Journal of Materials Chemistry B最新文献

Microbial-mediated biomineralization of magnetic metal ions is a sustainable, versatile alternative to traditional physical/chemical synthesis of magnetic nanomaterials, offering environmental benignity, structural tunability, and functional diversity. In this review, we systematically compare and integrate the three principal biomineralization mechanisms—biologically controlled mineralization (BCM), biologically induced mineralization (BIM), and microbially influenced mineralization (MIM)—to address the current imbalance in the literature, which has historically emphasized BCM while insufficiently covering BIM and MIM. BCM enables precise control over nanoparticle properties, suiting high-value biomedical applications but facing limitations in scalability. BIM, in contrast, leverages microbial metabolic activities to modulate local chemical microenvironments, enabling cost-effective and scalable magnetic mineral production, albeit with reduced structural precision. MIM operates through extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and physicochemical interactions that template mineral growth, offering morphological flexibility but remaining at an early developmental stage. We summarize key applications in biomedicine, environmental remediation, and industrial production, highlighting critical cross-cutting challenges including scalability, batch consistency, and translational barriers. Future advancements will rely on synthetic biology, AI-driven optimization, and genetic engineering to reconcile precision, scalability, and multifunctionality. This review offers a comprehensive framework to guide the industrial translation and interdisciplinary development of microbial-mediated magnetic biomineralization.

Nanomaterials engineering combined with enzyme conjugation is driving advances in biosensing. In this study, an electrochemical biosensor based on a hierarchical NiO nanostructure and uricase was developed to achieve high sensitivity and selectivity for uric acid (UA) detection. The hierarchical NiO nanostructure material was synthesized via a hydrothermal method and characterized in detail. The UA biosensor was constructed using a hierarchical NiO nanostructure fixed onto the screen-printed graphite electrode (SPGE), with physically adsorbed uricase on the nanomaterial surface, and Nafion (Nf). The electrochemical characteristics of the SPGE/NiO/uricase/Nf biosensor were studied using the cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique. CV analysis revealed that the fabricated SPGE/NiO/uricase/Nf biosensor responded rapidly to UA over a wide concentration range of 25–900 µM, exhibiting a high sensitivity of 423.5 ± 2.6 µA mM⁻¹ cm⁻² and a detection limit of ∼1.45 ± 0.12 µM. The biosensor successfully detected UA in human serum and artificial saliva samples. It also demonstrated excellent reproducibility (RSD of < 6.5%), reusability (retaining ∼90.4% of its initial current response for up to 18 days), and strong anti-interference capability. This enhanced performance resulted from the synergistic electrochemical properties of the hierarchical NiO nanostructure and the uricase enzyme, in which NiO facilitates electron transfer and uricase enhances selective electrocatalytic activity towards UA. These results support its potential for clinical diagnostic use.

Insulin aggregation poses a significant challenge in biopharmaceutical development and storage, compromising formulation stability, therapeutic efficacy, and patient safety through reduced bioavailability and immunogenic responses. Surfactin, a cyclic lipopeptide biosurfactant, has previously demonstrated aggregation-suppressing effects on insulin, providing a biocompatible alternative to conventional excipients, like polysorbates, which are prone to hydrolysis and cytotoxicity. In this study, fourteen surfactin-inspired peptides were designed to mitigate insulin aggregation by replacing hydrophobic leucine residues with hydrophilic, positively charged arginine and lysine amino acids, which are known for disrupting protein aggregation via hydrogen bonding, electrostatic repulsion, and charge shielding. Among the screened peptides, Pep₇ (ERRVDRR) and Pep₁₃ (EKKVDKK) exhibited strong dose-dependent inhibition of aggregation. Thioflavin-T assays showed delayed fibrillation, with Pep₇ extending the lag time by 175% and reducing the aggregation rate by 67% at an insulin : Pep₇ molar ratio of 1 : 5. Intrinsic tyrosine fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy confirmed structural preservation, restoring 97% of Tyr fluorescence and near-native helical content in Pep₇-containing insulin. Native PAGE and BCA assays indicated that Pep₇ retained 75 ± 3% monomeric insulin. DLS and TEM complemented the reduction in aggregate size, with TEM showing a diameter of 17.27 ± 3.53 nm for Pep₇-containing insulin. Isothermal titration calorimetry confirmed exothermic, spontaneous binding (ΔG = −16.97 kJ mol⁻¹), supported by docking and 500 ns MD simulations that highlighted the preferential binding of Pep₇ to aggregation-prone regions of insulin (A1–A5, A18–A21, and B25–B29). Finally, MTT assays in HepG2 cells showed an enhanced viability of 78.55 ± 3.13% in peptide-containing samples. Collectively, these findings present Pep₇ and Pep₁₃ as promising peptide-based excipients for mitigating insulin aggregation and enhancing biopharmaceutical formulation stability, with potential utility as therapeutic agents for managing amyloid-associated proteinopathies.

This paper introduces quantum-inspired fractal sustainability optimization (QIFSO), a comprehensive methodology for sustainable biosensor design that transcends conventional linear assessment frameworks. By integrating mathematical principles from quantum information theory with multifractal analysis, QIFSO enables multidimensional sustainability assessment specifically calibrated for complex biosensing technologies. The framework mathematically transforms 15 sustainability parameters into a three-dimensional state space characterized by parameter resilience (PR), sustainability momentum (SM), and criticality coefficient (CC), capturing complex interdependencies that traditional approaches overlook. Hierarchical clustering analysis using optimized k-means algorithms (1500 iterations, 10 replicates) reveals four statistically distinct sustainability regimes that occur universally across biosensor applications: resilient performers, rapid evolvers, critical constraints, and steady optimizers (Davies–Bouldin index = 1.24, Calinski–Harabasz criterion = 186.3). Multifractal analysis demonstrates that this parameter space exhibits non-integer dimensionality (D_q = 2.69 ± 0.05, p < 0.01), mathematically explaining why traditional linear frameworks consistently fail to capture complex parameter behaviors. A robust power law relationship between parameter resilience and criticality coefficient (CC = 0.45 × PR^−1.68 + 0.19, R² = 0.84, p < 0.001) provides a predictive foundation for strategic optimization. We validate this approach through comprehensive in silico case studies across four biosensor categories, including wearable sensors, implantable devices, point-of-care diagnostics, and environmental monitors, drawing on the authors’ domain knowledge and prior experience in the field. These analyses indicate potential sustainability improvements ranging from 18 to 52 percent. It should be emphasized that these efforts are intended solely to illustrate the framework's potential and do not represent definitive or experimentally verified outcomes. Comparative evaluation demonstrates that QIFSO-guided optimization reduces development timelines by 60% compared to conventional approaches (mean cycle: 7.3 vs. 18.2 months, p < 0.001) while significantly improving biocompatibility, sensor longevity, and environmental performance. The framework's adaptation across 14 diverse research organizations (implementation success rate = 92%) confirms its broad applicability for accelerating sustainable innovation in biosensing technologies.

A pressure injury (PI) is a chronic wound characterized by protracted healing processes and a high recurrence rate. This is primarily attributed to inadequate vascularization and aberrant extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF)-based dressings have demonstrated certain efficacy in wound healing. Conventional dressings are unable to effectively deliver PRF to damaged deeper tissue of PI, thereby limiting its regenerative capabilities. Here, we developed PRF-loaded hyaluronic acid methacryloyl (HAMA) microneedles (PHMNs) that integrate mechanical support with targeted bioactive delivery. The PHMNs feature a uniform conical morphology, robust mechanical strength, and superior swelling capacity, enabling seamless penetration and retention within the wound. In vitro investigations demonstrate the sustained release of endogenous growth factors, significantly promoting human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) migration, angiogenesis, and fibroblast proliferation. In a PI rat model, PHMNs significantly facilitated wound healing. On the 11th day, the wound healing rate of the PHMN group reached 98.3%, which was significantly higher than that of the other experimental groups. Immunohistochemical analysis confirms upregulated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31), indicating augmented angiogenesis. This study shows that PHMNs have great potential for applications in chronic wound management.

Correction for ‘Dual-functional guanosine-based hydrogel: high-efficiency protection in radiation-induced oral mucositis’ by Zihan Ding et al., J. Mater. Chem. B, 2025, 13, 3039–3048, https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TB02380C.

Controlling soil-borne fungal diseases is a major ongoing challenge for modern agriculture. There is a need for new antimicrobial agents that are highly effective, long-lasting, and safe for the environment. Guanidinium-based polymers are promising new candidates. However, it remains technically difficult to tailor their activity against specific pathogens through molecular design. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of polymethacrylate guanidine salts (PGSs) to meet this need, including both homopolymers and copolymers with diverse side chain architectures. It is found that PGSs show moderately lower broad-spectrum activity than a commercial disinfectant (benzalkonium chloride, BC) against some common microbes (E. coli, S. albus, and C. albicans). However, PGSs were exceptionally effective and selective at inhibiting Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 4 (Foc4, the pathogen responsible for banana Fusarium wilt) in soil. A key advantage of PGSs is their strong adsorption to soil, which greatly reduces their spread in the environment and potential toxicity. PGSs showed minimal impact on native soil microbes and aquatic zebrafish. At the same time, this soil binding allows controlled release, sustaining the antifungal effect, and the activity duration of PGSs could reach 30 days, much longer than the 10-day duration of BC. This dual mechanism highlights the potential of PGSs. The successful case against banana Fusarium wilt demonstrates their practical applicability. They could provide an economical, safe, and sustainable solution for persistent soil-borne diseases.

Rapid systemic elimination of drugs remains a significant challenge in cancer therapy. Herein, an isotope substitution strategy is employed to enhance the therapeutic potential of a novel nitric oxide and formaldehyde co-donor, 3,5-dinitro-1,3,5,7-tetraaza[3.3.1] nonane (DPT), by modulating its metabolic fate and improving its pharmacokinetic behavior. Based on the parent compound, deuterated (DPT-d₁₀), nitro-¹⁵N-substituted (DPT-¹⁵N₂), and dual-modified (DPT-¹⁵N₂ + d₁₀) derivatives were synthesized. These isotope substitution derivatives retain the electronic properties and functional integrity of the original molecule while slowing the metabolic rate of both the parent compound and its active components (formaldehyde and nitric oxide), which prolongs in vivo residence time, leading to enhanced tumor growth inhibition with minimal adverse effects. Notably, benefiting from the synergistic isotope effects of deuteration and nitro-¹⁵N substitution, DPT-¹⁵N₂ + d₁₀ exhibits superior antitumor activity. Therefore, this study establishes a paradigm for overcoming the limitation of rapid systemic clearance in anticancer drug development.

Electrospun protein-based nanofibers offer a renewable and biocompatible alternative to fully synthetic materials, benefiting from the use of naturally derived components and reduced reliance on petrochemical polymers. Despite their promise, the relationship between processing conditions and fiber morphology remains poorly understood. Here, we present a systematic study of bovine serum albumin:polyethylene oxide (BSA : PEO) nanofibers, focusing on controlling morphology and functionalization for biosensing applications. Electrospinning parameters, solution composition, and pretreatment procedures were optimized to improve process stability and reproducibility of protein-based fibers with specific morphologies. To gain insight into the chemical composition of the fibers, we used advanced characterization techniques such as scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) with nano-FTIR spectroscopy. This, combined with two-photon-excited green autofluorescence exhibited by the proteins in electrospun fibers, allowed us to examine the internal architecture and provide evidence of molecular-scale structural repeatability. The optimized BSA : PEO fibers served as a biocatalytic layer in model electrochemical biosensors for dopamine detection, showing high sensitivity and reproducibility. These findings highlight protein–polymer composites as strong candidates for potential medical diagnostics, due to their renewable origin and functional versatility. The ability to tune morphology and investigate molecular structure opens new avenues for eco-friendly materials in healthcare and analytical science.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by the interaction between oral microorganisms and the host's immune response. The vicious cycle between bacterial infection and the host immune response renders any single treatment strategy ineffective. Therefore, a sequential approach that first rapidly eradicates pathogens, followed by anti-inflammatory therapy, is undoubtedly preferable. However, sequential release often needs to the release of several drugs in a controlled order over a long period of time, so it is necessary to rely on drug carriers, which must have a large drug loading capacity and maintain long-term stability. Compared to other drug carriers, the properties of porous aromatic frameworks (PAFs) precisely meet these requirements, and PAF-82 was employed. By sequentially loading diclofenac sodium (DS), coating with polydopamine (PDA) and adsorbing metronidazole (MTZ), PAF-DS@PDA-MTZ was constructed. The experimental results showed that PAF-DS@PDA-MTZ could quickly kill Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. g.) and eliminate ROS inhibition of pro-inflammatory factors, such as TNF-α and IL-6. Validation in a rat periodontitis model confirmed the system's efficacy in reducing alveolar bone resorption and enhancing periodontal healing efficiency. This strategy of coordinating antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects through the temporal regulation of drug release provides a novel therapeutic approach for bacteria-driven diseases.