Gelatin Nanoparticles can Improve Pesticide Delivery Performance to Plants.

Nanomaterials associated with plant growth and crop cultivation revolutionize traditional concepts of agriculture. However, the poor reiterability of these materials in agricultural applications necessitates the development of environmentally-friendly approaches. To address this, biocompatible gelatin nanoparticles (GNPs) as nanofertilizers with a small size (≈150 nm) and a positively charged surface (≈30 mV) that serve as a versatile tool in agricultural practices is designed. GNPs load agrochemical agents to improve maintenance and delivery. The biocompatible nature and small size of GNPs ensure unrestricted nutrient absorption on root surfaces. Furthermore, when combined with pesticides, GNPs demonstrate remarkable enhancements in insecticidal (≈15%) and weed-killing effects (≈20%) while preserving the efficacy of the pesticide. That GNPs have great potential for use in sustainable agriculture, particularly in inducing plant growth, specifically plant root growth, without fertilization and in enhancing the functions of agrochemical agents is proposed. It is suggested conceptual applications of GNPs in real-world agricultural practices.

Graphene Hybrid Inner Ear Organoid with Enhanced Maturity.

Inner ear organoids (IEOs) are 3D structures grown in vitro, which can mimic the complex cellular structure and function of the inner ear. IEOs are potential solutions to problems related to inner ear development, disease modeling, and drug delivery. However, current approaches in generating IEOs using chemical factors have a few limitations, resulting in unpredictable outcomes. In this study, we propose the use of nanomaterial-based approaches, specifically by using graphene oxide (GO). GO's unique properties promote cell-extracellular matrix interactions and cell-cell gap junctions, thereby enhancing hair cell formation, which is an essential part of IEO development. We also investigated the potential applications for drug testing. Our findings suggest that GO is a promising candidate for enhancing the functionality of IEOs and advancing our understanding of the problems underlying inner ear development. The use of nanomaterial-based approaches may provide a more reliable and effective method for building better IEOs in the future.

Therapeutic Strategies and Enhanced Production of Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes for Tissue Regeneration.

Exosomes are nanovesicles surrounded by a plasma membrane and carry bioactive molecules (e.g., proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids) of the origin cell type. The bioactive molecules delivered by exosomes to the recipient cells have attracted considerable attention, as they play an important role in intercellular communication. Moreover, exosomes have unique properties, including the ability to penetrate the biological barrier with minimal immunogenicity and side effects, which can influence various physiological and pathological processes. Thus, exosomes are a promising therapeutic platform for various diseases (e.g., malignancies and allergies), as well as for the regeneration of damaged tissues. However, challenges of obtaining exosomes, such as complex extraction procedures, low yield, and difficulty in quantification are yet to be overcome, which limits the use of exosomes in clinical settings. In this review, we describe the state-of-the-art engineering techniques and strategies for highly efficient mass production of exosomes. Moreover, we discuss the functional aspects and potential therapeutic applications of stem cell-derived exosomes, and deliberate upon various engineering techniques and platform combinations for improved tissue regeneration by exosomes.