A series of nanoparticles (NPs) with a hydrodynamic radius from 20 to 100 nm in PBS was developed over the solubilization of hydrophobic dye methyl pheophorbide a (chlorin e₆ derivative) by amphiphilic copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone with (di)methacrylates. Photophysical properties and biological activity of the NPs aqueous solution were studied. It was found that the dye encapsulated in the copolymers is in an aggregated state. However, its aggregation degree decreases sharply, and singlet oxygen quantum yield and the fluorescence signal increase upon the interaction of these NPs with model biological membranes—liposomes or components of a tissue homogenate. The phototoxic effect of NPs in HeLa cells exceeds by 1.5–2 times that of the reference dye chlorin e₆ trisodium salt—one of the most effective photosensitizers used in clinical practice. It could be explained by the effective release of the hydrophobic photosensitizer from the NPs into biological structures. The demonstrated approach can be used not only for the encapsulation of hydrophobic photosensitizers for PDT but also for other drugs, and N-vinylpyrrolidone amphiphilic copolymers show promising potential as a modern platform for the design of targeted delivery vehicles.

In various areas of human activity, there is a need for new antimicrobial agents that are minimally hazardous to humans and the environment while remaining effective against multidrug-resistant microorganisms. The use of nanomaterials, particularly carbon-based ones, for this purpose is attracting growing interest. This review presents a quantitative analysis, based on published data, of the antibacterial and antifungal activity of various carbon nanomaterials, focusing on fullerenes, nanodiamonds, graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, and carbon dots. Their antimicrobial activity is compared both among themselves and with other antimicrobial agents; the effects of their physicochemical properties, functionalization, and photodynamic activity on this activity are also examined.

High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes was used to investigate the taxonomic diversity of the bacterial community inhabiting the fruiting bodies of the myxomycete Lycogala еpidendrum. Members of 31 bacterial genera belonging to six phyla were revealed. The phylum Proteobacteria predominated in the microbiome, with Pseudomonas and Luteibacter as predominant genera. Analysis of the taxonomic diversity of bacterial communities revealed significantly lower diversity in the L. epidendrum community, compared to those of brushwood and litter adjacent to the fruiting bodies. This is an indication of a selective role of the myxomycete fruiting body in respect to the phylum Proteobacteria and especially to the genera Pseudomonas and Luteibacter.

The development of biodegradable, biocompatible materials with inherent antibacterial properties, suitable for 3D printing, is a key challenge in modern materials science. Composites based on PLA and copper nanoparticles (NPs) are promising candidates for such a material. A protocol of the low-temperature incorporation of 0.1% Cu NPs or 0.1% CuO NPs into a PLA was developed. The dependence of the materials’ physicochemical properties on nanoparticle composition was evaluated. Cu and CuO NPs were synthesized via liquid-phase laser ablation and had sizes of 25 and 80 nm, with modal zeta potential values of +31 and +42 mV, respectively. The incorporation of Cu NPs enhances the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of PLA, and improves antibacterial properties. The PLA + 0.1% CuO or PLA + 0.1% Cu nanoparticles inhibited the growth of E. coli by ~60% and >80%, respectively. PLA + 0.1% Cu NPs destructed of bacterial cell walls. The antibacterial action mechanisms are an 8-oxoguanine and LRPS generations. The obtained materials did not exhibit cytotoxic effects against normal human fibroblasts, did not alter the pH or redox potential of water, and did not release of Cu²⁺ in concentrations toxic to humans. The material PLA + 0.1% Cu NPs is the most optimal. This material may find applications in food production and biomedical applications.

Silicon dioxide (SiO₂) nanoparticles approximately 5 nm in size have been obtained. A method has been developed for introducing SiO₂ nanoparticles into photolithographic resin at concentrations up to 0.1%. Composite resins can be used to manufacture parts with complex geometries with a maximum achievable resolution of 50 μm. Parts made from composite resin with SiO₂ nanoparticles polish well. After polishing, areas of approximately 100 μm² with height differences of less than 10 nm are revealed on the surface of the parts. A relatively uniform distribution of SiO₂ nanoparticles is observed within the parts, and no optical defects are detected. However, areas differing in the phase shift of electromagnetic radiation are observed within the parts. Importantly, the presence of nanoparticles in the resin during MSLA printing increases the degree of resin polymerization. SiO₂ nanoparticles have been shown to have prooxidant properties, leading to the formation of 8-oxoguanine in DNA and long-lived reactive protein species. Components made from photolithographic resins with SiO₂ nanoparticles have been shown to inhibit the growth and development of E. coli bacteria, with a significant loss of viability. Despite their antimicrobial properties, components made from photolithographic resins with SiO₂ nanoparticles do not affect the growth and development of mammalian cells.

This study addresses the critical need for advanced biomedical materials that possess both potent antimicrobial properties and high biocompatibility to prevent device-related infections and promote healing. To this end, we demonstrate the successful development and comprehensive characterization of functional composite materials based on a photopolymerizable acrylate resin modified with laser-ablated copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs). The synthesized Cu NPs exhibited a monomodal size distribution with a peak at 47 nm, a high zeta potential of −33 mV, and a spherical morphology. Incorporation of Cu NPs into the polymer matrix via Masked Stereolithography (MSLA) enabled the fabrication of complex structures that maintained high surface quality and optical transparency after polishing. Modification of photopolymer resin with Cu NPs significantly increased the strength of the resulting products and caused dose-dependent formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The resulting composite materials exhibited strong antibacterial activity against E. coli. Crucially, despite their potent antimicrobial efficacy, the materials showed no cytotoxicity towards human fibroblast cultures. These results highlight the potential of these composites for a new generation of biomedical applications, such as implantable devices and wound coatings, which combine programmable antimicrobial activity with high biocompatibility.