Cell Reports Physical Science最新文献

Photoelectrochemistry provides a direct route to convert sunlight into valuable chemicals. However, high-performance photoelectrode architectures often require complicated synthesis steps and expensive instrumentation. Although physical immobilization (e.g., spray coating) of catalyst particles on semiconductors seems to be a simple and universal approach, it is rarely implemented to prepare photoelectrodes. Here, we highlight challenges associated with such deposition strategies and demonstrate the importance of rational photoelectrode design. Specifically, we introduce metal interlayers (Pd, Au, or Ni) between n-type Si and a spray-coated PdAu catalyst. We show that these interlayers are essential for generating photopotential at the interface, while the PdAu catalyst governs C3 selectivity during glycerol oxidation. We also demonstrate that the interlayer determines key performance metrics (e.g., photopotential, photocurrent density, and stability). With this approach, the best-performing PdAu/Au/Si and PdAu/Ni/Si photoelectrodes can deliver high reaction rates (>100 mA cm^-2) with sufficient stability even at higher illumination intensities (50 suns).

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2023.101648.].

Cryopreservation enables long-term storage of biological materials using cryoprotective agents (CPAs) to suppress ice crystal formation and prevent cell damage. However, despite considerable efforts, a molecular-level understanding of how CPAs prevent ice-crystal formation has not yet been established, particularly one that generalizes across different CPAs. In this study, we correlate molecular factors derived from low-temperature molecular dynamics simulations with measured C_v (minimum concentration required for vitrification) across several CPAs. Specifically, tetrahedral order parameter analyses show that CPAs disrupt the natural tetrahedral structure of water to different degrees, and this disruption correlates strongly with C_v. Additionally, we show that clustering predicts C_v, relating CPA-induced changes in the H-bond network to vitrification ability. We establish a molecular connection between CPA-driven disruption of the water H-bond network and vitrification capability. We use this to predict the CPA efficiency of new compounds. The approach provides a route toward the first-principles design of effective CPA compositions.

Precise stoichiometric control in multimetallic lanthanide nanosystems is essential for optical devices, sensing, and bioimaging applications owing to their composition-dependent emission properties. However, controlling metal composition, spatial distribution, intermetallic energy transfer, and colloidal stability remains challenging. Here, we report a liposome-based nanoreactor platform that enables the in situ formation of multivariate Tb_xEu_y-dicarboxylate complexes, enabling finely tuned lanthanide stoichiometry within attoliter-scale confined volumes. Liposomes pre-loaded with specific Tb³⁺:Eu³⁺ ratios are combined with a synthetic anion transporter that mediates dicarboxylate transport through lipid membranes, enabling controlled coordination reactions in aqueous solution. This method, coupled with the use of a blue-emissive ligand, supports continuous color tuning across the entire RGB spectrum. Real-time emission spectroscopy reveals faster photoluminescence appearance for Eu³⁺ than Tb³⁺, providing experimental insight into lanthanide reactivity under nanoscale confinement. These findings position liposome-based nanoreactors as a versatile platform for investigating coordination reactions and engineering multimetallic luminescent colloidal materials in aqueous media.

Membranes contain thousands of different lipids, but it is poorly understood why their compositions vary across cell types and environments. We report that lipid metabolism balances the molecular curvature of phospholipids, a parameter that describes their shape and propensity to destabilize flat sheets. We utilized extreme hydrostatic pressures-similar to those found in the deep ocean-to change the shape (reduce the curvature) of phospholipids in growing cells. Yeast and human cells respond to this stress by increasing synthesis of distinct high-curvature lipid species. The results support a model in which eukaryotic cells actively regulate lipid composition to maintain their membranes in a frustrated state, a dynamic that could be important for maintaining core functions in membrane trafficking.

Adhesive hydrogels have the potential to address unmet clinical needs in the fields of wound closure, hemostasis, and soft-tissue reinforcement. However, commercial adhesives are limited by weak adhesion to internal organs and poor mechanical performance, especially in the fully swollen state. This study reports a bilayer hydrogel that combines an alginate-acrylamide double-network gel on one side and a highly entangled polyacrylamide gel on the other side to synergistically achieve robust mechanical and tissue-adhesive properties in the swollen state. Cohesion between both layers was achieved by controlling the diffusion of acrylamide between them during polymerization. The bilayer construct achieved stronger mechanical properties under tensile stress and higher performance in burst pressure tests than the double-network gel alone. The improved mechanical performance in the fully swollen state of bilayer hydrogels may expand the range of biomedical applications.

Microfluidic electroporation (MFEP) is emerging as a scalable, non-viral modality for engineering therapeutic cells. This review synthesizes recent progress in MFEP, outlining the key advantages of MFEP, including continuous processing at high throughputs, single-cell manipulation and monitoring, electrolysis mitigation, and automation for rapid multi-parameter screening and minimized cell manufacturing complexity. We then survey the waveforms, pulses, and buffers used in MFEP. In doing so, we highlight the diversity of parameters and uncover the inconsistent reporting of outcomes, calling for standardized reporting of electric-field dose, yield, and efficiency. We additionally note the need for investigation into the effects of MFEP on the long-term perturbation of cells given the effects of bulk electroporation compared to other transfection methods. Finally, we conclude that MFEP has many advantages for cell engineering yet must continue to adopt greater validation of short- and long-term efficiency and effects on cells to accelerate clinical adoption.

Two-dimensional (2D) electronic materials are emerging candidates for flexible neural interfaces, yet their biocompatibility remains unclear because most studies use exfoliated flakes or suspensions. Here, we report a systematic in vitro comparison of large-area, electronics-grade, chemical-vapor-deposited graphene, MoS₂, PtSe₂, and PtTe₂, together with flaky MoS₂ and thin-film metals, as substrates for mouse neural stem cells. All large-area 2D materials support neural stem cell viability and show live-dead and metabolic readouts comparable to laminin-coated glass. Each material also supports robust neuronal differentiation, with extensive βIII-tubulin expression. Flaky MoS₂ uniquely promotes strong neuronal maturation, yielding substantially higher fractions of NeuN-positive neurons, whereas PtSe₂ biases differentiation toward glial lineages, including oligodendrocyte- and astrocyte-like cells. These findings establish large-area 2D materials as biocompatible, tunable platforms for neural interfacing and highlight material format as a key design variable for future bioelectronic devices.