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Mouse mesenchymal stem cells have been individually encased by polyelectrolyte layers of poly (L-lysine) and hyaluronic acid using the electrostatic layer-by-layer assembly technique, resulting in a shell consisting of nanolayers of thickness around 6-9 nm. Maintenance of cell morphology and viability were demonstrated for up to one week. Further adjustments to shell permeability and flexibility will facilitate the use of these encapsulated cells in tissue engineering and targeted-delivery applications.

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Orthopedic‐grade PMMA bone cement, admixed with prophylactic antibiotics, is widely used in hip and knee replacement surgery. There is a critical need to improve its structural integrity and to control antibiotic release. In this study, clay nanotubes are loaded with the antibiotic gentamicin sulfate and the cement is doped with 5–8 wt% nanotubes. The halloysite nanotubes isolate the drug from the cement monomers and serve as nanocontainers for sustained release of the antibiotic. Gentamicin‐loaded clay nanotubes admixed in PMMA cement provide sustained release up to 300–400 h and with enhanced release at cement cracks. The PMMA/halloysite/gentamicin composite tensile strength does not deteriorate as compared with pure cement and its adhesion to bone is significantly increased.

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Natural halloysite clay tubules were studied for their potential use as miniature biocompatible containers that can be loaded with antiseptics followed by their slow and controlled release. Brilliant green was loaded into 15 nm diameter halloysite lumen at 15 wt% and provided sustained release over six hours.Formation of a benzotriazole-copper coating on halloysite nanotubes allowed additional encapsulation providing for more sustained release from 50 to 200 hours. Antibacterial efficiency of the brilliant green in clay nanotubes was tested on Staphylococcus aureus cultures and antibacterial action extended up to 72 hours was demonstrated. Sustained release of amoxicillin and iodine from halloysite tubes was also demonstrated.