XGLiu

The drug loading process of nanocarriers is a key step in synthesis of nano‐medicine. Through systematic review of loading strategies and making comparison across diverse systems in the field, it is hoped that new understanding and new concepts can be brought to inspire the synthesis flexibility of nanocarriers, and the newstrategies to improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy agent are put forward.

Abstract

Nanocarriers are of paramount significance for drug delivery and nanomedicine technology. Given the imperfect systems and nonideal therapeutic effects, there are works to be done in synthesis as much as in biological studies, if not more so. Building the foundation of synthesis would offer more tools and deeper insights for exploring the biological systems with extreme complexity. This review aims at a broad‐scope summary and classification of nanocarriers for drug delivery, with focus on the synthetic strategy and structural implications. The nanocarriers are divided into four categories according to the loading principle: molecular‐level loading, surface loading, matrix loading, and cavity loading systems. Making comparisons across diverse nanocarrier systems would make it easier to see the fundamental characteristics, from where the weakness can be addressed and the strengths combined. The systematic comparisons may also inspire new ideas and methods.

Nanoparticles in nanoreactors: Hollow mesoporous silica nanoreactors with small metal oxide nanoparticles inside their cavities were obtained by deposition of silica onto metal‐containing polymer micelles and subsequent calcination. The Co _x O _y ‐containing mesoporous silica nanoreactors were used as catalysts for the degradation of methylene blue and new coccine with hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract

We report a facile and generic method for the synthesis of hollow mesoporous silica nanoreactors (HMSNs) with small‐sized metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) inside their cavities. They were made by deposition of silica onto metal‐containing charge‐driven polymer micelles and subsequent calcination. The micelles consist of 1) negatively charged supramolecular polyelectrolyte chains of bis‐ligand‐bound metal ions, and 2) water‐soluble, neutral/positive diblock copolymers. Owing to the facile coordination between transition‐metal ion and the employed bidentate ligand, a series of HMSNs with <2 nm M _x O _y NPs inside cavities (M=Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn) were obtained by simply varying the metal ions inside the micelles. The developed method circumvents the pre‐ and post‐synthesis of metal oxide NPs; after calcination, hollow mesoporous nanostructures containing small‐sized metal oxide NPs inside their cavities are directly obtained. The Co _x O _y ‐functionalized HMSNs catalyze the degradation of various dyes with H₂O₂.

Cryo-EM of the dynamin polymer assembled on lipid membrane

Cryo-EM of the dynamin polymer assembled on lipid membrane, Published online: 01 August 2018; doi:10.1038/s41586-018-0378-6

Self‐assembly of nanoparticles (NPs) at liquid–liquid interfaces opens new pathways for nanotechnology through the controlled fabrication of nanoscopic materials with unique optical, magnetic, and electronic properties. A brief overview of recent developments in this field is provided, from theory to experiment, from synthetic NPs to bio‐nanoparticles, from water–oil to water–water, and from “liquid‐like” to “solid‐like” assemblies.

Abstract

In the past few decades, novel syntheses of a wide range of nanoparticles (NPs) with well‐defined chemical composition and structure have opened tremendous opportunities in areas ranging from optical and electronic devices to biomedical markers. Controlling the assembly of such well‐defined NPs is important to effectively harness their unique properties. The assembly of NPs at liquid–liquid interfaces is becoming a central topic both in surface and colloid science. Hierarchical structures, including 2D films, 3D capsules, and structured liquids, have been generating significant interest and are showing promise for physical, chemical, and biological applications. Here, a brief overview of the development of the self‐assembly of NPs at liquid–liquid interfaces is provided, from theory to experiment, from synthetic NPs to bio‐nanoparticles, from water–oil to water–water, and from “liquid‐like” to “solid‐like” assemblies.