1
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Deng Z, Li K, Priimagi A, Zeng H. Light-steerable locomotion using zero-elastic-energy modes. NATURE MATERIALS 2024:10.1038/s41563-024-02026-4. [PMID: 39367165 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-024-02026-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 10/06/2024]
Abstract
Driving synthetic materials out of equilibrium via dissipative mechanisms paves the way towards autonomous, self-sustained robotic motions. However, obtaining agile movement in diverse environments with dynamic steerability remains a challenge. Here we report a light-fuelled soft liquid crystal elastomer torus with self-sustained out-of-equilibrium movement. Under constant light excitation, the torus undergoes spontaneous rotation arising from the formation of zero-elastic-energy modes. By exploiting dynamic friction or drag, the zero-elastic-energy-mode-based locomotion direction can be optically controlled in various dry and fluid environments. We demonstrate the ability of the liquid crystal elastomer torus to laterally and vertically swim in the Stokes regime. The torus navigation can be extended to three-dimensional space with full steerability of the swimming direction. These results demonstrate the possibilities enabled by prestrained topological structures towards robotic functions of out-of-equilibrium soft matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixuan Deng
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Civil Engineering, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei, China
| | - Arri Priimagi
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Hao Zeng
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
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2
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Wang H, Bai S, Gu G, Zhang C, Wang Y. Chemical Reaction Steers Spatiotemporal Self-Assembly of Supramolecular Hydrogels. Chempluschem 2024; 89:e202400396. [PMID: 38923325 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202400396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Supramolecular structures are widespread in living system, which are usually spatiotemporally regulated by sophisticated metabolic processes to enable vital biological functions. Inspired by living system, tremendous efforts have been made to realize spatiotemporal control over the self-assembly of supramolecular materials in synthetic scenario by coupling chemical reaction with molecular self-assembly process. In this review, we focused on the works related to supramolecular hydrogels that are regulated in space and time using chemical reaction. Firstly, we summarized how spatially controlled self-assembly of supramolecular hydrogels can be achieved via chemical reaction-instructed self-assembly, and the application of such a self-assembly methodology in biotherapy was discussed as well. Second, we reviewed dynamic supramolecular hydrogels dictated by chemical reaction networks that can evolve their structures and properties against time. Third, we discussed the recent progresses in the control of the self-assembly of supramolecular hydrogels in both space and time though a reaction-diffusion-coupled self-assembly approach. Finally, we provided a perspective on the further development of spatiotemporally controlled supramolecular hydrogels using chemical reaction in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hucheng Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Shengyu Bai
- School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Guanyao Gu
- School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Chunyu Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Yiming Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Intelligent Sensing and Detection Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
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3
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Singh A, Parvin P, Saha B, Das D. Non-equilibrium self-assembly for living matter-like properties. Nat Rev Chem 2024; 8:723-740. [PMID: 39179623 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-024-00640-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
The soft and wet machines of life emerged as the spatially enclosed ensemble of biomolecules with replicating capabilities integrated with metabolic reaction cycles that operate at far-from-equilibrium. A thorough step-by-step synthetic integration of these elements, namely metabolic and replicative properties all confined and operating far-from-equilibrium, can set the stage from which we can ask questions related to the construction of chemical-based evolving systems with living matter-like properties - a monumental endeavour of systems chemistry. The overarching concept of this Review maps the discoveries on this possible integration of reaction networks, self-reproduction and compartmentalization under non-equilibrium conditions. We deconvolute the events of reaction networks and transient compartmentalization and extend the discussion towards self-reproducing systems that can be sustained under non-equilibrium conditions. Although enormous challenges lie ahead in terms of molecular diversity, information transfer, adaptation and selection that are required for open-ended evolution, emerging strategies to generate minimal metabolic cycles can extend our growing understanding of the chemical emergence of the biosphere of Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Singh
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, India
- Centre for Advanced Functional Materials, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, India
| | - Payel Parvin
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, India
- Centre for Advanced Functional Materials, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, India
| | - Bapan Saha
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, India
- Centre for Advanced Functional Materials, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, India
| | - Dibyendu Das
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, India.
- Centre for Advanced Functional Materials, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, India.
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4
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Shi R, Chen KL, Fern J, Deng S, Liu Y, Scalise D, Huang Q, Cowan NJ, Gracias DH, Schulman R. Programming gel automata shapes using DNA instructions. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7773. [PMID: 39237499 PMCID: PMC11377784 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51198-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The ability to transform matter between numerous physical states or shapes without wires or external devices is a major challenge for robotics and materials design. Organisms can transform their shapes using biomolecules carrying specific information and localize at sites where transitions occur. Here, we introduce gel automata, which likewise can transform between a large number of prescribed shapes in response to a combinatorial library of biomolecular instructions. Gel automata are centimeter-scale materials consisting of multiple micro-segments. A library of DNA activator sequences can each reversibly grow or shrink different micro-segments by polymerizing or depolymerizing within them. We develop DNA activator designs that maximize the extent of growth and shrinking, and a photolithography process for precisely fabricating gel automata with elaborate segmentation patterns. Guided by simulations of shape change and neural networks that evaluate gel automata designs, we create gel automata that reversibly transform between multiple, wholly distinct shapes: four different letters and every even or every odd numeral. The sequential and repeated metamorphosis of gel automata demonstrates how soft materials and robots can be digitally programmed and reprogrammed with information-bearing chemical signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruohong Shi
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kuan-Lin Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joshua Fern
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Siming Deng
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Laboratory for Computational Sensing and Robotics (LCSR), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yixin Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Dominic Scalise
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Qi Huang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Noah J Cowan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Laboratory for Computational Sensing and Robotics (LCSR), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David H Gracias
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Center for MicroPhysiological Systems (MPS), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC), Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Rebecca Schulman
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Laboratory for Computational Sensing and Robotics (LCSR), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Computer Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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5
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Gonçalves D. Rethinking life and predicting its origin. Theory Biosci 2024; 143:205-215. [PMID: 38922566 DOI: 10.1007/s12064-024-00420-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
The definition, origin and recreation of life remain elusive. As others have suggested, only once we put life into reductionist physical terms will we be able to solve those questions. To that end, this work proposes the phenomenon of life to be the product of two dissipative mechanisms. From them, one characterises extant biological life and deduces a testable scenario for its origin. The proposed theory of life allows its replication, reinterprets ecological evolution and creates new constraints on the search for life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Gonçalves
- Centro de Química Estrutural and Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal.
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6
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He Y, Liu M, Wang Y, Liu Y. Self-Regulated Assembly and Disassembly of Gold Nanoparticles for Low-Temperature Time Indication. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2403216. [PMID: 39171494 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202403216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
The color-changing self-assembly and autonomous disassembly of colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is reported by simply mixing negatively charged phosphine ligand-capped AuNPs with partially oxidized polyethylene glycol (PEG). The assembly of AuNPs is initiated by PEG adsorption, which disrupts the hydration layer of AuNPs, leading to depletion attraction and reduction of hydration repulsion among the AuNPs. The oxidative species in PEG subsequently oxidize and remove the charged ligands from the AuNP surface, resulting in a decrease and reversal of the negative surface charge. This causes the PEG to adsorb on AuNPs in a tighter and more direct manner, providing strong steric shielding to the AuNPs, thereby triggering the disassembly of the AuNP assemblies. The self-regulated assembly-disassembly process can be tuned widely by controlling chemical conditions of PEG, nanoparticle concentration, and the environmental conditions, suggesting potential applications as colorimetric time-temperature indicators for food and medicine storage conditions. As a proof of concept, it is demonstrated that the lifetime of the color-changing assembly-disassembly process can be extended from tens of minutes to weeks when subjected to a refrigerated environment, with tunability achievable through varying polymer conditions and storage atmospheres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi He
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610500, P. R. China
| | - Mingqin Liu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610500, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Wang
- School of Manufacture Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan, 621010, P. R. China
| | - Yiding Liu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610500, P. R. China
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7
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de Visser PJ, Neeleman M, Dankloff PFJ, Derks MTGM, Korevaar PA. Positional Information-Based Organization of Surfactant Droplet Swarms Emerging from Competition Between Local and Global Marangoni Effects. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2403720. [PMID: 39169705 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202403720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Positional information is key for particles to adapt their behavior based on their position in external concentration gradients, and thereby self-organize into complex patterns. Here, position-dependent behavior of floating surfactant droplets that self-organize in a pH gradient is demonstrated, using the Marangoni effect to translate gradients of surface-active molecules into motion. First, fields of surfactant microliter-droplets are generated, in which droplets floating on water drive local, outbound Marangoni flows upon dissolution of surfactant and concomitantly grow myelin filaments. Next, a competing surfactant based on a hydrolysable amide is introduced, which is more surface active than the myelin surfactant and thereby inhibits the local Marangoni flows and myelin growth from the droplets. Upon introducing a pH gradient, the amide surfactant hydrolyses in the acidic region, so that the local Marangoni flows and myelin growth are reestablished. The resulting combination of local and global surface tension gradients produces a region of myelin-growing droplets and a region where myelin growth is suppressed, separated by a wave front of closely packed droplets, of which the position can be controlled by the pH gradient. Thereby, it is shown how "French flag"-patterns, in synthetic settings typically emerging from reaction-diffusion systems, can also be established via surfactant droplet systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter J de Visser
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Mink Neeleman
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Pim F J Dankloff
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Max T G M Derks
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Peter A Korevaar
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
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8
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Amano S, Hermans TM. Repurposing a Catalytic Cycle for Transient Self-Assembly. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:23289-23296. [PMID: 39127918 PMCID: PMC11345760 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c05871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Life operates out of equilibrium to enable various sophisticated behaviors. Synthetic chemists have strived to mimic biological nonequilibrium systems in such fields as autonomous molecular machines and dissipative self-assembly. Central to these efforts has been the development of new chemical reaction cycles, which drive systems out of equilibrium by conversion of chemical fuel into waste species. However, the construction of reaction cycles has been challenging due to the difficulty of finding compatible reactions that constitute a cycle. Here, we realize an alternative approach by repurposing a known catalytic cycle as a chemical reaction cycle for driving dissipative self-assembly. This approach can overcome the compatibility problem because all steps involved in a catalytic cycle are already known to proceed concurrently under the same conditions. Our repurposing approach is applicable to diverse combinations of catalytic cycles and systems to drive out of equilibrium, which will substantially broaden the scope of out-of-equilibrium systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuntaro Amano
- University
of Strasbourg, CNRS, Strasbourg 67083, France
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9
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Wang Q, Xu H, Qi Z, Mei J, Tian H, Qu DH. Dynamic Near-Infrared Circularly Polarized Luminescence Encoded by Transient Supramolecular Chiral Assemblies. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202407385. [PMID: 38736176 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202407385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) is promising for applications in many fields. However, most systems involving CPL are within the visible range; near-infrared (NIR) CPL-active materials, especially those that exhibit high glum values and can be controlled spatially and temporally, are rare. Herein, dynamic NIR-CPL with a glum value of 2.5×10-2 was achieved through supramolecular coassembly and energy-transfer strategies. The chiral assemblies formed by the coassembly between adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and a pyrene derivative exhibited a red CPL signal (glum of 10-3). The further introduction of sulfo-cyanine5 resulted in a energy-transfer process, which not only led to the NIR CPL but also increased the glum value to 10-2. Temporal control of these chiral assemblies was realized by introducing alkaline phosphatase to fabricate a biomimetic enzyme-catalyzed network, allowing the dynamic NIR CPL signal to be turned on. Based on these enzyme-regulated temporally controllable dynamic CPL-active chiral assemblies, a multilevel information encryption system was further developed. This study provides a pioneering example for the construction of dynamic NIR CPL materials with the ability to perform temporal control via the supramolecular assembly strategy, which is expected to aid in the design of supramolecular complex systems that more closely resemble natural biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Hanren Xu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Zhen Qi
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Ju Mei
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - He Tian
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Da-Hui Qu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
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10
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Kar H, Goldin L, Frezzato D, Prins LJ. Local Self-Assembly of Dissipative Structures Sustained by Substrate Diffusion. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202404583. [PMID: 38717103 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202404583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
The coupling between energy-consuming molecular processes and the macroscopic dimension plays an important role in nature and in the development of active matter. Here, we study the temporal evolution of a macroscopic system upon the local activation of a dissipative self-assembly process. Injection of surfactant molecules in a substrate-containing hydrogel results in the local substrate-templated formation of assemblies, which are catalysts for the conversion of substrate into waste. We show that the system develops into a macroscopic (pseudo-)non-equilibrium steady state (NESS) characterized by the local presence of energy-dissipating assemblies and persistent substrate and waste concentration gradients. For elevated substrate concentrations, this state can be maintained for more than 4 days. The studies reveal an interdependence between the dissipative assemblies and the concentration gradients: catalytic activity by the assemblies results in sustained concentration gradients and, vice versa, continuous diffusion of substrate to the assemblies stabilizes their size. The possibility to activate dissipative processes with spatial control and create long lasting non-equilibrium steady states enables dissipative structures to be studied in the space-time domain, which is of relevance for understanding biological systems and for the development of active matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haridas Kar
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Goldin
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Diego Frezzato
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Leonard J Prins
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131, Padova, Italy
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11
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Bassan R, Mondal B, Varshney M, Roy S. 1-Naphthylacetic acid appended amino acids-based hydrogels: probing of the supramolecular catalysis of ester hydrolysis reaction. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2024; 6:3399-3409. [PMID: 38933855 PMCID: PMC11197428 DOI: 10.1039/d4na00268g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
A 1-naphthaleneacetic acid-appended phenylalanine-derivative (Nap-F) forms a stable hydrogel with a minimum gelation concentration (MGC) of 0.7% w/v (21 mM) in phosphate buffer of pH 7.4. Interestingly, Nap-F produces two-component [Nap-F + H = Nap-FH, Nap-F + K = Nap-FK and Nap-F + R = Nap-FR], three-component [Nap-F + H + K = Nap-FH-K, Nap-F + H + R = Nap-FH-R and Nap-F + K + R = Nap-FK-R] and four-component [Nap-F + H + K + R = Nap-FH-K-R] hydrogels in water with all three natural basic amino acids (H = histidine, K = lysine and R = arginine) at various combinations below its MGC. Nap-F-hydrogel forms a nice entangled nanofibrillar network structure as evidenced by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Interestingly, lysine-based co-assembled two- (Nap-FK), three- (Nap-FH-K and Nap-FK-R) and four-component (Nap-FH-K-R) xerogels exhibit helical nanofibrillar morphology, which was confirmed by circular dichroism spectroscopy, FE-SEM and TEM imaging. However, histidine and arginine-based two-component (Nap-FH and Nap-FR) and three-component (Nap-FH-R) co-assembled xerogels exhibiting straight nanofibrillar morphology. In their co-assembled states, these two-, three- and four-component supramolecular hydrogels show promising esterase-like activity below their MGCs. The enhanced catalytic activity of helical fibers compared to obtained straight fibers (other than lysine-based assembled systems) suggests that the helical fibrillar nanostructure is involved in ordering the esterase-like although all supramolecular assemblies are chemically different from one another.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchika Bassan
- Department of Chemistry, Birla Institute of Technology and Science-Pilani K K Birla Goa Campus, NH 17B, Zuarinagar Sancoale Goa 403726 India
| | - Biplab Mondal
- School of Biological Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science 2A & 2B, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur Kolkata-700034 West Bengal India
| | - Mayank Varshney
- Senior Application Scientist, Characterization Division, Anton Paar India Pvt. Ltd. 582, Phase V, Udyog Vihar Industrial Area Gurgaon 122016 Haryana India
| | - Subhasish Roy
- Department of Chemistry, Birla Institute of Technology and Science-Pilani K K Birla Goa Campus, NH 17B, Zuarinagar Sancoale Goa 403726 India
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12
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Wang H, Wang K, Bai S, Wei L, Gao Y, Zhi K, Guo X, Wang Y. Spatiotemporal control over self-assembly of supramolecular hydrogels through reaction-diffusion. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 664:938-945. [PMID: 38503079 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.03.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Supramolecular self-assembly is ubiquitous in living system and is usually controlled to proceed in time and space through sophisticated reaction-diffusion processes, underpinning various vital cellular functions. In this contribution, we demonstrate how spatiotemporal self-assembly of supramolecular hydrogels can be realized through a simple reaction-diffusion-mediated transient transduction of pH signal. In the reaction-diffusion system, a relatively faster diffusion of acid followed by delayed enzymatic production and diffusion of base from the opposite site enables a transient transduction of pH signal in the substrate. By coupling such reaction-diffusion system with pH-sensitive gelators, dynamic supramolecular hydrogels with tunable lifetimes are formed at defined locations. The hydrogel fibers show interesting dynamic growing behaviors under the regulation of transient pH signal, reminiscent of their biological counterpart. We further demonstrate a proof-of-concept application of the developed methodology for dynamic information encoding in a soft substrate. We envision that this work may provide a potent approach to enable transient transduction of various chemical signals for the construction of new colloidal materials with the capability to evolve their structures and functionalities in time and space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hucheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Kainan Wang
- School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Shengyu Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Lai Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yuliang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Kangkang Zhi
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
| | - Xuhong Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yiming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Intelligent Sensing and Detection Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
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13
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Samanta A, Baranda Pellejero L, Masukawa M, Walther A. DNA-empowered synthetic cells as minimalistic life forms. Nat Rev Chem 2024; 8:454-470. [PMID: 38750171 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-024-00606-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Cells, the fundamental units of life, orchestrate intricate functions - motility, adaptation, replication, communication, and self-organization within tissues. Originating from spatiotemporally organized structures and machinery, coupled with information processing in signalling networks, cells embody the 'sensor-processor-actuator' paradigm. Can we glean insights from these processes to construct primitive artificial systems with life-like properties? Using de novo design approaches, what can we uncover about the evolutionary path of life? This Review discusses the strides made in crafting synthetic cells, utilizing the powerful toolbox of structural and dynamic DNA nanoscience. We describe how DNA can serve as a versatile tool for engineering entire synthetic cells or subcellular entities, and how DNA enables complex behaviour, including motility and information processing for adaptive and interactive processes. We chart future directions for DNA-empowered synthetic cells, envisioning interactive systems wherein synthetic cells communicate within communities and with living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avik Samanta
- Life-Like Materials and Systems, Department of Chemistry, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
- Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, India.
| | | | - Marcos Masukawa
- Life-Like Materials and Systems, Department of Chemistry, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Andreas Walther
- Life-Like Materials and Systems, Department of Chemistry, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
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14
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Sun Y, Men Y, Liu S, Wang X, Li C. Liquid crystalline elastomer self-oscillating fiber actuators fabricated from soft tubular molds. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:4246-4256. [PMID: 38747973 DOI: 10.1039/d4sm00134f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
The self-oscillation of objects that perform continuous and periodic motions upon unchanging and constant stimuli is highly important for intelligent actuators, advanced robotics, and biomedical machines. Liquid crystalline elastomer (LCE) materials are superior to traditional stimuli-responsive polymeric materials in the development of self-oscillators because of their reversible, large and anisotropic shape-changing ability, fast response ability and versatile structural design. In addition, fiber-shaped oscillators have attracted much interest due to their agility, flexibility and diverse oscillation modes. Herein, we present a strategy for fabricating fiber-shaped LCE self-oscillators using soft tubes as molds. Through the settlement of different configuration states of the soft tubes, the prepared fiber-shaped LCE oscillators can perform continuous rotational self-oscillation or up-and-down shifting self-oscillation under constant light stimuli, which are realized by photoinduced repetitive self-winding motion and self-waving motion, respectively. The mechanism of self-oscillating movements is attributed to the local temperature oscillation of LCE fibers caused by repetitive self-shadowing effects. LCE self-oscillators can operate stably over many oscillating cycles without obvious performance attenuation, revealing good robustness. Our work offers a versatile way by which LCE self-oscillators can be conveniently designed and fabricated in bulk and at low cost, and broadens the road for developing self-oscillating materials for biological robotics and health care machines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuying Sun
- Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, P. R. China.
| | - Yanli Men
- Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, P. R. China.
| | - Shiyu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, P. R. China.
| | - Xiuxiu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, P. R. China.
| | - Chensha Li
- Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, P. R. China.
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15
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Marchetti T, Roberts BMW, Frezzato D, Prins LJ. A Minimalistic Covalent Bond-Forming Chemical Reaction Cycle that Consumes Adenosine Diphosphate. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202402965. [PMID: 38533678 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202402965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The development of synthetic active matter requires the ability to design materials capable of harnessing energy from a source to carry out work. Nature achieves this using chemical reaction cycles in which energy released from an exergonic chemical reaction is used to drive biochemical processes. Although many chemically fuelled synthetic reaction cycles that control transient responses, such as self-assembly, have been reported, the generally high complexity of the reported systems hampers a full understanding of how the available chemical energy is actually exploited by these systems. This lack of understanding is a limiting factor in the design of chemically fuelled active matter. Here, we report a minimalistic synthetic responsive reaction cycle in which adenosine diphosphate (ADP) triggers the formation of a catalyst for its own hydrolysis. This establishes an interdependence between the concentrations of the network components resulting in the transient formation of the catalyst. The network is sufficiently simple that all kinetic and thermodynamic parameters governing its behaviour can be characterised, allowing kinetic models to be built that simulate the progress of reactions within the network. While the current network does not enable the ADP-hydrolysis reaction to populate a non-equilibrium composition, these models provide insight into the way the network dissipates energy. Furthermore, essential design principles are revealed for constructing driven systems, in which the network composition is driven away from equilibrium through the consumption of chemical energy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Marchetti
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padua, Via Marzolo, 1, 35131, Padua, Italy
| | - Benjamin M W Roberts
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padua, Via Marzolo, 1, 35131, Padua, Italy
| | - Diego Frezzato
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padua, Via Marzolo, 1, 35131, Padua, Italy
| | - Leonard J Prins
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padua, Via Marzolo, 1, 35131, Padua, Italy
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16
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Zhao W, Wu B, Lei Z, Wu P. Hydrogels with Differentiated Hydrogen-Bonding Networks for Bioinspired Stress Response. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202400531. [PMID: 38546292 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202400531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Stress response, an intricate and autonomously coordinated reaction in living organisms, holds a reversible, multi-path, and multi-state nature. However, existing stimuli-responsive materials often exhibit single-step and monotonous reactions due to the limited integration of structural components. Inspired by the cooperative interplay of extensor and flexor cells within Mimosa's pulvini, we present a hydrogel with differentiated hydrogen-bonding (H-bonding) networks designed to enable the biological stress response. Weak H-bonding domains resemble flexor cells, confined within a hydrophobic network stabilized by strong H-bonding clusters (acting like extensor cells). Under external force, strong H-bonding clusters are disrupted, facilitating water diffusion from the bottom layer and enabling transient expansion pressure gradient along the thickness direction. Subsequently, water diffuses upward, gradually equalizing the pressure, while weak H-bonding domains undergo cooperative elastic deformation. Consequently, the hydrogel autonomously undergoes a sequence of reversible and pluralistic motion responses, similar to Mimosa's touch-triggered stress response. Intriguingly, it exhibits stress-dependent color shifts under polarized light, highlighting its potential for applications in time-sensitive "double-lock" information encryption systems. This work achieves the coordinated stress response inspired by natural tissues using a simple hydrogel, paving the way for substantial advancements in the development of intelligent soft robots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Baohu Wu
- Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS), Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ) Forschungszentrum Jülich, Lichtenbergstr, Garching, 185748, Germany
| | - Zhouyue Lei
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Peiyi Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
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17
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Gibson W, Mulvey JT, Das S, Selmani S, Merham JG, Rakowski AM, Schwartz E, Hochbaum AI, Guan Z, Green JR, Patterson JP. Observing the Dynamics of an Electrochemically Driven Active Material with Liquid Electron Microscopy. ACS NANO 2024; 18:11898-11909. [PMID: 38648551 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c01524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Electrochemical liquid electron microscopy has revolutionized our understanding of nanomaterial dynamics by allowing for direct observation of their electrochemical production. This technique, primarily applied to inorganic materials, is now being used to explore the self-assembly dynamics of active molecular materials. Our study examines these dynamics across various scales, from the nanoscale behavior of individual fibers to the micrometer-scale hierarchical evolution of fiber clusters. To isolate the influences of the electron beam and electrical potential on material behavior, we conducted thorough beam-sample interaction analyses. Our findings reveal that the dynamics of these active materials at the nanoscale are shaped by their proximity to the electrode and the applied electrical current. By integrating electron microscopy observations with reaction-diffusion simulations, we uncover that local structures and their formation history play a crucial role in determining assembly rates. This suggests that the emergence of nonequilibrium structures can locally accelerate further structural development, offering insights into the behavior of active materials under electrochemical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wyeth Gibson
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Center for Complex and Active Materials, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Justin T Mulvey
- Center for Complex and Active Materials, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Swetamber Das
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts 02125, United States
| | - Serxho Selmani
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Center for Complex and Active Materials, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Jovany G Merham
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Alexander M Rakowski
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Eric Schwartz
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Allon I Hochbaum
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Center for Complex and Active Materials, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Zhibin Guan
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Center for Complex and Active Materials, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Jason R Green
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts 02125, United States
- Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts 02125, United States
| | - Joseph P Patterson
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Center for Complex and Active Materials, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
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18
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Hauser AW, Zhou Q, Chaikin PM, Sacanna S. Light-Triggered Inflation of Microdroplets. CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS : A PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2024; 36:3970-3975. [PMID: 38681086 PMCID: PMC11044266 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.4c00732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Driven systems composed largely of droplets and fuel make up a significant portion of microbiological function. At the micrometer scale, fully synthetic systems that perform an array of tasks within a uniform bulk are much more rare. In this work, we introduce an innovative design for solid-in-oil composite microdroplets. These microdroplets are engineered to nucleate an internal phase, undergo inflation, and eventually burst, all powered by a steady and uniform energy input. We show that by altering the background input, volumetric change and burst time can be tuned. When the inflated droplets release the inner contents, colloidal particles are shown to transiently attract to the release point. Lastly, we show that the system has the ability to perform multiple inflation-burst cycles. We anticipate that our conceptual design of internally powered microdroplets will catalyze further research into autonomous systems capable of intricate communication as well as inspire the development of advanced, responsive materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam W. Hauser
- Department
of Chemistry, New York University, 29 Washington Place, New York, New York 10003, United States
- Center
for Soft Matter Research, Department of Physics, New York University, 726 Broadway Avenue, New York, New York 10003, United States
| | - Qintian Zhou
- Department
of Chemistry, New York University, 29 Washington Place, New York, New York 10003, United States
| | - Paul M. Chaikin
- Center
for Soft Matter Research, Department of Physics, New York University, 726 Broadway Avenue, New York, New York 10003, United States
| | - Stefano Sacanna
- Department
of Chemistry, New York University, 29 Washington Place, New York, New York 10003, United States
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19
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Sarkar A, Dúzs B, Walther A. Fuel-Driven Enzymatic Reaction Networks to Program Autonomous Thiol/Disulfide Redox Systems. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:10281-10285. [PMID: 38569008 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c02680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Fuel-driven dissipative formation of disulfide bonds using competing oxidative activation and reductive deactivation presents a possibly very versatile avenue for autonomous materials design. However, this is challenging to realize because of the direct annihilation of oxidizing fuel and a deactivating reducing agent. We overcome this challenge by introducing a redox-based enzymatic reaction network (ERN), enabling the dissipative disulfide formation for molecularly dissolved thiols in a fully autonomous manner. Moreover, the ERN allows for programming hydrogel lifetimes by utilizing thiol-terminated star polymers (sPEG-SH). The ERN can be customized to operate with aliphatic and aromatic thiols and should thus be broadly applicable to functional thiols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aritra Sarkar
- Life-Like Materials and Systems, Department of Chemistry, University of Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Brigitta Dúzs
- Life-Like Materials and Systems, Department of Chemistry, University of Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Andreas Walther
- Life-Like Materials and Systems, Department of Chemistry, University of Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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20
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Ranganath VA, Maity I. Artificial Homeostasis Systems Based on Feedback Reaction Networks: Design Principles and Future Promises. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202318134. [PMID: 38226567 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202318134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Feedback-controlled chemical reaction networks (FCRNs) are indispensable for various biological processes, such as cellular mechanisms, patterns, and signaling pathways. Through the intricate interplay of many feedback loops (FLs), FCRNs maintain a stable internal cellular environment. Currently, creating minimalistic synthetic cells is the long-term objective of systems chemistry, which is motivated by such natural integrity. The design, kinetic optimization, and analysis of FCRNs to exhibit functions akin to those of a cell still pose significant challenges. Indeed, reaching synthetic homeostasis is essential for engineering synthetic cell components. However, maintaining homeostasis in artificial systems against various agitations is a difficult task. Several biological events can provide us with guidelines for a conceptual understanding of homeostasis, which can be further applicable in designing artificial synthetic systems. In this regard, we organize our review with artificial homeostasis systems driven by FCRNs at different length scales, including homogeneous, compartmentalized, and soft material systems. First, we stretch a quick overview of FCRNs in different molecular and supramolecular systems, which are the essential toolbox for engineering different nonlinear functions and homeostatic systems. Moreover, the existing history of synthetic homeostasis in chemical and material systems and their advanced functions with self-correcting, and regulating properties are also emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinay Ambekar Ranganath
- Centre for Nano and Material Sciences, Jain (Deemed-to-be University), Jain Global Campus, Bangalore, 562112, Karnataka, India
| | - Indrajit Maity
- Centre for Nano and Material Sciences, Jain (Deemed-to-be University), Jain Global Campus, Bangalore, 562112, Karnataka, India
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21
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Baretta R, Frasconi M. Electrically Powered Dissipative Hydrogel Networks Reveal Transient Stiffness Properties for Out-of-Equilibrium Operations. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:7408-7418. [PMID: 38440849 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c12653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Living systems use dissipative processes to enable precise spatiotemporal control over various functions, including the transient modulation of the stiffness of tissues, which, however, is challenging to achieve in soft materials. Here, we report a new platform to program hydrogel films with tunable, time-dependent mechanical properties under out-of-equilibrium conditions, powered by electricity. We show that the lifetime of the transient network of a surface-confined hydrogel film can be effectively controlled by programming the generation of an electrochemically oxidized mediator in the presence of a chemical or photoreducing agent in solution. It is, therefore, electrically possible to direct the transient stiffening or softening of the hydrogel film, enabling high modularity of the material functions with precise spatiotemporal control. Temporally controlled operations of the hydrogel films are demonstrated for the on-demand, dose-controlled release of multiple model protein payloads from electrode arrays using the present electrically powered dissipative system. This demonstration of electrically driven transient modulation of the stiffness properties of hydrogel films represents an important step toward the engineering of dissipative materials for developing future biomedical applications that can harness the temporal, adaptive properties of this new class of materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Baretta
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Frasconi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
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22
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Nakagawa D, Hanasaki I. Adaptive plasticity of auxetic Kirigami hydrogel fabricated from anisotropic swelling of cellulose nanofiber film. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF ADVANCED MATERIALS 2024; 25:2331959. [PMID: 38572411 PMCID: PMC10989208 DOI: 10.1080/14686996.2024.2331959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Hydrogels are flexible materials that typically accommodate elongation with positive Poisson's ratios. Auxetic property, i.e., the negative Poisson's ratio, of elastic materials can be macroscopically implemented by the structural design of the continuum. We realize it without mold for hydrogel made of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs). The complex structural design of auxetic Kirigami is first implemented on the dry CNF film, i.e., so-called nanopaper, by laser processing, and the CNF hydrogel is formed by dipping the film in liquid water. The CNF films show anisotropic swelling where drastic volumetric change mainly originates from increase in the thickness. This anisotropy makes the design and fabrication of the emergent Kirigami hydrogel straightforward. We characterize the flexibility of this mechanical metamaterial made of hydrogel by cyclic tensile loading starting from the initial end-to-end distance of dry sample. The tensile load at the maximum strain decreases with the increasing number of cycles. Furthermore, the necessary work up to the maximum strain even decreases to the negative value, while the work of restoration to the original end-to-end distance increases from the negative value to the positive. The equilibrium strain where the force changes the sign increases to reach a plateau. This plastic deformation due to the cyclic loading can be regarded as the adaptive response without fracture to the applied dynamic loading input.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Nakagawa
- Institute of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei-shi, Japan
| | - Itsuo Hanasaki
- Institute of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei-shi, Japan
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23
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Nie ZZ, Wang M, Yang H. Self-sustainable autonomous soft actuators. Commun Chem 2024; 7:58. [PMID: 38503863 PMCID: PMC10951225 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01142-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Self-sustainable autonomous locomotion is a non-equilibrium phenomenon and an advanced intelligence of soft-bodied organisms that exhibit the abilities of perception, feedback, decision-making, and self-sustainment. However, artificial self-sustaining architectures are often derived from algorithms and onboard modules of soft robots, resulting in complex fabrication, limited mobility, and low sensitivity. Self-sustainable autonomous soft actuators have emerged as naturally evolving systems that do not require human intervention. With shape-morphing materials integrating in their structural design, soft actuators can direct autonomous responses to complex environmental changes and achieve robust self-sustaining motions under sustained stimulation. This perspective article discusses the recent advances in self-sustainable autonomous soft actuators. Specifically, shape-morphing materials, motion characteristics, built-in negative feedback loops, and constant stimulus response patterns used in autonomous systems are summarized. Artificial self-sustaining autonomous concepts, modes, and deformation-induced functional applications of soft actuators are described. The current challenges and future opportunities for self-sustainable actuation systems are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Zhou Nie
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Institute of Advanced Materials, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China
| | - Meng Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Institute of Advanced Materials, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China
| | - Hong Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Institute of Advanced Materials, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China.
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24
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Guo K, Yang X, Zhou C, Li C. Self-regulated reversal deformation and locomotion of structurally homogenous hydrogels subjected to constant light illumination. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1694. [PMID: 38402204 PMCID: PMC10894256 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46100-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Environmentally adaptive hydrogels that are capable of reconfiguration in response to external stimuli have shown great potential toward bioinspired actuation and soft robotics. Previous efforts have focused mainly on either the sophisticated design of heterogeneously structured hydrogels or the complex manipulation of external stimuli, and achieving self-regulated reversal shape deformation in homogenous hydrogels under a constant stimulus has been challenging. Here, we report the molecular design of structurally homogenous hydrogels containing simultaneously two spiropyrans that exhibit self-regulated transient deformation reversal when subjected to constant illumination. The deformation reversal mechanism originates from the molecular sequential descending-ascending charge variation of two coexisting spiropyrans upon irradiation, resulting in a macroscale volumetric contraction-expansion of the hydrogels. Hydrogel film actuators were developed to display complex temporary bidirectional shape transformations and self-regulated reversal rolling under constant illumination. Our work represents an innovative strategy for programming complex shape transformations of homogeneous hydrogels using a single constant stimulus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Guo
- Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Division of Nanobiomedicine and i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, China
- School of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Xuehan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Chao Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Division of Nanobiomedicine and i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, China
- School of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Chuang Li
- Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
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25
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Pal S, Saha B, Das D. Temporal (Dis)Assembly of Peptide Nanostructures Dictated by Native Multistep Catalytic Transformations. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:2250-2256. [PMID: 38329289 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c04470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Emergence of complex catalytic machinery via simple building blocks under non-equilibrium conditions can contribute toward the system level understanding of the extant biocatalytic reaction network that fuels metabolism. Herein, we report temporal (dis)assembly of peptide nanostructures in presence of a cofactor dictated by native multistep cascade transformations. The short peptide can form a dynamic covalent bond with the thermodynamically activated substrate and recruit cofactor hemin to access non-equilibrium catalytic nanostructures (positive feedback). The neighboring imidazole and hemin moieties in the assembled state rapidly converted the substrate to product(s) via a two-step cascade reaction (hydrolase-peroxidase like) that subsequently triggered the disassembly of the catalytic nanostructures (negative feedback). The feedback coupled reaction cycle involving intrinsic catalytic prowess of short peptides to realize the advanced trait of two-stage cascade degradation of a thermodynamically activated substrate foreshadows the complex non-equilibrium protometabolic networks that might have preceded the chemical emergence of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Pal
- Department of Chemical Sciences & Centre for Advanced Functional Materials, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India
| | - Bapan Saha
- Department of Chemical Sciences & Centre for Advanced Functional Materials, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India
| | - Dibyendu Das
- Department of Chemical Sciences & Centre for Advanced Functional Materials, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India
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26
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Fu H, Cao N, Zeng W, Liao M, Yao S, Zhou J, Zhang W. Pumping Small Molecules Selectively through an Energy-Assisted Assembling Process at Nonequilibrium States. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:3323-3330. [PMID: 38273768 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c12228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
In living organisms, precise control over the spatial and temporal distribution of molecules, including pheromones, is crucial. This level of control is equally important for the development of artificial active materials. In this study, we successfully controlled the distribution of small molecules in the system at nonequilibrium states by actively transporting them, even against the apparent concentration gradient, with high selectivity. As a demonstration, in the aqueous solution of acid orange (AO7) and TMC10COOH, we found that AO7 molecules can coassemble with transient anhydride (TMC10CO)2O to form larger assemblies in the presence of chemical fuel 1-ethyl-3-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC). This led to a decrease in local free AO7 concentration and caused AO7 molecules from other locations in the solution to move toward the assemblies. Consequently, AO7 accumulates at the location where EDC was injected. By continuously injecting EDC, we could maintain a stable high value of the apparent AO7 concentration at the injection point. We also observed that this process which operated at nonequilibrium states exhibited high selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Fu
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Emergent Soft Matter, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, P. R. China
| | - Nengjie Cao
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Emergent Soft Matter, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, P. R. China
| | - Wang Zeng
- National Centre for Inorganic Mass Spectrometry in Shanghai, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, P. R. China
| | - Min Liao
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Emergent Soft Matter, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, P. R. China
| | - Shenglin Yao
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Emergent Soft Matter, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, P. R. China
| | - Jiajia Zhou
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Emergent Soft Matter, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, P. R. China
| | - Wei Zhang
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Emergent Soft Matter, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, P. R. China
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27
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Umesh, Ralhan J, Kumar V, Bhatt H, Nath D, Mavlankar NA, Ghosh HN, Pal A. Thermo-Chemical Cues-Mediated Strategy to Control Peptide Self-Assembly and Charge Transfer Complexation. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:2754-2763. [PMID: 38275136 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Peptide amphiphiles (PAs) are known for their remarkable ability to undergo molecular self-assembly, a process that is highly responsive to the local microenvironment. Herein, we design a pyrene tethered peptide amphiphile Py-VFFAKK, 1 that exhibits pathway-driven self-assembly from metastable nanoparticles to kinetically controlled nanofibers and thermodynamically stable twisted bundles upon modulations in pH, temperature, and chemical cues. The presence of the pyrene moiety ensures donation of the electron to an electron acceptor, namely, 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), to form a supramolecular charge transfer complex in aqueous solution that was studied in detail with microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Excitation of the donor species in its excimer state facilitates electron donation to the acceptor moiety, paving away a long-lived charge-separated state that persists for over a nanosecond, as ascertained through transient absorption spectroscopy. Finally, the self-assembled charge transfer complex is explored toward antimicrobial properties with Escherichia coli while maintaining biocompatibility toward L929 mice fibroblast cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umesh
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector-81, Mohali 140306, Punjab, India
| | - Jahanvi Ralhan
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector-81, Mohali 140306, Punjab, India
| | - Vikas Kumar
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector-81, Mohali 140306, Punjab, India
| | - Himanshu Bhatt
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector-81, Mohali 140306, Punjab, India
| | - Debasish Nath
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector-81, Mohali 140306, Punjab, India
| | - Nimisha A Mavlankar
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector-81, Mohali 140306, Punjab, India
| | - Hirendra N Ghosh
- School of Chemical Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 752050, India
| | - Asish Pal
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector-81, Mohali 140306, Punjab, India
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28
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Paul I, Valiyev I, Schmittel M. Chemically Fueled Logic AND Gate with Double Encoding in the Time Domain. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:2435-2444. [PMID: 38251983 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c09838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
To increase information density and security in communication, Nature at times encodes signals in the time domain, for instance, Ca2+ ion signals. Double encoding in the time domain operates beyond this level of security because the data are encoded in two time-dependent output signals showing distinct periods, frequencies, and full duration half-maxima. To illustrate such a protocol, a three-component ensemble consisting of a double ion-selective luminophore with two distinct receptor sites, hexacyclen, and diaza-18-crown-6 ether is demonstrated to act as a logic AND gate with Ag+ and Ca2+ ions as inputs. The gate shows an unprecedented 2-fold time-encoded fluorescence output at 590 and 488 nm based on metal ion pulses with distinct periods when trichloroacetic acid is applied as chemical fuel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indrajit Paul
- Center of Micro and Nanochemistry and (Bio)Technology, School of Science and Technology, Organische Chemie I, University of Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Straße 2, D-57068 Siegen, Germany
| | - Isa Valiyev
- Center of Micro and Nanochemistry and (Bio)Technology, School of Science and Technology, Organische Chemie I, University of Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Straße 2, D-57068 Siegen, Germany
| | - Michael Schmittel
- Center of Micro and Nanochemistry and (Bio)Technology, School of Science and Technology, Organische Chemie I, University of Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Straße 2, D-57068 Siegen, Germany
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29
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Gabrielli L, Goldin L, Chandrabhas S, Dalla Valle A, Prins LJ. Chemical Information Processing by a Responsive Chemical System. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:2080-2088. [PMID: 38214581 PMCID: PMC10811666 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c11414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Nature has an extraordinary capacity to precisely regulate the chemical reactivity in a highly complex mixture of molecules that is present in the cell. External stimuli lead to transient up- and downregulation of chemical reactions and provide a means for a cell to process information arriving from the environment. The development of synthetic chemical systems with life-like properties requires strategies that allow likewise control over chemical reactivity in a complex environment. Here, we show a synthetic system that mimics the initial steps that take place when a natural signal transduction pathway is activated. Monophosphate nucleosides act as chemical triggers for the self-assembly of nanoreactors that upregulate chemical reactions between reagents present at low micromolar concentrations. Different nucleotides template different assemblies and hence activate different pathways, thus establishing a distinct connection between input and output molecules. Trigger-induced upregulation of chemical reactivity occurs for only a limited amount of time because the chemical triggers are gradually removed from the system by enzymes. It is shown that the same system transiently produces different output molecules depending on the chemical input that is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Gabrielli
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, via F. Marzolo 1, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Goldin
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, via F. Marzolo 1, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Sushmitha Chandrabhas
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, via F. Marzolo 1, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Andrea Dalla Valle
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, via F. Marzolo 1, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Leonard J. Prins
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, via F. Marzolo 1, Padova 35131, Italy
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30
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Cheung LH, To JC, Wong WK, Stuart MCA, Kajitani T, Keng VW, Leung FKC. Tailoring Multicontrolled Supramolecular Assemblies of Stiff-Stilbene Amphiphiles into Macroscopic Soft Scaffolds as Cell-Material Interfaces. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:4056-4070. [PMID: 38198650 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c16795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Biocompatible synthetic supramolecular systems have shed light on biomedical and tissue-regenerative material applications. The intrinsic functional applicability, tunability, and stimuli-responsiveness of synthetic supramolecular systems allow one to develop various multicontrolled supramolecular assemblies in aqueous media. However, it remains highly challenging to use state-of-the-art supramolecular assemblies of photoresponsive amphiphiles controlled by multiple stimulations in fabricating macroscopic materials. Herein, we demonstrate a stiff-stilbene amphiphile (SA) multicontrolled supramolecular assembling system that comprises two different charged end groups. The excellent photoswitchabilities of SA in both organic and aqueous media are demonstrated. Furthermore, multiple stimuli, i.e., light, pH, and counterions, are applied to control the supramolecular assembling behaviors, which are monitored by circular dichroism spectroscopy and electron microscopies. This multicontrolled supramolecular system can be systematically assembled into macroscopic soft functional scaffolds, whose structural parameters are investigated by electron microscopies and X-ray diffraction techniques, suggesting the large aspect ratio of SA nanostructures assembled into macroscopic soft scaffolds. The fabricated soft functional scaffold is highly biocompatible for photocontrolled biotarget encapsulation/release selectively, as well as a cell-material interface for diverse cells' attachment. This new synthetic multicontrolled soft functional material provides a new strategy toward the development of next-generation controllable and biocompatible soft functional materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leong-Hung Cheung
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Jeffrey C To
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Wai-Ki Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Marc C A Stuart
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747AG Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Takashi Kajitani
- TC College Promotion Office, Open Facility Center, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
| | - Vincent W Keng
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Franco King-Chi Leung
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
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31
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Hurst PJ, Mulvey JT, Bone RA, Selmani S, Hudson RF, Guan Z, Green JR, Patterson JP. CryoEM reveals the complex self-assembly of a chemically driven disulfide hydrogel. Chem Sci 2024; 15:1106-1116. [PMID: 38239701 PMCID: PMC10793653 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc05790a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Inspired by the adaptability of biological materials, a variety of synthetic, chemically driven self-assembly processes have been developed that result in the transient formation of supramolecular structures. These structures form through two simultaneous reactions, forward and backward, which generate and consume a molecule that undergoes self-assembly. The dynamics of these assembly processes have been shown to differ from conventional thermodynamically stable molecular assemblies. However, the evolution of nanoscale morphologies in chemically driven self-assembly and how they compare to conventional assemblies has not been resolved. Here, we use a chemically driven redox system to separately carry out the forward and backward reactions. We analyze the forward and backward reactions both sequentially and synchronously with time-resolved cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryoEM). Quantitative image analysis shows that the synchronous process is more complex and heterogeneous than the sequential process. Our key finding is that a thermodynamically unstable stacked nanorod phase, briefly observed in the backward reaction, is sustained for ∼6 hours in the synchronous process. Kinetic Monte Carlo modeling show that the synchronous process is driven by multiple cycles of assembly and disassembly. The collective data suggest that chemically driven self-assembly can create sustained morphologies not seen in thermodynamically stable assemblies by kinetically stabilizing transient intermediates. This finding provides plausible design principles to develop and optimize supramolecular materials with novel properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Joshua Hurst
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine Irvine California 92697 USA
- Center for Complex and Active Materials, University of California, Irvine Irvine California 92697 USA
| | - Justin T Mulvey
- Center for Complex and Active Materials, University of California, Irvine Irvine California 92697 USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine Irvine California 92697 USA
| | - Rebecca A Bone
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Boston Boston Massachusetts 02125 USA
| | - Serxho Selmani
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine Irvine California 92697 USA
- Center for Complex and Active Materials, University of California, Irvine Irvine California 92697 USA
| | - Redford F Hudson
- Department of Computer Science, University of California, Irvine Irvine California 92697 USA
| | - Zhibin Guan
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine Irvine California 92697 USA
- Center for Complex and Active Materials, University of California, Irvine Irvine California 92697 USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine Irvine California 92697 USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine Irvine California 92697 USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine Irvine California 92697 USA
| | - Jason R Green
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Boston Boston Massachusetts 02125 USA
- Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts Boston Boston Massachusetts 02125 USA
| | - Joseph P Patterson
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine Irvine California 92697 USA
- Center for Complex and Active Materials, University of California, Irvine Irvine California 92697 USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine Irvine California 92697 USA
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32
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de Raffele D, Ilie IM. Unlocking novel therapies: cyclic peptide design for amyloidogenic targets through synergies of experiments, simulations, and machine learning. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:632-645. [PMID: 38131333 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc04630c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Existing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's address only their symptoms and do not prevent disease onset. Common therapeutic agents, such as small molecules and antibodies struggle with insufficient selectivity, stability and bioavailability, leading to poor performance in clinical trials. Peptide-based therapeutics are emerging as promising candidates, with successful applications for cardiovascular diseases and cancers due to their high bioavailability, good efficacy and specificity. In particular, cyclic peptides have a long in vivo stability, while maintaining a robust antibody-like binding affinity. However, the de novo design of cyclic peptides is challenging due to the lack of long-lived druggable pockets of the target polypeptide, absence of exhaustive conformational distributions of the target and/or the binder, unknown binding site, methodological limitations, associated constraints (failed trials, time, money) and the vast combinatorial sequence space. Hence, efficient alignment and cooperation between disciplines, and synergies between experiments and simulations complemented by popular techniques like machine-learning can significantly speed up the therapeutic cyclic-peptide development for neurodegenerative diseases. We review the latest advancements in cyclic peptide design against amyloidogenic targets from a computational perspective in light of recent advancements and potential of machine learning to optimize the design process. We discuss the difficulties encountered when designing novel peptide-based inhibitors and we propose new strategies incorporating experiments, simulations and machine learning to design cyclic peptides to inhibit the toxic propagation of amyloidogenic polypeptides. Importantly, these strategies extend beyond the mere design of cyclic peptides and serve as template for the de novo generation of (bio)materials with programmable properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria de Raffele
- University of Amsterdam, van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, Science Park 904, P.O. Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Center for Multiscale Modeling (ACMM), University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ioana M Ilie
- University of Amsterdam, van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, Science Park 904, P.O. Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Center for Multiscale Modeling (ACMM), University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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33
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Li S, Zhao D, Yang F, Liu S. Dynamic monitoring of an enzymatically driven dissipative toehold-mediated strand displacement reaction. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:570-573. [PMID: 38093688 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc05061k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
A general strategy to program self-resettable and dissipative toehold-mediated strand displacement reactions was proposed, using DNA strands as the fuel and lambda exonuclease as the fuel-consuming unit. This non-equilibrium system is reversible and temporally controllable. Furthermore, it can be well integrated into a DNA network to temporally control its cascade reaction or dynamic behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Li
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yantai University, 30 Qingquan Road, Yantai 264005, China.
| | - Disong Zhao
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yantai University, 30 Qingquan Road, Yantai 264005, China.
| | - Fangfang Yang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yantai University, 30 Qingquan Road, Yantai 264005, China.
| | - Shufeng Liu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yantai University, 30 Qingquan Road, Yantai 264005, China.
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34
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Kruse J, Rao A, Sánchez-Iglesias A, Montaño-Priede JL, Iturrospe Ibarra A, Lopez E, Seifert A, Arbe A, Grzelczak M. Temperature-Modulated Reversible Clustering of Gold Nanorods Driven by Small Surface Ligands. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202302793. [PMID: 37815406 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202302793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Temperature-modulated colloidal phase of plasmonic nanoparticles is a convenient playground for resettable soft-actuators or colorimetric sensors. To render reversible clustering under temperature change, bulky ligands are required, especially if anisotropic morphologies are of interest. This study showcases thermoresponsive gold nanorods by employing small surface ligands, bis (p-sulfonatophenyl) phenyl-phosphine dihydrate dipotassium salt (BSPP) and native cationic surfactant. Temperature-dependent analysis in real-time allowed to describe the structural features (interparticle distance and cluster size) as well as thermal parameters, melting and freezing temperatures. These findings suggest that neither covalent Au-S bonds nor bulky ligands are required to obtain a robust thermoresponsive system based on anisotropic gold nanoparticles, paving the way to stimuli-responsive nanoparticles with a wide range of sizes and geometries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joscha Kruse
- Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 4, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- CIC nanoGUNE BRTA, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Anish Rao
- Centro de Física de Materiales CSIC-UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Ana Sánchez-Iglesias
- Centro de Física de Materiales CSIC-UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - José Luis Montaño-Priede
- Centro de Física de Materiales CSIC-UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Amaia Iturrospe Ibarra
- Centro de Física de Materiales CSIC-UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Eneko Lopez
- CIC nanoGUNE BRTA, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Andreas Seifert
- CIC nanoGUNE BRTA, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Arantxa Arbe
- Centro de Física de Materiales CSIC-UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Marek Grzelczak
- Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 4, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Centro de Física de Materiales CSIC-UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
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35
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Llopis-Lorente A, Schotman MJG, Humeniuk HV, van Hest JCM, Dankers PYW, Abdelmohsen LKEA. Artificial cells with viscoadaptive behavior based on hydrogel-loaded giant unilamellar vesicles. Chem Sci 2024; 15:629-638. [PMID: 38179539 PMCID: PMC10763548 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc04687g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Viscoadaptation is an essential process in natural cells, where supramolecular interactions between cytosolic components drive adaptation of the cellular mechanical features to regulate metabolic function. This important relationship between mechanical properties and function has until now been underexplored in artificial cell research. Here, we have created an artificial cell platform that exploits internal supramolecular interactions to display viscoadaptive behavior. As supramolecular material to mimic the cytosolic component of these artificial cells, we employed a pH-switchable hydrogelator based on poly(ethylene glycol) coupled to ureido-pyrimidinone units. The hydrogelator was membranized in its sol state in giant unilamellar lipid vesicles to include a cell-membrane mimetic component. The resulting hydrogelator-loaded giant unilamellar vesicles (designated as HL-GUVs) displayed reversible pH-switchable sol-gel behavior through multiple cycles. Furthermore, incorporation of the regulatory enzyme urease enabled us to increase the cytosolic pH upon conversion of its substrate urea. The system was able to switch between a high viscosity (at neutral pH) and a low viscosity (at basic pH) state upon addition of substrate. Finally, viscoadaptation was achieved via the incorporation of a second enzyme of which the activity was governed by the viscosity of the artificial cell. This work represents a new approach to install functional self-regulation in artificial cells, and opens new possibilities for the creation of complex artificial cells that mimic the structural and functional interplay found in biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoni Llopis-Lorente
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry, Laboratory of Bio-Organic Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology Het Kranenveld 14 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology Het Kranenveld 14, Eindhoven 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Instituto Interuniversitario de Investigación de Reconocimiento Molecular y Desarrollo Tecnológico, CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Universitat Politècnica de València, Universitat de València Camino de Vera s/n 46022 València Spain
| | - Maaike J G Schotman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven, Het Kranenveld 14 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology Het Kranenveld 14, Eindhoven 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Heorhii V Humeniuk
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry, Laboratory of Bio-Organic Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology Het Kranenveld 14 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology Het Kranenveld 14, Eindhoven 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Jan C M van Hest
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry, Laboratory of Bio-Organic Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology Het Kranenveld 14 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven, Het Kranenveld 14 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology Het Kranenveld 14, Eindhoven 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Patricia Y W Dankers
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven, Het Kranenveld 14 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology Het Kranenveld 14, Eindhoven 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Loai K E A Abdelmohsen
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry, Laboratory of Bio-Organic Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology Het Kranenveld 14 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology Het Kranenveld 14, Eindhoven 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
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36
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Liu K, Blokhuis A, van Ewijk C, Kiani A, Wu J, Roos WH, Otto S. Light-driven eco-evolutionary dynamics in a synthetic replicator system. Nat Chem 2024; 16:79-88. [PMID: 37653230 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-023-01301-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Darwinian evolution involves the inheritance and selection of variations in reproducing entities. Selection can be based on, among others, interactions with the environment. Conversely, the replicating entities can also affect their environment generating a reciprocal feedback on evolutionary dynamics. The onset of such eco-evolutionary dynamics marks a stepping stone in the transition from chemistry to biology. Yet the bottom-up creation of a molecular system that exhibits eco-evolutionary dynamics has remained elusive. Here we describe the onset of such dynamics in a minimal system containing two synthetic self-replicators. The replicators are capable of binding and activating a co-factor, enabling them to change the oxidation state of their environment through photoredox catalysis. The replicator distribution adapts to this change and, depending on light intensity, one or the other replicator becomes dominant. This study shows how behaviour analogous to eco-evolutionary dynamics-which until now has been restricted to biology-can be created using an artificial minimal replicator system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Liu
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Alex Blokhuis
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Chris van Ewijk
- Molecular Biophysics, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Armin Kiani
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Juntian Wu
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Wouter H Roos
- Molecular Biophysics, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sijbren Otto
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
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37
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Baluna A, Dommaschk M, Groh B, Kassem S, Leigh DA, Tetlow DJ, Thomas D, Varela López L. Switched "On" Transient Fluorescence Output from a Pulsed-Fuel Molecular Ratchet. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:27113-27119. [PMID: 38047919 PMCID: PMC10722508 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c11290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
We report the synthesis and operation of a molecular energy ratchet that transports a crown ether from solution onto a thread, along the axle, over a fluorophore, and off the other end of the thread back into bulk solution, all in response to a single pulse of a chemical fuel (CCl3CO2H). The fluorophore is a pyrene residue whose fluorescence is normally prevented by photoinduced electron transfer (PET) to a nearby N-methyltriazolium group. However, crown ether binding to the N-methyltriazolium site inhibits the PET, switching on pyrene fluorescence under UV irradiation. Each pulse of fuel results in a single ratchet cycle of transient fluorescence (encompassing threading, transport to the N-methyltriazolium site, and then dethreading), with the onset of the fluorescent time period determined by the amount of fuel in each pulse and the end-point determined by the concentration of the reagents for the disulfide exchange reaction. The system provides a potential alternative signaling approach for artificial molecular machines that read symbols from sequence-encoded molecular tapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei
S. Baluna
- Department of Chemistry, University
of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, U.K.
| | - Marcel Dommaschk
- Department of Chemistry, University
of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, U.K.
| | - Burkhard Groh
- Department of Chemistry, University
of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, U.K.
| | - Salma Kassem
- Department of Chemistry, University
of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, U.K.
| | - David A. Leigh
- Department of Chemistry, University
of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, U.K.
| | - Daniel J. Tetlow
- Department of Chemistry, University
of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, U.K.
| | - Dean Thomas
- Department of Chemistry, University
of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, U.K.
| | - Loli Varela López
- Department of Chemistry, University
of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, U.K.
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38
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Tang J, Cheng Y, Ding M, Wang C. Bio-Inspired Far-From-Equilibrium Hydrogels: Design Principles and Applications. Chempluschem 2023; 88:e202300449. [PMID: 37787015 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202300449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Inspired from dynamic living systems that operate under out-of-equilibrium conditions in biology, developing supramolecular hydrogels with self-regulating and autonomously dynamic properties to further advance adaptive hydrogels with life-like behavior is important. This review presents recent progress of bio-inspired supramolecular hydrogels out-of-equilibrium. The principle of out-of-equilibrium self-assembly for creating bio-inspired hydrogels is discussed. Various design strategies have been identified, such as chemical-driven reaction cycles with feedback control and physically oscillatory systems. These strategies can be coupled with hydrogels to achieve temporal and spatial control over structural and mechanical properties as well as programmable lifetime. These studies open up huge opportunities for potential applications, such as fluidic guidance, information storage, drug delivery, actuators and more. Finally, we address the challenges ahead of us in the coming years, and future possibilities and prospects are identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiadong Tang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Optics, Chongqing Institute of East China Normal University, Chongqing, 401120, China
| | - Yibo Cheng
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Muhua Ding
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Chen Wang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Optics, Chongqing Institute of East China Normal University, Chongqing, 401120, China
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39
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Chen J, Wang H, Long F, Bai S, Wang Y. Dynamic supramolecular hydrogels mediated by chemical reactions. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:14236-14248. [PMID: 37964743 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc04353c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Supramolecular self-assembly in a biological system is usually dominated by sophisticated metabolic processes (chemical reactions) such as catalysis of enzymes and consumption of high energy chemicals, leading to groups of biomolecules with unique dynamics and functions in an aqueous environment. In recent years, increasing efforts have been made to couple chemical reactions to molecular self-assembly, with the aim of creating supramolecular materials with lifelike properties and functions. In this feature article, after summarising the work of chemical reaction mediated supramolecular hydrogels, we first focus on a typical example where dynamic self-assembly of molecular hydrogels is activated by in situ formation of a hydrazone bond in water. We discuss how the formation of the hydrazone-based supramolecular hydrogels can be controlled in time and space. After that, we describe transient assembly of supramolecular hydrogels powered by out-of-equilibrium chemical reaction networks regulated by chemical fuels, which show unique properties such as finite lifetime, dynamic structures, and regenerative capabilities. Finally, we provide a perspective on the future investigations that need to be done urgently, which range from fundamental research to real-life applications of dynamic supramolecular hydrogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China.
| | - Hucheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China.
| | - Feng Long
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China.
| | - Shengyu Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China.
| | - Yiming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China.
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40
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Sharma C, Sarkar A, Walther A. Transient co-assemblies of micron-scale colloids regulated by ATP-fueled reaction networks. Chem Sci 2023; 14:12299-12307. [PMID: 37969603 PMCID: PMC10631234 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc04017h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-assembly of colloidal particles offers an attractive bottom-up approach to functional materials. Current design strategies for colloidal assemblies are mostly based on thermodynamically controlled principles and lack autonomous behavior. The next advance in the properties of colloidal assemblies will come from coupling these structures to out-of-equilibrium chemical reaction networks furnishing them with autonomous and dynamic behavior. This, however, constitutes a major challenge of carefully modulating the interparticle potentials on a temporal circuit program and avoiding kinetic trapping and irreversible aggregation. Herein, we report the coupling of a fuel-driven DNA-based enzymatic reaction network (ERN) to micron-sized colloidal particles to achieve their transient co-assembly. The ERN operating on the molecular level transiently releases an Output strand which links two DNA functionalized microgel particles together into co-assemblies with a programmable assembly lifetime. The system generates minimal waste and recovers all components of the ERN after the consumption of the ATP fuel. The system can be reactivated by addition of new fuel as shown for up to three cycles. The design can be applied to organize other building blocks into hierarchical structures and materials with advanced biomimetic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charu Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, Life-Like Materials and Systems, University of Mainz Duesbergweg 10-14 55128 Mainz Germany
| | - Aritra Sarkar
- Department of Chemistry, Life-Like Materials and Systems, University of Mainz Duesbergweg 10-14 55128 Mainz Germany
| | - Andreas Walther
- Department of Chemistry, Life-Like Materials and Systems, University of Mainz Duesbergweg 10-14 55128 Mainz Germany
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41
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Bal S, Ghosh C, Parvin P, Das D. Temporal Self-Regulation of Mechanical Properties via Catalytic Amyloid Polymers of a Short Peptide. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:9988-9994. [PMID: 37831889 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c03135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
We report a short peptide that accessed dynamic catalytic polymers to demonstrate four-stage (sol-gel-weak gel-strong gel) temporal self-regulation of its mechanical properties. The peptide exploited its intrinsic catalytic capabilities of manipulating C-C bonds (retro-aldolase-like) that resulted in a nonlinear variation in the catalytic rate. The seven-residue sequence exploited two lysines for binding and cleaving the thermodynamically activated substrate that subsequently led to the self-regulation of the mechanical strengths of the polymerized states as a function of time and reaction progress. Interestingly, the polymerization events were modulated by the different catalytic potentials of the two terminal lysines to cleave the substrate, covalently trap the electrophilic products, and subsequently control the mechanical properties of the system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhajit Bal
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Centre for Advanced Functional Materials, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Chandranath Ghosh
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Centre for Advanced Functional Materials, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Payel Parvin
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Centre for Advanced Functional Materials, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Dibyendu Das
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Centre for Advanced Functional Materials, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, India
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42
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Jensen SK, Neumann MS, Frederiksen R, Skavenborg ML, Larsen MC, Wessel SE, Jeppesen JO. Mechanistic studies of isomeric [2]rotaxanes consisting of two different tetrathiafulvalene units reveal that the movement of cyclobis(paraquat- p-phenylene) can be controlled. Chem Sci 2023; 14:12366-12378. [PMID: 37969595 PMCID: PMC10631196 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc04408d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Controlling the movement in artificial molecular machines is a key challenge that needs to be solved before their full potential can be harnessed. In this study, two isomeric tri-stable [2]rotaxanes 1·4PF6 and 2·4PF6 incorporating both a tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and a monopyrrolotetrathiafulvalene (MPTTF) unit in the dumbbell component have been synthesised to measure the energy barriers when the tetracationic cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) (CBPQT4+) ring moves across either a TTF2+ or an MPTTF2+ dication. By strategically exchanging one of the thiomethyl barriers on either the TTF unit or the MPTTF unit with the bulkier thioethyl group, the movement of the CBPQT4+ ring in 14+ and 24+ can be controlled to take place in only one direction upon tetra-oxidation. Cyclic voltammetry and 1H NMR spectroscopy were used to investigate the switching mechanism and it was found that upon tetra-oxidation of 14+ and 24+, the CBPQT4+ ring moves first to a position where it is located between the TTF2+ and MPTTF2+ dications producing high-energy co-conformations which slowly interconvert into thermodynamically more stable co-conformations. The kinetics of the movement occurring in the tetra-oxidised [2]rotaxanes 18+ and 28+ were studied at different temperatures allowing the free energy of the transition state, when CBPQT4+ moves across TTF2+ (21.5 kcal mol-1) and MPTTF2+ (20.3 kcal mol-1) at 298 K, to be determined. These results demonstrate for the first time that the combination of a TTF and an MPTTF unit can be used to induce directional movement of the CBPQT4+ ring in molecular machines with a 90% efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie K Jensen
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55 5230 Odense Denmark
| | - Mathias S Neumann
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55 5230 Odense Denmark
| | - Rikke Frederiksen
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55 5230 Odense Denmark
| | - Mathias L Skavenborg
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55 5230 Odense Denmark
| | - Mads C Larsen
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55 5230 Odense Denmark
| | - Stinne E Wessel
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55 5230 Odense Denmark
| | - Jan O Jeppesen
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55 5230 Odense Denmark
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43
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Pattloch S, Dzubiella J. Mean-field models for the chemical fueling of transient soft matter states. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:7804-7814. [PMID: 37795797 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00742a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
The chemical fueling of transient states (CFTS) is a powerful process to control the nonequilibrium structuring and the homeostatic function of adaptive soft matter systems. Here, we introduce a simple mean-field model of CFTS based on the activation of metastable equilibrium states in a tilted 'Landau' bistable energy landscape along a coarse-grained reaction coordinate (or 'order parameter') triggered by a nonmonotonic two-step chemical fueling reaction. Evaluation of the model in the quasi-static (QS) limit-valid for fast system relaxation-allows us to extract useful analytical laws for the critical activation concentration and duration of the transient states in dependence of physical parameters, such as rate constants, fuel concentrations, and the system's distance to its equilibrium transition point. We apply our model in the QS limit explicitly to recent experiments of CFTS of collapsing responsive microgels and find a very good performance with only a few global and physically interpretable fitting parameters, which can be employed for programmable material design. Moreover, our model framework also allows a thermodynamic analysis of the energy and performed work in the system. Finally, we go beyond the QS limit, where the system's response is slow and retarded versus the chemical reaction, using an overdamped Smoluchowski approach. The latter demonstrates how internal system time scales can be used to tune the time-dependent behavior and programmed delay of the transient states in full nonequilibrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Pattloch
- Applied Theoretical Physics-Computational Physics, Physikalisches Institut, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence livMatS@FIT-Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, D-79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Joachim Dzubiella
- Applied Theoretical Physics-Computational Physics, Physikalisches Institut, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence livMatS@FIT-Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, D-79110 Freiburg, Germany
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44
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Zhang X, Dai X, Gao L, Xu D, Wan H, Wang Y, Yan LT. The entropy-controlled strategy in self-assembling systems. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:6806-6837. [PMID: 37743794 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs00347g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembly of various building blocks has been considered as a powerful approach to generate novel materials with tailorable structures and optimal properties. Understanding physicochemical interactions and mechanisms related to structural formation and transitions is of essential importance for this approach. Although it is well-known that diverse forces and energies can significantly contribute to the structures and properties of self-assembling systems, the potential entropic contribution remains less well understood. The past few years have witnessed rapid progress in addressing the entropic effects on the structures, responses, and functions in the self-assembling systems, and many breakthroughs have been achieved. This review provides a framework regarding the entropy-controlled strategy of self-assembly, through which the structures and properties can be tailored by effectively tuning the entropic contribution and its interplay with the enthalpic counterpart. First, we focus on the fundamentals of entropy in thermodynamics and the entropy types that can be explored for self-assembly. Second, we discuss the rules of entropy in regulating the structural organization in self-assembly and delineate the entropic force and superentropic effect. Third, we introduce the basic principles, significance and approaches of the entropy-controlled strategy in self-assembly. Finally, we present the applications where this strategy has been employed in fields like colloids, macromolecular systems and nonequilibrium assembly. This review concludes with a discussion on future directions and future research opportunities for developing and applying the entropy-controlled strategy in complex self-assembling systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Xiaobin Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Lijuan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Duo Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Haixiao Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Yuming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Li-Tang Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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45
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Mezzasalma SA, Kruse J, Merkens S, Lopez E, Seifert A, Morandotti R, Grzelczak M. Light-Driven Self-Oscillation of Thermoplasmonic Nanocolloids. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2302987. [PMID: 37343949 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202302987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Self-oscillation-the periodic change of a system under a non-periodic stimulus-is vital for creating low-maintenance autonomous devices in soft robotics technologies. Soft composites of macroscopic dimensions are often doped with plasmonic nanoparticles to enhance energy dissipation and generate periodic response. However, while it is still unknown whether a dispersion of photonic nanocrystals may respond to light as a soft actuator, a dynamic analysis of nanocolloids self-oscillating in a liquid is also lacking. This study presents a new self-oscillator model for illuminated colloidal systems. It predicts that the surface temperature of thermoplasmonic nanoparticles and the number density of their clusters jointly oscillate at frequencies ranging from infrasonic to acoustic values. New experiments with spontaneously clustering gold nanorods, where the photothermal effect alters the interplay of light (stimulus) with the disperse system on a macroscopic scale, strongly support the theory. These findings enlarge the current view on self-oscillation phenomena and anticipate the colloidal state of matter to be a suitable host for accommodating light-propelled machineries. In broad terms, a complex system behavior is observed, which goes from periodic solutions (Hopf-Poincaré-Andronov bifurcation) to a new dynamic attractor driven by nanoparticle interactions, linking thermoplasmonics to nonlinearity and chaos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano A Mezzasalma
- Laboratory of Optics and Optical Thin Films, Materials Physics Division, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijeniška cesta 54, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia
- LINXS - Institute for advanced Neutron and X-ray Science, Lund University, Ideon Building, Delta 5 Scheelevägen 19, 223 70, Lund, Sweden
| | - Joscha Kruse
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CSIC-UPV/EHU) and Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), Manuel Lardizabal Ibilbidea 5, Donostia-San Sebastián, 20018, Spain
| | - Stefan Merkens
- CIC nanoGUNE BRTA, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, Donostia-Sebastián, 20018, Spain
| | - Eneko Lopez
- CIC nanoGUNE BRTA, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, Donostia-Sebastián, 20018, Spain
| | - Andreas Seifert
- CIC nanoGUNE BRTA, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, Donostia-Sebastián, 20018, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, 48009, Spain
| | - Roberto Morandotti
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications, Varennes, Québec, J3X 1S2, Canada
| | - Marek Grzelczak
- Centro de Física de Materiales (CSIC-UPV/EHU) and Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), Manuel Lardizabal Ibilbidea 5, Donostia-San Sebastián, 20018, Spain
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46
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Howlett MG, Fletcher SP. From autocatalysis to survival of the fittest in self-reproducing lipid systems. Nat Rev Chem 2023; 7:673-691. [PMID: 37612460 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-023-00524-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Studying autocatalysis - in which molecules catalyse their own formation - might help to explain the emergence of chemical systems that exhibit traits normally associated with biology. When coupled to other processes, autocatalysis can lead to complex systems-level behaviour in apparently simple mixtures. Lipids are an important class of chemicals that appear simple in isolation, but collectively show complex supramolecular and mesoscale dynamics. Here we discuss autocatalytic lipids as a source of extraordinary behaviour such as primitive chemical evolution, chemotaxis, temporally controllable materials and even as supramolecular catalysts for continuous synthesis. We survey the literature since the first examples of lipid autocatalysis and highlight state-of-the-art synthetic systems that emulate life, displaying behaviour such as metabolism and homeostasis, with special consideration for generating structural complexity and out-of-equilibrium models of life. Autocatalytic lipid systems have enormous potential for building complexity from simple components, and connections between physical effects and molecular reactivity are only just beginning to be discovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G Howlett
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Stephen P Fletcher
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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47
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Zhou H, Ye S, Xu M, Hao L, Chen J, Fang Z, Guo K, Chen Y, Wang L. Dynamic surface adapts to multiple service stages by orchestrating responsive polymers and functional peptides. Biomaterials 2023; 301:122200. [PMID: 37423184 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Control over the implant surface functions is highly desirable to enhance tissue healing outcomes but has remained unexplored to adapt to the different service stages. In the present study, we develop a smart titanium surface by orchestrating thermoresponsive polymer and antimicrobial peptide to enable dynamic adaptation to the implantation stage, normal physiological stage and bacterial infection stage. The optimized surface inhibited bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation during surgical implantation, while promoted osteogenesis in the physiological stage. The further temperature increase driven by bacterial infection induced polymer chain collapse to expose antimicrobial peptides by rupturing bacterial membranes, as well as protect the adhered cells from the hostile environment of infection and abnormal temperature. The engineered surface could inhibit infection and promote tissue healing in rabbit subcutaneous and bone defect infection models. This strategy enables the possibility to create a versatile surface platform to balance bacteria/cell-biomaterial interactions at different service stages of implants that has not been achieved before.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Zhou
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Silin Ye
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Mingjian Xu
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Lihui Hao
- Department of Stomatology, Xingtai Medical College, Xingtai 054000, China
| | - Junjian Chen
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Zhou Fang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Kunzhong Guo
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yunhua Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Lin Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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48
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Li J, Jia X. Photo-Controlled Self-Assembly of Nanoparticles: A Promising Strategy for Development of Novel Structures. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:2562. [PMID: 37764591 PMCID: PMC10535597 DOI: 10.3390/nano13182562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Photo-controlled self-assembly of nanoparticles (NPs) is an advanced and promising approach to address a series of material issues from the molecular level to the nano/micro scale, owing to the fact that light stimulus is typically precise and rapid, and can provide contactless spatial and temporal control. The traditional photo-controlled assembly of NPs is based on photochemical processes through NPs modified by photo-responsive molecules, which are realized through the change in chemical structure under irradiation. Moreover, photoexcitation-induced assembly of NPs is another promising physical strategy, and such a strategy aims to employ molecular conformational change in the excited state (rather than the chemical structure) to drive molecular motion and assembly. The exploration and control of NP assembly through such a photo-controlled strategy can open a new paradigm for scientists to deal with "bottom-up" behaviors and develop unprecedented optoelectronic functional materials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xiaoyong Jia
- Henan Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic Materials, College of Future Technical, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China;
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Hong YK, Nakamoto M, Matsusaki M. Engineering metabolic cycle-inspired hydrogels with enzyme-fueled programmable transient volume changes. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:8136-8141. [PMID: 37565488 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb00638g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
An enzyme-fueled transient volume phase transition (TVPT) of hydrogels under out-of-equilibrium conditions is reported. The approach takes inspiration from the metabolic cycle, comprising nutrient intake and anabolism/catabolism followed by waste excretion. The incorporation of methacrylic acid and acrylated trypsin in a polymeric hydrogel allowed the TVPT of the gel to be fueled by lysozyme. With the intake of lysozyme as fuel, the construction/destruction of electrostatic cross-linkages induced transient shrinkage/swelling of the gel accompanied by the depletion of lysozyme activity. The system's transient response could be flexibly programmed by adjusting not only the fuel concentration but the chemical composition of materials. The lysozyme-fueled TVPT of the gel could be exploited to transient changes in the mechanical properties of the gel. Our work opens a route toward a new class of stimuli-responsive hydrogels for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Kyoung Hong
- School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masahiko Nakamoto
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Michiya Matsusaki
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
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Sharma C, Samanta A, Schmidt RS, Walther A. DNA-Based Signaling Networks for Transient Colloidal Co-Assemblies. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:17819-17830. [PMID: 37543962 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c04807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Programmable chemical circuits inspired by signaling networks in living cells are a promising approach for the development of adaptive and autonomous self-assembling molecular systems and material functions. Progress has been made at the molecular level, but connecting molecular control circuits to self-assembling larger elements such as colloids that enable real-space studies and access to functional materials is sparse and can suffer from kinetic traps, flocculation, or difficult system integration protocols. Herein, we report a toehold-mediated DNA strand displacement reaction network capable of autonomously directing two different microgels into transient and self-regulating co-assemblies. The microgels are functionalized with DNA and become elemental components of the network. The flexibility of the circuit design allows the installation of delay phases or accelerators by chaining additional circuit modules upstream or downstream of the core circuit. The design provides an adaptable and robust route to regulate other building blocks for advanced biomimetic functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charu Sharma
- Life-Like Materials and Systems, Department of Chemistry, University of Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Avik Samanta
- Life-Like Materials and Systems, Department of Chemistry, University of Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Ricarda Sophia Schmidt
- Life-Like Materials and Systems, Department of Chemistry, University of Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Andreas Walther
- Life-Like Materials and Systems, Department of Chemistry, University of Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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