The discovery of the genetic roots of various human diseases has motivated the exploration of different exogenous nucleic acids as therapeutic agents to treat these genetic disorders (inherited or acquired). However, the physicochemical properties of nucleic acids render them liable to degradation and also restrict their cellular entrance and gene translation/inhibition at the correct cellular location. Therefore, gene condensation/protection and guided intracellular trafficking are necessary for exogenous nucleic acids to function inside cells. Diversified cationic formulation materials, including natural and synthetic lipids, polymers, and proteins/peptides, have been developed to facilitate the intracellular transportation of exogenous nucleic acids. The chemical properties of different formulation materials determine their special features for nucleic acid delivery, so understanding the property–function correlation of the formulation materials will inspire the development of next-generation gene delivery carriers. Therefore, in this review, we focus on the chemical properties of different types of formulation materials and discuss how these formulation materials function as protectors and cellular pathfinders for nucleic acids, bringing them to their destination by overcoming different cellular barriers.

Phothermal therapy has received increasing attention in recent years as a potentially effective way to treat cancer. In pursuit of a more biocompatible photothermal agent, we utilize biosafe materials including ellagic acid (EA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and iron element as building blocks, and we successfully fabricate a homogeneous nanosized Fe-EA framework for the first time by a facile method. As expected, the novel nanoagent exhibits no obvious cytotoxicity and good hemocompatibility in vitro and in vivo. The microenvironment responsiveness to both pH and hydrogen peroxide makes the NPs biodegradable in tumor tissues, and the framework should be easily cleared by the body. Photothermal potentials of the nanoparticles are demonstrated with relevant features of strong NIR light absorption, moderately effective photothermal conversion efficiency, and good photothermal stability. The in vivo photothermal therapy also achieved effective tumor ablation with no apparent toxicity. On the other hand, it also exhibits T2 MR imaging ability originated from ferric ions. Our work highlights the promise of the Fe-EA framework for imaging-guided photothermal therapy.

The catalytic performance of Pd-based catalysts has long been hindered by surface contamination, particle agglomeration, and lack of rational structural design. Here we report a simple adsorption method for rapid synthesis (∼90 s) of structure-optimized Pd alloy supported on nitrogen-doped carbon without the use of surfactants or extra reducing agents. The material shows much lower overpotential than 30 wt % Pd/C and 40 wt % Pt/C catalysts while exhibiting excellent durability (80 h). Moreover, unveiled by the density functional theory (DFT) calculation results, the underlying reason for the outstanding performance is that the PdMnCo alloy/pyridinic nitrogen-doped carbon interfaces weaken the hydrogen-adsorption energy on the catalyst and thus optimize the Gibbs free energy of the intermediate state (ΔG), leading to a remarkable electrocatalytic activity. This work also opens up an avenue for quick synthesis of a highly efficient structure-optimized Pd-based catalyst.

Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) has received wide attention in recent years as a potential drug vehicle for the treatment of cancer due to its acid-responsiveness and moderate biocompatibility. However, its congenital deficiency of intrinsic imaging capability limits its wider applications; therefore, a postsynthetic exchange approach was utilized to introduce paramagnetic manganese(II) ions into the ZIF-8 matrix. As a result, bimetallic zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (Mn–Zn–ZIF) were thus fabricated and exhibited pH-responsive T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast effect. Remarkably, we also found its own fluorescence derived from 2-methylimidazole, which is the first report of the intrinsic two-photon fluorescence imaging of ZIFs to our knowledge. Mn–Zn–ZIF still preserves the original properties of ZIF-8 of high surface areas, microporosity, and acid sensitivity. After further PEGylation of Mn–Zn–ZIF, the nanoparticles showed no obvious toxicity and its MRI contrast effect has also been enhanced. Our work highlights the promise of modified zeolitic imidazolate frameworks as potential cancer theranostic platforms.

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Aromatic residues are widely used as building blocks for driving self‐assemblies in natural and designer biomaterials. The noncovalent interactions involving aromatic rings determine proteins’ structure and biofunction. Here, we studied the effects of changes in the proximity of the aromatic rings in a self‐assembling peptide for modulating interactions involving the aromatic residues. By changing the distance between the aromatic ring and peptide backbone and replacing the side chain with a sulfur atom, we altered the nanostructures and gene transfection efficiency of peptide‐DNA co‐assemblies. This study demonstrates the significance of subtle alterations in aromatic interactions and facilitates deeper understanding of the aromatic‐involving interactions.

Endosomal escape is a major obstacle for non-viral nucleic acids delivery. Here, we attached by click reaction a fusogenic peptide (L17E) onto peptide self-assembled disks (~17nm), which mimicked the functional...

The development of efficient non-viral transfection agents capable of delivering multiple nucleic acids is crucial for the field of genome engineering. Herein a facile methodology of polyplex labelling and tracking with quantum dots is presented.