A5107139401- RNA Interference and Gene Delivery
- Advanced Polymer Synthesis and Characterization
- Chemical Synthesis and Analysis
- Supramolecular Self-Assembly in Materials
- Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
- biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties
- Dendrimers and Hyperbranched Polymers
- Polymer Surface Interaction Studies
- Luminescence and Fluorescent Materials
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- Biopolymer Synthesis and Applications
- Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery
- GNSS positioning and interference
- Click Chemistry and Applications
- Polydiacetylene-based materials and applications
- Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
- Virus-based gene therapy research
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Geophysics and Gravity Measurements
- Advanced Chemical Sensor Technologies
- Silk-based biomaterials and applications
- Bone health and treatments
- Immunotherapy and Immune Responses
- Analytical Chemistry and Chromatography
- Silicone and Siloxane Chemistry
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
2015-2025
Soochow University
2021-2025
Institute of Molecular Functional Materials
2025
Shanghai Astronomical Observatory
2020-2024
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
2013-2024
Hisense (China)
2024
Beijing Institute of Technology
2024
Chongqing University of Technology
2024
Urbana University
2014-2021
Suzhou Research Institute
2021
Encapsulation of small-molecule drugs in hydrophobic polymers or amphiphilic copolymers has been extensively used for preparing polymeric nanoparticles (NPs). The loadings and loading efficiencies a wide range NPs, however, tend to be very low. In this Communication, we report strategy prepare NPs with exceptionally high drug (>50%) quantitative efficiency. Specifically, dimeric conjugate bearing trigger-responsive domain was designed as the core-constructing unit NPs. Upon co-precipitation...
Significance Delivery remains a significant challenge for robust implementation of CRISPR/Cas9. We report an efficient CRISPR/Cas9 delivery system comprising PEGylated nanoparticles based on the α-helical polypeptide PPABLG. Assisted by high membrane-penetrating ability polypeptide, P-HNPs achieved cellular internalization and endosomal escape. The could reach 47.3% gene editing in cells, 35% deletion vivo, HeLa tumor growth suppression >71%, demonstrating advantage over existing...
Significance We developed antimicrobial polypeptides (AMPs) with unprecedented radial amphiphilicity. Unlike typical AMPs characterized by facial amphiphilicity or biomimetic polymers randomly distributed charged and hydrophobic groups, this class of is made up homo-polypeptides that feature a radially amphiphilic (RA) structure adopt stable α-helical conformation helical core exterior shell, which formed flexible side chains terminal charge group. The RA appear to offer several advantages...
We developed camptothecin (CPT)-conjugated, core-cross-linked (CCL) micelles that are subject to redox-responsive cleavage of the built-in disulfide bonds, resulting in disruption micellar structure and rapid release CPT. CCL were prepared via coprecipitation disulfide-containing CPT-poly(tyrosine(alkynyl)-OCA) conjugate monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(tyrosine(alkynyl)-OCA), followed by cross-linking core azide–alkyne click chemistry. exhibited excellent stability under...
Gene delivery vehicles: Helical, cationic polypeptides with light-responsive domains showed potent membrane activity and promoted efficient cellular internalization of DNA (see picture). After transfection, a light trigger induces protecting-group removal to expose anionic carboxylate groups. The reduced charge helix distortion the result in enhanced unpacking material toxicity because eliminated activity.
Significance Clinical treatment of Helicobacter pylori using combination therapy is greatly challenged by the undesired killing commensal bacteria and progressive development drug resistance. To address these issues, we developed pH-sensitive, helix–coil conformation transitionable, antimicrobial polypeptides as a single therapeutic agent to selectively kill H. under acidic condition in stomach with minimal toxicity diminished Through control secondary structure transition, showed...
Abstract The application of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is largely hindered by their non‐specific toxicity against mammalian cells, which usually associated with helical structure, hydrophobicity, and charge density. A random coil‐to‐helix transition mechanism has now been introduced into the design AMPs, minimizing cells while maintaining high activity. By incorporating anionic phosphorylated tyrosine cationic polypeptide, structure AMPs was distorted owing to side‐chain interaction....
Monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-
Supramolecular self-assembled nanocomplexes (SSANs) capable of mannose receptor-mediated endocytosis and permeable to cellular endosomal membranes are developed via the assembly multiple rationally designed, function-specific materials. As a unique non-viral gene delivery vector, SSANs outperform commercial transfection reagents, including LPF2000, PEI, jetPEI, by up 2 orders magnitude.
Treatment of inflammatory diseases represents one the biggest clinical challenges. RNA interference (RNAi) against TNF-α provides a promising modality toward anti-inflammation therapy, but its therapeutic potential is greatly hampered by lack efficient siRNA delivery vehicles in vivo. Herein, we report hybrid nanoparticulate (HNP) system based on cationic helical polypeptide PPABLG for siRNA. The structure features pore formation cellular and endosomal membranes to facilitate direct...
Significance Biomacromolecules are synthesized in cells with high precision, although the cellular environment contains numerous molecules and species other than building blocks. In contrast, even state-of-the-art chemical synthesis of macromolecules is exclusively carried out under a specific condition containing only clean, essential starting materials to minimize side reactions. Inspired by ribozyme-catalyzed protein synthesis, we report here controlled polypeptide nonpurified N...
Abstract Efficient intracellular delivery of protein drugs and tumor‐specific activation functions are critical toward anti‐cancer therapy. However, an omnipotent system that can harmonize the complicated systemic barriers as well spatiotemporally manipulate function is lacking. Herein, “all‐functions‐in‐one” nanocarrier doped with photosensitizer (PS) developed coupled reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐responsive, reversible engineering to realize cancer‐targeted delivery, spatiotemporal...
Synthetic polypeptides, the analogues of natural proteins, are important biomaterials that have found broad biomedical applications. Ring-opening polymerization N-carboxyanhydrides offers a reliable way to prepare high-molecular-weight polypeptides in large scale with diverse side-chain functionalities. The past two decades seen significant advances polypeptide field, development various controlled methodologies, deeper understanding on secondary structures, and discovery new assembly...
Abstract Reported is the ability of α‐helical polypeptides to self‐assemble with oppositely‐charged form liquid complexes while maintaining their secondary structure. Coupling polypeptide a neutral, hydrophilic polymer and subsequent complexation enables formation nanoscale coacervate‐core micelles. While previous reports on demonstrated critical dependence nature complex (liquid versus solid) chirality, structure positively charged prevents β‐sheets, which would otherwise drive assembly...
Abstract The recent advances in accelerated polymerization of N -carboxyanhydrides (NCAs) enriched the toolbox to prepare well-defined polypeptide materials. Herein we report use crown ether (CE) catalyze NCA initiated by conventional primary amine initiators solvents with low polarity and hydrogen-bonding ability. cyclic structure CE played a crucial role catalysis, 18-crown-6 enabling fastest kinetics. fast kinetics outpaced common side reactions, preparation polypeptides using an...
The manipulation of the flexibility/rigidity polymeric chains to control their function is commonly observed in natural macromolecules but largely unexplored synthetic systems. Herein, we construct a series protein-mimetic nano-switches consisting gold nanoparticle (GNP) core, polypeptide linker, and an optically functional molecule (OFM), whose biological can be dynamically regulated by flexibility linker. At dormant state, adopts flexible, random-coiled conformation, bringing GNP OFM close...
A functional package: Multifunctional supramolecular self-assembled nanoparticles (SSNPs) consist of a set rationally designed components that collectively facilitate efficient intestinal absorption siRNA and induce potent TNF-α silencing in macrophages. Single gavage SSNPs mice depletes systemic production at an dose as low 50 μg kg−1, thus protects from lipopolysaccharide-induced hepatic injury.