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Efficient and heritable genome editing in plants remains constrained by transformation bottlenecks and reliance on tissue culture-based regeneration. Targeting the male germline offers a promising alternative for DNA-free genome modification. Here, we report a polymeric nanoparticle platform for the delivery of RNA-based CRISPR/Cas9 components into Arabidopsis thaliana pollen, establishing a foundation for sperm transfection-assisted genome editing (STAGE)-like approaches in plants. Poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA)-based polyplexes were designed to independently encapsulate Cas9 mRNA and ATTO 550-labeled guide RNA, forming nanoparticles with hydrodynamic diameters of [~]146 nm and condensed cores of 20-30 nm. Following internalization and cytosolic release, Cas9 mRNA translation enabled the nuclear localization of ATTO 550-labeled gRNA, as confirmed by confocal imaging and fluorescence lifetime (TauSense) analysis. Fluorescent signals corresponding to the CRISPR RNPs were detected in both vegetative and sperm cell nuclei, with higher accumulation in the vegetative nucleus. Together, these results demonstrate the feasibility of RNA-mediated delivery and intracellular assembly of CRISPR/Cas9 RNPs in plant male gametophytes. By bypassing tissue culture and DNA integration, this nanoparticle-based approach establishes a framework for a more efficient mechanism for introducing heritable genome modifications in plants. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=91 SRC="FIGDIR/small/733037v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (51K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@170f7a5org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1929c6forg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@5c4a94org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1243cc8_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

Oral ingestion of drugs remains the most convenient method for pharmacotherapy. However, oral absorption is hampered by digestive enzymes and the intestinal epithelial barrier. Here we investigate the ability of electrical stimuli to biologically modulate intestinal permeability. We demonstrate that pulsed electrical stimulation increases intestinal permeability, facilitating transport of chemical species across the epithelium. We evaluate the effects of several stimulation parameters in silico and subsequently characterize the biological effects in vitro using Caco-2 colorectal cancer cells, and an acute in vivo intestinal model. Our findings suggest that these effects may be mediated through calcium-dependent interactions with tight junction proteins which induce a reversible permeability increase differing based on the total charge delivered, amplitude and frequency of the current delivered. Pulsed electrical stimulation could be a potential strategy for transiently modulating the intestinal barrier.

Conducting polymers are widely used in bioelectronic interfaces because of their mixed ionic-electronic conductivity, mechanical compliance, and compatibility with biological systems. However, their electrochemically driven structural dynamics have received little attention as a mechanism for mechanical cell stimulation. Here, we show that electrochemical actuation of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) generates mechanical cues capable of activating endogenous mechanosensitive pathways in HEK293T cells. Transparent PEDOT:PSS films deposited on ITO exhibited a heterogeneous granular morphology and underwent potential-dependent microscopic deformation during electrochemical modulation. Direct optical tracking revealed displacement of the polymer boundary, with structural changes occurring preferentially in polymer-dense regions and propagating toward the film edge. When HEK293T cells were cultured directly on PEDOT:PSS, repeated electrochemical stimulation at -240 mV produced reproducible intracellular Ca2+ responses. Pharmacological inhibition with GsMTx4 attenuated the calcium response, whereas blockade of voltage-gated sodium channels with tetrodotoxin largely preserved it, supporting the involvement of mechanosensitive pathways in the cellular response. These findings identify PEDOT:PSS as an electromechanical biointerface in which electrochemical modulation can introduce a mechanical component alongside the established electrical function of the interface. This mechanical contribution should therefore be considered when interpreting cellular responses to conducting polymer- based electrical stimulation and provides a basis for engineering bioelectronic interfaces that deliberately couple electrical control with mechanotransduction.

Poly-L-Lysine (PLL) mediates the non-specific adhesion of cells and is commonly used in Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) measurements, to ensure that cells remain attached to the substrate. However, it is acknowledged that adhesion affects the measured mechanical properties, in particular in the case Red Blood Cells (RBCs). This results in a wide range of Youngs modulus E reported in the literature. The present study aims at providing a systematic approach to the impact of non-specific adhesion on the rheology of RBCs. It provides a correlation between the topography profile of adherent RBCs and their rheology, from weak (cPLL = 10-3 mg/mL) to strong-adhesion (cPLL = 100 mg/mL) regimes. Using RICM and AFM, we find that there is a continuum of RBC shapes promoted by adhesion, from concave to dome-shaped, as predicted by the theory of vesicle adhesion. Their elastic properties discriminate them into two populations depending on adhesion strength, where stiffer RBCs (E {gtrsim} 100 Pa) correlate with dome-shaped cells. These findings are supported by rheology measurements of the dynamic complex shear modulus G*(f): while the storage modulus increases with cell-substrate adhesion, reflective of an increased membrane shear modulus, the loss modulus remains unchanged. Finally, further analysis inspired by membrane theory shows that different deformation modes may be triggered during indentation of either weakly or strongly adhering RBCs, illustrating the limits of the Hertz model.

Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is frequently overexpressed in inflammatory disorders and solid tumors, where sustained nitric oxide (NO) production promotes angiogenesis, tumor progression, and resistance to therapy. Despite promising preclinical results, the clinical translation of iNOS inhibitors remains limited by poor tumor selectivity, rapid systemic clearance, and off-target toxicities. To address these challenges, we developed a protease-responsive polymeric iNOS-inhibiting prodrug (ProCIP) designed for localized activation within protease-rich pathological microenvironments. ProCIP was synthesized from poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(L-glutamate) and functionalized with amidine-based iNOS inhibitory moieties. The resulting cationic polymer readily formed nanoscale polyionic complexes with anionic polymers or molecules. In cell-free assays, enzymatic activation of ProCIP resulted in a significant reduction in iNOS activity, whereas non-activated nanoparticles showed minimal inhibition. Cellular studies confirmed efficient nanoparticle uptake by RAW264.7 macrophages and revealed a significant reduction in intracellular NO levels in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells. These findings demonstrate that ProCIP enables protease-triggered iNOS inhibition and localized NO regulation, offering a promising strategy for improving the safety and efficacy of iNOS-targeted therapies in cancer and other inflammatory diseases.

Control over network dynamics at different length scales is a feature of natural materials challenging to replicate in synthetic hydrogels. Hydrogel viscoelasticity is commonly controlled by tuning the kinetics of reversible crosslinks; however, this strategy inherently links the resulting macroscale and nanoscale dynamics of the individual network components. Taking inspiration from biological materials that feature lipids as structural elements, we introduce Lipid Network Crosslinked (LINC) hydrogels that exploit the mobility of individual lipids within self-assembled liposomes as covalent, network-crosslinking points. These mobile, covalent crosslinks increase hydrogel stress relaxation rates over 20-fold compared to polymer-only hydrogels with equivalent crosslinking chemistries and stiffnesses. We demonstrate that liposome design parameters, including degree of surface functionalization and tail saturation, provide a means to independently control the macroscale storage moduli and stress relaxation behavior. Finally, as an application where control over network dynamics at different length scales is critical, we placed cell-adhesive ligands onto more mobile or less mobile network elements. Human neural progenitor cells cultured within LINC hydrogels of identical macroscale viscoelasticity significantly altered their phenotype in response to nanoscale ligand dynamics. These results establish LINC hydrogels as biomimetic materials that leverage nanoscale lipid mobility within a macroscale polymeric network to control dynamics at multiple length scales.

Biological systems operate through complex molecular networks programmed by genetic information; however, constructing artificial systems with multilayered control remains a significant challenge. Here, we report a simple and integrated master-key system governed by lock DNA and master key DNA, reversibly switching diverse downstream processes ON/OFF and achieving dynamic cross-talks among distinct molecular components. The system utilizes cationic copolymer chaperones as control nodes, based on poly(L-lysine) or poly(allylamine) grafted with hydrophilic side chains, with a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) plug-in that grants sequence-specificity. We demonstrated two proof-of-concept systems: a nucleic acid-based catalytic network responsive to microRNA let-7b and a peptide-mediated transformation of lipid bilayers from two-dimensional sheets to three-dimensional vesicles. Both systems exhibited precise, modular, and programmable control with high robustness, mimicking the governing role of nucleic acids in biological systems. This strategy provides a versatile design framework for constructing biomimetic molecular networks and studying biological systems.

Ionizable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are widely used for delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 payloads to hepatocytes, but conventional hepatic uptake is strongly influenced by adsorption of apolipoprotein E and subsequent low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)-mediated internalization. This dependence may limit specificity and reduce efficacy in LDLR-deficient settings. Here, we designed an aptamer-functionalized LNP platform to enable hepatocyte-selective genome editing through an LDLR-independent route and validated its performance using a genetically defined LDLR-knockout HepG2 model. Ionizable LNPs co-encapsulating Cas9 mRNA and an LDLR-targeting guide RNA were surface-decorated with the hepatocellular carcinoma-targeting TLS11a aptamer using thiol-maleimide chemistry. Comprehensive physicochemical analysis using cryo-electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, pKa titration, UV and circular dichroism spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and molecular beacon assays confirmed uniform nanoparticles of approximately 105 nm, preserved mRNA integrity, retained endosomal charge-switching behavior with a pKa of approximately 6.3 to 6.5, and maintained correctly folded surface-displayed TLS11a. TLS11a decoration increased Cas9 mRNA delivery to HepG2 cells from 39% to 79% Cy5-positive cells, while reducing uptake in receptor-low control cells, supporting aptamer-associated and cell-preferential delivery. In parallel, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of LDLR exon 2 generated a validated LDLR-deficient HepG2 line, confirmed at genomic, transcript, and protein levels. LDLR loss reduced LDL binding and uptake by approximately 85%, while transferrin uptake was preserved, indicating selective impairment of LDLR-dependent endocytosis. Cholesterol depletion activated the SCAP-SREBP-2 pathway and induced cholesterol biosynthesis genes. Together, these findings establish a modular aptamer-guided LNP system for targeted genome-editing delivery and a validated LDLR-null hepatocyte model for studying LDLR-dependent biology and disease.

Tracking suspended cells over multiple time points at the single-cell level remains challenging because existing flow-based methods cannot preserve cell identity while maintaining high throughput. Here, we present RASPBerry, a hydrogel-based spatial barcoding platform for time-lapse flow cytometry. RASPBerry generates unique barcodes by randomly co-encapsulating fluorescent beads with individual cells in hydrogel droplets, eliminating the need for predefined barcode patterns or specialized optical instrumentation. We integrate RASPBerry with acoustofluidic imaging flow cytometry to enable time-lapse imaging flow cytometry of suspended cells. The platform identifies more than 17,000 hydrogel droplets with 99.8% matching accuracy. We further demonstrate time-lapse tracking of more than 10,000 suspended cells and quantify stress-induced nuclear morphological changes in more than 5,000 individual cells. RASPBerry provides a simple, scalable, and broadly accessible strategy for time-lapse imaging flow cytometry, expanding the capability for dynamic single-cell analysis of suspended cells.

Four-dimensional (4D) materials incorporating functional gradient designs offer a powerful platform for engineering dynamic structures capable of programmed shape transformations in response to environmental stimuli. However, most gradient-based 4D systems rely on uniaxial gradients, which typically generate simple, symmetric deformations with uniform curvature, limiting their ability to recreate biomimetic architectures that require spatially coordinated morphogenesis. Here, we report a biaxial gradient-engineered 4D hydrogel system capable of programmable, non-uniform shape morphing within a single construct. A one-step photocrosslinking strategy integrates vertical light attenuation and horizontal grayscale photomask patterning to establish orthogonal crosslinking gradients along two directions, producing spatially heterogeneous swelling stresses that drive controlled multi-directional deformation. The resulting hydrogels exhibit tunable swelling and mechanical properties, enabling precise regulation of curvature distribution and shape transformation. This biaxial gradient platform generates diverse biomimetic architectures, including swan-neck, fiddlehead fern, sea star, and Euonymus europaeus-like structures. Importantly, the system supports cell-laden biofabrication, where human mesenchymal stem cell-encapsulated constructs maintain high viability and undergo chondrogenic differentiation while preserving programmed morphologies. This work establishes biaxial gradient-programmed 4D hydrogels as a robust strategy for integrating morphogenesis with tissue formation, advancing biomimetic biofabrication and morphogenetic tissue engineering.

Delivering therapeutic mRNA relies on lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Finding optimal process parameters for new lipid combinations in LNP formulations remains a challenge. In our work, we used an automated, self-regulating microfluidic platform that actively changes process parameters to tune LNP formulations for preset, desired quality standards. We tested new LNPs by swapping poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) lipopolymers for alternatives based on poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) (PMeOx) and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEtOx). For each lipopolymer variant, the platform independently identified optimal production conditions in four or fewer iterative cycles, yielding particles of the preset size and high mRNA encapsulation. Small-angle X-ray scattering revealed that smaller LNPs modified with PEtOx had more structural surface variety and higher mRNA loading efficiency. When multiplexing these formulations in mice, the PEtOx-containing LNPs accumulated more in bone marrow compared to those with PEG, indicating trends that the chemistry of the lipopolymer affects the biodistribution of the resulting LNPs. By combining automated formulation and in vivo multiplexed testing, our approach provides a practical way to rapidly plan, formulate, and evaluate large pharmaceutical design spaces, to select excipients and process parameters yielding optimal biological performance of LNPs. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=76 SRC="FIGDIR/small/729611v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (25K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@169ebb5org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@f1d899org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1c34725org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@173d845_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

Gold electrodes are attractive substrates for bioelectronic and cell-free synthetic biology platforms because they are conductive, chemically stable, biocompatible, and readily functionalized through thiol-gold chemistry. Here, gene-length DNA monolayers assembled on planar gold electrodes as reusable templates for cell-free protein expression are investigated. Using thiol-modified sfGFP genes, DNA surface density is shown to be tunable by changing the DNA concentration during incubation, with the immobilized genes able to support cell-free sfGFP expression directly from the electrode surface. Further, the effects of applied voltage, storage, repeated reactions, reducing agents, and protein fouling on monolayer stability and expression output are examined. While some conditions lead to loss of reusable expression activity, dense chemisorbed monolayers can retain partial function under neutral, non-reducing conditions and are relatively robust to protein exposure. In contrast, low-density physisorbed monolayers show a stronger relationship between DNA loss and expression output. Finally, when using gold-mediated fluorescence quenching to monitor changes in DNA conformation, surface-bound DNA demonstrates electrophoretic addressability. Together, these results establish DNA- functionalized planar electrodes as a promising foundation for modular, addressable cell-free expression platforms.

DNA-programmed assembly of plasmonic nanostructures provides a powerful route to couple molecular recognition with optical signal generation. Here, we report the sequence-specific assembly of DNA-functionalized gold nanorods using a sesame allergen-derived DNA biomarker as a molecular bridge. Target-induced assembly produces concentration-dependent assembly growth, plasmon coupling, and distinct assembly kinetics that are readily monitored by absorption spectroscopy, enabling label-free detection of the target DNA in the nanomolar concentration range. The assembled nanorods further produce strong surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signals arising from plasmonic coupling within the assemblies, extending detection to the picomolar regime without the use of Raman reporters. Quantitative analysis reveals that both the extent and rate of assembly formation are governed by target DNA concentration. These results establish a direct relationship between molecular recognition, assembly growth, plasmonic coupling, and spectroscopic response, highlighting DNA-programmed gold nanorod assembly as a versatile platform for investigating hybridization-driven plasmonic self-assembly and nucleic acid detection. Table of Content O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=112 SRC="FIGDIR/small/732610v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (45K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@6a8f42org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1e36b9corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1ade546org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1a787bd_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

Precise, non-invasive manipulation of individual living cells remains a central challenge in biomedical science, with far-reaching implications for single-cell analysis, tissue engineering, and the study of cell-cell interactions. Here, we report the first demonstration of single-cell control using bulk acoustic standing-wave acoustofluidics with closed-loop feedback. We introduce VeLO (Vector-based Local Optimization), a model-free, reinforcement learning-inspired algorithm that enables programmable two-dimensional manipulation of individual cells using a single piezoelectric transducer. Without prior calibration or physical modeling, VeLO learns system dynamics online from acoustically induced cell displacements and automatically adapts to nonlinear, time-varying conditions. We achieve robust control across multiple cell types (DU-145, Jurkat, K-562) and independent manipulation of multiple cells, including controlled cell-cell contact. By combining simplicity of hardware with autonomous, adaptive control, this approach establishes multimodal acoustofluidics as a versatile tool for label-free, high-precision single-cell manipulation.

Halting the progression of neurodegenerative diseases remains one of the foremost challenges in medicinal chemistry due to the complex biology that drives disease progression. For example, a hallmark of synucleinopathies, such as Parkinsons disease, is the misfolding and aggregation of the protein -Synuclein (-Syn), driving the formation of toxic oligomers and fibrils that avoid natural intracellular clearance mechanisms, participate in unusual protein-protein interactions, and ultimately contribute to the death of dopaminergic neurons. The field of targeted protein degradation (TPD) has emerged as an innovative therapeutic route to selectively degrade proteins of interest that leverage natural intracellular protein degradation machinery. First generation TPD therapeutics have traditionally been designed as bifunctional, chimeric compounds in which a short covalent linker tethers a ligand designed to bind target proteins to a ligand that initiates an either proteosome- or lysosome-dependent protein degradation cascade. While initial studies have indicated the promise of these approaches, translation to the clinical setting has been challenging due to difficulties in achieving cellular internalization, long-term stability, and establishment of a generalizable strategy. To overcome these obstacles, this work has focused on adding modularity and dynamic capability to this classical model by leveraging a multivalent macromolecular approach to TPD. Specifically, peptide amphiphiles (PAs) were designed to self-assemble into high-aspect-ratio supramolecular nanofibers and present peptide epitopes on the surface of the fibers to target simultaneous binding of -Syn and recruitment of enzymes that facilitate entry into the lysosome-dependent chaperone-mediated autophagy protein degradation pathway. In vitro application of these bioactive PA nanofibers has demonstrated the ability to independently internalize in cells and reduce -Syn protein levels selectively and effectively. While further optimization of this model has the potential to be a viable therapeutic against -Syn aggregation, the modularity of these supramolecular nanofibers through facile monomer design and incorporation illustrates the potential of establishing a platform technology for targeting a diverse range of pathologic proteins. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=141 SRC="FIGDIR/small/739556v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (32K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@d031adorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@6d792dorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@12e80c1org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@71a2e_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

Achieving precise spatiotemporal control over neuropeptide delivery in vivo remains a major challenge, as conventional approaches lack temporal resolution and control over release kinetics or have limitations for in vivo applications. Here, we demonstrate that photoswitchable azobenzene-containing lipid nanovesicles ("azosomes") enable light-controlled release of neuropeptides in vivo in the brain of awake moving mice. Azosomes were infused into the hippocampus via optofluidic cannulas and activated using light stimulation in freely behaving mice. In vivo release kinetics were systematically characterized using calcein-loaded azosomes by varying light power, pulse duration, and post-infusion time. Oxytocin (OT)-loaded azosomes were used to assess bioactivity and receptor specificity using dual-color fiber photometry with the genetically encoded OT sensor (MTRIAOT), alongside pharmacological blockade with the oxytocin receptor antagonist OVTA (Ornithine-VasoTocin Analog). Azosomes enabled robust, repeatable, and light-dependent cargo release in vivo with tunable kinetics governed by stimulation parameters, with release efficiency controlled by light power and pulse duration. The system maintained functional stability for several hours post-infusion, with near-complete release achievable within a [~]2-hour window and minimal baseline leakage prior to stimulation. Controlled OT delivery produced rapid, receptor-specific increases in MTRIAOT signals and modulated CA2 hippocampal circuit activity, reducing excitatory neuronal transient frequency and amplitude while altering social interaction dynamics, including decreased latency to initiate contact. These findings establish, for the first time, photoswitchable nanovesicles as a versatile platform for spatiotemporally precise delivery of neuropeptides in vivo, overcoming key limitations of existing delivery strategies and providing a broadly applicable framework for manipulating neuromodulatory signaling with high temporal precision.

Oral routes of delivery are logistically simple and enables easy administration of therapeutics. However, oral delivery of proteins is still challenging due to the proteolytic environment within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. To protect protein cargo from degradation, polymer encapsulation is commonly used, and when it is combined with cell-free gene expression (CFE) approaches that enable the rapid and flexible production of proteins, it potentially allows for on-demand production of protein therapeutics. Here, we investigated the suitability of chitosan coated alginate (Alg/Cht) microcapsules for encapsulation of proteins and CFE lysates for oral delivery. We show that CFE lysates can produce functional mCherry, a model fluorescent protein, in the presence of alginate polymers, although direct contact with chitosan did inhibit protein synthesis. We encapsulated CFE lysates or purified mCherry protein into alginate cores before crosslinking them using internal gelation techniques and coating with chitosan to test their protective capacity for oral delivery. Alg/Cht microcapsules protected mCherry protein cargo from degradation in simulated human gastric fluids and mouse gastric extracts and facilitated controlled cargo release upon exposure to conditions that simulate the intestinal environment. None of the individual CFE or encapsulation components induced inflammation in mouse GI tracts when administered via oral gavage. We also observed a delayed release of fluorescent bead cargo from Alg/Cht microcapsules in mouse intestines following oral gavage. Together, our data suggest that CFE lysate-loaded Alg/Cht formulations can be flexibly used to produce proteins and safely deliver them to the GI tract for potential therapeutic applications. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=40 SRC="FIGDIR/small/730178v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (12K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@d3e4c3org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@14fbea1org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@6c68cforg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@15508ec_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG Graphical Abstract C_FIG HighlightsO_LICell-free gene expression lysates are active in chitosan coated alginate (Alg/Cht) microcapsules. C_LIO_LIAlg/Cht microcapsules exhibit controlled release in vitro in simulated intestinal-like conditions. C_LIO_LICell-free and encapsulation components do not induce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tracts of male or female mice. C_LIO_LIAlg/Cht microcapsules show controlled delayed cargo release in vivo when orally gavaged in mice. C_LI

Living cells harbor numerous membraneless organelles (MOs), which are dynamic protein/nucleic acid assemblies responding to specific physicochemical triggers. Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) plays a crucial role in their formation and activity. Inspired by the natural MOs that maintain their individual identities, this work presents a bioengineering strategy to generate LLPS-driven, isochemical MO populations using surfactant-like peptides that stabilize the MO interface. The result is highly stable, monodispersed, sub-{micro}m-sized MO populations, which are not only capable of compartmentalizing synthetic cells but also provide superior environments for enzymatic reactions. This is achieved using pH-responsive elastin-like polypeptides (PREs) as MOs and formulating an amphiphilic PRE-based peptide to stabilize the MO interface. Relative abundance of the surface-active peptide, as well as the rate of pH change, allows direct control over the MO size. Encapsulating these components within synthetic vesicles using a microfluidic platform leads to on-demand multi-compartmentalization via an external pH trigger. Lastly, a functional consequence of the acute size control is shown through a phosphatase reaction, where the highest reaction rate is observed in size-controlled MOs when compared to dilute environments and surfactant-free MOs. The presented strategy provides a new avenue for designing programmable MOs and thus achieve functional compartmentalization within synthetic cells.

Early screening for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is critical due to the progressive and debilitating nature. Preliminary diagnosis typically relies on pulmonary function tests, particularly the ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) to forced vital capacity (FVC). However, conventional spirometers are often bulky and non-portable, while most existing portable devices can only measure a single parameter, such as FVC, thereby limiting comprehensive assessment. To address these limitations, an integrated wearable system was proposed for both monitoring and rehabilitation training. This system is based on the innovative thermoelectric-airflow inversion (TAI) model, which quantitatively correlates convective heat transfer with thermoelectric voltage to reconstruct airflow velocity and volume in real time. The developed thermoelectric smart mask enables simultaneous measurement of two key obstructive indicators (FVC and FEV1) and automatically evaluates COPD risk via the FEV1/FVC ratio, alerting users to seek medical consultation when abnormalities are detected. In terms of performance, the device demonstrates a measurement accuracy of 99.10% and a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9947 compared to a commercial spirometer. Furthermore, the incorporated virtual reality assisted rehabilitation system was developed, yielding an average FVC improvement of 5.87% across three participants after one week of interactive training. Enabled by the TAI framework and a closed-loop multi-parameter design, this platform provides an intelligent, quantitative, and continuous solution for respiratory healthcare and rehabilitation.

Stereochemistry plays a crucial role in how molecules interact with complex physiological environments, affecting pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, and toxicity. Although these effects are well studied for small-molecular drugs, they are largely overlooked for supramolecular assemblies used in drug delivery. Even for lipid nanoparticles (LNPs)--the most advanced RNA delivery platform--stereochemical effects are rarely investigated and, when considered, are typically limited to the ionizable lipid rather than the overall stereochemical identity of the LNP. Here we separate the ionizable lipid cKK-E12 into its two stereoisomers (trans: R,S/S,R; cis: R,R/S,S), which are normally used as a mixture. LNPs containing the cis isomer exhibit improved physicochemical properties, stability, and protein expression. By systematically varying the stereochemistry of the ionizable lipid, phospholipid, and cholesterol, we reveal stereochemistry-dependent differences in uptake and protein expression across six cell lines and in vivo in zebrafish embryos and mice. AI-assisted cryo-TEM analysis and SAXS link enhanced protein expression to structural differences, demonstrating control over internal lipid phases (lamellar and inverse hexagonal), influencing sample uniformity, and identifying stereochemical identity as a key determinant of functional RNA delivery.