Coline Jumeaux

Gold–silica quantum rattles for multimodal imaging and therapy

Significance Therapeutic and diagnostic nanoparticles combine multiple functionalities to improve efficacy of treatment but often require assembling complex systems at the expense of overall performance. Here we present a simple strategy to synthesize a hybrid, rattle-like, gold–silica nanoparticle that very efficiently combines therapy and imaging in an animal model. The nanoparticle design is uniquely centered on enabling the use of gold quantum dots (<2 nm) in biological systems. The resulting nanoparticles are highly biocompatible and display emergent photonic and magnetic properties matching and in some instances outperforming state-of-the-art nanotechnology-based medical agents for each of the functionalities investigated, promising a tighter integration between imaging and therapy. Gold quantum dots exhibit distinctive optical and magnetic behaviors compared with larger gold nanoparticles. However, their unfavorable interaction with living systems and lack of stability in aqueous solvents has so far prevented their adoption in biology and medicine. Here, a simple synthetic pathway integrates gold quantum dots within a mesoporous silica shell, alongside larger gold nanoparticles within the shell’s central cavity. This “quantum rattle” structure is stable in aqueous solutions, does not elicit cell toxicity, preserves the attractive near-infrared photonics and paramagnetism of gold quantum dots, and enhances the drug-carrier performance of the silica shell. In vivo, the quantum rattles reduced tumor burden in a single course of photothermal therapy while coupling three complementary imaging modalities: near-infrared fluorescence, photoacoustic, and magnetic resonance imaging. The incorporation of gold within the quantum rattles significantly enhanced the drug-carrier performance of the silica shell. This innovative material design based on the mutually beneficial interaction of gold and silica introduces the use of gold quantum dots for imaging and therapeutic applications.

Localized and Controlled Delivery of Nitric Oxide to the Conventional Outflow Pathway via Enzyme Biocatalysis: Toward Therapy for Glaucoma

Nitric oxide (NO) is able to lower intraocular pressure (IOP); however, its therapeutic effects on outflow physiology are location‐ and dose‐dependent. A NO delivery platform that directly targets the resistance‐generating region of the conventional outflow pathway and locally liberates a controlled dose of NO is reported. An increase in outflow facility (decrease in IOP) is demonstrated in a mouse model.

Synthesis and self-assembly of temperature-responsive copolymers based on N-vinylpyrrolidone and triethylene glycol methacrylate

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is a biocompatible, water-soluble polymer with unique physicochemical properties and attractive biological features that has found widespread use in several industries. Owing to advances in controlled polymerisation techniques, PVP can be easily synthesised with robust control over its architecture. However, the synthesis of PVP copolymers, which can allow tailoring of its properties and expand the scope of this polymeric material, is challenging and rarely reported. Here, we demonstrate the synthesis of well-defined, temperature-responsive polyvinylpyrrolidone-co-poly(triethylene glycol methacrylate) (PVP-co-pTEGMA) block copolymers via successive Reversible Addition-Fragmentation chain Transfer (RAFT) and Activators ReGenerated by Electron Transfer Atom Transfer Radical Polymerisation (ARGET-ATRP) techniques. We show that PVP-co-pTEGMA block copolymers display temperature-responsive behaviour and self-assemble above their cloud point temperature (Tcp) to form spherical nanostructures of 100-200 nm in diameter. Finally, we demonstrate stabilisation of these assemblies below their Tcp by cross-linking through the PVP block.

MicroRNA Detection by DNA-Mediated Liposome Fusion

Membrane fusion is a process of fundamental importance in biological systems that involves highly selective recognition mechanisms for the trafficking of molecular and ionic cargos. Mimicking natural membrane fusion mechanisms for the purpose of biosensor development holds great potential for amplified detection because relatively few highly discriminating targets lead to fusion and an accompanied engagement of a large payload of signal‐generating molecules. In this work, sequence‐specific DNA‐mediated liposome fusion is used for the highly selective detection of microRNA. The detection of miR‐29a, a known flu biomarker, is demonstrated down to 18 nm within 30 min with high specificity by using a standard laboratory microplate reader. Furthermore, one order of magnitude improvement in the limit of detection is demonstrated by using a novel imaging technique combined with an intensity fluctuation analysis, which is coined two‐color fluorescence correlation microscopy.