Themed collection Journal of Materials Chemistry B Emerging Investigators

Journal of Materials Chemistry B profiles contributors to the Emerging Investigators issue.

This review highlights recently developed double network hydrogels containing naturally-derived polymers, including discussion of synthetic methods, mechanical properties, and biological applications.

The rational design and engineering strategies, employed in polypeptide/protein vesicles, from synthesis to assembly, for advanced biological and medical applications.

This review focuses on the recent progress of various NIR-II photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy, and briefly presents the ongoing challenges and prospects of NIR-II photosensitizers for clinical translation.

Crafting integrated biomolecular circuits (IbC) via self-assembly of electronically active molecules using a “bottom-up” paradigm provides a potential solution to the technological challenges of the miniaturization of silicon-based electronics.

The synergistic effect of nanotopography and chemistry in modulating different stages of the foreign body response, impacting cell–protein–biomaterial interactions.

This review will delve into the crucial role of ionizable lipids in the development of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for efficient RNA delivery.

To improve the precision of cancer treatment, maximize therapeutic effects, and minimize mortality, AIEgen-based synergistic therapies combining imaging technologies, phototherapy, and other therapies will be introduced and perspected in this review.

Polymeric engineering of amphiphilic polymers used for NIR-II AIEgens encapsulation affords high-brightness AIEdots with small size and long blood circulation time, allowing improved fluorescence imaging in vivo.

The development of hydrogels that can exhibit a transient response, fueled by enzymes, while also depleting the enzymatic activity of fuel, holds immense potential for sophisticated materials capable of dynamically intervening in biological events.

A facile redox-controlled sequential delivery of hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs was achieved by multiblock copolymer vesicles containing disulfide as the only kind of responsive linkage.

3D printing of titanium (Ti) metal has potential to transform the field of personalised orthopaedics and dental implants.

The effect of gelling agent concentration (ionic liquid) on PEDOT:PSS hydrogel fabrication and properties was investigated. Gelation kinetics, stability, swelling, stiffness, conductivity, and support of seeded cells were characterized.

A theranostic nanoplatform (AuNS@CS-hpDNA) was developed with chitosan-functionalized gold nanostars (AuNSs) and further complexed with hairpin DNA (hpDNA) probes for tumor-related miRNA imaging and photothermal therapy (PTT).

A novel lipid polymer hybrid nanoparticulate system to improve the systemic exposure of Belinostat and aid in efficient tumor uptake.

We developed and compared transparent micro electrocorticography arrays (μECoGs) to combine electrophysiology and functional imaging. PEDOT:PSS-based μECoGs had the best trade-off of material and physical properties for chronic in vivo experiments.

A 3D-printed artery wall model that mimics arterial pulsation is reported where the expansion and contraction of thermoresponsive polymers through plasmonic nanoparticles results in the activation of mechanotransduction gene pathways.

Pre-activation of SERS plasmonic substrate with UV light leads to the creation of long-lived charged states resulting in better attachment of proteins and an increase in the SERS chemical enhancement.

Carbon dot (CD)-based nanozymes have great potential in antibacterial applications through the design of the structure.

Plasmonic alloys were designed to assist the laser desorption/ionization process in mass spectrometry, for quantitative determination and reaction monitoring of biothiols.

A versatile PLDD was developed with the light-triggered promotion of anti-tumor immunity and NIR-II fluorescence and PA imaging profiles, soaring the therapeutic effect and providing accurate spatiotemporal imaging for photothermal immunotherapy.

We have developed a generally applicable method involving using dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) for endowing hydrophobic inorganic nanoparticles with water dispersion abilities.

With high NIR light absorption and sharp nanosheet edges, TiO NSs have excellent mechanical and photothermal bactericidal properties, which is the only report to date on titanium-based oxides in wound healing.

Hydrogels with adaptable optical and mechanical characteristics show considerable promise for light delivery in vivo with neuroengineering applications.

High-performance metabolic diagnosis-based laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) improves the precision diagnosis of diseases and subsequent treatment.

DNA based micelles demonstrate high biofilm penetration and potential for antibiotic delivery.

Soft, flexible conductivity sensors composed of gold electrodes are developed and characterized for real-time, corrosion-free ocean salinity measurements under optimized operation conditions (AC voltage of 0.6 V).

Fluorination of naphthalimide–cyanostilbene derivatives to achieve dual-state emission luminogens with good environmental stability of fluorescence in solution and two-photon absorption (2PA) properties for cell-imaging with lipid droplet targeting.

Phytantriol forms a Pn3m cubic phase in both water and neat choline chloride:urea. However, mixtures of the DES with water result in phytantriol forming an inverse hexagonal phase and influenced phase transition temperatures.

Free-standing (FS) membranes encompassing N-(2-hydroxypropyl)-3-trimethylammonium chitosan chloride (HTCC) and alginate (ALG) multilayers triggered a sustained release of FITC-BSA when incorporated as an intrinsic building block of the FS membranes.

A microneedle patch has been developed to bridge the gap between H₂O₂ self-supplying chemodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy, resulting in enhanced therapy of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

The combination of ionizable lipids bearing alkyl chains and fluorinated alkyl chains improves the cellular uptake and mRNA expression of lipid nanoparticles.

Orally administered anti-inflammatory polyamine-based nanomedicines are presented. Inflammation-targeting, radical scavenging, and biocompatible nanomedicines may serve as therapeutic drugs for inflammatory diseases.

In this study, based on energy-converting nanomedicine, we report multifunctional two-dimensional (2D) molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) nanosheets with an inherent plasmonic property and piezocatalytic activity for imaging-guided synergistic tumor therapy.