The ability to manipulate and probe individual nano-particles, viruses, and organelles with high sensitivity and specificity is an essential part of modern nanoscience and molecular biology. Plasmonic optical tweezers (POT), which use localized surface plasmons to create nanoscale-confined optical fields, have emerged as a powerful platform for trapping and manipulating single nano-bio entities at low optical powers. When combined with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) from the same plasmonic nanostructures, these platforms offer a unique multi-modal capability: simultaneous optical manipulation and label-free chemical fingerprinting of a single specimen. However, the field faces critical challenges, including low throughput, thermal noise, photothermal damage, and the overwhelming complexity of interpreting dynamic, single-molecule SERS data. This review examines the transformation of plasmonic optical trapping and spectroscopy as they evolve toward autonomous operation and intelligent decision-making. We begin with the fundamental principles that enable these tools to manipulate and probe single viruses, organelles, and nano-particles. Building on this foundation, we explore how computational intelligence is being integrated into the field to address long-standing challenges. This includes the emergence of data-driven methods for designing optimized plasmonic nanostructures, for decoding the complex molecular fingerprints hidden in single-molecule SERS spectra, and for creating feedback-driven systems capable of adaptive, real-time experiment control. By synthesizing these developments, we illustrate a clear trajectory: from manually operated instruments toward fully integrated intelligent nanophotonic laboratories that can autonomously discover and characterize the nano-world. We conclude by discussing the remaining challenges-from data acquisition and model interpretability to the mitigation of photothermal effects-and the most promising pathways toward realizing this transformative vision for virology, cell biology, and nanomedicine.
Studying the transcriptional changes in the brain following sleep deprivation has provided insight into the molecular mechanisms that differ between sleep and wake. Individual studies are limited in their ability to detect differentially expressed genes due to small sample size. Here we performed a meta-analysis of published brain expression data, totalling 173 microarrays across 245 mice. 498 genes were identified as significantly changing with sleep-deprivation at q < 0.01, 96 of which were previously identified by the original studies. Of the remaining 402 novel candidate sleep genes, 14 were associated with human sleep traits and 3 with sleep phenotypes in knockout mice. Candidate gene validation showed significant upregulation of Rasd1 (Dexras1) following sleep deprivation, and phenotyping of Rasd1 KO mice revealed changes in the amount and distribution of behavioural sleep duration and sleep bout structure. These results provide a greater understanding of the molecular correlates of sleep and provide a resource for the sleep research community.
The hydrothermal method is used to create a zinc-calcium selenite (ZnSeO3/CaSeO3) nanocomposite. It displays nanorods that resemble capsules. The refractive index, energy gap, particle size, and Urbach energy is 1.972, 5.191 eV, 109.4 nm, and 0.621 eV, respectively. The sample shows interesting UV filtering and optoelectronic properties. It is a material with potential for display technologies because spectroscopic research has revealed native and surface point defects that promote radiative electron-hole recombination. The distinctive bands Zn-O, Se-O, and Zn-Se are revealed by infrared spectroscopy. At 300 K, the sample shows modest ferromagnetic behaviour. A thermal study demonstrates the material's behavior, thermal stability, and decomposition at different temperatures. XPS guarantees the orbital state of an element with spin-orbit coupling (j) and validates the chemical state. With a potential window of 1 V and a specific capacitance of 862.81 F g-1, electrochemical analysis shows pseudo-capacitive activity.
Transparent conductive interfaces can enable optical pre-assessment of cardiac cell layers while remaining compatible with label-free electrophysiological recording. Here, we evaluated the integration of a monolayer graphene electrode into a capacitive recording platform for the analysis of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte (hiPSC-CM) monolayers. hiPSC-CMs cultured on graphene sensors formed confluent, synchronously beating monolayers that could be assessed by light microscopy prior to recording. Capacitive current transients could be recorded from spontaneously beating hiPSC-CM monolayers, supporting the compatibility of transparent graphene interfaces with capacitive recordings from electrically active cardiac cell layers. Signal amplitude and waveform morphology varied across sensors, indicating that recording performance depended strongly on the cell-sensor interface, including cell attachment, monolayer integrity, and capacitive coupling at the sensing surface. A descriptive perturbation sequence using the hERG blocker dofetilide revealed changes in waveform morphology and beat timing across sequential recordings. However, the data do not allow firm attribution to a compound-specific effect and are not intended for quantitative pharmacological characterization. Overall, the results support graphene as a transparent conductive cell-sensor interface, which should be interpreted in the context of cell-substrate interactions at the sensing surface. Combining optical pre-assessment with functional capacitive readout may support integrated workflows. Further studies will be needed to differentiate material-, interface-, and recording-related contributions and to establish reliable conditions for reproducible and scalable recordings.
Nickel nanoparticles (denoted as Ni NPs), being applicable in catalysis, battery manufacturing, and bioseparation, have garnered considerable attention due to their remarkable magnetism, crystalline anisotropy, high coercivity, and excellent chemical stability. Unlike previous studies that require multi-step surface functionalization with chelating ligands, such as nitrilotriacetic acid (abridged as NTA), to achieve histidine-tagged (denoted as His-tagged) protein binding, this study reports a one-step hydrothermal synthesis of Ni NPs with a spherical-spiky architecture that provides abundant intrinsic Ni2+ active sites. A series of synthesis experiments were conducted to systematically optimize the hydrothermal reaction conditions (solution pH, temperature, and time). The ability of Ni NPs to separate and purify His-tagged fusion proteins was evaluated in relation to their abundant Ni2+ active binding sites and robust magnetic responsiveness. It was found that Ni NPs were able to rapidly, specifically, and efficiently purify a variety of His-tagged proteins, achieving a high saturation adsorption capacity of 80.36 mg/g, significantly higher than commercial Ni-NTA resins and previously reported Ni-based adsorbents, while retaining excellent recyclability (>80% after 5 cycles). These features underscore the potential of Ni NPs as cost-effective, reusable, and high-performance nano-adsorbents for protein separation, offering distinct advantages over conventional functionalization-dependent methods.
Marine biofouling remains a persistent global challenge, causing severe deterioration of offshore infrastructures and marine vessels, which results in significant economic losses and ecological concerns. Conventional antifouling strategies relying on toxic biocides (copper, organotins) face stringent regulatory prohibition due to ecosystem devastation, creating an urgent demand for sustainable alternatives. Here, we critically evaluate emerging bio-based antifouling technologies, demonstrating that nanocomposite-polymer systems and natural bioactive integration offer viable pathways toward toxin-free marine protection with strategies based on metal oxides and graphene oxide nanocomposites delivering up to 97% macrofouling reduction, and biodegradable polymer matrices (chitosan, alginate, polylactic acid) combined with natural fillers exhibited copper-comparable efficacy without environmental persistence. Among them, polylactic acid-curcumin composites (FDA-approved biodegradable polymers with plant-derived bioactives) exhibit high efficiency, being particularly effective and eliminating up to 99.9% of bacterial species. However, their uptake has so far been limited by critical knowledge gaps, particularly a lack of comprehensive marine field validations against macrofouling communities, the absence of multi-year performance data, and incomplete environmental fate characterization, all of which prevent deployment. This paradigm shift from chemical to biological control could revolutionize maritime industries while safeguarding marine biodiversity and enabling sustainable blue economy expansion.
Diabetic wound healing is critically impaired by a pathological microenvironment with two core barriers: circulatory deficits from microangiopathy, and a loss of nanoscale topographical guidance due to extracellular matrix (ECM) disruption. To address this, we developed Musc@CP, an advanced dressing that synergistically combines an ECM-mimetic multi-property scaffold with active vascular modulation. The platform is based on a chitosan-pullulan (CP) nanofibrous scaffold that structurally recapitulates healthy dermal ECM to direct fibroblast adhesion and migration. The matrix incorporates muscone (Musc), a bioactive compound that attenuates intracellular Ca2+ overload-associated endothelial dysfunction and is associated with improved local perfusion. This restoration of blood circulation may contribute to reprogramming the immune microenvironment within the wound, helping to suppress both inflammation and oxidative stress. Consequently, the healing progression in diabetic mice is effectively restored. Together, this integrated strategy represents a promising and mechanistically sound therapy for chronic diabetic wounds.
In this study, a novel pyrazole derivative DCI-1 was rationally designed and synthesized using dicyanoisophorone as the fluorophore. The optical properties and recognition performance of DCI-1 were systematically investigated. Experimental results verified that the addition of F⁻ induced obvious fluorescence quenching of probe DCI-1, accompanied by a color change of the solution from yellow to colorless. Probe DCI-1 exhibits excellent recognition capability toward F⁻ with high selectivity and sensitivity. The limit of detection was calculated to be 1.57 × 10-7 mol/L. Moreover, the distinct color variation endows DCI-1 with outstanding naked-eye recognition ability for F⁻.
The effects of surface functionalization and metal ordering on the structural, mechanical, and electrochemical properties of two-dimensional transition metal carbide MXenes remain insufficiently understood, particularly for double-metal systems. Nb2TaC2 and Ta2NbC2 monolayers, in bare and oxygen-functionalized forms, are studied using density functional theory to determine how these factors affect lithium adsorption, diffusion, and storage performance. Oxygen functionalization increases in-plane stiffness (Young's modulus up to 384.7 N/m) and stabilizes Poisson's ratios, while lithium preferentially adsorbs at metallic sites on bare MXenes and at carbon sites on O-functionalized surfaces, with adsorption energies reaching -3.70 eV. Nudged elastic band calculations show that oxygen functionalization slightly increases diffusion barriers, from 0.05 to 0.21 eV for Nb2TaC2 and from 0.06 to 0.24 eV for Ta2NbC2, while fast Li-ion mobility is maintained. Open-circuit voltage analysis indicates average voltages of 0.74 to 0.95 V with capacities up to 412 mAh/g. These results provide design guidelines for tuning surface chemistry and metal ordering in double-metal MXene anodes for Li-ion batteries.
Microorganisms use diverse small-molecule signals to coordinate behavior, supporting interspecies and interkingdom communication. These chemical dialogs shape fundamental biological processes and define interactions from cooperation to antagonism. Quorum-quenching (QQ) enzymes, which degrade or modify quorum sensing (QS) molecules such as N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs), may play a pivotal role in shaping these networks. While bacterial QQ lactonases are well-characterized, fungal lactonases remain undercharacterized, including their potential to target both bacterial QS molecules and fungal secondary metabolites. Using phylogenetic and structural analysis, we identified putative lactonases from the metallo-β-lactamase-like lactonase family in fungi and biochemically validated the activity of one of them, from Aspergillus pseudonomiae. Structural alignment between bacterial lactonases and the AlphaFold-predicted structure of the fungal homolog further supports that the fungal protein is indeed a lactonase. We then applied Protein Repair One-Stop Shop algorithm for stability engineering to design a variant with improved expression in Escherichia coli and thermal stability. Purified enzyme demonstrated broad substrate specificity, effectively degrading various bacterial AHLs, with kcat/KM values of up to 1.4 × 105 s-1M-1. Both docking analysis and in vitro assays indicated that the enzyme could accommodate and act on the fungal secondary metabolite patulin, a mycotoxin associated with post-harvest disease, showing high catalytic efficiency (1.1 × 104 s-1M-1). When added exogenously to microbial cultures, the enzyme reduced bacterial biofilms and impaired fungal hyphal development, with the hyphal inhibition accompanied by a concentration-dependent increase in ROS. Together, these results show that this fungal enzyme functions as a dual-acting lactonase, positioning it as an interference enzyme in chemical signaling of fungi and bacteria and as a means to suppress pathogens and reduce patulin contamination in food.
The ongoing transition from traditional orally bioavailable small molecules to novel drug modalities demands advanced drug delivery strategies. This work presents the development of a hybrid, in situ-forming subcutaneous drug depot combining thermoreversible Poloxamer 407 hydrogels with DELOS nanovesicles (DELOS-NV). This platform leverages the complementary strengths of both systems: DELOS-NV entrap and protect hydrophobic payloads, while the hydrogel matrix prevents rapid nanovesicle dispersion, enabling sustained release. Using a design of experiments (DoE), we refined the membrane composition of the DELOS-NV employing excipients listed in the FDA inactive ingredients database to create a patient- and regulatory-oriented formulation. The optimized DELOS-NV dispersion was gelled by adding different concentrations of Poloxamer 407 (15% to 20% w/w) to identify the most effective one that flows during the injection and forms an in situ depot subcutaneously. The integrity and stability of gelled DELOS-NV were demonstrated by two orthogonal techniques. Rheological characterization of the DELOS-NV-loaded hydrogels revealed the 17% w/w Poloxamer 407 concentration as optimal for subcutaneous administration, exhibiting shear-thinning behavior and suitable viscosity at 22 °C for easy injectability. Two in vitro release tests were performed using a fluorescent molecule and a therapeutically relevant Beyond the Rule of 5 (bRo5) compound. The hydrogel matrix governs the release of intact, drug-loaded nanovesicles via an erosion-driven mechanism, following zero-order kinetics over 8-10 h. The successful stabilization of the bRo5 compound highlights the platform's potential for the prolonged delivery of therapeutically valuable, formulation-challenging molecules.
Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for more effective therapeutic strategies. Lung cancer stem cells (LCSCs) play critical roles in tumor initiation, metastasis, therapeutic resistance, and recurrence through dynamic interactions with the tumor microenvironment (TME), metabolic reprogramming, and immune evasion. Despite advances in targeted therapy and immunotherapy, conventional approaches remain insufficient for the complete elimination of LCSCs. Recent progress in nanotechnology has provided new opportunities for precision targeting of LCSCs by enhancing drug bioavailability, tumor selectivity, controlled release, and multifunctional therapeutic integration. In this review, we summarize current nanotechnology-enabled strategies targeting LCSCs, with particular emphasis on TME remodeling, metabolic regulation, and tumor immunity. Distinct from previous reviews that discuss cancer stem cells or nanomedicine separately, this review establishes an integrated framework linking LCSC niche regulation with nanotechnology-based precision therapeutics in lung cancer. We further highlight the therapeutic potential of multifunctional nanoplatforms, including nanocrystalline drugs, smart nanocarriers, and combinational nano-delivery systems, in modulating stemness-associated pathways, overcoming immune suppression, and disrupting metabolic adaptation. In addition, emerging strategies involving stimulus-responsive nanomaterials, ferroptosis induction, and engineered immunotherapeutic platforms are discussed. Finally, current challenges and future perspectives regarding tumor heterogeneity, nanocarrier biocompatibility, translational feasibility, and personalized therapeutic design are addressed. Collectively, this review provides a comprehensive perspective on nanotechnology-enabled precision targeting of LCSCs and offers insights into next-generation therapeutic strategies for lung cancer.
Stabilizing secondary structure elements is critical to controlling peptide and protein bioactivity, stability, and function. The α-helix, central to molecular recognition and structural integrity, is a particularly valuable target for stabilization in biotechnological and nanomaterial applications. However, non-covalent peptide-nanomaterial interactions often lack robustness and reproducibility. We report a covalent immobilization strategy to induce and stabilize α-helical conformations on amino-functionalized silica nanoparticles (SNPs). This approach leverages dynamic covalent peptide-surface coupling to enable thermodynamic selection of α-helical conformations. Alanine-rich peptides incorporating periodic lysine residues were designed to enable covalent anchoring while promoting helix formation. Immobilization markedly enhances thermal stability compared to free peptides. Systematic variation of lysine positioning shows that terminal attachment induces helicity, whereas incorporation every second helical turn provides optimal conformational and thermal stability. Crucially, the helical face oriented away from the nanoparticle surface remains accessible for molecular recognition. Streptavidin-binding peptides immobilized via this method retain their specific binding activity while exhibiting superior thermal robustness. This sequence-guided approach establishes a robust framework for covalent peptide-nanoparticle conjugation, enabling precise secondary structure stabilization and functional biointerfaces for thermally stable protein-protein interaction platforms.
Healthcare technologies are increasingly reshaping how diseases are detected, monitored, treated, and managed across healthcare systems. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), digital health, remote monitoring, advanced medical devices, and data-driven clinical infrastructures are creating important opportunities to improve prevention, diagnostic accuracy, personalisation of care, workflow efficiency, and long-term healthcare sustainability within the framework of predictive, preventive, personalized, and participatory medicine (4P Medicine). However, despite growing technological sophistication and investment, many innovations fail to achieve scalable and sustainable implementation in real-world clinical environments. This narrative review critically examines the systemic factors that condition the successful translation of healthcare technologies into routine clinical practice, with particular emphasis on the European and Spanish contexts. Rather than focusing exclusively on technological performance, the review analyses the broader regulatory, organisational, financial, ethical, and governance challenges that shape implementation. Key areas discussed include technology transfer, regulatory frameworks, health data governance, and the organisational challenges associated with implementing AI-driven healthcare technologies. The central argument of this review is that the real-world impact of healthcare innovation depends less on technological capability itself than on the capacity of healthcare systems to support validation, regulation, implementation, workforce adaptation, interoperability, and long-term governance. Consequently, the principal challenge for contemporary healthcare systems is no longer simply how to develop new technologies, but how to integrate them safely, equitably, and sustainably into routine clinical practice.
Quantum mechanics describes the unitary time evolution of closed systems. In practice, every quantum system interacts with the environment, leading to an irreversible loss of coherence. The spin-boson model (SBM) is central to the understanding of the fundamental process of decoherence of a two-state quantum system interacting with a bosonic heat bath, but the nature of transient dynamics in the presence of hybrid diagonal and off-diagonal system-bath interactions remains much less explored. Here, we investigate how the hybrid system-bath interactions of an Ohmic environment induce localization in the bias-free SBM. For strong coupling to the environment, localization is strongly affected by a dynamically generated bias via the renormalization of the tunneling amplitude. We find that counteracting effects of Hamiltonian parameters on non-exponential short-time dynamics and long-time population equilibration can lead to a separation of timescales and transient quantum coherent dynamics that can persist even for ultra-strong system-bath interaction. The findings offer novel insight into the equilibration behavior of quantum devices operating in the ultra-strong coupling regime.
Current therapies for allergic rhinitis primarily provide symptomatic relief but fail to establish durable antigen-specific immune tolerance. Here, we developed an oral nano-dietary fiber (NDF) platform that integrates allergen delivery with microbiota-driven immunomodulation, using dextran as both an antigen carrier and a fermentable substrate for intestinal bacteria. NDF enabled coordinated allergen release and sustained short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production in the gut, promoting SCFA-FFAR2-dependent expansion of regulatory B and T cells and their trafficking to the nasal mucosa. In murine models, NDF slowed disease progression, improved airway function, and reduced allergen-specific IgE levels. Together, these findings establish NDF as an oral tolerogenic vaccine that provides durable protection against allergic airway disease through the gut-nasal axis.
Organic spacer cations are widely used to stabilize and tune the optoelectronic response of n = 1 layered halide perovskites, yet the extent to which the organic layer controls photophysics across different inorganic frameworks remains unclear. Here we compare two n = 1 families synthesized with the same spacer set (BA, PEA, HA, OA): (A)2PbBr4 and the Pb-free double perovskites (A)4AgBiBr8. Increasing spacer length systematically increases the interlayer spacing and strongly affects thin-film morphology, particularly for the longer alkyl chains. We combine UV-vis/PL with excitonic analysis (Elliott model) and modulated surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPV) to disentangle excitonic, band-to-band, and defect-assisted transitions. The Pb-based series exhibits strong excitonic signatures and pronounced spacer-length dependence in charge separation: excitonic-regime SPV is prominent for BA/PEA and strongly quenched for HA/OA, consistent with increased electronic insulation across the organic barrier. In contrast, the Ag-Bi double perovskites show orders-of-magnitude weaker SPV and clear sub-bandgap SPV features that are nearly spacer-independent; defect-related transitions are resolved at 1.38 eV and 2.29 ± 0.06 eV. Time-resolved microwave conductivity further corroborates suppressed long-range transport for longer spacers and highlights fundamentally inferior carrier generation/transport in the defect-rich double perovskites. Overall, we find that spacer engineering can tune transport and spectral onsets when the inorganic layer is relatively defect-tolerant (Pb-based), but becomes secondary when deep defects in the inorganic framework dominate the photophysics (AgBi-based).
Prostate cancer therapy is often limited by metastasis, drug resistance, and systemic toxicity. Photodynamic immunotherapy (PDIT) offers a promising alternative, yet its efficacy depends on photosensitizers that can simultaneously generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activate antitumor immunity. Herein, three thiophene (T) dyes based on triphenylamine (D) and N-ethyl-benzoselenazolium iodide (Se) (DTSe)-based photosensitizers were molecularly engineered by modulating the π-conjugated structure. Incorporation of a carbazole unit affords DZTSe with suppressed fluorescence, enlarged Huang-Rhys factor, reduced singlet-triplet energy gap, and prolonged triplet-state lifetime, resulting in enhanced ROS generation. Notably, DZTSe exhibits multi-organelle localization in the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, concurrently inducing pyroptosis and activating the cGAS-STING pathway. This dual stress-immune activation reprograms the tumor microenvironment and enables effective eradication of primary tumors and suppression of distant lesions in vivo, providing a molecular blueprint for immune-activating photosensitizers.
Photocatalysis is widely used for toxic air and water pollutant degradation, water slitting and H2 production, and the reduction of CO2 to useful hydrocarbons. Hollow fibers (HFs) have been widely used as photocatalyst immobilizers for advanced oxidation and reduction applications under batch conditions, with active semiconductors either applied on their surface or incorporated into their matrix. Photocatalytic hollow fiber membranes (HFMs), the porous version of the above-mentioned fibers, which exhibit dual functionality in the degradation and physical separation of contaminants, are currently applied under flow conditions for wastewater recycling and reuse. This work provides a concise overview of all the studies encountered in the literature on photocatalytic HFs and HFMs, categorizes them with respect to their materials and fabrication methods and aspires to serve as a guide for anyone wanting to prepare and use them in photocatalytic batch or flow reactors.