The impact of protein therapeutics in healthcare is steadily increasing, due to advancements in the field of biotechnology and a deeper understanding of several pathologies. However, their safety and efficacy are often limited by instability, short half-life and immunogenicity. Nanodelivery systems are currently being investigated for overcoming these limitations and include covalent attachment of biocompatible polymers (PEG and other synthetic or naturally derived macromolecules) as well as protein nanoencapsulation in colloidal systems (liposomes and other lipid or polymeric nanocarriers). Such strategies have the potential to develop next-generation protein therapeutics. Herein, we review recent research progresses on these nanodelivery approaches, as well as future directions and challenges.
Perfluorocarbons
(PFCs) have proven to be very efficient in building
up omniphobic surfaces because of the peculiar properties of fluorine
atoms. However, due to their environmental impact and bioaccumulative
potential, perfluorinated surfactants with chains longer than six
carbon atoms have been banned, and other alternatives had to be found.
Herein, we demonstrate the possibility to build omniphobic self-assembled
monolayers (SAMs) using a multibranched fluorinated thiol (BRFT) bearing
ultrashort fluorinated alkyl groups, surrounding a hydrocarbon polar
core. This unique design allows us to multiply the number of fluorine
atoms in the molecule (27 F atoms per molecule), affording a high
fluorine density on the surface and a low surface free energy. Moreover,
the presence of four ether bonds in the core may hasten molecular
degradation in the environment because of the cleavage of such bonds
in physiological conditions, thus overcoming bioaccumulation issues.
BRFT may effectively represent a valuable substitute of long-chain
perfluoroalkyl thiols. In fact, BRFT SAMs show the same hydrophobic
and oleophobic performances of standard linear perfluoroalkyl thiols
(such as 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecanethiol, PFDT), giving rise to more
stable surfaces with a better frictional behavior. Superhydrophobicity
was also observed with SAMs grown on nanostructured Cu/Ag surfaces.
Our results have proven the ability of short-chain multibranched fluorous
molecules to behave as suitable replacements for long-chain perfluoroalkanes
in the field of surface coatings. Our molecules may be applied to
various surfaces because of the available multiple choice of linker
chemistry.
Herein we report a halogen bond-donor amino acid, 4-iodotetrafluorophenylalanine, which behaves as a catalyst for the aqueous synthesis of bis-(heterocyclic)methanes. We also provide experimental evidence that halogen bonding is a plausible explanation for the observed catalytic effect.
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