Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and its variant, Molecular Layer Deposition (MLD), enable the fabrication of pure inorganic and hybrid organic–inorganic thin films with angstrom- and molecular-level precision through self-limiting vapor-phase reactions. These techniques provide nearly perfect conformality and uniformity of deposited ultrathin films, features crucial for the future of nanomaterials and sustainable surface engineering.

This contribution highlights recent advances that combine ALD/MLD with click chemistry, with research primarily focused on using azide–alkyne and thiol–ene reactions for vapor-phase and hybrid processing. The development of pulsed in situ gas-phase click reactions offers a solvent- and catalyst-free approach to functionalizing metal oxide and hybrid surfaces, overcoming major limitations of solution-based synthesis.

Furthermore, combining ALD-prepared oxide films with wet-chemical thiol–ene functionalization enables the production of nanopatterned organosilica hybrid structures with tunable surface properties. These breakthroughs demonstrate how integrating click chemistry with ALD/MLD expands the chemical toolbox for environmentally friendly nanomanufacturing and the fabrication of advanced materials for sensing applications.

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs), assemi-conductor nanocrystals, are the preferred bioimaging agents thanks to their lower cytotoxicity, higher chemical stability and photostability compared to inorganic-based quantum dots. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a biocompatible and hydrophilic polymer that, when used as a coating (PEGylation), alters the physicochemical properties, as well as the cytotoxicity and intercellular uptake, of inorganic and organic materials.

CQDs were synthesized using the hot bubble synthesis (HBBBS) method that was developed by our group. PEGylation of CQDs was performed in a noncovalent manner using PEG polymers of different molecular weights (PEG-2, PEG-4, PEG-6, and PEG-10). For CQD PEGylation, PEGs of different molecular weights were dissolved in either acetone or distilled water at concentrations of 0.01M or 0.001M and PEGylation was performed at different stirring speeds (300, 600, and 900 rpm). The physical and optical characterization of the PEGylated CQDs was conducted using DLS, Zeta potential, and UV-Vis spectrophotometry instruments, and visualized using fluorescence microscopy (excitation: 385 nm).

The PEGylated CQDs had more homogenous distribution and were smaller in size when prepared with concentrations at 600 rpm and 0.001M PEG, regardless of the solvent and PEG molecular weight. Therefore, water was selected as the solvent to avoid cytotoxicity. PEGylated CQDs with 0.001M PEG (in distilled water) will be further characterized in future research using FTIR, SEM, EDS analysis, and TEM. Additionally, to evaluate their biocompatibility, these samples will be tested on HEK293 cells for cell viability using the CCK-8 kit, and the cellular localization of the nanoparticles will be visualized utilizing fluorescence microscopy.

Intensive agriculture relying on chemical fertilizers causes environmental impacts, which calls for sustainable alternatives. In this context, PLA nanofibers produced by electrospinning stand out because they enable controlled nutrient release, while microalgae encapsulation rich in nutritious biomass reduces accelerated mineralization and increases the efficiency of biofertilizers. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop poly(lactic acid) nanofibers via needleless electrospinning containing microalgal biomass, with potential application as biofertilizers. For the development of the nanostructures, polymer solutions with PLA concentrations of 0.5, 1, and 14% (m v⁻¹) were prepared, containing 2% (m v⁻¹) of Scenedesmus sp. dissolved in trichloromethane. Nanofiber morphology was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy, hydrophobicity by contact angle measurements, and the main thermal events were determined by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. Solutions with low PLA content (0.5 to 1%) produced particles or beaded fibers due to low viscosity and jet instability, whereas the 14% PLA solution enabled the formation of continuous and stable nanofibers with an average diameter of 800  200 nm. Under this condition, the following process parameters were defined: electrode distance of 180 mm, electric potential of 45 kV, spinneret diameter of 0.8 mm, and polymer solution speed of 150 mm/s. Contact angle analysis indicated that PLA nanofibers with encapsulated microalgae exhibit hydrophobic behavior (θ=133.6°), a relevant feature for controlling water interaction and nutrient release. Incorporation of Scenedesmus sp. significantly increased the degradation temperature of the PLA nanofibers from 390 to 450 °C and raised the degree of crystallinity to 48%, higher than the value reported for the pure polymer in the literature (38.9%). These characteristics contribute to greater structural integrity of the nanofibers and favor controlled nutrient release in soil. These results indicate that PLA nanofibers containing microalgae biomass may be promising controlled-release biofertilizers, contributing to the reduction of environmental impacts.

The exploration of insulin detection is of great significance for achieving diabetes monitoring and treatment. In our study, protamine-encapsulated DNA copper nanoclusters (Prot@DNACuNCs) were synthesized as a novel fluorescent nanoprobe for detecting insulin, a unique biomarker of diabetes. In our results, we found that our synthesized Prot@DNACuNC is highly sensitive toward insulin in a fluorescent detection assay. Further, we focused on fluorescence-based sensing of insulin secretion in response to the function of the pancreatic β-TC-6 cell line under different external glucose concentrations. We found that Prot@DNACuNC is highly sensitive to a glucose-responsive insulin-releasing system via pancreatic β-TC-6 cells. In the mechanism study, we have found that upon contact with insulin, Prot@DNACuNCs firmly bind to it, leading to fluorescence quenching due to: (i) a conformational transition of insulin from α-helical to β-sheet structures, an indicator of its aggregation; and (ii) morphological changes in the nanoprobe. Leveraging the advantages of protamine encapsulation and the unique properties of DNA-templated copper nanoclusters (DNACuNCs), including small size, excellent photostability, large surface area, and good biocompatibility, the developed Prot@DNACuNCs sensing platform serves as a robust fluorescent sensor for insulin detection. Further, this sensor platform showed an ultralow limit of detection (LOD) of 9x10^-9 mol L^-1. Selectivity assays showed minimal interference from other biologically relevant proteins, including HSA, BSA, lysozyme, and haemoglobin. This selective protein encapsulation of DNACuNCs would provide a potential strategy for constructing future nanoprobes by exploiting other encapsulating molecules for the detection of other targets.

Low-toxic coralyne, a cationic benzo[c]phenanthridine type alkaloid, has received extensive attention because of its DNA- and RNA-targeting properties, and antimicrobial, anticancer activity, which is more pronounced compared to other protoberberine alkaloids [1-3]. In a previous work, we showed that the fluorescence intensity alteration of coralyne-impregnated silica gel plates allows the sensitive quantitative detection of a wide number of analytes by high-performance thin layer chromatographic techniques [4].

Due to its large flat aromatic structure, coralyne has a high tendency to penetrate into organized assemblies in solution, and we present here a fluorescence study of coralyne in different nano-heterogeneous media such as such as micelles, liposomes and peptide self-assemblies. A fluorescence emission increase is observed when coralyne probe is incorporated into these self-assemblies, as apolar microenvironments prevent non-radiative desexcitation pathways. The photochemical damage caused to the coralline is lower in the presence of these structures. Incorporation is confirmed by confocal fluorescence microscopy and Z-potential measurements. Furthermore, fluorescence measurements in the presence of the iodide ion quencher in the solution indicate that coralyne is protected into these structures. Coralyne uptake is more efficient in liposomes than in micelles, with partition coefficients more than an order of magnitude higher. Interestingly, results indicate that coralyne even incorporates into positively charged micellar aggregates, despite electrostatic repulsion, suggesting that the molecule penetrates deep into the self-assembly [5].

References

[1] W.D. Wilson, A.N. Gough, J.J. Doyle, M.W. Davidson, J. Med. Chem., 1976, 19, 1261–1263.

[2] S. Pal, S. Das, G.S. Kumar, M. Maiti, Curr. Sci., 1998, 75, 496–500.

[3] L.K. Wang, B.D. Roger, S.M. Hecht, Chem. Res. Toxicol., 1996, 9, 75–83.

[4] E. Mateos, V.L. Cebolla, L. Membrado, J. Vela, E.M. Gálvez, M. Matt and F.P. Cossio, J. Chromatogr. A, 2007, 1146, 251–257.

[5] R. Garriga et al., submitted.

Acknowledgements

Aragón Government (Grupo de Nanosensores y Sistemas Bioanalíticos (N&SB), ref. E25_23R).

Advances in the discovery, synthesis, characterisation and deployment of noble metal nanomaterials, including gold, silver, platinum and palladium, are central to transformative progress across a wide range of sectors, notably catalysis, biomedicine, chemical sensing and energy conversion and storage.

Despite rapid growth in the field, the pace of innovation is increasingly limited by the fragmentation of knowledge across disparate sources, including peer-reviewed literature, experimental datasets, patents and computational materials databases. Valuable insights are often buried within unstructured text or siloed resources, hindering systematic comparison, reuse, and translation across disciplines.

This presentation discusses the development of a masked-language-model-based data retrieval and analysis pipeline capable of automatically extracting, structuring and synthesising information from the global corpus of noble metal nanomaterials research. By leveraging recent advances in artificial intelligence, natural language understanding and data-driven materials science, the approach aims to accelerate materials discovery by identifying underexplored compositions, morphologies, structure–property relationships and emerging application spaces. Ultimately, this work will provide a scalable and extensible foundation for targeted experimental validation and cross-domain innovation within the advanced material ecosystem, supporting both fundamental scientific discovery and applications of global relevance.

In situ gel technology was employed for controlled delivery of curcumin and piperine in the local treatment of inflammatory and degenerative joint disease, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Particularly, glyceryl monooleate was used in association with phosphatidylcholine and ethanol. To obtain a liquid form suitable for subcutaneous injection, reaching a semisolid consistency in contact with biological fluids, different ratios between excipients were evaluated. A formulative study was conducted to evaluate the composition effect on the structural properties of the formulations, particularly focusing on injectability and phase transition. Curcumin and piperine were loaded, singularly or jointly, in selected in situ forming gels. Structural characterization, performed by X-ray scattering, revealed disordered reverse micellar phases, undergoing transition to hexagonal and cubic Pn3m phases upon hydration. In vitro dialysis demonstrated a sustained release of both drugs over 96 h, and faster release in the case of jointly loaded drugs. Mechanistic analysis and water uptake studies indicated a drug release governed by both diffusion and swelling/erosion of the lipid supramolecular structure. Furthermore, an ex vivo release analysis performed using human skin explants suggested the formulation suitability for subcutaneous injection, indicating that the presence of piperine in the in situ formed gel allowed for double the curcumin release with respect to the simple curcumin-loaded gel. The system's unique transition—from micellar to hexagonal and cubic semisolid phases upon contact with water—resulted in a swellable matrix that provided sustained drug release. Further studies will be conducted to validate the therapeutic efficacy of the curcumin–piperine-loaded gel against inflammatory and degenerative joint disorders.

Pula, W., Pepe, A., Ferrara, F. et al. In situ forming gels as subcutaneous delivery systems of curcumin and piperine. Sci Rep 15, 3046 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87750-w

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, proving the need for more novel and selective therapies. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained interest in cancer research due to their tunable physical and chemical characteristics and their biological reactivity. The decahedral nanoparticles (AgDeNPs) and the pentagonal nanorods (AgNRs) were synthesized photochemically and thermochemically, respectively, with varying sizes and shapes. The current study investigates the effect of the nanoparticles’ size and shape on cytotoxic and apoptotic responses in colon carcinoma cells. The particles’ distinct morphologies were confirmed through UV-Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy, revealing monodispersed AgDeNPs of 41 nm and 89 nm and AgNRs of 90 nm and 120 nm. Cytotoxicity assessment via MTT assays showed a concentration-dependent decrease in cell viability, with AgNRs displaying higher toxicity than that of AgDeNPs. The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) were 177.2 µM (41 nm decahedra), 254.1 µM (86 nm decahedra), 46.0 µM (90 nm rod), and 175.6 µM (120 nm rod). Western blot analysis of cell lysates treated with the IC₅₀ concentrations indicated that AgNRs induced an increase in the expression of p53 and Bax/Bcl-2 ratios, while pAkt/Akt levels decreased, suggesting mitochondrial apoptotic pathway activation. AgDeNPs did not significantly affect the expression of pAkt or Bcl-2, which is consistent with pro-survival signaling. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that nanoparticles’ geometry and size modulate cellular behaviour, with AgNRs promoting apoptosis and AgDeNPs favouring cell survival, thus establishing a structure-to-function relationship. To guide cellular outcomes, this study suggests that the tunable nanoparticle size and morphology offer insights into targeted delivery to tumor tissue.

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disease affecting millions worldwide. It is characterised by excessive epidermal proliferation, leading to scaly, reddened lesions that cause pain, itching, and psychological distress. Despite the availability of therapies, psoriasis remains a significant medical challenge, underscoring the need for safer and more effective treatments.

Natural bioactive molecules, such as 20-hydroxyecdysone (HE), are known for anti-inflammatory, regenerative, and tissue-protective properties, making them additionalpromising agents for the topical treatment of dermatological disorders like psoriasis. However, their clinical use is limited by poor skin penetration and low stability, necessitating the use of advanced delivery systems to enhance efficacy.

This study focused on designing transferosome-based formulations aimed at overcoming HE’s limitations. Transferosomes were prepared using thin-film hydration and probe sonication, with phospholipids and edge activators tailored to HE’s properties. Physicochemical characterisation included particle size distribution, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential, ensuring colloidal stability. The encapsulation efficiency (EE%) of HE was determined chromatographically, confirming its effective loading.

Stability studies conducted over a one-month period under controlled conditions monitored particle size, PDI, and zeta potential. According to the results, the optimised formulations maintained integrity and stability, supporting their suitability for dermatological use.

Overall, this work highlights transferosomes as versatile carriers for natural bioactive compounds. By enhancing dermal penetration and maintaining HE stability, these systems significantly improve therapeutic performance. The study bridges the latest achievements in molecular pharmacology and nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems, encompassing new avenues for the innovative topical treatment of inflammatory skin diseases.

The authors acknowledge the Polish Medical Research Agency for funding the project under Grant No. 2024/ABM/03/KPO/KPOD.07.07-IW.07-0043/24-00, entitled “Research aimed at developing a new, innovative pharmaceutical form for the topical treatment of psoriasis vulgaris”.

This study describes the synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using two Spirulina platensis extracts: one cultivated in a bioreactor in Bulgaria (near Varvara village), and the other from the local market in Bulgaria (Dragon Superfoods). To assess their properties and stability, ATR-FTIR, TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) images, and zeta potential were used. The chemical content of the extracts and AgNPs obtained were assessed, as well as their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. We found that the extracts’ origin significantly influenced nanoparticle morphology, surface charge, and bioactivity. AgNPs were spherical and different in size from Bioreactor 4–8 nm, while Dragon obtained larger particles of about 20 nm. We found that synthesis altered the chemical content of the extracts, particularly in lipid, protein, and tocopherol content, suggesting active involvement of Spirulina-derived biomolecules in nanoparticle formation. Antimicrobial assays showed slightly higher activity for Dragon AgNPs against P. aeruginosa (21 mm) and S. enteritidis (23 mm), with similar effects against L. monocytogenes and S. aureus. At 2.5 mg/mL, both samples protected human albumin from thermal denaturation more effectively (23.36% and 20.07%) than prednisolone (16.99%). Based on the obtained results, AgNPs from Spirulina platensis can be attributed as multifunctional agents with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity.