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Viruses as Nanomaterials
Published in Devarajan Thangadurai, Saher Islam, Charles Oluwaseun Adetunji, Viral and Antiviral Nanomaterials, 2022
Dushyant R. Dudhagara, Megha S. Gadhvi, Anjana K. Vala
In the 21st Century, nanotechnology has become one of the most rapidly developing fields of science and technology (Mangematin and Walsh 2012). Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary field that combines applied science and engineering to focus on ways to control and measure objects at the molecular level (Zhang 2003). Materials with at least one dimension within the range of 1–100 nm are commonly used in the field of nanotechnology. The fabrication of biomimetic materials has received a lot of attention in recent years. Viruses are the best example of highly organized nanoscale biological materials and structures that have motivated researchers to develop new methods for producing novel nanomaterials. Bio-nanotechnology encompasses a multidisciplinary approach and can be very broad. To analyze and use biological molecules at the nanoscale, scientists have been combining concepts from biology, chemistry, physics, materials science, and engineering into a unified pattern. Bio-templated nanomaterials, biomimetics, bio-nanopatterning, and nanotoxicology are only a few of the topics covered by this mixture of biology and nanotechnology (Soto and Ratna 2010).
Principles of Nanoparticle Design for Overcoming Biological Barriers to Drug Delivery *
Published in Valerio Voliani, Nanomaterials and Neoplasms, 2021
Elvin Blanco, Haifa Shen, Mauro Ferrari
Currently, the field of nanoparticle-based drug delivery is extending beyond the confines of convention (e.g., traditional geometries, sizes or chemistries) so as to rationally design entities specifically tasked with overcoming sequential biological barriers (Box 9.2). There is the growing realization that although the distinct obstacles that hinder adequate delivery of therapeutics to tumors are indeed complex, they are by no means insurmountable. As highlighted here, innovative design implementations, such as the use of nontraditional geometries for improved vascular dynamics or functionalization with biomimetic membranes for avoidance of phagocytic uptake, have shown distinct advantages over preexisting conventional nanoparticle formulations. And although it is evident that the field is transitioning toward more rational approaches that take into consideration biological barriers, complications will arise that may hinder clinical translation. These revolve around the additional complexities associated with these systems, which will directly affect ease of scale-up, mass-production and associated costs. Moreover, depending on design implementations (e.g., addition of autologous cell-derived biomimetic surfaces), regulatory approvals concerning quality control, reproducibility and toxicity may represent additional hurdles.
Biomimetic Approaches for the Design and Development of Multifunctional Bioresorbable Layered Scaffolds for Dental Regeneration
Published in Vincenzo Guarino, Marco Antonio Alvarez-Pérez, Current Advances in Oral and Craniofacial Tissue Engineering, 2020
Campodoni Elisabetta, Dozio Samuele Maria, Mulazzi Manuela, Montanari Margherita, Montesi Monica, Panseri Silvia, Sprio Simone, Tampieri Anna, Sandri Monica
Biomimetics means, to look towards nature for ideas that may be adapted and adopted for solving problems or create new solutions. One of the natural processes to which biomimetic takes inspiration is without any doubt biomineralization, a very peculiar, natural, as well as transversal phenomenon, of interest to many different living organisms from diatoms to humans, passed by plants. It refers to the processes by which organisms form minerals starting from simple compounds and are defined biogenic minerals or biominerals. It is, therefore, by definition, a true multidisciplinary field that spans from both the inorganic and the organic world. But, why should living organisms form minerals? The main functions of mineralized tissues can many, among them protection, motion, cutting, grinding, optical, magnetic and gravity sensing as well as storage (Talham 2002; Weiner 2003).
Recent advances in erythrocyte membrane-camouflaged nanoparticles for the delivery of anti-cancer therapeutics
Published in Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery, 2022
Siyu Wang, Yiwei Wang, Kai Jin, Bo Zhang, Shaojun Peng, Amit Kumar Nayak, Zhiqing Pang
In this review, recent advances in RBC-NPs to deliver anti-cancer therapeutics for cancer chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and immunotherapy are systematically summarized. Although numerous studies have demonstrated the significant advantages of RBC-NPs in delivering anti-cancer therapeutics and the application potential of RBC-NPs is undeniable, RBC-NPs for cancer therapy are still in laboratory research phases. There is still a long way to go before clinical translation. Looking to the future, more studies can be focused on optimizing the production processes of RBC-NPs, taking into account both effectiveness and simplicity. As the biomimetic strategy matures, the existing challenges will certainly be overcome one by one. RBC-NPs are expected to become an important means of cancer therapy and will have a positive impact on human health.
From blood to brain: blood cell-based biomimetic drug delivery systems
Published in Drug Delivery, 2021
Yong-Jiang Li, Jun-Yong Wu, Jihua Liu, Xiaohan Qiu, Wenjie Xu, Tiantian Tang, Da-Xiong Xiang
In recent years, emerging efforts have been dedicated to developing biomimetic drug − delivery systems by using complex natural biological components or mimicking the structure (Parodi et al., 2013; Hu et al., 2015; Fang et al., 2018). For delivery of drugs for brain diseases therapy, biomimetic drug delivery systems may help increase biocompatibility, long − term circulation and more importantly, penetrate the BBB to increase drug concentration at the target site (Chen et al., 2020). The most commonly developed cell-based vehicles for biomimetic drug delivery include living cells (Wang et al., 2015), cell membranes (Luk & Zhang, 2015), and nanovesicles (Usman et al., 2018), depending on the target of disease and cargo for delivery. Cell and cell membrane are similar vehicles for drug delivery by direct loading of drugs or coating drug nanoparticles. Cell and cell membrane coating are both effective for biointerfacing (Kroll et al., 2017). Properties cell membranes inherent from the source cells, bestowing a wide range of advantages for circulation and targeting. Cell-derived nanovesicles, such as exosomes, are natural carriers with intrinsic features including crossing various biological barriers, stability during circulation and potential targeting ability (Pegtel & Gould, 2019; Kalluri & LeBleu, 2020).
Natural compounds and extracts as novel antimicrobial agents
Published in Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents, 2020
Paolo Guglielmi, Virginia Pontecorvi, Giulia Rotondi
This paragraph describes a series of ‘uncommon’ natural antimicrobial agents that cannot be categorized inside the previously reported paragraphs. An example of this, is the approach based on the use of endophytes and associated volatile by-products [37] that have exhibited antimicrobial effects. The patent also describes the use of synthetically obtained compounds. The invention relates to the use of a strain of Muscodor crispans and/or its volatile by-product or a vapor of such by-product, to obtain decontamination of various media, surfaces, spaces, etc., as well as human tissues like nails, hair, teeth, mouth and skin. Muscodor crispans has been isolated form wild pineapple plant (Ananas ananassoides (Baker) L.B.Sm.) found in the Bolivian Amazon and was investigated for its ability to produce biologically active compounds. GC-MS analysis of these compounds revealed the presence of alcohols, esters and small molecular weight acids when Muscodor crispans grew on potato dextrose agar (PDA) without the presence of naphthalene and azulene derivatives (two well-known toxic compounds) that are usually produced by other Muscodor spp. The development of biomimetic compositions was also proposed in order to obtain outcomes not available through the direct use of the fungus and its volatile by-product. Biomimetic compositions are artificial (man-made) preparations that mimic extracts or mixtures derived from nature. So, only the compounds recognized as safe and useful for humans can be selectively introduced in the biomimetic composition in an effective concentration.