Interesting papers out today:
* van Anders et al, "Entropically Patchy Particles", arXiv:1304.7545. From Sharon Glotzer's group, how you can think of particle shape complementarity in the presence of a depletant in terms of "patches". They're then able to make particles with rationally selected shapes that assemble into particular target structures.
* Zhu et al, "Self-assembled, aptamer-tethered DNA nanotrains for targeted transport of molecular drugs in cancer theranostics", PNAS Early Edition (2013). They present a system of ssDNA strands that, in isolation, just forms hairpins, but in the presence of a certain cell receptor (that will later mediate endocytosis), they self-assemble into a dsDNA "train". Drug molecules bind to this dsDNA train, and are then swallowed by the target cell (but by no other cells).
* Zheng et al, "A Hydrophobic Surface Is Essential To Inhibit the Aggregation of a Tau-Protein-Derived Hexapeptide", JACS Article ASAP (2013): Large hydrophobic patches on a surface inhibit protein aggregation, and reducing/increasing hydrophobic correlates with reduced/increased inhibition. Seems to agree with our previous general findings.
* Engel et al, "Hard-disk equation of state: First-order liquid-hexatic transition in two dimensions with three simulation methods", Phys. Rev. E 87, 042134 (2013): The write-up of a very interesting talk by Werner Krauth at last January's mini Stat Mech meeting, where they demonstrate the hexatic phase in a 2D system of disks.
