Emerging nanotechnologies show unprecedented advantages in accelerating cancer theranostics. Among them, two-dimensional nanomaterials (2DNMs) represent a novel type of material with versatile physicochemical properties that have enabled a new horizon for applications in both cancer diagnosis and therapy. Studies have demonstrated that 2DNMs may be used in diverse aspects, including i) cancer detection due to their high propensity towards tumor markers; ii) molecular imaging for guided tumor therapies, and iii) drug and gene loading, photothermal and photodynamic cancer therapies. However, their biomedical applications raise concerns due to the limited understanding of their in vivo metabolism, transformation and possible toxicities. In this comprehensive review, the state-of-the-art development of 2DNMs and their implications for cancer nanotheranostics are presented. The modification strategies to enhance the biocompatibility of 2DNMs are also reviewed.

The evolutionary and genetic origins of the specialized body plan of flatfish are largely unclear. We analyzed the genomes of 11 flatfish species representing 9 of the 14 Pleuronectiforme families and conclude that Pleuronectoidei and Psettodoidei do not form a monophyletic group, suggesting independent origins from different percoid ancestors. Genomic and transcriptomic data indicate that genes related to WNT and retinoic acid pathways, hampered musculature and reduced lipids might have functioned in the evolution of the specialized body plan of Pleuronectoidei. Evolution of Psettodoidei involved similar but not identical genes. Our work provides valuable resources and insights for understanding the genetic origins of the unusual body plan of flatfishes.

Horseshoe crabs including Tachypleus tridentatus are a group of marine arthropods and living fossil species which have existed on the earth for ~500 million years. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying their unique adaptive ability are still unclear. Here, we assembled the first chromosome‐level T. tridentatus genome, and proved that this genome is of high quality with contig N50 1.69 Mb. By comparison with other arthropods, some gene families of T. tridentatus experienced significant expansion, which are related to several signaling pathways, endonuclease activities, and metabolic processes. Based on the results of comparative analysis of genomics and 27 transcriptomes from nine tissues, we found that the expanded Dscam genes are located at key hub positions of immune network. Furthermore, the Dscam genes showed higher levels of expression in the yellow connective tissue (the birthplace of blood cells with strong differentiation capability) than the other eight tissues. Besides, the Dscam genes are positively correlated with the expression of the core immunity gene, clotting factor B, which is involved in the coagulation cascade reaction. The effective and unusual immune ability endowed by the expansion and expression of Dscam genes in the horseshoe crab may be a factor that makes the species have a strong environmental adaptability within ~500 million years. The high quality chromosome level genome of a horseshoe crab and unique genomic features reported in this study provide important data resources for future studies on the evolution of marine ecological systems.

No abstract