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Journal articleSun M, Gao AX, Ye B, et al., 2026,
Advances in engineering and applications of synthetic phase-separated membraneless organelles in biotechnology
, Synthetic and Systems Biotechnology, Vol: 13, Pages: 37-49, ISSN: 2405-805XMembraneless organelles (MLOs) formed through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) constitute crucial dynamic microenvironments within cells, capable of selectively concentrating specific molecules and regulating biochemical reactions. Based on the working mechanisms of natural MLOs, researchers have designed and constructed various synthetic MLOs. These MLOs have been applied in regulating enzyme activity, optimizing metabolic pathways, regulating gene expression, producing recombinant proteins, and developing functional biomaterials. Here, we systematically summarized the design strategies, characterization techniques, and client protein recruitment methods for synthetic MLOs, and categorically reviewed their application progress in the biotechnology field. We also discussed current challenges faced in the practical applications of synthetic MLOs and future research directions. This review aims to provide theoretical guidance and practical reference for the design and application of LLPS-driven synthetic MLOs, thereby promoting their innovative development in synthetic biology and biotechnology.
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Journal articleChen SY, Patranabish S, Weiland K, et al., 2026,
Scalable structural supercapacitors with graphene-modified high-surface-area electrodes
, Composites Science and Technology, Vol: 279, ISSN: 0266-3538Electrification, including emerging technologies such as structural supercapacitors, is critical in realizing carbon-neutral transportation. A fundamental challenge is the trade-off between mechanical properties and energy storage capabilities. We report the fabrication of structural supercapacitors with a novel fibre-fibre interface to improve the interlaminar strength and encapsulation while considering the effect of structural resin on energy storage performance. The synthesized graphene nanoplatelets-modified electrodes attain a high specific surface area of ∼231 m<sup>2</sup> g<sup>−1</sup> - outperforming comparable carbon-based electrodes. We learned that the use of a gel-polymer electrolyte (GPE) separator containing 60 wt% Li-salt eliminates the requirement of electrolyte infusion and showed the highest values for conductivity for the cell produced using GPE. The implementation of glass fabrics (GFs) into the GPE improved the flexural modulus by ∼22%, while retaining the mechanical strength of the cells. The multifunctional performance of the produced SSCs were on par or even outperformed the performances of SSCs reported in literature. A proof-of-concept prototype demonstrates that gel-polymer electrolyte cells can retain charges for longer than those with a glass fibre separator. Cumulatively, these offer the possibility of conventional composite manufacturing techniques to scale-up and eliminate delamination issues arising from different thermal expansion coefficients which also addresses the balance between mechanical stability and electrochemical performance. Our findings support the advancement of durable, lightweight energy storage and delivery systems for sustainable transportation, with potential applications in robotics and wearable technologies.
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Journal articleJiang Q, Normand C, Beauchamp F, et al., 2026,
Structural composite battery: Reinforced carbon fibre electrodes within a porous polyethersulfone matrix
, Composites Science and Technology, Vol: 278, ISSN: 0266-3538A method to produce multifunctional structural battery composites comprising carbon fibre reinforced anodes and cathodes, and electrolyte filled bicontinuous polymer matrix is disclosed. Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and lithium titanate (LTO) were deposited onto carbon fibres by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) to produce multifunctional cathodes and anodes, respectively. EPD allowed for an even coating of individual carbon fibres depositing 30 wt% of active materials with respect to carbon fibre current collectors. Carbon fibre reinforced cathode (LFP@CF), separator and anode (LTO@CF) were stacked and impregnated using polyethersulfone (PES) in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) solution; the PES was subsequently precipitated by non-solvent induced phase separation forming a porous high-performance polymer matrix within the stack. The porous matrix binds the carbon fibres and separator while providing sufficient openness for the electrochemical interface. The LFP@CF | separator | LTO@CF/PES assembly had an average Young's modulus of 27 ± 10 GPa and tensile strength of 282 ± 65 MPa. Structural battery composites possessed an energy density of 63 Wh/kg<inf>LFP</inf> or 2 Wh/kg<inf>battery</inf> at charge rate of 0.1C and were able to be cyclically dis/charged for more than 400 h.
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Journal articleZhao Y, Gu H, Ledesma-Amaro R, et al., 2026,
Magnetically actuated β-glucosidase immobilized on oak chips for enhanced wine aroma release.
, Food Res Int, Vol: 231β-Glucosidase (BGL) plays a key role in wine aroma enhancement by hydrolyzing glycosidic precursors; however, its application is limited by instability under harsh winemaking conditions. To address this, we developed an integrated biocatalytic system by immobilizing an acid-tolerant BGL onto functionalized magnetic oak chips (NFOak) via oriented Ni2+-histidine coordination. Comprehensive characterization confirmed the fabrication of a porous, magnetic cellulose scaffold. The immobilized BGL exhibited significantly enhanced stability against winemaking stresses (low pH, high ethanol) compared to the free enzyme. Furthermore, magnetic actuation of the biocomposite improved its hydrolytic performance, likely attributed to enhanced mass transfer. When applied to Chardonnay and Marselan wines, the magnetically actuated system effectively hydrolyzed glycosidic precursors, markedly increasing the concentrations of key volatile compounds-such as linalool and ethyl benzoate associated with fruity and floral aroma profiles. The treatment also induced subtle modulations in wine color and phenolic composition. Safety assessments confirmed no nickel leaching and oenologically acceptable iron levels. This work provides a sustainable and efficient strategy for controllable aroma modulation, combining the oenological benefits of a natural oak carrier with the operational controllability of magnetic actuation.
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Journal articleCanizales J, Schofield S, Shamji MH, et al., 2026,
Patterns of Mouse Allergen-Specific IgE and IgG4 in Contemporary Animal Research Environments.
, Clin Exp Allergy -
Journal articleYousefi N, Tao H, Anthony DB, et al., 2026,
Scale matters: a perspective on structural hierarchical carbon fibre composites incorporating carbon nanotubes
, Composites Science and Technology, Vol: 277, ISSN: 0266-3538Composites have long played a vital role in material science due to their lightweight, stiff, strong, and durable construction. Composites consist of at least two complementary materials, typically comprising reinforcing elements, prominently carbon or glass fibres, held in place by a surrounding polymer matrix. Conventional fibre composites already display a structural hierarchy from fibres within tows, to plies, to laminates forming large-scale structures. The term “hierarchical composites” specifically refers to materials that integrate reinforcements spanning additional length scales, down to the molecular range, most notably nanoscale reinforcements that complement microscale fibres. Natural structural materials rely extensively on hierarchical motifs to maximise performance, though using constituents limited by abundance and ambient aqueous processing. Technical hierarchical composites are broadly inspired by natural multiscale systems, sometimes implementing specific mechanisms from nature in new material classes. In hierarchical composites, the largest reinforcement, fibres, dominate in-plane mechanical properties. In contrast, nanoscale reinforcements may address matrix-dominated responses by, for example, improving shear properties that control stress transfer and kink band initiation, introducing additional toughening mechanisms to limit debonding or delamination, and providing direct reinforcement, particularly through-thickness. Nanomaterials can provide other benefits, such as improved fatigue life, acoustic damping, and solvent/fire resistance. The addition of nanomaterials may also imbue composites with multifunctionality, obviating other constituents or components and reducing system weight. We critically discuss the progress in developing hierarchical fibre reinforced carbon nanotube composites over the past decade and provide insight into manufacturing and their structural and functional performance.
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Journal articleKaenmuang P, Barnett JL, Maher TM, et al., 2026,
Association of bronchoalveolar lavage cellular analysis and radiological findings in fibrotic interstitial lung diseases
, BMJ Open Respiratory Research, ISSN: 2052-4439Background and aims: Inflammation may play a role in driving interstitial lung diseases (ILD). Radiological ground-glass opacity (GGO) may not reliably distinguish fine intralobular fibrosis from inflammatory processes in fibrotic ILD. We therefore investigated the relationship between GGO, fibrosis and leukocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL).Methods: We recruited patients with fibrotic ILD at a single centre between May 2014 and February 2018. The extent of GGO and fibrosis were evaluated by two radiologists. Linear regression examined the association between leukocyte numbers in BAL obtained from the right middle lobe (RML) and GGO/fibrosis extent in whole lung, adjusting for age, sex, and smoking. Z-test was used to compare the association between BAL and GGO/fibrosis.Results: 316 patients were included. Adjusting analyses for covariates, only BAL eosinophil and eosinophil-to-macrophage ratio were positively associated with GGO involvement (0.23 [95%CI 0.03 to 0.42] p = 0.023 and 11.21[1.33, 21.08] p = 0.026). Lymphocyte percentages (fibrosis -0.17 vs. GGO -0.02 p = 0.046); neutrophil percentages (fibrosis 0.38 vs. GGO 0.06 p 0.002); neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (fibrosis 0.63 vs. GGO -0.05 p 0.027); neutrophil-to-macrophage ratio (Fibrosis 14.08 vs. GGO 2.57 p = 0.015), and neutrophilia (fibrosis 6.81 vs. GGO -0.31 p = 0.002) all demonstrated a significantly stronger associations with fibrosis than GGO. Conclusions: Lack of relationships between radiological GGO and BAL leukocyte counts in fibrotic lung disease indicates that GGO may not always be inflammatory in nature. Higher levels of neutrophil were associated with more extensive fibrosis.
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Journal articleMac Aogáin M, Gilmour A, Chalmers JD, et al., 2026,
Targeting Inflammation in Bronchiectasis.
, DrugsBronchiectasis is defined by chronic infection, dysregulated inflammation and impaired mucociliary clearance underpinning progressive structural lung injury. While airway infection remains a clinical hallmark, numerous studies demonstrate that excessive neutrophil-dominated inflammation is a key determinant of disease severity, exacerbation risk and quality of life. Recent developments have transformed our understanding of inflammatory drivers uncovering distinct inflammatory endotypes defined by dominant microbial species, pattern-recognition receptor activation, inflammasome signalling, Th17-associated cytokine networks and failures of mucosal immunity. The emerging roles of viral-bacterial interactions, fungi, pathobionts and the broader microbiome challenge the conventional infection-only paradigm and highlight gaps in current therapeutic strategies. Such developments underpin the rationale behind anti-inflammatory strategies in bronchiectasis, ranging from suppression of neutrophil-driven injury through direct neutrophil elastase or upstream dipeptidyl peptidase-1 (DPP-1) inhibition, to immunomodulatory macrolides, toward therapies aimed at recalibrating epithelial and mucosal homeostasis. While several antibacterial and anti-infective trials have produced mixed results, this is likely to reflect unresolved heterogeneity in microbiome composition and host immune signalling. In contrast, emerging anti-inflammatory strategies show strong positive signals, reinforcing the need for better endotyping and biomarker-guided patient selection. Here we synthesize recent mechanistic and clinical insights to propose a more integrated framework for understanding and ultimately targeting airway inflammation in bronchiectasis.
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Journal articleWu Z, Yazbeck L, Smith DJF, et al., 2026,
Characterising cough and its response to therapy in hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
, ChestBACKGROUND: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an immune-mediated interstitial lung disease (ILD) driven by repeated antigen exposure in susceptible individuals. Cough is a prominent but poorly characterised symptom, especially in relation to objective measures and treatment response. RESEARCH QUESTION: What are the clinical predictors of cough severity in HP, and how does cough respond to corticosteroid therapy based on subjective and objective assessments? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A prospective cohort of patients with fibrotic HP diagnosed per ATS/JRS/ALAT guidelines was recruited. Baseline assessments included cough visual analogue (VAS) and the Leicester cough Questionnaire (LCQ). Cough frequency was assessed using the VitaloJAK cough monitor in a subset of patients. Multivariable models evaluated predictors of cough severity, and in incident cases, changes in cough outcomes were evaluated after three months of corticosteroid therapy. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were recruited (41 male; mean age 65 years). The median cough VAS was 35 mm (IQR 14-50 mm) and the median LCQ was 15.2 (IQR 13.2-17.4). The median cough count was 8.7/hr (range 0.2-32.1/hr, n=28). Subjective cough scores correlated with objective cough frequency (cough VAS ρ = 0.69, P < 0.001 and LCQ ρ=-0.555, P = 0.002). Female sex, reduced forced vital capacity (FVC), and higher bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) lymphocyte fractions were independent predictors of worse cough severity, as measured by cough VAS. Corticosteroids significantly improved cough subjectively (cough VAS -13.7 mm, P = 0.002 and LCQ +1.9, P < 0.001; n = 44) but did not significantly reduce objective cough frequency (n=16). Lung function remained unchanged at three months. INTERPRETATION: Cough is a major symptom for patients with HP. While corticosteroids improved subjective cough, there was no impact on objective cough count. Randomised controlled trials are required to validate these findings and provide eviden
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Journal articleJervis P, Sullivan C, Andrea MP, et al., 2026,
Rapid emergence of an amphibian pathogen coincided with historic amphibian declines in the Neotropics
, Diversity and Distributions: A journal of biological invasions and biodiversity, ISSN: 1366-9516Aim: The emergence of the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) in South America has been attributed to multiple introductions and subsequent spread in a bidirectional latitudinal wave along the primary Andean cordilleras. This is supported for Ecuador by anecdotal evidence of declines in Bd-susceptible genera such as Telmatobius and Atelopus around the mid-1980s. We tested this hypothesis by combining published records of Bd with retrospective screenings of museum specimens (1950–2010) and surveys of contemporary populations to characterize the spatiotemporal and host-specific emergence of Bd in Ecuador.
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