Biomaterials articles from across Nature Portfolio

DNA delivery using lipid nanoparticles results in severe toxicity in mice. However, we find that the incorporation of endogenous anti-inflammatory lipids into the lipid nanoparticles mitigates this toxicity and enables prolonged gene expression.

Hydrogels have potential in a number of applications, but for many, mechanical robustness is required. Here, the authors report the preparation of a PVA/PEG hydrogel with a cartilage-inspired structure, with high compressive strength and low coefficient of friction, amongst other properties.

Activation of stimulator of interferon genes is promising for initiating robust de novo T-cell responses, but biomechanics-mediated immune inhibitory pathways hinder the cytotoxicity of T cells against tumor cells. Here, the authors report redox-responsive supramolecular polyrotaxanes nanoformulations that augment anti-tumor T-cell killing by overcoming cancer-cell mechanical softness.

Nanozymes offer diverse therapeutic avenues for cancer treatment. In this work, the authors report an iron-based quasi-metal organic framework nanozyme Q-MIL-53(Fe) with enhanced peroxidase and catalase-mimicking activity and glutathione depletion capacity and use it for tumor immunotherapy via inducing ferroptosis and immunogenic cell death.

This protocol describes how to prepare membrane-bound, complex protocells with life-like capabilities by using building blocks from two distinct bacterial colonies spatially segregated within individual coacervate microdroplets.

DNA delivery using lipid nanoparticles results in severe toxicity in mice. However, we find that the incorporation of endogenous anti-inflammatory lipids into the lipid nanoparticles mitigates this toxicity and enables prolonged gene expression.

Nanomedicines interact with lipoproteins in the blood, which might result in alterations in both nanomedicine and lipoprotein structure and function. Such interactions could also be exploited for site-specific delivery through a ‘lipoprotein Trojan Horse’ mechanism and to restore dysfunctional lipoproteins.

Redesigning biomaterials to proactively modulate the complement system can reduce unintended immune responses and enhance their therapeutic efficacy.

Insights from probing the shock-absorbing layer inside the crustacean’s club-like claw could inspire the design of tough new materials.

An article in Nature Communications presents a new biofabrication technique called multimaterial cryogenic printing, which leverages cryogenic solvent phase transitions to develop free-standing hydrogel constructs and hydrogel-based machines.

Synthetic organoids made by combining white blood cells or tonsil cells with a hydrogel that mimics the immune tissue microenvironment provide a platform for mechanistic analysis of B cell maturation, humoral immunity and modelling of patient-specific responses.