A new methodology for the preparation of well-defined core-shell nanoparticles was developed, based upon the employment of a multifunctional crosslinker to coincidently stabilize supramolecular polymer assemblies and imbed into the shell unique chemical functionalities. Amphiphilic diblock copolymers of poly(acrylic acid)(80)-b-poly(styrene)(90) that had been assembled into micelles and partial...

The miniaturization of structures in the guise of nanoscale materials has created a so-called nanoplatform for applied biomedical research in developing novel and improved diagnostics and therapeutics. Nanoparticles offer large surfaces for reactions involving biomolecules, thus providing a promising pathway to combine biomolecular functionality with unique electronic and optical attributes of ...

Bones constructed by tissue engineering are being considered as valuable materials to be used for regeneration of large defects in natural bone. In an attempt to prepare a new bone construct, in this study, proliferation and bone differentiation of marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on our recently developed composite scaffolds of nano-, micro-hydroxyapatite/ poly(l-lactic acid) were ...

Objective(s): Cell therapy has provided clinical applications to the treatment of motor neuron diseases. The current obstacle in stem cell therapy is to direct differentiation of stem cells into neurons in the neurodegenerative disorders. Biomaterial scaffolds can improve cell differentiation and are widely used in translational medicine and tissue engineering. The aim...

The mammalian brain is a phenomenal piece of "organic machinery" that has fascinated scientists and clinicians for centuries. The intricate network of tens of billions of neurons dispersed in a mixture of chemical and biochemical constituents gives rise to thoughts, feelings, memories, and life as we know it. In turn, subtle imbalances or damage to this system can cause severe complications in ...