Molecular Sciences Research Center, Inc.

The development of novel naphthalene-modified metallosalens incorporating Pt(II) and Pd(II) presents a promising approach to addressing limitations in cancer therapies. These metallosalens were synthesized and characterized using single crystal X-ray diffraction (sc-XRD), UV-vis spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and C, H, N elemental analysis. Their strong metal coordination and enhanced electronic interactions, stemming from π-conjugated aromatic structures, improved their DNA-binding affinity and cytotoxic efficacy. Biological assays confirmed significant cytotoxicity in A375 (melanoma) and H292 (nonsmall cell lung cancer) cell lines, while demonstrating minimal toxicity toward HSAEC healthy lung cells. PtL1 and PtL2 exhibited superior activity, inducing apoptosis with high selectivity for cancer cells, as validated by Incucyte Caspase-3/7 Green Dye assays. These findings highlight the potential of naphthalene-modified metallosalens as broad-spectrum cancer therapies, balancing efficacy with reduced off-target effects, and underscore the importance of ligand design and metal coordination in advancing next-generation chemotherapeutics.

Supramolecular hacky sacks (SHS) are a distinct class of self-assembled colloidal particles derived from guanosine (G) derivatives, engineered to support a wide range of cellular and therapeutic functions. In this study, we examine how variations in G-derivative composition influence SHS cellular uptake, intracellular trafficking, and functional efficacy. Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry reveal that uptake is highly dependent on particle composition, indicating selective engagement with specific cellular mechanisms. We show that SHS particles are biocompatible carriers capable of delivering both small molecules and genetic material: they successfully encapsulate and release doxorubicin with enhanced cytotoxic effects, and enable plasmid transfection with sustained expression of fluorescent proteins. These findings position SHS particles as a highly adaptable and effective supramolecular platform for drug and gene delivery. Their intrinsic biodegradability, ease of preparation, and tunable bioactivity highlight their strong potential for advancing biomedical applications.

Monitoring ultralow nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations is crucial for air quality management and public health. However, the existing NO₂ gas sensors have several defects, like high cost and power consumption, and exhibit poor selectivity. This study addresses these challenges by presenting a novel hexadecafluorinated iron phthalocyanine-reduced graphene oxide (FePcF₁₆-rGO) covalent hybrid sensor for NO₂ detection. This innovative approach, which overcomes the limitations of fabrication cost, energy efficiency, and gas selectivity, is a significant step forward in gas sensor technology. The sensor demonstrates exceptional sensitivity toward ultralow NO₂ concentrations (15.14% response for 100 ppb) with a rapid 60 s UV light-induced recovery. Additionally, the sensor exhibits high selectivity for NO₂, achieving a limit of detection (LOD) of 8.59 ppb. This approach paves the way for developing cost-effective, energy-efficient, and miniature NO₂ monitoring devices for improved environmental monitoring and enhanced safety in workplaces where NO₂ exposure is a concern.