Design of Macrocyclic Compounds for Biomedical Applications

About this Research Topic

Background

Supramolecular chemistry is one of the most actively developing and promising scientific fields of chemical science, located in-between chemistry, physics, and biology. Supramolecular chemistry utilizes the principle of self-assembly of molecules into supramolecular ensembles through various types of intermolecular interactions. Self-assembling study is a key factor in understanding biological processes. Directed design and creation of supramolecular systems with desired properties is considered a promising frontier, offering great opportunities.

Macrocyclic compounds have been used in various fields due to unique physicochemical properties, e.g., spatial preorganization, presence of a hydrophobic cavity, and hydrophilic substituents. Many recent reviews have discussed the role of macrocycles in medicinal chemistry. Macrocyclic compounds (crown ethers, cyclodextrins, cucurbiturils, calixarenes, porphyrins, pillararenes, and others) have been used in drug discovery and design, as a part of biosensors, as well as for bioimaging and other biomedical applications. The use of macrocycles for biomedical applications offers new possibilities, exhausting those related to extensive experience in the design of such compounds and in the study of their properties.

The aim of the current Research Topic is to cover promising, recent and novel research trends in the synthesis of new macrocycles and their biomedical applications. This will be presented in form of Reviews, Original Research, Mini-reviews, and Perspectives. Areas to be covered in this Research Topic may include, but are not limited to:

 • Supramolecular self-assembly of new macrocycles and interaction with biomolecules
 • Role of macrocycles in molecular recognition
 • Biological activity and toxicity of new macrocycles
 • Bioimaging or drug delivery systems based on macrocycles
 • Bio- and chemosensors based on macrocycles

Keywords: macrocycles, self-assembly, molecular recognition, drug delivery, biosensors

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