Exploiting and combining different properties of nanomaterials is considered a potential route for next generation cancer therapies. Magnetic nanowires (NWs) have shown good biocompatibility and a high level of cellular internalization. We induced cancer cell death by combining the chemotherapeutic effect of doxorubicin (DOX)-functionalized iron NWs with the mechanical disturbance under a low frequency alternating magnetic field. (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were separately used for coating NWs allowing further functionalization with DOX. Internalization was assessed for both formulations by confocal reflection microscopy and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. From confocal analysis, BSA formulations demonstrated higher internalization and less agglomeration. The functionalized NWs generated a comparable cytotoxic effect in breast cancer cells in a DOX concentration-dependent manner, (~60% at the highest concentration tested) that was significantly different from the effect produced by free DOX and non-functionalized NWs formulations. A synergistic cytotoxic effect is obtained when a magnetic field (1 mT, 10 Hz) is applied to cells treated with DOX-functionalized BSA or APTES-coated NWs, (~70% at the highest concentration). In summary, a bimodal method for cancer cell destruction was developed by the conjugation of the magneto-mechanical properties of iron NWs with the effect of DOX producing better results than the individual effects.

Flexible and wearable magnetoelectronics add intriguing new functionalities to our natural perception. Of particular interest regarding these artificial skins are wireless sensing and touchless interactions. Biocompatibility and imperceptibility are the most significant features of wearable devices attached to our bodies. In this work, a biocompatible magnetic skin is introduced. It offers extreme flexibility, stretchability (>300%), and lightweight while maintaining a remanent magnetization up to 360 mT. The magnetic skin is comfortable to wear, can be realized in any desired shape or color, and adds tunable permanent magnetic properties to the surface it is applied to. It provides remote control functions and combined with magnetic sensors; it implements a complete wearable magnetic system. For example, eye tracking is realized by attaching the magnetic skin to the eyelid. The advantage that it does not require any wiring makes it an extremely viable solution for soft robotics and human-machine interactions. Wearing the magnetic skin on a finger or integrated

While the outstanding properties of graphene have attracted a lot of attention, one of the major bottlenecks of its widespread usage is its availability in large volumes. Laser printing graphene on polyimide films is an efficient single‐step fabrication process that can remedy this issue. A laser‐printed, flexible pressure sensor is developed utilizing the piezoresistive effect of 3D porous graphene. The pressure sensors performance can be easily adjusted via the geometrical parameters. They have a sensitivity in the range of 1.23 × 10−3 kPa and feature a high resolution with a detection limit of 10 Pa in combination with an extremely wide dynamic range of at least 20 MPa. They also provide excellent long‐term stability of at least 15 000 cycles. The biocompatibility of laser‐induced graphene is also evaluated by cytotoxicity assays and fluorescent staining, which show an insignificant drop in viability. Polymethyl methacrylate coating is particularly useful for underwater applications, protecting the sensors from biofouling and shunt currents, and enable operation at a depth of 2 km in highly saline Red Sea water. Due to its features, the sensors are a prime choice for multiple healthcare applications; for example, they are used for heart rate monitoring, plantar pressure measurements, and tactile sensing.

The objective of targeting technologies in the field of nanomedicine is to specifically focus therapies on diseased cells in order to deliver the treatment to these cells without harming healthy ones. The use of magnetic materials in such biomedical applications offers many advantages. They can be functionalized with an agent that enhances the biocompatibility and the targeting while, at the same time, they can be controlled and monitored remotely. Iron nanowires, which usually have a native oxide shell, are specifically attractive, since they are highly biocompatible, strongly magnetic and can be coated with different biological agents. Shape anisotropy makes these nanowires permanently magnetic and therefore can be exploited for multifaceted remote manipulations, rendering them versatile nano-robots. As such, they have been used before in combination with a magnetic field to induce cancer cell death. In order to minimize the side effects of this method this study aims to enhance the targeting ability of these nanowires toward particular cells. Specifically, leukemic cells are targeted by functionalizing iron nanowires with anti-CD44 antibodies, a cell surface marker, which is overexpressed in leukemic cells compared to healthy blood cells. Iron nanowires were electrochemically fabricated with an average diameter of 35 nm and a length around 3 μm. They were coated with bovine serum albumin to facilitate their conjugation covalently with an anti-CD44 antibody by using 3-(3-dimethyl-aminopropyl) carbodiimide and of N-hydroxysuccinimide. In order to confirm the presence of anti-CD44 antibodies on the surface of the nanowires, immunostaining, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used. In addition, cytotoxicity effects of bare iron nanowires, coated and functionalized nanowires were studied by using cell proliferation assays. These studies illustrated that the nanowires have a high level of biocompatibility.

808nm Laser 1h incubation Dead cell Live cells Cell-death induction mechanism Specific targeting and destruction of colon cancer Magnetic field generator Nanowire (NW) Anti-CD44 antibody congregated NW (CD44-NW) CD44 antigens Colon cancer cell with CD44 antigens Dissipated heat Alternative Magnetic Field (AMF) Healthy cell doesn't have CD44 antigens Wash Magneto-mechanical Photothermal

Flexible and wearable magnetoelectronics add intriguing new functionalities to our natural perception. Of particular interest regarding these artificial skins are wireless sensing and touchless interactions. Biocompatibility and imperceptibility are the most significant features of wearable devices attached to our bodies. In this work, a biocompatible magnetic skin is introduced. It offers extreme flexibility, stretchability (>300%), and lightweight while maintaining a remanent magnetization up to 360 mT. The magnetic skin is comfortable to wear, can be realized in any desired shape or color, and adds tunable permanent magnetic properties to the surface it is applied to. It provides remote control functions and combined with magnetic sensors; it implements a complete wearable magnetic system. For example, eye tracking is realized by attaching the magnetic skin to the eyelid. The advantage that it does not require any wiring makes it an extremely viable solution for soft robotics and human-machine interactions. Wearing the magnetic skin on a finger or integrated

In article number 2100346, Jürgen Kosel and coworkers develop a facile magnetic tracking system for subcutaneous medical devices, consisting of a lightweight, flexible permanent magnet at the tip and a sensing unit to scan the dermal surface. It enables locating and tracking in a handheld format without the use of x-ray imaging and contrast dyes.

Background Nanotopographical cues play a critical role as drivers of mesenchymal stem cell differentiation. Nanowire scaffolds, in this regard, provide unique and adaptable nanostructured surfaces with focal points for adhesion and with elastic properties determined by nanowire stiffness. Results We show that a scaffold of nanowires, which are remotely actuated by a magnetic field, mechanically stimulates mesenchymal stem cells. Osteopontin, a marker of osteogenesis onset, was expressed after cells were cultured for 1 week on top of the scaffold. Applying a magnetic field significantly boosted differentiation due to mechanical stimulation of the cells by the active deflection of the nanowire tips. The onset of differentiation was reduced to 2 days of culture based on the upregulation of several osteogenesis markers. Moreover, this was observed in the absence of any external differentiation factors. Conclusions The magneto-mechanically modulated nanosurface enhanced the osteogenic differentiation capabilities of mesenchymal stem cells, and it provides a customizable tool for stem cell research and tissue engineering. Graphical Abstract