Co-reporter:Qianfang Yao, Baozhong Lü, Chendong Ji, Yang Cai, and Meizhen Yin
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces October 18, 2017 Volume 9(Issue 41) pp:36320-36320
Publication Date(Web):September 11, 2017
DOI:10.1021/acsami.7b12063
Developing a specific, ratiometric, and reversible detection method for metal ions is significant to guard against the threat of metal-caused environmental pollution and organisms poisoning. Here a supramolecular host–guest system (WP5⊃G) based on water-soluble pillar[5]arene (WP5) and water-soluble quaternized perylene diimide derivative (G) was constructed. Morphological transformation was achieved during the process of adding WP5 into G aqueous solution, and a fluorescence “turn-off” phenomenon was observed which was caused by supramolecular photoinduced electron transfer (PET). Meanwhile, hydrophobic effect and electrostatic interaction played important roles in this supramolecular process, which was confirmed by isothermal titration calorimeter (ITC) and ζ potential experiments. Furthermore, the supramolecular host–guest system could be a “turn-on” fluorescent probe for Fe3+ ion detection through the process of interdicting supramolecular PET. Moreover, the Fe3+ ion detection showed specific, ratiometric, and reversible performances with a detection limit of 2.13 × 10–7 M, which might have great potentials in biological and environmental monitoring.Keywords: metal detection; morphological transformation; photoinduced electron transfer; supramolecular host−guest;
Co-reporter:Kelan Liu, Yiseng Hu, Zejun Xu, and Meizhen Yin
Analytical Chemistry May 2, 2017 Volume 89(Issue 9) pp:5131-5131
Publication Date(Web):April 3, 2017
DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.7b00714
Although nucleophile (Nu) is associated with many important chemical reactions, there are no fluorescence sensors for Nu detection and even for calculation of its nucleophilicity up to the present. In this study, we developed a fluorescent malononitrile-modified perylenediimide (MAPDI) which can selectively and rapidly react with nucleophiles, such as amines, amino acids, and some inorganic anions, and then change its UV–vis absorption and fluorescence emission. Detection limits of MAPDI for different nucleophiles could be calculated to compare their strength of nucleophilicity. Furthermore, it was found that MAPDI could detect reductive inorganic anions. These results suggested that MAPDI might have a great potential in organocatalytic reactions, metal ion-catalyzed reactions, reactions of amines, and other nucleophilic chemical reactions.
Co-reporter:Yanjiao Lu;Wantai Yang
Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research February 26, 2014 Volume 53(Issue 8) pp:2872-2877
Publication Date(Web):2017-2-22
DOI:10.1021/ie403211f
Fluorescent silica-doped polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) composites with high optical properties have been successfully prepared in a one-pot synthesis through the incorporation of silica nanoparticles and dye molecules into the cross-linked PVP. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and fluorescence spectrometry are used to investigate the morphologies and optical properties of the composites. By adjusting the PVP content and reaction time, fluorescent silica-doped PVP film and fluorescent PVP-covered silica core–shell nanoparticles are obtained without stirring and under magnetic stirring, respectively. Because both the silica nanoparticles and the dye molecules react with ring-opened PVP, the composites exhibit highly stable optical properties. The obtained fluorescent composites may have potential applications in sensing and photovoltaic systems. The facile approach can be extended to the preparation of multifunctional fluorescent PVP composites by introducing other types of oxides.
Co-reporter:Lijing Ma, Kelan Liu, Meizhen Yin, Jiao Chang, Yuting Geng, Kai Pan
Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical 2017 Volume 238() pp:120-127
Publication Date(Web):January 2017
DOI:10.1016/j.snb.2016.07.049
•A novel fluorescent nanofibrous membrane for mercuric ion (II) detection.•The detection of mercuric ion (II) with high sensitivity and selectivity.•Good durability of the sensor contributes to economic and environmental benefits.A highly sensitive and selective fluorescent nanofibrous membrane (FNFM) for the detection of mercuric ions (II) was prepared via electrospinning and subsequent immobilization. In this process, fluorescent chemosensor dithioacetal-modified perylenediimide (DTPDI) was introduced on the surface of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers with high stability under mechanical force by electrostatic interaction. Because DTPDI can be detached from PAN nanofibers due to the hydrolysis of dithioacetals in the presence of Hg2+ and form an oil-soluble fluorescence dye AL. According to the linear correlation between AL and Hg2+, the obtained FNFM could be employed for the detection of Hg2+. Results reveal that the FNFM exhibits high sensitivity for the detection of Hg2+ and no interference from other metal ions. The limit of detection for Hg2+ can reach as low as 1 ppb. In addition, the strong fluorescence of FNFM still can be observed even after the repeated use for 7 times. Therefore, FNFM can be developed as a rapid, portable and stable sensor for the detection of Hg2+. Moreover, FNFM can execute other functions by changing the probe immobilized on the surface of nanofiber.
Co-reporter:Yong Ye, Yang Zheng, Chendong Ji, Jie Shen, and Meizhen Yin
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2017 Volume 9(Issue 5) pp:
Publication Date(Web):January 17, 2017
DOI:10.1021/acsami.6b15592
Animal cells have complicated dynamics of cell membrane structures which require desirable dyes for in vivo imaging. Here, an asymmetric amphiphilic zwitterionic perylenediimide (ZP) derivative has been constructed by introducing an octyl chain and a zwitterionic head to each imide position of perylenediimide chromophore. ZP could self-assemble into vesicles in aqueous solution. The aggregated ZP vesicles have been explored to image cell inner or surface membrane structures by a controlled disassembly process. After being taken up into cells, ZP vesicles disassemble into monomers and then incorporate into cell inner membranes. The vesicles can also disassemble in acid food and incorporate into cell surface membrane of gut cells. The research provides a new tool to label the complicated cell membrane structures with up to 3 days long-term labeling for life science applications.Keywords: amphiphilic; assembly; cell membrane; perylenediimide; zwitterionic;
Co-reporter:Baozhong Lü;Shusen You;Pengyu Li; Chen Li; Klaus Müllen; Meizhen Yin
Chemistry - A European Journal 2017 Volume 23(Issue 2) pp:397-401
Publication Date(Web):2017/01/05
DOI:10.1002/chem.201604212
AbstractSupramolecular self-assembly has attracted increasing attention as a breakthrough methodology in the fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Herein, a perylene dianhydride derivative (TP-PDA) self-assembles into well-defined nanospheres through a nucleation-growth process. The mechanisms of this process were explored by using spectral analysis, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In situ DLS and in situ SEM both revealed that the size of the aggregated nanospheres increases with time until the formation of equilibrium H-aggregates. This shows that TP-PDA undergoes a kinetically trapped assembly with a rapid transformation into the thermodynamically favored form, and this process can be finely tuned by reducing the concentration and increasing the temperature. Weak intermolecular forces, such as π–π stacking, hydrogen bonding, and solvophobic interactions, play an important role in the formation of nanostructures. This work inspired us to explore other kinetically trapped supramolecular assemblies that might be easily ignored due to the short trapping time of commonly used experimental timescales.
Co-reporter:Shenzhong Mo;Qingting Meng;Shulin Wan;Zhiqiang Su;Hong Yan;Ben Zhong Tang
Advanced Functional Materials 2017 Volume 27(Issue 28) pp:
Publication Date(Web):2017/07/01
DOI:10.1002/adfm.201701210
Photo- and mechanoluminescent materials that exhibit tunable emission properties when subjected to external stimuli have a wide variety of applications. However, most mechanoresponsive materials have a mechano-induced structural transition from crystalline to amorphous phase, and there are only few reports on the crystalline to crystalline transformation. This study reports an amide-linked dyad P1 containing spiropyran and naphthalimide chromophores with dual sensitivity of photochromism and mechanochromism. Under light and mechanical stimuli, P1 performs different color transition. With mechanical force, the morphologies of P1 change from microfiber to nanosphere and the amide group in P1 plays a vital role in these transition processes. Mechanical force can induce the morphology change of P1 through enhancing π–π stacking and destroying hydrogen bonds. These results demonstrate the feasibility of the design strategy for new mechanoresponsive switching materials: both π−π stacking and hydrogen bonding of the dyad contribute the mechano-induced crystalline/crystalline transformation.
Co-reporter:Mengmeng Sun, Klaus Müllen and Meizhen Yin
Chemical Society Reviews 2016 vol. 45(Issue 6) pp:1513-1528
Publication Date(Web):21 Jan 2016
DOI:10.1039/C5CS00754B
Water-soluble perylenediimides (PDIs) with high fluorescence intensity, photostability and biocompatibility have been successfully prepared and applied in the biological field. In this tutorial review, we briefly focus on the synthetic strategies for the preparation of water-soluble PDIs by incorporating ionic or non-ionic substituents with multiple polar groups into the bay-region, imide- or ortho-positions of PDIs. These ionic/non-ionic substituents can suppress π–π aggregation and shield the inner perylene chromophores, thus contributing to the water solubility which is essential for biological applications. The optical properties, absorption and emission maxima above 500 nm, minimize the autofluorescence background of cells and provide access to imaging in living cells. The biological applications of water-soluble PDIs are discussed from simple (basic) to complex (advanced) processes, including biosensing in vitro studies, imaging and gene/drug delivering in living cells, tissues and the whole body. The promising future of designed multi-functional water-soluble PDIs will be highlighted in this review.
Co-reporter:Yang Zheng;Shusen You;Chendong Ji;Wantai Yang;Jie Shen
Advanced Materials 2016 Volume 28( Issue 7) pp:1375-1380
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/adma.201504993
Co-reporter:Shulin Wan;Zhiyong Ma;Chen Chen;Fangfei Li;Feng Wang;Xinru Jia;Wantai Yang
Advanced Functional Materials 2016 Volume 26( Issue 3) pp:353-364
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/adfm.201504048
An innovative approach for covalent-bond-activated mechanoresponse by complexing rhodamine or spiropyran with cyclodextrin (CD) is reported. This approach endows diverse fluorophores with perfect mechanochromism by introducing a supramolecular system. Unique characteristics such as noncovalent chemical modification and convenient preparation make this approach promising for practical applications. The strong hydrogen bonds provided by CD play a crucial role in triggering the mechanochromic switch. First, the hydrogen bonds seize both sides of the fluorophore's weak chemical bonds and tightly lock the fluorophore in the cavity of CD. Second, the hydrogen bonds prompt the aggregation of complex inclusions in large ordered arrays and strengthen the molecular interactions. In this way, the weak chemical bonds can focus more external force and stretch more easily upon shearing (quantified). This is the first report of supramolecule-triggered mechanochromic switches. This study opens an avenue to correlate a mechanochemical reaction with a supramolecular system.
Co-reporter:Mengmeng Sun, Wenyan Yin, Xinghua Dong, Wantai Yang, Yuliang Zhao and Meizhen Yin
Nanoscale 2016 vol. 8(Issue 9) pp:5302-5312
Publication Date(Web):04 Feb 2016
DOI:10.1039/C6NR00450D
A novel smart fluorescent drug delivery system composed of a perylene diimide (PDI) core and block copolymer poly(D,L-lactide)-b-poly(ethyl ethylene phosphate) is developed and named as PDI-star-(PLA-b-PEEP)8. The biodegradable PDI-star-(PLA-b-PEEP)8 is a unimolecular micelle and can self-assemble into supramolecular micelles, called as fluorescent supramolecular micelles (FSMs), in aqueous media. An insoluble drug camptothecin (CPT) can be effectively loaded into the FSMs and exhibits pH-responsive release. Moreover, the FSMs with good biocompatibility can also be employed as a remarkable fluorescent probe for cell labelling because the maximum emission of PDI is beneficial for bio-imaging. The flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis demonstrate that the micelles are easily endocytosed by cancer cells. In vitro and in vivo tumor growth-inhibitory studies reveal a better therapeutic effect of FSMs after CPT encapsulation when compared with the free CPT drug. The multifunctional FSM nanomedicine platform as a nanovehicle has great potential for fluorescence imaging-guided cancer therapy.
Co-reporter:Zhuo Gao, Wenqing Huang, Yang Zheng, Yanjiao Lu, Shusen You, Jie Shen and Meizhen Yin
RSC Advances 2016 vol. 6(Issue 52) pp:46226-46230
Publication Date(Web):03 May 2016
DOI:10.1039/C6RA08410A
In this work, we present a novel type of magnetic-fluorescent bifunctional nanoparticle (NP). Fe3O4 nanocrystals and cationic fluorescent star polymer perylene diimide–poly(2-aminoethyl methacrylate) (PDI–PAEMA) were simultaneously encapsulated into a silica matrix by a one-pot method. The morphology and fluorescence properties of Fe3O4/PDI–PAEMA@SiO2 core–shell NPs were investigated by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrometry, fluorescence spectrometry and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The analysis of in vitro intracellular uptake and cell viability revealed that the bifunctional NPs possessed favourable biocompatibility. Taken together, the Fe3O4/PDI–PAEMA@SiO2 NPs could be a promising candidate for bioimaging due to their stable red emission and favourable biocompatibility.
Co-reporter:Jianhao Li, Mengjun Chen, Zhuo Gao, Jie Du, Wantai Yang, Meizhen Yin
Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 2016 Volume 146() pp:468-474
Publication Date(Web):1 October 2016
DOI:10.1016/j.colsurfb.2016.06.043
•The CoFe2O4 NPs were prepared through improving high temperature decomposition.•The CoFe2O4 NPs had narrow size distributions and regular morphologies.•The CoFe2O4@Si-IDA-Cu2+ NPs were an efficient protein separation agent.Ultrafine cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles with narrow size distributions and regular morphologies were prepared through an improved procedure based on the high-temperature diol reduction method. By replacing the original reducing agent like expensive dihydric alcohol, oleylamine was applied as both stabilizer and reducing agent, which benefit for large scale synthesis of magnetic CoFe2O4 nanoparticles. To produce protein-separation agent with both high specific surface area and magnet content, inverse microemulsion system and substitution reaction were employed to render the produced CoFe2O4 nanoparticles with dense silica bilayer and iminodiacetic acid (IDA)-like structure modification. After the chelation with Cu2+, the metal-immobilized CoFe2O4 nanoparticles can specifically absorb bovine hemoglobin (BHb) with maximum adsorption capacity as qm = 1812.3 mg/g. Compared with the reported Cu2+-immobilized magnetic nanoparticles, the as-prepared CoFe2O4@Si-IDA-Cu2+ nanoparticles exhibited excellent adsorption capacity and were applied as high efficient protein separation agent in a real complex biological fluid like bovine blood.CoFe2O4-nanoparticle-based high efficient protein separation agents are developed with relative high magnet content and large specific surface area.
Co-reporter:Meizhen Yin, Shaobo Zhang
Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine 2016 Volume 12(Issue 2) pp:466
Publication Date(Web):February 2016
DOI:10.1016/j.nano.2015.12.060
Co-reporter:Chendong Ji;Lijing Ma; Meizhen Yin; Wantai Yang ; Kai Pan
Chemistry – An Asian Journal 2016 Volume 11( Issue 16) pp:2316-2321
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/asia.201600818
Abstract
Electrospun ultrathin fiber-based sensors are desirable because of their practicality and sensitivity. Ammonia-detection systems are in high demand in different areas, including the industrial and agricultural fields. However, current technologies rely on large and complex instruments that restrict their actual utilization. Herein, we report a flexible naked-eye ammonia sensor, the polylactic acid–cyanine (PLA-Cy) fibrous mat, which was fabricated by blending a carboxyl-functionalized cyanine dye (D1) into electospun PLA porous fibers. The sensing mat was shown to undergo a naked-eye-detectable color change from white to blue upon exposure to ammonia vapor. The mat showed high selectivity to ammonia gas with a detection limit of 3.3 ppm. Aggregated D1 was first encapsulated by PLA and was then ionized by NH3. These mechanisms were examined by photophysical studies and scanning electron microscopy. The aggregation–deaggregation process of D1 in the PLA-Cy fibrous mat led to the color change. This work provides a facile method for the naked-eye detection of ammonia and a novel strategy for the use of organic dyes in ammonia sensing.
Co-reporter:Jie Li;Baozhong Lv;Dongpeng Yan;Shouke Yan;Min Wei
Advanced Functional Materials 2015 Volume 25( Issue 48) pp:7442-7449
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/adfm.201503825
Orderly molecular self-assembly for tunable micro/nanostructures is an effective way to prepare novel functional materials with desired properties. Squarylium cyanine (SCy) dyes have received great attention in the fields of laser, imaging, and optoelectronic device. However, the detailed self-assembly behavior of SCy has rarely been investigated. In the present work, two SCy derivatives, D1 and D2, respectively, bearing four and two carboxylic acid groups at different positions are prepared and used as a model system to investigate the molecular self-assembly, morphology, and optical properties of SCy dyes. The hydrogen-bonding interactions between the carboxylic acid groups in D1 and D2 are determined with X-ray diffraction, 2D nuclear magnetic resonance, and Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy. The two types of hydrogen bonds in D1 cooperating with inherent π–π stacking interaction result in tunable molecular aggregations, which further leads to the transformation between J-aggregation and H-aggregation of D1 in the solid state in response to ammonia gas. In all, this work provides a feasible and effective way to study the self-assembled aggregates of SCy dyes at both molecular and supramolecular levels, and has developed a reversible sensor for ammonia gas detection.
Co-reporter:Ruizheng Liang, Shusen You, Lina Ma, Chunyang Li, Rui Tian, Min Wei, Dan Yan, Meizhen Yin, Wantai Yang, David G. Evans and Xue Duan
Chemical Science 2015 vol. 6(Issue 10) pp:5511-5518
Publication Date(Web):22 Jun 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5SC00994D
A supramolecular nanovehicle (denoted as SNV) was fabricated by encapsulating zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) and doxorubicin (DOX) into a copolymer (PVP-b-PAA-g-FA), so as to achieve systematic and synergistic chemotherapy-photodynamic therapy (PDT), targeted tumor imaging and therapy. The sophisticated copolymer designed in this work can load the PDT photosensitizer (ZnPc) and chemotherapy drug (DOX) simultaneously, which exhibits an excellent performance in chemotherapy-PDT targeted cancer and tumor therapy for both in vitro studies performed with HepG2 cells and in vivo tests with mice. This work provides a new drug formulation with a chemotherapy-PDT synergistic effect by virtue of the supramolecular material design, which possesses the advantages of an ultra-low drug dosage and highly-efficient in vivo targeted tumor imaging/therapy.
Co-reporter:Yanjiao Lu, Bicheng He, Jie Shen, Jie Li, Wantai Yang and Meizhen Yin
Nanoscale 2015 vol. 7(Issue 5) pp:1606-1609
Publication Date(Web):28 Nov 2014
DOI:10.1039/C4NR06104G
Novel magnetic and fluorescent core–shell nanoparticles have been fabricated, which exhibit superparamagnetic behavior and emit strong near-infrared fluorescence. The nanoparticles are highly biocompatible and can be internalized into cells with nucleic accumulation via strong interaction with nucleic acids, implying potential applications in the biomedical field.
Co-reporter:Baozhong Lv, Zhen Wu, Chendong Ji, Wantai Yang, Dongpeng Yan and Meizhen Yin
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2015 vol. 3(Issue 33) pp:8519-8525
Publication Date(Web):20 Jul 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5TC01817J
Systems that exhibit light-driven fluorescence change have received much attention due to their applications in luminescent switches or as sensors. However, such solid-state systems are still limited relative to those in solution form, and how to obtain photochromic fluorescent film materials for use in device fabrication is a long-standing problem. In this work, one-dimensional (1D) solid-state microcrystals combining a host molecule cyclodextrin (CD) and UV-responsive guest molecule spiropyran (SP) have been developed, which present a light-driven fluorescence change based on the isomerization of the SP molecule in the CD matrix. Firstly, the supramolecular forces including inherent hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions in this self-assembled system were studied using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR). The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) comparison between the SP@CD system and the pristine CD or SP confirms that the SP guest plays a crucial role in the formation of 1D microcrystals. Then, through a spin-casting process, a thin film of SP@CD microcrystals was further fabricated, which shows a reversible photochromic fluorescence between fluorescence-free and high red-emission states. Moreover, the open-ring form of SP@CD microcrystals also presents two-photon emission and polarized fluorescence. Therefore, this work has offered a facile way to obtain a reversible photochromic fluorescent film, which may be applied in dynamic light-controlled fluorescent sensors and two-photon imaging.
Co-reporter:Chendong Ji, Yang Zheng, Jie Li, Jie Shen, Wantai Yang and Meizhen Yin
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2015 vol. 3(Issue 38) pp:7494-7498
Publication Date(Web):03 Sep 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5TB01738F
A novel amphiphilic squarylium indocyanine (LysoCy) is reported for remarkable lysosome tracking in live cells. LysoCy performs as a promising lysosome tracker with low cytotoxicity, a strong binding affinity and clear subcellular labelling. The long-term dynamics of lysosomes can be revealed by LysoCy for up to 2 days of culture, while the working duration of commercial dye is no longer than 1 hour. Our work provides a good alternative tool for long-term live cell imaging.
Co-reporter:Yanjiao Lu, Yang Zheng, Shusen You, Feng Wang, Zhuo Gao, Jie Shen, Wantai Yang, and Meizhen Yin
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2015 Volume 7(Issue 9) pp:5226
Publication Date(Web):February 18, 2015
DOI:10.1021/am508266p
A new type of bifunctional magnetic-fluorescent Fe3O4@SiO2–PDI–PAA/Ca2+ nanoparticles has been prepared by coating PDI-cored star polymers (PDI–PAA) onto the surface of Fe3O4@SiO2 core–shell nanostructures. The morphology and properties of the composite nanoparticles are investigated by transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectrometry, fluorescence spectrometry, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The composite nanoparticles display a strong red emission and superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature. The cell viability and uptake assays reveal good biocompatibility of these hybrid nanoparticles. Hence, the composite nanoparticles are of potential to be further explored as therapeutic vector in biomedical field.Keywords: bioimaging; fluorescence; magnetic nanoparticles; star polymer
Co-reporter:Zejun Xu, Wenyu Cheng, Kunru Guo, Jieshi Yu, Jie Shen, Jun Tang, Wantai Yang, and Meizhen Yin
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2015 Volume 7(Issue 18) pp:9784
Publication Date(Web):April 22, 2015
DOI:10.1021/acsami.5b01665
The molecular properties concerning size, shape, and electric charges of the planar aromatic DNA intercalators are still poorly understood. Herein, a series of water-soluble perylene bisimide (PBI) derivatives containing a rigid and planar aromatic nanoscaffold with different size, shape, and electric charges were synthesized. Using histochemistry and cell viability assays on animal tissues and cancer cells, we revealed the molecular properties required for successful DNA intercalators to localize in cell nuclei and inhibit cancer cells. Small molecular size and the strong polarity of hydrophilic substituents are prerequisites for PBI-based DNA intercalators. A large number of charges facilitate the nucleic accumulation of these DNA intercalators, while fewer charges and planar aromatic nanoscaffold more efficiently inhibit cancer cell growth.Keywords: anticancer activity; cell imaging; DNA intercalator; nucleic accumulation; perylene bisimide; planar aromatic nanoscaffold;
Co-reporter:Jin Zhang, Kelan Liu, Klaus Müllen and Meizhen Yin
Chemical Communications 2015 vol. 51(Issue 58) pp:11541-11555
Publication Date(Web):29 May 2015
DOI:10.1039/C5CC03016A
The need for a simplified access to supramolecular assemblies with enhanced tenability has led to the development of amphiphilic homopolymers (APHPs). This feature article highlights recent advances and future trends in APHP design, self-assembly, and biomedical applications. APHP self-assemblies are prepared by two different routes: the “monomer-induced” method, which polymerizes functional amphiphilic monomers into micelles and inverse micelles, and the “hydrophobic-group-induced” method, which uses the non-covalent interaction provided by large hydrophobic endgroups. Special emphasis is paid to unimolecular polymeric micelles (UPMs) which are formed from core–shell APHPs and which consist of a hydrophobic/hydrophilic core coated with a polymer shell. The self-assembled supramolecular structures hold promise for various biomedical fields, including living cell transport, fluorescence labelling, protein sensing and extraction, DNA detection, and drug loading and release.
Co-reporter:Zhixiong Li
The Journal of Physical Chemistry C 2015 Volume 119(Issue 13) pp:7428-7435
Publication Date(Web):March 19, 2015
DOI:10.1021/acs.jpcc.5b00753
Intelligent photoresponsive materials have shown broad applications in antiflake, coating, biomarker, information storage, and optical devices. This article describes the design and fabrication of a photoresponsive switch via a two-step procedure: (i) spiropyran (SP) as a chromophore was encapsulated within a block copolymer (poly(tert-butyl acrylate-co-ethyl acrylate-co-methacrylic acid), PTBEM) to produce SP@PTBEM micelle; (ii) an organic–inorganic ultrathin film (UTF) was prepared by layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly of the negatively charged SP@PTBEM micelle and positively charged MgAl-layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoplatelets (denoted as (SP@PTBEM/LDHs)n UTF; n represents the bilayer number). Fluorescence spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicate a uniform and ordered layered structure with stepwise growth. The resulting (SP@PTBEM/LDHs)n UTF serves as an intelligent photoresponsive switch based on the structural transformation between SP and merocyanine (MC), which is triggered by alternate irradiation of UV/visible light. In addition, the UTF exhibits a high reversibility and photostability, which can be potentially used in photochromic materials and devices.
Co-reporter:Mengjun Chen, Meizhen Yin
Progress in Polymer Science 2014 Volume 39(Issue 2) pp:365-395
Publication Date(Web):February 2014
DOI:10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2013.11.001
Because fluorescence-based techniques are inherently sensitive, selective, convenient, diverse, non-destructive, potentially real time and in situ, they have been widely used in biological imaging. Especially those, with specific fluorescent nanostructures (FNSs) as detecting media in bioimaging, have already been intensively studied for more than a decade because of the convenient transduction of optical signal, high sensitivity and rapid response of FNSs. In this review, we summarize the major strategies to design FNSs with specific structures for biological imaging. First, recent advances are briefly introduced. Then, the specific design of FNSs and their applications are reviewed, in which their fluorescence mechanism, strategies in designing and development, preparation methods, and some representative applications in bioimaging are described. Finally, future perspectives and ongoing issues of FNSs and their applications in bioimaging are discussed. Although many FNSs have been synthesized and applied biologically, many studies still should be done before they can be widely employed as fluorescent probes in clinical tests. With further advances in design and synthesis of high quality multifunctional FNSs, the widespread application of FNSs may be expected not only in advanced bioimaging, but also in ultra-sensitive molecular diagnosis, novel light-emitting nanodevices and intracellular drug delivery.
Co-reporter:Dongxu Shen, Fan Zhou, Zejun Xu, Bicheng He, Miao Li, Jie Shen, Meizhen Yin and Chunju An
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2014 vol. 2(Issue 29) pp:4653-4659
Publication Date(Web):16 Jun 2014
DOI:10.1039/C4TB00411F
A water-soluble cationic dendrimer with a central fluorescent perylenediimide (PDI) chromophore and many peripheral amines can rapidly penetrate into live hemocytes, gut and fat body. By double fluorescence tracing, the dendrimer is demonstrated to have a high gene-transfection capacity. The synthesized dsRNA targeting at serpin-3, a key immune gene, is systemically delivered by the dendrimer to insect fat bodies and hemocytes outside of midgut. Biological assays, including PCR and immunoblotting, show that the expressions of the target gene and its downstream immunity-related genes are largely suppressed. This study demonstrates for the first time that a PDI-cored, cationic, dendrimer-mediated dsRNA systemically interferes with the immune response in insects. This work provides an insect model for immunology research and a novel strategy for potential pest control.
Co-reporter:Kelan Liu, Zejun Xu, Meizhen Yin, Wantai Yang, Bicheng He, Wei Wei and Jie Shen
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2014 vol. 2(Issue 15) pp:2093-2096
Publication Date(Web):05 Feb 2014
DOI:10.1039/C3TB21801E
Multifunctional dithioacetal-modified perylenediimide (DTPDI) is synthesized as a highly sensitive and selective fluorescent chemosensor for recyclable Hg2+ detection and an effective DNA carrier. The central PDI chromophore allows the tracing of cell uptake by fluorescence microscopy, dithioacetals enable the detection of Hg2+, and peripheral amine hydrochloride salts increase the water solubility and also serve as positive charges for noncovalent binding of negatively charged DNA. In addition to serve as a recyclable fluorescent probe for Hg2+ detection, DTPDI can be rapidly internalized into live cells with low cytotoxicity and high DNA delivery efficacy.
Co-reporter:Zejun Xu, Bicheng He, Wei Wei, Kelan Liu, Meizhen Yin, Wantai Yang and Jie Shen
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2014 vol. 2(Issue 20) pp:3079-3086
Publication Date(Web):25 Feb 2014
DOI:10.1039/C4TB00195H
A highly water-soluble perylenediimide-core poly(amido amine) (PDI-PAmAm) with peripheral amine groups has been synthesized. The central PDI chromophore allows optical monitoring of relevant cellular experiments by fluorescence microscopy. The PAmAm shell provides the steric bulk that notably suppresses the aggregation of the central PDI chromophore in aqueous solution. The peripheral amines provide water solubility and positive charges, and also serve as active sites for the further growth of PAmAm. PDI-PAmAm can be rapidly internalized into live cells with high efficacy of gene delivery and low cytotoxicity. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate the high gene transfection efficacy of PDI-PAmAm.
Co-reporter:Jin Zhang, Shusen You, Shouke Yan, Klaus Müllen, Wantai Yang and Meizhen Yin
Chemical Communications 2014 vol. 50(Issue 56) pp:7511-7513
Publication Date(Web):19 May 2014
DOI:10.1039/C4CC02448F
pH-responsive perylene-ended amphiphilic homopolymers can self-assemble into flower-like structures by pH-adjustment. Both the π–π stacking of perylene end groups and the electrostatic repulsion effect of the polymer chains contribute to the pH-responsive self-assembly in aqueous solution.
Co-reporter:Shulin Wan, Yang Zheng, Jie Shen, Wantai Yang, and Meizhen Yin
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2014 Volume 6(Issue 22) pp:19515
Publication Date(Web):November 14, 2014
DOI:10.1021/am506641t
A novel spiropyran that responds to both extreme acid and extreme alkali and has an “on–off–on” switch is reported. Benzoic acid at the indole N-position and carboxyl group at the indole 6-position contribute to the extreme acid response. The ionizations of carboxyl and phenolic hydroxyl groups cause the extreme alkali response. Moreover, the fluorescent imaging in bacterial cells under extreme pH conditions supports the mechanism of pH response.Keywords: bacterial labeling; chromophores; dual color; extreme pH sensor; spiropyran; “on−off−on” switch
Co-reporter:Shusen You, Qing Cai, Klaus Müllen, Wantai Yang and Meizhen Yin
Chemical Communications 2014 vol. 50(Issue 7) pp:823-825
Publication Date(Web):11 Nov 2013
DOI:10.1039/C3CC48046A
Unimolecular fluorescent micelles of star polyelectrolytes with a perylenediimide core are very sensitive to changes in pH values. The pH-responsive behavior relies on the ionization or deionization of the star polyelectrolytes, which causes a reversible volume phase transition and optical response.
Co-reporter:Shusen You, Qing Cai, Yang Zheng, Bicheng He, Jie Shen, Wantai Yang, and Meizhen Yin
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2014 Volume 6(Issue 18) pp:16327
Publication Date(Web):August 27, 2014
DOI:10.1021/am5045967
Two star polycations, poly(2-aminoethyl methacrylate) (PAEMA, P1) and poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA, P2), have been synthesized with perylene diimide (PDI) as the central fluorophore. 1H NMR and 13C NMR are used to confirm the successful synthesis of a macromolecular initiator. Using ATRP strategy, P1 and P2 are obtained with narrow molecular weight distribution. The star polymers have good fluorescence properties in aqueous solution, which provides fluorescent tracing and imaging during gene delivery. Both P1 and P2 can efficiently condense DNA into stable nanoparticles. Transfection studies demonstrate that P1 and P2 deliver DNA into live cells with higher efficiency and lower cytotoxicity than polyethylenimine (PEI, 25 kDa). P2 shows higher capacity for gene delivery than P1 due to its better buffering and faster rate of cellular internalization.Keywords: bioimaging; fluorescence; gene vector; star polymer
Co-reporter:Mengmeng Sun, Yong He, Wantai Yang and Meizhen Yin
Soft Matter 2014 vol. 10(Issue 19) pp:3426-3431
Publication Date(Web):11 Feb 2014
DOI:10.1039/C3SM52350K
A fluorescent polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) film with assembled nanostructures is successfully prepared in one pot by using perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (PDA) as the fluorophore. The reactive anhydride groups in PDA play an important role in the covalent bonding of fluorescent molecules in the fluorescent PVP film, which has been demonstrated by a small-molecule model reaction. Interestingly, rod-like structures are found on the surface of the fluorescent film, which is attributed to the π–π interaction of PDA that occurred in the crosslinked PVP film. Further polarized optical microscopy (POM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and optical analyses demonstrate the stable existence of π-conjugated nanostructures in the fluorescent PDA-based PVP film. The reactive anhydrides and the π–π interaction of perylene molecules are essential for the fabrication of the fluorescent perylene-assembled PVP film. This method could be extended to the preparation of the fluorescent PVP film with self-assembled nanostructures.
Co-reporter:Yanjiao Lu, Wantai Yang, Meizhen Yin
Materials Letters 2014 Volume 125() pp:4-7
Publication Date(Web):15 June 2014
DOI:10.1016/j.matlet.2014.03.118
•A facile one-pot method towards the construction of bifucntional magnetic-fluorescent polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) film.•The mechanism relies on the chemical reaction between the ring-opened PVP and the magnetic nanoparticles as well as the dye molecules.•The PVP film exhibits excellent superparamagnetism and high optical stability due to the covalent bonding of magnetic nanoparticles and the dye molecules.•The facile method could be extended to other oxides for the preparation of multi-functional composite PVP films.A facile one-pot method is developed to produce bifunctional magnetic-fluorescent polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) film with excellent superparamagnetism and stable optical property. The optical and magnetic properties and the morphology of the produced PVP film are investigated by fluorescence spectrometry, vibrating sample magnetometer and scanning electron microscopy. The magnetic nanoparticles and the dye molecules are incorporated into the PVP film networks through covalent linkages and the obtained magnetic-fluorescent PVP film exhibits highly stable superparamagnetism and fluorescent property. This facile preparation method can be extended to the fabrication of oxides-doped fluorescent PVP films.Schematic representation of the formation of magnetic-fluorescent PVP film.
Co-reporter:Mengmeng Sun;Yong He;Yong Ye;Wantai Yang
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics 2014 Volume 215( Issue 6) pp:493-498
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/macp.201300688
Co-reporter:Bicheng He;Yuan Chu;Klaus Müllen;Chunju An;Jie Shen
Advanced Materials 2013 Volume 25( Issue 33) pp:4580-4584
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/adma.201301201
Co-reporter:Zejun Xu, Bicheng He, Jie Shen, Wantai Yang and Meizhen Yin
Chemical Communications 2013 vol. 49(Issue 35) pp:3646-3648
Publication Date(Web):14 Mar 2013
DOI:10.1039/C3CC40330K
Different generations of perylenediimide-cored dendrimers with peripheral amine groups were synthesized. All these water-soluble dendrimers could rapidly internalize into live cells with high efficacy of gene transfection and low cytotoxicity. Increasing dendrimer generation increased their ability for gene transfection.
Co-reporter:Meizhen Yin;Yong Ye;Mengmeng Sun;Naiwen Kang ;Wantai Yang
Macromolecular Rapid Communications 2013 Volume 34( Issue 7) pp:616-620
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/marc.201200750
Co-reporter:Jie Li, Chendong Ji, Wantai Yang and Meizhen Yin
Analyst 2013 vol. 138(Issue 24) pp:7289-7293
Publication Date(Web):24 Sep 2013
DOI:10.1039/C3AN01525D
pH indicators based on optical analysis play an important role in monitoring pH changes. Squarylium indocyanine (SICy) dyes have been developed to be used as extremely alkaline solution sensors. The absorbance and fluorescence intensities of the SICy dyes were quenched at a pH value of 13, and then recovered by adding acid to adjust the pH to 7. This reversible switching process could be repeated several times without significant loss of fluorescence. NMR and mass spectrometry analyses demonstrate nucleophilic addition of hydroxide ions to the N heterocycle. This study opens a new avenue to the design of fluorescent ratiometrics in extremely alkaline systems.
Co-reporter:Ying Xiao;Shusen You;Yuan Yao;Tao Zheng;Chen Lin;Stephan V. Roth;Peter Müller-Buschbaum;Werner Steffen;Ling-Dong Sun;Chun-Hua Yan;Jochen S. Gutmann;Jun Fu;Ya-Jun Cheng
European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry 2013 Volume 2013( Issue 8) pp:1251-1257
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/ejic.201201524
Abstract
A new concept to achieve the generalized synthesis of crystalline mesoporous rare earth (RE) oxide thin films templated with an ionic amphiphilic block copolymer is developed. Mesoporous La2O3, Eu2O3, Tb2O3, and Yb2O3 thin films as representatives of the light and heavy RE groups are synthesized by using polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid) (PS-b-PAA) as a templating agent. The impact of the concentration of PS-b-PAA on the morphologies of the mesopores is investigated. The local and long-range lateral structures, vertical structures, and crystallinities of the mesoporous thin films are probed by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering, X-ray reflectivity, and transmission electron microscopy. The mechanism of formation of the mesoporous RE oxide thin films is discussed.
Co-reporter:Mengjun Chen, Yining Zhao, Wantai Yang, and Meizhen Yin
Langmuir 2013 Volume 29(Issue 51) pp:16018-16024
Publication Date(Web):December 5, 2013
DOI:10.1021/la4041776
Two types of facile approaches toward ultrafine Ag/polymer hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) within 10 nm are introduced. Template and in-situ formation method are developed by photoreduction based on inverse microemulsion (IME) polymerization of N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAA). The template method refers to the usage of size-varied polymeric PDMAA NPs as templates for the preparation of Ag/PDMAA hybrids with desired morphology and optical property. To avoid the self-seeding nucleation of free Ag+ in the solution, in-situ formation method is developed by introducing AgNO3 during IME polymerization, in which product hybrids could be obtained via autoprecipitation in large scale. Additionally, the produced Ag/PDMAA hybrids show high antibacterial performance.
Co-reporter:Yaming Yu, Meizhen Yin, Klaus Müllen and Wolfgang Knoll
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2012 vol. 22(Issue 16) pp:7880-7886
Publication Date(Web):12 Mar 2012
DOI:10.1039/C2JM15931G
Positively or negatively charged water soluble core–shell star polymers consisting of a dendritic polyphenylene core and an outer flexible shell have been employed for the assembly of multilayer films. The multilayer films were fabricated via the layer-by-layer assembly (LbL) of the oppositely charged dendritic star polyelectrolytes and characterized by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPR). The assembled multilayer films exhibit morphology changes by undergoing considerable structural reorganization upon post-treatment under different pH conditions. Kinetic binding of probe DNA molecules on the outmost negatively charged surface was studied by SPR as well and showed stable DNA immobilization. DNA hybridization was investigated by surface plasmon field enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy (SPFS), whose hybridization behaviors from one mismatch and complementary target DNA molecules were significantly distinguished. The SPFS based DNA detection on dendritic star polymer multilayers represents a new candidate for the development of DNA biosensors or DNA microarrays.
Co-reporter:Dr. Meizhen Yin;Naiwen Kang;Dr. Guanglei Cui;Dr. Zhihong Liu;Dr. Feng Wang;Dr. Wantai Yang;Dr. Markus Klapper;Dr. Klaus Müllen
Chemistry - A European Journal 2012 Volume 18( Issue 8) pp:2239-2243
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/chem.201103649
Co-reporter:Chuan Liang Feng;Di Zhang;Shenmin Zhu;Anne Marie Caminade;Jean Pierre Majoral;Klaus Müllen
Macromolecular Rapid Communications 2011 Volume 32( Issue 8) pp:679-683
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1002/marc.201000788
Co-reporter:Qianfang Yao, Yang Zheng, Wenyu Cheng, MengJun Chen, Jie Shen and Meizhen Yin
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2016 - vol. 4(Issue 38) pp:NaN6349-6349
Publication Date(Web):2016/08/30
DOI:10.1039/C6TB01787H
Difunctional fluorescent CoFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles were prepared through a facile method. After the absorption of dopamine, human serum albumin (HSA) was easily attached onto the surface of CoFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles through a reversible non-covalent bond between HSA and –NH2 in dopamine. With the same type of interaction, the designed perylene diimide (PDI) based –NH2 rich fluorescent molecule (PDI-4NH2) was decorated on the HSA-modified CoFe2O4 nanoparticles. The produced fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles exhibited great biocompatibility and could successfully enter the cell. Therefore, we have developed a novel method to obtain fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles with potential biomedical applications.
Co-reporter:Zejun Xu, Bicheng He, Jie Shen, Wantai Yang and Meizhen Yin
Chemical Communications 2013 - vol. 49(Issue 35) pp:NaN3648-3648
Publication Date(Web):2013/03/14
DOI:10.1039/C3CC40330K
Different generations of perylenediimide-cored dendrimers with peripheral amine groups were synthesized. All these water-soluble dendrimers could rapidly internalize into live cells with high efficacy of gene transfection and low cytotoxicity. Increasing dendrimer generation increased their ability for gene transfection.
Co-reporter:Shusen You, Qing Cai, Klaus Müllen, Wantai Yang and Meizhen Yin
Chemical Communications 2014 - vol. 50(Issue 7) pp:NaN825-825
Publication Date(Web):2013/11/11
DOI:10.1039/C3CC48046A
Unimolecular fluorescent micelles of star polyelectrolytes with a perylenediimide core are very sensitive to changes in pH values. The pH-responsive behavior relies on the ionization or deionization of the star polyelectrolytes, which causes a reversible volume phase transition and optical response.
Co-reporter:Jin Zhang, Shusen You, Shouke Yan, Klaus Müllen, Wantai Yang and Meizhen Yin
Chemical Communications 2014 - vol. 50(Issue 56) pp:NaN7513-7513
Publication Date(Web):2014/05/19
DOI:10.1039/C4CC02448F
pH-responsive perylene-ended amphiphilic homopolymers can self-assemble into flower-like structures by pH-adjustment. Both the π–π stacking of perylene end groups and the electrostatic repulsion effect of the polymer chains contribute to the pH-responsive self-assembly in aqueous solution.
Co-reporter:Ruizheng Liang, Shusen You, Lina Ma, Chunyang Li, Rui Tian, Min Wei, Dan Yan, Meizhen Yin, Wantai Yang, David G. Evans and Xue Duan
Chemical Science (2010-Present) 2015 - vol. 6(Issue 10) pp:NaN5518-5518
Publication Date(Web):2015/06/22
DOI:10.1039/C5SC00994D
A supramolecular nanovehicle (denoted as SNV) was fabricated by encapsulating zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) and doxorubicin (DOX) into a copolymer (PVP-b-PAA-g-FA), so as to achieve systematic and synergistic chemotherapy-photodynamic therapy (PDT), targeted tumor imaging and therapy. The sophisticated copolymer designed in this work can load the PDT photosensitizer (ZnPc) and chemotherapy drug (DOX) simultaneously, which exhibits an excellent performance in chemotherapy-PDT targeted cancer and tumor therapy for both in vitro studies performed with HepG2 cells and in vivo tests with mice. This work provides a new drug formulation with a chemotherapy-PDT synergistic effect by virtue of the supramolecular material design, which possesses the advantages of an ultra-low drug dosage and highly-efficient in vivo targeted tumor imaging/therapy.
Co-reporter:Mengmeng Sun, Klaus Müllen and Meizhen Yin
Chemical Society Reviews 2016 - vol. 45(Issue 6) pp:NaN1528-1528
Publication Date(Web):2016/01/21
DOI:10.1039/C5CS00754B
Water-soluble perylenediimides (PDIs) with high fluorescence intensity, photostability and biocompatibility have been successfully prepared and applied in the biological field. In this tutorial review, we briefly focus on the synthetic strategies for the preparation of water-soluble PDIs by incorporating ionic or non-ionic substituents with multiple polar groups into the bay-region, imide- or ortho-positions of PDIs. These ionic/non-ionic substituents can suppress π–π aggregation and shield the inner perylene chromophores, thus contributing to the water solubility which is essential for biological applications. The optical properties, absorption and emission maxima above 500 nm, minimize the autofluorescence background of cells and provide access to imaging in living cells. The biological applications of water-soluble PDIs are discussed from simple (basic) to complex (advanced) processes, including biosensing in vitro studies, imaging and gene/drug delivering in living cells, tissues and the whole body. The promising future of designed multi-functional water-soluble PDIs will be highlighted in this review.
Co-reporter:Chendong Ji, Yang Zheng, Jie Li, Jie Shen, Wantai Yang and Meizhen Yin
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2015 - vol. 3(Issue 38) pp:NaN7498-7498
Publication Date(Web):2015/09/03
DOI:10.1039/C5TB01738F
A novel amphiphilic squarylium indocyanine (LysoCy) is reported for remarkable lysosome tracking in live cells. LysoCy performs as a promising lysosome tracker with low cytotoxicity, a strong binding affinity and clear subcellular labelling. The long-term dynamics of lysosomes can be revealed by LysoCy for up to 2 days of culture, while the working duration of commercial dye is no longer than 1 hour. Our work provides a good alternative tool for long-term live cell imaging.
Co-reporter:Zejun Xu, Bicheng He, Wei Wei, Kelan Liu, Meizhen Yin, Wantai Yang and Jie Shen
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2014 - vol. 2(Issue 20) pp:NaN3086-3086
Publication Date(Web):2014/02/25
DOI:10.1039/C4TB00195H
A highly water-soluble perylenediimide-core poly(amido amine) (PDI-PAmAm) with peripheral amine groups has been synthesized. The central PDI chromophore allows optical monitoring of relevant cellular experiments by fluorescence microscopy. The PAmAm shell provides the steric bulk that notably suppresses the aggregation of the central PDI chromophore in aqueous solution. The peripheral amines provide water solubility and positive charges, and also serve as active sites for the further growth of PAmAm. PDI-PAmAm can be rapidly internalized into live cells with high efficacy of gene delivery and low cytotoxicity. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate the high gene transfection efficacy of PDI-PAmAm.
Co-reporter:Kelan Liu, Zejun Xu, Meizhen Yin, Wantai Yang, Bicheng He, Wei Wei and Jie Shen
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2014 - vol. 2(Issue 15) pp:NaN2096-2096
Publication Date(Web):2014/02/05
DOI:10.1039/C3TB21801E
Multifunctional dithioacetal-modified perylenediimide (DTPDI) is synthesized as a highly sensitive and selective fluorescent chemosensor for recyclable Hg2+ detection and an effective DNA carrier. The central PDI chromophore allows the tracing of cell uptake by fluorescence microscopy, dithioacetals enable the detection of Hg2+, and peripheral amine hydrochloride salts increase the water solubility and also serve as positive charges for noncovalent binding of negatively charged DNA. In addition to serve as a recyclable fluorescent probe for Hg2+ detection, DTPDI can be rapidly internalized into live cells with low cytotoxicity and high DNA delivery efficacy.
Co-reporter:Dongxu Shen, Fan Zhou, Zejun Xu, Bicheng He, Miao Li, Jie Shen, Meizhen Yin and Chunju An
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2014 - vol. 2(Issue 29) pp:NaN4659-4659
Publication Date(Web):2014/06/16
DOI:10.1039/C4TB00411F
A water-soluble cationic dendrimer with a central fluorescent perylenediimide (PDI) chromophore and many peripheral amines can rapidly penetrate into live hemocytes, gut and fat body. By double fluorescence tracing, the dendrimer is demonstrated to have a high gene-transfection capacity. The synthesized dsRNA targeting at serpin-3, a key immune gene, is systemically delivered by the dendrimer to insect fat bodies and hemocytes outside of midgut. Biological assays, including PCR and immunoblotting, show that the expressions of the target gene and its downstream immunity-related genes are largely suppressed. This study demonstrates for the first time that a PDI-cored, cationic, dendrimer-mediated dsRNA systemically interferes with the immune response in insects. This work provides an insect model for immunology research and a novel strategy for potential pest control.
Co-reporter:Yaming Yu, Meizhen Yin, Klaus Müllen and Wolfgang Knoll
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2012 - vol. 22(Issue 16) pp:
Publication Date(Web):
DOI:10.1039/C2JM15931G
Co-reporter:Baozhong Lv, Zhen Wu, Chendong Ji, Wantai Yang, Dongpeng Yan and Meizhen Yin
Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2015 - vol. 3(Issue 33) pp:NaN8525-8525
Publication Date(Web):2015/07/20
DOI:10.1039/C5TC01817J
Systems that exhibit light-driven fluorescence change have received much attention due to their applications in luminescent switches or as sensors. However, such solid-state systems are still limited relative to those in solution form, and how to obtain photochromic fluorescent film materials for use in device fabrication is a long-standing problem. In this work, one-dimensional (1D) solid-state microcrystals combining a host molecule cyclodextrin (CD) and UV-responsive guest molecule spiropyran (SP) have been developed, which present a light-driven fluorescence change based on the isomerization of the SP molecule in the CD matrix. Firstly, the supramolecular forces including inherent hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions in this self-assembled system were studied using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR). The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) comparison between the SP@CD system and the pristine CD or SP confirms that the SP guest plays a crucial role in the formation of 1D microcrystals. Then, through a spin-casting process, a thin film of SP@CD microcrystals was further fabricated, which shows a reversible photochromic fluorescence between fluorescence-free and high red-emission states. Moreover, the open-ring form of SP@CD microcrystals also presents two-photon emission and polarized fluorescence. Therefore, this work has offered a facile way to obtain a reversible photochromic fluorescent film, which may be applied in dynamic light-controlled fluorescent sensors and two-photon imaging.
Co-reporter:Jin Zhang, Kelan Liu, Klaus Müllen and Meizhen Yin
Chemical Communications 2015 - vol. 51(Issue 58) pp:NaN11555-11555
Publication Date(Web):2015/05/29
DOI:10.1039/C5CC03016A
The need for a simplified access to supramolecular assemblies with enhanced tenability has led to the development of amphiphilic homopolymers (APHPs). This feature article highlights recent advances and future trends in APHP design, self-assembly, and biomedical applications. APHP self-assemblies are prepared by two different routes: the “monomer-induced” method, which polymerizes functional amphiphilic monomers into micelles and inverse micelles, and the “hydrophobic-group-induced” method, which uses the non-covalent interaction provided by large hydrophobic endgroups. Special emphasis is paid to unimolecular polymeric micelles (UPMs) which are formed from core–shell APHPs and which consist of a hydrophobic/hydrophilic core coated with a polymer shell. The self-assembled supramolecular structures hold promise for various biomedical fields, including living cell transport, fluorescence labelling, protein sensing and extraction, DNA detection, and drug loading and release.
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![3,5,9-Trioxa-4-phosphapentacosan-1-aminium,4-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-10-oxo-7-[(1-oxohexadecyl)oxy]-, inner salt, 4-oxide](http://img.cochemist.com/ccimg/2700/2644-64-6.png)
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