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Photobiological chemical production is of great importance for solar energy storage and clean fuel generation. One rising strategy for solar fuel production is to enhance the original catalytic efficiency of non-photosynthetic cells by photosensitization of light-harvesting semiconducting nanomaterials. However, endowing cells with a new photocatalytic property to meet the ever-growing demands for environmentally-friendly processes to synthesize multifarious desirable chemicals is still a huge challenge. Herein, we report that a fungus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, with neither photosynthetic properties nor hydrogen production abilities is endowed with efficient and sustainable light-driven hydrogen production (1063.51 μmol g−1CdS h−1) via the synergistic action of in situ biosynthesized intracellular CdS nanodots (nCdS) and ethanol dehydrogenases (ADH) from yeast. The catalytic mechanism indicates that the photoelectrons from nCdS were transferred to the activated water molecules located in the ADH combined with nCdS, realizing high-efficiency photocatalytic hydrogen production. This finding provides prospective guidance for endowing cells with sustainable and efficient conversion of solar energy by inducing in situ biosynthesized bionic minerals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemotherapy for cancer treatment is widely used but remains restricted by several limitations, including inefficient drug delivery and concomitant adverse side effects. Herein, we report a new prodrug-based self-assembled nanoparticle for the efficient treatment of cancer. Amphiphilic prodrug molecules (3′,5′-dioleoyl floxuridine, DOF) were constructed to form prodrug nanoparticles (DOF NPs) through a self-assembly process in water via hydrophobic interactions. The DOF NPs with high stability can be quickly enriched in tumor cells and release the floxuridine drug via hydrolysis of ester bonds by esterase. In vitro experiments reveal that the DOF NPs possess satisfactory tumor killing effects and weak toxicity and side effects. These unique features could further promote the research progress of prodrug-based self-assembled strategies for the application of chemotherapy in cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one kind of redox active layered transition-metal dioxide nanomaterials, single-layer manganese dioxide (MnO 2 ) nanosheets have gained significant research attention in the fields of biosensing and biomedicine because of their large surface area, intense and broad optical absorption, strong oxidation ability, catalytic activity, and robust mechanical properties. This review provides a brief overview of the recent advances in the development of MnO 2 nanosheet-based biosensors, bioimaging as well as drug delivery for cancer therapy. The methodologies for the preparation of MnO 2 nanosheets are summarized, followed by an introduction of the nanostructure and properties of MnO 2 nanosheets. Special attention is paid to their applications in biosensing, bioimaging and cancer therapy. Future perspectives and the challenges of high-performance MnO 2 nanosheets are also discussed.