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Therapeutic peptides have revolutionized treatment for a number of human diseases. In particular, the past two decades have witnessed rapid progress of stapled helical peptides in drug discovery. Stapled helical peptides are chemically modified and constrained in their bioactive α-helical conformation. Compared to unstabilized linear peptides, stapled helical peptides exhibit superior binding affinity and selectivity, enhanced membrane permeability, and improved metabolic stability, presenting exciting promise for targeting otherwise challenging protein-protein interfaces. In this Perspective, we summarize recent applications of high-throughput screening technologies for identification of potent stapled helical peptides with optimized binding properties. We expect to provide a broad reference to accelerate the development of stapled helical peptides as the next generation of therapeutic peptides for various human diseases.

Magnetic carbon nanotubes (MCNTs), consisting of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), have enormous exploration and application potentials due to their superior physical and chemical properties, such as unique magnetism and high enrichment performance. This review concentrates on the rapid advances in the synthesis and application of magnetic carbon nanotubes. Great progress has been made in the preparation of MCNTs by developing methods including chemical vapor deposition, pyrolysis procedure, sol-gel process, template-based synthesis, filling process and hydrothermal/solvothermal method. Various applications of MCNTs as a mediator of the adsorbent in magnetic solid-phase extraction, sensors, antibacterial agents, and imaging system contrast agents, and in drug delivery and catalysis are discussed. In order to overcome the drawbacks of MCNTs, such as sidewall damage, lack of convincing quantitative characterization methods, toxicity and environmental impact, and deficiency of extraction performance, researchers proposed some solutions in recent years. We systematically review the latest advances in MCNTs and discuss the direction of future development.

How to remove environmental contaminants from wastewater has attracted widespread attentions in recent years. Herein, dual-functional polyethersulfone (PES) composite nanofibrous membranes with synergistic adsorption and photocatalytic degradation profiles for organic dyes were prepared through the combination of blending modification and electrospinning technology. Poly (acrylic acid-co-methyl methacrylate) copolymer was synthesized firstly; then the copolymer and PES were dissolved in a uniform TiO2 suspension, and followed by an electrospinning process to fabricate composite nanofibrous membranes. The obtained membranes could adsorb rhodamine B (RhB) dye in dark via electrostatic attraction, and the residual RhB dye was further degraded under UV irradiation. More importantly, the synergistic effects of adsorption and photodegradation were explored. On one hand, the adsorption accelerated the photodegradation process owing to the easy access for catalyst-contaminants contacting. On the other hand, the photodegradation eliminated the residual toxins more completely, and realized the regeneration of adsorption active sites by continuous UV irradiation but without any other treatments. The excellent recyclability of 95% removal ratio even after 5 cycles was obtained via this green way. Additionally, the composite membranes could also adsorb and photodegrade various other dyes and applied in the treatment for mixed dye solutions. Thereby, this synergistic adsorption and photocatalytic degradation will provide useful insights to design highly efficient and green materials for environmental wastewater remediation.