Search

Dendrimers are well-defined, highly branched, multivalent and monodisperse molecules which host a range of attractive, yet functional, chemical and biological characteristics. A dendrimers accessible surface groups enable coupling to different functional moieties (e.g., antibodies, peptides, proteins, etc), which is further assisted by the dendrimers tailored size and surface charge. This adaptability allows for the preparation of molecularly precise vaccines with highly specific and predictable properties, and in conjunction with a dendrimers immune stimulating (adjuvanting) property, makes dendrimers attractive substrates for biomedical applications, including vaccines. This review highlights the structural and synthetic evolution of dendrimers throughout history, detailing the dendrimers role as both an adjuvant and carrier system for vaccine antigens, in addition to reviewing the development of commercially available vaccines for use in humans.

Fungi are not classified as plants or animals. They resemble plants in many ways but do not produce chlorophyll or make their own food photosynthetically like plants. Fungi are useful for the production of beer, bread, medicine, etc. More complex than viruses or bacteria; fungi can be destructive human pathogens responsible for various diseases in humans. Most people have a strong natural immunity against fungal infection. However, fungi can cause diseases when this immunity breaks down. In the last few years, fungal infection has increased strikingly and has been accompanied by a rise in the number of deaths of cancer patients, transplant recipients, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients owing to fungal infections. The growth rate of fungi is very slow and quite difficult to identify. A series of molecules with antifungal activity against different strains of fungi have been found in insects, which can be of great importance to tackle human diseases. Insects secrete such compounds, which can be peptides, as a part of their immune defense reactions. Active antifungal peptides developed by insects to rapidly eliminate infectious pathogens are considered a component of the defense munitions. This review focuses on naturally occurring antifungal peptides from insects and their challenges to be used as armaments against human diseases.

In recent decades, nanoparticles research has garnered a lot of interest, especially in finding more effective ways for their synthesis. This study aims to investigate the chemical mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using silver salt and tri-sodium citrate as the reducing agent. Processing parameters were statistically optimized in order to produce high yield AgNPs and optimization were analyzed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Based on AgNPs yield production, analyzed using UV-vis spectrophotometer in the range of 350 to 420nm, results show that out of the three parameters tested (AgNO3 and tri-sodium citrate concentrations and stirring time), all factors except stirring time contributed significantly to the production. Synthesized AgNPs at optimized condition (absorbance 0.9 AU at 420nm wavelength) were then characterized using TEM and UV-vis analysis.