In the paper, “Encapsulating GSH/NQO1-responsive SN38 prodrug micelles with Timosaponin AIII-based multifunctional liposomes for tumor-targeted chemotherapy,” researchers developed a novel micelle-liposome composite carrier by integrating GSH/NQO1 dual-responsive SN38 prodrug polymer micelles (PEG-SS-SN38-QPA, abbreviated as PSSQ) with TAIII-based multifunctional liposomes (TLP).  Results point to a promising, targeted therapeutic strategy for treating colorectal cancer with enhanced intratumoral […]

AbstractNative mass spectrometry (MS) has become a powerful approach for characterizing membrane protein complexes by directly measuring noncovalent interactions with lipids, ligands, and other binding partners. However, membrane proteins often require collisional activation to remove detergent micelles prior to analysis, a process that can promote gas-phase unfolding, subunit dissociation, and loss of weakly bound ligands. Although chemical charge reduction can mitigate these effects, the repertoire of effective reagents for membrane protein native MS remains limited. Here, we demonstrate that macrocyclic compounds, including crown ethers and cyclen, effectively reduce charge in native MS across diverse membrane proteins and detergent environments. Among the compounds examined, cyclen exhibited the greatest charge-reducing potency, providing lower charge states while improving the retention of native oligomeric assemblies under collisional activation. Furthermore, macrocyclic charge reduction enhanced preservation of protein-lipid interactions, enabling more extensive characterization of lipid-bound states by native MS. Together, these findings expand the chemical toolbox for charge reduction and provide broadly applicable reagents for improving the native MS analysis of membrane proteins and their associated lipid interactions.

Read the full paper: o-carborane encapsulated into polymeric micelles for proton boron capture therapy

À la vaisselle à la main, la température aide à liquéfier les graisses et le savon dégraisse plus ou moins bien selon la dureté de l'eau, mais le volume d'eau, le dosage et le temps de contact pèsent davantage. Il n'existe pas de température idéale universelle : 40 à 45 °C suffisent souvent pour le gras courant, et l'eau chaude ne stérilise pas.

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Researchers at the University of Queensland have developed a metal protection system that activates only when corrosion begins. The architecture relies on three nanostructural layers: polymer micelles, ZIF-8 metal-organic frameworks, and a silica shell. This configuration retains corrosion inhibitors within the structure until the local chemical environment around the metal changes. Traditional coatings often suffer from the premature leaching of inhibitors, which are lost in the solution before they can act. To address this, a team led by Yusuke Yamauti used benzotriazole (BTA) as the active component. The BTA was first encapsulated in Pluronic P123 polymer micelles. A ZIF-8 framework, formed from zinc ions and organic ligands, was then constructed around these micelles. A final silica shell, approximately 20 nanometers thick, completed the structure, creating a barrier that preserves the inhibitor inside. Structural organization is critical for stability. Upon the addition of BTA, the micelle diameter increased from 10 to 21 nanometers. These particles served as templates for the crystallization of ZIF-8. Without the micelles, benzotriazole disrupted the formation of the framework's crystal lattice; however, within the triple complex, the structure remained ordered. Compositional optimization achieved a BTA mass fraction of 16.2%. By comparison, the loading in a "ZIF-8 + BTA" system without micelles did not exceed 4.2%, while a "micelles + BTA" pair reached 9.3%.

What Is Micellar Water? The Science Behind the Process Micellar water is a cleansing solution that looks as clear as normal water, but is actually made up of a mild surfactant. These surfactants are called micelles—small molecules that form a special structure. When these micelles are applied to the skin, their lipophilic (oil-attracting) heads attract […]

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