Junqiu Liu

Jilin University | JUT · State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials

Natural channel proteins allow the selective permeation of ions, water or other nutritious entities across bilayer membranes, facilitating various essential physiological functions in living systems. Inspired by nature, chemists endeavor to simulate the structural features and transport behaviors of channel proteins through biomimetic strategies. I...

The photo‐enzyme coupling system (PECS) holds immense potential in “green” biomanufacturing, encompassing the realms of pharmaceuticals, fuels, and carbon sequestration. Nevertheless, the intricate nature of enzymes' structures significantly impedes the seamless integration of multiple enzymes in a precise, tandem fashion, with exact control over t...

The dense extracellular matrix and high interstitial pressure within tumors hinder nanoparticle penetration, reducing therapeutic efficacy. To address this, we engineered a dual-driven nanomotor based on a diselenide metal-organic framework (MOF) using a layer-by-layer assembly process for multimodal synergistic tumor therapy. Diselenide-containing...

Supramolecular chemistry achieves higher‐order molecular self‐assembly through non‐covalent interactions. Utilizing supramolecular methods to explore the polymorphism of proteins, the building blocks of life, from a “bottom‐up” perspective is essential for constructing diverse and functional biomaterials. In recent years, significant progress has b...

Photosynthesis is a complex multi‐step process in which light collection is the initial step of photosynthesis and plays an important role in the utilization of solar energy. In order to improve the utilization of sunlight, researchers have developed a variety of artificial light‐harvesting systems to simulate photosynthesis in nature. Here, we rep...

The manipulation of cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]i) plays a crucial role in the study of Ca²⁺ signaling and the therapy of its affected diseases. Nanotechnology enables the development of nanotransducers for targeted, non‐invasive, highly spatiotemporal, and on‐demand [Ca²⁺]i regulation by responding to external energy fields to activate Ca²...

The explosive growth of information and its widespread availability underscores the need for robust encryption and anticounterfeiting measures. In this study, CdS quantum dots are engineered (QDs) to manifest multiple visual responses to a single trigger through strategic ligand design. The surface engineering method allows QDs to transition from y...

The in situ generation of H 2 O 2 in cells in response to external stimulation has exceptional advantages in modulating intracellular Ca ²⁺ dynamics, including high controllability and biological safety, but has been rarely explored. Here, we develop photocatalyst-based metal-organic frameworks (DCSA-MOFs) to modulate Ca ²⁺ responses in cells, mult...

Plant chloroplasts have a highly compartmentalized interior, essential for executing photocatalytic functions. However, the construction of a photocatalytic reaction compartment similar to chloroplasts in inorganic–biological hybrid systems (IBS) has not been reported. Drawing inspiration from the compartmentalized chloroplast and the phenomenon of...

Although natural dual‐ion exchangers are indispensable for bio‐organic functions, developing their artificial counterparts remains nearly unexplored. Herein, this work proposes a novel light‐controlled K⁺/Na⁺‐transport‐exchanger TE12, realizing an unprecedented reversible switch between K⁺‐ and Na⁺‐transmembrane transport by changing its transport...

Developing artificial ion transport systems, which process complicated information and step‐wise regulate properties, is essential for deeply comprehending the subtle dynamic behaviors of natural channel proteins (NCPs). Here a photo‐controlled logic‐gated K⁺ channel based on single‐chain random heteropolymers containing molecular motors, exhibitin...

Gene therapy has achieved remarkable results in treating diseases by transmitting exogenous functional genes to target cells, inducing gene silencing, gene expression, and gene editing. However, nucleic acids are susceptible...

Nanozymes, which combine enzyme-like catalytic activity and the biological properties of nanomaterials, have been widely used in biomedical fields. Single-atom nanozymes (SANs) with atomically dispersed metal centers exhibit excellent biological catalytic activity due to the maximization of atomic utilization efficiency, unique metal coordination s...

Rationally designed multiporphyrinic architectures for boosting photodynamic therapy (PDT) have attracted significant attentions recently years due to their great potential for light‐mediated generation of reactive oxygen species. However, there is still a gap between the structure design and their PDT performance for biomedical applications. This...

The mitochondria are essential for tumorigenesis and have been regarded as important targets in cancer chemotherapy. Herein, the mitochondria-targeted platinum(II) complexes have been prepared. The introduction of the triazole group with larger steric hindrance through post-click reaction converts the hybridization of carbon from sp to sp2, endowin...

The development of photocontrolled assembly of smart materials with time‐dependent optical characteristics is a promising strategy to fabricate multiple optical materials for advanced information encryption. Herein, this work reports the integration of photochoromic spiropyran and square‐planar platinum(II) as a photocontrolled switching motif that...

Glutathione (GSH) consumption-enhanced cancer therapies represent important potential cancer treatment strategies. Herein, we developed a new multifunctional diselenide-crosslinked hydrogel with glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-like catalytic activity for GSH depletion-enhanced glucose oxidase (GOx)-mediated tumor starvation and hypoxia-activated chemo...

Self‐propelled nanomotors, which can autonomous propelled by harnessing others type of energy, have shown tremendous potential as drug delivery systems for cancer therapy. However, it remains challenging for nanomotors in tumor theranostics because of their structural complexity and deficient therapeutic model. Herein, glucose‐fueled enzymatic nano...

Inspired by nature, it is of significant importance to design and construct biomimetic signaling systems to mimic natural signal transduction. Herein, we report an azobenzene/α-cyclodextrin (α-CD)-based signal transduction system with three functional modules: a light-responsive headgroup, lipid-anchored group, pro-catalyst tailgroup. The transduce...

Light‐harvesting system is an important way for capturing, transferring and utilizing light energy. It remains a key challenge to develop highly efficient artificial light‐harvesting systems. Herein, we report a supramolecular co‐assembly based on 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis (4‐hydroxyphenyl) porphyrin (THPP) and fluorescein derivatives as an artificial li...

Live bacteria-based drug delivery systems have been raised as promising tools for enhancing drug delivery into tumors due to their active tumor targeting and easy surface modifiability. In this work, a “Trojan nanobacteria hybrid”, E. coli@highly integrated nanocapsules (HINCs) hybrid (HINE-Hybrid), was successfully constructed with HINCs of prodru...

Bilayer membranes that enhance the stability of the cell are essential for cell survival, separating and protecting the interior of the cell from its external environment. Membrane‐based channel proteins are crucial for sustaining cellular activities. However, dysfunction of these proteins would induce serial channelopathies, which could be substit...

Protein assembly is the structural basis for the collaboration between proteins to accomplish life activities due to its realization of the domain‐limited and precise spatial arrangement of proteins. Therefore, artificial manipulation of protein self‐assembly has profound implications in areas such as exploring the mysteries of life and developing...

Efficient synthesis of functional nanomaterials for simple, sensitive and accurate colorimetric detection of chromate [Cr(VI)] has attracted great interest due to the toxicity of Cr(VI). Here, novel covalently assembled iron porphyrins (CAIPs) was fabricated through covalently cross‐linking reaction between iron‐tetra‐(4‐hydroxy‐phenyl) porphyrin a...

Natural protein channels have evolved with fantastic spatial structures, which play pivotal physiological functions in all living systems. Learning from nature, chemical scientists have developed a myriad of artificial transmembrane ion channels by using various chemical strategies, among which the non-covalent supramolecular ion channels exhibit r...

Nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely used as target delivery vehicles for therapeutic goods; however, compared with inorganic and organic nanomaterials, protein nanomaterials have better biocompatibility and can self-assemble into highly ordered cage-like structures, which are more favorable for applications in targeted drug delivery. In this revie...

The ineffectiveness of cancer chemodynamic treatment (CDT) is intimately connected to intracellular antioxidant defense mechanisms. While great efforts have been made to interfere with the oxidative protection mechanisms within tumor cells, this remains a difficult challenge. Herein, inspired by the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) function for consumi...

Combination therapy is one of the potential strategies for tackling complicated tumor treatments like drug resistance. In this work, we have generated a therapeutic cisplatin-crosslinked albumin hydrogel (BC-Gel) that allows the local release of L-Buthionine-sulfoximine (BSO), cisplatin, and glucose oxidase (GOx) with distinct release kinetics. The...

A series of single‐chain random heteropolymer (RHP)‐derived artificial ion channels with both high K⁺ selectivity and controllable pH‐gated behaviors were fabricated by a facile “one‐pot” polymerization method. The benzo‐18‐crown‐6 moieties appended on lateral chains of RHPs can form ion‐permeable nanopores and transport K⁺ over Na⁺ through the lip...

The idea of using engineered bacteria as prospective living therapeutic agents for the treatment of different diseases has been raised. Nevertheless, the development of safe and effective treatment strategies remains essential to the success of living bacteria-mediated therapy. Hydrogels have presented great promise for the delivery of living bacte...

Signal transduction across lipid bilayers is of profound importance in biological processes. In biological systems, natural enzymes mediate biochemical effects by binding to substrates and facilitating the conversion of external signals into physiological responses. Sequential transmission of biological signals from one enzyme to the next promotes...

A series of single‐chain random heteropolymers (RHPs)‐derived artificial ion channels were fabricated by a facile “one‐pot” polymerization method, which simultaneously revealed high K + selectivity and controllable pH‐gated behaviors. The benzo‐18‐crown‐6 moieties appended on lateral chains of RHPs can form ion‐permeable nanopores and transport K +...

Photoswitching chiroptical materials with alternate emission colors are urgently demanded due to their promising prospects in the next-generation intelligent materials. Herein, we developed an integrated strategy to design the ternary chiroptical switches through the introduction of phosphorescent platinum(II) and photochromic spiropyran as triplet...

Polydopamine (PDA), as a mussel-inspired material, exhibits numerous favorable performance characteristics, such as a simple preparation process, prominent photothermal transfer efficiency, excellent biocompatibility, outstanding drug binding ability, and strong adhesive properties, showing great potential in the biomedical field. The rapid develop...

Enzymes, a class of proteins or RNA with high catalytic efficiency and specificity, have inspired generations of scientists to develop enzyme mimics with similar capabilities. Many enzyme mimics have been developed in the past few decades based on small molecules, DNA, and nanomaterials. These artificial enzymes are of great interest because of the...

Natural ion channels are pore-forming proteins that allow ions to pass through biomembranes, playing pivotal roles in almost all facets of cellular physiological functions. Biomimetic ion transporters were initially investigated for the purpose of treating life-threatening channelopathies. Recent studies have indicated that membrane-active syntheti...

The development of monitoring methods to capture short-lived intermediates is crucial for kinetic mechanism validation of enzymatic reaction steps. In this work, a semisynthetic selenoenzyme nanoreactor was constructed by introducing the unnatural amino acid (Sec) into the lumen of the α-hemolysin (αHL) nanopore. This nanoreactor not only created a...

The development of green and renewable energy sources is in high demand due to energy shortage and productivity development. Artificial photosynthesis(AP) is one of the most effective ways to address the energy shortage and the greenhouse effect by converting solar energy into hydrogen and other carbon-based high value-added products through the un...

A controllable protein nanostructures-based "On/Off" switchable artificial light-harvesting system (LHS) with sequential multistep energy transfer and photocatalysis was reported herein for mimicking the natural LHS in both structure and function. Single-layered protein nanosheets were first constructed via a reversible covalent self-assembly strat...

An artificial signal transduction model with a supramolecular recognition headgroup, a membrane anchoring group, and a pro-enzyme catalysis endgroup was constructed. The transmembrane translocation of the transducer can be reversibly...

Bacterial infection is one of the most serious physiological conditions threatening human health. There is an increasing demand for selective antibacterial therapy through noninvasive approaches recently years. Herein, a novel strategy for fabrication of positively charged, monolayered nanosheets (P5PD) bearing perylene diimide derivative (DAPDI) w...

semiaza-Bambus[6]urils efficiently transport anions across lipid membranes. A systematic modification of their lipophilic side chains to include various alkyl groups and thioethers reveals that the most efficient chloride transporters are those that agree with Lipinski's rule-of-lipophilicity, exhibiting clog Po/w values close to 5. Furthermore, ve...

Smart hydrogels are typical functional soft materials, but their functional and mechanical properties are compromised upon micro- or macro-mechanical damage. In contrast, hydrogels with self-healing properties overcome this limitation. Herein, a dual dynamic bind, cross-linked, self-healing protein hydrogel is prepared, based on Schiff base bonds a...

The selective disruption of nutritional supplements and the metabolic routes of cancer cells offer a promising opportunity for more efficient cancer therapeutics. Herein, a biomimetic cascade polymer nanoreactor (GOx/CAT-NC) was fabricated by encapsulating glucose oxidase (GOx) and catalase (CAT) in a porphyrin polymer nanocapsule for combined star...

Construction of biomimetic nanozymes has attracted considerable attention because these artificial enzymes not only exhibited catalytic effects similar to those of natural enzymes, but were also more economical and stable than natural enzymes for a wide range of practical applications. Herein, a peroxidase-like nanozyme was constructed by supramole...

Macrocycles such as cyclodextrin and crown ether are applied to construct artificial transmembrane ion transport systems owing to their unique cavity structure and the ability to recognize molecules and ions via host-guest interaction. Compared with natural channel proteins, macrocycles have many advantages, such as the low cost, stabilities, easy...

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) is an emerging approach to overcome bacterial infections that can efficiently convert hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to generate highly toxic hydroxyl radicals (˙OH). How to develop safe and effective CDT-based strategies is in high demand but challenging. Herein, a cascade catalytic nanoplatform (GOx-NCs/Fe3O4) was designed by...

In the past few decades, enormous efforts have been made to synthesize covalent polymer nano/microstructured materials with specific morphologies, due to the relationship between their structures and functions. Up to now, the formation of most of these structures often requires either templates or preorganization in order to construct a specific st...

Developing the ultrathin membranes for high-performance separation still faces the challenge of both high permeance and selectivity. Herein, a large-area protein membrane was fabricated by the interfacial self-assembly of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and surfactants at the oil/water interface of emulsions. Benefiting from the ultrathin thickness and...

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are a family of α-1,4-linked cyclic oligosaccharides that possess a hydrophobic cavity and a hydrophilic outer surface with abundant hydroxyl groups. This unique structural characteristic allows CDs to form inclusion complexes with various guest molecules and to functionalize with different substituents for the construction of n...

Nanozyme is a type of nanostructured material with intrinsic enzyme mimicking activity, which has been increasingly studied in the biological field. Compared with natural enzymes, nanozymes have many advantages, such as higher stability, higher design flexibility, and more economical production costs. Nanozymes can be used to mimic natural antioxid...

Polymer nanocomposites, a class of innovative materials formed by polymer matrixes and nanoscaled fillers (e.g., carbon-based nanomaterials, inorganic/semiconductor nanoparticles, metal/metal-oxide nanoparticles, polymeric nanostructures, etc.), display enhanced mechanical, optoelectrical, magnetic, catalytic, and bio-related characteristics, there...

Organoplatinum (II) complexes are promising candidates for the construction of smart supramolecular materials due to their unique flat structures. This accompanied by intriguing luminescent properties, prompts the molecules to aggregate after external stimuli. Nevertheless, the utilization of photo-responsive subunits to modulate their assemble beh...

The self-luminous property of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) makes it an extremely attractive building block for creating functional biomaterials. A practical challenge in the design of EGFP-based materials, however, stems from the structural and chemical heterogeneity of the EGFP surface. In this study, a maleimide-functionalized rhodam...

A highly emissive microgel is synthesized by polymerizing tetraphenylethene (TPE) based comonomers, acrylic acid, NIPAM, and permanent crosslinker ethylenebisacrylamide (BIS) (named as TPE microgel), which exhibited temperature responsive fluorescence emission. Rhodamine B (RhB), a positively charged molecule, is then inserted onto the surface of f...