Search Results (113)

Silicon has a striking similarity to carbon and is found in plant cells. However, there is no specific role that has been assigned to silicon in the life cycle of plants. The amount of silicon in plant cells is species specific and can reach levels comparable to macronutrients. Silicon is used extensively in artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and the digital revolution, and thus can serve as an informational molecule such as nucleic acids. The diverse potential of silicon to bond with different chemical species is analogous to carbon; thus, it can serve as a structural candidate similar to proteins. The discovery of large amounts of silicon on Mars and the moon, along with the recent development of enzyme that can incorporate silicon into organic molecules, has propelled the theory of creating silicon-based life. The bacterial cytochrome has been modified through directed evolution such that it could cleave silicon–carbon bonds in organo-silicon compounds. This consolidates the idea of utilizing silicon in biomolecules. In this article, the potential of silicon-based life forms has been hypothesized, along with the reasoning that autotrophic virus-like particles could be used to investigate such potential. Such investigations in the field of synthetic biology and astrobiology will have corollary benefits for Earth in the areas of medicine, sustainable agriculture, and environmental sustainability. Full article

Microbial extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) are emerging as sustainable alternatives to conventional corrosion inhibitors due to their eco-friendly nature, biodegradability, and functional versatility. Secreted by diverse microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, archaea, and algae, EPSs are composed mainly of polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. These biopolymers, chiefly polysaccharides and proteins, are accountable for surface corrosion prevention through biofilm formation, allowing microbial survival and promoting their environmental adaptation. Usually, EPS-mediated corrosion inhibitions can take place via different mechanisms: protective film formation, metal ions chelation, electrochemical property alteration, and synergy with inorganic inhibitors. Even though efficacious EPS corrosion prevention has been demonstrated in several former studies, the application of such microbial inhibitors remains, so far, a controversial topic due to the variability in their composition and compatibility toward diverse metal surfaces. Thus, this review outlines the microbial origins, biochemical properties, and inhibition mechanisms of EPSs, emphasizing their advantages and challenges in industrial applications. Advances in synthetic biology, nanotechnology, and machine learning are also highlighted and could provide new opportunities to enhance EPS production and functionality. Therefore, the adoption of EPS-based corrosion inhibitors represents a promising strategy for environmentally sustainable corrosion control. Full article

Transdermal drug delivery systems have recently been explored as an alternative to oral systems, which have many challenges. Due to the limitations of first-generation transdermal systems, second- and third-generation systems have been developed, among which microneedles have been the most remarkable products. Building on the advancements of nanotechnology, nanoneedles have recently been developed. Gene therapy molecules—such as DNA, RNA, siRNA, miRNA, and other nucleic acids—are typically delivered using viral or chemical carriers, but these methods face several challenges. In this context, nanoneedles offer a promising and efficient solution for delivering these large molecules. Nanoneedles are a biocompatible and reliable physical method for gene delivery, enabling transdermal administration by penetrating the skin barrier and delivering nucleic acids directly into cells. Their ability to penetrate cellular barriers with minimal invasiveness makes them advantageous for delivering genetic materials. This review will focus on the potential applications of nanoneedles in pharmaceutical contexts, especially in gene therapy. In addition, information on the properties, structure, and fabrication of nanoneedles is also provided. Full article

Therapeutic vaccines offer a targeted approach to enhancing anti-tumor immunity with minimal systemic toxicity. Despite advancements in surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major clinical challenge, particularly due to the limited efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors outside the MSI-H subgroup. In this comprehensive review summarizes the emerging vaccine modalities for CRC, including peptide, nucleic acid, cell-based, vector-driven, and nanotechnology platforms. We discuss the barriers posed by tumor immune evasion and heterogeneity, and highlight innovative strategies designed to improve vaccine efficacy. Finally, we explore recent clinical developments and translational opportunities that position therapeutic vaccines as a promising component of future CRC immunotherapy. Full article

Nucleic acid aptamers, selected through the Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX), are short nucleic acid sequences that exhibit high affinity and specificity towards diverse targets. Over the past three decades, substantial advancements have been made in both the technology and applications of nucleic acid aptamers. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the historical development and defining characteristics of aptamers, highlighting recent technological innovations in SELEX, including Capillary Electrophoresis SELEX, Microfluidic SELEX, Cell-SELEX, and others. We explore the applications of aptamers in therapeutic and targeted drug delivery, emphasizing their advantages over traditional antibodies such as cost-effectiveness, ease of synthesis, and lower immunogenicity. Key challenges such as stability, specificity, and efficient delivery are discussed, with proposed strategies for improvement including advanced chemical modifications and integration with nanotechnology. By integrating advanced technologies, aptamers hold significant promise for enhancing precision medicine and personalized therapeutic interventions, offering new avenues for the treatment of complex diseases. Full article

Cancer is a highly detrimental and fatal illness that poses a significant threat to human well-being. The pattern of cancer treatment is continuously being optimized by the advancement of old treatment approaches and the invention of novel treatment modes. Nanotechnology-based approaches are emerging as powerful candidates in the development of these advanced methods for treating tumors. This article provides a concise overview of nanotechnology for cancer or cancer nanomedicine and its applications. In light of prevalent issues, such as inadequate precision in targeting initial chemotherapy drugs, susceptibility of nucleic acid drugs to degradation, gene delivery, and the occurrence of common immune-related adverse events during immunotherapy, we explore the potential integration of nanomedicine with these treatment approaches and illustrative examples and highlight the benefits that arise from the utilization of nanomedicine. Full article

Bacteriophages, with their distinctive ability to selectively target host bacteria, stand out as a compelling tool in the realm of drug and gene delivery. Their assembly from proteins and nucleic acids, coupled with their modifiable and biologically unique properties, enables them to serve as efficient and safe delivery systems. Unlike conventional nanocarriers, which face limitations such as non-specific targeting, cytotoxicity, and reduced transfection efficiency in vivo, engineered phages exhibit promising potential to overcome these hurdles and improve delivery outcomes. This review highlights the potential of bacteriophage-based systems as innovative and efficient systems for delivering therapeutic agents. It explores strategies for engineering bacteriophage, categorizes the principal types of phages employed for drug and gene delivery, and evaluates their applications in disease therapy. It provides intriguing details of the use of natural and engineered phages in the therapy of diseases such as cancer, bacterial and viral infections, veterinary diseases, and neurological disorders, as well as the use of phage display technology in generating monoclonal antibodies against various human diseases. Additionally, the use of CRISPR-Cas9 technology in generating genetically engineered phages is elucidated. Furthermore, it provides a critical analysis of the challenges and limitations associated with phage-based delivery systems, offering insights for overcoming these obstacles. By showcasing the advancements in phage engineering and their integration into nanotechnology, this study underscores the potential of bacteriophage-based delivery systems to revolutionize therapeutic approaches and inspire future innovations in medicine. Full article

Increasing evidence revealed that restoring the correct expression of lncRNAs could have implications in the management of melanoma patients. In this context, here, we aim to dissect the main characteristics of lncRNAs altered in melanoma and their crosstalk with the signaling pathways involved in the progression of this disease. We also highlight the role of nucleic acid-based techniques and natural compounds (i.e., phytochemicals) as a therapeutic tool to increase or silence their expression in cancer cells. Finally, we explore the advances in nanotechnologies as delivery systems to efficiently carry these chemicals into cancer cells, thus limiting their potential off-target effects. The analysis of the literature showed that HOTAIR, MALAT1, and H19 are the oncogenic lncRNAs most studied in melanoma, while MEG3 is an important tumor suppressor decreased in this cancer. The aberrant expression of these lncRNAs affects several hallmarks of cancer, e.g., proliferation, motility, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition, promoting the melanoma plasticity and drug resistance. In this frame, siRNA, antisense oligonucleotide, and CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing appear to be the most effective nucleic acid strategies to restore the physiologic expression of lncRNA, while curcumin, resveratrol, and quercetin are the main phytochemicals able to target and influence the expression of lncRNAs altered in cancer. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive overview regarding the role of lncRNAs in the phenotype plasticity of melanoma cells and their potential targeting using RNA-based therapy and natural products. Full article

BODIPY (Boron-Dipyrromethene) dyes have emerged as versatile fluorescent probes in cellular imaging and therapeutic applications owing to their unique chemical properties, including high fluorescence quantum yield, strong extinction coefficients, and remarkable photostability. This review synthesizes the recent advancements in BODIPY dyes, focusing on their deployment in biological imaging and therapy. The exceptional ability of BODIPY dyes to selectively stain cellular structures enables precise visualization of lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids within live and tumor cells, thereby facilitating enhanced understanding of biochemical processes. Moreover, BODIPY derivatives are increasingly utilized in Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and Photothermal therapies (PTT) for targeting cancer cells, where their capability to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species upon light activation offers a promising approach to tumor treatment. Recently, BODIPY derivatives have been used for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) for various tumors, and it is a growing research field. Advancements in nanotechnology have allowed the fabrication of BODIPY dye-based nanomedicines, either alone or with the use of metallic nanoparticles as a matrix offering the development of a new class of bioimaging and theragnostic agents. This review also discusses innovative BODIPY-based formulations and strategies that amplify therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse effects, underscoring the potential of these dyes as integral components in next-generation diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. By summarizing current research and future perspectives, this review highlights the critical importance of BODIPY dyes in advancing the fields of cellular imaging and treatment methodologies. Full article

Mitochondria, as vital organelles, play a central role in subcellular research and biomedical innovation. Although functional nucleic acid (FNA) nanostructures have witnessed remarkable progress across numerous biological applications, strategies specifically tailored to target mitochondria for molecular imaging and therapeutic interventions remain scarce. This review delves into the latest advancements in leveraging FNA nanostructures for mitochondria-specific imaging and cancer therapy. Initially, we explore the creation of FNA-based biosensors localized to mitochondria, enabling the real-time detection and visualization of critical molecules essential for mitochondrial function. Subsequently, we examine developments in FNA nanostructures aimed at mitochondrial-targeted cancer treatments, including modular FNA nanodevices for the precise delivery of therapeutic agents and programmable FNA nanostructures for disrupting mitochondrial processes. Emphasis is placed on elucidating the chemical principles underlying the design of mitochondrial-specific FNA nanotechnology for diverse biomedical uses. Lastly, we address the unresolved challenges and outline prospective directions, with the goal of advancing the field and encouraging the creation of sophisticated FNA tools for both academic inquiry and clinical applications centered on mitochondria. Full article

The development of new convenient tools for the design of multicomponent nucleic acid (NA) complexes is one of the challenges in biomedicine and NA nanotechnology. In this paper, we analyzed the formation of hybrid RNA/DNA concatemers and self-limited complexes by a pair of oligonucleotides using UV melting, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and a gel shift assay. Effects of the size of the linker between duplex-forming segments of the oligonucleotides on complexes’ shape and number of subunits were compared and systematized for RNA/DNA, DNA/DNA, and RNA/RNA assemblies. The data on complex types summarized here as heat maps offer a convenient tool for the design of NA constructs. General rules found for RNA/DNA, DNA/DNA, and RNA/RNA complexes allow not only designing complexes with desired structures but also purposefully transforming their geometry. The A-form of the double helix of the studied RNA/DNA complexes was confirmed by circular dichroism analysis. Moreover, we show for the first time efficient degradation of RNA in hybrid self-limited complexes by RNase H and imidazole. The results open up new prospects for the design of supramolecular complexes as tools for nanotechnology, nanomachinery, and biomedical applications. Full article

Diabetes is a widespread metabolic illness. Mismanagement of diabetes can lead to severe complications that tremendously impact patients’ quality of life. The assimilation of nanotechnology in diabetes care holds the potential to revolutionize treatment paradigms, improve patient outcomes, and reduce the economic burden associated with this pervasive disease. This manuscript explores the multifaceted utilization of nanomaterials in diabetes care, emphasizing the unique features of nano-based medication delivery methods and smart drug delivery mechanisms. Additionally, this paper talks about research on nanocarrier-integrated oral, transdermal, and inhalable insulin delivery; dendrimer- and nanocarrier-coupled antisense oligonucleotide-driven gene therapy; the implementation of gold nanoparticles and quantum dots for glucose surveillance; and nucleic acid therapies. There are certain restrictions when using medication delivery methods that are commonly available to handle diabetes. In order to increase efficacy and safety, the rapidly developing science of nanotechnology is also being explored and employed in medical biology. Nanomaterials like liposomes, dendrimers, niosomes, polymeric and metallic nanocarriers, and solid lipid nanoparticles are among the nanocarriers that have been developed for better delivery of various oral hypoglycemic agents in comparison to conventional therapies. These nanocarriers provide great control over elevated blood glucose levels, making them one of the most intriguing and promising technologies available today. Furthermore, adding additional ligands to nanocarriers allows for more focused distribution while protecting the encapsulated hypoglycemic drugs. Full article

In the biosensor field, the accurate detection of contagious disease has become one of the most important research topics in the post-pandemic period. However, conventional contagious viral biosensors normally require chemical modifications to introduce the probe molecules to nucleic acids such as a redox indicator, fluorescent dye, or quencher for biosensing. To avoid this complex chemical modification, in this research, mismatched DNA with an intercalated metal ion complex (MIMIC) is employed as the probe sequence. In addition, the MIMIC is fabricated on a lithography-assisted nanostructure-modified flexible polymer electrode. On this flexible electrode, as a proof-of-concept study, a human papillomavirus (HPV-16 and -18) was detected by the MIMIC with a high accuracy. The developed biosensor exhibits an ultrasensitive ability to detect HPV in viral DNA without target amplification and chemical modifications in a simple preparation manner. Moreover, it retains its nanostructures and high conductivity after bending. In conclusion, the use of the proposed biosensor suggests a novel approach to developing an ultrasensitive and flexible biosensor for the detection of important biomarkers in a simple manner that can be applied in point-of-care testing. Full article

Silybin, a flavonolignan extracted from the seeds of the plant species Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn., has a variety of pharmacological activities, including antimicrobial activity against several microorganisms of clinical interest. This review analyzes the existing studies on silybin’s antimicrobial activity and possible mechanisms of action. Silybin has been shown to inhibit the growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as some fungi, viruses, and protozoa. In general, possible mechanisms of antimicrobial action include the inhibition of efflux pumps, prevention of biofilm formation, reduction of the expression of virulence factors, induction of apoptosis-like effects, and plasma membrane damage, as well as the inhibition of nucleic acid and protein synthesis. Silybin has been shown to have synergistic effects when combined with conventional antibiotics against both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant microorganisms. However, the low bioavailability observed for this flavonolignan has been a challenge to its clinical use. In this context, nanotechnology has been used to increase silybin’s bioavailability while enhancing its antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, certain structural modifications have been able to enhance its antimicrobial activity in comparison to that of the natural molecule. Overall, this review provides insights into the scientific understanding of the mechanism of action of silybin and its desired properties for the effective treatment of infections. Full article

Nucleic acid medicines are a highly attractive modality that act in a sequence-specific manner on target molecules. To date, 21 such products have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. However, the development of nucleic acid medicines continues to face various challenges, including tissue and cell targeting as well as intracellular delivery. Numerous research groups are addressing these issues by advancing the development of nucleic acid medicines through nanotechnology. In countries other than Japan (including Europe and the USA), >40 nanotechnology-based nucleic acid medicines have been tested in clinical trials, and 15 clinical trials are ongoing. In Japan, three phase I trials are ongoing, and future results are awaited. The review summarizes the latest research in the nanotechnology of nucleic acid medicines and statuses of clinical trials in Japan, with expectations of further evolutions. Full article