Design principles of bioinspired interfaces for biomedical applications in therapeutics and imaging

Abstract

In the past two decades, we have witnessed rapid developments in nanotechnology, especially in biomedical applications such as drug delivery, biosensing, and bioimaging. The most commonly used nanomaterials in biomedical applications are nanoparticles, which serve as carriers for various therapeutic and contrast reagents. Since nanomaterials are in direct contact with biological samples, biocompatibility is one of the most important issues for the fabrication and synthesis of nanomaterials for biomedical applications. To achieve specific recognition of biomolecules for targeted delivery and biomolecular sensing, it is common practice to engineer the surfaces of nanomaterials with recognition moieties. This mini-review summarizes different approaches for engineering the interfaces of nanomaterials to improve their biocompatibility and specific recognition properties. We also focus on design strategies that mimic biological systems such as cell membranes of red blood cells, leukocytes, platelets, cancer cells, and bacteria.

Bio-Inspired Nanomaterials for Micro/Nanodevices: A New Era in Biomedical Applications

“…Another important factor is biomedical imaging, which provides essential information about molecular distributions in vitro and in vivo. The use of NPs in biomedical applications has been extensively explored due to their adaptability and accessibility [ 260 ]. When designing a delivery method, it is critical to consider the NPs’ trajectory through the body and any potential roadblocks on the way to the illness site.…”

“…The third category of design concepts for these bio-inspired interfaces is the alteration of the geometric aspects of the NPs, such as their size or shape. Reprinted with permission from Ref [260]…”

Cell membrane-coated nanoparticles: An emerging antibacterial platform for pathogens of food animals

“…The cell membrane coatings over nanoparticles give the appearance of surfaces of naturally occurring cells in the body, that when correctly selected and prepared do not have any risk of immune system activation and attack ( 38 ). The biomimetic therapeutic design demonstrates several therapeutic benefits like capability of biointerfacing ( 42 , 43 ), biocompatibility ( 44 ), prolonged duration of circulation ( 45 ), immune evasion ( 46 ), and protection of the entrapped drug from active targeting and degradation ( 47 ).…”