Editorial on the Research Topic: Emerging Leaders in Nanotechnology

Marcos H. D. Guimaraes^1*Simona Badilescu^2*Satyabrata Mohapatra^3*Giancarlo Franzese^4*

• ¹Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
• ²Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
• ³Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Dwarka, India
• ⁴Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

The study by Z. Dan et al., led by Antonija Grubisic-Cabo, explores the scalable production of highquality two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayers, namely WS₂ and WSe₂, using the kinetic in situ single-layer synthesis (KISS) method. The authors show the influence of different substrates (Au, Ag) and TMD chalcogen elements (S, Se) on the film quality and dimensions, with WSe₂ consistently yielding larger monolayers than WS₂, independent of substrate. Structural and chemical analyses confirmed high crystallinity and non-destructive exfoliation, without any covalent bonding to substrates. This work particularly highlights the use of the KISS method to obtain large high quality TMD monolayers which can be used in fundamental and applied research using these promising nanomaterials.The collection presents two papers examining the formation of a biomolecular corona on nanoparticles (NPs) upon exposure to the bloodstream or biological fluids. This phenomenon is crucial for understanding the potential applications of NPs in therapies and evaluating their safety. It involves the rapid adsorption of proteins, lipids, and sugars onto the particle surface, and studying its evolution over time is the focus of extensive experimental research. Theoretical work on adsorption kinetics and corona evolution is limited and often tied to simulation outcomes. The first paper on NP-corona formation presented here offers a theoretical perspective based on a simplified model, aiming to bridge this knowledge gap. Åberg Christoffer and Jansen Alwin explore the kinetics of corona formation, the variability of corona composition across different particles, and the spatial distribution of various biomolecules within the corona. Their assumptions include irreversibility of adsorption and the lack of biomolecule-biomolecule interactions. They suggest this approach as a valuable reference for experiments and future theoretical investigations.The second paper on NP-corona formation -by E. Clemente et al. and led by Marco P. Monopoli -is an original experimental study that aims to control the process for enhancing NP biocompatibility and extend circulation time by minimizing protein adsorption. To achieve this goal, surface modifications using polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymers are typically employed due to their steric hindrance and repulsion effects. However, continuous exposure to PEGylated NPs can trigger both acute and chronic immune responses, which limits their use in treating various conditions. The authors of this contribution suggest an alternative strategy using monosaccharide (glycans) coatings Glycans are biocompatible, interact with biological receptors in the body, and can be conjugated to control their orientation, which enhances NP stability in solution due to their hydrophilic nature. Specifically, they developed a series of gold NPs (AuNPs) that are coated with PEG linkers of varying lengths and conjugated with mannose (Man) or sialic acid (Sia) glycans, meticulously characterizing them before and after exposure to biological fluids. The results suggest that coating impacts the formation of the protein corona, but it does not affect the interaction with glycan receptors, even within a complex protein environment. Thus, glycan modification of PEGylated NPs minimizes nonspecific interactions while maintaining active targeting properties, highlighting their potential for therapeutic applications.The paper authored by A. Czajkowski, et al., and led by Ellen M. Adams, focuses on a unique aspect of protein organization in cells: the formation of biomolecular condensates. These condensates can form spontaneously in vivo in response to external stresses or to fulfill essential biological functions. They consist of solvated RNA-binding proteins, often incorporating nucleic acids. In this study, the authors examine how post-translational modifications (PTMs) and salt concentration influence the protein Fused in Sarcoma (FUS) in terms of its tendency to form biomolecular condensates. They utilize two expression systems-bacterial and insect cells-that differ in their ability to incorporate PTMs into the protein, and they analyze the solvation of FUS condensates, both with and without PTMs, at 100 mM and 2.5 M KCl using attenuated total reflection Terahertz spectroscopy. The findings indicate that PTMs significantly affect the phaseseparation propensity, whereas protein solvation within the condensate remains unaffected. Conversely, variations in salt concentration modify the stiffness of the water hydrogen bond network, causing perturbations in the molecular organization of the condensate due to changes in solvent properties.The study by Sakinala et al., headed by Mallesham Baithy , explores the development of Cusupported doped-CeO2 catalysts and their application in the oxidation of benzylamine, both in the absence and presence of 1,2-diaminobenzene. The authors show that the prepared CuO/CeO2 -ZrO2 catalyst offers a highly efficient, robust, and recyclable system for the selective oxidative coupling of benzylamines to imine (99.5%), benzimidazole (99.2%) and its derivatives under solvent-free conditions. The catalytic activity is influenced by the presence of oxygen vacancy sites, strong metal support interaction, enhanced redox behavior and a high density of acidic sites, which collectively contribute to its superior performance. This study highlights the importance and necessity for further studies on ceria-based catalysts in oxidative processes.Together, these contributions illustrate the multifaceted nature of nanotechnology research, highlighting the work led by emerging scientists in the field. From innovative synthesis methods and theoretical insights to biocompatible nanomaterials and ethical considerations in education, this special issue highlights the creativity and interdisciplinary spirit driving the next generation of discoveries in nanoscience and nanotechnology.