Recent progress of magnetic nanoparticles in biomedical applications: A review

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) offer tremendous potentialities in biomedical applications for a long while. Since these materials' interactions in biological media largely rely on their crystal structures, sizes, and shapes, detailed studies on their synthesis mechanism for medicinal aspects are crucial. Despite many review reports that have already been published on MNPs, they mainly have focused either on their perspective in biomedical applications or their synthesis and characterization along with functionalization mechanisms as individual entities. For this reason, this review uncovers a comprehensive insight into the ongoing improvement of fabrication processes, surface functionalization of MNPs for biomedical applications together. Besides, various magnetic nanocomposite (MNCs) for smart drug delivery, recent hyperthermia treatment, lab‐on‐a‐chip, and magnetic bio‐separation, and some of the recent emerging imaging techniques using MNPs are discussed. A detailed analysis of toxicity, challenges, and recent progress of clinical trials of MNPs is sketched out to open numerous entryways for advanced research on MNPs for biomedical applications.

Magnetic Nanoprobes for Spatio-Mechanical Manipulation in Single Cells

“…Previous studies demonstrated successful NP delivery into living tissues, their spatial manipulation by external magnetic fields [10,11], as well as their controlled heating [12]. Recent studies, however, indicate that these nanoprobes need to Nanomaterials 2021, 11, 2267 2 of 20 reconcile a variety of demands which are difficult to achieve simultaneously [1,13]. First, NPs need to be biocompatible.…”

“…Functional magnetic nanoscale particles (MNPs) are widely employed in biotechnology and nanomedicine to study fundamental biological processes as well as to develop enhanced diagnostic and treatment strategies, the most prominent examples being smart drug delivery, contrast enhancement in imaging, magnetic separation of molecules, magnetic particle hyperthermia [ 1 ], regenerative medicine concepts [ 2 ], and a combination of diagnostics and therapy [ 3 ]. In addition, for subcellular applications in fundamental studies, their manipulation via magnetic tweezers demonstrated benefit in the study of organelles, proteins, and biomolecules within the cell environment [ 4 , 5 ].…”

Magnetic Nanoprobes for Spatio-Mechanical Manipulation in Single Cells

“…Despite protective coatings, iron oxide MNPs are still cautiously applied in nanomedicine due to potential side effects they could implicate after being injected into living tissue or cells [1], [46]. Here, HeLa WT cells were used to test the cell viability with the CellTiter-Blue assay on both MNP systems within the concentration range of 0.1-4.0 mg/ml.…”

“…Functional magnetic nanoscale particles (MNPs) are widely employed in biotechnology and nanomedicine to study fundamental biological processes as well as to develop enhanced diagnostic and treatment strategies, the most prominent examples being smart drug delivery, contrast enhancement in imaging, magnetic separation of molecules, or magnetic particle hyperthermia [1]. In addition, for subcellular applications in fundamental studies, their manipulation via magnetic tweezers demonstrated to be beneficial for the study of organelles, proteins, and biomolecules within the cell environment [2], [3].…”

“…Previous studies demonstrated successful NP delivery into living tissues, their spatial manip-ulation by external magnetic fields [8], [9], as well as their controlled heating [10]. Recent studies, however, indicate that these nanoprobes need to reconcile a variety of demands which are difficult to achieve simultaneously [1], [11]. First, NPs need to be biocompatible.…”