Search Results (12)

The transition toward sustainable and decentralized energy solutions necessitates the development of innovative bioelectronic systems capable of harvesting and converting renewable energy. Here, we present a novel photo-bioelectrochemical fuel cell architecture based on a biohybrid anode integrating laser-induced graphene (LIG), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), and isolated thylakoid membranes. LIG provided a porous, conductive scaffold, while PEDOT enhanced electrode compatibility, electrical conductivity, and operational stability. Compared to MXene-based systems that involve complex, multi-step synthesis, PEDOT offers a cost-effective and scalable alternative for bioelectrode fabrication. Thylakoid membranes were immobilized onto the PEDOT-modified LIG surface to enable light-driven electron generation. Electrochemical characterization revealed enhanced redox activity following PEDOT modification and stable photocurrent generation under light illumination, achieving a photocurrent density of approximately 18 µA cm⁻². The assembled photo-bioelectrochemical fuel cell employing a gas diffusion platinum cathode demonstrated an open-circuit voltage of 0.57 V and a peak power density of 36 µW cm⁻² in 0.1 M citrate buffer (pH 5.5) under light conditions. Furthermore, the integration of a charge pump circuit successfully boosted the harvested voltage to drive a low-power light-emitting diode, showcasing the practical viability of the system. This work highlights the potential of combining biological photosystems with conductive nanomaterials for the development of self-powered, light-driven bioelectronic devices. Full article

In natural photosynthesis, solar energy is utilized to convert water and CO₂ into energy-rich compounds. However, in practice, the maximum quantum efficiency of natural photosynthesis is limited to 6.0%. Conversely, artificial photosynthesis (AP) systems utilize solar energy to convert CO₂ into biosynthetic solar fuels and value-added chemicals. To mimic natural photosystems, AP integrates light-harvesting chemical catalysts with the enzyme-mediated biological catalysis occurring in microorganisms. Similar to solar energy-based optoelectronic power sources, AP has also been recognized as a promising option for reducing carbon emissions generated by the fossil fuel-based power sector. Typical quantum efficiency of AP is 5–10%; in some cases, it exceeds 20%. Recent advancements have focused on nanomaterial biohybrids (NBHs), combining nanomaterial-based photocatalysts/photosensitizers with microorganisms/enzymes for enhanced oxidation/reduction reactions. The synergistic interaction between nanomaterials and microorganisms, facilitated by their comparable size and tunable surface properties, enables improved solar energy absorption, charge separation, and conversion. NBHs offer a versatile platform for sustainable solar energy harvesting and conversion, overcoming the limitations of natural and fully abiotic photosynthesis systems. This review highlights recent breakthroughs in diverse platforms of sunlight and visible light-driven NBH-based AP systems for CO₂ fixation, H₂ production, water splitting, and value-added chemical synthesis. The synthesis strategies, operating mechanisms, and challenges are highlighted. Full article

Several studies have reported the successful use of bio-orthogonal catalyst nanoparticles (NPs) for cancer therapy. However, the delivery of the catalysts to the target tissues in vivo remains an unsolved challenge. The combination of catalytic NPs with extracellular vesicles (EVs) has been proposed as a promising approach to improve the delivery of therapeutic nanomaterials to the desired organs. In this study, we have developed a nanoscale bio-hybrid vector using a CO-mediated reduction at low temperature to generate ultrathin catalytic Pd nanosheets (PdNSs) as catalysts directly inside cancer-derived EVs. We have also compared their biodistribution with that of PEGylated PdNSs delivered by the EPR effect. Our results indicate that the accumulation of PdNSs in the tumour tissue was significantly higher when they were administered within the EVs compared to the PEGylated PdNSs. Conversely, the amount of Pd found in non-target organs (i.e., liver) was lowered. Once the Pd-based catalytic EVs were accumulated in the tumours, they enabled the activation of a paclitaxel prodrug demonstrating their ability to carry out bio-orthogonal uncaging chemistries in vivo for cancer therapy. Full article

Nanomaterials have gained huge attention worldwide owing to their unique physicochemical characteristics which enable their applications in the field of biomedicine and drug delivery systems. Although nanodrug delivery systems (NDDSs) have better target specificity and bioavailability than traditional drug delivery systems, their behavior and clearance mechanisms in living subjects remain unclear. In this regard, the importance of bioimaging methods has come to the forefront for investigating the biodistribution of nanocarriers and discovering drug release mechanisms in vivo. In this review, we introduce several examples of biohybrid nanoparticles and their clinical applications, focusing on their advantages and limitations. The various bioimaging methods for monitoring the fate of nanodrugs in biological systems and the future perspectives of NDDSs have also been discussed. Full article

Combining biologically active compounds with nanocarriers is an emerging and promising strategy for enhancing the activities of molecules while reducing their levels of toxicity. Green nanomaterials have recently gained momentum in developing protocols for treating and preserving artifacts. In this study, we designed a functional biohybrid material by incorporating tributyltin(IV) ferulate (TBT-F) into halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), generating a new formulation called HNT/TBT-F. The primary objective was to develop a formulation with robust antimicrobial properties and reinforcing features for treating paper with artistic and historical value. To characterize HNT/TBT-F, assess the HNT’s loading capacity, and investigate the TBT-F release kinetics from the nanotubes, various analytical techniques, including UV-Vis and infrared spectroscopies, thermogravimetry, and microscopy analysis, were employed. Furthermore, we evaluated the antimicrobial potential of TBT-F and HNT/TBT-F against Kocuria rhizophila, a bacterial strain known for its opportunistic behavior and a cause of artifact biodeterioration. HNT/TBT-F exhibited a significantly stronger bactericidal effect than TBT-F alone against K. rhizophila cells growing planktonically or those forming a biofilm. This enhanced performance could relate to the confinement of TBT-F within the nanotubes, which likely improved its physical-chemical stability and increased the local concentration of TBT-F upon contact with the bacterial cells. Additionally, we evaluated the mechanical properties of a paper treated with HNT/TBT-F, assessing any potential alterations in its color. The findings of this study highlight the favorable attributes of the HNT/TBT-F formulation and its potential for developing protocols aimed at consolidating and preserving culturally significant paper objects. Full article

The ability to construct three-dimensional architectures via nanoscale engineering is important for emerging applications in sensors, catalysis, controlled drug delivery, microelectronics, and medical diagnostics nanotechnologies. Because of their well-defined and highly organized symmetric structures, viral plant capsids provide a 3D scaffold for the precise placement of functional inorganic particles yielding advanced hierarchical hybrid nanomaterials. In this study, we used turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV), grafting gold nanoparticles (AuNP) or iron oxide nanoparticles (IONP) onto its outer surface. It is the first time that such an assembly was obtained with IONP. After purification, the resulting nano-biohybrids were characterized by different technics (dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microcopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy…), showing the robustness of the architectures and their colloidal stability in water. In-solution photothermal experiments were then successfully conducted on TYMV-AuNP and TYMV-IONP, the related nano-biohybrids, evidencing a net enhancement of the heating capability of these systems compared to their free NP counterparts. These results suggest that these virus-based materials could be used as photothermal therapeutic agents. Full article

Microorganism-cell-based biohybrid materials have attracted considerable attention over the last several decades. They are applied in a broad spectrum of areas, such as nanotechnologies, environmental biotechnology, biomedicine, synthetic chemistry, and bioelectronics. Sol-gel technology allows us to obtain a wide range of high-purity materials from nanopowders to thin-film coatings with high efficiency and low cost, which makes it one of the preferred techniques for creating organic-inorganic matrices for biocomponent immobilization. This review focuses on the synthesis and application of hybrid sol-gel materials obtained by encapsulation of microorganism cells in an inorganic matrix based on silicon, aluminum, and transition metals. The type of immobilized cells, precursors used, types of nanomaterials obtained, and their practical applications were analyzed in detail. In addition, techniques for increasing the microorganism effective time of functioning and the possibility of using sol-gel hybrid materials in catalysis are discussed. Full article

Antibiotic resistance toward commonly used medicinal drugs is a dangerously growing threat to our existence. Plants are naturally equipped with a spectrum of biomolecules and metabolites with important biological activities. These natural compounds constitute a treasure in the fight against multidrug-resistant microorganisms. The development of plant-based antimicrobials through green synthesis may deliver alternatives to common drugs. Lepidium sativum L. (LS) is widely available throughout the world as a fast-growing herb known as garden cress. LS seed oil is interesting due to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Nanotechnology offers a plethora of applications in the health sector. Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are used due to their antimicrobial properties. We combined LS and AgNP to prevent microbial resistance through plant-based synergistic mechanisms within the nanomaterial. AgNP were prepared by a facile one-pot synthesis through plant-biomolecules-induced reduction of silver nitrate via a green method. The phytochemicals in the aqueous LS extract act as reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents of AgNP. The composition of the LS-AgNP biohybrids was confirmed by analytical methods. Antimicrobial testing against 10 reference strains of pathogens exhibited excellent to intermediate antimicrobial activity. The bio-nanohybrid LS-AgNP has potential uses as a broad-spectrum microbicide, disinfectant, and wound care product. Full article

The phyto-development of nanomaterials is one of the main challenges for scientists today, as it offers unusual properties and multifunctionality. The originality of our paper lies in the study of new materials based on biomimicking lipid bilayers loaded with chlorophyll, chitosan, and turmeric-generated nano-silver/silver chloride particles. These materials showed a good free radical scavenging capacity between 76.25 and 93.26% (in vitro tested through chemiluminescence method) and a good antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis bacterium (IZ > 10 mm). The anticancer activity of our developed bio-based materials was investigated against two cancer cell lines (human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells HT-29, and human liver carcinoma cells HepG2) and compared to one healthy cell line (human fibroblast BJ cell line). Cell viability was evaluated for all prepared materials after a 24 h treatment and was used to select the biohybrid with the highest therapeutic index (TI); additionally, the hemolytic activity of the samples was also evaluated. Finally, we investigated the morphological changes induced by the developed materials against the cell lines studied. Biophysical studies on these materials were done by correlating UV–Vis and FTIR absorption spectroscopy, with XRD, SANS, and SAXS methods, and with information provided by microscopic techniques (AFM, SEM/EDS). In conclusion, these “green” developed hybrid systems are an important alternative in cancer treatment, and against health problems associated with drug-resistant infections. Full article

Efficient nanomaterials for artificial photosynthesis require fast and robust unidirectional electron transfer (ET) from photosensitizers through charge-separation and accumulation units to redox-active catalytic sites. We explored the ultrafast time-scale limits of photo-induced charge transfer between a Ru(II)tris(bipyridine) derivative photosensitizer and PpcA, a 3-heme c-type cytochrome serving as a nanoscale biological wire. Four covalent attachment sites (K28C, K29C, K52C, and G53C) were engineered in PpcA enabling site-specific covalent labeling with expected donor-acceptor (DA) distances of 4–8 Å. X-ray scattering results demonstrated that mutations and chemical labeling did not disrupt the structure of the proteins. Time-resolved spectroscopy revealed three orders of magnitude difference in charge transfer rates for the systems with otherwise similar DA distances and the same number of covalent bonds separating donors and acceptors. All-atom molecular dynamics simulations provided additional insight into the structure-function requirements for ultrafast charge transfer and the requirement of van der Waals contact between aromatic atoms of photosensitizers and hemes in order to observe sub-nanosecond ET. This work demonstrates opportunities to utilize multi-heme c-cytochromes as frameworks for designing ultrafast light-driven ET into charge-accumulating biohybrid model systems, and ultimately for mimicking the photosynthetic paradigm of efficiently coupling ultrafast, light-driven electron transfer chemistry to multi-step catalysis within small, experimentally versatile photosynthetic biohybrid assemblies. Full article

We previously described the novel synthesis of a copper high-aspect ratio structure (CuHARS) biohybrid material using cystine. While extremely stable in water, CuHARS is completely (but slowly) degradable in cellular media. Here, integration of the CuHARS into cellulose matrices was carried out to provide added control for CuHARS degradation. Synthesized CuHARS was concentrated by centrifugation and then dried. The weighed mass was re-suspended in water. CuHARS was stable in water for months without degradation. In contrast, 25 μg/mL of the CuHARS in complete cell culture media was completely degraded (slowly) in 18 days under physiological conditions. Stable integration of CuHARS into cellulose matrices was achieved through assembly by mixing cellulose micro- and nano-fibers and CuHARS in an aqueous (pulp mixture) phase, followed by drying. Additional materials were integrated to make the hybrids magnetically susceptible. The cellulose-CuHARS composite films could be transferred, weighed, and cut into usable pieces; they maintained their form after rehydration in water for at least 7 days and were compatible with cell culture studies using brain tumor (glioma) cells. These studies demonstrate utility of a CuHARS-cellulose biohybrid for applied applications including: (1) a platform for biomedical tracking and (2) integration into a 2D/3D matrix using natural products (cellulose). Full article

Photosynthesis converts solar energy to electricity in a highly efficient manner. Since only water is needed as fuel for energy conversion, this highly efficient energy conversion process has been rigorously investigated. In particular, photosynthetic apparatus, such as photosystem II (PSII), photosystem I (PSI), or thylakoids, have been isolated from various plants to construct bio-hybrid anodes. Although PSII or PSI decorated anodes have shown potentials, there still remain challenges, such as poor stability of PSII-based systems or need for electron donors other than water molecules of PSI-based systems. Thylakoid membranes are relatively stable after isolation and they contain all the necessary photosynthetic apparatus including the PSII and PSI. To increase electrical connections between thylakoids and anodes, nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, nanowires, nanoparticles, or graphene have been employed. However, since they rely on the secondary electrical connections between thylakoids and anodes; it is desired to achieve larger direct contacts between them. Here, we aimed to develop micro-pillar (MP) array anodes to maximize direct contact with thylakoids. The thylakoid morphology was analyzed and the MP array was designed to maximize direct contact with thylakoids. The performance of MP anodes and a photosynthetic fuel cell based on MP electrodes was demonstrated and analyzed. Full article