Graphene oxide–chloroquine conjugate induces DNA damage in A549 lung cancer cells through autophagy modulation

• Braham Dutt Arya,
• Sandeep Mittal,
• Prachi Joshi,
• Alok Kumar Pandey,
• Jaime E. Ramirez-Vick,
• Govind Gupta and
• Surinder P. Singh

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 316–332, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.24

• use autophagy pathways for survival through activation of complex DNA damage repair (DDR) mechanisms. In the present study, we demonstrated the genotoxicity induced in A549 lung cancer cells by exposure to the GO–Chl nanoconjugate and elucidated the role of autophagy modulation in harnessing the DNA

• capabilities of cancer cells. The results indicate that the interplay between DDR and autophagy pathways may open new paradigms for developing effective combinatorial nanoscale drug systems against multidrug-resistance cancers. Keywords: A549 cells; autophagy; chloroquine; DNA damage; graphene oxide

• efflux, DNA damage repair, and activation of pro-survival cell signaling cascades, alterations in drug target moieties limit the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic treatments [2][3]. In general, chemotherapeutic drugs inhibit the cancer progression and metastases by directly or indirectly targeting DNA of

Fabrication and evaluation of BerNPs regarding the growth and development of Streptococcus mutans

• Tuyen Huu Nguyen,
• Hong Thanh Pham,
• Kieu Kim Thanh Nguyen,
• Loan Hong Ngo,
• Anh Ngoc Tuan Mai,
• Thu Hoang Anh Lam,
• Ngan Thi Kim Phan,
• Dung Tien Pham,
• Duong Thuy Hoang,
• Thuc Dong Nguyen and
• Lien Thi Xuan Truong

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 308–315, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.23

• -inflammatory properties [9]. With its antibacterial activity, berberine can accumulate in bacterial cells and bind to single- and double-stranded DNA, causing DNA damage. According to evaluations, berberine has a stronger antibacterial effect against gram-positive bacteria than against gram-negative bacteria

• substances, resulting in color fading and the emergence of graphene-based filaments. Du et al. showed that berberine affects Streptococcus pyogenes by regulating proteins in the KEGG pathway, leading to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) hindering the biosynthesis of DNA, proteins, and lipids

Radiosensitizing properties of dual-functionalized carbon nanostructures loaded with temozolomide

• Radmila Milenkovska,
• Nikola Geskovski,
• Dushko Shalabalija,
• Ljubica Mihailova,
• Petre Makreski,
• Dushko Lukarski,
• Igor Stojkovski,
• Maja Simonoska Crcarevska and
• Kristina Mladenovska

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 229–251, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.18

• , and photodynamic therapy. Cytotoxic drugs acting by preventing DNA replication and apoptosis via methylation of guanine-rich areas in DNA and by cross-linking guanine and cytosine in DNA strains are a standard in chemotherapy. Among them, the prodrug temozolomide (TMZ) with its active metabolite 5-(3

• -methyl-1-triazene-1-yl)imidazole-4-carboxamide) (MITC) is a first-line therapy for primary and recurrent GBM, especially O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT)-promotor-methylated tumors. MITC, acting via its metabolite methyl diazonium cation generated at physiological pH (>7), develops O6

• to changes in the structure of RNA, protein chromatin structure, gene expression and replication, and synthesis and repair of DNA [30]. It has also been shown that TMZ has radiosensitizing effects [31][32], increasing the degradation of DNA strains and cell death when combined with RT, which is a

Synthesis and the impact of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles on the viability and activity of rhizobacteria

• Bedah Rupaedah,
• Indrika Novella,
• Atiek Rostika Noviyanti,
• Diana Rakhmawaty Eddy,
• Anna Safarrida,
• Abdul Hapid,
• Zhafira Amila Haqqa,
• Suryana Suryana,
• Irwan Kurnia and
• Fathiyah Inayatirrahmi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 216–228, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.17

• incubation process consisting of three sets, each lasting 24 h. For strain identification, DNA extraction was performed using Instagene™ Matrix, followed by sample amplification using 16S rRNA primers (5′-AGA GTT TGA TCC TGG CTC AG-3′) and (5′-GGA TAC CTT GTT ACG ACT T-3′), with a fragment length of 1500

• base pairs. The primer concentration used was 10 pmol/μL. The PCR composition consisted of 12.5 μL GoTaq® Green Master Mix, 2 μL of forward and reverse primers, 50 ng/μL DNA template, and 6.5 µL dH2O. The PCR cycle was carried out as follows: an initial denaturation at 95 °C for 5 min, followed by 30

• using a UV transilluminator. The purified DNA fragments were used as templates in sequence analysis. The PCR products of the 16S rDNA were labeled using the Big Dye Terminator Reaction Mixture Sequencing KIT from Perkin Elmer. The sequencing process was carried out by First Base and further analyzed

Recent advances in photothermal nanomaterials for ophthalmic applications

• Jiayuan Zhuang,
• Linhui Jia,
• Chenghao Li,
• Rui Yang,
• Jiapeng Wang,
• Wen-an Wang,
• Heng Zhou and
• Xiangxia Luo

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 195–215, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.16

• photochemical reactions [30][31]. UV light helps the skin synthesize vitamin D, but excessive exposure to UV light may lead to DNA damage, sunburn, and photochemical damage [32][33]. Visible and NIR light with longer wavelengths have lower photon energies and are safer for use in the human body [34]. The

• in the synthesis of AuNPs or to prevent their aggregation may cause damage to DNA and cell membranes. Compared with inorganic nanomaterials, organic photothermal nanomaterials have the advantages of good biocompatibility, easy biodegradation, ease of modification, low cost, targeting, tunable light

• cellular functions. Future developments may see the integration of photothermal nanomaterial therapies with viruses, receptors, antibodies, aptamers, peptides, multifunctional genes, self-assembled DNA structures, and proteins. Given the diversity and adaptability of nanomaterials, it is conceivable to

Probing the potential of rare earth elements in the development of new anticancer drugs: single molecule studies

• Josiane A. D. Batista,
• Rayane M. de Oliveira,
• Carlos H. M. Lima,
• Milton L. Lana Júnior,
• Virgílio C. dos Anjos,
• Maria J. V. Bell and
• Márcio S. Rocha

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 187–194, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.15

• chemotherapeutic drugs by characterizing the binding of three rare earths (ytterbium, neodymium, and erbium) to double-stranded DNA, which is one of the main targets for these drugs inside cells. The three elements presented a significant interaction with the biopolymer in buffers of physiological relevance

• , typically binding with very high equilibrium association constants (106 to 107 M−1) at the DNA grooves. Furthermore, neodymium and erbium can also induce a very strong compaction/condensation of the double helix at high concentrations, promoting DNA collapse at the single molecule level in a similar way to

• what occurs with classical DNA condensing agents such as polycations and depletants. Keywords: DNA; optical tweezers; rare earth elements; single molecule force spectroscopy; Introduction The development of new drugs to treat human diseases is a field of singular importance that usually involves

Characterization of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized using probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum GP258

• Prashantkumar Siddappa Chakra,
• Aishwarya Banakar,
• Shriram Narayan Puranik,
• Vishwas Kaveeshwar,
• C. R. Ravikumar and
• Devaraja Gayathri

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 78–89, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.8

• inoculation method and incubated for 24 to 48 h at 37 °C. During the incubation period, alterations in color were closely monitored [28][29]. Identification of selected isolates by 16S rDNA sequencing The most promising and potential Lactiplantibacillus isolate, GP258, was identified by sequencing DNA of 16S

• rRNA. The CTAB method was used to isolate genomic DNA as per the protocol [30]. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted using the following primers: Reverse Primer (396) - 5'-CGGTGTACAAGGCCCGG-3' and Forward Primer (395) - 5'-GGATGAGCCCGCGGCCTA-3'. For the PCR experiments, a thermal cycling

Mechanistic insights into endosomal escape by sodium oleate-modified liposomes

• Ebrahim Sadaqa,
• Satrialdi,
• Fransiska Kurniawan and
• Diky Mudhakir

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1667–1685, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.131

• drug delivery has spurred extensive research into liposomal systems. These vesicles, with their inherent ability to encapsulate and protect a diverse range of therapeutic agents, including small molecule drugs, proteins, and genetic material such as DNA and RNA, hold significant promise for

Biomimetic nanocarriers: integrating natural functions for advanced therapeutic applications

• Hugo Felix Perini,
• Beatriz Sodré Matos,
• Carlo José Freire de Oliveira and
• Marcos Vinicius da Silva

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1619–1626, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.127

• manipulation of matter on a nanoscale, typically ranging from 1 to 100 nm [2]. At this scale, nanoparticles can effectively interact with DNA and protein molecules [3][4]. Matter can exhibit distinct physical, chemical, and biological properties at the nanoscale compared to the macroscale, with significant

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles derived from algae and their larvicidal properties to control Aedes aegypti

• Matheus Alves Siqueira de Assunção,
• Douglas Dourado,
• Daiane Rodrigues dos Santos,
• Gabriel Bezerra Faierstein,
• Mara Elga Medeiros Braga,
• Severino Alves Junior,
• Rosângela Maria Rodrigues Barbosa,
• Herminio José Cipriano de Sousa and
• Fábio Rocha Formiga

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1566–1575, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.123

• vectors are nanomaterials or nanomaterial-based formulations as so-called nanopesticides, providing new, modern, and low-cost formulations [9][10] with the ability to penetrate through the exoskeleton into mosquito cells, causing mortality after binding to proteins or DNA [11]. Nanomaterials provide

Integrating high-performance computing, machine learning, data management workflows, and infrastructures for multiscale simulations and nanomaterials technologies

• Fabio Le Piane,
• Mario Vozza,
• Matteo Baldoni and
• Francesco Mercuri

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1498–1521, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.119

Polymer lipid hybrid nanoparticles for phytochemical delivery: challenges, progress, and future prospects

• Iqra Rahat,
• Pooja Yadav,
• Aditi Singhal,
• Mohammad Fareed,
• Jaganathan Raja Purushothaman,
• Mohammed Aslam,
• Raju Balaji,
• Sonali Patil-Shinde and
• Md. Rizwanullah

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1473–1497, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.118

• potent antitumor activity. HCT exhibits significant therapeutic effects, primarily in oncology. It functions as a topoisomerase-I inhibitor, interfering with DNA replication and transcription in cancer cells, leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis [123][124]. However, poor aqueous solubility

Nanotechnological approaches for efficient N2B delivery: from small-molecule drugs to biopharmaceuticals

• Selin Akpinar Adscheid,
• Akif E. Türeli,
• Nazende Günday-Türeli and
• Marc Schneider

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1400–1414, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.113

• visualization and to deliver anti-eGFP siRNA and double-stranded DNA. The formulation offered advantages over others as an effective tracker. It confirmed the accumulation of NPs in the olfactory bulbs and other regions of the brain via intranasal administration [159]. Additionally, Jeong et al. focused on

Nanoarchitectonics with cetrimonium bromide on metal nanoparticles for linker-free detection of toxic metal ions and catalytic degradation of 4-nitrophenol

• Akash Kumar and
• Raja Gopal Rayavarapu

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1312–1332, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.106

• such as Hg2+ are poisonous environmental pollutants that cause damage at the DNA level by inhibiting DNA replication and DNA polymerase activity, ultimately affecting normal cell synthesis [13]. The less toxic Fe3+ is an essential nutrient for human health in a lower dose, while increasing the dose

Synthesis, characterization and anticancer effect of doxorubicin-loaded dual stimuli-responsive smart nanopolymers

• Ömür Acet,
• Pavel Kirsanov,
• Burcu Önal Acet,
• Inessa Halets-Bui,
• Dzmitry Shcharbin,
• Şeyda Ceylan Cömert and
• Mehmet Odabaşı

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1189–1196, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.96

• drug doxorubicin (DOX) has been used in the present study. It is a known antitumor antibiotic of the anthracycline series, which has been approved as anticancer drug in 1974. It has antimitotic and antiproliferative effects. The mechanism of action is interaction with DNA, the formation of free

AI-assisted models to predict chemotherapy drugs modified with C₆₀ fullerene derivatives

• Jonathan-Siu-Loong Robles-Hernández,
• Dora Iliana Medina,
• Katerin Aguirre-Hurtado,
• Marlene Bosquez,
• Roberto Salcedo and
• Alan Miralrio

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1170–1188, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.95

• popularity among chemotherapy agents and was recently modified with fullerene C60 [72][73][74][75]. Its anticarcinogenic activity comes from its ability to intercalate into DNA, inducing damage of the DNA strands and inhibiting its replication. Also, doxorubicin contributes to stopping the action of the

• , carbonyl, and carboxy terminal groups are active sites to interact with DNA or amino acids. The molecular orbital scheme of this molecule is shown in Supporting Information File 1, Figure S2, together with its molecular electrostatic potential (ESP). In the case of doxorubicin, from frontier molecular

Introducing third-generation periodic table descriptors for nano-qRASTR modeling of zebrafish toxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles

• Supratik Kar and
• Siyun Yang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1142–1152, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.93

• of their unique properties. However, their size, surface area, and reactivity can cause toxicity, potentially leading to oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular or DNA damage. In this study, a nano-quantitative structure–toxicity relationship (nano-QSTR) model was initially developed to assess

• , it was reported that MONPs have been found in human tissues such as brain, heart, and liver [11] and that occupational exposure to metal oxide nanomaterials increased oxidative stress biomarkers, suggesting potential DNA oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation [12]. Given the limited data available

Recent progress on field-effect transistor-based biosensors: device perspective

• Billel Smaani,
• Fares Nafa,
• Mohamed Salah Benlatrech,
• Ismahan Mahdi,
• Hamza Akroum,
• Mohamed walid Azizi,
• Khaled Harrar and
• Sayan Kanungo

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 977–994, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.80

• to detect a wide range of biomolecules, such as proteins, DNA, and antibodies. This article presents a comprehensive review of advancements in the architectures of FET-based biosensors aiming to enhance device performance in terms of sensitivity, detection time, and selectivity. The review

• biosensors for accurate detection of viruses [25], cancer [15], proteins [36], DNA, glucose [17], and nucleic acids has been strongly developed [37]. On the other hand, specific biomolecule classifications by microbiologists has led to the realization and development of different biosensors, significantly

• biomolecule species. Wenga et al. [90] designed a step-gate polysilicon FET-based biosensor for the detection of DNA. An emerging step-gate polycrystalline silicon NW FET-based biosensor was fabricated to enable highly sensitive electrical biosensing for DNA hybridization detection with a low-cost and simple

Therapeutic effect of F127-folate@PLGA/CHL/IR780 nanoparticles on folate receptor-expressing cancer cells

• Thi Ngoc Han Pham,
• Phuong-Thao Dang-Luong,
• Hong-Phuc Nguyen,
• Loc Le-Tuan,
• Xuan Thang Cao,
• Thanh-Danh Nguyen,
• Vy Tran Anh and
• Hieu Vu_Quang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 954–964, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.78

• and non-lymphoma Hodgkin’s [16][17], advanced ovarian and breast cancer [17][18], and some autoimmune illnesses [19]. Like other alkylating drugs, CHL inhibits tumor growth by cross-linking guanine or adenine bases in DNA double helix strands, preventing them from uncoiling and separating, and

• consequently disrupting DNA replication in proliferating cancer cells. The neurotoxicity and myelotoxicity of CHL, however, limit its clinical use [20][21]. Moreover, the instability of chemotherapeutics due to the hydrolysis of the chloroethyl group significantly hampers their therapeutic impact [22

• the cells. Folic acid plays an important role in cancer cells; it takes part in cell proliferation, methylation for gene expression, DNA replication, oxidative stress, and DNA mutation. Many studies and cancer drugs, therefore, have used folic acid as a targeting ligand for the folate receptor, which

Electrospun nanofibers: building blocks for the repair of bone tissue

• Tuğrul Mert Serim,
• Gülin Amasya,
• Tuğba Eren-Böncü,
• Ceyda Tuba Şengel-Türk and
• Ayşe Nurten Özdemir

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 941–953, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.77

• , antibiotics, anticancer agents, proteins, DNA, RNA, and growth factors for tissue regeneration [6][7][8]. In addition, nanofibers as drug delivery systems provide rapid or delayed and controlled release of pharmaceuticals. Apart from being implantable drug delivery systems, nanofiber scaffolds can contribute

Gold nanomakura: nanoarchitectonics and their photothermal response in association with carrageenan hydrogels

• Nabojit Das,
• Vikas,
• Akash Kumar,
• Sanjeev Soni and
• Raja Gopal Rayavarapu

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 678–693, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.56

• -known noble metal materials whose resonance occurs in both visible and infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum, rendering pertinence in various disciplines such as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), optical sensors, fluorescence (SPR) sensor chips, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sensors

Laser synthesis of nanoparticles in organic solvents – products, reactions, and perspectives

• Theo Fromme,
• Sven Reichenberger,
• Katharine M. Tibbetts and
• Stephan Barcikowski

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 638–663, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.54

• as water and even aqueous solutes. Thus, this model formed the basis that enabled the derivation of yield functions for a variety of direct electron-mediated DNA damage pathways and indirect damage by •OH radicals resulting from laser and electron interactions with water [85]. In general, LSPC in

AFM-IR investigation of thin PECVD SiO_x films on a polypropylene substrate in the surface-sensitive mode

• Hendrik Müller,
• Hartmut Stadler,
• Teresa de los Arcos,
• Adrian Keller and
• Guido Grundmeier

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 603–611, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.51

• refined and found its way into many and highly diverse fields of application, including virology, DNA nanotechnology, polymer science, and materials science [5][6][7][8][9]. The importance of AFM-IR steadily grew over the past decade and its development has been described in detail in several review

Classification and application of metal-based nanoantioxidants in medicine and healthcare

• Nguyen Nhat Nam,
• Nguyen Khoi Song Tran,
• Tan Tai Nguyen,
• Nguyen Ngoc Trai,
• Nguyen Phuong Thuy,
• Hoang Dang Khoa Do,
• Nhu Hoa Thi Tran and
• Kieu The Loan Trinh

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 396–415, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.36

• strongly to high levels of ROS that can cause damage to DNA molecules resulting in abnormal cell proliferation. Various studies reported that oxidative damage can have a deleterious effect on cancer development through raising genetic mutations, abnormal protein functions, and tumor growth [164][165

• ]. Antioxidants contribute to cancer inhibition and cancer treatment by several mechanisms. First, nanoantioxidants reduce cancer initiation by protecting DNA molecules from oxidative stress and stimulating DNA repair. For example, platinum nanoparticles inhibited the growth of epithelial lung cancer cells by

Nanomedicines against Chagas disease: a critical review

• Maria Jose Morilla,
• Kajal Ghosal and
• Eder Lilia Romero

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 333–349, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.30

• cells, BNZ is reduced by oxygen-sensitive nitroreductases. During its anaerobic nitro reduction, primarily in the hepatic microsomal fraction, BNZ generates reactive metabolites that bind to the host’s DNA, proteins, and lipids. The nitro reduction also occurs in fecal matter, with an intensity that