Oligopeptide self-assembly materials have emerged as a promising class of biomaterials with diverse applications in biomedicine.This review highlights the recent progress in comprehending the selfassembly mechanisms i...Oligopeptide self-assembly materials have emerged as a promising class of biomaterials with diverse applications in biomedicine.This review highlights the recent progress in comprehending the selfassembly mechanisms intrinsic to oligopeptides and their behavior in response to specific stimuli.By methodically structuring the amino acid sequence and managing external stimuli such as pH levels,redox conditions,or enzymatic activity,we can exercise unprecedented control over the self-assembly process.By controlling the self-assembly process of oligopeptides,various structures with extraordinary versatility can be obtained,including micelles,nanofibers,and coacervate droplets,each possessing modifiable mechanical and chemical properties.Furthermore,these self-assembled constructs demonstrate immense potential within varied biomedical applications.The stimuli-sensitive nature of oligopeptide assembly materials facilitates timely encapsulation and release of therapeutic cargos,consequently eliciting desired cellular responses.This approach paves the way for more precise tumor targeting,personalized medicinal treatments,and well-regulated drug dispensation.Their innate biocompatibility and proficiency in replicating the extracellular matrix(ECM)render them ideally suited for applications such as tissue engineering,wound remediation,and regenerative medicine.In summary,oligopeptide self-assembling materials show tremendous potential as adaptable platforms for cutting-edge biomedical applications,thereby bridging the divide between fundamental research and practical clinical application.展开更多
Integration of mechanical properties with the biomolecular network is fundamental in understanding various developmental and resilience signaling in plants.The mechanical properties of the cell wall-plasma membrane-cy...Integration of mechanical properties with the biomolecular network is fundamental in understanding various developmental and resilience signaling in plants.The mechanical properties of the cell wall-plasma membrane-cytoskeleton continuum and interconnected endomembrane system can regulate plant growth signaling and plant-microbiome interactions that unlock new opportunities for enhancing crop yield and defense,thereby promoting sustainable agriculture and food security.展开更多
Biomolecular condensates have emerged as one of the important focuses of recent research on plant biology.The study of these condensates often begins with evidence gathered from imaging or bioinformatics analyses.Comb...Biomolecular condensates have emerged as one of the important focuses of recent research on plant biology.The study of these condensates often begins with evidence gathered from imaging or bioinformatics analyses.Combined with genetic and biochemical approaches,researchers have begun to establish a link between the condensation of biomolecules andbiologicalfunctions.The challenge,however,is unambiguously demonstrating the necessity of condensation in a cellular process versus the macromolecule itself.This requires a combination of evidence from genetics,cell biology,biochemistry,and biophysical analysis.In this Opinion paper,we pinpoint the factors to be considered when studying the role of biomolecular condensates in plant biology.We also provide future directions for plant condensate biology.展开更多
Single-cell encapsulation in droplet microfluidics is commonly hindered by the tradeoff between cell suspension density and on-chip focusing performance.In this study,we introduce a novel droplet microfluidic chip to ...Single-cell encapsulation in droplet microfluidics is commonly hindered by the tradeoff between cell suspension density and on-chip focusing performance.In this study,we introduce a novel droplet microfluidic chip to overcome this challenge.The chip comprises a double spiral focusing unit,a flow resistance-based sample enrichment module with fine-tunable outlets,and a crossflow droplet generation unit.Utilizing a low-density cell/bead suspension(2×10^(6) objects/mL),cells/beads are focused into a near-equidistant linear arrangement within the double spiral microchannel.The excess water phase is diverted while cells/beads remain focused and sequentially encapsulated in individual droplets.Focusing performance was assessed through numerical simulations and experiments at three flow rates(40,60,80μL/min),demonstrating successful focusing at 40 and 80μL/min for beads and cells,respectively.In addition,both simulation and experimental results revealed that the flow resistance at the sample enrichment module is adjustable by punching different outlets,allowing over 50%of the aqueous phase to be removed.YOLOv8n-based droplet detection algorithms realized the counting of cells/beads in droplets,statistically demonstrating single-cell and bead encapsulation rates of 72.2%and 79.2%,respectively.All the results indicate that this on-chip sample enrichment approach can be further developed and employed as a critical component in single-cell encapsulation in water-in-oil droplets.展开更多
Coacervates formed by liquid-liquid phase separation play significant roles in a variety of intracellular and extracellular biological processes.Recently,substantial efforts have been invested in creating protocells u...Coacervates formed by liquid-liquid phase separation play significant roles in a variety of intracellular and extracellular biological processes.Recently,substantial efforts have been invested in creating protocells using coacervates.Microfluidic technology has rapidly gained prominence in this area due to its capability to construct monodisperse and stable coacervate droplets.This review highlights recent advancements in utilizing microfluidic devices to construct coacervate-core-vesicle(COV)systems.These COV systems can be employed to realize the sequestration and release of biomolecules as well as to control enzymatic reactions within the coacervate systems in a spatiotemporal manner.Lastly,we delve into the current challenges and opportunities related to the development of functional coacervate systems based on microfluidic technology.展开更多
Many functional coacervates have been identified in biological systems,which have attracted widespread interest.Coacervation is a liquid–liquid phase separation(LLPS)process in which a macromolecule-enriched liquid p...Many functional coacervates have been identified in biological systems,which have attracted widespread interest.Coacervation is a liquid–liquid phase separation(LLPS)process in which a macromolecule-enriched liquid phase is formed together with a macromolecule-depleted phase.Bio-inspired coacervates possess excellent features such as underwater delivery,low interface energy,shear thinning,and excellent biocompatibility.They also serve as good delivery platforms for different types of molecules.In this review,we briefly discuss some important extracellular coacervate systems,including mussel adhesives,sandcastle worm glue,squid beak,and tropoelastin.We then provide an overview of the recent development of bio-inspired functional coacervates for various biomedical applications,including medical adhesives,drug delivery,and tissue engineering.Bio-inspired functional coacervates offer a promising material platform for developing new materials for biomedical applications.展开更多
基金the Singapore National Research Fel-lowship(NRF-NRFF11-2019-0004)the Singapore Ministry of Education(MOE)Tier 2 Grant(MOE-T2EP30220-0006)for their support.
文摘Oligopeptide self-assembly materials have emerged as a promising class of biomaterials with diverse applications in biomedicine.This review highlights the recent progress in comprehending the selfassembly mechanisms intrinsic to oligopeptides and their behavior in response to specific stimuli.By methodically structuring the amino acid sequence and managing external stimuli such as pH levels,redox conditions,or enzymatic activity,we can exercise unprecedented control over the self-assembly process.By controlling the self-assembly process of oligopeptides,various structures with extraordinary versatility can be obtained,including micelles,nanofibers,and coacervate droplets,each possessing modifiable mechanical and chemical properties.Furthermore,these self-assembled constructs demonstrate immense potential within varied biomedical applications.The stimuli-sensitive nature of oligopeptide assembly materials facilitates timely encapsulation and release of therapeutic cargos,consequently eliciting desired cellular responses.This approach paves the way for more precise tumor targeting,personalized medicinal treatments,and well-regulated drug dispensation.Their innate biocompatibility and proficiency in replicating the extracellular matrix(ECM)render them ideally suited for applications such as tissue engineering,wound remediation,and regenerative medicine.In summary,oligopeptide self-assembling materials show tremendous potential as adaptable platforms for cutting-edge biomedical applications,thereby bridging the divide between fundamental research and practical clinical application.
基金the Zhejiang A&F University and School of Biological Sciences,Nanyang Technological University.J.S.was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32170342)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Provincial Universities of Zhejiang(2020KJ001)+1 种基金the Zhejiang A&F University Starting Fundings(2024LFR053).Y.M.was supportedby MOETier 2(MOET2EP30122-0021)Tier 3(MOE2019-T3-1-012)of the National Research Foundation,Singapore(NRF-NRFI08-2022-0012).
文摘Integration of mechanical properties with the biomolecular network is fundamental in understanding various developmental and resilience signaling in plants.The mechanical properties of the cell wall-plasma membrane-cytoskeleton continuum and interconnected endomembrane system can regulate plant growth signaling and plant-microbiome interactions that unlock new opportunities for enhancing crop yield and defense,thereby promoting sustainable agriculture and food security.
基金support from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China(2022YFA1303400)NSFC(32222015)to X.F.KAUST for the financial support to M.C.,and Singapore MOE-T2EP30121-0015,MOE-T2EP30122-0021,MOE2019-T3-1-012,and NRF-NRFI08-2022-0012 to Y.M.
文摘Biomolecular condensates have emerged as one of the important focuses of recent research on plant biology.The study of these condensates often begins with evidence gathered from imaging or bioinformatics analyses.Combined with genetic and biochemical approaches,researchers have begun to establish a link between the condensation of biomolecules andbiologicalfunctions.The challenge,however,is unambiguously demonstrating the necessity of condensation in a cellular process versus the macromolecule itself.This requires a combination of evidence from genetics,cell biology,biochemistry,and biophysical analysis.In this Opinion paper,we pinpoint the factors to be considered when studying the role of biomolecular condensates in plant biology.We also provide future directions for plant condensate biology.
文摘Single-cell encapsulation in droplet microfluidics is commonly hindered by the tradeoff between cell suspension density and on-chip focusing performance.In this study,we introduce a novel droplet microfluidic chip to overcome this challenge.The chip comprises a double spiral focusing unit,a flow resistance-based sample enrichment module with fine-tunable outlets,and a crossflow droplet generation unit.Utilizing a low-density cell/bead suspension(2×10^(6) objects/mL),cells/beads are focused into a near-equidistant linear arrangement within the double spiral microchannel.The excess water phase is diverted while cells/beads remain focused and sequentially encapsulated in individual droplets.Focusing performance was assessed through numerical simulations and experiments at three flow rates(40,60,80μL/min),demonstrating successful focusing at 40 and 80μL/min for beads and cells,respectively.In addition,both simulation and experimental results revealed that the flow resistance at the sample enrichment module is adjustable by punching different outlets,allowing over 50%of the aqueous phase to be removed.YOLOv8n-based droplet detection algorithms realized the counting of cells/beads in droplets,statistically demonstrating single-cell and bead encapsulation rates of 72.2%and 79.2%,respectively.All the results indicate that this on-chip sample enrichment approach can be further developed and employed as a critical component in single-cell encapsulation in water-in-oil droplets.
基金Grant,Grant/Award Number:MOET2EP30220-0006National Research Foundation Singapore,Grant/Award Number:NRF-NRFF11-2019-0004。
文摘Coacervates formed by liquid-liquid phase separation play significant roles in a variety of intracellular and extracellular biological processes.Recently,substantial efforts have been invested in creating protocells using coacervates.Microfluidic technology has rapidly gained prominence in this area due to its capability to construct monodisperse and stable coacervate droplets.This review highlights recent advancements in utilizing microfluidic devices to construct coacervate-core-vesicle(COV)systems.These COV systems can be employed to realize the sequestration and release of biomolecules as well as to control enzymatic reactions within the coacervate systems in a spatiotemporal manner.Lastly,we delve into the current challenges and opportunities related to the development of functional coacervate systems based on microfluidic technology.
基金Singapore National Research Fellowship,Grant/Award Number:NRF-NRFF11-2019-0004Singapore Ministry of Education,Grant/Award Number:MOE-T2EP30220-0006。
文摘Many functional coacervates have been identified in biological systems,which have attracted widespread interest.Coacervation is a liquid–liquid phase separation(LLPS)process in which a macromolecule-enriched liquid phase is formed together with a macromolecule-depleted phase.Bio-inspired coacervates possess excellent features such as underwater delivery,low interface energy,shear thinning,and excellent biocompatibility.They also serve as good delivery platforms for different types of molecules.In this review,we briefly discuss some important extracellular coacervate systems,including mussel adhesives,sandcastle worm glue,squid beak,and tropoelastin.We then provide an overview of the recent development of bio-inspired functional coacervates for various biomedical applications,including medical adhesives,drug delivery,and tissue engineering.Bio-inspired functional coacervates offer a promising material platform for developing new materials for biomedical applications.
