Henan Normal University

About: Henan Normal University is a education organization based out in Xinxiang, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Ionic liquid. The organization has 10863 authors who have published 11077 publications receiving 166773 citations.

Aptamer-integrated DNA nanostructures for biosensing, bioimaging and cancer therapy

Abstract: The combination of nanostructures with biomolecules leading to the generation of functional nanosystems holds great promise for biotechnological and biomedical applications. As a naturally occurring biomacromolecule, DNA exhibits excellent biocompatibility and programmability. Also, scalable synthesis can be readily realized through automated instruments. Such unique properties, together with Watson–Crick base-pairing interactions, make DNA a particularly promising candidate to be used as a building block material for a wide variety of nanostructures. In the past few decades, various DNA nanostructures have been developed, including one-, two- and three-dimensional nanomaterials. Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules selected by Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX), with specific recognition abilities to their targets. Therefore, integrating aptamers into DNA nanostructures results in powerful tools for biosensing and bioimaging applications. Furthermore, owing to their high loading capability, aptamer-modified DNA nanostructures have also been altered to play the role of drug nanocarriers for in vivo applications and targeted cancer therapy. In this review, we summarize recent progress in the design of aptamers and related DNA molecule-integrated DNA nanostructures as well as their applications in biosensing, bioimaging and cancer therapy. To begin with, we first introduce the SELEX technology. Subsequently, the methodologies for the preparation of aptamer-integrated DNA nanostructures are presented. Then, we highlight their applications in biosensing and bioimaging for various targets, as well as targeted cancer therapy applications. Finally, we discuss several challenges and further opportunities in this emerging field.

Evolview v3: a webserver for visualization, annotation, and management of phylogenetic trees.

Abstract: Evolview is an interactive tree visualization tool designed to help researchers in visualizing phylogenetic trees and in annotating these with additional information. It offers the user with a platform to upload trees in most common tree formats, such as Newick/Phylip, Nexus, Nhx and PhyloXML, and provides a range of visualization options, using fifteen types of custom annotation datasets. The new version of Evolview was designed to provide simple tree uploads, manipulation and viewing options with additional annotation types. The 'dataset system' used for visualizing tree information has evolved substantially from the previous version, and the user can draw on a wide range of additional example visualizations. Developments since the last public release include a complete redesign of the user interface, new annotation dataset types, additional tree visualization styles, full-text search of the documentation, and some backend updates. The project management aspect of Evolview was also updated, with a unified approach to tree and project management and sharing. Evolview is freely available at: https://www.evolgenius.info/evolview/.

A Review of Graphene‐Based Nanostructural Materials for Both Catalyst Supports and Metal‐Free Catalysts in PEM Fuel Cell Oxygen Reduction Reactions

Abstract: A comprehensive overview and description of graphene-based nanomaterials explored in recent years for catalyst supports and metal-free catalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) is presented. The catalyst material structures/morphologies, material selection, and design for synthesis, catalytic performance, catalytic mechanisms, and theoretical approaches for catalyst down-selection and catalyzed ORR mechanisms are emphasized with respect to the performance of ORR catalysts in terms of both activity and stability. When graphene-based materials, including graphene and doped graphene, are used as the supporting materials for both Pt/Pt alloy catalysts and non-precious metal catalyst, the resulting ORR catalysts can give superior catalyst activity and stability compared to those of conventional carbon-supported catalysts; when they are used as metal-free ORR catalysts, significant catalytic activity and stability are observed. The nitrogen-doped graphene materials even show superior performance compared to supported metal catalysts. Challenges including the lack of material mass production, unoptimized catalyst structure/morphology, insufficient fundamental understanding, and testing tools/protocols for performance optimization and validation are identified, and approaches to address these challenges are suggested.