Applications of nanoscience and technology in the field of medicine and biosciences have increased exponentially in the last decade. Engineered nanomaterials in the form of drug delivery formulations, imaging agents, implantable devices, surgical tools, microrobots, etc., have been developed for diagnosis, therapy, drug delivery and biosensing applications in a number of human diseases. With this exponential rise in the number of nano-based formulations and devices in translational and clinical settings, it is imperative that their interactions with the underlying complex biological milieu be understood in greater detail. This knowledge can then be recursively exploited to design the next-generation of biomedical products with improved performance and outcomes for human healthcare.
Our limited understanding of the interactions that take place at the nano-bio interfaces have impeded the bench-to-bedside translation of engineered biomedical nanomaterials. Over the years, a number of studies have explored the complexity and implications of nano-bio interactions in defining the biological fate, efficacy, safety, and toxicity of the administered and implanted drugs and devices. However, there is a lack of a cohesive understanding of this multi-faceted issue from the point of view of different disciplines.
In this topic, we aim to bring together researchers from various fields of study and provide them with a platform to i) discuss the current status and state-of-art technologies, in our understanding and exploitation of the nano-bio interactions and ii) provide their expert opinions on the imminent next steps that will push the frontiers of nanomedicine forward.
The focus of this Research Topic is specifically on nanomaterials that interface with the tissues in vivo or ex vivo in applications such as disease detection and treatment, drug delivery, biosensing, regenerative medicine etc. We welcome the submission of high-quality Original Research, Review, Mini-Review and Perspective articles focused on (but not limited to) the following thematic areas:
• Current understanding of the nano-bio interactions and future perspectives
• Investigation of underlying biology, physics and chemistry that significantly impact the nano-bio interfaces and interactions
• Tools and techniques in multiscale evaluation of nano-bio interactions
• Design and applications of biomimetic, biohybrid or biologically derived nanomaterials
• Design of implantable devices/microchips with improved biological interfacing
Keywords: Nanomedicine, nanomaterials, nano–bio interface, toxicology, ADME
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
