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Molecules
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Structure and Dynamics of Polymers and Self-Assembled Soft Materials
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Structure and Dynamics of Polymers and Self-Assembled Soft Materials

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2024) | Viewed by 9708

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yuecheng Peter Zhou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
Interests: polymer dynamics; electrochromic polymers; optical and label-free sensing techniques; single-molecule imaging
Dr. Bo Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kennesaw State University, Marietta, GA 30060, USA
Interests: self-assembly; supramolecular assembly; directed assembly; bioinspired materials; molecular electronics; polymeric materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The structural diversity of soft materials provides them with unique microscopic dynamics and emergent macroscopic properties. It also enables them to have wide applications in energy storage, healthcare technologies, etc. In this Special Issue, we welcome contributions that investigate the dynamics, rheology, physics and structural–property relationships of polymers and self-assembled soft materials. We also welcome explorations of the applications of these materials. The definition of soft materials should be broad, including, but not limited to, polymers, biopolymers, peptides, and colloids. Original research articles, reviews, mini reviews and perspectives are all suitable formats.

Dr. Yuecheng Peter Zhou
Dr. Bo Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • polymeric materials
  • polymer dynamics
  • polymer physics
  • polymer rheology
  • self-assembly materials
  • structural-property relations
  • self-assembly mechanism

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 4052 KiB  
Article
Regulating Drug Release Performance of Acid-Triggered Dimeric Prodrug-Based Drug Self-Delivery System by Altering Its Aggregation Structure
by Chen Yang and Peng Liu
Molecules 2024, 29(15), 3619; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29153619 - 31 Jul 2024
Viewed by 403
Abstract
Dimeric prodrugs have been investigated intensely as carrier-free drug self-delivery systems (DSDSs) in recent decades, and their stimuli-responsive drug release has usually been controlled by the conjugations between the drug molecules, including the stimuli (pH or redox) and responsive sensitivity. Here, an acid-triggered [...] Read more.
Dimeric prodrugs have been investigated intensely as carrier-free drug self-delivery systems (DSDSs) in recent decades, and their stimuli-responsive drug release has usually been controlled by the conjugations between the drug molecules, including the stimuli (pH or redox) and responsive sensitivity. Here, an acid-triggered dimeric prodrug of doxorubicin (DOX) was synthesized by conjugating two DOX molecules with an acid-labile ketal linker. It possessed high drug content near the pure drug, while the premature drug leakage in blood circulation was efficiently suppressed. Furthermore, its aggregation structures were controlled by fabricating nanomedicines via different approaches, such as fast precipitation and slow self-assembly, to regulate the drug release performance. Such findings are expected to enable better anti-tumor efficacy with the desired drug release rate, beyond the molecular structure of the dimeric prodrug. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structure and Dynamics of Polymers and Self-Assembled Soft Materials)
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10 pages, 7031 KiB  
Communication
Peptide Self-Assembly Facilitating DNA Transfection and the Application in Inhibiting Cancer Cells
by Jingyu Wang, Min Ye and Baokuan Zhu
Molecules 2024, 29(5), 932; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29050932 - 21 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1097
Abstract
Non-viral vectors have been developing in gene delivery due to their safety and low immunogenicity. But their transfection effect is usually very low, thus limiting the application. Hence, we designed eight peptides (compounds 1–8). We compared their performances; compound 8 [...] Read more.
Non-viral vectors have been developing in gene delivery due to their safety and low immunogenicity. But their transfection effect is usually very low, thus limiting the application. Hence, we designed eight peptides (compounds 1–8). We compared their performances; compound 8 had the best transfection efficacy and biocompatibility. The transfection effect was similar with that of PEI, a most-widely-employed commercial transfection reagent. Atomic force microscope (AFM) images showed that the compound could self-assemble and the self-assembled peptide might encapsulate DNA. Based on these results, we further analyzed the inhibitory result in cancer cells and found that compound 8 could partially fight against Hela cells. Therefore, the compound is promising to pave the way for the development of more effective and less toxic transfection vectors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structure and Dynamics of Polymers and Self-Assembled Soft Materials)
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Review

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32 pages, 2910 KiB  
Review
Diffusion-Limited Processes in Hydrogels with Chosen Applications from Drug Delivery to Electronic Components
by Filipp V. Lavrentev, Vladimir V. Shilovskikh, Varvara S. Alabusheva, Veronika Yu. Yurova, Anna A. Nikitina, Sviatlana A. Ulasevich and Ekaterina V. Skorb
Molecules 2023, 28(15), 5931; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28155931 - 7 Aug 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2808
Abstract
Diffusion is one of the key nature processes which plays an important role in respiration, digestion, and nutrient transport in cells. In this regard, the present article aims to review various diffusion approaches used to fabricate different functional materials based on hydrogels, unique [...] Read more.
Diffusion is one of the key nature processes which plays an important role in respiration, digestion, and nutrient transport in cells. In this regard, the present article aims to review various diffusion approaches used to fabricate different functional materials based on hydrogels, unique examples of materials that control diffusion. They have found applications in fields such as drug encapsulation and delivery, nutrient delivery in agriculture, developing materials for regenerative medicine, and creating stimuli-responsive materials in soft robotics and microrobotics. In addition, mechanisms of release and drug diffusion kinetics as key tools for material design are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structure and Dynamics of Polymers and Self-Assembled Soft Materials)
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16 pages, 2234 KiB  
Review
Protein-Based Hydrogels and Their Biomedical Applications
by Kok Zhi Lee, Juya Jeon, Bojing Jiang, Shri Venkatesh Subramani, Jingyao Li and Fuzhong Zhang
Molecules 2023, 28(13), 4988; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28134988 - 25 Jun 2023
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4216
Abstract
Hydrogels made from proteins are attractive materials for diverse medical applications, as they are biocompatible, biodegradable, and amenable to chemical and biological modifications. Recent advances in protein engineering, synthetic biology, and material science have enabled the fine-tuning of protein sequences, hydrogel structures, and [...] Read more.
Hydrogels made from proteins are attractive materials for diverse medical applications, as they are biocompatible, biodegradable, and amenable to chemical and biological modifications. Recent advances in protein engineering, synthetic biology, and material science have enabled the fine-tuning of protein sequences, hydrogel structures, and hydrogel mechanical properties, allowing for a broad range of biomedical applications using protein hydrogels. This article reviews recent progresses on protein hydrogels with special focus on those made of microbially produced proteins. We discuss different hydrogel formation strategies and their associated hydrogel properties. We also review various biomedical applications, categorized by the origin of protein sequences. Lastly, current challenges and future opportunities in engineering protein-based hydrogels are discussed. We hope this review will inspire new ideas in material innovation, leading to advanced protein hydrogels with desirable properties for a wide range of biomedical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structure and Dynamics of Polymers and Self-Assembled Soft Materials)
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