he chemical roles of lanthanides in biology are increasingly recognized, yet remain largely unexplored. Unlike most lanthanides, cerium is redox-active and readily adapted for chemical transformation. Herein, we report a cerium-mediated oxidative thiol–ene coupling between cysteine-derived thiols and styrenes under aqueous conditions, yielding β-hydroxysulfide products. Building on this reactivity, we developed a site-selective cysteine modification strategy using a 17-amino acid cerium-binding sequence. Only cysteines optimally positioned near the vacant coordination site undergo efficient and rapid labeling, particularly with electron-deficient styrene derivatives. This work demonstrates cerium-mediated biological activity and highlights its potential as a reactive center for site-selective bioconjugation and broader biochemical and synthetic applications.

Copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) has enabled numerous synthetic and biological applications, driven by advances in the synthesis and optimization of copper-binding ligands. However, to the best of our knowledge, no bottom-up protein-based ligands have been specifically developed to catalyze this reaction. Here, we present a retrosynthetic protein design that leverages the introduction, duplication, and diversification of metal-chelating amino acid residues via a clickable noncanonical amino acid and CuAAC-mediated post-translational modification. A naturally occurring homodimer, dTDP-4-keto-6-deoxy-D-hexulose 3,5-epimerase, was engineered to structurally mimic the molecular framework of well-known CuAAC ligands, featuring multidentate triazole-containing motifs with four nitrogen donor atoms capable of accommodating two copper-binding sites. Remarkably, one protein construct R79TP exhibits CuAAC activity toward exogenous alkyne and azide substrates at rates exceeding that of a benchmark ligand, likely via a dinuclear mechanism. This work highlights the potential of genetically encoded precursors for multidentate ligand in proteins, expands the molecular complexity achievable in metalloenzyme engineering, and provides mechanistic insights and potential for copper-mediated bioorthogonal catalysis.

Diffusioosmotic flows in a microchannel are investigated using microscopic coarse-grained particle-based simulations that incorporate molecular interactions between fluid particles and channel walls. The fluid–wall molecular interactions, coupled with concentration gradients, generate flows in the potential regions where the interactions are effective, thereby driving global flows in the bulk. Fluid velocities in narrow potential regions obtained from simulations are quantitatively compared with predictions from continuum theory that accounts for density and viscosity variations. While continuum theory adequately predicts enhanced flow velocities throughout the channel, it does not fully capture flow behaviors in regions of very low fluid density near the wall, revealing its limitations. Friction between the fluid and the wall can be controlled by temperature. As temperature decreases, friction is reduced, which makes the wall surface more slippery. In addition, Poiseuille flows driven by gravity are simulated using microscopic dynamics incorporating fluid–wall molecular interactions. Fluid velocity slips near the wall, and corresponding enhancements in flow velocities throughout the channel are quantitatively analyzed by comparing simulation results with theoretical predictions that account for viscosity variations in the potential region.

Chlorine (Cl2) is one of the most important chemicals in the chemical industry, which is primarily produced by the electrochemical chlorine evolution reaction (CER) in the chlor–alkali process. While platinum-group metal (PGM)-based dimensionally stable anodes (DSAs) have dominated over the last half century, atomically dispersed catalysts (ADCs) have recently emerged as a promising class of CER catalysts; however, they still rely on PGMs. In this work, we prepared a series of non-PGM (Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu)-based ADCs and investigated their CER reactivity trends. Among these, the Ni ADC exhibited the best CER activity and kinetics. Notably, its CER activity exceeded those of commercial DSA and reported non-PGM-based catalysts. In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses combined with density functional theory calculations revealed that the Ni–N4 motif serves as a major active site for the CER. The Ni-loading-controlled Ni ADCs confirmed the involvement of Ni–N4 sites as active sites in the formation of Cl2. Overall, our findings pave the way for extending ADC-based CER catalysts to non-PGM compositions.

Pt-based binary intermetallic materials have been a main driver advancing electrocatalysis of fuel cell electrode reactions. Incorporating a third element into binary compositions has proven effective in further enhancing the catalytic activity and durability and improving the phase stability. In this context, the adoption of ternary compositions is being increasingly recognized lately as a driving force behind the next wave of high-performance intermetallic electrocatalysts. In this Perspective, we present recent advances in the preparation and electrocatalysis of ternary intermetallic catalysts. We categorize Pt-based ternary intermetallic catalysts into two major classes: (1) Pt–TM1–TM2 systems combining two transition metals (TMs) and (2) Pt–TM–pM systems comprising a TM and a p-block metal (pM). Additionally, we discuss Pt–TM–X systems involving interstitial elements (X) and Pt-based high-entropy intermetallic structures. Under this classification, we systematically compare the activity, durability, and ordering degree of ternary Pt-based intermetallic catalysts, highlighting the superiority of ternary compositions over binary analogs. Finally, we conclude this Perspective by outlining future directions for advancing Pt-based ternary intermetallic catalysts.

Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation, which enables the delivery of DNA using transfer DNA (T-DNA) binary vectors, is an essential technique in plant research. T-DNAs randomly integrate into the host genome, and multiple T-DNAs can sometimes integrate during a single transformation, necessitating the development of tools to elucidate the T-DNA insertion sites (TISs). Here, we present T-DNAreader, which identifies TISs from RNA sequencing data with high precision, sensitivity, and speed, outperforming existing tools. T-DNAreader enables the efficient and reliable identification of TISs within transcribed regions and standardizes the characterization of T-DNA-containing transgenic plants, which can be expanded to various organisms containing T-DNA.

Drug localization, release control, and penetration into solid tissues through biological tight junctions are crucial for the treatment of localized diseases with biological barriers by maximizing therapeutic efficacy of the drug and minimizing damage to normal organs. Here, we introduce a dual-phoretic wireless drug delivery system that harnesses the physical control of ion transportation: electrophoresis for controllable release and iontophoresis for directional penetration. Adjustable, pulsatile, and repeatable drug release under biological conditions is achieved using ion diodes and Zn-based electrochemical cells. Through seamless integration with iontophoretic compartments, a fourfold improvement in delivery efficiency compared to drug diffusion, reaching the core of in vivo tumor, is verified by a 3D tomographic analysis. Fully implantable and wireless operation in a simulated 2-week therapeutic scenario results in a remarkable 50% tumor reduction from the initial volume while minimizing damage to nearby normal tissue and off-target organs such as the heart, liver, spleen, and kidney.

Here, we report the synthesis of a ternary PtNiCo octahedral skeletal catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). A mixed flow of H2 and CO facilitated complete reduction, promoted Pt diffusion, and enabled the formation of octahedral PtNiCo nanoparticles (NPs). The resulting ternary skeletal catalyst, obtained after acid treatment, exhibited a mass activity (MA) of 1.64 A mgPt−1 and a specific activity (SA) of 3.73 mA cm−2, which are 7.5 and 14.3 times higher, respectively, than those of commercial Pt/C.

A two-dimensional (2D) inorganic phosphate compound, Y(HPO4)(NO3)(H2O)·2H2O (YH2H), was synthesized via a slow evaporation method and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. YH2H crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group, Pbcm and features a layered structure composed of edge-sharing YO8 polyhedra. The interlayer space is stabilized by two types of lattice water molecules, which form an extended hydrogen-bonding network critical to both structural integrity and functionality. Upon heating, YH2H undergoes a reversible two-step dehydration process, forming a contracted dehydrated phase (YH). Real-time in situ powder X-ray diffraction captured these sequential phase transitions. Notably, YH spontaneously rehydrates under ambient conditions, fully restoring the original framework. Methanol intercalation into the YH phase leads to the formation of an expanded intercalated phase (Y-MeOH), highlighting the material’s solvent-responsive interlayer tunability. The hydrogen-bond network in YH2H enables effective proton transport, yielding a proton conductivity of 2.28 × 10–4 S·cm–1 at 90 °C and 90% relative humidity. Unlike conventional proton-conducting materials, YH2H maintains conductivity under reduced or fluctuating humidity by autonomously reabsorbing water, eliminating the need for continuous external humidification. In addition to its structural and ionic responsiveness, YH2H exhibits diverse optical functionalities, including ultraviolet transparency, high birefringence, and ligand-centered phosphorescence. This multifunctionality, coupled with reversible interlayer modulation, establishes YH2H as a rare example of a fully inorganic, interlayer-engineerable 2D material with broad potential for solid-state ionic devices, photonics, and optoelectronic applications.

High-degree doping of conjugated polymers often employs a strong redox agent, which facilitates polymer ionization but results in poor environmental stability for the counter-ion. Here, we demonstrate an anion-exchange doping using a model study that systematically investigates the effect of the solvent dielectric constant on both doping and anion exchange. The dielectric constant significantly affects the initial doping of poly(2,5-bis(3-hexadecylthiophene-2-yl)thieno[3,2-b]thiophene) (PBTTT) films using FeCl3, as well as in the subsequent anion exchange of [FeCl4]− to dodecylbenzenesulfonate ([DBS]−). A solvent with a higher dielectric constant improves the FeCl3 doping efficiency but hinders the subsequent anion exchange. Such conflicting effects can be resolved by stepwise immersion in separate solutions of FeCl3 and dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA). Stepwise anion-exchange doping achieves high electrical conductivity with improved environmental stability, while also allowing for the application of desired anions that require extended time for the direct doping method, such as in Brønsted acid doping.