Royal Society of Chemistry: Soft Matter

RSC - Soft Matter latest articles

• Recent development in computer simulations of lipid bilayers
  We review recent progress in computer simulations of lipid bilayers, covering questions of force field development, simulations of bilayers with unsaturated lipids, cholesterol and other inclusions, and use of coarse-grained models
  
  
• Cryo-TEM imaging of a novel microemulsion system of silicone oil with an anionic/nonionic surfactant mixture
  We report the nanostructures of a novel microemulsion system of silicone oil with an anionic/nonionic surfactant mixture, investigated by cryo-TEM.
  
  
• Controlled enhancement of transmembrane enzyme activity in polymer cushioned supported bilayer membranes
  Supported lipid bilayer membranes on polymer cushions improve unrestricted lateral mobility and enhance the functionality of integrated transmembrane proteins in comparison to solid supported bilayer systems.
  
  
• Shape deformation of giant vesicles encapsulating charged colloidal particles
  By confining colloidal particles a non-spherical giant vesicle transforms to a multi-bead vesicle, which might be governed by the free volume of confined colloids.
  
  
• Why size and speed matter: frequency dependence and the mechanical properties of biomolecules
  Softer or harder: a question of rate for biomolecules and cells.
  
  
• Characterisation and performance of hydrogel tissue scaffolds
  Collagen hydrogel has a broad range of pores difficult to be determined using one method.
  
  
• Functionalized scaffolds of shorter self-assembling peptides containing MMP-2 cleavable motif promote fibroblast proliferation and significantly accelerate 3-D cell migration independent of scaffold stiffness
  We present self-assembling peptide scaffolds designed for cell migration. The scaffolds functionalized with cell adhesion and MMP cleavable motifs from natural extracellular matrix proteins promote cell migration independent of scaffold stiffness.
  
  
• Long-term effects of hydrogel properties on human chondrocyte behavior
  Natural and biofunctional synthetic hydrogels elicit different chondrogenic responses in 12 week cultures.
  
  
• Conformational transitions and molecular hysteresis of cytochrome c oxidase: Varying the redox state by electronic wiring
  Conformational transitions of Cytochrome c Oxidase (CcO) initiated by direct electron transfer are observed by Surface-Enhanced ATR-IR-Spectroscopy.
  
  
• Phase behavior of colloidal monolayers in quasiperiodic light fields
  We present an experimental investigation of the phase behavior of interacting colloidal particles subjected to a quasiperiodic potential created by the interference of five laser beams.
  
  
• Can liquids slide? Linking stability and dynamics of thin liquid films to microscopic material properties
  Recently obtained achievements concerning the stability and the dynamics of thin liquid films on solid surfaces are illustrated and reviewed, placing a focus on the state-of-the-art determination of microscopic properties, such as the hydrodynamic boundary condition, from dewetting morphologies.
  
  
• Reversible peptide particle formation using a mini amino acid sequence
  We present the formation of micelles and peptide particles-so-called peptide beads-emphasising the process that forms the superstructures as a function of temperature and solvent composition.
  
  
• Systematic design of unimolecular star copolymer micelles using molecular dynamics simulations
  Quantification of hydration of the loadable core conducted systematically for these star copolymers provides fundamental insight into the thermodynamic basis of aggregation and enables the rational design of novel unimolecular star copolymers.
  
  
• Dense fibrillar collagen matrices for tissue repair
  Dense fibrillar collagen matrices (A) offer a range of simple, non-toxic, tissue-like materials. Colonization by cells (B) or association with a mineral phase validates their use as materials for regenerative medicine.
  
  
• Solvent induced transition from wrinkles to creases in thin film gels with depth-wise crosslinking gradients
  Solvent induced transition of surface instability from wrinkles to creases were studied in poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) gels with depth-wise crosslinking gradients. The mode of surface instability and morphology of surface patterns was found to be dependent on the equilibrium linear expansion, which was a function of crosslinker concentration and the solvent-polymer interaction.
  
  
• Hole nucleation in free-standing polymer membranes: the effects of varying molecular architecture
  The nucleation rate of holes in homopolymer films and ordered diblock co-polymers films in free-standing liquid films is vastly different.
  
  
• Cellulose nanowhiskers: promising materials for advanced applications
  Review of the area of chemically modifiable cellulose nanowhiskers which can be ordered into structural materials for energy, biomedical and potentially recyclable nanocomposite material applications.
  
  
• Force distribution determines optimal length of [small beta]-sheet crystals for mechanical robustness
  Molecular simulations and force distribution analysis show that semicrystalline materials like silk show an optimal mechanical performance if their crystalline [small beta]-sheet structures comprise [similar]8 residues in length.
  
  
• Capillary wrinkling of elastic membranes
  We present a physically-based model for the deformation of a floating nano-thin membrane caused by the presence of a liquid drop. Image reproduced from Huang et al., Science, 2007, 317, 650).
  
  
• Behavior of the smectic A phase of colloidal goethite in a magnetic field
  The behavior of the smectic A phase of colloidal goethite in a magnetic field clearly depends on the particle polydispersity.
  
  
• Hydrogelation of self-assembling RGD-based peptides
  The self-assembly of a model peptide Fmoc-RGD that contains the tripeptide RGD cell adhesion motif as well as the aromatic Fmoc unit was investigated. The formation of [small beta]-sheet fibrils was observed in aqueous solution and the self-assembly is compared to control peptide Fmoc-GRD containing a swapped peptide sequence. The rheological properties of hydrogels of both peptides were probed. Preliminary cell culturing experiments are also reported.
  
  
• Extracellular-protein-enhanced cellular uptake of squalenoyl gemcitabine from nanoassemblies
  How a nanomedicine, self-assembled from a squalenoyl gemcitabine prodrug, enters cancer cells is explained by cell uptake measurements.
  
  
• Frustration of nanoconfined liquid crystals due to hybrid substrate anchoring
  We present Monte Carlo simulations of liquid-crystalline material confined to a nanoscopic slit-pore. The simulations are carried out under isothermal conditions in a specialized isostress ensemble in which N fluid molecules are exposed to a compressional stress [small tau][dbl vertical bar] acting on the fluid in directions parallel with the substrate planes.
  
  
• A modulatory bifunctional artificial enzyme with both SOD and GPx activities based on a smart star-shaped pseudo-block copolymer
  A smart bifunctional enzyme with tunble glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities was constructed by the self-assembly of a porphyrin core with a [small beta]-cyclodextrin-terminated temperature-sensitive copolymer in aqueous solution.
  
  
• Designing biomimetic scaffolds for bone regeneration: why aim for a copy of mature tissue properties if nature uses a different approach?
  A biomimetic approach is advocated that uses endogenous secondary fracture healing processes to inform biomaterial scaffold-based treatment strategies for bone defect healing.
  
  
• Surface-modified hyaluronic acid hydrogels to capture endothelial progenitor cells
  Herein we developed an antibody modified hyaluronic acid-based material that could selectively capture endothelial progenitor cells.
  
  
• Amphiphilic block copolymers significantly influence functions of bacteriorhodopsin in water
  Self assembly between macromolecular amphiphiles and purple membranes in water results in prolongation of the photochromic and photoelectric responses of the membrane protein bacteriorhodopsin by three orders of magnitude.
  
  
• Glassy dynamics of gelatin gels
  Gelatin gels show spin glass-like memory effects: a stop during cooling causes an imprint, which is recalled during heating.
  
  
• A functionally graded shape memory polymer
  A functionally graded shape memory polymer exhibiting spatially distributed Tg and gradient shape memory behavior is prepared and characterized using localized micro-indentation with photoelastic measurements.
  
  
• Tissue-engineered fibrin scaffolds containing neural progenitors enhance functional recovery in a subacute model of SCI
  The combination of drug delivery scaffolds and neural progenitor cells improved functional recovery after subacute rat spinal cord injury.
  
  
• In vitro gastric digestion of interfacial protein structures: visualisation by AFM
  Modification of the surface conformation of [small beta]-lactoglobulin affects the susceptibility to peptic hydrolysis under simulated gastric conditions. This provides a possible route to monitor protein degradation in the stomach.
  
  
• Hierarchical polymer patterns driven by capillary instabilities at mobile and corrugated polymer-polymer interfaces
  A thin polymer film undergoes a sequential event of unique and highly anisotropic capillary instabilities on a corrugated and mobile interface.
  
  
• Adsorption of alkanes from the vapour phase on water drops measured by drop profile analysis tensiometry
  Hexane adsorbs/condenses from the vapour phase at a water drop surface, and drainage leads to a liquid lens at the apex.
  
  
• A nano-fibrous assembly of collagen-hyaluronic acid for controlling cell-adhesive properties
  Artificially fabricated extracellular matrix-like nanostructures composed of collagen and hyaluronic acid, controlling cell-adhesive properties
  
  
• Thermosets synthesized by thermal polyesterification for tissue engineering applications
  Starting with common and inexpensive monomers, thermal polyesterification allows for the facile design of versatile biomaterials with proven success as tissue scaffolds.
  
  
• Hierarchical wrinkling patterns
  A simple and flexible method for generating hierarchical patterns was developed from wrinkling instability and applied to the study of fibroblasts' mechano-sensitivity.
  
  
• Stimuli-responsive chitosan-starch injectable hydrogels combined with encapsulated adipose-derived stromal cells for articular cartilage regeneration
  Chondrogenesis of adipose-derived stromal cells encapsulated within a novel chitosan-starch thermoresponsive hydrogel.
  
  
• Block copolymer vesicles containing paramagnetic lanthanide complexes: a novel class of T1- and CEST MRI contrast agents
  The water exchange rate across the membrane of block copolymer vesicles has been exploited to generate novel MRI contrast agents.
  
  
• Molecular diffusion on surface tethered polymer layers: coupling of molecular thermal fluctuation and polymer chain dynamics
  The dynamics of probe molecules on polymer layers is governed by both molecular thermal fluctuation and polymer chain dynamics, yielding an optimal polymer brush thickness for fast molecular surface diffusion.
  
  
• Poly(ethylene glycol) as a sensitive regulator of cell survival fate on polymeric biomaterials: the interplay of cell adhesion and pro-oxidant signaling mechanisms
  In PEG1k-variant copolymers, two PEG-mediated cell signaling elements affected adhesion, proliferation, and survival: integrin [small alpha]5 receptor mediated adhesion and modulation of cellular redox and apoptosis via reactive oxygen species.
  
  
• Photosensitization of polymer vesicles: a multistep chemical process deciphered by micropipette manipulation
  Composite polymersomes loaded with amphiphilic photosensitizers exhibit light-induced morphological and mechanical modifications, which are quantitatively analyzed in relation with the sequence of photochemical reactions.
  
  
• Internal structure and colloidal behaviour of covalent whey protein microgels obtained by heat treatment
  Hierarchically structured whey protein microgels obtained by heat treatment exhibiting pH-responsive swelling/deswelling behavior.
  
  
• Surface-controlled shape design of discotic micro-particles
  Wax droplets in an aqueous solution can adopt different discotic morphologies and aspect ratio upon cooling depending on the surfactant concentration at the oil-water interface. The final shape can be biconcave or flat disks with a smectic internal structure.
  
  
• Mechanism and kinetics of controlled drug release by temperature stimuli responsive protein nanocontainers
  The drug release mechanism of a new protein container composed of an inner gel core and an outer protein shell is investigated and the mechanical and thermal properties of the protein container are discovered.
  
  
• Phase transitions in nanoconfined fluids: Synergistic coupling between soft and hard matter
  We report recent theoretical developments in the study of gas-liquid transitions of fluids confined to deformable mesoporous materials.
  
  
• Determination of the electroporation onset of bilayer lipid membranes as a novel approach to establish ternary phase diagrams: example of the l-[small alpha]-PC/SM/cholesterol system
  Proposed ternary phase diagram for l-[small alpha]-PC, SM and cholesterol mixtures, obtained using the membrane resistance to an applied electric field.
  
  
• Aging under stress in polymer glasses
  Physical aging of glassy polymers under stress changes the mechanical response in complex ways. Molecular simulations find anisotropic yield behavior associated with chain orientation, while the effect is absent in monomeric glasses.
  
  
• Incorporation of the dopamine D2L receptor and bacteriorhodopsin within bicontinuous cubic lipid phases. 2. Relevance to in meso crystallization of integral membrane proteins in novel lipid systems
  Integral membrane proteins, the dopamine D2 receptor and bacteriorhodopsin, exert a structural effect on ethanolamide-based cubic mesophases, dependent on the structure of the underlying cubic phase.
  
  
• Design of biomaterials to enhance stem cell survival when transplanted into the damaged central nervous system
  A biomaterial presents adhesion motifs and survival factors. In combination with the optimal mechanical microenvironment cell survival is increased.
  
  
• Patchy multi-compartment micelles are formed by direct dissolution of an ABC triblock copolymer in water
  Patchy multi-compartment and Janus micelles are formed on direct dissolution of a triblock copolymer in water and revealed by TEM.