Muhammad Wajid Ullah

Electroconductive natural polymer-based hydrogels

Hydrogels prepared from natural polymers have received immense considerations over the past decade due to their safe nature, biocompatibility, hydrophilic properties, and biodegradable nature. More recently, when treated with electroactive materials, these hydrogels were endowed with high electrical conductivity, electrochemical redox properties, and electromechanical properties; consequently, forming a smart hydrogel. The biological properties of these smart hydrogels, classified as electroconductive hydrogels, can be combined with electronics. Thus, they are considered as good candidates for some potential uses, which include bioconductors, biosensors, electro-stimulated drug delivery systems, as well as neuron-, muscle-, and skin-tissue engineering. However, there is lacking comprehensive information on the current state of these electroconductive hydrogels which complicates our understanding of this new type of biomaterials as well as their potential applications. Hence, this review provides a summary on the current development of electroconductive natural polymer-based hydrogels (ENPHs). We have introduced various types of ENPHs, with a brief description of their advantages and shortcomings. In addition, emerging technologies regarding their synthesis developed during the past decade are discussed. Finally, two attractive potential applications of ENPHs, cell culture and biomedical devices, are reviewed, along with their current challenges.

Fabrication of bacterial cellulose/polyaniline/single-walled carbon nanotubes membrane for potential application as biosensor

Electrically conductive polymeric membranes of BC with polyaniline (PAni) were fabricated through ex situ oxidative polymerization. PAni was densely arrayed along BC fibers and SWCNTs were uniformly distributed in the composites as confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectra of the composite membranes exhibited characteristic peaks for specific functional groups of PAni and SWCNTs besides BC. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated the presence of specific peaks for BC, PAni, and SWCNTs in the composites. The conjugated backbone of PAni and SWCNTs contributed to improve the degradation temperatures from 232°C for BC to 260°C, 302°C, and 310°C for BC-PAni, BC-PAni/SWCNTs-I (0.05mg/mL), and BC-PAni/SWCNTs-II (0.1mg/mL) composites, respectively. The electrical conductivity of BC was enhanced to 1.04×10-3S/cm, 4.64×10-3S/cm, and 1.41×10-2S/cm upon doping with PAni, and 0.05mg/mL and 0.1mg/mL SWCNTs, respectively in dry state which was further increased to 4.02×10-2S/cm, 3.03×10-2S/cm, 5.93×10-1S/cm, and 7.36×10-1S/cm, respectively in PBS solution. These membranes can potentially be used for applications requiring biocompatibility and electrical conductivity such as biological and chemical sensors.

Bioprinting and its Applications in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

Bioprinting of three-dimensional constructs mimicking natural-like extracellular matrix has revolutionized biomedical technology. Bioprinting technology circumvents various discrepancies associated with current tissue engineering strategies by providing an automated and advanced platform to fabricate various biomaterials through precise deposition of cells and polymers in a premeditated fashion. However, few obstacles associated with development of 3D scaffolds including varied properties of polymers used and viability, controlled distribution, and vascularization, etc. of cells hinder bioprinting of complex structures. Therefore, extensive efforts have been made to explore the potential of various natural polymers (e.g. cellulose, gelatin, alginate, and chitosan, etc.) and synthetic polymers in bioprinting by tuning their printability and cross-linking features, mechanical and thermal properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, etc. This review describes the potential of these polymers to support adhesion and proliferation of viable cells to bioprint cell laden constructs, bone, cartilage, skin, and neural tissues, and blood vessels, etc. for various applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicines. Further, it describes various challenges associated with current bioprinting technology and suggests possible solutions. Although at early stage of development, the potential benefits of bioprinting technology are quite clear and expected to open new gateways in biomedical, pharmaceutics and several other fields in near future.

A transparent wound dressing based on bacterial cellulose whisker and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)

The current study was aimed to develop a transparent wound dressing comprised of bacterial cellulose (BC) and poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) hydrogel coated with silver (Ag) nanoparticles. Briefly, different concentrations of BC whiskers (BCWs) were added into the HEMA solution to form PHEMA/BCWs hydrogel with volume ratio of monomer HEMA and BCWs as 7:3 and 1:1. The addition of BCWs into PHEMA matrix improved its equilibrium water content and light transmittance about 20%-40% and 10%, respectively. The Youngs modulus for PHEMA was found to be 0.72MPa, which was improved to 0.57MPa and 0.50MPa for PHEMA/BCWs 7:3 and PHEMA/BCWs 1:1, respectively. Further, immersion of PHEMA/BCWs hydrogel in the AgNO3 and NaBH4 solutions bestowed it with antibacterial property and produced inhibition zones of 0.5±0.15cm and 0.25±0.15cm against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Similarly, PHEMA/BCWs prepared with 0.001M AgNO3 and 0.001M NaBH4 solutions showed 99% and 90% reduction in colony forming unit (CFU) for E. coli and S. aureus, respectively, after 24h. The PHEMA/BCWs/Ag hydrogel facilitated the growth of NIH3T3 fibroblast, showing their low toxicity. These results demonstrate the suitability of PHEMA/BCWs/Ag hydrogel for its application as potential transparent wound dressing material for skin repair.

Role of Recombinant DNA Technology to Improve Life

In the past century, the recombinant DNA technology was just an imagination that desirable characteristics can be improved in the living bodies by controlling the expressions of target genes. However, in recent era, this field has demonstrated unique impacts in bringing advancement in human life. By virtue of this technology, crucial proteins required for health problems and dietary purposes can be produced safely, affordably, and sufficiently. This technology has multidisciplinary applications and potential to deal with important aspects of life, for instance, improving health, enhancing food resources, and resistance to divergent adverse environmental effects. Particularly in agriculture, the genetically modified plants have augmented resistance to harmful agents, enhanced product yield, and shown increased adaptability for better survival. Moreover, recombinant pharmaceuticals are now being used confidently and rapidly attaining commercial approvals. Techniques of recombinant DNA technology, gene therapy, and genetic modifications are also widely used for the purpose of bioremediation and treating serious diseases. Due to tremendous advancement and broad range of application in the field of recombinant DNA technology, this review article mainly focuses on its importance and the possible applications in daily life.

Current advancements of magnetic nanoparticles in adsorption and degradation of organic pollutants

AbstractNanotechnology is a fast-emerging field and has received applications in almost every field of life. Exploration of new synthetic technologies for size and shape control of nanomaterials is getting immense consideration owing to their exceptional properties and applications. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are among the most important group of nanoparticles thanks to their diverse applications in medical, electronic, environmental, and industrial sectors. There have been numerous synthetic routes of MNPs including thermal decomposition, co-precipitation, microemulsion, microwave assisted, chemical vapor deposition, combustion synthesis, and laser pyrolysis synthesis. The synthesized MNPs have been successfully applied in medical fields for therapy, bioimaging, drug delivery, and so on. Among environmental aspects, there has been great intimidation of organic pollutants in air and water. Utilization of various wastes as adsorbents has removed 80 to 99.9% of pollutants from contaminated water. MNPs as adsorbents compared to coarse-grained counterparts have seven times higher capacity in removing water pollutants and degrading organic contaminants. This study is focused to introduce and compile various routes of MNP synthesis together with their significant role in water purifications and degradation of organic compounds. The review has compiled recent investigation, and we hope it will find the interest of researchers dealing with nanoparticles and environmental research. Graphical abstractSynthesis and applications of magnetic nanoparticles.

Recent Advancement in Cellulose based Nanocomposite for Addressing Environmental Challenges

BACKGROUND Cellulose being the most abundant polymer has been widely utilized in multiple applications. Its impressive nanofibril arrangement has provoked its applications in numerous fields. Recent trends have been shifted to produce composites of nanocellulose for numerous applications among which the most important ones are its use in medical and environmental prospective. This review has basically focused the development of nanocellulose composites and its applications in resolving environmental hazards. METHODS We have reviewed large number of research and review articles from famous journals using a focused review question. The quality of retrieved papers was assessed through standard tools. The contents from reviewed articles were described in scientific way. RESULTS We included 85 papers including research and review articles and patents in this review. 18 papers introduced the theme of current review. More than 10 papers were used to describe the approaches used for synthesizing cellullose nanocomposites. Composite synthesis strategies included the in situ addition, ex situ penetration, solution mixing, and solvent casting etc. Around 60 manuscripts including 6 patents were used to demonstrate various applications of nanocellulose composites. Nanocellulose based materials offer several applications in the development of antimicrobial filters, air and water filters, filters for removal of heavy metals, pollutant sensors as well as applications in catalysis and energy sectors. Such products are more efficient, robust, reliable, and environment-friendly. CONCLUSION This review gives a comprehensive picture of ongoing research and development on environmental remediation by nanotechnology. We hope that the contents reviewed herein will catch the readers interest and will provide interesting background to extend future research activities regarding cellulose based materials.

Fabrication of nanocomposites and hybrid materials using microbial biotemplates

Microbes are important part of life that vary in sizes and shapes, diverse surface chemistry and biology, and porous nature of their cell walls. Besides their importance in industrial processes such as fermentation, these serve as biotemplates and provide a biomimetic approach for fabrication of multifarious complex constructs with predefined features, ordered composites and hybrid nanomaterials, microdevices, and micro/nanorobots through various strategies. The template or building blocks for such approaches can be bacterial, algal, and fungal cells or virus particles. Here, we have summarized recent advancements in biofabrication based on live microbes. Using engineering approaches and suitable methods, live microbes can be manipulated as functional “micro/nanodevices and -robots” to further perform biological functions such as replication, distribution, motility, formation of colonies, and secretion of metabolites at will. Biofabrication based on microbes provides effective methods to control and manipulate microbes as functional live building blocks to create micro/nanodevices and -robots for biomedical and energy applications.

Recent advancements in bioreactions of cellular and cell-free systems: A study of bacterial cellulose as a model

Conventional approaches of regulating natural biochemical and biological processes are greatly hampered by the complexity of natural systems. Therefore, current biotechnological research is focused on improving biological systems and processes using advanced technologies such as genetic and metabolic engineering. These technologies, which employ principles of synthetic and systems biology, are greatly motivated by the diversity of living organisms to improve biological processes and allow the manipulation and reprogramming of target bioreactions and cellular systems. This review describes recent developments in cell biology, as well as genetic and metabolic engineering, and their role in enhancing biological processes. In particular, we illustrate recent advancements in genetic and metabolic engineering with respect to the production of bacterial cellulose (BC) using the model systems Gluconacetobacter xylinum and Gluconacetobacter hansenii. Besides, the cell-free enzyme system, representing the latest engineering strategies, has been comprehensively described. The content covered in the current review will lead readers to get an insight into developing novel metabolic pathways and engineering novel strains for enhanced production of BC and other bioproducts formation.

Nano-gold assisted highly conducting and biocompatible bacterial cellulose-PEDOT:PSS films for biology-device interface applications

This study reports the fabrication of highly conducting and biocompatible bacterial cellulose (BC)-gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) (BC-AuNPs-PEDOT:PSS) composites for biology-device interface applications. The composites were fabricated using ex situ incorporation of AuNPs and PEDOT:PSS into the BC matrix. Structural characterization, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, confirmed the uniform nature of the synthesized BC-AuNPs and BC-AuNPs-PEDOT:PSS composites. Four-point probe analysis indicated that the BC-AuNPs and BC-AuNPs-PEDOT:PSS films had high electrical conductivity. The composites were also tested for biocompatibility with animal osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1). The composite films supported adhesion, growth, and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells, indicating that they are biocompatible and non-cytotoxic. AuNPs and PEDOT:PSS, imparted a voltage response, while BC imparted biocompatibility and bio-adhesion to the nanocomposites. Therefore, our BC-AuNPs-PEDOT:PSS composites are candidate materials for biology-device interfaces to produce implantable devices in regenerative medicine.