Stem cell engineering for regenerative medicine offers new hope for treating many ailments and injuries. Hence, there is an urgent demand by stem cell scientists for an alternative platform that induces stem cell differentiation in a safe and efficient manner. Stem cell differentiation is inherently regulated by transcription factors (TFs), which are multi-domain proteins that interact with DNA to control expression of target genes, and thus, TFs are master regulators of gene expression and cellular behavior. Recently, scientists have developed synthetic transcription factors (STFs), which are small molecules that mimic the function of the individual domains on TF proteins. This work presents the development a novel bio-inspired platform called NanoScript, which is an alternative approach for safe stem cell differentiation. NanoScript is a nanoparticle-based artificial TF protein because it is designed to replicate the function and structure of natural TF proteins. NanoScript was constructed by assembling STFs onto multifunctional nanoparticles. We first demonstrate that NanoScript localizes within the nucleus of cells, initiates transcription of a reporter plasmid by over 15-fold in cancer cells, and transcribes endogenous genes. The tunable and interchangeable components of NanoScript can easily be modified to either activate or deactivate any gene of interest. As a result, NanoScript was then demonstrated for three stem cell-based applications: 1) NanoScript targets myogenic genes to differentiate adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) into muscle cells, 2) NanoScript modified with an epigenetic modulator, CTB, increases transcriptional potency and enhances differentiation of ADMACs into chondrocytes, and 3) NanoScript redesigned with gene repression molecules acts a transcriptional repressor protein because it downregulates gene expression to induce differentiation of neural stem cells into functional neurons. Because of its robust tunability and biocompatibility, the patented NanoScript platform is a promising alternative tool for research scientists for applications involving gene manipulation such as stem cell differentiation, cancer therapy, and cellular reprogramming. Moreover, the ability of NanoScript to induce stem cell differentiation in a non-viral and footprint-free manner is highly desired by stem cell clinicians, and hence, holds potential for use in stem cell-based therapies.

"As this fast-paced nanothriller unfolds, readers are taken on a tour de force of nanotechnology's promises and perils - until the fate of the earth itself hangs in the balance."--BOOK JACKET.

NANOPARTICLES FOR THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS The main goal of this book is to provide information on theranostic applications of various nanomaterials for different diseases with self-explanatory illustrations and fundamental descriptions of a plethora of properties of molecular traits. The author has written a fascinating book on research topics and fundamentals in the cross-disciplinary area of nanotechnology and bioscience in which she successfully fuses otherwise divergent research topics of this rapidly emerging area. The book deals with the use of nanomaterials for combatting various diseases and disorders of the human body. The three chapters of the first part of this book deal with the areas in which nanotechnology has contributed to nanomedicine. In the second part, different disorders like cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, genetic diseases, infectious diseases, cardiovascular disorders, eye, dentistry, bone, and cartilage-affecting diseases are discussed. In the chapters related to a disease or disorder of a particular organ, a basic brief introduction to them is given as well. Audience The book will be read by researchers, scientists, and graduate students in biotechnology, nanotechnology, materials science, and nanomedicine/biomedicine.

This book presents a novel method of synthesizing sequence-specific DNA binding pyrrole–imidazole (Py–Im) polyamides and demonstrates polyamides targeting longer base pairs than those previously reported and their cellular application. It discusses the development of the facile synthetic method of tandem hairpin Py–Im polyamides and the method of visualizing telomeres under mild conditions without harsh denaturation, as well as research resulting in the synthesis not only of previously reported tandem dimer polyamides but also longer tandem trimer and tetramer polyamides. Using fluorescently labeled tandem hairpin Py–Im polyamides targeting a human telomere repetitive sequence, the author successfully stained telomeres in fixed cells without denaturation. These fluorescently labeled tandem tetramer polyamides are able to visualize human telomeres with lower background signals than previous polyamide probes, suggesting that they have higher specificity for telomeres. As such, this book provides insights into recent advance in Py–Im polyamides, particularly the extension of the target sites c

Metal Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery and Diagnostic Applications addresses the lifecycle of metal nanoparticles, from synthesis and characterization, to applications in drug delivery and targeting. It is an important resource for those in biomaterials, nanomedicine and pharmaceutical sciences, exploring gold, silver and iron-based drug delivery systems for controlled and targeted delivery of potential drugs and genes for enhanced clinical efficacy. Nanotechnology is widely used in drug delivery due to its ability to reduce plasma fluctuation of drugs, high solubility, and efficiency, the relatively low cost of nanoscale products, and enhancement of patient comfort, hence this resource is a welcome edition to the science. Illustrates the progression of nanoparticle therapeutics from basic research to applications Explores new opportunities and ideas for developing and improving technologies in nanomedicine and nanobiology Discusses the toxicity of different types of metal nanoparticles and how to ensure their safe use

This book describes the fundamental concepts, the latest developments and the outlook of the field of nanozymes (i.e., the catalytic nanomaterials with enzymatic characteristics). As one of today’s most exciting fields, nanozyme research lies at the interface of chemistry, biology, materials science and nanotechnology. Each of the book’s six chapters explores advances in nanozymes. Following an introduction to the rise of nanozymes research in the course of research on natural enzymes and artificial enzymes in Chapter 1, Chapters 2 through 5 discuss different nanomaterials used to mimic various natural enzymes, from carbon-based and metal-based nanomaterials to metal oxide-based nanomaterials and other nanomaterials. In each of these chapters, the nanomaterials’ enzyme mimetic activities, catalytic mechanisms and key applications are covered. In closing, Chapter 6 addresses the current challenges and outlines further directions for nanozymes. Presenting extensive information on nanozymes and supplemented with a wealth of color illustrations and tables, the book offers an ideal guide for readers from disparate areas, including analytical chemistry, materials science, nanoscience and nanotechnology, biomedical and clinical engineering, environmental science and engineering, green chemistry, and novel catalysis.

This book elaborates on the fabrication of organic-inorganic hybrid nanomaterials, their advantages, self-assembly and their applications in diverse fields of energy, biotechnology, biomedical and environment. The contents provide insight into tools, tricks and challenges associated with techniques of fabrication and future challenges and risks. This book also discusses the properties of modern hybrid nanomaterials and their performance, durability, reproducibility and sensitivity. It will be useful for students and researchers in the area of nanotechnology, science, engineering and environmental chemistry. This volume will also be useful for researchers and professionals working on nanohybrid materials.