Alberto Bianco

Therapeutic needs to modulate brain circuits highlight graphene‐based materials (GBMs) as an emerging tool to engineer specific interventions to treat neuro‐diseases. In this context, graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets offer new drug delivery strategies to reach neural cells and signaling networks selectively. To complex and transport neuropeptide Y (NPY), GO was engineered as GO:NPY, and its activity was investigated in regulating excitatory neurotransmission in NPY‐positive synaptic pathways, when delivered to the amygdala, a structure mediating fear memory responses. First, it was shown that in vitro GO:NPY specifically and selectively inhibited glutamate release and suppressed synaptic enhancement via NPY receptors. In a rat model of anxiety disorder, when injected into the amygdala, GO:NPY suppressed contextual fear memory responses via activation of NPY receptors in specific synaptic pathways. This easy‐to‐tune GBM‐based nanoplatforms promise advances in co‐delivery vectors preserving the synaptic specificity needed for treating specific pathological conditions.

Innovations in therapeutic modalities and targeted drug delivery are two key approaches to improving the effectiveness of cancer treatment. With the development of therapeutic concepts and nanotechnology, recent research has shifted from tissue- or cell-level drug delivery to organelle-specific delivery to amplify therapeutic effects. Among these organelles, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has emerged as a particularly promising target because of its extensive membrane network, which serves as a major site for protein synthesis, lipid metabolism, calcium homeostasis, and intracellular signaling. The disruption of ER function can trigger severe cellular stress and apoptosis, providing a rationale for ER-targeted cancer therapy. However, traditional small-molecule drugs often exhibit poor ER specificity, rapid degradation, and limited intracellular accumulation, significantly restricting their therapeutic potential. In contrast, ER-targeting multifunctional nanoplatforms have demonstrated superior advantages, including enhanced stability, precise localization, controlled drug release, and multimodal therapeutic capabilities. In this Review, we systematically summarize the recent advances in ER-targeting nanotherapeutics and their applications in chemotherapy, phototherapy, immunotherapy, biotherapy, and combination therapy. Furthermore, we discuss the advantages, challenges, and mechanistic insights of these strategies, aiming to provide perspectives on accelerating the clinical translation of ER-targeting precision drugs.

Ralstonia solanacearum is a major plant pathogen causing bacterial wilt, whose unpredictable onset hinders timely detection and effective control. Here, we report the design, preparation and field use of a dual pH-responsive multifunctional double network (DN) hydrogel for the efficient and sustainable control of bacterial wilt. The primary network of carboxylated agarose chelates Zn ²⁺ and loosens under acidic conditions (pH ≤ 5) to release a pesticide (zhongshengmycin) and Zn ²⁺ , while the secondary L-phenylalanine (Phe)/ Zn ²⁺ network disassembles to provide additional bioactive components (Phe and Zn ²⁺ ). This dual-triggered release achieves a combined antibacterial effect, enhances plant growth, and activates plant disease resistance pathways. A simple root application protects plants for up to 14 days, and field experiments demonstrate disease control for up to 30 days, significantly preserving tomato yield. Here, we present a sustainable, effective system for managing bacterial wilt and highlight the potential of smart hydrogels in crop protection.

Carbon dots (CDs) have attracted increasing attention in recent years and have been widely explored in many fields. However, several challenges still limit their further development, particularly the unclear atomic structure and fluorescent mechanisms. Addressing these issues requires a thorough purification of crude CD products followed by reliable purity assessment. In this work, we combine dialysis and NMR analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of purification and consequent purity of CDs. Two representative CDs, citric acid‐ethylenediamine‐derived CDs and citric acid‐ p ‐phenylenediamine‐derived CDs were synthesized via hydrothermal treatments. The crude products were first filtered and aliquoted for dialysis. Collected retentates were characterized by microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. With increasing dialysis time, the mass of retentates gradually decreased reaching a steady state. In the NMR spectra, sharps peaks gradually attenuated and eventually disappeared, indicating progressive removal of impurities. Meanwhile, the ratio of integrated broad peaks to sharp peaks increased and reached a plateau with prolonged dialysis. A linear correlation was observed between CD purity and the integrated peak ratios. This work establishes a standardized and (semi‐)quantitative NMR‐based methodology for CD purity assessment, enabling a systematic differentiation and relative quantification of CDs and coexisting small molecular species, thereby addressing a key limitation of previous analyzes.

Carbon dots (CDs) have attracted increasing attention in recent years and have been widely explored in many fields. However, several challenges still limit their further development, particularly the unclear atomic structure and fluorescent mechanisms. Addressing these issues requires a thorough purification of crude CD products followed by reliable purity assessment. In this work, we combine dialysis and NMR analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of purification and consequent purity of CDs. Two representative CDs, citric acid‐ethylenediamine‐derived CDs and citric acid‐ p ‐phenylenediamine‐derived CDs were synthesized via hydrothermal treatments. The crude products were first filtered and aliquoted for dialysis. Collected retentates were characterized by microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. With increasing dialysis time, the mass of retentates gradually decreased reaching a steady state. In the NMR spectra, sharps peaks gradually attenuated and eventually disappeared, indicating progressive removal of impurities. Meanwhile, the ratio of integrated broad peaks to sharp peaks increased and reached a plateau with prolonged dialysis. A linear correlation was observed between CD purity and the integrated peak ratios. This work establishes a standardized and (semi‐)quantitative NMR‐based methodology for CD purity assessment, enabling a systematic differentiation and relative quantification of CDs and coexisting small molecular species, thereby addressing a key limitation of previous analyzes.

With unique optical and physicochemical properties, carbon nanomaterials (CNMs), including carbon nanotubes, graphene‐related materials, nanodiamonds, and carbon dots, are extensively explored as platforms for cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, in biofluids, CNMs spontaneously adsorb biomolecules to form an unpredictable corona, obstructing the implementation of their designed functions. In this review, we summarize how the intrinsic and acquired properties of CNMs affect protein corona formation, and the consequent biological and toxicological outcomes, as well as strategies to reshape the composition and structural organization of adsorbed proteins. This comprehensive knowledge will provide insights into developing CNMs with tailored corona and requested functions in cancer nanomedicine, advancing their translations into clinics.