable composite hydrogel (Ox-GAU-MgO) via dynamic covalent chemistry and photo-cross-linking synergy, using GelMA/AlgMA as the matrix and incorporating Ox-Dex and MgO NPs. Regulating Ox-Dex concentration enabled precise control of hydrogel modulus and viscosity. The material exhibited good injectability and biocompatibility, promoted BMSCs osteogenic differentiation and HUVECs migration in vitro, and significantly enhanced new bone formation and vascularization via "osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling" in rat femoral condyle defects in vivo. Mechanistically, it activated JAK-STAT, HIF-1, and AMPK pathways to form a regulatory network. This work provides a novel strategy for bone defect repair materials, and the Ox-GAU-MgO hydrogel holds promising clinical potential with convenient operability and excellent osteogenic capacity.
Ma J, Guo R, Du X
… +5 more, Sun S, Jin Y, Li D, Xu Z, Chen C
Biomacromolecules
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42186299
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Petroleum-based plastics pose serious environmental issues due to their nondegradability, driving the development of biobased alternatives. However, common bioplastics such as polylactic acid still suffer from limited me...Petroleum-based plastics pose serious environmental issues due to their nondegradability, driving the development of biobased alternatives. However, common bioplastics such as polylactic acid still suffer from limited mechanical and thermal performance. Chitin micronanofiber films are promising alternatives due to their degradability and good mechanical properties, yet their poor water resistance limits broader application. In this work, high-performance chitin micronanofiber films were fabricated via a simple dissolution-regeneration strategy with rapid zinc chloride treatment (10 s). The resulting films exhibited good properties, including a dry strength of ∼170 MPa, wet strength of ∼51 MPa, coupled with a good light transmittance of ∼90% and a low haze of ∼4.0%. They also demonstrated good thermal stability, flame retardancy, biodegradability, and recyclability. Notably, the recycled films maintained a dry strength of ∼105 MPa and a transmittance of ∼83%. The developed films are promising bioplastic alternatives for flexible packaging and transparent electronic substrates.