Stimuli-Responsive Soft Matter Systems for Controlled Drug Delivery: Insights from Nanohybrids and Coacervates

Soft matter systems offer a promising solution for drug delivery by releasing therapeutics in response to specific environmental cues such as pH, temperature, or light, enabling controlled, on-demand therapy. Among the most promising colloidal platforms are nanohybrids - dispersions integrating both organic and inorganic components- recognized for their improved stability, versatile functions, and strong responsiveness. Concurrently, coacervates, which are polymer-rich, phase-separated colloidal droplets, facilitate efficient drug encapsulation and allow controlled, reversible release via dynamic physical interactions at interfaces. These platforms exemplify advanced colloidal assemblies with excellent biocompatibility and tunability.

This Research Topic aims to bridge existing gaps by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to advance the synthesis, assembly, phase behavior, characterization, and simulation of smart colloidal soft matter systems for controlled drug delivery. We invite contributions that combine experimental, computational, and theoretical approaches to deepen our understanding of structure-function relationships, stimuli-responsiveness, and bio-interface behavior in nanohybrids and coacervates. By uniting insights from across disciplines, this collection seeks to drive innovation in personalized drug delivery technologies that are not only responsive and efficient but also scalable, safe, and clinically viable.

To gather further insights into the potential of stimuli-responsive soft matter colloids for drug delivery, we welcome interdisciplinary submissions focusing on nanohybrids and coacervates. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

-Structure-function relationships in nanohybrids and coacervates
-Smart release mechanisms, loading strategies, and phase behavior
-Bio-interface interactions and biocompatibility of colloidal assemblies
-Novel synthesis and advanced characterization methods for colloidal systems
-Computational modeling, simulation, and predictive design of colloidal behavior
-In vitro and in vivo performance studies

We encourage submissions in a variety of manuscript types, including original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, perspectives, and methods papers. Contributions that combine experimental and theoretical approaches or offer novel interdisciplinary insights are especially welcomed, aiming to advance the science and application of responsive colloidal soft matter systems.

Article types and fees

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

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... 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
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: Stimuli-responsive materials; Controlled drug delivery; Nanohybrids; Coacervates; Smart soft matter systems

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.