Search Results (3,143)

In this work, we designed non-viral gene delivery vector systems based on three poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-ran-poly[2-(3-butenyl)-2-oxazoline] copolymers functionalized by primary, secondary, and tertiary amino groups. The impact of copolymer structure and composition was sought through the examination of basic physicochemical and biological parameters. The complexation ability of copolymers with plasmid DNA was studied by ethidium bromide quenching assay. The polyplex particles size and ζ-potential were determined by dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering. The release ability of copolymers was assessed by competitive displacement of DNA using dextran sulfate. The biological performance of amino-functionalized poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-ran-poly[2-(3-butenyl)-2-oxazoline] based gene delivery systems was evaluated, and their behavior under various environmental conditions, such as pH and ionic strength, was investigated. Cytotoxicity was assessed in two human lung-derived cell lines, and the ability of the copolymers to mediate plasmid DNA delivery and expression was examined. The resulting polyplex nanoparticles exhibited the ability to release DNA molecules and sensitivity to alterations in pH and ionic strength. All systems showed high biocompatibility and were able to mediate plasmid DNA delivery, resulting in detectable EGFP expression in vitro. The vector properties were found to be driven by a multifactorial interplay among hydrophobic character, thermoresponsive behavior, polymer mobility, charge accessibility, intracellular environmental responsiveness, secondary structure effects, etc. The copolymer bearing primary amino groups displayed a distinct balance between DNA binding and release, characterized by moderate complex stability and enhanced sensitivity to environmental changes. These findings provide mechanistic insight into how amino functionality and polymer structure influence the structure–property–behavior relationships of polyoxazoline-based non-viral gene delivery systems. Full article

Amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), a key calcium-phosphorus compound, has been widely applied in fields such as dentistry, orthopedics, and biomedicine. However, its potential for removing copper ions from aqueous solutions remains largely unexplored. In this study, sodium citrate-stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (Cit-ACP) and its calcined derivatives at various temperatures were successfully synthesized as adsorbents for copper ions. The adsorption behavior of Cit-ACP was best described by the Langmuir isotherm, with kinetics following a pseudo-second-order model. Under conditions of pH 5.5 and an initial copper ion concentration of 200 mg/L, Cit-ACP exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 323.96 mg/g. Thermodynamic analysis confirmed that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. Comprehensive characterization via XRD, XPS, and zeta potential measurements before and after adsorption revealed a two-stage adsorption mechanism. At low initial copper concentrations, adsorption occurred predominantly through surface complexation between copper ions and sodium citrate molecules on Cit-ACP nanoparticles. At higher concentrations, the mechanism extended to include co-precipitation of copper ions with hydroxyl groups, which promoted the transformation of Cit-ACP into copper-substituted calcium phosphate phases, such as copper-containing hydroxyapatite. Owing to its straightforward synthesis, high adsorption capacity, and inherent biocompatibility, Cit-ACP presents a promising, cost-effective, and efficient adsorbent for the removal of copper ions from aqueous environments. Full article

The global expansion of genetically modified (GM) crop cultivation has increased the demand for analytical platforms that can provide rapid, reliable, and cost-effective detec-tion of GM-derived ingredients to support traceability, regulatory compliance, and accu-rate labeling. Conventional molecular assays such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and isothermal amplification are highly sensitive and specific but depend on sophisticated instrumentation and trained personnel, limiting their applicability in field settings. Here, we present a label-free and amplification-free nanobiosensor based on citrate-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for the direct colorimetric detection of the Cry1Ac gene associated with the MON87701 soybean event, without the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or any enzymatic nucleic acid amplification step. The assay relies on the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of AuNPs, which induces a red-to-purple color transition upon hybridization between complementary DNA strands. Critical reaction parameters, including NaCl concentration, AuNP size, and ionic strength, were optimized to enable selective and reproducible aggregation. Integration with a Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm enabled automated spectral classification and semi-quantitative discrimination of GM content levels. The optimized AuNP–SVM system achieved high sensitivity (limit of detection ≈ 2.5 ng μL⁻¹, depending on nanoparticle batch), strong specificity toward Cry1Ac-positive sequences, and reproducible classification accuracies exceeding 90%. By eliminating enzymatic amplification steps, the proposed platform significantly reduces assay time, operational complexity, and instrumentation requirements, making it suitable for rapid on-site GMO screening. Full article

Electrochemical biosensors represent mature platforms for point-of-need analysis due to their high sensitivity, intrinsic selectivity, low cost, and facile miniaturization. In the last decade, nanomaterials have become integral to advanced biosensor architectures, acting as high-surface-area supports, electron-transfer mediators, and signal-amplifying elements. This review critically examines the most represented nanomaterial classes in mature electrochemical biosensors—carbon nanostructures, gold nanoparticles, and iron-based magnetic nanoparticles—highlighting how morphology, electronic structure, and surface chemistry influence key performance metrics such as limit of detection, linear range, and assay time. Despite a strong technology push and numerous proof-of-concept demonstrations, the translation of nanomaterial-enabled electrochemical biosensors into commercial devices remains limited. This gap arises from the intrinsic physicochemical complexity of nanomaterials, which hampers standardization, reproducibility, and long-term safety assessment. Accordingly, this review integrates performance analysis with a systematic overview of the European regulatory framework, including the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) (EU) 2017/745, the In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVR) (EU) 2017/746, EFSA guidance for food and water applications, and relevant ISO standards, outlining key translational bottlenecks and design principles for deployable biosensing technologies. Full article

Salmonella remains a leading cause of foodborne illness worldwide, with poultry products representing a major source of human exposure, underscoring the need for rapid and reliable detection methods. Although qPCR offers sensitive and timely pathogen detection, assay performance is highly dependent on sample preparation efficiency and nucleic acid purity, particularly in complex food matrices. In this study, we systematically optimized the sample preparation workflow of a SYBR Green based qPCR assay for enrichment-free detection of Salmonella enterica in poultry. Multiple lysis chemistries, incubation times, DNA extraction methods, centrifugation strategies, inoculum sources, and magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) assisted workflows were evaluated using phosphate-buffered saline and chicken rinsate matrices. Among the conditions tested, lysis with 20 µL Proteinase K and 400 µL PrepMan™ for 20 min produced the lowest and most consistent Cq values. Although Promega Wizard^® produced slightly lower mean Cq values than PrepMan™, statistical analysis showed no significant differences between extraction methods or centrifugation protocols, indicating comparable overall performance. Broth-derived inocula yielded earlier and more reproducible Cq values than colony-derived preparations. In contrast, inclusion of MNP processing resulted in higher Cq values in both matrices compared to the non-MNP workflow. Overall, these findings demonstrate that optimized lysis, extraction, and centrifugation workflows enhances the consistency and analytical reliability of direct qPCR detection of Salmonella in poultry matrices, supporting laboratory-based rapid detection applications. Full article

DNA methylation is a conserved regulatory mechanism of gene expression, genome stability, and development, and is highly associated with the effective induction of defense responses for plant priming. In the Green Deal era, the use of plant defense inducers (PDIs), compounds that activate defense and prime plants against imminent pathogen attacks, is a safe and environmentally sustainable approach to support plants against pathogens. Though efforts have succeeded at deciphering part of the mode of action of PDIs, more information is needed to understand the underlying pathways of their effectiveness. Here, salicylic acid (SA), loaded in chitosan nanoparticles, increased hypomethylation by more than 25% for 56 genomic regions that corresponded to defense-related genes, such as pectin lyases, defensins and leucine-rich repeat transmembrane protein kinases against the biotrophic fungal pathogen Podosphaera xanthii. A genomic region of the promoter of SKP1A, which is a core member of the SCF E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, was found to be a differentially methylated region (DMR), with 60% hypomethylation, both after PDI application and pathogen inoculation, possibly indicating a similar activation mechanism. Examination of this DMR revealed the presence of SA-, auxin-, and defense-related cis-elements. Investigation of the proteins associated with the above cis-elements showed significant upregulation in expression after PDI. Moreover, association of the identified DMR with transcriptomics showed enrichment of the SA pathway. Overall, these findings shed light on the epigenetic mechanisms that underlie SA-related defense priming in plants. Full article

The development of multifunctional smart packaging materials capable of simultaneously monitoring temperature and suppressing microbial contamination is critical for next-generation food and pharmaceutical safety systems. In this study, we report the design and characterization of a polymeric film integrating a spin crossover (SCO)-based thermochromic sensor with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles serving as an antimicrobial agent. Beyond the individual functionalities, we demonstrate a synergistic effect between SCO and ZnO components. Notably, the SCO transition of the pristine SCO complex is broadened, and the hysteresis width of the transition is decreased (i.e., from 6 K to 1.5 K, 2 K, and 1.5 K for ZnO loading of 0.5%, 1%, and 2%, respectively), in the polysulfone–SCO–ZnO composites. Migration studies reveal that the co-existence of SCO and ZnO does not disrupt the low release profile of active agents, which remains low across ZnO loadings. The polymeric film exhibited dose-dependent antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, with a significant reduction in cell viability observed only at the highest tested concentration, indicating cytotoxic potential. This multifunctional platform represents a promising advancement in smart packaging design, enabling real-time thermal indication combined with the integration of ZnO as a literature-established antimicrobial component, within a non-toxic, and visually transparent system. Collectively, the material’s properties offer promising scalability for both food and pharmaceutical packaging applications where visual clarity, antimicrobial integrity, and temperature monitoring are imperative. Full article

Ex vivo chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies have achieved remarkable clinical success over the past decade, enabling effective treatment of several hematologic malignancies once considered incurable. However, their broader use remains limited. Barriers include complex and costly manufacturing, long production timelines, and risk of significant side effects and toxicities, challenges that have been further exacerbated by the reduced investment across the biotech sector since 2022. Emerging in vivo CAR-T approaches seek to overcome many of these limitations by generating CAR-T cells directly within the patient, most commonly using lentiviral or lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) delivery vectors. This strategy has the potential to streamline production, allow more tunable and repeatable dosing, and markedly reduce overall costs. However, it also raises new questions regarding genomic safety, the specificity and durability of CAR expression, host immune responses, pharmacokinetics, and regulatory oversight. In this review, we summarize the major and emerging in vivo CAR-T delivery platforms—analyzing their underlying technology, preclinical and clinical performance, and developmental paths—and discuss the scientific, technical, and biological challenges shaping this rapidly emerging field. We further outline future directions and opportunities in the field of programmable T cell immunity. Full article

Copper and zinc nanoparticles have been suggested as potent anticancer agents, particularly against osteosarcoma, a highly aggressive bone cancer with limited treatment options. In order to avoid systemic toxicity, biomolecular carriers able to chelate metal ions and deliver them in a targeted manner to the vicinity of cancer cells need to be developed. Herein, we have used a histidine-containing, cyclic dipeptide as a carrier able to chelate stabilized copper and zinc nanoparticles. The cyclic peptide cyclo-(histidine-phenylalanine) (cHF) self-assembled into amyloid-type fibrils; morphological and structural characterization following metal addition confirmed the formation of cHF−CuNPs and cHF–ZnNPs. These composite nanoparticles demonstrated bacteriostatic activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus at the in vitro level. We evaluated the optimal concentration of cHF–metalNP complexes with limited cytotoxicity to L929 fibroblasts and high cytotoxic effects against MG-63 osteosarcoma cells. Their cytotoxicity was particularly pronounced at pH 6.4, which emulates the tumor microenvironment. The cHF peptide alone did not demonstrate significant antimicrobial or cytotoxic effects to both cell types, suggesting that it can act as a cytocompatible, pH-responsive carrier of metal ions with targeted dual functionality against both microbial infections and osteosarcoma cancer cells. Full article

Nanobiotechnology, defined as the application of nanotechnology in biology and medicine, refers to the use of nanometric structures to solve complex clinical problems through precise interaction at the molecular level. Nanostructures such as lipid, polymer, and metallic nanoparticles offer unique properties that enable improved therapeutic and diagnostic efficacy and the integration of diagnostic and therapeutic functions within the concept of theranostics. Major applications of nanobiotechnology include targeted drug delivery in cancer, infection, and gene therapy; advanced molecular diagnostics and biosensors; tissue engineering and regeneration; and immune system modulation through modern nanotechnology-based vaccines and immunotherapies. The clinical significance of these technologies lies in their ability to improve drug bioavailability, minimize adverse effects, increase sensitivity in early disease detection, and support personalized treatment strategies. Nanobiotechnology also contributes to the development of precision medicine by combining diagnostics and therapy within a single nanosystem. Despite promising results, significant challenges remain related to safety, biocompatibility, toxicity, and translation from laboratory studies to clinical applications. Further research is needed to standardize methods, assess the long-term health impact of nanomaterials, and develop regulatory frameworks to fully realize the potential of nanobiotechnology in medicine. Full article

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and stroke, are among the most devastating neurological disorders worldwide. Glioblastoma (GBM) is a rapidly growing cancer that originates in astrocytes in the brain. It invades and damages the nervous system. Current treatment options remain limited, primarily due to poor blood–brain barrier penetration, lack of targeted delivery, and limited efficacy in slowing disease progression or promoting functional recovery. In recent years, magnetic fields (MFs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic approach, with mechanisms of action that include direct neuromodulation and the guidance of magnetically responsive nanocarriers to the lesion. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), owing to their unique magnetic properties, biocompatibility, and responsiveness to external MFs, have emerged as promising therapeutic agents for the treatment of neurological diseases and glioblastoma. Exosome–magnetic complexes combine biological carriers with magnetic responsiveness to enhance targeting and biocompatibility for the treatment of neurological diseases and glioblastoma. This review highlights recent advances in magnetic field- and MNP-based neuroprotective strategies and explores new methods for targeted intervention and translational research using exosome–MNP complexes. Full article

The accurate monitoring and dynamic analysis of metal ions are of considerable practical significance in environmental toxicology and life sciences. Colorimetric analysis and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing technologies, utilizing the aggregation effect of gold and silver nanoparticles (Au/Ag NPs), have emerged as prominent methods for rapid metal ion detection. While sharing a common plasmonic basis, these two techniques serve distinct yet complementary analytical roles: colorimetric assays offer rapid, instrument-free visual screening ideal for point-of-care testing (POCT), whereas SERS provides superior sensitivity and structural fingerprinting for precise quantification in complex matrices. Furthermore, the synergistic integration of these modalities facilitates the development of dual-mode sensing platforms, enabling mutual signal verification for enhanced reliability. This article evaluates contemporary optical sensing methodologies utilizing aggregation effects and their advancements in the detection of diverse metal ions. It comprehensively outlines methodological advancements from nanomaterial fabrication to signal transduction, encompassing approaches such as biomass-mediated green synthesis and functionalization, targeted surface ligand engineering, digital readout systems utilizing intelligent algorithms, and multimodal synergistic sensing. Recent studies demonstrate that these techniques have attained trace-level identification of target ions regarding analytical efficacy, with detection limits generally conforming to or beyond applicable environmental and health safety regulations. Moreover, pertinent research has enhanced detection linear ranges, anti-interference properties, and adaptability for POCT, validating the usefulness and developmental prospects of this technology for analysis in complicated matrices. Full article

This work presents the development of an automated and portable monitoring system for the point-of-need detection of tebuconazole and lambda-cyhalothrin. The system features nanoparticle/aptamer-modified electrochemical sensors that are integrated into a microfluidic chip based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). More specifically, rapid and selective detection of both pesticides is achieved using target-specific aptamers immobilized on two-dimensional platinum nanoparticle films that serve as expanded nano-gapped electrodes to enhance sensor sensitivity. The effect of the device substrate (i.e., silicon versus flexible substrates) and measurement setup on biosensing performance has also been investigated. The final monitoring system is characterized by high sensitivity and selectivity in the cases of both target analytes and substrates. Τhe system features a limit of detection of 9.85 pM for tebuconazole, which is one of the lowest reported values in the literature; for lambda-cyhalothrin, it is worth noting that the results reported herein represent one of the few studies on an electrochemical aptamer-based sensor for this analyte, featuring a limit of detection of 48.5 pM. The system is also capable of selectively detecting both targets for complex cross-reactive sample matrices consisting of commercially available pesticides. Moreover, its use could be expanded to detect additional pollutants by functionalizing the biosensor surface with appropriate aptamers. Full article

The plasma-catalytic conversion of CO₂ is a promising route toward sustainable fuel and chemical production under mild operating conditions. However, many aspects still need to be better understood to improve performance and better understand the catalyst-plasma synergies. Among them, one aspect concerns understanding whether photons emitted by plasma discharges could induce changes in the catalyst, thereby promoting interaction between plasma species and the catalyst. This question was addressed by investigating the CO₂ splitting reaction in a planar dielectric barrier discharge (pDBD) reactor using titania-based catalysts that simultaneously act as discharge electrodes. Four systems were examined feeding pure CO₂ at different flow rates and applied voltage: bare titanium gauze, anodically formed TiO₂ nanotubes (TiNT), TiNT decorated with Ag–Au nanoparticles (TiNTAgAu), and TiNT supporting Ag–Au nanoparticles coated with polyaniline (TiNTAgAu/PANI). The TiNTAgAu exhibited the highest CO₂ conversion (35% at 10 mL min⁻¹ and 5.45 kV) and the most intense optical emission, even in the absence of external light irradiation, suggesting that the improvement is primarily attributed to plasma–nanoparticle interactions and self-induced localized surface plasmon resonance (si-LSPR) rather than conventional photocatalytic pathways. SEM analyses indicated severe plasma-induced degradation of TiNT and TiNTAgAu surfaces, leading to performance decay over time. In contrast, the TiNTAgAu/PANI catalyst retained structural integrity, with the polymeric coating mitigating plasma etching while maintaining competitive efficiency. There is thus a complex behavior with catalytic performance governed by nanostructure stability, plasmonic enhancement, and the interfacial protection. The results demonstrate how integrating plasmonic nanoparticles and conductive polymers can enable the rational design of durable and efficient plasma-photocatalysts for CO₂ valorization and other plasma-assisted catalytic processes. Full article

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a major obstacle to the development of brain-targeted drug delivery systems, restricting greater than 98% of small molecules (<500 Da) and virtually all large-molecule drugs from entering the brain tissues from the bloodstream, resulting in suboptimal drug doses and therapeutic failure in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the advent of nanotechnology has provided significant solutions to the BBB challenges, enabling particle size reduction, enhanced drug solubility, reduced premature drug degradation, extended and sustained drug release, enhanced drug transport across the BBB, increased drug target specificity and enhanced therapeutic efficacy. In corollary, a library of brain-targeted surface-functionalized nanotherapeutics has been widely reported in the current literature. These promising in vitro, in vivo and pre-clinical results from the existing literature provide quantitative evidence for the relative clinical utility of each of the techniques, indicating remarkable capacity for brain-targeted carrier systems; many of them are still being tested in human clinical trials. However, despite the recorded research successes in drug transport across the BBB, there are currently no clinically proven medications that can slow or reverse the progression of AD because most of the novel therapeutics have not been successful during the clinical trials. Therefore, the main option for the treatment of AD is symptomatic treatment using cholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists. Although these therapies help to alleviate symptoms of AD and improve patients’ quality of life, they neither slow the progression of disease nor cure it. Thus, an effective disease-modifying therapy for the treatment of AD is an unmet clinical need. It is apparent that a deeper understanding of the structural complexity and controlling dynamic functions of the BBB in tandem with a comprehensive elucidation of AD pathogenesis are crucial to the development of novel nanocarriers for the effective treatment of AD. Therefore, this narrative review describes the contextual analysis of several promising strategies that enhance brain-targeted drug delivery across the BBB in AD treatment and recent research efforts on two major AD biomarkers that have revolutionized AD diagnosis, amyloid-beta plaques and phosphorylated tau protein tangle, as potential targets in AD drug development. This has led to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s approval of two intravenous (IV) anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies, Lecanemab (Leqembi^®) and Donanemab (Kisunla^®), which were developed based on the Aβ cascade hypothesis for the treatment of early AD. This review also discusses the recent shift in the Aβ cascade hypothesis to Aβ oligomer (conformer), a soluble intermediate of Aβ, which is the most toxic mediator of AD and could be the most potent drug target in the future for a more accurate and effective drug development model for the treatment of AD. Furthermore, various promising nanoparticle-based drug carriers (therapeutic nanoparticles) that were developed from intensive research are discussed, including their clinical utility, challenges and prospects in the treatment of AD. Overall, it suffices to state that the advent of nanotechnology provided several innovative techniques for overcoming the BBB and improving drug delivery to the brain; however, their long-term biosafety is a relevant concern. Full article