Biomaterials Research Articles

Trends in Photopolymerization 3D Printing for Advanced Drug Delivery Applications.

Since its invention in the 1980s, photopolymerization-based 3D printing has attracted significant attention for its capability to fabricate complex microstructures with high precision, by leveraging light patterning to initiate polymerization and cross-linking in liquid resin materials. Such precision makes it particularly suitable for biomedical applications, in particular, advanced and customized drug delivery systems. This review summarizes the latest advancements in photopolymerization 3D printing technology and the development of biocompatible and/or biodegradable materials that have been used or shown potential in the field of drug delivery. The drug loading methods and release characteristics of the 3D printing drug delivery systems are summarized. Importantly, recent trends in the drug delivery applications based on photopolymerization 3D printing, including oral formulations, microneedles, implantable devices, microrobots and recently emerging systems, are analyzed. In the end, the challenges and opportunities in photopolymerization 3D printing for customized drug delivery are discussed.

Applications of a biocompatible alginate/pericardial fluid-based hydrogel for the production of a bioink in tissue engineering.

Enhancing the biocompatibility of biomaterials is a critical aspect of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Advances in 3D bioprinting technology, blending natural and synthetic materials for the production of bioink, offer new opportunities to develop highly biocompatible materials that can closely mimic the native tissue environment. In this study, we used pericardial fluid structure (PFS)-based material together with alginate to mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) and produce a bioink material. Thus, blended alginate with PFS material and MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cell-laden hydrogels characterized by comparing each other, especially alginate hydrogels, and evaluated in terms of biocompatibility for tissue engineering applications. According to the rheological analysis results, all hydrogel groups A, A-PFS (150mg), and A-PFS (1:1) had viscoelastic properties. Mechanical tests showed that the A-PFS (1:1) hydrogel had the most strength properties. Additionally, the viscosity values of the hydrogel solutions were in an applicable range for use in 3D bioprinters. It was also found out that PFS increased the biocompatibility of alginate-based bioink, in terms of cell proliferation and differentiation. Overall, these findings suggest that alginate and pericardial fluid-based materials can be successfully used for bioink production. The resulting hydrogels exhibit viscoelastic properties, appropriate viscosity for 3D bioprinting, and support cell viability, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation. This research has the potential not only to produce bioink but also to produce injectable hydrogels and drug delivery systems, which can become biocompatible materials that can be used for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.

Robust and Versatile Biodegradable Unclonable Anti-Counterfeiting Labels with Multi-Mode Optical Encoding Using Protein-Mediated Luminescent Calcite Signatures.

Physical unclonable functions (PUFs) are emerging as a cutting-edge technology for enhancing information security by providing robust security authentication and non-reproducible cryptographic keys. Incorporating renewable and biocompatible materials into PUFs ensures safety for handling, compatibility with biological systems, and reduced environmental impact. However, existing PUF platforms struggle to balance high encoding capacity, diversified encryption signatures, and versatile functionalities with sustainability and biocompatibility. Here, all-biomaterial-based unclonable anti-counterfeiting labels featuring multi-mode encoding, multi-level cryptographic keys, and multiple authentication operations are developed by imprinting biomimetic-grown calcites on versatile silk protein films. In this label, the inherent non-clonability comes from the randomized characteristics of calcites, mediated by silk protein during crystal growth. The successful embedding of photoluminescent molecules into calcite lattices, assisted by silk protein, allows the resulting platform to utilize fluorescence patterns alongside birefringence for high-capacity encoding. This design facilitates easy and rapid authentication through Hamming distance and convolutional neural networks using standard cameras and portable microscopes. Moreover, angle-dependent polarization patterns enable multi-level key generation, while multi-spectral fluorescence signals offer multi-channel keys. The developed anti-counterfeiting labels combine biodegradability, green manufacture, easy authentication, high-level complexity, low cost, robustness, patternability, and versatility, offering a practical and high-security solution to combat counterfeiting across various applications.

Microneedle-Array-Mediated Transdermal Delivery of GCV-Functionalized Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 Nanoparticles for KSHV Treatment

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a variety of the human gamma-herpesvirus that often leads to the occurrence of malignant tumors. In addition, the occurrence of Kaposi’s sarcoma is a major cause of death among AIDS patients. Ganciclovir (GCV) is the most widely used drug against KSHV infection in the clinic. GCV can restrict the in vivo synthesis of DNA polymerase in KSHV, thereby inhibiting the replication of the herpesvirus. However, GCV still suffers from poor specificity and transmembrane capabilities, leading to many toxic side effects. Therefore, developing a drug delivery system that increases GCV concentrations in target cells remains a significant clinical challenge. In this study, zeolite imidazole salt framework-8 (ZIF-8), a biocompatible porous material constructed by coordinating zinc ions and 2-methylimidazole, was used to load GCV. A nano-delivery system with a microneedle structure was also constructed using a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microneedle mold to fabricate MN/GCV@ZIF-8 arrays. These arrays not only offered good skin-piercing capabilities but also significantly inhibited the cleavage and replication of the virus in vivo, exerting an anti-KSHV function. For these reasons, the arrays were able penetrate the skin’s stratum corneum at the tumor site to deliver GCV and play an anti-KSHV role.

Synthesis and characterization of new continuous phosphate glass fibers intended for structural engineering applications: Structure/property relationships

Nowadays, phosphate glass fibers (PGF) are considered quite competitive respective to conventional glass fibers. This work focus on the development of PGF fibers intended for structural engineering applications such as composite reinforcement for building and automotive fields. For this purpose, two series of phosphate glasses based on 52P2O5-24CaO-13MgO-(11-(X+Y+Z)) K2O-XAL2O3-YF2O3-ZTiO2; (X=1; 3; 5, Y=0; 5, Z=0; 1 mol %) were processed and transformed into phosphate glass fibers by melt spinning. The resulting fibers were characterized. XRD analysis confirmed the non-crystalline nature of phosphate glasses. In addition, the substitution of K2O by Al2O3 and by the combination of Al2O3, Fe2O3 and TiO2 in the composition of phosphate glass could lead to a significant increase in fiber density from 2,16 g/cm3 to 2,80 g/cm3. The stability of the produced phosphate glass fibers was examined using two methods: weight loss at 37°C and dissolution kinetics under different pH levels (4, 7, and 12). The results showed that the chemical resistance of the PGF fibers was improved with up to 99% increase respective to the original formulation. In addition, the mechanical properties of the spinnable phosphate glass manufactured by replacing K2O oxide by Al2O3 oxide were improved, such a substitution led to a maximum tensile strength and modulus of 2668 MPa and 140 GPa, respectively. Therefore, the tensile proprieties were improved by 75% compared to the original formulation. This comparative study between phosphate glass fibers (PGF) and traditional fibers highlight similar tensile strength but combined to notable enhancements in chemical stability through cation addition, expanding their potential use in composite and biomedical materials. Finally, a correlation analysis of mechanical performances was carried out. It was observed that the results obtained using the statistical methods were consistent with the experimental data.

Synthesis and characterization of new quaternized galactomannan derivatives with antibacterial activity.

The continuous increase in bacterial resistance requires the study and development of new biocompatible antibacterial materials. Galactomannan gum was extracted from endosperms of Dimorphandra gardneriana seeds, modified through quaternization reactions (with NaOH/CHPTAC), and evaluated for antimicrobial activity. Four quaternized derivatives were obtained (QG1-QG4). The derivatives were characterized by FTIR, NMR, and rheology, which confirmed the cationization. The galactomannan structure was theoretically studied, and Zeta potential exhibited positive increase in the charge of quaternized derivatives, changing from -3.2mV (unmodified galactomannan) to +59.35mV (QG4). Elemental analysis revealed an increase in degree of substitution (DS) between the derivatives, of which QG4 exhibited the highest DS (0.51). QG4 exhibited a bactericidal effect in the antimicrobial test for determination of minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations, against Gram-positive bacteria. Atomic force microscopy showed an increase in bacterial cell surface roughness and decrease in cell height after treatment with QG4. QG3 and QG4 demonstrated antibiofilm potential, showing 50% and 40% of inhibition, respectively. After MTT assay, cell viability was maintained approximately 100% for all derivatives at concentrations of 20mg/mL on RAW 264.7 macrophages and 86% with 250μg/mL on L929 cells. Galactomannan was successfully modified, demonstrating strong antibacterial activity, concomitant to the increase in DS, Zeta potential and reduction of molar mass, with good biocompatibility. Therefore, this study presents a new material with potential for development of formulations for biomedical applications, from industrial waste, strengthening of the D. gardneriana production chain.

Na+-doped WO3 double-layer resistive switching device for biomimetic applications

We report on polycrystalline double-layer NaWO3 thin films in a two-terminal device configuration showing resistive switching (RS) based on the neuronal ion Na+ for biomimetic applications. A top NayWO3 layer functions as a Na+ reservoir, enabling fast Na+ ion intercalation into a bottom NaxWO3 layer with x < y, giving good resistance control for analog processing. Operando Raman measurements show Na+ activation under 0.5 V and the electrical characterization proves that the switching is linked to the motion of Na+. The switching mechanism is investigated thoroughly by studying different film layer combinations. The observed RS performance can be explained by the change of electron emission/hopping site energy levels upon Na+ intercalation. The presented devices based on biocompatible materials constitute a promising route towards an analog processing building block for emulating neuronal ion channels for emerging biomimetic and potentially biomedical applications, as well as for flexible electronics.

Optimization of chitosan-gelatin-based 3D-printed scaffolds for tissue engineering and drug delivery applications

The combination of biocompatible materials and advanced three-dimensional (3D) additive manufacturing technologies holds great potential in the development of finely tuned complex scaffolds with reproducible macro- and micro-structural characteristics for biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering and drug delivery. In this study, biocompatible printable inks based on chitosan, collagen and gelatin were developed and 3D-printed with a pneumatic-based extrusion printer. The printability of various chitosan–gelatin (CS-Gel) hydrogel inks was assessed by evaluating the quality of the printed constructs. The inks required an extrusion pressure of 150 ± 40 MPa with G22 and G25 nozzles for optimal printing. Inks with low chitosan concentrations (<4% w/v) exhibited poor printability, while inks with 4 % w/v chitosan and 1 % w/v gelatin (CG) demonstrated satisfactory extrusion and printing quality. The addition of collagen (0.1 % w/v) to the optimized ink (CGC) did not compromise printability. Post-printing stabilization using KOH produced self-supporting scaffolds with consistent morphological integrity, while weaker bases like NaOH/EtOH and ammonia vapors resulted in lower pore sizes and reduced structural stability. Water evaporation studies showed that neutralized samples had slower evaporation rates due to the strong intermolecular interactions formed during the neutralization process, contributing to a stable crosslinked network. FTIR spectra confirmed the formation of polyelectrolyte complexes in the CS-Gel and CS-Gel-Collagen blends, further enhancing structural stability. Swelling tests indicated that neutralized constructs maintained stability in different pH environments, with KOH-treated samples exhibiting the lowest swelling ratios and the highest structural stability. After optimizing the ink composition, 10 wt% Levofloxacin was loaded in the constructs as a model antibiotic and it’s in vitro release rate was quantified. Drug loading was approximately 4 % for both ink compositions GC and CGC. CG Levo released over 80 % of levofloxacin within the first hour, reaching full release in 24 h, indicating inadequate control, while CGK Levo exhibited slower initial release (55 % in 15 min) followed by stabilized release after 4 h, likely due to controlled diffusion from expanded constructs. These findings demonstrate that the developed hydrogel inks and optimized printing parameters can produce scaffolds suitable for tissue engineering applications. Finally, the cell compatibility of the 3D-printed constructs was confirmed with MTT assay on fibroblasts and the antimicrobial activity of the drug-loaded constructs was tested against E. coli and S. aureus, showing an increase of the bacteria free zone from 8 ± 0.4 mm of the control against E. coli up to 16.4 ± 0.37 mm in the presence of the KOH-treated CG Levo printed construct.

Melt-Blown Polypropylene Membrane Modification for Enhanced Hydrophilicity.

Melt-blown, an environmentally friendly technique, is widely used to create high-quality non-woven fabrics by extruding molten polymer resins into interlaced fibers. In the realm of biomedical textiles, its unique microstructure makes it ideal for filtration and wound dressings. Our study focuses on modifying the surfaces of polypropylene melt-blown membranes. An effective, one-step, suitable, and reliable method to graft a bioactive polymer, sodium polystyrene sulfonate-PolyNaSS, onto the membranes has been developed. The process involves UV irradiation to initiate direct and progressive growth of NaSS over the surface through radical polymerization. To assess the efficiency of the grafting, techniques like colorimetry, water contact angle measurements, Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used. Outcomes related to the grafting were demonstrated by a change in wettability and quantitatively calculated sulfonate groups. Subsequently, grafted PolyNaSS promoted cell adhesion, as evidenced by improved cell morphology. On grafted membranes, fibroblasts exhibited a stretched shape, while non-grafted ones showed inactive round shapes. These findings underscore the chemical and biological reactivity of polypropylene materials, opening exciting possibilities for various applications of melt-blown materials.

Ethylenediamine-modified alginate - A hemocompatible platform for polymer-drug conjugates

The study is dedicated to the synthesis, rheological properties, hemocompatibility, and further modification of water-soluble derivatives of sodium alginate containing fragments of ethylenediamine (Alg-EDA). Alg-EDA with an equal ratio of amide/amine groups and varying degrees of substitution were synthesized by the carbodiimide method. The influence of the molecular weight of Alg-EDA on the attachment of bioactive molecules such as hydroxybenzoic and ferulic acids was determined. Modification of alginate with ethylenediamine fragments leads to a reduction in dynamic viscosity and sensitivity to Ca2+ ions (internal gelation method). Alg-EDA derivatives, with differ in molecular weight and degree of substitution with phenolic acids, are characterized by high hemocompatibility (in vitro tests: erythrocyte hemolysis, blood recalcification time, activated partial thromboplastin time). Antioxidant properties of the synthesized alginate derivatives were characterized using models of varying complexity (including cellular models). It was found that Alg-EDA, at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL, had a statistically significant membrane-protective activity under conditions of acute oxidative stress induced by both H2O2 and AAPH. Derivatives with lower molecular weight were more effective than high molecular weight ones. Modification of polysaccharides by the fragments of phenolic acids into the structure contributed to the enhancement of antioxidant properties. The hemocompatible macromolecular antioxidants synthesized in this study are promising for further in-depth investigation for the creation of biomedical materials.

Bioactive Compounds from Banana Leaf Extracts: Influence of Extraction Methodologies and Their Integration into Knitted Hemp Fabrics

This study explores the bioactive potential of banana leaf extracts and their innovative integration into knitted hemp fabrics. To obtain the extracts, distinct extraction methodologies were employed, namely conventional extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and pressurized-liquid extraction. Aqueous and hydroethanolic solvents, namely 20% (v/v) and 50% (v/v), were employed during the extraction process. Furthermore, the cationization and functionalization of knitted hemp fabrics with the banana leaf extracts was achieved through padding. The extracts’ phenolic content and antioxidant activity were evaluated using the Folin–Ciocalteu (FC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays, respectively. The results indicated that both ultrasound-assisted extraction and pressurized-assisted extraction substantially enhanced the yield of phenolic compounds in comparison to conventional extraction, while employing 50% EtOH as a solvent also improved extraction yields for all extraction methodologies. The functionalized knits were further characterized concerning their antioxidant activity by DPPH, assessing their antimicrobial properties through ATCC TM-100 standard against three microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Candida Krusei, and Candida albicans), and UV protection according to the standard AS/NZS 4399:2017. Antioxidant activity was highest in knits functionalized with extracts obtained via ultrasound-assisted extraction, while antimicrobial properties were most pronounced in knits treated with hydroalcoholic extracts, particularly those derived from assisted methods. The UV protection was enhanced in extracts with higher ethanol concentrations obtained through ultrasound-assisted extraction, with these knits exhibiting the highest Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF). This research not only highlights the efficacy of the alternative extraction technologies but also offers valuable insights for the development of innovative, biocompatible materials with enhanced bioactive properties for diverse applications in the textile and healthcare sectors, paving the way for sustainable applications.

Antibacterial Properties of PCL@45s5 Composite Biomaterial Scaffolds Based on Additive Manufacturing

This study focuses on the development of polymer–bioglass composite bone scaffolds for the treatment of bone defects. PCL particles and 45s5 bioglass powder were employed as raw materials to fabricate PCL/45s5 composite wires with mass fractions of 5 wt%, 10 wt%, and 20 wt% via the twin-screw extrusion method. A cylindrical porous model was established using 3D modeling software, and a porous composite scaffold was constructed through the melt deposition manufacturing process. The macroscopical characterization of composite stock and composite powder was analyzed. The melt flow rate, water contact angle, elastic modulus, in vitro degradation rate, and antibacterial property of composite scaffold were measured. The experimental results showed that the incorporation of 45s5 bioglass into PCL material gave the composite better antibacterial properties, effectively reduced the flow rate of the material, increased the hydrophobicity of the material, and improved the rigidity and biocompatibility of the PCL material. This study offers initial insights into the use of synthetic bone tissue engineering scaffolds for clinical bone repair treatments.

Effect of microstructure evolution on the corrosion behavior of extrusion-shearing Mg-3Zn-XCa-0.6Zr alloys

In order to promote the application of new biomedical materials Mg-Zn-Ca-Zr alloy, the Mg-3Zn-xCa-0.6Zr (x = 0.6, 1.2, 1.8 wt%) alloys were fabricated by an extrusion shearing (ES) process. The effect of secondary phase precipitation, grain size and texture on the corrosion resistance of Mg-3Zn-xCa-0.6Zr (wt%) in Hank's solution were studied using electrochemical, immersion and electron back-scattering diffraction (EBSD) tests, and the corrosion mechanism of ES alloys was discussed. With increasing the addition of Ca element, the grain size of alloys first decreased and then increased, and the constitution of second phase was transformed from MgZn and Ca2Mg6Zn3 phases to Mg2Ca and Ca2Mg6Zn3 phases, the texture changed from a bimodal texture intensity with stronger basal texture to a DRX texture intensity with a weaker texture. Mg-3Zn-0.6Ca-0.6Zr alloy showed the lowest corrosion rate of ∼0.3140 ± 0.0642 mm/y. The excellent corrosion resistance of Mg-3Zn-0.6Ca-0.6Zr alloy could be attributed to the High-potential dispersion distribution of MgZn and Ca2Mg6Zn3 phases and the strong basal texture. As well as more dense corrosion product films formed after alloying, effectively hindering local corrosion. In contrast, corrosion product films formed by the fine grain structure of Mg-3Zn-1.2Ca-0.6Zr alloy were not sufficient to resist the galvanic coupling corrosion between the Mg2Ca phase and the Ca2Mg6Zn3 phase, which caused the decreasing of its corrosion resistance.

Recent Advances in Potential Biomedical Applications of MXene‐Based Hydrogels

ABSTRACTMXene‐based hydrogels represent a significant advancement in biomedical material science, leveraging the unique properties of 2D MXenes and the versatile functionality of hydrogels. This review discusses recent developments in the integration of MXenes into hydrogel matrices, focusing on their biomedical applications such as wound healing, drug delivery, antimicrobial activity, tissue engineering, and biosensing. MXenes, due to their remarkable electrical conductivity, mechanical robustness, and tunable surface chemistry, enhance the mechanical properties, conductivity, and responsiveness of hydrogels to environmental stimuli. Specifically, MXene‐based hydrogels have shown great promise in accelerating wound healing through photothermal effects, delivering drugs in a controlled manner, and serving as antibacterial agents. Their integration into hydrogels also enables applications in targeted cancer therapies, including photothermal and chemodynamic therapies, facilitated by their high conductivity and tunable properties. Despite the promising progress, challenges such as ensuring biocompatibility and optimizing the synthesis for large‐scale production remain. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of MXene‐based hydrogels in biomedical applications, highlighting the ongoing advancements and potential future directions for these multifunctional materials.

Sustainable innovations in biomedical materials: A review of eco-friendly synthesis approaches

In recent years, the biomedical field has witnessed significant advancements at the intersection of technology and biology. Metallic, polymeric, and carbonaceous materials have emerged as crucial components in developing and enhancing cutting-edge technologies. The properties of these materials, such as particle size, stability, and surface chemistry, are determined by their synthesis methods, which, in turn, enable specific applications. These materials are primarily synthesized through top-down and bottom-up techniques, each characterized by distinct preparation conditions, precursor materials, and catalytic processes. However, conventional synthesis methods often require substantial energy consumption, hazardous solvents, and non-renewable precursors, leading to environmental concerns and long-term costs. This review aims to provide an overview of the primary approaches and recent efforts to optimize the production and preparation processes of nanomaterials for biomedical applications. It addresses the advantages and limitations of green synthesis methods compared to traditional chemical and physical methods, offering an objective overview of green synthesis. In addition, it provides insights into the pre-clinical and clinical statuses of various nanomaterials. These efforts aim to mitigate the environmental impact of biomedical material synthesis by adopting eco-friendly strategies, such as minimizing energy consumption, utilizing environmentally friendly precursors, and embracing environmentally benign catalytic methodologies, while still leveraging traditional techniques.

Biocompatible dually reinforced gellan gum hydrogels with selective antibacterial activity

The poor mechanics and functionality of natural-polymer hydrogels from gellan gum (GG) prohibit their practical application, despite the intrinsic thermo-reversible gelation nature, structural and quality consistency, biocompatibility, biodegradability and sustainability of microbial fermentation-produced GG. Herein, a dual-reinforcing strategy, i.e., ionic-crosslinking along with rigid nano-particulate reinforcing, was realized to modify pristine GG hydrogels for the first time during the in-situ formation of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, rheology and X-ray diffraction confirm the synchronous formation of ZIF-8 and ionic bonds between Zn2+ and –COO− of GG molecules. The mechanics of the final hydrogels are far superior to GG hydrogel, with the maximum compressive and tensile strength attaining 1.17 MPa and 592.2 kPa, ~4 times and ~ 66 times respectively of the corresponding GG hydrogel. Especially, the obtained hydrogels display selective antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus as a modeling Gram positive strain. Whereas, the hydrogels retain good biocompatibility despite the introduction of ZIF-8 and Zn2+ crosslinks, with the cell viability (NIH3T3 cells as the model) >79 % after 48 h' cultivation in either the hydrogels or gel extracts. The excellent properties suggest them tremendous application prospects as biomedical materials, instrumental in averting drug-resistant problems.

Efficient fabrication of chitin-based films with high UV-blocking and fluorescence via Hantzsch reaction

As the second most abundant polysaccharide on earth, chitin-based films are promising packaging and biomedical materials. However, the lack of special function (especially UV-blocking properties and fluorescence) usually restricts their further and high-value applications. Herein, high UV-blocking and fluorescence chitin-based films were fabricated via surface modification using acetoacetation and the Hantzsch reaction. The structure and properties of the films were characterized by NMR, FTIR, fluorescence spectrum, and tensile tests. The results showed that the benzene ring and 1,4-dihydropyridine ring (DHP) were successfully grafted on the films in the mild process. Besides, the degree of substitution of DHP (DSDHP) increased with the reaction time, temperature, and substrate concentration. Moreover, the modification followed a first-order reaction at 20 °C with a rate constant of 2.1 × 10−4. When the DSDHP was over 0.029, the films exhibited 100 % UV shielding. The fluorescence spectrum demonstrated that the films had excellent solvent and temperature resistance. In addition, the films exhibited excellent mechanical strength with tensile strength up to 85.2 MPa. This work provides a facile and environmentally friendly strategy to fabricate a functional chitin-based film with potential applications in UV protection, medical packaging, and fluorescent materials.

Development of triple-helical recombinant collagen-silver hybrid nanofibers for anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) applications

The escalating threat of healthcare-associated infections highlights the urgent need for biocompatible antibacterial materials that effectively combat drug-resistant pathogens. In this study, we present a novel fabrication method for triple-helical recombinant collagen (THRC)-silver hybrid nanofibers, specifically designed for anti-methicillin-resistantstaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) applications. Utilizing a silver-mediated crosslinking strategy, we harness a low-power 38 W lamp to enable silver ions (Ag+) to mediate crosslinking across various proteins. Mechanistic insights reveal the pivotal role of nine amino acids in facilitating this reaction. The THRC maintains its native structure, forming well-ordered nanofibers, while other globular proteins form a distinctive network-like structure. THRC also serves as a reducing and dispersing agent, facilitating thein situsynthesis of highly dispersed silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) (∼7 nm in diameter) within the nanofibers. Systematic investigation of the reaction conditions between THRC and Ag+demonstrates the versatility of this novel approach for nanofiber fabrication. The incorporation of AgNPs imparts exceptional antibacterial activity to the THRC/AgNPs nanofibers, exhibiting a minimum inhibitory concentration of 19.2 mg l-1and a minimum bactericidal concentration of 153.6 mg l-1against MRSA. This innovative approach holds significant potential for developing antibacterial protein-based biomaterials for infection management in wound healing and other biomedical applications.

Synthesis and application of poly(amidoamine) functional biomedical materials in the field of biomedicine over the past decade

Synthesis and application of poly(amidoamine) functional biomedical materials in the field of biomedicine over the past decade

Hybrid poly(lactide-co-glycolide) membranes incorporated with Doxycycline-loaded copper-based metal–organic nanosheets as antibacterial platforms

The rise of antimicrobial resistance necessitates innovative strategies to combat persistent infections. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted significant attention as antibiotic carriers due to their high drug loading capacity and structural adaptability. In particular, 2D MOF nanosheets are emerging as a notable alternative to their traditional 3D relatives due to their remarkable advantages in enhanced surface area, flexibility and exposed active region properties. Herein, we synthesized 2D copper 1,4-benzendicarboxylate (CuBDC) nanosheets and utilized them as a carrier and controlled release system for Doxycycline (Doxy@CuBDC), for the first time. The Doxy@CuBDC nanosheets were subsequently incorporated into Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) electrospun membranes (Doxy@CuBDC/PLGA). The resultant bioactive fibrous membranes exhibited double-barrier controlled release properties, extending the Doxy release up to ∼9 d at pH 7.4 and 5.5. Significant inhibitory effects againstStaphylococcus aureusandEscherichia coliwere observed. The morphological analyses revealed the deformed bacterial cell structures on Doxy@CuBDC/PLGA membranes that indicates potent bactericidal activity. Furthermore, cytotoxicity assays demonstrated the non-toxic nature of the fabricated membranes, underscoring their potential use for biomedical applications. Overall, the hybrid antibacterial PLGA membranes present a promising strategy for combating microbial infections while maintaining biocompatibility and offer a versatile approach for biomedical material design and surface coatings (e.g. wound dressings, implants).