Search Results (281)

Iron-based nanoparticles, particularly iron oxide nanostructures (IONPs), have emerged as versatile and clinically relevant platforms for drug delivery and theranostic applications. Among these, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), including magnetite (Fe₃O₄) and maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃), are the most extensively investigated due to their biocompatibility, magnetic responsiveness, and established safety profiles. Their unique superparamagnetic behavior enables external magnetic-field-guided targeting, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast enhancement, and magnetically triggered hyperthermia, enabling simultaneous diagnosis and therapy. Surface functionalization with polymers, silica, lipids, peptides, and biomolecules further improves colloidal stability, circulation time, targeting specificity, and controlled drug release. Core–shell architectures and multifunctional hybrid systems have expanded the therapeutic scope of iron nanoparticles, integrating chemotherapy, gene delivery, photothermal therapy, and Fenton reaction–mediated catalytic therapy. Despite promising preclinical outcomes, challenges remain regarding long-term biosafety, oxidative stress induction, biodistribution, large-scale reproducibility, and regulatory translation. This review summarizes the physicochemical properties, synthesis strategies, surface-engineering approaches, drug-loading mechanisms, and biomedical applications of iron-based nanoparticles, highlighting recent advances in multifunctional and peptide-functionalized systems. Critical considerations for clinical translation and future perspectives in precision nanomedicine are also discussed. Full article

Microbial imbalance and the spread of pathogenic microorganisms pose severe threats to human health and ecological security. Traditional microbial detection methods suffer from several drawbacks such as long detection time, low sensitivity, and insufficient specificity. As an emerging fluorescent probe, carbon dots (CDs) offer an innovative direction for microbial labeling and detection due to their ultra-small particle size, unique optical properties, excellent biocompatibility, and facile surface modifiability. Herein, this article reviews the research progress of CDs on microbial labeling and detection. The content covers a brief introduction of CDs and explores the main recognition strategies including non-covalent interactions and biomolecule-mediated targeted binding. It also elaborates on the application status of multi-modal sensing technologies for microbial detection, such as CDs-based fluorescent sensing, electrochemical sensing, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing. Additionally, the challenges faced in current research, such as achieving simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens and in vivo dynamic tracking, are analyzed, and the development prospects of CDs in fields like clinical diagnosis and public health monitoring are prospected. This review aims to provide comprehensive references for further research and application of CDs in the field of microbial detection. Full article

Background/Objectives: Parasporin PS2Aa1, recently designated as Mpp46Aa1, is recognized for its selective anticancer activity against various human cell lines. In this study, specific regions of the native protein were fragmented, and targeted amino acid substitutions were introduced to improve cytotoxic selectivity and potency. Methods: The modified fragments were evaluated individually and in combination with curcumin, a polyphenol with well-documented anticancer properties, and Sacha inchi-derived matrices, known for their antioxidant and antiproliferative activities. Results: Experimental results demonstrated that the substituted variant designated T104L-G108W exhibited superior anticancer activity compared to the native peptide P102-K11. Synergism assays revealed that curcumin-bioconjugated peptides were more effective against the tested cell lines, whereas combinations with Sacha inchi reduced cytotoxicity, suggesting possible interference in the mechanisms of action. Functional assays, including caspase 3/7 and 9 activation, Annexin V-Cy3 staining, and cell viability analysis with 6-CFDA, confirmed increased sensitivity in SiHa and HeLa cell lines, particularly for peptide T104L-G108W. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings support the effectiveness of a substitution-based strategy in improving parasporin fragments and underscore the therapeutic potential of peptide T104L-G108W as a novel anticancer candidate. Furthermore, this study provides preliminary evidence that natural biomolecules can be optimized through targeted modifications and rational combinations, establishing a framework for the development of sustainable and selective therapeutic approaches in cancer treatment. Full article

Nanotechnology is becoming a key tool in plant biotechnology, enabling nanoparticles (NPs) to deliver biomolecules with high precision and to enhance plant and tissue resilience under stress. However, the literature remains fragmented across genetic delivery, in vitro regeneration, stress mitigation, and germplasm cryopreservation, and it still lacks standardized, comparable protocols and robust long-term safety assessments—particularly for NP use in cryogenic workflows. This review critically integrates recent advances in NP-enabled (i) genetic engineering and transformation, (ii) tissue culture and regeneration, (iii) nanofertilization and abiotic stress mitigation, and (iv) cryopreservation of plant germplasm. Across these areas, the most consistent findings indicate that NPs can facilitate targeted transport of DNA, RNA, proteins, and regulatory complexes; modulate oxidative and osmotic stress responses; and improve regeneration performance in recalcitrant species. In cryopreservation, selected nanomaterials act as multifunctional cryoprotective adjuvants by suppressing oxidative injury, stabilizing cellular membranes, and improving post-thaw viability and regrowth of sensitive tissues. At the same time, NP outcomes are highly context-dependent, with efficacy governed by dose, size, and surface chemistry; formulation; plant genotype; and interactions with culture media or vitrification solutions. Evidence of potential phytotoxicity, persistence, and biosafety risks highlights the need for harmonized reporting, mechanistic studies on NP–cell interfaces, and evaluation of environmental fate. Expected outcomes of this review include a consolidated framework linking NP properties to biological endpoints, identification of design principles for application-specific NP selection, and a set of research priorities to accelerate the safe and reproducible translation of nanotechnology into sustainable plant biotechnology and long-term germplasm preservation. Full article

Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized through biologically mediated reduction of metal ions using biomolecules derived from microorganisms, algae, or plants are attracting growing attention in plant biotechnology due to their multifunctional properties and environmental advantages compared with conventional physicochemical synthesis. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of biological approaches for NP production using bacteria, fungi, algae, cyanobacteria, whole plants, and in vitro plant cell cultures. The main biosynthetic mechanisms, types of reducing and capping metabolites, metal specificity, and typical NP characteristics are described for each system, with emphasis on their relative productivity, scalability, reproducibility, and biosafety. Special consideration is given to plant cell and tissue cultures as highly promising platforms that combine the metabolite diversity of whole plants with precise control over growth conditions and NP parameters. Recent advances highlight the significance of bioengineering of reductive capacity as a novel strategy to enhance the efficiency and controllability of NP biosynthesis. Since NP formation is driven by key biomolecules, targeted modification of biosynthetic pathways through metabolic and genetic engineering can substantially increase NP yield and allow fine-tuning of their structural and functional properties. The applications of biogenic NPs in plant biotechnology are systematically evaluated, including their use as environmentally safe disinfectants for explants and seed sterilization, modulators of callus induction and morphogenesis, and abiotic elicitors that enhance the accumulation of economically valuable secondary metabolites. Remaining challenges, such as variability in NP characteristics, limited scalability, and insufficient data on phytotoxicity and environmental safety, are discussed to outline future research priorities. The synthesis–function relationships highlighted here provide a foundation for developing sustainable NP-based technologies in modern agriculture. Full article

Insects can remotely detect human temperature, odor, and other stimuli as part of their host-seeking strategy. Such detection involves specific biomolecules, whose inhibition could limit host spotting and decrease the spread of insect-transmitted diseases. In this framework, invertebrate-specific ionotropic receptors (IRs) provide a potential molecular target to disable the insect’s capability to detect stimuli from prospective hosts. While several IRs have been studied in disease-transmitting insects, their inhibition remains unexplored. The rational design and development of such inhibitors requires the detailed characterization of the structure and functional mechanisms of IRs. Here, I discuss a possible, exploratory, and long-term approach for IR inhibition, which is based on research in mammalian thermosensitive transient receptor potential ion channels. Full article

Lipids are essential biomolecules involved in membrane structure, energy storage, and intracellular signaling. Dysregulation of lipid metabolism (dyslipidemia) plays a central role in a wide spectrum of pediatric metabolic disorders, including both inherited and acquired conditions. Recent and rapid advances in mass spectrometry-based lipidomics have enabled high-resolution profiling of more than one-thousand lipid species, facilitating the discovery of disease-specific lipid signatures that were previously undetectable with conventional biochemical assays. In parallel, the rising prevalence of pediatric obesity, diabetes, asthma, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD; formerly referred to as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD) and cancers has accelerated research aimed at uncovering molecular pathways underlying these conditions. Lipidomic approaches have also improved the identification and characterization of rare metabolic disorders. As analytical technologies continue to advance, lipidomics is poised to become a cornerstone of precision medicine in pediatrics, offering new opportunities for early diagnosis, risk stratification, and therapeutic targeting. Full article

Due to their complexity, both genotypic and phenotypic, neurodegenerative diseases are one of the main causes of death globally nowadays. Among phytochemicals of high scientific interest, based on experimental studies, pentacyclic triterpenoids (TTs), including mainly betulin, betulinic, and ursolic acid, became targets of scientific research in recent years, especially in terms of their biological activity and pharmacological potential. Due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as well as their involvement in cellular signal transductions, they have been observed to act as anticancer, chemopreventive, and neuroprotective agents. The aim of this review is to update the reader on the diversity, bioavailability, pharmacological properties, and neuroprotective effects of TTs, as biomolecules that can interfere with metabolic mechanisms related to neurodegeneration and restoring of neuronal integrity. Recent data were analyzed, with a particular focus on mechanistic insights related to their neuroprotective effects. Starting with their biosynthetic pathways, bioavailability, and involvement in specific metabolic pathways, their impact on neurological pathology and benefits as natural neuroprotection agents through specific signaling pathways are presented. Furthermore, emphasis will also be put on current challenges and future strategies that could develop TTs into effective compounds for neuroprotection and personalized medicine. Full article

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are among the most adaptable nanocarriers in modern pharmaceutics, characterized by a high surface area, tunable pore size, controllable morphology, and excellent biocompatibility. These qualities enable effective encapsulation, protection, and the delivery of drugs in a specific area and, therefore, MSNs are powerful platforms for the targeted and controlled delivery of drugs and theragnostic agents. Over the past ten years and within the 2021–2025 period, the advancement of MSN design has led to the creation of hybrid nanostructures into polymers, lipids, metals, and biomolecules that have yielded multifunctional carriers with enhanced stability, responsiveness, and biological activities. The current review provides a review of the synthesis methods, surface functionalization techniques, and physicochemical characterization techniques that define the next-generation MSN-based delivery systems. The particular focus is put on stimuli-responsive systems, such as redox, pH, enzyme-activated, and light-activated systems, that enable delivering drugs in a controlled and localized manner. We further provide a summary of the biomedical use of MSNs and their hybrids such as in cancer chemotherapy, gene and nucleic acid delivery, antimicrobial and vaccine delivery, and central nervous system targeting, supported by recent in vivo and in vitro studies. Important evaluations of biocompatibility, immunogenicity, degradation, and biodistribution in vivo are also provided with a focus on safety in addition to the regulatory impediments to clinical translation. The review concludes by saying that there are still limitations such as large-scale reproducibility, long-term toxicity, and standardization by the regulators, and that directions are being taken in the future in the fields of smart programmable nanocarriers, green synthesis, and sustainable manufacture. Overall, mesoporous silica and hybrid nanoparticles represent a breakthrough technology in the nanomedicine sector with potentials that are unrivaled in relation to targeted, controlled, and personalized therapeutic interventions. Full article

Background: Our understanding of the pathomechanisms of epilepsy has improved through techniques that access the living human brain. We recently reported that explanted stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) electrodes from patients with epilepsy carry residual biomolecules and cells, which may be utilised for transcriptome and DNA methylation profiling. Methods: Here, we applied bioinformatic and other analyses to explore the transcriptomes (RNA sequencing-based) of those SEEG cases to better understand the types of recovered transcripts in terms of representation of genes expressed by different cell types, brain structures, and the extent to which the signal may reflect local epileptiform activity. Results: Electrodes from all clinical cases retained protein-coding transcripts which reflected the local molecular microenvironment as well as epileptiform activity. Expression of genes involved in housekeeping functions, as well as markers of neuronal activity, was consistent between patients and between the electrode locations within the brain. We detected transcripts representing various cell types and subtypes, including excitatory and inhibitory neurons, all major classes of glia, and endothelial cells, as well as transcripts enriched in specific brain regions. Several genes showed a gradient of expression depending on the electrode position within the brain. We found examples of gene expression that correlated with epileptiform activity as recorded by SEEG. Conclusions: These findings extend the evidence that SEEG electrodes reflect the molecular microenvironments of brain activity in patients with epilepsy, both at sites of seizure onset and within the wider seizure network. The approach has potential applications in intraoperative surgical decision-making, as well as to identify molecular biomarkers or therapeutic targets for the drug-resistant epilepsies. Full article

Background: G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play pivotal roles in tumor growth and progression. Among these, the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone receptor (LHRH-R) and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSH-R) represent promising translational targets, unlike luteinizing hormone receptors (LH-Rs). Indeed, both LHRH-R and FSH-R are selectively expressed in various cancers and their vasculature, offering opportunities for receptor-mediated imaging and therapy. Objectives: This systematic review aims to evaluate radiolabeled LHRH- and FSH-derivative biomolecules, including peptides, monoclonal antibodies and nanocarriers, for their applications in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Methods: The systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science was conducted for studies published between 2005 and 2025. A total of 248 records were identified, and 156 articles were screened after removing duplicate records. Two authors independently selected eligible studies. Quality of evidence was assessed by the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS) approach. Results: A total of 25 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final review. Radiolabeled LHRH and FSH derivatives showed receptor-specific tumor localization in both preclinical and clinical applications. FSH-R expression in tumor blood vessels supports its potential as a biomarker for early cancer diagnosis. FSHβ-derived peptides exhibit improved pharmacokinetics compared to monoclonal antibodies in PET imaging. LHRH analogues, particularly D-Lys⁶-modified peptides, proved effective for SPECT, PET and therapeutic applications, particularly in breast and prostate cancer. The integration of radiolabeled LHRH and FSH derivatives with nanocarriers further enhanced probe stability and tumor targeting, increasing tumor accumulation and image contrast compared to free peptide. Conclusions: Radiopharmaceuticals targeting LHRH-R and FSH-R are promising tools for cancer imaging and treatment. Advances in nanotechnology enhance delivery precision and reduce systemic toxicity, thereby increasing its translational promise in oncology. Full article

Introduction: Gene therapy using siRNA is a current area of research in oncology. Although siRNA formulations have not yet been approved for cancer therapy, numerous studies have demonstrated their therapeutic potential for tumor remission. Objective: To provide an overview of the formulations designed and developed to date based on synthetic siRNA for systemic administration to silence cancer genes. Methodology: A thorough search was conducted using the keywords “siRNA”, “therapy”, and “cancer”, with further classification of the resulting works into the various topics addressed in this review. Results: This review encompasses a wide range of aspects, from the design of siRNA using bioinformatics tools to the primary cellular signals and mechanisms targeted for inhibition in cancer therapy. It describes the primary chemical modifications made to siRNA chains to enhance stability, improve bioavailability, and ensure their binding to nanocarrier systems. siRNA formulations ranging from simple conjugates with biomolecules and small molecules to organic, inorganic, and hybrid nanoparticles, which are examined focusing on their advantages and disadvantages. The significance of nanosystems in dual therapy, including siRNA, for developing personalized treatments that achieve better outcomes is emphasized. Conclusions: Personalized cancer therapy appears to be the preferred approach for oncological treatments. To progress, strategies need to be tailored to the patient’s genetic profile. siRNA therapies provide a flexible platform for targeting and inhibiting critical oncogenes, enhancing the prospects of genomics-guided, patient-specific therapies. Full article

Silicon-doped C₆₀ fullerenes represent a distinctive class of heterofullerenes with tunable structural, electronic, and chemical properties arising from substitutional incorporation of Si atoms into the carbon cage. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of substitutional Si–C₆₀ systems and their endohedral and exohedral complexes, with emphasis on synthesis strategies, structural features, and theoretical investigations. Experimental methods, including laser vaporization and arc discharge of Si-containing graphite targets, have enabled the preparation of Si-doped fullerenes, although challenges remain in controlling the dopant number, position, and distribution. Computational studies, dominated by density functional theory and molecular dynamics simulations, elucidate the effects of Si substitution on cage geometry, HOMO–LUMO modulation, charge localization, aromaticity, and finite-temperature stability. Exohedral functionalization and endohedral encapsulation of Si-doped cages significantly enhance their potential for applications in sensing, catalysis, energy storage, and nanomedicine. Si incorporation consistently strengthens adsorption of small molecules, pharmaceuticals, biomolecules, and environmental pollutants, often transforming weak physisorption into strong chemisorption with pronounced electronic and spectroscopic changes. The synergistic insights from experimental and theoretical work establish Si-doped fullerenes as versatile, electronically responsive nanoplatforms, offering a balance between stability, tunability, and reactivity, and highlighting future opportunities for targeted synthesis and application-specific design. Full article

Proteins and peptides play a pivotal role in key pathological processes, including cancer growth, immune evasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Consequently, they are gaining attention as significant biomolecules in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research trends and technological advancements in protein- and peptide-based cancer diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. It covers the clinical application of major diagnostic markers such as PSA, CA125, HER2, and AFP, as well as therapeutic strategies including monoclonal antibodies, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and anticancer peptides. Additionally, it introduces quantitative analysis techniques such as ELISA, mass spectrometry, and CyTOF, as well as advancements in delivery systems based on nanoparticle–peptide complexes. Peptides offer advantages for precision therapy due to their high target specificity and structural modifiability. However, they also have limitations such as stability, enzymatic degradation, and delivery efficiency. Emerging technologies such as synthetic biology, computational design, and omics-integrated analysis are being developed to address these challenges, and rapid advancements in this field are enhancing the potential for clinical application. This review underscores the potential of protein- and peptide-based strategies for precision cancer diagnosis and personalized therapy and proposes future research directions in this field. Full article

The rapid evolution of CRISPR technology has revolutionized molecular biology, and among the various systems, CRISPR/Cas12a stands out for its high specificity and efficient collateral cleavage activity. This review article focuses on the recent advancements and applications of split technology within the CRISPR/Cas12a framework, highlighting its transformative role in molecular diagnostics and biosensing. Split technology innovatively divides functional nucleic acid components into modular segments that are activated by specific targets, significantly enhancing the specificity and sensitivity of biosensors. This design addresses the inherent limitations of traditional sensor systems, enabling the direct detection of ultrashort nucleic acids and improved discrimination of single-nucleotide variants, thereby facilitating the simultaneous detection of multiple biomolecules. The versatility of split-enabled biosensors extends beyond genetic testing, making them valuable tools in diagnostics, therapeutics, and environmental science. Despite challenges such as crRNA degradation and reassembly kinetics, ongoing research and engineering solutions continue to enhance the stability and performance of these systems. This review synthesizes the foundational principles, recent advancements, and potential applications of split technology while also identifying challenges and opportunities for future exploration. Ultimately, our insights provide a comprehensive resource to leverage the full potential of CRISPR/Cas12a-based split technology in advancing biosensing methodologies and clinical applications. Full article