Functional Xeno Nucleic Acids for Biomedical Application

Functional nucleic acids(FNAs) refer to a type of oligonucleotides with functions over the traditional genetic roles of nucleic acids, which have been widely applied in screening, sensing and imaging fields. However, the potential application of FNAs in biomedical field is still restricted by the unsatisfactory stability, biocompatibility, biodistribution and immunity of natural nucleic acids(DNA/RNA). Xeno nucleic acids(XNAs) are a kind of nucleic acid analogues with chemically modified sugar groups that possess improved biological properties, including improved biological stability, increased binding affinity, reduced immune responses, and enhanced cell penetration or tissue specificity. In the last two decades, scientists have made great progress in the research of functional xeno nucleic acids, which makes it an emerging attractive biomedical application material. In this review, we summarized the design of functional xeno nucleic acids and their applications in the biomedical field.     

Optical coherence tomography��current technology and applications in clinical and biomedical research

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive imaging technique that provides real-time two- and three-dimensional images of scattering samples with micrometer resolution. By mapping the local reflectivity, OCT visualizes the morphology of the sample. In addition, functional properties such as birefringence, motion, or the distributions of certain substances can be detected with high spatial resolution. Its main field of application is biomedical imaging and diagnostics. In ophthalmology, OCT is accepted as a clinical standard for diagnosing and monitoring the treatment of a number of retinal diseases, and OCT is becoming an important instrument for clinical cardiology. New applications are emerging in various medical fields, such as early-stage cancer detection, surgical guidance, and the early diagnosis of musculoskeletal diseases. OCT has also proven its value as a tool for developmental biology. The number of companies involved in manufacturing OCT systems has increased substantially during the last few years (especially due to its success in opthalmology), and this technology can be expected to continue to spread into various fields of application.     

Molecular contrast optical coherence tomography: a review

This article reviews the current state of research on the use of molecular contrast agents in optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging techniques. After a brief discussion of the basic principle of OCT and the importance of incorporating molecular contrast agent usage into this imaging modality, we shall present an overview of the different molecular contrast OCT (MCOCT) methods that have been developed thus far. We will then discuss several important practical issues that define the possible range of contrast agent choice, the design criteria for engineered molecular contrast agent and the implementability of a given MCOCT method for clinical or biological applications. We will conclude by outlining a few areas of pursuit that deserve a greater degree of research and development.     

基于低相干干涉的透镜厚度测量及生物影像研究进展

低相干光干涉测量技术作为重要的非接触测量方法之一,由于具有结构简单、测量速度快及分辨率高的优点,在光学系统的非接触测量及生物医学影像等前沿领域具有广阔的应用前景。本文对透镜组的光学元件中心厚度及空气间隔的非接触测量技术进行了总结,简述了基于OCT的生物医学影像方面研究现状,重点论述基于低相干光干涉法测量原理和研究进展,对比分析相关研究方法的优缺点和创新之处,并从系统结构和应用范围的角度对低相干干涉测量技术的发展趋势作了展望。     

光学相干层析技术在法庭科学中的新应用

光学影像技术是法庭科学物证检验分析的重要技术手段，具有无损、原位、快速等优势。近年来，随着光学影像技术的不断发展，一些新技术、新方法不断被引入法庭科学领域并付诸应用。光学相干层析技术（简称OCT技术）是一种光学断层成像技术，具有无损、高分辨、快速、断层成像的特点，特别是其可以无损地得到材料或生物组织内部的结构信息，突破了传统二维成像只能进行物质表面分析的局限，因此可成为一种很有前景的新型法庭科学光学影像技术。本文首先介绍了自主搭建的一套三维OCT成像系统，并着重介绍了基于该系统应用于法庭科学油漆物证检验、胶带指纹显现和毛囊特征分析等方面的研究。结果表明，OCT技术非常适合用于法庭科学物证检验分析，作为其他检验的先导技术手段，获取样品内部信息，提取新型光学特征参数。由于其采用光纤化技术，还有望实现便携化、小型化，在现场勘查中开展相关应用。     

Chemical design of nanoparticle probes for high-performance magnetic resonance imaging

Synthetic magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are emerging as versatile probes in biomedical applications, especially in the area of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Their size, which is comparable to biological functional units, and their unique magnetic properties allow their utilization as molecular imaging probes. Herein, we present an overview of recent breakthroughs in the development of new synthetic MNP probes with which the sensitive and target-specific observation of biological events at the molecular and cellular levels is possible.     

Functional porphyrinic metal-organic frameworks: crystal engineering and applications

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a kind of material which are able to integrate functional groups on their framework backbones. The tunable functionalities let MOFs be applied in various fields of luminescence, gas storage, sensing, magnetics, catalysis and biomedical imaging. Because of their interesting properties of structural robustness, catalysis, charge and energy transformations, using porphyrins and metalloporphyrins as synthons for the fabrication of functional MOFs has attracted considerable interest. Many efficient strategies have been established for the construction of functional porphyrinic MOFs, and some of them present interesting properties for potential applications. This perspective is aimed to summarize recent progress on porphyrinic MOFs, including new synthesis strategies and applications.     

DNA Nanotechnology on Live Cell Membranes

Recent developments in DNA nanotechnology have brought various nanoscale structures,devices and functional systems for different applications.As biological barriers with significant functions,cell membranes proide direct interfaces for studying cellular environment and states.So far,DNA nanotechnology engineered on live cell membranes has advanced our fundamental understandings of DNA nanomaterials and facilitated the designs of novel sensing,imaging and therapeutic platforms.In this review,we highlighted strategies and outcomes of using DNA nanotechnology on cell membranes towards various biomedical applications,including biosensing,imaging,cellular function regulations and targeted cancer therapy.Furthermore,we also discussed the challenges and opportunities of DNA nanotechnology on cell membranes towards broader applications.     

In vitro and in vivo imaging with quantum dots

Quantum dots (QDs), also named semiconductor nanocrystals, have initiated a new realm of bioscience by combining nanomaterials with biology, which will profoundly influence future biological and biomedical research. In this review, we describe the extraordinary optical properties of QDs and developments in methods for their synthesis. We focus on fluorescent imaging with QDs both in vitro and in vivo, and the cytotoxicity of QDs and potential barriers to their use in practical biomedical applications. Finally, we provide insights into improvements aimed at decreasing the cytotoxicity of QDs and the future outlook of QD applications in biomedical fields.

磁粒子成像示踪剂的研究进展

磁粒子成像是基于功能和断层影像技术检测磁性纳米粒子空间分布的示踪方法, 具有正向的对比信号、 较低的组织背景、 无限的组织穿透深度、 非侵入性成像以及无电离辐射等优点, 是近年来一种很有前途的生物医学成像技术. 磁粒子成像信号是通过在无场点切换磁性纳米粒子的磁自旋矢量来产生的. 磁粒子成像的灵敏度和空间分辨率都高度依赖于作为磁粒子成像示踪剂的磁性纳米粒子本身的磁性能, 因此目前的研究主要集中在磁性纳米粒子的设计和合成上. 本文重点介绍了磁粒子成像示踪剂的最新研究进展, 总结了可作为磁粒子成像示踪剂的磁性纳米粒子的种类、 合成方法、 性能以及生物医学应用, 以期为磁粒子成像的未来研究提供参考.     

Programmable Assembly of DNA-protein Hybrid Structures

DNA is the genetic information carrier for most known living organisms on Earth,while proteins are the functional component that carry out most biological processes.Many natural machineries are DNA-protein hybrid complexes to cooperatively and efficiently conduct sophisticated biological tasks.It has drawn increasing interest to the research field to construct artificial DNA-protein hybrid structures towards a variety of applications including biological studies,nanofabrication,biomedical research,etc.In this regard,here in this report we reviewed the up-to-date progress on making DNA-protein hybrid structures,with a particular focus on DNA nanotechnology-enabled programmable assembly of DNA-protein hybrid structures.     

基于Cy7类菁染料分子探针的设计策略

菁染料是一类经典的荧光染料母核, 具有摩尔消光系数大、 吸收波长可调、 溶解性良好及生物兼容性好等优点, 被广泛用于蛋白标记、 痕量金属离子检测、 生物活性物质检测、 细胞和活体成像及肿瘤靶向治疗等领域. 近年来, 生物医学领域对活体结构及功能成像深度提出更高的需求, 基于优异的长波长染料母核开发近红外荧光分子探针逐渐成为领域的研究重点. 吲哚七甲川菁染料(Cy7)是一类最具代表性的菁染料, 本文重点综合评述了自1992年以来基于Cy7结构开发的分子探针, 并介绍了该类荧光探针的设计策略. 最后, 讨论了该领域研究面临的挑战, 并对未来的发展方向进行了总结和展望.     

Biomedical and biological mass spectrometry.

This review focuses on biological and biomedical mass spectrometry, and covers a selection of publications in this area included in the MEDLINE database for the period 1987-2001. Over the last 15 years, biological and biomedical mass spectrometry has progressed out of all recognition. The development of soft ionization methods, such as electrospray ionization and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization, has mainly contributed to the remarkable progress, because they can easily produce gas-phase ions of large, polar, and thermally labile biomolecules, such as proteins, peptides, nucleic acids and others. The innovations of ionization methods have led to remarkable progress in mass spectrometric technology and in biochemistry, biotechnology and molecular biology research. In addition, mass spectrometry is one of the powerful and effective technologies for drug discovery and development. It is applicable to studies on structural determination, drug metabolism, including pharmacokinetics and toxicokinetics, and de novo drug discovery by applying post-genomic approarches. In the present review, the innovative soft ionization methods are first discussed along with their features. Also, the characteristics of the mass spectrometers which are active in the biological and biomedical research fields are also described. In addition, examples of the applications of biological and biomedical mass spectrometry are provided.     

Surface perspectives in the biomedical applications of poly(α-hydroxy acid)s and their associated copolymers

Impressive advances in biotechnology, bioengineering, and biomaterials with unique properties have led to increased interest in polymers and other novel materials in biological and biomedical research and development over the past two decades. Although biomaterials have already made an enormous impact in biomedical research and clinical practice, there is a need for better understanding of the surface and interfacial chemistry between tissue (or cells) and biomedical materials. This is because the detailed physicochemical events related to the biological response to the surface of materials still often remain obscure, even though surface properties are important determinants of biomedical material function. In this regard, data available in the literature show the complexity of the interactions (surface reorganization, non-specific/specific protein adsorption, and chemical reactions such as acid-base, ion pairing, ion exchange, hydrogen bonding, divalent-ion bridging) and the interrelationship between biological environments, interfacial properties, and surface functional groups responsible for the biological responses. Because of the multidisciplinary nature of surface and interfacial phenomena at the surface of biomedical polymers, this review focuses on several aspects of current work published on poly(alpha-hydroxy acid)s and their associated copolymers:surface structure-biomedical function relationships;physicochemical strategies for surface modification; and, finally,synthetic strategies to increase biocompatibility for specific in-vivo and/or in-vitro biomedical applications.     

Bioimaging Based on Nucleic Acid Nanostructures

Nucleic acid nanostructures with structural programmability, spatial addressability and excellent biocompatibility have drawn much attention in various biomedical applications, such as bioimaging, biosensing and drug delivery. In this review, we summarize the recent research progress in the field of bioimaging based on nucleic acid nanostructures with different imaging models, including fluorescent imaging(FI), magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), photoacoustic imaging(PAI) and positron emission tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT) imaging. We also discuss the remaining challenges and further opportunities involved in the bioimaging research based on nucleic acid nanostructures.     

Biogene Polymere als Template

The presented bioinspired materials fabrication approach is focused on the development of innovative structural and functional materials. A key area in this innovative field of fundamental and applied research is the use or formation of biogenic (biopolymeric) structures and their conversion into composite materials for engineering and biomedical applications. The fundamental chemical and physical transformation processes involved in these conversions are demonstrated on selected examples.     

Mass spectrometry imaging of small molecules from live cells and tissues using nanomaterials

We review recently developed methods for analyzing live cells and tissues in ambient conditions without the use of harsh chemical fixation or physical freezing and drying. The first method is based on laser ablation in atmospheric pressure assisted by atmospheric pressure plasma and nanomaterials such as nanoparticles and graphene to enhance laser ablation. The second method is based on secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging of live cells in solution capped with single-layer graphene to preserve intact and hydrated biological samples even under ultrahigh vacuum for secondary ion mass spectrometry bio-imaging in solution with subcellular spatial resolution. Mass spectrometry imaging of small molecules from live cells and tissues can provide an innovative molecular imaging methodology for several biomedical and material research applications.     

Functional micro/nanobubbles for ultrasound medicine and visualizable guidance

Chemically functionalized gas-filled bubbles with a versatile micro/nano-sized scale have witnessed a long history of developments and emerging applications in disease diagnosis and treatments. In combination with ultrasound and image-guidance,micro/nanobubbles have been endowed with the capabilities of biomedical imaging, drug delivery, gene transfection and diseaseoriented therapy. As an external stimulus, ultrasound(US)-mediated targeting treatments have been achieving unprecedented efficiency. Nowadays, US is playing a crucial role in visualizing biological/pathological changes in lives as a reliable imaging technique and a powerful therapeutic tool. This review retrospects the history of ultrasound, the chemistry of functionalized agents and summarizes recent advancements of functional micro/nanobubbles as US contrast agents in preclinical and transclinical research. Latest ultrasound-based treatment modalities in association with functional micro/nanobubbles have been highlighted as their great potentials for disease precision therapy. It is believed that these state-of-the-art micro/nanobubbles will become a booster for ultrasound medicine and visualizable guidance to serve future human healthcare in a more comprehensive and practical manner.     

Droplet‐based microfluidics systems in biomedical applications

Microfluidics has made a very impressive progress in the past decades due to its unique and instinctive advantages. Droplet‐based microfluidic systems show excellent compatibility with many chemical and biological reagents and are capable of performing variety of operations that can implement microreactor, complex multiple core–shell structure, and many applications in biomedical research such as drug encapsulation, targeted drug delivery systems, and multifunctionalization on carriers. Droplet‐based systems have been directly used to synthesize particles and encapsulate many biological entities for biomedicine applications due to their powerful encapsulation capability and facile versatility. In this paper, we review its origin, deviation, and evolution to draw a clear future, especially for droplet‐based biomedical applications. This paper will focus on droplet generation, variations and complication as starter, and logistically lead to the numerous typical applications in biomedical research. Finally, we will summarize both its challenge and future prospects relevant to its droplet‐based biomedical applications.