Enzyme-driven biodegradable nanomotor based on tubular-shaped polymeric vesicles

\u3cp\u3eVarious nanomotors that can mimic the motion of natural systems have recently been proposed. Yet, most designs are metal based and not applicable in biological settings. We report the first biodegradable nanomotor that moves in the presence of fuel. Tubular-shaped polymersomes with 5 wt% azide handles were assembled with catalase chemically linked to the handles. The nanotubes move autonomously in H\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3eO\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e.\u3c/p\u3

Enzyme-driven biodegradable nanomotor based on tubular-shaped polymeric vesicles

Various nanomotors that can mimic the motion of natural systems have recently been proposed. Yet, most designs are metal based and not applicable in biological settings. We report the first biodegradable nanomotor that moves in the presence of fuel. Tubular-shaped polymersomes with 5 wt% azide handles were assembled with catalase chemically linked to the handles. The nanotubes move autonomously in H2O2

Sensor devices inspired by the five senses: a review

Wearable devices (wearables) have recently gained significant traction and are predicted to dominate many areas of research over the next 5 years. Many wearables contain a host of sensors that feedback vital bodily parameters to a central system. Although many artificial sensors exist, the biggest challenge to medical wearables is to interface and harness the “big data” set from the human bodies own complex sensor network to better allow early diagnosis and/or treatment and prevention of diseases that have a huge economic burden on society such as type II diabetes. Cybernetics and medicine are joining their forces to overcome the new challenges in developing smarter, more intuitive and smaller sensors that interface with the human sensory system. This review is focused on the interface of devices to ion-mediated transduction pathways both through G-Coupled Protein Receptors and direct or mechanically transduced ion pathways

Designing Molecular Building Blocks for Functional Polymersomes

Abstract In recent years various polymeric vesicles have been reported that show promising results for drug delivery applications, nanomotors and/or nanoreactors. These polymeric vesicles can be assembled from many different materials and various coupling reactions have been applied for functionalization of the vesicles. However, the designs reported are still rather simple, as it is challenging to mimic biological complex systems. In this review we focus on the properties of widely used hydrophobic polymers to better understand polymersome properties for various applications. Examples are shown of how researchers have used and modulated block-copolymers and their properties to their advantage. Furthermore, an overview of possible end group functionalizations of nanoparticles is reported, giving insight in recent developments of smart nanoparticles for biomedical applications

Clinical evidence for use of a non-invasive biosensor for tear glucose as an alternative to painful finger-prick for diabetes management utilizing biopolymer coating

Diabetes is a metabolic condition that is exponentially increasing worldwide. Current monitoring methods for diabetes are invasive, painful, and expensive. Herein, we present the first multipatient clinical trial that demonstrates clearly that tear fluid may be a valuable marker for systemic glucose measurements. The NovioSense Glucose Sensor, worn under the lower eye lid (inferior conjunctival fornix), is reported to continuously measure glucose levels in the basal tear fluid with good correlation to blood glucose values, showing clear clinical feasibility in both animals and humans. Furthermore, the polysaccharide coated device previously reported by our laboratory when worn, does not induce pain or irritation. In a phase II clinical trial, six patients with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus were enrolled and the capability of the device to measure glucose in the tear fluid was evaluated. The NovioSense Glucose Sensor gives a stable signal and the results correlate well to blood glucose values obtained from finger-prick measurements determined by consensus error grid analysis

Screening Libraries of Amphiphilic Janus Dendrimers Based on Natural Phenolic Acids to Discover Monodisperse Unilamellar Dendrimersomes

Natural, including plant, and synthetic phenolic acids are employed as building blocks for the synthesis of constitutional isomeric libraries of self-assembling dendrons and dendrimers that are the simplest examples of programmed synthetic macromolecules. Amphiphilic Janus dendrimers are synthesized from a diversity of building blocks including natural phenolic acids. They self-assemble in water or buffer into vesicular dendrimersomes employed as biological membrane mimics, hybrid and synthetic cells. These dendrimersomes are predominantly uni- or multilamellar vesicles with size and polydispersity that is predicted by their primary structure. However, in numerous cases, unilamellar dendrimersomes completely free of multilamellar assemblies are desirable. Here, we report the synthesis and structural analysis of a library containing 13 amphiphilic Janus dendrimers containing linear and branched alkyl chains on their hydrophobic part. They were prepared by an optimized iterative modular synthesis starting from natural phenolic acids. Monodisperse dendrimersomes were prepared by injection and giant polydisperse by hydration. Both were structurally characterized to select the molecular design principles that provide unilamellar dendrimersomes in higher yields and shorter reaction times than under previously used reaction conditions. These dendrimersomes are expected to provide important tools for synthetic cell biology, encapsulation, and delivery

Screening libraries of amphiphilic Janus dendrimers based on natural phenolic acids to discover monodisperse unilamellar dendrimersomes

Natural, including plant, and synthetic phenolic acids are employed as building blocks for the synthesis of constitutional isomeric libraries of self-assembling dendrons and dendrimers that are the simplest examples of programmed synthetic macromolecules. Amphiphilic Janus dendrimers are synthesized from a diversity of building blocks including natural phenolic acids. They self-assemble in water or buffer into vesicular dendrimersomes employed as biological membrane mimics, hybrid and synthetic cells. These dendrimersomes are predominantly uni- or multilamellar vesicles with size and polydispersity that is predicted by their primary structure. However, in numerous cases, unilamellar dendrimersomes completely free of multilamellar assemblies are desirable. Here, we report the synthesis and structural analysis of a library containing 13 amphiphilic Janus dendrimers containing linear and branched alkyl chains on their hydrophobic part. They were prepared by an optimized iterative modular synthesis starting from natural phenolic acids. Monodisperse dendrimersomes were prepared by injection and giant polydisperse by hydration. Both were structurally characterized to select the molecular design principles that provide unilamellar dendrimersomes in higher yields and shorter reaction times than under previously used reaction conditions. These dendrimersomes are expected to provide important tools for synthetic cell biology, encapsulation, and delivery