Nano-Immuno-Engineering: Transforming Therapeutics and Vaccines for Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases continue to pose major global health threats, with rising cases of antimicrobial resistance and the constant emergence of new pathogens. Despite advancements in therapeutic agents and vaccines, many traditional strategies suffer from limitations including poor immunogenicity, systemic toxicity, and delivery inefficiencies. Nano-immuno-engineering—an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of nanotechnology and immunology—offers clinically relevant solutions to these challenges.

Recent advances in nanotechnology have enabled the development of vaccine platforms and immunotherapeutics that are already progressing through various stages of preclinical and clinical development. Lipid nanoparticle-based mRNA vaccines, such as those deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic, have demonstrated the transformative impact of nanocarrier systems in enhancing antigen stability, targeted delivery, and immune activation. Similarly, nanostructured drug carriers and exosome-based delivery systems are being explored in clinical trials for their potential to overcome biological barriers, enhance pharmacokinetics, and reduce off-target effects.

This Research Topic aims to highlight real-world applications and translational developments in nano-immuno-engineering for infectious disease prevention and therapy. We welcome manuscripts that present not only fundamental innovations but also studies with clinical relevance and regulatory awareness. Emphasis will be placed on nano-based strategies that are under active investigation in human or veterinary clinical trials or have demonstrated clear preclinical efficacy with potential for translation.

We invite contributions including Original Research, Reviews, and Perspectives addressing the following specific themes:


• Clinically advanced nanotechnology-based vaccine platforms (e.g., lipid nanoparticles, virus-like particles, polymeric nanocarriers)
• Exosome-based and bio-inspired nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery in infectious diseases
• Immunomodulatory nanoparticles that demonstrate efficacy in vivo or in translational models
• Nanotechnology-enhanced solutions to combat antimicrobial resistance
• Personalized nano-immunotherapy strategies, including precision delivery platforms and immune reprogramming
• Regulatory, safety, and manufacturing considerations in the clinical translation of nano-immunotherapeutics

By focusing on real-world applications and interdisciplinary collaboration, this Research Topic aims to accelerate the translation of nanotechnology-driven innovations into effective, scalable solutions for infectious disease treatment and prevention.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Nano-Immuno-Engineering, Vaccines, Infectious Diseases, Global Health, Nanotechnology

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.