Modification of a SERS-active Ag surface to promote adsorption of charged analytes: effect of Cu²⁺ ions

• Bahdan V. Ranishenka,
• Andrei Yu. Panarin,
• Irina A. Chelnokova,
• Sergei N. Terekhov,
• Peter Mojzes and
• Vadim V. Shmanai

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 902–912, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.67

• complex. Additionally, it was confirmed in experiments with Mg2+ ions, instead of Cu2+ ions, which are much less capable of complexation with nucleobases. Moreover, Mg2+ cations have been shown [35] to have the lowest affinity to DNA molecules among doubly charged ions (Mg2+ < Co2+ < Ni2+ < Mn2+ < Zn2

Comprehensive review on ultrasound-responsive theranostic nanomaterials: mechanisms, structures and medical applications

• Sepand Tehrani Fateh,
• Lida Moradi,
• Elmira Kohan,
• Michael R. Hamblin and
• Amin Shiralizadeh Dezfuli

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 808–862, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.64

Silver nanoparticles nucleated in NaOH-treated halloysite: a potential antimicrobial material

• Yuri B. Matos,
• Rodrigo S. Romanus,
• Mattheus Torquato,
• Edgar H. de Souza,
• Rodrigo L. Villanova,
• Marlene Soares and
• Emilson R. Viana

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 798–807, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.63

• cellular membrane and to disrupt internal cellular components, such as DNA [2][3][4][5][6]. Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), in particular, are known for their antimicrobial properties and are one of the most extensively studied inorganic antimicrobial agents [7][8][9]. Early studies suggested that Ag-NPs

Silver nanoparticles induce the cardiomyogenic differentiation of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells via telomere length extension

• Khosro Adibkia,
• Ali Ehsani,
• Asma Jodaei,
• Ezzatollah Fathi,
• Raheleh Farahzadi and
• Mohammad Barzegar-Jalali

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 786–797, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.62

• real-time PCR. After incubation of the BM-MSCs in the presence of Ag-NPs, genomic DNA was isolated from experimental groups I (cardiomyogenically differentiated BM-MSCs without Ag-NP treatment), II (BM-MSCs treated with Ag-NPs), and III (cardiomyogenically differentiated BM-MSCs treated with Ag-NPs

• -NPs), and group III (cardiomyogenically differentiated BM-MSCs with Ag-NPs). At the end of treatment time (14 days), genomic DNA was extracted and the absolute TL was measured by real-time PCR as previously described by O’Callaghan and Fenech [46]. The primers used are listed in Table 2 [47]. Gene

• reaction tube; (B) standard curve for calculating genome copies using the 36B4 copy number (The x-axis represents the number of the cycle and the y-axis shows the concentration of the standard). (C) Real-time PCR was carried out with 20 ng/μL of DNA from three groups for evaluating the aTL in triplicate

Recent progress in actuation technologies of micro/nanorobots

• Ke Xu and
• Bing Liu

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 756–765, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.59

• ] designed a molecular robot similar to an amoeba, innovatively using specific photoresponsive DNA signaling molecules to control the movement of the robot. Unlike other nanorobots, this robot is entirely composed of biological and chemical components. The main structure is a vesicle composed of phospholipid

• bilayers, which also contains an actuator and a clutch inside. When the robot is irradiated by ultraviolet light, the photoresponsive DNA will split into single strands and attach to the microtubules. The slide of microtubules causes the outer cell membrane to change shape, which transforms the robot from

• has a better development prospect. Patino et al. [43] combined DNA nanoswitches with urease-powered micromotors to achieve the goal of swimming and sensing the pH value of the environment. In this study, the urease-powered micromotor served two functions. It detected changes in the pH value through

Recent progress in magnetic applications for micro- and nanorobots

• Ke Xu,
• Shuang Xu and
• Fanan Wei

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 744–755, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.58

• and could be applied to MNRs. MaBiDZ is mainly composed of three parts, that is, the DZb strand, MaB1, and MaB2. MaB1 is conjugated with DZa, and MaB2 is conjugated with a DNA hook strand complementary to F-sub. An external magnetic field will make MAb1 and MAb2 aggregate, so that the activated BiDz

• magnetic helices have been shown to be used as drug carriers delivering liposomes loaded with drugs or DNA to single cells [80]. This reflects the prominent role of tubular and helical spermbots and microrobotic for research on medical treatment. Different from the magnetic tubular and helical structures

• analyte. The magnetic bead (MaB) architecture is composed of a 15 nm iron oxide (Fe3O4) superparamagnetic core encased in a silica shell. The DNA strands are conjugated to the polymeric brush using a flexible linker. The brush permits passage of the nanoparticles through cell membranes, and prevents

A review of defect engineering, ion implantation, and nanofabrication using the helium ion microscope

• Frances I. Allen

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 633–664, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.52

A review on nanostructured silver as a basic ingredient in medicine: physicochemical parameters and characterization

• Gabriel M. Misirli,
• Kishore Sridharan and
• Shirley M. P. Abrantes

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 440–461, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.36

• not exert their antibacterial effects in a single specific location, but rather at several levels (e.g., in the bacterial wall and by blocking electron transfer, in cell respiration and replication due to the damage to the proteins, RNA, and DNA [8][107]). In addition, there is substantial evidence

• oxidative changes in the internal structure of cellular proteins, RNA, and DNA leading to redox changes, which in extreme conditions can lead to cell death by apoptosis [11][23][108]. Wakshlak et al. presented a new action mechanism of silver, called the "zombie effect". The AgNPs interact with the cellular

• components of the dead bacteria (i.e., RNA, polysaccharides, phospholipids, proteins, and DNA,) and are stabilized and capped by the genetic material of the bacteria (AgNPs–bac). According to the Le Chatelier’s principle, AgNPs are redirected to live bacteria with a higher potential for lethality according

The impact of molecular tumor profiling on the design strategies for targeting myeloid leukemia and EGFR/CD44-positive solid tumors

• Nikola Geskovski,
• Nadica Matevska-Geshkovska,
• Simona Dimchevska Sazdovska,
• Marija Glavas Dodov,
• Kristina Mladenovska and
• Katerina Goracinova

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 375–401, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.31

• toxicity and lack of efficacy (resistance). Nevertheless, the application of cytotoxic chemotherapeutics (e.g., daunorubicin and cytarabine), with or without HSCT, still remains the backbone of treatment for AML [6][7]. All chemotherapy agents interfere somehow with the DNA replication process or with cell

• mitosis. Anthracyclines (such as daunorubicin) interfere with topoisomerase II and inhibit DNA replication and histone activity. Alkylating agents (such as cyclophosphamide) introduce inter- and intrastrand cross-linkages and breaks in the DNA. Antimetabolites (such as 5-fluorouracil) obstruct the

• synthesis of nucleic acids required for DNA replication, while taxanes and vinca alkaloids interfere with the polymerization/depolymerization of the microtubules thus inhibiting mitosis [8]. However, in addition to cancer cells, all of these drugs also affect the normal/healthy tissues with cells that

Doxorubicin-loaded gold nanorods: a multifunctional chemo-photothermal nanoplatform for cancer management

• Uzma Azeem Awan,
• Abida Raza,
• Shaukat Ali,
• Rida Fatima Saeed and
• Nosheen Akhtar

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 295–303, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.24

• doxorubicin (DOX) is extensively used in the management of different tumors [7] and exerts antitumor activity by interaction with DNA replication [8]. DOX-based chemotherapy is one of the main treatments for HCC but its efficacy is limited by pre-existing and acquired drug resistance due to long-term

• , such as DOX [18]. Advanced synergistic therapies, such as the combination of chemotherapy and photothermal therapy, have been applied to enhance the overall therapeutic efficacy [19]. This includes magnetic cores capped with gold nanorods, silica nanorattle gold shells, and DNA-based platforms loaded

• DOX [35]. Similarly, a study showed an improved toxicity of DOX-loaded DNA-wrapped gold nanoparticles in drug-resistant cancer cells [36]. Our results are opposite to this study, it might be due to the higher sensitivity of HepG2 cells to DOX, which could induce more toxicity of free drug compared to

A review on the biological effects of nanomaterials on silkworm (Bombyx mori)

• Sandra Senyo Fometu,
• Guohua Wu,
• Lin Ma and
• Joan Shine Davids

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 190–202, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.15

• in the midgut and imaginal disc tissues following an exposure of the fruit fly larvae to TiO2 NPs. TiO2 NPs did not influence the wing spot assay of the fruit fly; however, a significant increase in DNA damage was recorded when compared to the DNA damage caused by bulk TiO2. Panacek et al. [44

• concentrations of Ag NPs [122]. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are involved in cell signaling and homeostasis [123], are considered a characteristic side-effect of oxygen metabolism. High levels of ROS in living organisms induce oxidative stress, which results in damage to the DNA, proteins, and lipids

• NPs increased production levels of ROS, which resulted in cell apoptosis, necrosis, and DNA damage [132]. This mortality rate was higher when compared to silkworm groups fed with 1 and 10 ppm of Ag NPs. These results are in accordance with studies carried out by Meng et al., who stated that although

Effect of different silica coatings on the toxicity of upconversion nanoparticles on RAW 264.7 macrophage cells

• Cynthia Kembuan,
• Helena Oliveira and
• Christina Graf

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 35–48, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.3

• synthesis phase (S), in which the DNA is replicated; and the second gap phase (G2), in which the cell continues to grow further and to perform processes that are necessary for mitosis [74]. Both silica-coated samples show a significant increase in the G0/G1 phase compared to control cells (not treated with

• until analysis. At the time of analysis, cells were centrifuged at 300g for 5 min, resuspended in PBS, and filtered through a 50 µm nylon mesh to separate aggregates. Cells were then incubated with 50 µL of propidium iodide (1 mg/mL), a DNA intercalating fluorochrome, and 50 µL of RNase (1 mg/mL) for 20

Bio-imaging with the helium-ion microscope: A review

• Matthias Schmidt,
• James M. Byrne and
• Ilari J. Maasilta

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 1–23, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.1

Cardiomyocyte uptake mechanism of a hydroxyapatite nanoparticle mediated gene delivery system

• Hiroaki Komuro,
• Masahiro Yamazoe,
• Kosuke Nozaki,
• Akiko Nagai and
• Tetsuo Sasano

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 1685–1692, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.150

• sufficiently studied in cardiomyocytes. The aim of this study was to determine how hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles contribute to the delivery of plasmid DNA (pDNA) into cardiomyocytes. We fabricated HAp nanoparticles using the water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion method and used these nanoparticles as the delivery

• medical and dental applications, such as dental implants, orthopedics, and drug delivery systems, since it has similar elements found in bone and teeth. In addition, CaP stabilizes the nucleic acid against nuclease degradation, forms ionic interactions with the phosphates of DNA, and its biodegradation is

• pH-sensitive [7][8][9]. Besides, CaP can be internalized in targeting cells though the endocytic pathway. Later on, CaP is dissolved in the endosome under acidic conditions, which contributes to the DNA release into the cytosol before the endosome–lysosome fusion. Although there are a number of

Antimicrobial metal-based nanoparticles: a review on their synthesis, types and antimicrobial action

• Matías Guerrero Correa,
• Fernanda B. Martínez,
• Cristian Patiño Vidal,
• Camilo Streitt,
• Juan Escrig and
• Carol Lopez de Dicastillo

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 1450–1469, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.129

• ][132]. When the size of titanium dioxide is reduced to the nanoscale (TiO2 NPs), its photocatalytic property is greatly improved, generating more reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS damages bacterial cells, DNA chains, and other cellular structures through oxidative stress. Therefore, the use of TiO2

• production and clearance of ROS in cells are balanced by those enzymatic systems. Nevertheless, when these reactive species are in excess, a set of redox reactions can lead to cell death by the alteration of different essential structures (such as cell membrane, DNA, proteins, and electron transport chain

• ]. Silver, gold, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide NPs can be attracted to the cell wall by electrostatic attraction [161], van der Waals forces [162], and hydrophobic interactions [163], inducing changes in the shape, function and permeability of the cells. Proteins and DNA Proteins play a fundamental role

Thermophoretic tweezers for single nanoparticle manipulation

• Jošt Stergar and
• Natan Osterman

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 1126–1133, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.97

• the feedback-loop frequency for three different sizes of colloidal beads with the same Soret coefficient (, ST = 0.6) and a 1000 base pairs long DNA molecule (D = 8 µm2/s, ST = 0.3). As expected, a smaller size (i.e., larger diffusion constant) of the particles/molecules or a smaller value of ST

• video is available as Supporting Information File 2). It can be easily imagined that instead of the nanoparticles also two fluorescently labeled molecules could be manipulated. Braun et al. [30] demonstrated the trapping of two λ-DNA molecules inside a specially designed thermophoretic trap structure

• stiffness as a function of the feedback loop frequency for different particles: beads with a diameter of 1000, 200, and 50 nm (all with the same ST) and a 1000 base pairs long DNA molecule. Example of a tailored nanoparticle trap. Preset feedback rules result in a creation of a 20 × 10 μm2 potential well

Applications of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in drug and therapeutic delivery, and biotechnological advancements

• Maria Suciu,
• Corina M. Ionescu,
• Alexandra Ciorita,
• Septimiu C. Tripon,
• Dragos Nica,
• Hani Al-Salami and
• Lucian Barbu-Tudoran

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 1092–1109, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.94

• reactive oxygen species, ROS, which can potentiate direct damage to DNA and proteins, and induce lipid peroxidation) [24][56]. It was also shown that histidine–proline-rich glycoproteins with high molecular weight, e.g., kininogen and plasma prekallikrein, from blood serum attach strongly to the surface of

• ) and very large (more than 200 nm) SPIONs are to be considered dangerous for the human organism, and that the intermediate range from 30 to 50 nm should be used for nanomedicine [68]. Very small nanoparticles can easily enter a cell nucleus inducing DNA damage [69], and some authors emphasize that

Highly sensitive detection of estradiol by a SERS sensor based on TiO₂ covered with gold nanoparticles

• Andrea Brognara,
• Ili F. Mohamad Ali Nasri,
• Beatrice R. Bricchi,
• Andrea Li Bassi,
• Caroline Gauchotte-Lindsay,
• Matteo Ghidelli and
• Nathalie Lidgi-Guigui

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 1026–1035, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.87

• possess many of the important qualities required for the functionalization of SERS sensors [18][19][20][21]. Aptamers are single-stranded DNA molecules that are specifically selected to bind to a target molecule. They are relatively cheap and their chemistry is easy to tune so that they can attach to a

• aptamers is that their Raman fingerprint is easily recognizable, as DNA is an extensively studied molecule. In this study, we focus on the detection of E2 with an aptamer-functionalized sensor. E2 is the main female hormone responsible for growth, reproduction, breast development, maturation, bone

• . MCH occupies gold sites that are not functionalized with the aptamer (Figure 1). This prevents the deposition of unwanted molecules from the sample, which could blur the signal. It also prevents the amine groups of DNA to form weak bonds with the gold and it helps the aptamer to have a homogeneous

Wet-spinning of magneto-responsive helical chitosan microfibers

• Dorothea Brüggemann,
• Johanna Michel,
• Naiana Suter,
• Matheus Grande de Aguiar and
• Michael Maas

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 991–999, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.83

• actuators; chitosan fibers; helical fibers; magnetic tissue engineering; mechanical properties; wet-spinning; Introduction Helical fibrous structures are ubiquitous in nature and are found at virtually every length scale. A few examples are the structural motifs in proteins and DNA at the molecular level

Key for crossing the BBB with nanoparticles: the rational design

• Sonia M. Lombardo,
• Marc Schneider,
• Akif E. Türeli and
• Nazende Günday Türeli

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 866–883, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.72

• , such as the phage-display technique. This technique is an effective method for isolating novel peptides with specific binding properties. DNA sequences are inserted into bacteriophage genes, resulting in the expression of the encoded proteins on their surface. Biopanning is then used to isolate and

• amplify phages displaying peptides able to interact with the proteins or cell lines of interest [121]. The results of this technique are entirely dependent on the library of DNA sequences used and attention should be given to select tissue-specific peptides [122]. Among others, two interesting peptides

Multilayer capsules made of weak polyelectrolytes: a review on the preparation, functionalization and applications in drug delivery

• Varsha Sharma and
• Anandhakumar Sundaramurthy

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 508–532, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.41

• inorganic particles, NPs, proteins, biological cells, liposomes, DNA, dyes and drugs have served as suitable sacrificial templates [22]. After serving as a support to develop multilayer assembly, the core is dissolved by using suitable solvents. Organic cores such as melamine formaldehyde (MF) and

• drug release time could be extended by increasing the crystal size and thickness of the multilayer films. Alternatively, the protein aggregates or DNA could also be used as templates to encapsulate them in PLL-succinylated PLL layers for model viral assembly or gene transfer [66]. Another way of

• use of UV light in the thiol-ene approach limits its application in drug delivery as it can damage DNA and cross-react with cysteine residues in proteins. The DAC approach may also affect cysteine residues in proteins that might undergo Michael addition to result in malemides [90]. Similarly, the use

Nanoarchitectonics: bottom-up creation of functional materials and systems

• Katsuhiko Ariga

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 450–452, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.36

• that were formed by metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) [27], and the formation of high-tolerance crystalline hydrogels from cyclic dipeptides upon self-assembly [28]. In addition, a review on the use of DNA as the fundamental material building block for molecular and structural engineering [29

Poly(1-vinylimidazole) polyplexes as novel therapeutic gene carriers for lung cancer therapy

• Gayathri Kandasamy,
• Elena N. Danilovtseva,
• Vadim V. Annenkov and
• Uma Maheswari Krishnan

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 354–369, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.26

• efficiency enabled by a pH-responsive endo-lysosomal escape [15]. It was therefore expected that poly(vinylimidazole) side chains will show a higher transfection efficiency. Alkylated poly(1-vinylimidazole) with different chain lengths has been investigated for DNA complexation and transfection in HepG2

• liver cancer cells. Butylated PVI was found to be nontoxic and the most effective when compared to other alkyl derivatives regarding DNA complexation [16]. Carboxymethyl poly(1-vinylimidazole) has also been investigated for DNA complexation and was found to exert no toxicity to cells [17]. Poly(1

• -vinylimidazole) chains modified with aminoethyl groups demonstrated excellent DNA binding ability in synergy with lactosylated poly(ʟ-lysine). This system was found to exhibit excellent gene transfection ability specifically in hepatocytes through interactions with the asialoglycoprotein receptor expressed on

Using gold nanoparticles to detect single-nucleotide polymorphisms: toward liquid biopsy

• María Sanromán Iglesias and
• Marek Grzelczak

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 263–284, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.20

• cancer biomarker. We discuss the main mechanisms of the assays that either are assisted by DNA-based molecular machines or by enzymatic reactions, summarize their performance and provide an outlook towards future developments. Keywords: amplification reactions; biomarkers; colorimetric biosensing; gold

• tissues or serum and encompass a wide variety of molecules, including DNA, mRNA, enzymes, metabolites, transcription factors, and cell surface receptors. The first report on cell-free DNA in body fluids by Mandel and Metais in 1948 [2], opened the possibility to screen the presence of a disease through a

• simple blood test, setting thus a milestone of “liquid biopsy”. Liquid biopsy has the potential to accelerate the early cancer diagnosis by the detection of biomolecules such as cell-fee DNA directly in blood samples. Currently, the development of liquid biopsies is directly linked to the state-of-the

Rational design of block copolymer self-assemblies in photodynamic therapy

• Maxime Demazeau,
• Laure Gibot,
• Anne-Françoise Mingotaud,
• Patricia Vicendo,
• Clément Roux and
• Barbara Lonetti

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 180–212, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.15