Crosstalk-free colloidosomes for high throughput single-molecule protein analysis

Droplet microfluidics is a powerful platform for high-throughput single-molecule protein analysis.However,the issues of coalescence and crosstalk of droplets compromise the accuracy of detection and hinder its wide application.To address these limitations,a novel colloidosome-based method was presented by combining a Pickering emulsion with droplet microfluidics for single-molecule protein analysis.Utilizing the self-assembly of easily synthesized colloidal surfactant F-SiO2 NPs at the water/oil interface,the colloidosomes are rigidly stabilized and can effectively avoid the leakage of fluorescent molecules.The crosstalk-free colloidosomes enable high-throughput single-molecule protein analysis,including heterogenous dynamic studies and digital detection.As a robust and accurate method,colloidosome-based microfluidics is promising as a powerful tool for a wide variety of applications,such as directed enzyme evolution,digital enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and screening of antibiotics.

Microcluster colloidosomes for hemostat delivery into complex wounds:A platform inspired by the attack action of torpedoes

Complex yet lethal wounds with uncontrollable bleeding hinder conventional hemostats from clotting blood at the source or deep sites of injury vasculature,thereby causing massive blood loss and significantly increased mortality.Inspired by the attack action of torpedoes,we synthesized microcluster(MC)colloidosomes equipped with magnetic-mediated navigation and“blast”systems to deliver hemostats into the cavity of vase-type wounds.CaCO_(3)/Fe_(2)O_(3)(CF)microparticles functionalized with Arg-Gly-Asp(RGD)modified polyelectrolyte multilayers were co-assembled with oppositely charged zwitterionic carbon dots(CDs)to form MC colloidosomes,which were loaded with thrombin and protonated tranexamic acid(TXA-NH_(3)^(+)).The composite microparticles moved against blood flow under magnetic mediation and simultaneously disassembled for the burst release of thrombin stimulated by TXA-NH_(3)^(+).The CO_(2) bubbles generated during disassembly produced a“blast”that propelled thrombin into the wound cavity.Severe bleeding in a vase-type hemorrhage model in the rabbit liver was rapidly controlled within~60 s.Furthermore,in vivo subcutaneous muscle and liver implantation models demonstrated excellent biodegradability of MC colloidosomes.This study is the first to propose a novel strategy based on the principle of torpedoes for transporting hemostats into vase-type wounds to achieve rapid hemostasis,creating a new paradigm for combating trauma treatment.

Bird’s Eye View on the Recent Advances in Drug Delivery Systems

Successful treatment of most of the diseases is limited by a lack of safe and effective methods of drug delivery. Drug delivery methods have significant effects on the pharmacological efficacy of a drug. Every drug has an optimum concentration range within which maximum benefit is derived;and concentrations above or below the range can be toxic or provide no therapeutic benefits at all. Therefore, development of an efficient drug delivery system remains an important challenge in medicine, and this can be achieved only through multidisciplinary approaches to the mechanisms of delivery of drugs to targets in tissues. Thus, several drug delivery and drug targeting systems are currently being developed. Targeting is an ability to direct the drug(s) to the desired site. There are two major mechanisms, viz., active and passive for drug targeting. Controlled drug release and subsequent biodegradation are also indispensable for developing successful formulations. Colloidal drug vehicles such as micelles, vesicles, liquid crystal dispersions, and nanomaterials consisting of miniscule nanoparticles of 5 - 200 nm diameter have shown great promise as drug delivery systems. In this context, past decades have witnessed certain major advancements. This review article emphasizes on these advances in the field of drug delivery systems.

Self-Assembly of Colloidosome Shells on Drug-Containing Hydrogels

Colloidosomes are composed of an aqueous or hydrogel corethat is coated by a semi-permeable colloidal shell. The properties of the shell can be varied to control the rate of release of encapsulated components such as drugs. Specifi-cally, the pores formed between the colloidal particles suppress transport of large components, while allowing diffusion of smaller ones. Self-assembly of colloidal particles on hydrogel films is a convenient method forcolloidosome synthesis, but to date little is known regarding the effect (if any) of the encapsulated drug on the shell packing density. In this paper we examined self-assembly of colloidal shells on alginate films containing four model drugs: aspirin, caffeine, theophylline and theobromine. We find that the packing density in the colloidal shells is low for all drugs, and ranges between 0.16 and 0.3. There is no clear correlation between drug properties (in particular, water solubility) and the packing density of the self-assembled colloidal shell.