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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yuecheng Peter Zhou

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Guest Editor

Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
Interests: polymer dynamics; electrochromic polymers; optical and label-free sensing techniques; single-molecule imaging

Dr. Bo Li

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Guest Editor

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kennesaw State University, Marietta, GA 30060, USA
Interests: self-assembly; supramolecular assembly; directed assembly; bioinspired materials; molecular electronics; polymeric materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The structural diversity of soft materials provides them with unique microscopic dynamics and emergent macroscopic properties. It also enables them to have wide applications in energy storage, healthcare technologies, etc. In this Special Issue, we welcome contributions that investigate the dynamics, rheology, physics and structural–property relationships of polymers and self-assembled soft materials. We also welcome explorations of the applications of these materials. The definition of soft materials should be broad, including, but not limited to, polymers, biopolymers, peptides, and colloids. Original research articles, reviews, mini reviews and perspectives are all suitable formats.

Dr. Yuecheng Peter Zhou
Dr. Bo Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

polymeric materials
polymer dynamics
polymer physics
polymer rheology
self-assembly materials
structural-property relations
self-assembly mechanism

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 7031 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Peptide Self-Assembly Facilitating DNA Transfection and the Application in Inhibiting Cancer Cells

by Jingyu Wang, Min Ye and Baokuan Zhu

Molecules 2024, 29(5), 932; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules29050932 - 21 Feb 2024

Viewed by 717

Abstract

Non-viral vectors have been developing in gene delivery due to their safety and low immunogenicity. But their transfection effect is usually very low, thus limiting the application. Hence, we designed eight peptides (compounds 1–8). We compared their performances; compound 8 had the best transfection efficacy and biocompatibility. The transfection effect was similar with that of PEI, a most-widely-employed commercial transfection reagent. Atomic force microscope (AFM) images showed that the compound could self-assemble and the self-assembled peptide might encapsulate DNA. Based on these results, we further analyzed the inhibitory result in cancer cells and found that compound 8 could partially fight against Hela cells. Therefore, the compound is promising to pave the way for the development of more effective and less toxic transfection vectors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structure and Dynamics of Polymers and Self-Assembled Soft Materials)

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Review

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32 pages, 2910 KiB

Open AccessReview

Diffusion-Limited Processes in Hydrogels with Chosen Applications from Drug Delivery to Electronic Components

by Filipp V. Lavrentev, Vladimir V. Shilovskikh, Varvara S. Alabusheva, Veronika Yu. Yurova, Anna A. Nikitina, Sviatlana A. Ulasevich and Ekaterina V. Skorb

Molecules 2023, 28(15), 5931; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules28155931 - 07 Aug 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2032

Abstract

Diffusion is one of the key nature processes which plays an important role in respiration, digestion, and nutrient transport in cells. In this regard, the present article aims to review various diffusion approaches used to fabricate different functional materials based on hydrogels, unique examples of materials that control diffusion. They have found applications in fields such as drug encapsulation and delivery, nutrient delivery in agriculture, developing materials for regenerative medicine, and creating stimuli-responsive materials in soft robotics and microrobotics. In addition, mechanisms of release and drug diffusion kinetics as key tools for material design are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structure and Dynamics of Polymers and Self-Assembled Soft Materials)

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Graphical abstract

16 pages, 2234 KiB

Open AccessReview

Protein-Based Hydrogels and Their Biomedical Applications

by Kok Zhi Lee, Juya Jeon, Bojing Jiang, Shri Venkatesh Subramani, Jingyao Li and Fuzhong Zhang

Molecules 2023, 28(13), 4988; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules28134988 - 25 Jun 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3018

Abstract

Hydrogels made from proteins are attractive materials for diverse medical applications, as they are biocompatible, biodegradable, and amenable to chemical and biological modifications. Recent advances in protein engineering, synthetic biology, and material science have enabled the fine-tuning of protein sequences, hydrogel structures, and hydrogel mechanical properties, allowing for a broad range of biomedical applications using protein hydrogels. This article reviews recent progresses on protein hydrogels with special focus on those made of microbially produced proteins. We discuss different hydrogel formation strategies and their associated hydrogel properties. We also review various biomedical applications, categorized by the origin of protein sequences. Lastly, current challenges and future opportunities in engineering protein-based hydrogels are discussed. We hope this review will inspire new ideas in material innovation, leading to advanced protein hydrogels with desirable properties for a wide range of biomedical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structure and Dynamics of Polymers and Self-Assembled Soft Materials)

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