We are pleased to present the latest Editors’ Showcase: Biomedical Nanotechnology Research Topic. This exclusive article collection is led by Specialty Chief Editor, Professor Ajeet Kaushik and submissions are open to Editorial Board members only. The work presented here celebrates the quality and diversity of research performed by our Associate and Review Editors across the scope of the Biomedical Nanotechnology specialty section, and may include the latest discoveries, current challenges, and future-forward reviews and perspectives. This collection is scheduled to be complete in time for the fourth anniversary of Frontiers in Nanotechnology. Work submitted to this collection will be taken into consideration when shortlisting for the 2023 Frontiers in Nanotechnology Editorial Board Awards (explore the winners of our <a href="https://blog.frontiersin.org/2021/12/22/frontiers-in-nanotechnology-2021-awards/">2021 Awards</a> and <a href="https://blog.frontiersin.org/2023/01/16/frontiers-in-nanotechnology-2022-awards/">2022 Awards</a>).

Florida Polytechnic University

A collection honoring quality & diversity in Biomedical Nanotechnology research.

. The research topic focuses on the development of nanomaterials and nanotechnology for various applications, including: <ul> <li>Microfluidic devices for cell culture and live cell imaging</li> <li>Theranostics for neurodegenerative diseases management</li> <li>Nanomaterials for aiding neurogenesis-related neurological disorders</li> <li>Smart antimicrobial surfaces with switchable features for synergistic antibacterial action</li> </ul> These nanomaterials and nanotechnologies are economical, eco-friendly, biocompatible and renewable, and are promising for tackling the serious problem of microbial infection and antibiotic resistance.

Frontiers in Nanotechnology

Biomedical Nanotechnology

Editors’ Showcase: Biomedical Nanotechnology

In 2006, Whitesides, writing about microfluidics, said that microfluidics is in early adolescence and it is not yet clear how it will develop. Today, almost 20 years later, microfluidics became a fully developed, highly sophisticated, multidisciplinary field that had entirely honoured its early promise. Its strength stems from the knowledge and know-how, coming from multiple disciplines such as physics of fluids, engineering, and microfabrication in the beginning, followed, more recently, by cell biological research, in full bloom nowadays. In microfluidic devices, the environment of cells such as chemical and mechanical gradients can be reproduced, making biological studies even more compelling. The red thread of this review paper follows the new insights and discoveries in both traditional macro- and microfluidic cell culture brought into the cell biology field, especially in the culture of stem cells, filled with promise in the field of regenerative medicine. Microfluidic devices provide an environment that is much closer to that of in vivo cell culture than the conventional culture platforms, where large amounts of cells are cultured and the environment of individual cells cannot be distinguished. The convenience of live cell imaging, portability, and the integration of sensors to precisely, control various parameters, has expanded cell biologists’ arsenal In addition, microfluidic devices, integrated with different functionalities, that is, the automated cell culture systems, will be discussed as well.

In 2006, Whitesides, writing about microfluidics, said that microfluidics is in early adolescence and it is not yet clear how it will develop. Today, almost 20&nbsp;years later, microfluidics became a fully developed, highly sophisticated, multidisciplinary field that had entirely honoured its early promise. Its strength stems from the knowledge and know-how, coming from multiple disciplines such as physics of fluids, engineering, and microfabrication in the beginning, followed, more recently, by cell biological research, in full bloom nowadays. In microfluidic devices, the environment of cells such as chemical and mechanical gradients can be reproduced, making biological studies even more compelling. The red thread of this review paper follows the new insights and discoveries in both traditional macro- and microfluidic cell culture brought into the cell biology field, especially in the culture of stem cells, filled with promise in the field of regenerative medicine. Microfluidic devices provide an environment that is much closer to that of in vivo cell culture than the conventional culture platforms, where large amounts of cells are cultured and the environment of individual cells cannot be distinguished. The convenience of live cell imaging, portability, and the integration of sensors to precisely, control various parameters, has expanded cell biologists’ arsenal In addition, microfluidic devices, integrated with different functionalities, that is, the automated cell culture systems, will be discussed as well.

Culturing cells for life: innovative approaches in macroscopic and microfluidic cultures, with an emphasis on stem cells

Current theranostics for neurodegenerative diseases (NDD) management are majorly symptomatic due to a lack of identification of early-stage biomarkers and the inefficiency of drugs to penetrate through the blood-brain barrier. Recently, the Neuro-nanotechnology interface has emerged as a potential strategy for diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of NDDs owing to smaller particle size, high specific surface area, tunable physicochemical attributes and rich surface functionalities. However, toxicity and biocompatibility are two significant challenges restricting their commercial prospect in NDD management. On the contrary, green nanosystems fabricated using plant extracts, microorganisms, biome-based precursors, repurposed-byproducts, exosomes, and protein-based bio-nanomaterials are economical, eco-friendly, biocompatible and renewable due to the abundance of biodiversity. This prospect explores the novel and cutting-edge interface of green nanosystems and NDDs for developing diagnostic and implantable devices, targeted drug delivery strategies, surgical prostheses, therapeutics, treatment, nanoscaffolds for neurogeneration, and immunity development. Besides, it discusses the challenges, alternate solutions and advanced prospects of green nanosystems with the integration of modern-age technologies for the development of sustainable green Neuro-nanotechnology for efficient management of NDDs.

Current theranostics for neurodegenerative diseases (NDD) management are majorly symptomatic due to a lack of identification of early-stage biomarkers and the inefficiency of drugs to penetrate through the blood-brain barrier. Recently, the Neuro-nanotechnology interface has emerged as a potential strategy for diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of NDDs owing to smaller particle size, high specific surface area, tunable physicochemical attributes and rich surface functionalities. However, toxicity and biocompatibility are two significant challenges restricting their commercial prospect in NDD management. On the contrary, green nanosystems fabricated using plant extracts, microorganisms, biome-based precursors, repurposed-byproducts, exosomes, and protein-based bio-nanomaterials are economical, eco-friendly, biocompatible and renewable due to the abundance of biodiversity. This prospect explores the novel and cutting-edge interface of green nanosystems and NDDs for developing diagnostic and implantable devices, targeted drug delivery strategies, surgical prostheses, therapeutics, treatment, nanoscaffolds for neurogeneration, and immunity development. Besides, it discusses the challenges, alternate solutions and advanced prospects of green nanosystems with the integration of modern-age technologies for the development of sustainable green Neuro-nanotechnology for efficient management of NDDs.

Prospects of green nanotechnology for efficient management of neurodegenerative diseases

Neurogenesis encompasses the formation and development of neurons in the mammalian brain, mainly occurring in hippocampus and the olfactory system. This process is rapid, accurate, and very sensitive to the external stressors including environment, diet, age, anxiety, stress, depression, diet, and hormones. The range of stressors is big and directly impacts the generation, maturation and migration, efficacy, and myelination of the neuronal cells. The field of regenerative medicine focuses on combating the direct or indirect effects of these stressors on the process of neurogenesis, and ensures increased general and neuronal communications and functioning. Understanding the deep secrets of brain signaling and devising ways to increase drug availability is tough, considering the complexity and intricate details of the neuronal networks and signaling in the CNS. It is imperative to understand this complexity and introduce potent and efficacious ways to combat diseases. This perspective offers an insight into how neurogenesis could be aided by nanotechnology and what plausible nanomaterials are available to culminate neurogenesis-related neurological disorders. The nanomaterials are promising as they are minute, robust, and effective and help in diagnostics and therapeutics such as drug delivery, maturation and neuroprotection, neurogenesis, imaging, and neurosurgery.

Neurogenesis encompasses the formation and development of neurons in the mammalian brain, mainly occurring in hippocampus and the olfactory system. This process is rapid, accurate, and very sensitive to the external stressors including environment, diet, age, anxiety, stress, depression, diet, and hormones. The range of stressors is big and directly impacts the generation, maturation and migration, efficacy, and myelination of the neuronal cells. The field of regenerative medicine focuses on combating the direct or indirect effects of these stressors on the process of neurogenesis, and ensures increased general and neuronal communications and functioning. Understanding the deep secrets of brain signaling and devising ways to increase drug availability is tough, considering the complexity and intricate details of the neuronal networks and signaling in the CNS. It is imperative to understand this complexity and introduce potent and efficacious ways to combat diseases. This perspective offers an insight into how neurogenesis could be aided by nanotechnology and what plausible nanomaterials are available to culminate neurogenesis-related neurological disorders. The nanomaterials are promising as they are minute, robust, and effective and help in diagnostics and therapeutics such as drug delivery, maturation and neuroprotection, neurogenesis, imaging, and neurosurgery.

Nano-Neurogenesis for CNS Diseases and Disorders

Microbial infection and antibiotic resistance is recognized as a serious problem to society from both an economical perspective and a health concern. To tackle this problem, “nanotechnology,” a multidisciplinary field of research, has provided a plethora of nanomaterials for potential applications in the antimicrobial sector. This letter discusses how antimicrobial nanomaterials are shaping this challenging field and being evaluated as therapeutic and medication delivery agents. The recently designed smart antimicrobial surfaces with switchable features that displayed synergistic antibacterial action were also highlighted. To end, we provide the current scenario and future perspectives with regards to emerging antimicrobial nano-engineered materials and nanotechnology.

Microbial infection and antibiotic resistance is recognized as a serious problem to society from both an economical perspective and a health concern. To tackle this problem, &#x201c;nanotechnology,&#x201d; a multidisciplinary field of research, has provided a plethora of nanomaterials for potential applications in the antimicrobial sector. This letter discusses how antimicrobial nanomaterials are shaping this challenging field and being evaluated as therapeutic and medication delivery agents. The recently designed smart antimicrobial surfaces with switchable features that displayed synergistic antibacterial action were also highlighted. To end, we provide the current scenario and future perspectives with regards to emerging antimicrobial nano-engineered materials and nanotechnology.