Search

Bacteria naturally alter the redox state of many compounds and perform atom-by-atom nanomaterial synthesis to create many inorganic materials. Recent advancements in synthetic biology have spurred interest in using biological systems to manufacture nanomaterials, implementing biological strategies to specify the nanomaterial characteristics such as size, shape, and optical properties. Here, we combine the natural synthetic capabilities of microbes with engineered genetic control circuits toward biogenically synthesized semiconductor nanomaterials. Using an engineered strain of Shewanella oneindensis with inducible expression of the cytochrome complex MtrCAB, we control the reduction of manganese (IV) oxide. Cytochrome expression levels were regulated using an inducer molecule, which enabled precise modulation of dopant incorporation into manganese doped zinc sulfide nanoparticles (Mn:ZnS). Thereby, a synthetic gene circuit controlled the optical properties of biogenic quantum dots. These biogenically assembled nanomaterials have similar physical and optoelectronic properties to chemically synthesized particles. Our results demonstrate the promise of implementing synthetic gene circuits for tunable control of nanomaterials made by biological systems.

Bacteria naturally alter the redox state of many compounds and perform atom-by-atom nanomaterial synthesis to create many inorganic materials. Recent advancements in synthetic biology have spurred interest in using biological systems to manufacture nanomaterials, implementing biological strategies to specify the nanomaterial characteristics such as size, shape, and optical properties. Here, we combine the natural synthetic capabilities of microbes with engineered genetic control circuits toward biogenically synthesized semiconductor nanomaterials. Using an engineered strain of Shewanella oneindensis with inducible expression of the cytochrome complex MtrCAB, we control the reduction of manganese (IV) oxide. Cytochrome expression levels were regulated using an inducer molecule, which enabled precise modulation of dopant incorporation into manganese doped zinc sulfide nanoparticles (Mn:ZnS). Thereby, a synthetic gene circuit controlled the optical properties of biogenic quantum dots. These biogenically assembled nanomaterials have similar physical and optoelectronic properties to chemically synthesized particles. Our results demonstrate the promise of implementing synthetic gene circuits for tunable control of nanomaterials made by biological systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Summarizing current applications of nanomaterials in protein kinase assays. [•] Classifying kinase nano-sensors according to analytical techniques. [•] Discussing the relative advantages and the limitations of these methods. [•] Predicting the trend in future development of nanomaterial-based kinase biosensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We provide an overview of the diverse chemistries that are used for preparing quantum dot bioconjugates. [•] Polyhistidine-mediated metal-affinity coordination to QD surfaces is described in detail. [•] A variety of modular, chemoselective ligation chemistries that can be applied to QD bioconjugation are described. [•] Applications incorporating various QD-bioconjugates assembled using different chemistries are included. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: During the last years, there has been a remarkable increase in the use of inorganic nanoparticles (NP) in different applications, including consumer and medical products. Despite these promising applications, the extremely small size of NP allows them to penetrate cells, in which they can interact with intracellular structures causing serious side effects. A number of studies showed that NP cause adverse effects predominantly via induction of an oxidative stress – an imbalance between damaging oxidants and protective antioxidants – resulting in inflammation, immune response, cell damages, genotoxicity, etc … Most of the in vitro methods used for measurement of oxidative stress biomarkers were designed and standardized for conventional organic, inorganic and biochemical compounds. More recently, these methods have been adapted to studies related to various nanomaterials. Thus, this review is an attempt to highlight some current methods employed in and to provide a critical analysis of the major challenges and issues faced in this emerging field. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] CPPs for encapsulation of active drugs and fluorescent/magnetic nanoparticles. [•] Use of metal ions or active drugs as ligands for the fabrication of CPPs. [•] CPPs for bioimaging. [•] Smart responsive CPPs. [•] Use of bioorganic molecules for CPPs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nanomaterials with superior physiochemical properties have been rapidly developed and integrated in every aspect of cell engineering and therapy for translating their great promise to clinical success. Here we demonstrate the multifaceted roles played by innovatively-designed nanomaterials in addressing key challenges in cell engineering and therapy such as cell isolation from heterogeneous cell population, cell instruction in vitro to enable desired functionalities, and targeted cell delivery to therapeutic sites for prompting tissue repair. The emerging trends in this interdisciplinary and dynamic field are also highlighted, where the nanomaterial-engineered cells constitute the basis for establishing in vitro disease model; and nanomaterial-based in situ cell engineering are accomplished directly within the native tissue in vivo. We will witness the increasing importance of nanomaterials in revolutionizing the concept and toolset of cell engineering and therapy which will enrich our scientific understanding of diseases and ultimately fulfill the therapeutic demand in clinical medicine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Trends in biosensor development. [•] Applications of biosensors to the food allergen field. [•] Insights in nanostructure-based systems for food allergens screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Nanoparticles have shown promising effects in chromatography and electrophoresis. [•] In the nanometer range, quantum-dot effects can be exploited. [•] The positive effects of nanoparticles in separation science are explored. [•] Some of the latest, exciting applications of nanoparticles are highlighted. [•] The theory behind the use of nanoparticles in separation science is outlined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]