About this Research Topic
Nowadays, a range of characteristic biomarkers have been found presenting or overexpressing in certain disease sites and infection sites, as a molecular-based sign of the disease. Consequently, it is hugely beneficial if these highly representative biomarkers can be sensitively detected to facilitate accurate early diagnosis and tracking of disease. The development of effective sensing platforms hence becomes the current emphasis of cutting-edge chemical biology or medical research, where chemists have contributed a range of small-molecular sensors in the past decades with ever-upgrading performances. Followed by the recent development of material science, biomaterials have been developed with more unique advantages compared with small molecular functional agents or nanomaterials, as they can facilitate enhanced biocompatibility and mildness, and facilitate therapeutic effects based on their co-loaded agents or under light activation (PDT/PTT), bringing a new concept in the area of chemical biology. Moreover, the loading nature could further facilitate biomaterials as advanced cargo delivery “vehicles” for sending imaging or therapeutic small-molecular agents directly and selectively to the disease site, which can be activated by the disease biomarkers, thus improving efficiency, availability, and further reducing downside effects. These advanced and biocompatible theranostic-oriented materials are in the current research hotspots.
Goal: For materials, except biocompatibility (which is more preferable in biomaterials, but there is still room to enhance so the materials can show almost zero damage or rejection in bodies/tissues) the major concern should be sensitivity towards activation, and efficiency. Especially, the functional sites in biomaterials can be wrapped or hindered due to the complex structure to interfere their functions. When it comes to prokaryotic cells or viruses which are much smaller, the effective sensing might be even harder. These are some of the major issues that need to be addressed for such material-based studies, by introducing potential assisting agents/groups or upgrading the original nature of the materials in certain environments etc., as they could directly determine the success of the as-constructed systems.
Scope and information: The scope of this Research Topic includes not only biomaterials, but also some bio-conjugated nanomaterials for sensing pathogens (bacteria, viruses, etc.), cancer cells/tumor sites, or other disease cells, which could assist the treatment of a certain kind of human health concern. Moreover, more insightful designs, such as making the materials multifunctional as delivery systems, PDT/PTT agents, or other theranostic agents where sensors and therapeutics are loaded at the same time to realize a combination of “sense and treat” are also anticipated, where even the biomarker of the diseases can act as a trigger for “smart” materials. Also included within the scope of this Research Topic is methods to construct novel biomaterials or complexed molecular sensors based on innovative design to realize the above function and can truly facilitate the treatment of certain disease compared with the current approaches, with some essential trials done in clinical-based or in vivo models to verify the effects. Both Original Research and Review works are welcomed.
Goal: For materials, except biocompatibility (which is more preferable in biomaterials, but there is still room to enhance so the materials can show almost zero damage or rejection in bodies/tissues) the major concern should be sensitivity towards activation, and efficiency. Especially, the functional sites in biomaterials can be wrapped or hindered due to the complex structure to interfere their functions. When it comes to prokaryotic cells or viruses which are much smaller, the effective sensing might be even harder. These are some of the major issues that need to be addressed for such material-based studies, by introducing potential assisting agents/groups or upgrading the original nature of the materials in certain environments etc., as they could directly determine the success of the as-constructed systems.
Scope and information: The scope of this Research Topic includes not only biomaterials, but also some bio-conjugated nanomaterials for sensing pathogens (bacteria, viruses, etc.), cancer cells/tumor sites, or other disease cells, which could assist the treatment of a certain kind of human health concern. Moreover, more insightful designs, such as making the materials multifunctional as delivery systems, PDT/PTT agents, or other theranostic agents where sensors and therapeutics are loaded at the same time to realize a combination of “sense and treat” are also anticipated, where even the biomarker of the diseases can act as a trigger for “smart” materials. Also included within the scope of this Research Topic is methods to construct novel biomaterials or complexed molecular sensors based on innovative design to realize the above function and can truly facilitate the treatment of certain disease compared with the current approaches, with some essential trials done in clinical-based or in vivo models to verify the effects. Both Original Research and Review works are welcomed.
Keywords: Diagnostics, Theranostics, Imaging, Sensor, Biomaterials
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