DNA Origami Nanoplate‐Based Emulsion with Nanopore Function

Bio‐inspired functional microcapsules have attracted increasing attention in many fields from physical/chemical science to artificial‐cell engineering. Although particle‐stabilised microcapsules are advantageous for their stability and functionalisation potential, versatile methods for their functionalisation are desired to expand their possibilities. This study reports a water‐in‐oil microdroplet stabilised with amphiphilic DNA origami nanoplates. By utilising DNA nanotechnology, DNA nanoplates were designed as a nanopore device for ion transportation and to stabilise the oil–water interface. Microscopic examination revealed the microcapsule formed by the accumulation of amphiphilic DNA nanoplates at the oil–water interface. Ion current measurements revealed the nanoplate pores functioned as channel to transport ions. These findings provide a general strategy for the programmable design of microcapsules to engineer artificial cells and molecular robots.     

Spinnenseidenproteine: Grundlage für neue Materialien

Spider silk is a biomaterial with extraordinary properties. It is extremely tough and at the same time highly elastic – a combination not found in other polymers. Due to its outstanding potential, spider silk has long been desired as a material for technical applications. This review highlights recent developments in the field of spider silk technology, insights into silk structure, and the natural silk spinning process. Due to the recent progress, spider silk products might be available in the near future, reflecting a new generation of environmentally friendly polymer products.     

Self-Assembling Supramolecular Hybrid Hydrogel Beads

With the goal of imposing shape and structure on supramolecular gels, we combine a low-molecular-weight gelator (LMWG) with the polymer gelator (PG) calcium alginate in a hybrid hydrogel. By imposing thermal and temporal control of the orthogonal gelation methods, the system either forms an extended interpenetrating network or core–shell-structured gel beads—a rare example of a supramolecular gel formulated inside discrete gel spheres. The self-assembled LMWG retains its unique properties within the beads, such as remediating Pd^II and reducing it in situ to yield catalytically active Pd⁰ nanoparticles. A single PdNP-loaded gel bead can catalyse the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction, constituting a simple and easy-to-use reaction-dosing form. These uniquely shaped and structured LMWG-filled gel beads are a versatile platform technology with great potential in a range of applications.     

Direct Synthesis of Polymer Nanotubes by Aqueous Dispersion Polymerization of a Cyclodextrin/Styrene Complex

A one‐step synthesis of nanotubes by RAFT dispersion polymerization of cyclodextrin/styrene (CD/St) complexes directly in water is presented. The resulted amphiphilic PEG‐b‐PS diblock copolymers self‐assemble in situ into nanoparticles with various morphologies. Spheres, worms, lamellae, and nanotubes were controllably obtained. Because of the complexation, the swelling degree of polystyrene (PS) blocks by free St is limited, resulting in limited mobility of PS chains. Consequently, kinetically trapped lamellae and nanotubes were obtained instead of spherical vesicles. During the formation of nanotubes, small vesicles first formed at the ends of the tape‐like lamellae, then grew and fused into nanotubes with a limited chain rearrangement. The introduction of a host–guest interaction based on CDs enables the aqueous dispersion polymerization of water‐immiscible monomers, and produces kinetically trapped nanostructures, which could be a powerful technique for nanomaterials synthesis.     

A Neutrophil-Inspired Supramolecular Nanogel for Magnetocaloric–Enzymatic Tandem Therapy

Neutrophils can responsively release reactive oxygen species (ROS) to actively combat infections by exogenous stimulus and cascade enzyme catalyzed bio-oxidation. A supramolecular nanogel is now used as an artificial neutrophil by enzymatic interfacial self-assembly of peptides (Fmoc-Tyr(H₂PO₃)-OH) with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and electrostatic loading of chloroperoxidase (CPO). The MNPs within the nanogel can elevate H₂O₂ levels in cancer cells under programmed alternating magnetic field (AMF) similar to the neutrophil activator, and the loaded CPO within protective peptides nanolayer converts the H₂O₂ into singlet oxygen (¹O₂) in a sustained manner for neutrophil-inspired tumor therapy. As a proof of concept study, both the H₂O₂ and ¹O₂ in cancer cells increase stepwise under a programmed alternating magnetic field. An active enzyme dynamic therapy by magnetically stimulated oxygen stress and sustained enzyme bio-oxidation is thus shown with studies on both cells and animals.