Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
7.4
4.2
Journals
Molecules
Special Issues
Enhanced Bioapplications of Biomolecules Mediated by Nanomaterials
molecules-logo
Submit to Molecules Review for Molecules Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Enhanced Bioapplications of Biomolecules Mediated by Nanomaterials

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Medicinal Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2025) | Viewed by 2683

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Zhong Cao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Materials Protection for Electric Power and Transportation & Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Cytochemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha 410114, China
Interests: bioanalytical chemistry; biomedical diagnostics; biosensors; nano-functional materials; micro/nanochips; bioenergy materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Donghong Yu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, DK-9220 Aalborg East, Denmark
Interests: molecularly imprinted conjugated molecules; molecular recognition; photonic crystals; organic photovoltaic materials; biosensing materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanomaterials have revolutionized various fields, including biomolecules research and applications. Biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids form the basis of the chemistry of life. Using nanomaterials with biomolecules has led to significant advancements in diagnostics, therapeutics, and bioengineering. There are increasing applications of biomolecules in nanomaterials, with the study of related basic theory on optoelectronic chemistry developed quickly. In drug delivery, gold, silver, and magnetic nanoparticles can be conjugated with drugs or used as carriers to deliver therapeutic biomolecules like proteins and nucleic acids to targeted cells with enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects. In clinic diagnostics, quantum dots and fluorescent nanoparticles can be attached to antibodies or other biomolecules for high-resolution imaging and sensitive detection of diseases. Nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes or graphene can be integrated into biosensors to detect the presence of specific biomolecules, which is useful for diagnosing diseases. Especially, the quantum dots can be used to label and trace specific biomolecules within living cells, providing insights into cellular processes. This Special Issue will focus on the best contributions from a wide community of scientists to challenge and develop novel nanomaterials for biotarget molecules in drug delivery, disease diagnosis, tissue engineering, immunotherapy, and bioenergy processes. We invite both original research articles and review papers to be submitted for consideration.

Prof. Dr. Zhong Cao
Dr. Donghong Yu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • nanofunctional materials
  • biomolecular recognition
  • molecular probes
  • biosensors
  • micro/nano chips
  • organic optoelectronic materials
  • bioenergy materials

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

25 pages, 6666 KiB  
Article
Pt@ZnCo2O4 Microspheres as Peroxidase Mimics: Enhanced Catalytic Activity and Application for L-Cysteine Detection
by Shuqi Liao, Weisen Deng, Feng Yang, Jutao Zhou, Ling Wu, Donghong Yu and Zhong Cao
Molecules 2025, 30(1), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30010187 - 5 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1083
Abstract
Compared to natural enzymes, the development of efficient artificial simulated enzymes, such as those based on bimetallic materials with high catalytic activity and good stability, is an important way until now. Herein, we employed ZnCo2O4 microspheres as carriers to synthesize [...] Read more.
Compared to natural enzymes, the development of efficient artificial simulated enzymes, such as those based on bimetallic materials with high catalytic activity and good stability, is an important way until now. Herein, we employed ZnCo2O4 microspheres as carriers to synthesize Pt-doped composites with different amounts using a one-pot method. The morphology and structure of the synthesized materials were characterized using XRD, SEM, BET, FT-IR, XPS, and Zeta potential techniques. It was found that Pt0 adhered well to the surface of ZnCo2O4 microspheres, with a 12.5% Pt doped ratio exhibiting abundant oxygen vacancies, excellent substrate affinity, and high peroxidase-like activity. Using fluorescent probes and electrochemical methods, the peroxidase-like catalytic mechanism has been explored that Pt@ZnCo2O4 microspheres can accelerate the electron transfer between H2O2 and 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). Based on the optimal loading ratio of 12.5% of Pt@ZnCo2O4, a colorimetric sensor for visual detection of L-cysteine (L-Cys) was constructed, exhibiting a wide linear range of 0.1~50 µM and a low detection limit of 0.0163 µM. The sensor possesses good selectivity, reusability, and usage stability, which can be well applied to the determination of L-Cys in health product capsules with recovery rates of 96.9%~103.7% and RSD of 1.07%~6.50%. This work broadens the application prospects of spinel materials such as ZnCo2O4 in the field of biological analysis and also provides inspiration for the development of new artificial simulated enzymes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhanced Bioapplications of Biomolecules Mediated by Nanomaterials)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

22 pages, 17212 KiB  
Article
Preparation, Evaluation, and Bioinformatics Study of Hyaluronic Acid-Modified Ginsenoside Rb1 Self-Assembled Nanoparticles for Treating Cardiovascular Diseases
by Lixin Du, Yifei Xiao, Qidong Wei, Zhihua Guo and Ya Li
Molecules 2024, 29(18), 4425; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29184425 - 18 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1305
Abstract
(1) Objective: To optimize the preparation process of hyaluronic acid-modified ginsenoside Rb1 self-assembled nanoparticles (HA@GRb1@CS NPs), characterize and evaluate them in vitro, and investigate the mechanism of action of HA@GRb1@CS NPs in treating cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. (2) [...] Read more.
(1) Objective: To optimize the preparation process of hyaluronic acid-modified ginsenoside Rb1 self-assembled nanoparticles (HA@GRb1@CS NPs), characterize and evaluate them in vitro, and investigate the mechanism of action of HA@GRb1@CS NPs in treating cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. (2) Methods: The optimal preparation process was screened through Plackett–Burman and Box–Behnken designs. Physical characterization of HA@GRb1@CS NPs was conducted using transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. Stability experiments, in vitro drug release studies, and lyophilisate selection were performed to evaluate the in vitro performance of HA@GRb1@CS NPs. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities of HA@GRb1@CS NPs were assessed using H9c2 and RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, bioinformatics tools were employed to explore the mechanism of action of HA@GRb1@CS NPs in the treatment of CVDs associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. (3) Results: The optimal preparation process for HA@GRb1@CS NPs was achieved with a CS concentration of 2 mg/mL, a TPP concentration of 2.3 mg/mL, and a CS to TPP mass concentration ratio of 1.5:1, resulting in a particle size of 126.4 nm, a zeta potential of 36.8 mV, and a PDI of 0.243. Characterization studies confirmed successful encapsulation of the drug within the carrier, indicating successful preparation of HA@GRb1@CS NPs. In vitro evaluations demonstrated that HA@GRb1@CS NPs exhibited sustained-release effects, leading to reduced MDA (Malondialdehyde) content and increased SOD (Superoxide Dismutase) content in oxidatively damaged H9c2 cells. Furthermore, it showed enhanced DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS+ [2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] free radical scavenging rates and inhibited the release of inflammatory factors NO (Nitric Oxide) and IL-6 (Interleukin-6) from RAW264.7 cells. (4) Conclusions: The HA@GRb1@CS NPs prepared in this study exhibit favorable properties with stable quality and significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities. The mechanisms underlying their therapeutic effects on CVDs may involve targeting STAT3, JUN, EGFR, CASP3, and other pathways regulating cell apoptosis, autophagy, anti-lipid, and arterial sclerosis signaling pathways. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhanced Bioapplications of Biomolecules Mediated by Nanomaterials)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-2
Back to TopTop