Microneedle-based cell delivery and cell sampling for biomedical applications.

Cell-based therapeutics are novel therapeutic strategies that can potentially treat many presently incurable diseases through novel mechanisms of action. Cell therapies may benefit from the ease, safety, and efficacy of administering therapeutic cells. Despite considerable recent technological and biological advances, several barriers remain to the clinical translation and commercialization of cell-based therapies, including low patient compliance, personal handling inconvenience, poor biosafety, and limited biocompatibility. Microneedles (MNs) are emerging as a promising biomedical device option for improved cell delivery with little invasion, pain-free administration, and simplicity of disposal. MNs have shown considerable promise in treating a wide range of diseases and present the potential to improve cell-based therapies. In this review, we first summarized the latest advances in the various types of MNs developed for cell delivery and cell sampling. Emphasis was given to the design and fabrication of various types of MNs based on their structures and materials. Then we focus on the recent biomedical applications status of MNs-mediated cell delivery and sampling, including tissue repair (wound healing, heart repair, and endothelial repair), cancer treatment, diabetes therapy, cell sampling, and other applications. Finally, the current status of clinical application, potential perspectives, and the challenges for clinical translation are also highlighted.

Screening and Optimization of Newly Isolated Thermotolerant Lysinibacillus fusiformis Strain SK for Protease and Antifungal Activity.

The current study was designed to isolate, identify and characterize a Bacillus sp. capable of producing protease and exhibiting antifungal activity. A highly potent bacterium capable of producing protease abundantly was isolated from the soil collected from the waste pit near Microbiology Laboratory of Birendra Multiple Campus, Bharatpur and later on identified as Lysinibacillus fusiformis strain SK on the basis of morphological, physiological, biochemical and 16S rDNA gene sequencing techniques. The strain SK showed 98.36% similarity with L. fusiformis strain NBRC 15717. Using R-programming statistical analysis tool, the optimum incubation time for the highest average protease production (APP) (47.2 U/mL) was found to be 22 h at 50 °C and both incubation time and temperature showed a significant impact on the production of protease (P < 0.01). The maximum average relative protease activity (ARPA) was observed at pH 7.8 and 48 °C, whereas the least ARPA was observed in the presence of 80 g/L NaCl and 10 g/L HgCl2 (P < 0.01). The newly isolated bacterial strain also exhibited strong antifungal activity against aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus suggesting that it can be a potential candidate for protease production and activity over a wider range of temperature and pH as well as for synthesizing effective antifungal compounds.

Amphiphilic core-shell nanoparticles: Synthesis, biophysical properties, and applications.

Recent advancements in amphiphilic core shell (ACS) nanoparticles have resulted in the development of multifunctional nanocarriers for broad spectrum applications. The ACS nanoparticles are synthesized between organic/organic and organic/inorganic molecules or entities making them highly versatile delivery vehicles. The shape, size, and biological features such as biocompatibility and biodegradability of ACS nanoparticles depend on their synthesis method and type of polymers used in their preparation. This review describes the current status of synthesis methods of polymer-based ACS nanoparticles and their biophysical characteristics. Further, it elaborates the use of ACS nanoparticles in biomedical and non-medical fields with particular emphasis on drug and gene co-delivery which have received substantial consideration in recent times. In biomedical field, different ACS nanoparticles have been developed as drug and gener carriers and are under trials for human use. These nanoparticles have also been utilized for non-medical application such as enzyme immobilization, bioseperation, removal of heavy metals, and remediation of toxic gases. The development of novel multifunctional ACS nanoparticles based on suitable carrier design and optimum polymer chemistry will open new gateways for delivering more complex and high molecular weight therapeutic molecules to the target sites.