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Target practice: A novel photodynamic therapy system has been constructed by taking advantage of the specific molecular recognition of an aptamer, loading capability of a G‐quadruplex, and upconversion of nanoparticles using near‐infrared (NIR) light. This system selectively delivers a photosensitizer to targeted cells and upon irradiation with NIR light demonstrates phototoxicity effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi‐dimensional force sensing that combines intensity, location, area and the like could gather a wealth of information from mechanical stimuli. Developing materials with force‐induced optical and electrical dual responses would provide unique opportunities to multi‐dimensional force sensing, with electrical signals quantifying the force amplitude and the luminescence output providing spatial distribution of force. However, the reliance on external power supply and high‐energy excitation source brings significant challenges to the applicability of multi‐dimensional force sensors. Here we reported the mechanical energy‐driven and sunlight‐activated materials with force‐induced dual responses, and investigated the underlying mechanisms of self‐sustainable force sensing. Theoretical analysis and experimental data unraveled that trap‐controlled luminescence and interfacial electron transfer play a major role in force‐induced optical and electrical output. These materials were manufactured into pressure sensor with renewable dual‐mode output for quantifying and visualization of pressures by electrical and optical output, respectively, without power supply and high‐energy irradiation. The quantification of tactile sensation and stimuli localization of mice highlighted the multi‐dimensional sensing ability of the sensor. Overall, this self‐powered pressure sensor with multimodal output provides more modalities of force sensing, poised to change the way that intelligent devices sense with the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mass pathogen screening is critical to preventing the outbreaks and spread of infectious diseases. The large‐scale epidemic of COVID‐19 and the rapid mutation of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) virus have put forward new requirements for virus detection and identification techniques. Here, we report a CRISPR‐based Amplification‐free Viral RNA Electrical Detection platform (CAVRED) for the rapid detection and identification of SARS‐CoV‐2 variants. A series of CRISPR RNA assays were designed to amplify the CRISPR‐Cas system's ability to discriminate between mutant and wild RNA genomes with a single‐nucleotide difference. The identified viral RNA information was converted into readable electrical signals through field‐effect transistor biosensors for the achievement of highly sensitive detection of single‐base mutations. CAVRED can detect the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus genome as low as 1 cp μL−1 within 20 mins without amplification, and this value is comparable to the detection limit of real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Based on the excellent RNA mutation detection ability, an 8‐in‐1 CAVRED array was constructed and realized the rapid identification of 40 simulated throat swab samples of SARS‐CoV‐2 variants with a 95.0 % accuracy. The advantages of accuracy, sensitivity, and fast speed of CAVRED promise its application in rapid and large‐scale epidemic screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial cell factories reinvigorate current industries by producing complex fine chemicals at low costs. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) is the main reducing power to drive the biosynthetic pathways in microorganisms. However, insufficient intrinsic NADPH limits the productivity of microorganisms. Here, we report that supplying microorganisms with long‐lived electrons from persistent phosphor mesoporous Al2O3 (meso‐Al2O3) can elevate the NADPH level to facilitate efficient fine chemical production. The defects in meso‐Al2O3 were demonstrated to be highly efficient in prolonging electrons' lifetime. The long‐lived electrons in meso‐Al2O3 can pass the material–microorganism interface and power the biosynthetic pathways of E. coli to produce jet fuel farnesene. This work represents a reliable strategy to design photo‐biosynthesis systems to improve the productivity of microorganisms with solar energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring microbial metabolism is vital for biomanufacturing processes optimization. However, it remains a grand challenge to offer insight into microbial metabolism due to particularly complex and dynamic processes. Here, we report an electron‐sensing probe Zn2GeO4:Mn@Fe3+ for real‐time and dynamic monitoring of Fe(III) respiration metabolism. The quenched persistent luminescence of Zn2GeO4:Mn@Fe3+ is recovered when Fe3+ accepted electrons from the dynamic Fe(III) respiration metabolism, enabling the real‐time monitoring of microbial metabolism. The probe shows the capability to verify the role of related biomolecules in microbial Fe(III) respiration metabolism, to track the dynamic Fe(III) respiration metabolic response to environmental stress and microbial co‐culture interactions. Furthermore, the Zn2GeO4:Mn@Fe3+ probe provides guidance for improving biosynthesis efficiency by monitoring Fe redox recycling in microbial co‐culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulation of cellular oxidative stress plays a critical role in revealing the molecular mechanisms of cellular activities and thus is a potential strategy for tumor treatment. Optical methods have been employed for intelligent regulation of oxidative stress in tumor regions. However, long‐time continuous irradiation inevitably causes damage to normal tissues. Herein, a ferrocene‐containing nucleic acid‐based energy‐storage nanoagent was designed to achieve the continuous photo‐regulation of cellular oxidative stress in the dark. Specifically, the photoenergy stored in the agent could convert effectively and accelerate Fenton‐like reaction continuously, augmenting cellular oxidative stress. This nanoagent could also silence oxidative damage repair genes to further amplify oxidative stress. This strategy not only provides oxidative stress regulation for studying the molecular mechanisms of biological activities, but also offers a promising step toward tumor microenvironment modulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facet‐selective nanostructures in living systems usually exhibit outstanding optical and enzymatic properties, playing important roles in photonics, matter exchange, and biocatalysis. Bioinspired construction of facet‐selective nanostructures offers great opportunities for sophisticated nanomaterials, but remains a formidable task. We have developed a macromolecule‐mediated strategy for the assembly of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs)/two‐dimensional metal–organic frameworks (2DMOFs) heterostructures with facet selectivity. Both experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) can be utilized as an interface‐selective mediator to further promote the facet‐selective assembly of MOFs onto the surface of UCNPs. The UCNPs/2DMOFs nanostructures with facet selectivity display specific optical properties and show great advantages in anti‐counterfeiting. Our demonstration of UCNPs/2DMOFs provides a vivid example for the controlled fabrication of facet‐selective nanostructures and can promote the development of advanced functional materials for applications in biosensing, energy conversion, and information assurance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulation of protein activity is essential for revealing the molecular mechanisms of biological processes. DNA and RNA achieve many uniquely efficient functions, such as genetic expression and regulation. The chemical capability to synthesize artificial nucleotides can expand the chemical space of nucleic acid libraries and further increase the functional diversity of nucleic acids. Herein, a versatile method has been developed for modular expansion of the chemical space of nucleic acid libraries, thus enabling the generation of aptamers able to regulate protein activity. Specifically, an aptamer that targets integrin alpha3 was identified and this aptamer can inhibit cell adhesion and migration. Overall, this chemical‐design‐assisted in vitro selection approach enables the generation of functional nucleic acids for elucidating the molecular basis of biological activities and uncovering a novel basis for the rational design of new protein‐inhibitor pharmaceuticals. Artificial‐nucleotide aptamer: The chemical‐design‐assisted in vitro selection approach reported enables the generation of a new class of functional nucleic acids for regulating the biologically relevant performance of its target molecule. This uncovers a novel basis for the rational design of new protein‐inhibitor pharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A facile route is presented for fabricating a new class of nanomimics that overexpress hepatitis B virus (HBV) receptor by a natural biosynthetic procedure against HBV infection. A nine‐transmembrane HBV‐specific receptor, human sodium taurocholate co‐transporting polypeptide (hNTCP), was engineered to naturally immobilize it onto the cellular surface and subsequently trigger the budding of hNTCP‐anchoring membrane vesicles (hNTCP‐MVs) that favor the HBV virion. hNTCP‐MVs could rapidly block HBV infection in cell models. Furthermore, hNTCP‐MVs treatment could effectively prevent viral infection, spreading, and replication in a human‐liver‐chimeric mouse model of HBV infection. Our findings demonstrate the receptor‐mediated antiviral effect of hNTCP‐MVs to trick HBV and offer novel opportunities for further development of antiviral strategies in nanomedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoluminescence is one of the most sensitive techniques for fingerprint detection, but it also suffers from background fluorescence and selectivity at the expense of generality. The method described herein integrates the advantages of near-infrared-light-mediated imaging and molecular recognition. In principle, upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) functionalized with a lysozyme-binding aptamer were used to detect fingerprints through recognizing lysozyme in the fingerprint ridges. UCNPs possess the ability to suppress background fluorescence and make it possible for fingerprint imaging on problematic surfaces. Lysozyme, a universal compound in fingerprints, was chosen as the target, thus simultaneously meeting the selectivity and generality criteria in photoluminescence approaches. Fingerprints on different surfaces and from different people were detected successfully. This strategy was used to detect fingerprints with cocaine powder by using UCNPs functionalized with a cocaine-binding aptamer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Near‐infrared‐light‐mediated imaging and molecular recognition have been combined for the detection of latent fingerprints. Q. Yuan et al. describe in their Communication on page 1616 ff. how this general technique does not suffer from background fluorescence interference and simultaneously meets the selectivity and generality criteria for the detection of fingerprints, thus providing high evidential quality for individual identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]