Artificial water channels are synthetic molecules that aim to mimic structural and functional features of biological water channels (aquaporins). Here, we report on a cluster-forming organic nanoarchitecture, peptide-appended hybrid[4]arene (PAH[4]), as a new class of artificial water channels. Fluorescence experiments and simulations demonstrated that PAH[4]s can form clusters

In this study we developed electrospun cellulose acetate nanofibers (CANFs) that were loaded with a model non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) (ibuprofen, Ib) and coated with poly(acrylamide) (poly-AAm) hydrogel polymer using two consecutive steps: an electrospinning process followed by photopolymerization of AAm. Coated and non-coated CANF formulations were characterized by several microscopic and spectroscopic techniques to evaluate their physicochemical properties. An analysis of the kinetic release profile of Ib showed noticeable differences due to the presence or absence of the poly-AAm hydrogel polymer. Poly-AAm coating facilitated a constant release rate of drug as opposed to a more conventional burst release. The non-coated CANFs showed low cumulative drug release concentrations (ca. 35 and 83% at 5 and 10% loading, respectively). Conversely, poly-AAm coated CANFs were found to promote the release of drug (ca. 84 and 99.8% at 5 and 10% loading, respectively). Finally, the CANFs were found to be superbly cytocompatible.

Self-assembling peptides are a popular vector for therapeutic cargo delivery due to their versatility, tunability, and biocompatibility. Accurately predicting secondary and supramolecular structures of self-assembling peptides is essential for de novo peptide design. However, computational modeling of such assemblies is not yet able to accurately predict structure formation for many peptide sequences. This review identifies patterns in literature between secondary and supramolecular structures, primary sequences, and applications to provide a guide for informed peptide design. An overview of peptide structures, their applications as nanocarriers, and analytical methods for characterizing secondary and supramolecular structure is examined. A top-down approach is then used to identify trends between peptide sequence and assembly structure from the current literature, including an analysis of the drivers at work, such as local and nonlocal sequence effects and solution conditions.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive central nervous system tumor, and standard treatment, including surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy, has not significantly improved patient outcomes over the last 20 years. Temozolomide (TMZ), the prodrug most commonly used to treat GBM, must pass the blood–brain barrier and requires a basic pH to convert to its active form. Due to these barriers, less than 30% of orally delivered TMZ reaches the central nervous system and becomes bioactive. In this work, we have developed a novel biomaterial delivery system to convert TMZ to its active form and that shows promise for intracellular TMZ delivery. Self-assembling peptides were characterized under several different assembly conditions and evaluated for TMZ loading and conversion. Both solvent and method of assembly were found to affect the supramolecular and secondary structure of peptide assemblies. Additionally, as peptides degraded in phosphate-buffered saline, TMZ was rapidly converted to its active form. This work demonstrates that peptide-based drug delivery systems can effectively create a local stimulus during drug delivery while remaining biocompatible. This principle could be used in many future biomedical applications in addition to cancer treatment, such as wound healing and regenerative medicine.

This has now been added as ref. 12 and subsequent references have been renumbered. The new reference has been cited in the following sentences: (1) "Achieving both AQP-like single channel water permeability... "; (2) "It has been reported that the permeability of... "; (3) "These results are similar to our recent study that demonstrated... "; and (4) "Therefore, the unimolecular AWC PAP[5]... ", as well as in Fig. 2c caption "Comparison of the calculated single channel permeability... ". These changes have been made in the online versions of the Article.