A self-assembled photoresponsive gel consisting of chiral nanofibers

Fabrication of a chiral luminescent hydrogel from gold nanoclusters via molecular recognition

A novel supramolecular chiral hydrogel with enhanced emission was obtained by the co-assembly of achiral thiobarbituric acid-modified gold nanoclusters (TBA-AuNCs) with chiral histidine molecules. Chirality transfer from histidine to the supramolecular hydrogels was achieved through the π-π stacking and intermolecular H-bonding based on molecular recognition. This work gives a creative strategy for the building of chiral nanocluster-based materials.

Advances in Functionalized Photosensitive Polymeric Nanocarriers

The synthesis of light-responsive nanocarriers (LRNs) with a variety of surface functional groups and/or ligands has been intensively explored for space-temporal controlled cargo release. LRNs have been designed on demand for photodynamic-, photothermal-, chemo-, and radiotherapy, protected delivery of bioactive molecules, such as smart drug delivery systems and for theranostic duties. LRNs trigger the release of cargo by a light stimulus. The idea of modifying LRNs with different moieties and ligands search for site-specific cargo delivery imparting stealth effects and/or eliciting specific cellular interactions to improve the nanosystems’ safety and efficacy. This work reviews photoresponsive polymeric nanocarriers and photo-stimulation mechanisms, surface chemistry to link ligands and characterization of the resultant nanosystems. It summarizes the interesting biomedical applications of functionalized photo-controlled nanocarriers, highlighting the current challenges and opportunities of such high-performance photo-triggered delivery systems.