Covalent functionalization of graphene offers opportunities for tailoring its properties and is an unavoidable consequence of some graphene synthesis techniques. However, the changes induced by the functionalization a...Covalent functionalization of graphene offers opportunities for tailoring its properties and is an unavoidable consequence of some graphene synthesis techniques. However, the changes induced by the functionalization are not well understood. By using atomic sources to control the extent of the oxygen and nitrogen functionalization, we studied the evolution in the structure and properties at the atomic scale. Atomic oxygen reversibly introduces epoxide groups whilst, under similar conditions, atomic nitrogen irreversibly creates diverse functionalities including substitutional, pyridinic, and pyrrolic nitrogen. Atomic oxygen leaves the Fermi energy at the Dirac point （i.e., undoped）, whilst atomic nitrogen results in a net n-doping; however, the experimental results are consistent with the dominant electronic effect for both being a transition from delocalized to localized states, and hence the loss of the signature electronic structure of graphene.展开更多
Successful gene vectors should be with high transfection efficiency and minimal cytotoxicity. Natural polysaccharides, due to their good biocompatibility and biodegradability, have been widely studied and applied. Amy...Successful gene vectors should be with high transfection efficiency and minimal cytotoxicity. Natural polysaccharides, due to their good biocompatibility and biodegradability, have been widely studied and applied. Amylopectin is one of polysaccharides with dendritic structure and numerous hydroxyl groups that could be used for subsequent modification. In this work, a series of dendritic cationic gene vectors comprising amylopectin backbones and poly(2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate)(PDMAEMA) side chains with different lengths(termed as AMY-PDs) were readily prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization(ATRP). The gene condensation ability, cytotoxicity and gene transfection of AMY-PDs carriers were investigated. In comparison with "gold-standard" poly(ethyleneimine)(PEI, 25 k Da), the AMY-PDs exhibited higher transfection efficiency with lower cytotoxicity. AMY-PDs could be further modified with Au nanoparticles(termed as AMY-PD@Au). The potential of the AMY-PD@Au vectors to be utilized as a CT contrast agent for imaging of cancer cells was investigated. Such AMY-PD@Au vectors may realize gene therapy with the ability of real-time imaging.展开更多
文摘Covalent functionalization of graphene offers opportunities for tailoring its properties and is an unavoidable consequence of some graphene synthesis techniques. However, the changes induced by the functionalization are not well understood. By using atomic sources to control the extent of the oxygen and nitrogen functionalization, we studied the evolution in the structure and properties at the atomic scale. Atomic oxygen reversibly introduces epoxide groups whilst, under similar conditions, atomic nitrogen irreversibly creates diverse functionalities including substitutional, pyridinic, and pyrrolic nitrogen. Atomic oxygen leaves the Fermi energy at the Dirac point （i.e., undoped）, whilst atomic nitrogen results in a net n-doping; however, the experimental results are consistent with the dominant electronic effect for both being a transition from delocalized to localized states, and hence the loss of the signature electronic structure of graphene.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(51173014,51221002,51325304,51373017,51302009,51473014)the Research Fund for Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China(20120010120007)Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disorders,Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to the Capital Medical University
文摘Successful gene vectors should be with high transfection efficiency and minimal cytotoxicity. Natural polysaccharides, due to their good biocompatibility and biodegradability, have been widely studied and applied. Amylopectin is one of polysaccharides with dendritic structure and numerous hydroxyl groups that could be used for subsequent modification. In this work, a series of dendritic cationic gene vectors comprising amylopectin backbones and poly(2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate)(PDMAEMA) side chains with different lengths(termed as AMY-PDs) were readily prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization(ATRP). The gene condensation ability, cytotoxicity and gene transfection of AMY-PDs carriers were investigated. In comparison with "gold-standard" poly(ethyleneimine)(PEI, 25 k Da), the AMY-PDs exhibited higher transfection efficiency with lower cytotoxicity. AMY-PDs could be further modified with Au nanoparticles(termed as AMY-PD@Au). The potential of the AMY-PD@Au vectors to be utilized as a CT contrast agent for imaging of cancer cells was investigated. Such AMY-PD@Au vectors may realize gene therapy with the ability of real-time imaging.
