Transparent, conductive, and SERS-active Au nanofiber films assembled on an amphiphilic peptide template

Rational Formulation of targeted ABT-737 nanoparticles by self-assembled polypeptides and designed peptides

Here we present the development of nanoparticles (NPs) formulations specifically designed for targeting the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins on the outer membrane of mitochondria with the drug agent ABT-737. The NPs which are self-assembled by the natural polypeptide poly gamma glutamic acid (ϒPGA) and a designed cationic and amphiphilic peptide (PFK) have been shown to target drugs toward mitochondria. In this study we systematically developed the formulation of such NPs loaded with the ABT-737 and demonstrated the cytotoxic effect of the best identified formulation on MDA-MB-231 cells. Our findings emphasize the critical role of solutions pH and the charged state of the components throughout the formulation process as well as the concentrations of the co-components and their mixing sequence, in achieving the most stable and effective cytotoxic formulation. Our study highlights the potential versatility of designed peptides in combination with biopolymers for improving drug delivery formulations and enhance their targeting abilities.

Peptide-metal nanohybrids (PMN): Promising entities for combating neurological maladies

Nanotherapeutics are gaining traction in the modern scenario because of their unique and distinct properties which separate them from macro materials. Among the nanoparticles, metal NPs (MNPs) have gained importance due to their distinct physicochemical and biological characteristics. Peptides also exhibit several important functions in humans. Different peptides have received approval as pharmaceuticals, and clinical trials have been commenced for several peptides. Peptides are also used as targeting ligands. Considering all the advantages offered by these two entities, the conjugation of MNPs with peptides has emerged as a potential strategy for achieving successful targeting, diagnosis, and therapy of various neurological pathologies.

Time matters for macroscopic membranes formed by alginate and cationic β-sheet peptides

Hierarchically ordered planar and spherical membranes (sacs) were constructed using amphiphilic and cationic β-sheet peptides that spontaneously assembled together with negatively charged alginate solution. The system was found to form either a fully developed membrane structure with three distinct regions including characteristic perpendicular fibers or a non-fully developed contact layer lacking these standing fibers, depending on the peptide age, membrane geometry and membrane incubation time. The morphological differences were found to strongly depend on fairly-long incubation time frames that influenced both the peptide's intrinsic alignment and the reaction-diffusion process taking place at the interface. A three-stage mechanism was suggested and key parameters affecting the development process were identified. Stability tests in biologically relevant buffers confirmed the suitability of these membranes for bio applications.

Peptide-templated noble metal catalysts: syntheses and applications

Noble metal catalysts have been widely used in many applications because of their high activity and selectivity. However, a controllable preparation of noble metal catalysts still remains as a significant challenge. To overcome this challenge, peptide templates can play a critical role in the controllable syntheses of catalysts owing to their flexible binding with specific metallic surfaces and self-assembly characteristics. By employing peptide templates, the size, shape, facet, structure, and composition of obtained catalysts can all be specifically controlled under the mild synthesis conditions. In addition, catalysts with spherical, nanofiber, and nanofilm structures can all be produced by associating with the self-assembly characteristics of peptide templates. Furthermore, the peptide-templated noble metal catalysts also reveal significantly enhanced catalytic behaviours compared with conventional catalysts because the electron conductivity, metal dispersion, and reactive site exposure can all be improved. In this review, we summarize the research progresses in the syntheses of peptide-templated noble metal catalysts. The applications of the peptide-templated catalysts in organic reactions, photocatalysis, and electrocatalysis are discussed, and the relationship between structure and activity of these catalysts are addressed. Future opportunities, including new catalytic materials designed by using biological principles, are indicated to achieve selective, eco-friendly, and energy neutral synthesis approaches.

Design, fabrication, and biomedical applications of bioinspired peptide–inorganic nanomaterial hybrids

We presented the design, composition, and typical biomedical applications of bioinspired peptide–inorganic nanomaterial hybrids.

Carbon-Dot/Silver-Nanoparticle Flexible SERS-Active Films

Development of effective platforms for surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing has mostly focused on fabrication of colloidal metal surfaces and tuning of their surface morphologies, designed to create "hot spots" in which plasmonic fields yield enhanced SERS signals. We fabricated distinctive SERS-active flexible films comprising polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) embedding carbon dots (C-dots) and coated with silver nano-particles (Ag NPs). We show that the polymer-associated Ag NPs and C-dots intimately affected the physical properties of each other. In particular, the C-dot-Ag-NP-polymer films exhibited SERS properties upon deposition of versatile targets, both conventional SERS-active dyes as well as bacterial samples. We show that the SERS response was correlated to the formation C-dots within the polymer film and the physical proximity between the C-dots and Ag NPs, indicating that coupling between the plasmonic fields of the Ag NPs and C-dots' excitons constituted a prominent factor in the SERS properties.

Conductive and SERS-active colloidal gold films spontaneously formed at a liquid/liquid interface

Colloidal Au film forms at a water/pentane interface through spontaneous crystallization/reduction of water-soluble gold complex.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrate based on cysteamine-modified gold nanoparticle aggregation for highly sensitive pentachlorophenol detection

A new surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate based on cysteamine-modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the glass surface has been developed for the monitoring of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in water samples.

Photocatalytic hybrid Au/ZnO nanoparticles assembled through a one-pot method

Growth of metal domains on semiconductor nanoparticles is known to enhance their photocatalytic properties. We prepared ZnO nanoparticles decorated with metallic Au domains through a new one-pot microwave-based strategy. The synthetic route utilized microwave-heating of a mixture of only three components: Zn(2+) salt, Au(SCN)4(-) which served as a precursor for metallic gold, and Tris base. The Tris molecules had a dual role in the process, both shaping the morphology of the ZnO particles, as well as constituting docking and nucleation sites for the Au(SCN)4(-) ions. The Au complex subsequently underwent spontaneous crystallization/reduction without co-addition of reducing or stabilizing agents, yielding Au nanoparticles attached to the ZnO surface. We show that the hybrid Au/ZnO nanoparticles exhibited enhanced photocatalytic properties compared to the plain ZnO nanoparticles.

A tyrosine-rich peptide induced flower-like palladium nanostructure and its catalytic activity

​Flower-like palladium nanostructure (Pd nano-flower) induced by tyrosine-rich peptide, Tyr-Tyr-Ala-His-Ala-Tyr-Tyr (YYAHAYY), showed excellent catalytic activities in copper-free Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction in water.

Langmuir monolayers as models to study processes at membrane surfaces

The use of new sophisticated and highly surface sensitive techniques as synchrotron based X-ray scattering techniques and in-house infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) has revolutionized the monolayer research. Not only the determination of monolayer structures but also interactions between amphiphilic monolayers at the soft air/liquid interface and molecules dissolved in the subphase are important for many areas in material and life sciences. Monolayers are convenient quasi-two-dimensional model systems. This review focuses on interactions between amphiphilic molecules in binary and ternary mixtures as well as on interfacial interactions with interesting biomolecules dissolved in the subphase. The phase state of monolayers can be easily triggered at constant temperature by increasing the packing density of the lipids by compression. Simultaneously the monolayer structure changes are followed in situ by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction or IRRAS. The interactions can be indirectly determined by the observed structure changes. Additionally, the yield of enzymatic reaction can be quantitatively determined, secondary structures of peptides and proteins can be measured and compared with those observed in bulk. In this way, the influence of a confinement on the structural properties of biomolecules can be determined. The adsorption of DNA can be quantified as well as the competing adsorption of ions at charged interfaces. The influence of modified nanoparticles on model membranes can be clearly determined. In this review, the relevance and utility of Langmuir monolayers as suitable models to study physical and chemical interactions at membrane surfaces are clearly demonstrated.

Nonplanar conductive surfaces via "bottom-up" nanostructured gold coating

Development of technologies for the construction of bent, curved, and flexible conductive surfaces is among the most important albeit challenging goals in the promising field of "flexible electronics". We present a generic solution-based "bottom-up" approach for assembling conductive gold nanostructured layers on nonplanar polymer surfaces. The simple two-step experimental scheme is based upon incubation of an amine-displaying polymer [the abundantly used poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), selected here as a proof of concept] with Au(SCN)4(-), followed by a brief treatment with a conductive polymer [poly(3,4-thylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate)] solution. Importantly, no reducing agent is co-added to the gold complex solution. The resultant surfaces are conductive and exhibit a unique "nanoribbon" gold morphology. The scheme yields conductive layers upon PDMS in varied configurations: planar, "wrinkled", and mechanically bent surfaces. The technology is simple, inexpensive, and easy to implement for varied polymer surfaces (and other substances), opening the way for practical applications in flexible electronics and related fields.