Temperature Tracking in a Three-Dimensional Matrix Using Thermosensitive Liposome Platform

Thermosensitive lipid-based nanoparticle (liposome) is a key platform for the controlled release of functional molecules by regional heating. Temperature monitoring in a three-dimensional matrix is necessary to conduct controlled heating at the targeted region. Currently, conventional liposomes do not possess a function for temperature monitoring. Herein, an extended concept for temperature monitoring using the liposomes was examined using near-infrared (NIR) laser-induced heating of water in hydrogel. The temperature distribution in hydrogel by photothermal conversion can now be traced by fluorescence in real time, with the use of liposomes that release the fluorescence cargo at different threshold temperatures. The liposome platform, equipped with temperature-sensing capability, extend the concept of temperature monitoring for temperature-triggered drug release, as well as thermotherapy

Far-Red Fluorescent Liposomes for Folate Receptor-targeted Bioimaging

In this paper, we describe the newly designed liposomes modified with amphiphilic far-red squaraine dye and folic acid for its application in folate receptor-targeted bioimaging. Enhanced intracellular uptake of the engineered liposomes has been demonstrated on SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells

Silicon-Containing Thiol-Specific Bioconjugating Reagent

A new bioconjugation reagent containing silicon has been developed for the selective reaction with thiols. The inclusion of silicon significantly improves chemoselectivity and suppresses retro processes, thereby exceeding the capabilities of traditional reagents. The method is versatile and compatible with a broad range of thiols and unsaturated carbonyl compounds and yields moderate to high results. These reactions can be conducted under biocompatible conditions, thereby making them suitable for protein bioconjugation. The resulting conjugates display good stability in the presence of various biomolecules, which suggests their potential application for the synthesis of antibody–drug conjugates. Furthermore, the presence of a silicon moiety within the conjugated products opens up new avenues for drug release and bridging inorganics with other disciplines. This new class of silicon-containing thiol-specific bioconjugation reagents has significant implications for researchers working in bioanalytical science and medicinal chemistry and leads to innovative opportunities for advancing the field of bioconjugation research and medicinal chemistry

An Artificial Tongue Fluorescent Sensor Array for Identification and Quantitation of Various Heavy Metal Ions

Herein, a small-molecule fluorescent sensor array for rapid identification of seven heavy metal ions was designed and synthesized, with its sensing mechanism mimicking that of a tongue. The photoinduced electron transfer and intramolecular charge transfer mechanism result in combinatorial interactions between sensor array and heavy metal ions, which lead to diversified fluorescence wavelength shifts and emission intensity changes. Upon principle component analysis (PCA), this result renders clear identification of each heavy metal ion on a 3D spatial dispersion graph. Further exploration provides a concentration-dependent pattern, allowing both qualitative and quantitative measurements of heavy metal ions. On the basis of this information, a “safe-zone” concept was proposed, which provides rapid exclusion of versatile hazardous species from clean water samples based on toxicity characteristic leaching procedure standards. This type of small-molecule fluorescent sensor array could open a new avenue for multiple heavy metal ion detection and simplified water quality analysis